7 Two-Player Co-Op Games Like It Takes Two

As someone who’s spent 10+ years testing co-op games with friends, partners, and occasionally unwilling siblings, here’s the fast version: if you want games like it takes two, your best bets are A Way Out, Portal 2 co-op, Unravel Two, We Were Here, and Overcooked 2. I love story-driven co-op, couch co-op, and split-screen chaos. In my experience, the sweet spot is a two-player adventure with puzzle platformer moments and real teamwork mechanics. No fluff. Just the truth.

My Quick Picks (so you can start tonight)

• A Way Out — pure two-player, split-screen heist drama. Great story. Zero solo mode.
• Portal 2 Co-op — puzzle genius. You’ll argue, and then laugh. Then argue again.
• Unravel Two — calm, pretty, smart. Perfect for couples or a chill night.
• We Were Here (series) — talk or fail. Walkie-talkie vibes. Trust is required.
• Overcooked 2 — chaos in a kitchen. Couch co-op gold. Also the end of many relationships.
• Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime — neon ship, many buttons, lots of yelling.
• Operation: Tango — spy mic work. One sees, one does. Online co-op only.

If you somehow missed it, this is the co-op wonder from Hazelight: It Takes Two. It’s a pure two-player experience with inventive mechanics in every level.

And yes, it won big, including Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021. Well deserved. I said it day one. Not to brag. But I am.

If you want story, stakes, and a little drama

I’ve always found that story-driven co-op hits different. You’re both in it. Not just surviving waves. Actually living a plot. That’s why I point people to the jailbreak road trip of A Way Out. Same studio DNA, same “together or nothing” vibe.

Read up if you want the background before you dive: A Way Out on Wikipedia. I played it couch co-op and we finished it in two long sessions. Worth it.

For puzzle nerds who like to feel smart (and occasionally very dumb)

Portal 2’s co-op mode is still the gold standard. The joy of lining up portals perfectly. The pain when your buddy deletes yours at the last second. In my experience, the best part is how the puzzles force communication. You can’t brute force it. The We Were Here series does the same with voice-only info. One player sees. One player acts. It feels like escape room radio play, and I’m here for it.

Cozy nights and calm puzzles

When I’m not in the mood to get yelled at by a digital timer, I load Unravel Two. You’re two little yarn characters tied together. Light platforming. Pleasant puzzles. Gentle challenge. Haven is also a great pick for couples. It’s a narrative co-op with gliding movement and dialogue choices that feel human. KeyWe is cute chaos if you want a mailroom full of tiny tasks. Chill. A little silly. Perfect for a weeknight.

Chaotic local co-op for people who like to shout (lovingly)

Overcooked 2, Moving Out, and Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime all scratch the “we need to coordinate but everything is on fire” itch. I love that “I need a bun!” energy. It’s teamwork under pressure. And yes, your communication will either get better or… spicy. That’s part of the fun.

If you’re new to the genre, here’s the basic idea of a cooperative video game. It’s not just playing together. It’s solving things together.

Want a rabbit hole? Here’s a giant list of cooperative video games. Good to find hidden gems you missed.

Which one should you play? A friendly cheat sheet

I made a simple table because sometimes you just want the right fit fast. No 40-minute YouTube essay. You’re welcome.

Mini Buyer’s Guide: How I choose co-op without regret

• Agree on vibe first. Story night? Puzzle night? Chaos night? Saves arguments.
• Check the co-op mode. Local, online, split-screen, cross-play. It matters.
• Difficulty and time. Do you want a 3-hour trip or a 12-hour journey?
• Communication level. Some games need voice chat. Some don’t.
• Motion sickness check. If someone gets woozy, avoid fast camera swings.

When I want charm and retro style with my co-op, I explore smart indie pixel games. The look may be simple, but the teamwork can be deep.

I’ve also fallen back in love with pixel art games because they age well and play great on a couch. No 90-minute patches. Bliss.

If you enjoy tactical twists, you might like pixel battle games that blend retro looks with strategy. Great for planning and trash talk.

And for platforming fans, I’ll always recommend pixel art platformers with tight jumps and clean timing. They make co-op feel crisp.

Sometimes I just want to revisit the roots and iconic 2D games. Plenty of classics still make a killer couch co-op night.

Tips I wish someone told me earlier

• Use headsets even on the couch. It cuts chaos and saves your voice.
• Swap roles often. Let both players lead. It keeps the game fresh.
• Set a “no blame” rule. You will fail. Laugh. Restart. Move on.
• Take breaks. Tired brains argue more than they solve.
• Celebrate small wins. Beat a tough puzzle? High five like you mean it.

Who should play what? My fast matchmaker

• Parents + kids: Unravel Two, Moving Out, KeyWe.
• New gamers: It Takes Two, Unravel Two.
• Long-distance friends: We Were Here, Operation: Tango, Portal 2 co-op.
• Couples that want a story: A Way Out, Haven.
• Party crowd: Overcooked 2, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime.

What I think is important: pick something that fits your mood, not just the top of a list. Some nights you want puzzles. Some nights you want drama. That’s why I recommend a small rotation of favorites. And yes, I keep a shortlist of games like it takes two for friends who ask me at 11 PM on a Friday.

Also, don’t overthink it. Start. If it doesn’t click in an hour, swap. I’ve done that a dozen times. I’ve also replayed my favorites more than once. There’s a reason people keep searching for games like it takes two even years later. When the co-op design is good, the memories stick.

Anyway. If you get nothing else from me today: pick a game, talk to your partner, and press start. The rest will happen. Sometimes very loudly.

FAQs

• Is Portal 2 co-op still worth it in 2025?

  Yes. It’s timeless. Cheap, runs on a toaster, and the puzzles still hit hard.

• What’s the best couch co-op for beginners?

  Unravel Two or It Takes Two. Friendly pace, clear goals, low stress.

• We argue a lot. Which game is “low drama”?

  Try Unravel Two or Haven. Gentle pacing helps. Avoid Overcooked on a bad day.

• We play online only. What’s good for that?

  We Were Here (any entry), Operation: Tango, and Portal 2 co-op. Clear voice chat helps.

• Short co-op game for a single evening?

  A Way Out can work in a long session. Or pick a couple hours of Overcooked 2 chaos.

Henry Wright

Henry Wright: Celebrating the artistry of gaming. I cover Pixel Games, Indie Battles, Arcade Classics, Gaming Culture, and Visual Design. Let’s explore the pixels together!