There’s nothing quite like the shared thrill of a last-second victory, the coordinated chaos of a dungeon crawl, or the simple joy of building something amazing with your friends. But when you can’t be in the same room, finding the best co-op games to bridge that distance is key. Whether you’re looking for heart-pounding action, deep strategy, or just a silly way to hang out, this guide is your ultimate resource for online co-op games. We’ve compiled the most celebrated games to play with friends online, from epic AAA adventures to hidden indie gems, focusing on PC co-op games while highlighting fantastic cross-platform options.
Our Top Co-Op Picks at a Glance
| Game Title | Genre | Best For | Platform | # of Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | CRPG | Storytellers & Strategists | PC, PS5, Xbox | 2-4 |
| Helldivers 2 | Third-Person Shooter | Chaotic, Patriotic Fun | PC, PS5 | 2-4 |
| Lethal Company | Survival Horror | Hilarious, Low-Stakes Scares | PC | 1-4 |
| Deep Rock Galactic | FPS / Mining | Teamwork & Replayability | PC, Xbox, PS | 1-4 |
| It Takes Two | Adventure | Couples & Duos | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch | 2 |
| Fortnite | Battle Royale | Cross-Platform Socializing | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch, Mobile | 1-4+ |
The Ultimate List of Best Online Co-Op Games
Dive into our detailed breakdowns of the titles that truly excel in cooperative play.
Baldur’s Gate 3
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox
- Players: 2-4
- Cross-Platform: Yes
Step into the Forgotten Realms in this masterpiece of modern RPG design. Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t just one of the best PC co-op games; it’s arguably one of the best games ever made, and experiencing its rich, branching narrative with friends is unforgettable. You’ll strategize in deep, turn-based combat rooted in D&D 5th edition rules, where creativity is always rewarded. The true magic lies in how your choices—and your friends’ choices—drastically alter the story, leading to moments of triumph, betrayal, and side-splitting laughter.
- Key Features:
- A breathtaking, choice-driven narrative that reacts to your entire party.
- Incredible depth with character creation, classes, and abilities.
- Meaningful interaction with the world and each other (yes, you can shove your friend off a cliff).
- Who It’s For: RPG purists, D&D fans, and any group of friends who want to create a unique story together.
Helldivers 2
- Platforms: PC, PS5
- Players: 2-4
- Cross-Platform: Yes
For managed democracy! Helldivers 2 took the world by storm with its perfect blend of intense third-person shooting and outright comedy. The game thrives on friendly fire and chaotic stratagems—calling in an orbital strike only to have it land directly on your team never stops being hilarious. The constant push across a galactic war map with the entire player base creates a feeling of being part of something much larger.
- Key Features:
- Tight, satisfying combat against two distinct enemy factions (bugs and robots).
- A hilarious and brutal friendly fire mechanic that keeps you on your toes.
- A persistent, community-driven galactic war.
- Who It’s For: Squads that love high-intensity action and don’t mind a little (or a lot of) chaos.
Lethal Company
- Platforms: PC
- Players: 1-4
- Cross-Platform: Yes (via Steam)
A viral sensation for a reason. Lethal Company proves that a simple concept executed perfectly can be more fun than the biggest budget titles. You and your crew are scavengers tasked with collecting scrap from abandoned, monster-infested moons. The low-poly aesthetics hide a deeply terrifying and emergent horror experience. The panic in your friend’s voice over voice chat as something chases them is the real game.
- Key Features:
- Incredibly addictive and short gameplay loops (5-15 minute rounds).
- Genuinely terrifying monsters and a tense atmosphere.
- Almost all the comedy and horror is emergent from player interaction.
- Who It’s For: Groups looking for a spooky, hilarious, and incredibly affordable good time.
Deep Rock Galactic
- Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation
- Players: 1-4
- Cross-Platform: Full between PC & Xbox
Rock and Stone! You are a dwarf, in space, mining for precious minerals while swarms of alien bugs try to stop you. Deep Rock Galactic is the gold standard for cooperative gameplay. With four distinct classes that must work together (Scout lights the cave, Engineer makes platforms, Driller tunnels, Gunner protects), the teamwork is never not rewarding. Years of free seasonal updates have made it an incredibly dense and replayable package.
- Key Features:
- Perfectly designed classes that encourage and require teamwork.
- Procedurally generated caves ensure no two missions are ever the same.
- A incredibly positive and dedicated community.
- Who It’s For: Everyone. It’s one of the most well-designed and satisfying online co-op games period.
It Takes Two
- Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox, Switch
- Players: 2
- Cross-Platform: Yes (except Switch)
Winner of countless Game of the Year awards, It Takes Two is a mandatory play for any duo. The story of a couple turning back into dolls is merely the setup for the most creatively varied co-op experience available. Every level introduces new mechanics and genres, forcing you and your partner to communicate and collaborate in constantly new ways. It’s a joyful, inventive, and visually stunning ride from start to finish.
- Key Features:
- A constantly evolving gameplay experience that never gets stale.
- Requires genuine cooperation; you cannot succeed without working together.
- A charming story that’s perfect for couples or best friends.
- Who It’s For: Couples or any pair of gamers looking for a unique, story-driven adventure.
Best Cross-Platform Co-Op Games
Getting everyone on the same page is easier than ever. Best cross platform co op games break down barriers, allowing your PC friends to play with those on console. Key titles from our list include:
- Fortnite (The king of cross-play, available on nearly every device imaginable)
- Baldur’s Gate 3 (Connect your party across PC and console)
- Helldivers 2 (PC and PlayStation 5 players unite for democracy)
- Modern Warfare III / Warzone (Call of Duty’s cross-play support is robust)
- Diablo IV (Slay demons across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation)
Best Free Online Co-Op Games
You don’t need to spend money to have a blast with friends. The free co op games scene is thriving with quality titles.
- Fortnite: Beyond its battle royale mode, creative mode offers thousands of player-made games to play with friends online for free.
- Warframe: A massive sci-fi looter-shooter with deep mechanics and almost entirely co-op focused gameplay.
- Destiny 2: The base game is now free-to-play, offering a taste of its stellar gunplay and Strikes (3-player co-op missions).
- League of Legends / DOTA 2: The premier MOBAs for teams that love high-stakes strategy.
- The Finals: A wildly destructive and fast-paced team-based shooter.
Best Co-Op Games for Couples
Not all co-op requires a full squad. These titles are perfect for two players looking to share a special experience.
- It Takes Two: The definitive choice, designed from the ground up for two.
- Stardew Valley: Build a peaceful farm and life together in this beloved farming sim.
- Portal 2: Its co-op campaign is a brilliant puzzle-solving test of communication and trust.
- Overcooked! 2: A chaotic cooking sim that will test your relationship in the most fun way possible.
How We Chose These Games
We didn’t just throw a list together. Our recommendations are built on a foundation of expertise and careful analysis to ensure we’re guiding you toward the best experiences.
- Hands-On Experience: Our team has logged hundreds of collective hours in these titles, playing them specifically in a co-op context to judge their mechanics, networking stability, and fun factor.
- Critical & Community Consensus: We aggregated scores from top-tier reviewers (IGN, PC Gamer) and, more importantly, analyzed thousands of user reviews on platforms like Steam and Metacritic to gauge long-term player satisfaction.
- Variety and Accessibility: We prioritized a balanced list that includes different genres, price points (free, indie, AAA), and difficulty levels to ensure there’s a perfect co op game pc or console title for every type of group.
- Technical Performance: A game with bad netcode ruins the fun. We favored games with stable connections and clear cross-platform functionality.
FAQ
What are the best co-op games on PC?
Some of the absolute best co-op games on PC and Steam include the strategic depth of Baldur’s Gate 3, the chaotic teamwork of Deep Rock Galactic, and the viral horror of Lethal Company. For shooter fans, Helldivers 2 is a must-play.
What is the best co-op game to play with friends?
The “best” game depends on your group’s taste. For story and RPG fans, it’s Baldur’s Gate 3. For pure, chaotic fun, it’s Helldivers 2 or Lethal Company. For a timeless, well-designed experience, it’s Deep Rock Galactic.
Are there any good free co-op games?
Absolutely. Fortnite and Destiny 2 offer massive amounts of content for free. Warframe is another excellent free co op game with a staggering amount of content and a fair free-to-play model.
What does “cross-platform” mean?
Cross-platform (or cross-play) means that players on different devices (e.g., a PC player and a PlayStation player) can join the same game session together. This is a crucial feature for online co op games today, making it easier than ever to play with friends.
