Since the early days of the arcade, cooperative gameplay has been at the heart of video games as a medium, and creators are constantly looking for new ways to enable multiplayer gaming. These days, it's simpler than ever to do so thanks to the abundance of games that support both online and local co-op on digital platforms.
But which ones should you pick up? Here are the best cooperative games you can play right now.
It Takes Two
Hazelight Studios, which established itself with solely cooperative games like Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and A Way Out, has just released It Takes Two. The most recent effort from the studio is its best, and that is saying a lot. In It Takes Two, a struggling marriage dealing with an imminent divorce is followed. The daughter of the pair weeps on homemade dolls, turning them into little knitted animals. The next step is for you and a teammate to return to the house and, perhaps, mend your marriage along the way. The narrative is heartfelt and doesn't hesitate to explore the more sinister aspects of its subject. It Takes Two, however, stands out for its gameplay.
Outriders
For 2021, Outriders was a quick success. It was created by People Can Fly, a studio best recognised for its work on Gears of War: Judgement and Bulletstorm. Outriders combines a number of components from the studio's earlier games, including a Gears of War cover system, Bulletstorm powers, and a loot system akin to Destiny 2. One of the most furious shooters in recent memory is the result of all these systems working together, with the main gameplay looped in support of RPG components and intriguing loot. Outriders is best played with companions, though you may complete it by yourself. You can change the game's complexity using the world tier system, and you can jump right into any plot point from the home screen.
Fortnite
One of the most popular video games in the world, and for good reason, is Fortnite. Massive combat royale from Epic set the bar. With its captivating blend of constructing and shooting, Fortnite has a lot of depth, enabling players with the correct approach to take the top spot. And right now, with a growing roster of well-known video game characters and a tonne of seasonal challenges, playing Fortnite has never been more enjoyable. If you're just starting off, look at our Fortnite beginner's guide.
Monster Hunter Rise
The franchise is finally returning to Nintendo with Monster Hunter Rise for the Switch, and it's the best installment yet. In a nutshell, it's Monster Hunter: World in your pocket. The numerous gameplay enhancements from World are carried over to Rise, including a single map for monster hunting and the Wirebug tool, which enables rapid movement and the use of special attacks in combat. Even though killing monsters on your own is enjoyable, playing Monster Hunter Rise with other hunters is recommended.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
You've probably heard of Animal Crossing: New Horizons if you're reading this article, and you already know it's one of the finest multiplayer Switch games. Even though the game is great for unwinding by yourself after a long day, New Horizons really shines when played with friends. Unmatched in video games is the feeling of accomplishment that comes from showcasing your island to friends and, on the flip side, visiting theirs. Even the animation for visiting another cool island makes you want to throw up because of how cute it is.
