The Best Co-Op Games Like It Takes Two

Many consider It Takes Two to be the greatest co-op game ever made, and it’s certainly the best of the last few years. Truly unique co-op games are rare, and Hazelight Studios has created something special. It Takes Two features stunning graphics, a delightfully over-the-top story, constantly changing gameplay, and diverse levels. While it’s a fantastic experience, the game is on the shorter side and doesn’t have a ton of replay value, leaving players eager for the studio’s next project.

Cooperative games have become increasingly popular lately, with many developers focusing on creating experiences built around teamwork. If you loved It Takes Two and have finished everything from Hazelight Studios, here are a few recent games you might enjoy.

Reanimal

It Takes Two Isn’t The Only Special Co-Op Game

What sets It Takes Two apart is its originality – there’s really nothing quite like it, except perhaps Split Fiction. While other games can offer a similar experience, they do so in different ways, as we’ll explore. A game can only be truly compared to It Takes Two if it’s equally distinctive. Reanimal is one such game, despite coming from the creators of Little Nightmares. It might initially seem like a spiritual successor to Little Nightmares, but that doesn’t do either game justice. While Little Nightmares blends puzzle-platforming with horror, Reanimal fully embraces the puzzle-platformer genre, sometimes at the cost of more engaging gameplay.

The game centers around two siblings searching for their lost friend on a frightening island. From the beginning, Reanimal builds a really tense atmosphere, making even simple choices feel stressful. Unlike It Takes Two, which jumps between dimensions, Reanimal features unique locations, each with its own distinct personality and creepy monsters. While the gameplay itself is fairly straightforward – it’s more focused on storytelling than complex puzzles – the bond between the siblings is key. Both the narrative and the gameplay mechanics, which require teamwork, highlight their relationship.

Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons Remake

A Powerful Story About A Strong Family Relationship

Before creating Hazelight Studios, Josef Fares collaborated with Starbreeze on Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, a game with themes that would reappear in his later work. Brothers centers on two brothers embarking on a perilous quest to heal their ailing father, and their relationship evolves throughout their journey. It’s a moving story about family, similar in impact to It Takes Two, but with a different focus. While Hazelight’s games are built for two players, the original A Tale of Two Sons was designed for a single player. Players control both brothers at the same time, using one thumbstick for each, which can be challenging to learn but powerfully reinforces the game’s themes and story.

In 2024, Avantgarden released an updated version of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons with improved graphics and controls. The biggest new feature is the addition of co-op multiplayer. While the original 2013 version on Nintendo Switch had co-op, it wasn’t available on other platforms. This remake marks the first time players on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox can play the game with a friend. It’s a great way to experience the story again, as the game doesn’t have a lot of replay value otherwise. However, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is best enjoyed as a single-player experience, with co-op being a fun addition, not the primary way to play.

Knights And Bikes

Child-Like Wonder

Knights and Bikes is a delightful game that mixes everyday life with fantastical adventure. It tells the story of two girls searching for a hidden treasure in their town, motivated by a difficult situation and a lot of creativity. Though they’re different from the couple in It Takes Two, Nessa and Demelza are a lovable pair, and their friendship feels genuine and believable.

I absolutely loved Knights and Bikes! It reminded me a lot of Hazelight’s best work – it’s this really wild and imaginative adventure, but what struck me most was how it dealt with tough stuff like loss in a way that felt real and grown-up. You’re solving puzzles, getting into little fights, and exploring, and it’s all made even better by these cool bike upgrades. It’s fun to play by yourself, but honestly, it feels like it was made for playing with a friend, because the whole story is about the bond between two people.

Peak

You Can’t Climb A Mountain Alone

Look, if you’re after a game with a really involved story and complex characters, Peak probably isn’t for you. But honestly, if you just want a game where you and your friends can experience those amazing, triumphant moments – like finally overcoming a tough challenge together – this might be perfect. It’s built for co-op, almost as much as It Takes Two is. The whole idea is climbing a mountain, and you have to rely on each other to make it. There are these moments where your friend is clinging on for dear life, totally exhausted, and begging you to help before they fall… and that’s when you get to be the hero. It’s a fantastic feeling!

While It Takes Two guides you through challenges with specific tools, Peak offers a more open, sandbox-style experience focused on creative problem-solving. Peak isn’t for everyone, but if you enjoyed the fast-paced, coordinated gameplay of It Takes Two, you’ll likely love this game.

Kirby And The Forgotten Land

Nintendo’s Charming 3D Platformer

If you enjoyed the cooperative and charming gameplay of It Takes Two, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a great choice, especially when played with someone you care about. This Kirby game offers a unique experience, featuring the adorable pink puffball (and his buddy Bandana Waddle Dee) battling a vibrant array of enemies in a colorful, 3D world reminiscent of Super Mario Odyssey.

Kirby games have featured multiplayer before, even with some specifically built for playing with others. However, The Forgotten Land is primarily a single-player adventure that simply includes the option for a second player. That second player controls Bandana Waddle Dee, a fighter with a spear who doesn’t have most of Kirby’s special powers. While Bandana Waddle Dee is enjoyable to play, he definitely feels like a supporting character and won’t steal the spotlight. Despite this, The Forgotten Land is such a fun and engaging co-op platformer that it’s still highly recommended.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

A Mario Game Made For Co-Op

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a delightful and well-crafted addition to Nintendo’s iconic Mario series. After about ten years, Mario and his friends are back with a new 2D adventure in October 2023, and Wonder successfully builds upon the classic formula. It’s perfect for playing alone, but also offers fun for up to four players in co-op mode. Players can choose from twelve different characters, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, and Light-Blue Yoshi.

Nintendo has always prioritized making its games easy for anyone to pick up and play, and the Mario series is a great example. That’s why Wonder is designed to be very welcoming to new players. It even includes a special feature that makes characters invincible, which parents can turn on to help young children enjoy the game without getting frustrated.

Although It Takes Two and Super Mario Bros. Wonder are quite different – especially since Wonder doesn’t focus much on its story – both games offer beautiful worlds to explore and are populated with characters and places you won’t soon forget.

ibb & obb

Defying Gravity Together

ibb & obb is a beloved co-op puzzle game centered around a simple but clever idea: gravity. The game screen is split in half, with each side having reversed gravity. Players must work together, using both sides’ gravity to overcome obstacles like tricky jumps and enemies. Designed exclusively for two players, ibb & obb heavily relies on communication; many puzzles are nearly impossible without talking to your partner through the online co-op feature.

While not as visually varied or story-rich as It Takes Two, ibb & obb is still a really good cooperative game that makes great use of teamwork. Its graphics and colors look surprisingly good even after ten years. If you haven’t played it and are looking for a fun game to enjoy for a couple of hours, ibb & obb is an excellent choice.

As Dusk Falls

Family Drama

Supermassive Games has shown that interactive stories can work well with cooperative gameplay. While games like Until Dawn, The Dark Pictures Anthology, and The Quarry are enjoyable, they’re horror titles and quite different from It Takes Two. That’s why As Dusk Falls from Interior Night is a better suggestion – like It Takes Two, it focuses on the complexities of family relationships.

I’ve been playing As Dusk Falls, and it’s a really intense story even when you go it alone. But honestly, playing with friends takes it to another level! Instead of each of us being a character, we all get to vote on what happens next. Whatever choice gets the most votes is the one the game takes – it’s a super cool way to experience the story together and see where the group decides to go.

Nikoderiko: The Magical World

A Modern Platformer That Looks At The Past And Does Justice By It

While Nikoderiko: The Magical World might not be exactly what fans of It Takes Two are looking for, it’s a fantastic modern platformer clearly inspired by classic games. Vea Games has created a charming experience reminiscent of Crash Bandicoot and Donkey Kong Country – which is always a good sign, especially since those series don’t release new games very often. Nikoderiko cleverly switches between 2D and 3D platforming, sometimes even within the same level. The 2D sections are simple to understand but still offer a good challenge, and the 3D sections are visually impressive without becoming overly complicated.

The game Nikoderiko tells the story of two treasure hunters whose latest adventure goes wrong when they accidentally give a powerful and dangerous artifact to the villainous Grimbald, potentially endangering the entire island. While Nikoderiko is a fast-paced platformer – quite different from the puzzle-solving in It Takes Two – both games share a bright, colorful style, enjoyable character movement, and a knack for constantly introducing new gameplay elements to keep things interesting.

KeyWe

Cute Co-Op

KeyWe is a fun puzzle game designed for two players, though it can be played alone. You play as Jeff and Debra, a pair of kiwi birds who run a bustling post office. To keep things running smoothly and handle all the incoming mail, they need to work together and divide tasks effectively.

While KeyWe doesn’t have a strong narrative like It Takes Two, both games require players to communicate effectively. KeyWe’s levels often have players working on separate tasks, needing to act independently to succeed. But even with this independence, careful coordination is essential.

2026-04-10 16:36