Couch co-op and split-screen gaming have long been associated with consoles, reminiscent of friends enjoying Mario Party or Crash Team Racing. However, PC gamers can also partake in this social gaming experience. Today, most significant multiplayer titles land on Steam, many featuring online capabilities that facilitate finding teammates. While LAN parties have largely shifted to online play, this evolution allows gamers to connect with friends or make new ones across the globe.
Even though online gaming has become the norm, local co-op is far from dead. Indeed, some of the best co-op games on Steam still allow players to share a screen. Although PC gaming isn’t primarily identified with local co-op modes, a host of titles showcase the engaging potential of these multiplayer interactions.
Updated February 9, 2025 by Mark Sammut: As 2025 gains traction, exciting new releases are on the horizon. An updated section highlighting upcoming local co-op Steam games has been introduced.
1. Path Of Exile 2
An Early Look At A Future (And Current) Great
The original Path of Exile, released in 2013, set a high bar for free-to-play action RPGs, earning its place as a definitive dungeon crawler. While the first installment primarily offered online co-op, the eagerly anticipated sequel, Path of Exile 2, brings local multiplayer into the mix—allowing two players to share a screen. Note that controller support is required on PC.
Currently in early access, players should be aware that the game is a work-in-progress, complete with missing features and inevitable adjustments. Although the early access version isn’t free, the full release will eventually adopt a free-to-play model—so those uncertain about it might consider waiting for its official launch.
Despite being in early access, Path of Exile 2 is already impressive. The game promises an engaging endgame experience, and its build options support cooperative gameplay by encouraging teams to create characters that synergize well together.
2. Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian Studios achieved remarkable success with Divinity: Original Sin 2, and they raised the bar even higher with Baldur’s Gate 3, released in August 2023. After a lengthy three-year early access period, the game emerged as a new standard in the CRPG genre, offering a rich and rewarding single-player experience capable of captivating players for months. Its flexible, responsive design allows the game world to adapt to players’ choices, enhancing immersion.
While its solo gameplay is exceptional, the local co-op feature is equally compelling. Players can either join an existing campaign or start a new adventure together, experiencing split-screen gameplay that allows for exploration independence. This design ensures that while players often team up, they can also venture off on their own to achieve their goals.
3. It Takes Two
A Gorgeous & Creative Journey Designed Around Two-Player Co-Op
Hazelight Studios excels in creating engaging co-op experiences, with It Takes Two often hailed as one of the best. The game follows a married couple who must work through their relationship while navigating whimsical environments. Though the storyline follows a somewhat familiar premise, the game shines with its compelling characters and visually stunning journey.
As May and Cody confront their impending divorce, their shared adventure incentivizes teamwork and communication, making the gameplay feel inherently linked to the narrative’s themes.
4. Pico Park 2
The Pleasure & Pain Of Teamwork
Pico Park 2 offers a blend of frustration and fun, as it challenges up to eight players with various obstacles that require collaboration and communication. The game features diverse challenges, incorporating elements of puzzles, action, and platforming, all centered around teamwork.
While many might find themselves playing with strangers, the game does allow for local co-op among friends, and though it can handle up to eight players, two-player sessions may be the more typical choice.
5. Chained Together
A Challenging But Fun “Go Up”Puzzle-Platformer Revolving Around Teamwork
As the popularity of streaming platforms like Twitch grows, new puzzle-platformer subgenres emerge, with games like Chained Together at the forefront. This cooperative game invites up to four players to team up and navigate challenging environments, emphasizing collaboration while attempting to escape perilous scenarios.
Players must scale floating platforms without falling, and one misstep could lead to losing progress, adding an element of tension and excitement. The collaborative nature of Chained Together provides a fresh twist on traditional platforming, making it an engaging experience when played with friends.
6. Bread & Fred
A Cute Co-Op Platformer
In Bread & Fred, players control two penguins embarking on a physics-based adventure to reach the summit of a mountain. The game incorporates thrilling mechanics similar to renowned titles such as Jump King, elevating the challenge of vertical exploration.
Players can team up locally or online, unlocking costumes, uncovering story elements, and participating in mini-games throughout their journey.
7. Broforce
Run, Gun, N’ Destroy
Broforce embodies the essence of an ’80s action film, replete with explosive gameplay and over-the-top humor. This run ‘n’ gun adventure invites players to engage in chaotic combat while embracing environmental destruction.
Though enjoyable solo, the game shines brightest in co-op mode, where players unleash mayhem together and face thrilling challenges side by side.
8. Portal 2
A Great Side Mode That Adapts Portal’s Puzzles For Co-Op
Valve is renowned for creating mesmerizing multiplayer experiences, and although Portal 2 is celebrated for its single-player narrative, it also supports robust local co-op gameplay. The game introduces two robots who collaborate to conquer GLaDOS’s challenges, refining classic portal mechanics for co-op puzzle-solving.
Unique to this mode, players must analyze their surroundings and apply teamwork to progress, offering a distinct twist on the beloved mechanics from the single-player campaign.
9. Project Zomboid
Survive A Zombie Apocalypse With A Few Friends
Project Zomboid has been captivating players for over a decade in early access, continually evolving into a masterful open-world survival experience. The split-screen co-op feature, added after launch, allows up to four players to work together to endure the zombie apocalypse.
Offering both local and online multiplayer modes, this game provides players with a sandbox to explore survival tactics with friends. The ongoing updates ensure this title remains engaging and relevant.
10. Cuphead
Hard-As-Hell Boss Rush With Stunning & Lively Visuals
Studio MDHR’s Cuphead presents players with a relentless challenge, showcasing vibrant art inspired by vintage cartoons. While tackling its punishing bosses, players can team up as Cuphead and Mugman, bringing the power of friendship into play—though it won’t make the challenges any easier!
Cuphead delivers an engaging aesthetic experience alongside intense gameplay, making it one of the standout local co-op experiences on Steam for those seeking a challenge.
11. Castle Crashers
Really Fun Beat ‘Em Up
Castle Crashers, originally launched as an Xbox 360 exclusive, has traversed multiple platforms since its 2008 debut. The game invites players to select a knight and embark on an adventure to rescue princesses through cartoonish battles.
This beat ’em up masterclass stands out for its humorous style and diversity of playable characters, each with unique abilities and customizable stats, encouraging players to strategize and form balanced teams.
12. Cat Quest 2 & 3
Purr-tastic RPGs With Endless Charm
The Cat Quest series offers delightful indie RPG experiences filled with humor and engaging combat. While the first game is single-player, both sequels were crafted with co-op mechanics in mind, enhancing gameplay for two players.
Despite their appeal to younger audiences, each game challenges seasoned players as well, making Cat Quest a great choice for all RPG enthusiasts regardless of age.
13. Contra: Operation Galuga
Evolution Of A Classic Formula
After a long hiatus from the Contra franchise, Konami’s Contra: Operation Galuga channels nostalgia while introducing modern elements to the classic run-and-gun gameplay. Serving as a direct sequel to the iconic 1987 entry, it recalls previous locations and enemies while delivering a challenging experience suitable for both solo play and cooperative sessions.
By incorporating unique character abilities, Operation Galuga creates diverse strategies for players, ensuring an exhilarating co-op experience that harks back to the franchise’s glory days while being accessible to newcomers.
14. Overcooked! 2
Awesome Co-Op Cooking Game That Might Ruin A Few Friendships
Team 17’s Overcooked! 2 is the quintessential co-op kitchen experience. Despite its cheerful aesthetics, it quickly transforms into a chaotic race against time as players tackle various cooking challenges. Coordination and collaboration are essential, ensuring that dish orders are completed efficiently and accurately.
Whether playing with friends or family, Overcooked! 2 fosters camaraderie, but it’s not without its bouts of stress, making it a thrilling option for players who thrive on high-pressure scenarios.
15. Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime
Especially Perfect For Couples
In Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, players must work together to navigate a chaotic spaceship, controlling different stations to keep everything running smoothly. This local co-op game necessitates effective communication and teamwork, ensuring players manage challenges collaboratively.
This engaging, frantic experience is perfect for couples or friends, enhancing cooperative bonds while presenting a delightful shared gaming experience.
16. Moving Out 2
A Multiverse Haul
Moving Out 2 improves on its predecessor, offering enhanced gameplay designed to be enjoyed in groups. The game captures the fun of packing and hauling furniture, often in outlandish settings, sometimes even across dimensions!
With a humorous approach and deliberately wacky physics, the game aims for laughter, balancing moments of frustration with delightful fun during local co-op play.
17. Helldivers Dive Harder Edition
Helldivers 2 Is Not The Only Game Worth Playing
Arrowhead Game Studios has a solid history with co-op titles, and the Helldivers franchise stands out as a highlight. The original Helldivers is characterized by thrilling twin-stick shooter mechanics that require teamwork as players combat various foes.
Featuring up to four-player co-op with an emphasis on strategic loadouts and friendly fire mechanics, Helldivers delivers intense and rewarding gameplay, ensuring varied tactics during each mission.
18. Untitled Goose Game
Send An Idyllic British Village Into Chaos
Untitled Goose Game invites players to embrace whimsical chaos as they control a mischievous goose wreaking havoc in a tranquil village. While the game can be enjoyed solo, the co-op mode intensifies the absurdity, allowing two players to collaborate on the goose’s antics.
This delightful title, filled with charm and humor, is perfect for those seeking lighthearted entertainment, whether played alone or with a friend.
19. Children Of Morta
A Family Dungeon Crawler With Fantastic Combat
Children of Morta opens up local co-op after the prologue, letting players embark on rogue-like adventures alongside family members. This intriguing blend of action and narrative fosters engaging gameplay set against a captivating backdrop of family values.
Players control individual family members with distinct skill sets, progressively unlocking more characters as they delve deeper into the diverse dungeons, which allows for nuanced team compositions and shared responsibility.
20. Sea of Stars
A Great Single-Player RPG Is Updated To Become A Great Co-Op RPG
Released to critical acclaim in 2023, Sea of Stars draws inspiration from classic JRPGs and has recently introduced a three-player local co-op feature through an update. The game follows dual protagonists on an epic adventure that becomes even more engaging when friends can join in.
As players control multiple characters on the screen, the co-op element enriches gameplay significantly, making it an inviting option for both new players and veterans revisiting this charming RPG.
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