A truly captivating story in a game can stay with players for a long time, even changing how they see the world. When a game focuses on making you feel things through its story, it demonstrates the power of interactive storytelling compared to simply watching or reading.
Sharing experiences with others makes things like movies, TV shows, and games much more enjoyable. While it’s easy to watch something together, games require both players to be truly engaged in the story to create a powerful effect. Cooperative games have improved a lot over time, and the best ones offer amazing shared adventures. Let’s explore some of the best co-op story games available.
Quick Picks: Best Co-op Games With Great Stories To Play Right Now
Before we dive into details about each game, here are some quick recommendations for those who want to know what to play immediately. I’ve organized the suggestions by genre, listing two games per category.
| Category | Top Pick | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Best FPS Co-Op Game | Halo | Far Cry 5 |
| Best Adventure Co-Op Game | Split Fiction | We Were Here |
| Best Horror Co-Op Game | Dead Space 3 | Resident Evil 5 |
| Best RPG Co-Op Game | Baldur’s Gate 3 | Tales of Vesperia |
| Best Open-World Co-Op Game | Saints Row 3 | Borderlands (kind of open-world) |
TopMob Quiz
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Results
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25. Far Cry 5
Tear Down a Cult, Together
After some felt the previous installment wasn’t innovative enough, Far Cry 5 revitalized the series. Its immersive open world, enjoyable side activities, and memorable villains make it a standout title, offering a strong experience in both open-world gameplay and storytelling.
I had so much fun with the gameplay itself, but being able to play with a friend in co-op just took it to another level! Seriously, running missions and taking down the bad guys – especially dismantling the cult’s bases – with a buddy was a blast. It’s no wonder so many people love playing Far Cry 5 with someone else – it just makes the whole experience even better.
24. Tales of Vesperia
The Best Story In The Definitive Co-Op JRPG Franchise
Many Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) offer co-op play, but the Tales series has really embraced it as a key feature. Most Tales games are designed around controlling up to four characters in battle, so multiplayer fits naturally. When playing co-op, each player controls a single character during fights, while one main player manages everything else. This can sometimes leave players with downtime, which could be annoying, but thankfully, Tales games focus heavily on combat, keeping everyone engaged.
Choosing the best Tales of game is tough because many are similar in quality. Tales of Graces f has great combat but a less impressive story, and Tales of Symphonia boasts a fantastic story but its older combat system might not appeal to new players. I’d suggest starting with either Tales of Arise or Tales of Vesperia – Vesperia is probably the most complete experience. It has strong combat, memorable characters, and a really good story.
23. Evil West
Awesome Co-Op Game For Action And A Cool-As-Hell Setting
Look, Flying Wild Hog games are usually a little rough around the edges, but they’re always a blast to play. And honestly, Evil West is one of their best! If you’re into a mix of hack-and-slash and third-person shooting, especially when it’s all about fighting in arenas, you’ll probably love it. Basically, you and your partner move from one open area to the next, and each one throws tons of enemies at you in waves. The story can get a little repetitive, and it almost wears out its welcome, but the combat is just so good that it keeps you hooked. It’s a really satisfying experience, even with the repetition.
While the story in Evil West isn’t groundbreaking – it’s a pretty standard post-apocalyptic setup – the game truly excels in its world and overall feel. It’s a standout Weird West title where you play as vampire hunters facing a diverse range of enemies. You’ll encounter characters and visit locations inspired by classic Japanese Westerns, and while the main storyline is decent, everything surrounding it is exceptionally well done.
Playing Evil West with a friend is enjoyable, but only the player hosting the game can save their progress. The other player essentially joins as a temporary helper in the host’s game.
22. The Kane & Lynch Games
Gritty Shooters That Are Almost Good, But They Do Some Clever Things With Co-Op
I recently finished replaying Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days. While it’s not a great game, it’s definitely memorable. Like the first game, Dead Men, it’s a gritty, violent third-person shooter that doesn’t shy away from disturbing content – think shocking scenes of torture, nudity, and intense gunfights. Even the shooting itself is brutal, but in a way that works. I remember enjoying the first game even more, especially its story, which felt like a Michael Mann film brought to life. These games have a unique atmosphere, and there’s really nothing else quite like them.
It’s debatable whether the Kane & Lynch games are truly among the best story-based co-op experiences, but they’re definitely best enjoyed with a friend. IO Interactive experimented with some unique co-op mechanics, including a shocking moment in the first game that I won’t reveal… unless you’re never planning on playing it, in which case, see below.
In the game Dead Men, playing on split-screen can create a disorienting experience. There’s a memorable scene where one player, Lynch, begins to hallucinate, seeing civilians as police officers and instinctively shooting them. Meanwhile, the other player, Kane, sees the same people as ordinary civilians, highlighting the game’s unique psychological effect.
21. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake
A Great Story, A Decent Co-Op Game, And A Mediocre Remake
I’m really unsure about whether to feature the Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake. The original 2013 game is truly exceptional, with one of the best stories ever told in a video game, and I’d recommend it to almost anyone. Although the game focuses on two brothers and includes sections where you control both, it was designed as a single-player experience, and it works brilliantly that way. While it seems like a natural fit for two-player co-op, the developer’s choice to have one player control both characters actually makes the story more powerful. Co-op wasn’t needed to make this game great.
The 2024 remake of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons added a co-op feature, but overall it’s a disappointing update. Many players feel the remake wasn’t needed, and it launched with a lot of problems. Even now, it doesn’t measure up to the original game, which is why I recommend playing the original version instead.
Despite being a remake, the story remains just as captivating. The cooperative mode is also well-done, meaning players new to the story won’t miss out on anything essential.
20. As Dusk Falls
Collaborative Storytelling at Its Best
One of the best things about independent games is their willingness to try new things with storytelling, especially when it comes to giving players meaningful choices. As Dusk Falls is a great example – it’s a narrative adventure that uniquely allows players to experience it as a co-op game, where everyone votes on how the story unfolds.
I was really hooked by As Dusk Falls – some of the choices you have to make are seriously tough! That’s a good thing, though, because it really pulled me into the story. It’s all about this conflict between two families, and they both have really messed up pasts. The story unfolds over what feels like two full books, which is awesome. What I really loved was playing co-op – it’s a super easy way to enjoy the game with friends, and voting on how the story goes makes everything feel so much more engaging. Every decision you make genuinely matters and changes what happens next!
19. Spiritfarer
Sail into the Afterlife, Hand in Hand
It’s rare for video game developers to explore the difficult topic of death, but Thunder Lotus Games has done just that with their game, Spiritfarer. This unique management and action game makes players confront the reality of dying by putting them face-to-face with it.
You can play Spiritfarer by yourself, or with a friend in co-op mode. Up to two players can work together on the same ship to fulfill the duties of a Spiritfarer. The game supports both online and local (couch) co-op on the same device. The couch co-op is particularly well-designed – the second player can do almost everything the first player can, except for initiating conversations, and the game interface handles multiple players smoothly.
18. Saints Row: The Third
Over-the-Top Co-op Chaos
The third Saints Row game really leaned into the over-the-top humor the series is known for. Players take on the role of the protagonist, Playa, and complete wildly exaggerated missions in a vibrant and stylish open world.
Anyone hesitant about buying this game will likely become a fan once they learn it has co-op. Playing and causing trouble in Steelport is much more enjoyable with friends, and it’s disappointing that the Saints Row remake didn’t live up to expectations for fans of the series.
17. Never Alone
A Girl and Her Fox
Set in Alaska, the game Never Alone uniquely centers around the Iñupiat people and their culture. This isn’t just a theme; it’s the core of the story. The developers collaborated closely with the Cook Inlet Tribal Council and community elders to ensure accuracy and create an authentic narrative rooted in Iñupiat traditions, not just inspired by them. The game even features dialogue in the Iñupiaq language, accompanied by subtitles.
While everything about Never Alone is well-done, its best feature is the cooperative gameplay. It centers on the bond between a girl named Nuna and her fox companion. Each character has unique abilities that work well with the other, meaning players must communicate effectively to solve the game’s puzzles and move forward.
16. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Relive the Legendary Saga with a Friend
Fans who’ve always wanted to play the original Halo games now have a chance with this remastered collection of the first three titles. It’s a great way for newcomers to experience Master Chief’s story from the start, and even better, you can play the campaigns with a friend in co-op.
Although The Master Chief Collection initially had problems with its online matchmaking, most of those issues have been fixed. Now, it offers a great first-person shooter experience, letting you play through classic Halo games with a friend and relive the series at its best.
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2026-04-05 20:07