10 Co-op Games to Spend Time with Loved Ones

Co-op games have become a phenomenal way in which loved ones can spend time together even if they're not in the same house! The evolution from board game nights and activities like charades to then having couch co-op titles to what we have now has broadened our ability to spend quality time together globally. So, I thought I could write a listicle of 10 varied games you can play with your loved ones! Starting with...

Dying Light

• Developer: Techland
• Publisher: Techland 
• Genres: Survival horror, post-apocalyptic

Although not every co-op has the best features for the second player, some of them are still so fun you won't miss the lack of polishing too much! This was the case for me and Dying Light when I played it with my wife. It's very fun to be able to run around killing zombies, looting places, and uncovering the story side by side, especially if you're big on trying to excel at not dying.

Rocket League

• Developer: Psyonix LLC
• Publisher: Psyonix LLC
• Genres: Sports

If gore and murder aren't your type of thing, then maybe a football-like sport where you play cars will be right up your alley! Although Rocket League might take some a moment to get good at, it's some of the most casual fun you can have once you've gotten used to the controls! The variety of cars and game modes also help keep the spark alive. Plus, who doesn't love to be a car?

Remnant Franchise

• Developer: Gunfire Games
• Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
• Genres: First-person shooter, souslike

If you're looking for something a bit more complex, Remnant is a phenomenal option. While I've only played the latest entry — Remnant II — I've heard fantastic things about the first one, too. Fun gun options, different classes to choose from, challenging enemies, and great co-op are just some of the many upsides of picking this one up together!

Untitled Goose Game

• Developer: House House
• Publisher: Panic
• Genres: Funny, puzzle

Moving away from competitive and difficult titles, I'd love to bring Untitled Goose Game some love! Although this hilarious game is far from unknown — boasting over 15,000 reviews — it might not be an immediately obvious option if you're looking to spend time with a loved one. My wife and I played it a while back, and it was some of the most fun we've had in a while! The puzzles are nuanced and imaginative, the geese are hilarious, and it's a great option if you're looking for some laughs.

Human Fall Flat

• Developer: No Brakes Games
• Publisher: Curve Games
• Genres: Puzzle, physics

Another amazing co-op title that had us ripping at the seams from laughter was Human Fall Flat! And the best part about this particular entry is that you can play it with multiple people, not just in co-op. In it, you'll have to work together to complete levels, but the gimmick is that your characters move as if they were drunk! It's great fun whether you want to play with a group of friends or just the one loved one.

V Rising

• Developer: Stunlock Studios
• Publisher: Stunlock Studios
• Genres: Open world, survival craft

Another great option to spend time together is a survival craft title, and thankfully, there are tons of them to choose from! Although I've heard phenomenal things from some of them, I haven't had the pleasure of trying all of them, but those I've experienced have been very fun. The best part is that there's a nice, varied selection — from cartoony ones like Grounded to more serious and bloody like V Rising and Valheim. These games also offer the ability to play in large groups, and they're very focused on teamwork, communication, and planning ahead! So, if you'd like a more challenging, long-term activity, I couldn't recommend more checking them out. In V Rising, for example, you'll spend your time hunting down bosses, building up your castle, and killing everything from wolves to raiders!

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online

• Developer: Square Enix
• Publisher: Square Enix
• Genres: MMORPG

As I've mentioned in previous articles, I used to be a die-hard fan of World of Warcraft; unfortunately, my passion has dwindled throughout the years, and I haven't particularly bothered to try other MMORPGs. That being said, this genre is one of the best options if you want to stay in touch with a loved one, as there's a lot to do together, from unravelling the story to grinding for materials and even completing raids and dungeons! Most of them offer the ability to go at your own pace, and the difficulty can vary depending on what you tackle. If that sounds like the right thing for you and your loved one, then I would suggest the most beloved MMORPG at the time of writing — FINAL FANTASY XIV Online! It is one of the most praised titles I've encountered, and it seems like most of the community agrees that it's so amazing, thanks to the obvious love and passion pouring from Square Enix.

Overcooked

• Developer: Ghost Town Games Ltd.
• Publisher: Team17
• Genres: Couch co-op, cooking

Of course, not everyone is interested in spending tons of hours per week playing an MMORPG, so if you're looking for something challenging but casual, Overcooked is a nice mix of both. This charming, colourful, and hilarious title became very famous thanks to its focus-heavy gameplay, where you'll need to be very serious about working in cooperation with your partner in order to get through the challenges! Unless you're scared of starting a squabble, I couldn't suggest this one more; it's fun, it's hard, and it's casual!

ELDEN RING

• Developer: FromSoftware Inc.
• Publisher: FromSoftware Inc., Bandai Namco
• Genres: Soulslike, open world

FromSoftware's ELDEN RING has been one of their most successful titles yet, thanks to its much more accessible approach to the soulslike genre. Aside from giving players much more control over their journey and offering a sprawling (and terrifying) world to conquer, you can also play it co-op and share the challenging experience together! My wife and I, for example, really appreciate being challenged in games, and being able to overcome them together has really made us feel rejuvenated. That being said, there is one teeny tiny recommendation I must leave here — if you want the best co-op experience in ELDEN RING, I recommend getting the Seamless Co-op mod!

Terraria

• Developer: Re-Logic
• Publisher: Re-Logic
• Genres: Survival craft, 2D

Last but not least, Terraria is a great classic title that offers a ton of content to lose yourself in. I feel like it has a little bit of everything — it's challenging, it's long, it's chock-full of things to do, and you can require as little or as much cooperation as you want according to what sort of journey you set off. Although this title came out back in 2011, it's still received love for over a decade now, both from the developer and its community! I can't say I've seen too many games hit Overwhelmingly Positive, with a whopping 990,087 reviews at the time of writing!

And that's it for this listicle! I hope you found some games to check out with your loved ones. Feel free to leave your own ideas below!