Best co-op games like It Takes Two

It Takes Two is a heavy game. You play as a married couple on the brink of divorce. Two players control the couple as they go on a wild adventure through their home, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids-style. It’s one of the best co-op experiences of the past decade. The following games may not have as deep a story as the games on this list, but they’re all co-op games with a similar spirit.

10 Best co-op games that are like It Takes Two

Each of the games that appear on this list might not be exactly as emotionally or story-driven as It Takes Two. But they have other qualities. There are puzzles and some light combat and platforming mechanics that most of the games share.

Unravel 2

This platformer is maybe the closest to It Takes Two. You and another player control two figures made out of yarn. To pull at your heartstrings, the game explores the themes of loneliness and friendship. The gameplay shares some similarities with It Takes Two. Puzzles require both players to work together, feeding into the game’s theme of companionship.

A Way Out

Less of a platformer and more of a cinematic, story-driven co-op action game, A Way Out lets two players control a pair of convicts who have to work together to break out of prison. What separates A Way Out from the pack is the emotional journey the characters undertake. It’s unlike nearly anything you’ll find in the co-op space. But if you think it sounds a lot like It Takes Two, well, that’s because it was made by the same developer. In fact, the game’s director, Josef Fares, plays one of the main characters. You can find A Way Out on nearly every platform, including on Game Pass.

Brother: Tale of Two Sons

Oh, look! Another Josef Fares game! This guy loves adding emotional depth to co-op adventures. Brother: Tale of Two Sons has you controlling — you guessed it — two brothers as they set out to find a cure for their ailing father. You can play it single-player, but its best played with another player. The game explores themes of loss, family, and loss. It’s a little heavy, so make sure you’re emotionally prepared!

Portal 2

Now, Portal 2 doesn’t have the emotional weight as It Takes Two, but its puzzles are delightfully challenging and it’s loaded with charm an dry wit. You and your Player Two will spend countless hours trying to figure out its complicated puzzles that mostly require physics manipulation. If you have nothing to play, Portal 2 will make you wonder why it took you so long to pick it up.

Rayman: Legends

It Takes Two is filled with big emotions and weighty themes. Rayman: Legends is the polar opposite. It’s a fun and wacky co-op platformer with levels filled with vibrant colors and some over-the-top puzzles. Both games have some challenging puzzles that require precise timing and quick reflexes but it’s never punishing.

As Dusk Falls

As Dusk Falls is an interactive drama game that follows two families over 30 years. The game has an emotional impact like It Takes Two, but the gameplay feels more like a classic adventure game with modern art and technology behind it. You and a friend will have to make several difficult choices throughout as you unravel. It’s the art design that sticks out the most. Every character feels like a living watercolor portrait. Not only can As Dusk Falls be played with an additional player, but it can be played with up to eight players at a time.

Cuphead

If you and your gaming partner are up for a challenge, Cuphead is for you. It’s a side-scrolling action platformer with an artstyle that harkons back to 1930s American animation — and it’s extremely difficult. The second is that the puzzles are not the easiest to do. Multistage bosses fill the screen with projectiles that whittle away at your precious little life. Cuphead can be played solo, but it’s even more fun with a friend. But be careful, since the game only gets harder on co-op. You don’t need a beefy PC to enjoy this gorgeous one-of-a-kind game that proves that you don’t need all the fancy bells and whistles of modern AAA gaming when you’ve got tight gameplay and incredible art direction.

Sackboy A Big Adventure

Astheictly, It Takes Two, and Sackboy A Big Adventure have a lot in common. But the connection runs deeper. The puzzles and platforming mechanics are similar in that they mix challenge with outright joyous fun. It’s also Puzzels are rewarding and the platforming mechanics are up there with the best of them.

We Were Here Forever

This is one of the most interesting co-op games to be featured on this list. You and your friend are find yourselves in a variety of levels, like an abandoned castle or a spooky village as you both have to solve puzzles to escape. Escape is the keyword here, as We Were Here Forever is, essentially, an asymmetrical Escape Room game, with you and your co-op buddy solving environmental puzzles that will really make you think.

Haven

If you couldn’t tell already, It Takes Two is one of the most emotional co-op games with an extremely deep story. Haven is very much like that. It’s a roleplaying game with a splash of survival game mechanics. You play as one of two lovers who have left their home and landed on a deserted planet. While the game doesn’t have platforming or puzzles, it shares the same themes about loss with the choices you make playing a pivotal role in the unfolding narrative. Haven offers a rich and compelling story that builds to a dramatic finish — all of which was informed by you and your co-op partner.

If you don’t want to be an emotional mess, try playing Paper Mario instead. Our guide can get you started.