The Best Open-World Games For 4-Player Co-Op, Ranked

The Best Open-World Games For 4-Player Co-Op, Ranked

As a seasoned gamer who’s seen his fair share of digital worlds and virtual battles, I can confidently say that these three games are absolute gems when it comes to sharing the adventure with friends.


Open-world games, undeniably, rank among the most beloved categories in video gaming. What enhances their appeal even more is the ability to traverse these vast landscapes with companions, instigating mayhem through shared voice communication.

Open-world video games like those in the sprawling cities of the ‘Grand Theft Auto’ series or vast landscapes featured in popular racing titles provide an ideal setting for collaborative play, where occasionally, the only boundary is the one defined by the sky itself.

Note that while these games might be from other genres, they all feature open worlds.

8 Forza Horizon 5

The Sky’s The Horizon

In the authentic and breathtaking depiction of Mexico, Forza Horizon 5 synthesizes all the valuable insights from the esteemed racing series and crafts an expansive landscape that continues to amaze. Discard the clichéd notions of Mexico as mere sepia-toned imagery. The representation of Mexico in Forza Horizon 5 is vibrant, encompassing snow-capped mountains, sunny beaches, and everything in between.

This motorhead haven is simply fantastic, but what truly elevates it is the camaraderie of playing with friends. You can speed through the vast open world in high-speed automobiles alongside your friends, or compete in numerous customized races and challenges to prove your skills and supremacy. If you’re a fan of racing games that leans towards arcade rather than simulation, there’s nothing better out there for you.

7 Factorio

Co-Operative Exploitation

When Factorio was released, its unique gameplay loop centered around factory building and automation quickly gained notoriety for being highly addictive. The process of gathering resources, constructing intricate conveyor belt systems, and automating production to survive on a bug-infested doomed planet offers an unparalleled sense of satisfaction. And with its extensive collection of mods, the experience only becomes more engaging.

However, Factorio has grown in reputation as a sincerely incredible experience with friends. With friends, the efficiency of the factory can reach new heights and expansion is exponential. Just be careful not to friendly fire your comrades by running them over with trains and buggies over, and over, and over again, because it’s definitely not funny.

6 Valheim

Voxel-Based Base Building

Launching with a unique voxel-art aesthetic, Valheim emerged as the indie sensation that proved it could. It captured the hearts of many PC gamers with its survival gameplay that prioritized key elements. Impressive base construction, awe-inspiring bosses, and a compelling game structure that encourages mastery of the world.

Valheim shines most when played with friends. Although solo play has its merits, having companions transforms a humble abode into a bustling settlement, and teams can make the game’s challenging bosses seem less daunting. It’s delightful to collaborate on strategies and build a genuine home in this enchanting universe.

5 Diablo 4

Arm-In-Arm, To Hell And Back

Anticipation ran high upon the launch of Diablo 4, and for the most part, it has met those expectations with a string of crucial updates. The game maintains its signature brutal, top-down gameplay and loot-filled extravaganza that has served as a model for numerous other titles.

In the company of friends, Sanctuary might appear less daunting, but don’t let that fool you. With friends, dungeons transform into lairs teeming with even more demons and monsters. The harmony between classes becomes crucial when tackling Diablo 4’s most challenging bosses. In the presence of friends, the intricate mechanics of Diablo 4 truly shine, making it one of the most thrilling co-op open-world RPG experiences out there.

4 Sea of Thieves

Scallywags Incorporated

Occasionally, a video game like “Sea of Thieves” offers an opportunity to live out a basic yet captivating fantasy. As a lowly pirate with dreams of wealth, you navigate the vast oceans in pursuit of treasure and enigmatic islands brimming with supernatural wonders and hard-to-find treasures that every player covets.

The genuine delight of playing Sea of Thieves really shines when you’re teaming up with friends. The game’s largest ships require a full crew of 4 for efficient sailing, and even though perfect harmony might be elusive at times, it’s the collaborative effort that makes or breaks the experience during intense naval battles. Will camaraderie win out over chaos, or will the hectic moments lead to losing all the hard-earned treasures?

3 Elden Ring

Unshattered After The Shattering

Initially, Elden Ring might not seem like it boasts the classic features of an exceptional cooperative game. This is because its expansive open world is predominantly presented as a solo experience, and FromSoftware’s games have a reputation for their sometimes confusing cooperative mechanics.

In essence, numerous gamers have opted to enjoy Elden Ring in collaboration with friends, and this social playstyle offers genuine delight, especially for those who aren’t fond of the game’s challenging harshness or require assistance crafting a dominating character build. By skillfully selecting appropriate mods, Elden Ring transforms into an immersive cooperative open-world journey, where players’ distinct builds converge to create formidable whirlwinds of damage that easily outmatch the legendary foes of the Lands Between.

2 Grand Theft Auto Online

The Ultimate Crime Playground

Any open-world list without Grand Theft Auto: Online would be seriously suspect. Ever since its launch in 2013, Grand Theft Auto: Online has remained one of the most popular games played on every system that has it. That’s for good reason too. Placing a lobby of players in the expansive world of Grand Theft Auto 5‘s base game, the game’s trademark chaos grows tenfold.

As more unique races and customization tools are added, along with patches that expand creative possibilities, players can continuously generate content and earn substantial in-game profits. On PC, Role Play (RP) servers have significantly extended the game’s longevity thanks to a collection of custom mods driving popular Twitch streams. Remarkably, even after 11 years, it’s safe to say that Grand Theft Auto: Online continues to thrive with immense vitality.

1 Minecraft

Endless Gameplay, Forever

1. There’s no doubt about it: Minecraft has revolutionized the gaming industry since its debut in 2011 as version 1.0. The game that sparked countless survival, open world, and crafting games throughout the 2010s was none other than Minecraft. With a procedurally generated block-based world, it attracts hundreds of millions of players monthly to battle fearsome creatures and construct breathtaking edifices.

…and there’s much more to discover since playing Minecraft with friends allows you to do whatever takes your interest. For instance, are you keen on constructing a massive metropolis? No problem! Fancy digging for the game’s rarest treasures during a spelunking adventure? You got it! Or perhaps you’d like to stir up trouble, or join servers that mimic the Hunger Games, survival horror scenarios, war zones, tranquil creative spaces, role-playing scenarios, or anything else your imagination can conjure? Minecraft makes all of this a reality.

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2024-08-30 10:34