10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends

10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends

As a seasoned JRPG enthusiast and someone who’s spent countless hours traversing fantastical worlds, I can confidently say that these games offer an unparalleled adventure for those seeking to escape reality, if only for a while.


JRPGs typically provide an epic, imaginative narrative within a richly layered and intricate universe.

As a dedicated fan, I can tell you that diving into most JRPGs often results in an unbelievable, jaw-dropping adventure that one must witness firsthand. However, the disappointment sets in when trying to share this experience with friends, as not many of these games are designed for multiplayer gaming, unless your companions are content to merely spectate while you take center stage.

But fear not; there’s a limited amount, but that doesn’t mean that there are no viable options.

In the world of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), there are some exceptional titles that break away from tradition by offering delightful experiences designed for cooperative play. These games feature team fights, joint exploration, and a host of other engaging elements.

If you’re seeking to bond with a companion and, leveraging the strength of camaraderie, challenge the concept of deity, then these game titles offer an excellent JRPG experience for your team.

10 Shining Soul 2

A GBA Gem

10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends

We kick things off with a GBA gem rehashing a SEGA Genesis classic. How’s that for retro?

Shining Soul is a series that predates Diablo, offering players the chance to battle monotonous opponents and amass as much treasure as they can carry. This straightforward yet engaging design adapts well to the Game Boy Advance’s portable format.

However, what truly drew people to this game title was the cooperative mode, enabling up to four friends to band together and face this seemingly easy challenge as a team.

Of course, it requires a wired connection due to the relatively basic technology back then, but if you’re open to sacrificing some contemporary conveniences, you’ll uncover a hidden jewel in the realm of JRPG cooperative games.

9 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

A Forgotten Final Fantasy

10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends

This game, titled “Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles“, may not rank among the finest in the expansive “Final Fantasy” series. In fact, it might not even make it into the top tier of games in the collection.

However, when it comes to cooperative experiences in the Final Fantasy series, your choices are quite limited beyond Dissidia and Strangers of Paradise. Given this circumstance, though it may not be ideal, you’ll need to adapt and enjoy what’s available.

It might be a bit severe to label it that way since this GameCube exclusive title offers an enjoyable JRPG experience with unique concepts and the classic Final Fantasy appeal. The battle Royale closing circle combat system is quite intriguing, and the storyline, though seemingly light-hearted, carries a surprising depth.

Additionally, the game supports cooperative play for up to four players, enabling you and your companions to delve into this overlooked Final Fantasy title together.

Although it might seem rather old-fashioned, this game is a piece of the past that has been revived for the Nintendo Switch. So, give it a shot and see if it fits well.

8 Haven

The JRPG For Couples

10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends

This game might not appeal easily to JRPG enthusiasts due to its apparent departure from traditional JRPG elements in various aspects. However, its competent turn-based battle system justifies our inclusion of it in this list.

If you’re not already familiar, Haven might be the unique game that focuses on a cooperative experience for couples, enabling players to witness romance blossom and develop organically while controlling both main characters.

This game offers exceptionally fulfilling movement dynamics, captivating pastel aesthetics, and a narrative that explores themes of love, grief, and a repressive society.

While it might not be particularly enthusiastic about its hunting and grooming tasks, overall, it stands out as one of the top cooperative games available today, with only a few exceptions like It Takes Two.

7 Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

Absolute Remake Bait

10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends

This time around, we’re revisiting the realm of Nintendo portable systems, albeit not quite reaching as far back as the Game Boy Advance on this occasion. The game, Sentinels of the Starry Skies, was a remarkable addition to the Dragon Quest series on the Nintendo DS platform.

Regrettably, it’s not as widely appreciated by JRPG enthusiasts, largely because it was confined to an older handheld device. Yet, this primary Dragon Quest installment is equally packed with content and enchantment, much like its counterparts.

In this work, you’ll find the classic creativity that Arika Toriyama is known for, yet what truly sets it apart is its cooperative multiplayer mode.

Beyond the first hour, you can play the entire game with friends, and it offers over 40 hours of gameplay if you’re curious about the duration. In essence, that means plenty of Dragon Quest fun, so if you’re ready to fire up your old DS, a rich adventure is on hand for you and your companions to explore together.

6 Cassette Beasts

The Indie Pokemon Killer

10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends
cassette-beasts-city.jpg

If you’re finding the usual Pokémon games repetitive, you may find an exciting alternative in this promising independent game that challenges the dominance of Pokémon.

Among the top-notch JRPG creature-taming games available, Cassette Beasts stands out as it introduces a revolutionary gameplay formula that surpasses Pokemon in originality. It also boasts an appealing setting, New Wirral, and a cast of intriguing characters you’ll grow to know as you strive to restore your own reality.

Not only are the fascinating characters worth mentioning, but you and a buddy can team up in local cooperative play throughout the entire campaign! This means your friend can assume the roles of your different companions, each with their unique Cassette Beasts at their side, lending a hand as the story unfolds. It’s like playing Pokemon together, only improved! What could be more delightful?

5 YS IX: Monstrum Nox

Brilliant, Minus A Wonky Camera

10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends

Before someone criticizes me for mentioning this, I understand that the cooperative play in YS IX isn’t flawless. However, a less-than-perfect attempt is superior to nothing, and if you can put up with the clumsy camera, there’s plenty of fun to be found here.

In contrast to YS VIII, the cooperative mode permits players to enter and exit at will, sharing the adventure with another player while exploring the world together. Additionally, this feature enables teamwork during combat.

In simpler terms, playing platforming sequences in cooperative mode might be tricky due to camera issues, which can make gameplay less enjoyable. However, aside from this challenge, the co-op feature is quite useful and can enhance your experience with the YS series if you’ve already explored Nordic settings extensively.

This feature is exclusive to PC, so console players sadly won’t be able to play YS IX in co-op.

4 Secret of Mana

Together, To The Mana Tree

10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends

When players envision cooperative role-playing games (JRPGs), it’s often Secret of Mana that springs to mind, as it was one of the earliest games to incorporate this shared play experience.

This timeless game for the SNES offers an opportunity to traverse a visually appealing, pixelated landscape while immersing yourself in a lighthearted narrative featuring real-time battles and input mechanics that rely on precise timing. These elements would prove influential in shaping the JRPG genre during this period.

On the other hand, a feature not often duplicated is the three-player cooperative mode that enabled flexible entry and exit throughout the entire campaign.

Secret of Mana is one of those bucket list JRPGs that everyone should play, so if you or a friend hasn’t had the pleasure, there’s no time like the present to hop in together and experience the magic for yourself.

3 Tales of Symphonia

A Legendary Tale

10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends

To put it simply, when it comes to choosing Tales games, we were truly fortunate as almost every game supports cooperative play in one way or another, except for Arise and Legendia. Nevertheless, we believe it’s fair to acknowledge this particular title as a classic.

Among the Tales series, Tales of Symphonia remains a notable favorite up until now, largely due to its exceptional storytelling, a battle system that’s both user-friendly and intricate, and an abundance of content. This experience is even more enjoyable when shared with another player.

In Tales of Symphonia, a second player can jump into the fray during battles, enabling cooperative gameplay where both players can strategize together on the fly to ensure victory.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that, just like other Tales games, the protagonist doesn’t control the action outside of battles. Yet, despite this minor limitation, it’s a privilege to revisit this timeless classic in any form. If you haven’t done so yet, seize this opportunity and immerse yourself in the world of Tales once more!

For an optimal experience, it would be advisable to bypass the remastered version, since it significantly falls short compared to the original.

2 Eternal Sonata

A Musical Death Dream

10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends

It’s likely that many people recognize the renowned pianist Frédéric Chopin. For those who may not be familiar, he was a celebrated musician who passed away from Tuberculosis in the 1840s. In essence, he was the musical counterpart to Kurt Cobain during his time.

Although it may appear unrelated at first glance, this information turns out to be quite significant. In “Eternal Sonata,” you embark on an extraordinary journey that takes place within the musically inspired and fantastical dreams of a composer as he is nearing his end. This adventure is truly one-of-a-kind and unlike any other.

This game provides an exciting narrative, a distinctive mix of turn-based and real-time mechanics, catering perfectly to enthusiasts of both combat styles. Additionally, it delivers a custom tailored soundtrack, which is top-notch as one would anticipate.

You can experience this together on a couch with cooperative play, as other players can manage fellow combat characters. It’s a hidden gem in the realm of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPG), making it worth dusting off an Xbox 360 or PS3 to discover what you might have missed during the late 2000s.

1 Sea of Stars

Chrono Trigger, But Better

10 Best Co-op JRPGs To Play With Friends

At the top of the list is a game that initially offered a solo gaming experience. However, with the Dawn of Equinox DLC and additional content, players can now enjoy the entire campaign cooperatively, involving up to three players.

With this update, players can collaborate in battles to synchronize timed actions, venture through the vibrant, pixelated world of Sea of Stars on their own, and appreciate the fresh combat features like Mystery Locks and Sticky Combo Points that have been introduced.

One striking aspect that particularly appeals to me is the option to engage in 1v1 Wheels matches with a companion. This feature captivates me as I strongly believe Wheels should stand alone as a game on its own merit.

Star Sea stands out as one of the greatest modern JRPGs ever made, and here’s fantastic news: you can now play it with two friends by your side! This calls for a joyful celebration, so let’s get the barbecue going, Garl!

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2024-11-19 14:09