Co-op gaming is one of the best ways to bring people together. It’s also a great icebreaker, because you really get to know the people you’re playing with. You can either go in at the deep end and start with something competitive or you can pick one of those chill, cosy games to play together. It’s all about creating memorable moments where you can share a laugh with friends or reminisce about those close calls.
Co-op games create a space that encourages communication and collaboration — all while having fun! To help you get started on your co-op journey, here’s our pick of the best co-op games to play with your friends. We’ll cover:
What are co-op games
Gaming is always better with friends, and co-op games are the perfect way to team up and tackle challenges together. Whether you’re looking for intense action, brain-teasing puzzles, or light-hearted fun, there’s a co-op game for every kind of duo or squad. Moreover, playing on a high-performance gaming PC from CyberPowerPC UK ensures a smooth and immersive experience.
These games span a wide range of genres. In light horror we have co-op games like Phasmophobia or Dead by Daylight, where players must survive terrifying ghosts in Phasmo and rely on each other to make it through Dead by Daylight. Survival titles such as Don’t Starve Together or The Forest encourage players to build, craft, and strategise as a team. In the RPG space, games like Divinity: Original Sin 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Diablo IV let players explore rich stories and develop characters together.
Even PvP games like Apex Legends, Overwatch, or Halo Infinite have strong co-op elements, with squads working in sync to outplay opponents. No matter your playstyle, there’s a co-op experience out there for everyone. Even the dreaded games like League of Legends…
Local co-op vs online multiplayer
There are lots of ways you can enjoy a good co-op game, as every game will offer you a different kind of experience depending on the genre you play! One of the ways to play co-op is old-fashioned but a lot of fun and that would be playing on the same sofa side by side. The proper name for it is local co-op. This is basically where you share the same screen and play the games with a split screen.These games typically require multiple controllers connected to one device, and yes you can also connect your controllers to your gaming PC! Titles like It Takes Two, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, or Overcooked are great examples of this style.
If you want to play on your own PC and not have to split a screen to play together, then the best case would be to play an online multiplayer game. This allows you to team up with players from remote locations, this is the most common form of co-op as it is the easiest to engage with. Games like Fortnite, Destiny 2, and League of legends make it easy to connect with friends no matter where they are. Some games even offer both local and online options, giving you the best of both worlds.
Then there are MMOs (massively multiplayer online games) like World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls Online and Final Fantasy 14. These are large, persistent worlds where thousands of players interact at once, normally raiding dungeons and getting the best gear possible in game. While you can play with friends in MMOs, the experience is often more open-ended and involves joining larger communities, such as guilds.
Each type of multiplayer has its benefits. Local co-op is great for instant fun and social connection, while online play gives you flexibility and access to a wider network of friends and players. MMOs offer scale and immersion that few other genres can match.
Of course, multiplayer gaming also comes with its own set of challenges, and things like long load times, lag, frame drops, and connectivity issues can take the fun out of the experience. That’s where a solid gaming PC setup makes all the difference. At CyberPowerPC UK, we offer high-performance systems and reliable hardware designed to minimise lag, speed up load times, and keep your games running smoothly even during intense multiplayer sessions. Whether you’re playing on the couch or connecting with friends across the world, having the right gear ensures you’re always ready to jump in and play your best.
Best couch co-op games
It Takes Two: A creative, story-driven adventure built entirely around two-player teamwork.
Portal 2: Solve puzzles together in this iconic co-op mode full of wit and physics-based challenges.
Halo: Classic split-screen action with tight co-op campaigns and firefights.
Minecraft: Build, survive, and explore together in one of the most versatile co-op games out there.
Diablo IV: Dive into dark fantasy action-RPG gameplay with smooth local multiplayer.
Left 4 Dead 2: Fight off hordes of zombies in this intense, fast-paced survival shooter.
Overcooked: Hilariously chaotic kitchen gameplay that’s all about communication and timing.
Best online multiplayer games
Phasmophobia: Work together to investigate haunted locations and survive the scares.
Monster Hunter World: Team up to take down massive creatures in epic battles.
Deep Rock Galactic: Mine, shoot, and explore alien caves in this co-op-focused sci-fi gem.
Fortnite: Build, battle, and squad up in one of the most popular online games ever made.
GTA Online: Explore a living city, complete missions, and cause chaos with friends.
Stardew Valley Run a farm and build a life together in this cosy, charming world.
Destiny 2 A loot-filled sci-fi shooter with strong co-op and PvP elements.
Whether you’re sharing a screen or connecting from different parts of the world, co-op and multiplayer gaming are some of the most rewarding ways to play and get to know each other. Each experience brings something different.
If you’re planning to play online regularly or push for a more competitive, professional-level performance, having a reliable pre-built or custom gaming PC is essential. High-quality hardware helps reduce lag and latency while speeding up load times, keeping you in the game when it matters most.
Not sure what PC suits you? Make sure to read over our buying guide, which tells you all the in and outs when it comes to getting the perfect setup.
Want to take things even further? Keep an eye out for our full Esports Guide packed with tips, gear recommendations, and everything you need to level up your competitive setup.