The Best Co-Op Open-World Games

Over the past few years, the cooperative gaming experience, often denoted as ‘co-op’, seems to be fading in significance within the gaming industry. In earlier days, multiplayer games with split-screen functionality were fundamental to a game’s design. However, recently, co-op has been viewed more as an optional extra or even an afterthought, tacked on once the main single-player campaign and online multiplayer modes have been developed.

Although titles like “It Takes Two” have successfully made cooperative play a key selling point, the overall trend suggests that cooperative gaming is becoming increasingly rare.

In simpler terms, finding cooperative games set in an open world is quite rare. Although battle royale games such as Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warzone allow for team play within closed arenas, they don’t offer the same freedom as an open world does. Creating a game where players can explore an open world with their friends while still keeping the advantages of an open world, like hiding loading screens, is quite challenging, especially when managing multiple perspectives. It’s indeed a complex task, but many games have managed to accomplish it, sometimes even resulting in great success.

ARK: Survival Evolved

Friends Of The Human And Dinosaur Varieties

The scarcity of contemporary open-world dinosaur games on the market hasn’t stopped ARK: Survival Evolved from stepping into that gap. This multiplayer survival game, which is now almost eight years old, has become one of the leading multiplayer games on the market through numerous content updates and improvements over time.

It’s clear that the game suits multiplayer play very effectively. Friends can collaborate, pursue or domesticate dinosaurs together, and construct a settlement. In essence, it resembles Stardew Valley. The unique aspect is that one player must serve as the “host”, inviting others into their game universe. Any modifications will only impact the host’s game world. Yet, there are options to establish a common server (with numerous guides available online on setting this up) which grants access to various players at any time they prefer. Furthermore, the game boasts a supportive community, with seasoned ARK gamers often providing newcomers with starting kits.

Fallout 76

What A Comeback

Initially, Fallout 76 was quite a letdown for many gamers. The idea of transposing the universe of The Elder Scrolls Online into the Fallout series fell flat, failing to capture the allure that made games like Fallout 3, 4, and New Vegas so endearing. It also lacked non-player characters (NPCs), which were instrumental in giving life to the game world. To be honest, it was perplexing. Furthermore, the exorbitant price of the Collector’s Edition didn’t help matters, causing many potential players to shy away from Fallout 76 at its launch.

In retrospect, much of what was once an issue has been left behind. The game Fallout 76 has impressively addressed player feedback and expanded where needed, transforming into one of the top multiplayer games currently available. When players embark on their adventures simultaneously and develop compatible builds, they often find themselves having a delightful experience. The world is captivating to traverse, the missions are immersive and distinct, and the loot drops usually offer intriguing additions to one’s build. Fallout 76 can now proudly stand alongside the series’ single-player games, a development that initially seemed unlikely when it first came out.

Grounded 2

Shrunken Children And Giant Bugs

It’s been quite the year for Obsidian in 2025, with significant releases on the horizon. They kicked off the year with the much-anticipated action RPG, Avowed, and plans to follow up with the long-awaited sequel to their sci-fi RPG series, The Outer Worlds 2, slated for release in October. Between these two milestones, the sequel to their game inspired by Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, titled Grounded 2, debuted on Steam Early Access in July. Despite being in development, the improvements already visible – from enhanced visuals to more refined gameplay mechanics – make the original Grounded seem outdated. The larger-than-life backyard setting is more vivid than ever, and aspects like crafting, foraging, and combat have a sharper, cleaner feel that justifies the sequel’s existence.

In the game “Grounded 2“, multiplayer mode is readily accessible as soon as you start the game, directly from the main menu. Players can opt to host a game or join one, and if they’re hosting, they can set a password for added security. After selecting the game difficulty and character, players can jump straight into the game and invite friends to join at that point. While the feature to start a shared world, where any player who joins can log on and play at any time, is mentioned but not currently available in Early Access, its inclusion suggests it will be added later, either through an update or upon the full release.

Enshrouded

Fantasy Minecraft With Exceptional Building Systems

Even though it’s currently in the Early Access stage, Enshrouded is already demonstrating significant potential. It combines well-loved gameplay elements, such as gliding reminiscent of Breath of the Wild and mining/building akin to Minecraft. Additionally, it offers dungeon exploration and puzzle solving. What sets it apart is its engaging musical system, where players can choose their preferred instruments, collaborate to create harmonious melodies, and receive stat boosts as rewards for their musical prowess.

In the game Enshrouded, the design of its building systems is outstanding, mimicking the functionality found in other survival-crafting games while also integrating flawlessly with the surroundings. This results in structures, particularly interiors, that seem extremely realistic and authentic. The building system is also highly engaging as it offers a satisfying experience. Furthermore, the game’s dungeons frequently include tunnels that can be mined to reveal hidden treasures. This mining aspect adds another layer of cooperative gameplay since players must collaborate to dig out these passages and discover the valuables buried within.

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

Explore The Beauty Of Pandora As A Pair

In contrast to what many gamers might initially consider for cooperative play, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora isn’t typically associated with it. Typically, Ubisoft’s open-world games are recognized as primarily solo endeavors. But here, a unique twist allows two players to join forces against the RDA in this visually stunning video game.

To play co-op mode, both gamers must finish the initial four primary missions of the campaign, wrapping up with a mission named “The Aranahe Clan.” Following this milestone, a “Co-Op” option will materialize in the game’s System Settings section. With this feature, players can extend invitations to their friends (who also possess the game) to explore Pandora alongside them. Together, they can eliminate RDA Outposts and Mining Installations, collaborate on quests, and much more.

Saints Row 4

The Peak Of The Series’ Satirical Format Is Best Enjoyed Alongside People You Can Laugh With

Although some might debate which game is the finest in the Saints Row series, it’s indisputable that Saint’s Row 4 is its most contemporary installment – excepting the 2022 reboot, which seemed to lack the charm that defined the original games. The series shines brightest when it serves up satirical self-references and over-the-top humor, and this game, with its storyline about the protagonist becoming President before being trapped in a virtual world, delivers these elements in abundance.

As a fellow gamer, let me tell you this game lets us team up with a buddy for an epic co-op adventure! We can bring our personalized characters complete with customizations and stats into each other’s games, letting us swap laughs and wacky expressions like never before. Plus, if we’re feeling adventurous, we can even join a stranger’s game, though it might be tougher to find players these days compared to back in 2013.

Dying Light

Open-World Parkour Is Better As A Team

For decades, cooperative zombie survival has been a popular theme, starting with the initial releases of Left 4 Dead and Dead Island. Yet, very few games manage to convey the sense of enduring (and even flourishing) in a zombie outbreak as effectively as the Dying Light series does.

In this game, it’s the parkour mechanics that really set it apart, enhancing not only the single-player experience but also the cooperative play. Players, working together, can tackle missions from a multitude of unique perspectives. They can scale towering buildings or dart through city streets, compete to amass a high kill count, or challenge each other to endure the longest at night. The diverse range of combat styles available ensures that each player has a distinct approach and creates exciting teamwork opportunities.

Palworld

Collect Pals With Friends, And Collect Friends With Pals

In terms of superficial similarities, Pokemon and Palworld may seem alike due to their shared monster-hunting elements. However, beyond these surface-level comparisons, Palworld is a unique game, being an open-world survival title with third-person shooting mechanics. Instead of catching creatures for battles or tasks, players in Palworld collect Pals to join them in combat or send them back to work on their base.

Of course, it’s possible to play cooperatively as well! You can ask up to three friends to join you in the game, where you can all traverse the game world together, collaborate on missions, build and manage a shared base, or even trade items among yourselves. To facilitate this, simply toggle on multiplayer mode within the World Settings. Once activated, you’ll be able to share your server code with anyone you wish to play with.

Astroneer

Casually Terraforming Procedural Planets

For numerous gamers, the intensity of survival games might sometimes feel overwhelming. The intricate mechanics like crafting, resource management, and managing thirst and hunger, can be challenging and overshadow the delightful parts of discovering and exploring a fresh world. However, a game such as Astroneer serves a crucial purpose in this scenario. Although it retains survival elements, they are quite relaxed, enabling players to advance and play at their convenience without haste, focusing primarily on what brings them pleasure.

In the game known as Astroneer, the primary objective is to transform various planets, starting simple and gradually becoming more intricate. Upon completion, players receive rewards such as new equipment and visual enhancements for their characters. However, this description might give an overly optimistic impression of the game. The truth is that players have complete freedom in Astroneer. They can construct, discover, craft, or engage in activities between these, making it a game where a group of friends can freely decide on any venture they fancy, without being tied to quest objectives or storyline progression.

Valheim

2021’s Hit Survival Sandbox Features Up To 10-Player Co-Op

It’s been quite some time now since the game Valheim swept the globe in early 2021, but even though the initial excitement seems to have waned, the quality of the game hasn’t diminished one bit. The game world inspired by Norse mythology is captivating, the fighting is surprisingly enjoyable, and the settlement-building aspect instills a sense of urgency for teamwork that few other games can match.

Over time, word of mouth may not hold the same strength as initially, but Valheim has managed to sustain a steady player base for several years now. In fact, it boasts more monthly players than ever before. Being a game that inherently supports cooperation, whether players are constructing a settlement from scratch, battling their way through Purgatory, or confronting the fearsome bosses of Valheim, sharing this adventure with friends significantly enhances the overall experience.

2025-09-09 04:40