Today we’re talking about co-op only games.
These are games that require two players. There’s no single-player option. You can’t play them alone.
And as usual, we’re only talking about local couch co-op.
You can’t have this conversation without bringing up Hazelight Studios. They’ve basically become the gold standard for modern co-op games. Everyone already knows these, so I won’t spend too long on them—but they’re important.
Hazelight Studios
Hazelight builds games from the ground up for two players. They also introduced the Friend’s Pass, where only one person needs to own the game.
All of their games support split screen.
A Way Out
This is basically a prison escape game. You play as two characters working together to progress through a story-driven experience.
There’s more to it than that, but you probably already know this one.
It Takes Two
This was the follow-up.
The tone is way more lighthearted and cartoonish, but the gameplay expands on everything. It constantly shifts genres—one moment it’s a fighting game, then a platformer, then a shooter.
It never really lets the gameplay get stale.
Split Fiction
This came out in 2025, and it’s already considered the best of the three.
It takes everything from A Way Out and It Takes Two and improves on it. Same idea, constantly shifting gameplay styles, but more refined.
You can’t really go wrong with any Hazelight game. They’re some of the most important co-op games out right now.
Short Games, Demos, and Smaller Projects
With You
This one is free on Steam and very short, about 15 to 30 minutes.
It’s simple, easy to pick up, and feels similar to something like Snipperclips. There’s not much challenge, but it works really well if you’re playing with someone inexperienced.
This is a great one for couples.
Twin Cores
This is basically a demo, and I really wish it was a full game.
It’s an on-rails shooter, kind of like Star Fox, but it’s co-op only. You control two ships, and there’s a fusion mode where one player flies and the other shoots. Then you switch roles.
It’s really high quality, it just needs more content.
Dual Firewald City
An upcoming game with strong A Way Out vibes.
It’s a narrative-driven co-op game with voice acting and cutscenes. It looks a bit rough and low-budget, but it has a lot of variety in gameplay.
It’s supposed to release in 2025. Hopefully it ends up being a nice surprise.
Together: Amna & Saif
This one had a successful Kickstarter back in 2021, but since then it’s gone quiet.
It’s a 2D top-down puzzle game where you and your partner step on switches, solve puzzles, and move through maze-like levels.
No combat, just pure co-op puzzle solving.
As of now, it’s kind of up in the air whether it’s still happening.
Recent Co-op Only Standouts
Lego Voyagers
This one just came out recently, and it’s my favorite LEGO game.
Me and my friend Shawn played it start to finish, and it was a great experience. It’s not based on any existing franchise, it’s a completely original story.
It almost feels like an art game. There’s no dialogue at all, the story is told entirely through gameplay and visuals.
The gameplay itself is simple, just solving puzzles, but it works really well. It also has the Friend’s Pass, so only one person needs to own it.
Definitely one of my favorite co-op games of 2025.
Ibb & Obb
This has always been a well-known co-op indie game, but I didn’t realize for a long time that it’s co-op only.
One player has inverted gravity, and the other doesn’t. It’s all about timing and momentum.
It gets really difficult later on, but it’s a really solid co-op experience.
Tristoy
This one plays like a co-op Metroidvania.
It uses a dynamic split screen, when you’re together, it’s one screen. When you separate, it splits. I wish more games did this.
Each character has different abilities, so there’s some asymmetry there.
That said, it’s a bit hit or miss. Some good ideas, but it lacks polish and can be frustrating. Still worth trying.
One of the Earliest Co-op Only Games
Co&Co (Commodore 64)
This is probably the most obscure game on the list.
It came out in 1985, and it might be one of the earliest co-op only games ever made.
It’s a single-screen platformer, similar to something like Donkey Kong or BurgerTime. Both players have to reach the exit to progress.
You technically can control both characters solo, but that’s not how it’s meant to be played.
It’s simple and dated, but still interesting, especially for how early it is.
Closing Thoughts
These are co-op only games, no single-player mode at all.
There are also some games that fall slightly outside this category, like:
Bokura
We Were Here
Spaceteam
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
But those lean more into online play or different setups, so I didn’t include them here.