Even though more has opened up compared to the initial spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, things aren’t perfect. Vaccine distribution isn’t global, and even the United States has not reached total inoculation (only 60.9 percent of the US population is fully vaccinated as of July 01, 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Among the many things this situation has highlighted, one of the most meaningful is how much people have missed coming together both for mundane and important events.
Co-op games have been one means of staying connected through these trying times, with games like 2020’sAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsbecoming immensely successful. This year has had its share of cooperative titles more focused on coming together than battling one another, some of which have caught the attention of the industry at large. This list has been ordered alphabetically by game title.
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Gloomhaven
Isaac Childres' board gameGloomhavencame out to widespread acclaim in 2017, leading to multiple expansions and a sequel,Frosthaven, which became Kickstarter’s most successful board gameproject in 2020. A digital Early Access version was released in July 2019 that officially launched this October. In its fully polished state,Gloomhavendigital is a beautifully realized title that lets up to four players tackle roguelike, procedurally generated missions in a tactical RPG coat - like playingDungeons and Dragonsanytime without the need for a dedicated dungeon master.
It Takes Two
Of all the co-op titles released in 2021,It Takes Twolikely needs no introduction. As a follow-up to Hazelight Studios’A Way Out,It Takes Twocontinues its legacy ofadventures built with two-player cooperationin mind. The game follows Cody and May as they’re going through a divorce that devastates their daughter Rose, who accidentally traps them in a pair of dolls.
PlayingIt Takes Twois like an interactive therapy session set in mundane locales that are made vividly imaginative with a sort of magical funhouse mirror. Its narrative and environmental storytelling are top-notch, made even better by a rotating set of mechanics that never grow dull.It Takes Twowon Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021for good reason; director Josef Fares and his team deserve all the accolades they’ve received.
KeyWe
KeyWeis an indie puzzle game taking inspiration from old Rare titles, Terry Pratchett novels, and more. Its conceit is simple: Two players are a pair of kiwi birds named Jeff and Debra who run a post office under increasingly difficult conditions. Developer Stonewheat and Sons is made up of just three people, and its debut venture suggests this team is worth watching.
Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunterhas always been a successful franchise, but 2018’sMonster Hunter Worldskyrocketed its popularity. After that tested the waters of open-world area design on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One,Monster Hunter Risebecame a smash hit for Switch. All the usual conventions of four players coming together to hunt powerful beasts using a variety of weapons are intact. However, this is enhanced by new additions like Wirebugs and therideable canine Palamutethat offer an unprecedented sense of mobility.
Riseis also a technical marvel, serving as a beautiful game with strong Internet connectivity on a system often criticized for its performance. This is in no small part thanks to Capcom’s RE Engine, which will no doubt serve the game well as it releases on PC next year beforeplayers get their hands on itsSunbreakexpansion.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
WhileSuper Mario 3D Worldwas already a fantastic co-op experience on Wii U, that console’s failure to launch means it has a brighter spotlight on Switch - particularly afterSuper Mario Odysseyproved Nintendo isn’t ready to abandon its 3D sandbox formula. The newer add-on gameBowser’s Furyhas more limited co-op features, but that doesn’t stop the main game from being a lovely romp through the Sprixie Kingdom with up to three friends taking on roles in theclassicSuper Mariocast(now on the go).
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The Ascent
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
Horror is a more communal genre than some may imagine based on images of watching something alone in the dark. Movie franchises likeHalloween,Friday the 13th, andA Nightmare on Elm Streethave huge communities devoted to dissecting their contents, so Supermassive Games was smart to capitalize on this with co-op modes in itsDark Pictures Anthologyseries.
As these games are essentially playable horror movies, letting groups of friends control different characters and decide their fates is a compelling hook. The third entry in this anthology,House of Ashes, distinguishes itself with amix of Lovecraftian horror andIndiana Jonesadventure tropesthat open up a unique, haunting atmosphere all its own.
Unsighted
In the landscape of AAA games with inconceivable budgets, it can be easy to overlook smaller passion projects.Unsightedis one indie game worth breaking through the static. Made by two trans women from Brazil,Unsightedis an expansive top-down Metroidvania with solid combat,player build customization, and a dynamic narrative that alters the world and NPCs in real-time. It’s got a beautifully detailed pixel art aesthetic and can fully be experienced in co-op, makingUnsighteda steal at just $20.
Valheim
Many multiplayer games have become breakout hits on streaming platforms and social media amid the ongoing pandemic, with 2020 characterized by titles likeAmong UsandPhasmophobia.Valheimis a similar case for 2021, with the Viking-themed survival game attracting a huge audience. Though PvP elements exist,Valheimplayers can work together to find shelter, kill mythological beasts, and build ridiculously complex projects alaMinecraft, such as arecreation ofLord of the Rings' Helm’s Deep.
WarioWare: Get It Together!
Nintendo’sWarioWarefranchise may get more love thanWario Landand other spin-offs starring the greedy anti-hero, but new entries aren’t common. Luckily,WarioWare: Get It Together!was largely seen as a triumph. Its returning microgame formula is enhanced by a gimmick of choosing which member of the cast to use - all coming with unique abilities. These microgames can also be played cooperatively with everyone maining their favorite characters, making it hard not to have a good time.
