The best local coop games (part 2)

8 hours ago, by Enzo

Now that online gaming has become the norm, local co-op still has a special charm all its own. Nothing beats the joy of sharing a screen or passing a controller back and forth like in the good old days. Whether it’s progressing together through a story-driven adventure, building your own little world, competing in mini-games, or simply wreaking havoc, certain titles are true invitations to play together on the couch. Following our first selection, here’s a new batch of games that prove local multiplayer is far from having run its course.

Beneath its cute little management game facade, Cult of the Lamb blends village-building, roguelite exploration, and fast-paced battles. Its co-op mode lets a second player take on the role of a particularly unusual lamb and participate in both expeditions and the cult’s daily life. It’s hard to talk about co-op and local multiplayer without mentioning Super Mario Party Jamboree, which offers an impressive selection of mini-games and challenges playable by multiple players on a single console, with enough variety to keep each session fresh.

As the title of this article suggests, A Way Out relies entirely on two-player co-op and, in fact, cannot be played alone. The two players take on the roles of Vincent and Leo, two inmates who must plan their escape and then survive a thrilling, twist-filled getaway together. Alternating between action sequences, stealth missions, and more relaxed moments, the game brilliantly uses split-screen to make co-op its main driving force.

Many people don’t know this, but Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands also offers local co-op. It transposes the Borderlands formula into a role-playing atmosphere set in a completely wacky medieval-fantasy universe, complete with dungeons, character classes, loot galore, and offbeat humor. Staying in the RPG genre, Divinity: Original Sin II is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious experiences in this selection. Larian’s RPG lets multiple players embark together on an incredibly rich adventure, where tactical combat, exploration, and dialogue choices constantly provide plenty to discuss

For those who prefer something a little more offbeat… Goat Simulator 3 has never pretended to be serious, and that’s precisely what makes it so charming in local co-op. Up to several players can explore the island of San Angora and create a string of absurd experiences, all in the name of causing the most spectacular chaos ever seen.

Finally, with its explosive races, spectacular crashes, and penchant for destruction, Trail Out is aimed squarely at fans of uninhibited arcade racing. Between collisions and unexpected twists, every race can quickly turn into a veritable automotive bloodbath.

This new selection demonstrates once again that local co-op comes on a wide variety of forms. All these games remind us of one essential thing: local multiplayer isn’t just about sharing a game, it’s about sharing moments. So, pick your game, invite a few friends over to the couch, and get ready for a few hours of chaos, co-op… and probably some underhanded tactics. Check out our full selection below, complete with the game trailers!