A co-op game is judged on how much fun two or more people have together, how easily everyone can jump in, and what it costs to get a group playing. Our pick is Split Fiction, with an SR Score of 93, for relentlessly inventive two-player design and a Friend’s Pass that lowers the cost of entry. Helldivers 2 (90) is the runner-up for squad chaos. For couples, It Takes Two remains the definitive pick.
The ranking
| Rank | Game | Best for | Typical price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Split Fiction | Inventive two-player | $49.99 | 93 |
| 2 | Helldivers 2 | Four-player squad chaos | $39.99 | 90 |
| 3 | It Takes Two | Couples co-op | $39.99 | 92 |
| 4 | Baldur’s Gate 3 | Co-op RPG depth | $59.99 | 94 |
| 5 | Lethal Company | Chaotic survival horror | $9.99 | 87 |
| 6 | Stardew Valley | Cozy farm co-op | $14.99 | 86 |
| 7 | Deep Rock Galactic | Cooperative mining FPS | $29.99 | 88 |
Methodology
The Co-op Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria:
- Shared fun & design (30) — how well the game is built around playing together.
- Accessibility & onboarding (20) — how easily a partner or group can join.
- Content & replayability (20) — length and reasons to keep playing together.
- Value for money (20) — cost to get a group playing, including Friend’s Pass options.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — critical and player consensus.
Shared fun leads because the whole point is the time you spend together. Re-weight Value to 30 and the cheap picks rise.
Split Fiction
A two-player adventure from the It Takes Two studio, $49.99. It shifts between parallel realities with contrasting art styles and constantly reinvents its mechanics, and added branching paths give it replay value. A Friend’s Pass means only one player needs to buy it.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Shared fun & design | 29/30 |
| Accessibility & onboarding | 18/20 |
| Content & replayability | 18/20 |
| Value for money | 18/20 |
| Reputation & reviews | 10/10 |
Trade-off: it is strictly two-player, so it does not work for larger groups.
Helldivers 2
A four-player squad shooter, $39.99, with cross-play between PS5, Xbox, and PC and friendly fire always on. Loud, explosive, and hilarious, optimized for gamepad and supported by an ongoing campaign.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Shared fun & design | 27/30 |
| Accessibility & onboarding | 18/20 |
| Content & replayability | 18/20 |
| Value for money | 18/20 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: it requires a copy per player and is far weaker solo.
It Takes Two
The definitive couples co-op game, $39.99, with over 27 million copies sold and a 2021 Game of the Year award. Built ground-up for two players, with a Friend’s Pass so only one buys it.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Shared fun & design | 28/30 |
| Accessibility & onboarding | 19/20 |
| Content & replayability | 16/20 |
| Value for money | 19/20 |
| Reputation & reviews | 10/10 |
Trade-off: it is a single linear playthrough, so replay value is lower than Split Fiction.
Baldur’s Gate 3
A deep co-op RPG, $59.99, supporting up to four players through its entire campaign. The richest cooperative experience here, though it demands the most time and coordination.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Shared fun & design | 27/30 |
| Accessibility & onboarding | 15/20 |
| Content & replayability | 20/20 |
| Value for money | 18/20 |
| Reputation & reviews | 10/10 |
Trade-off: every player needs a copy, and its scale and rules are a big commitment.
Lethal Company
A chaotic survival-horror salvage game, $9.99, where you scavenge abandoned moons to hit a quota while creatures hunt you. The huge mod scene keeps it fresh, and the price makes it an easy group buy.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Shared fun & design | 26/30 |
| Accessibility & onboarding | 17/20 |
| Content & replayability | 18/20 |
| Value for money | 20/20 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: it is a smaller, scrappier game than the polished AAA picks, and each player needs a copy.
Stardew Valley
The cozy farming sim, $14.99, with co-op support so friends can build a farm together. A relaxed, low-pressure alternative to the action-heavy picks.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Shared fun & design | 24/30 |
| Accessibility & onboarding | 17/20 |
| Content & replayability | 19/20 |
| Value for money | 20/20 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: its gentle pace lacks the spectacle some co-op groups want.
Deep Rock Galactic
A cooperative mining FPS, $29.99, for up to four dwarves digging through procedural caves. Strong class design and friendly chaos make it a long-running co-op favorite.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Shared fun & design | 26/30 |
| Accessibility & onboarding | 17/20 |
| Content & replayability | 18/20 |
| Value for money | 18/20 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: it leans on repeating mission structures, and each player needs a copy.
How to choose
Start with how many people are playing and what they want. For two players who want the most inventive shared experience, Split Fiction is the best, and the Friend’s Pass means only one of you pays. Couples who want a warmer, more linear journey should take It Takes Two. For a group of three or four who want chaos, Helldivers 2 and Deep Rock Galactic are the standouts, while Lethal Company is the cheap, hilarious pick. If your group wants depth over action, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the richest co-op RPG, and Stardew Valley is the relaxed option. Re-weight the rubric toward Value and Lethal Company and Stardew rise; weight Shared fun, as we do, and Split Fiction wins.
Verification
- Split Fiction — availability, pricing, and Friend’s Pass verified on store.steampowered.com / ea.com.
- Helldivers 2 — $39.99 pricing and cross-play verified on store.steampowered.com / playstation.com.
- It Takes Two — $39.99 pricing, Friend’s Pass, and sales figures verified on ea.com.
- Baldur’s Gate 3 — co-op support and pricing verified on store.steampowered.com.
- Lethal Company — $9.99 pricing verified on store.steampowered.com.
- Stardew Valley — $14.99 pricing and co-op verified on store.steampowered.com.
- Deep Rock Galactic — $29.99 pricing verified on store.steampowered.com.
Related rankings
- Best Couch Co-Op Games 2026: 7 Scored
- Best 2 Player Games 2026: 7 Scored
- Best Multiplayer Games 2026: 7 Scored
- Best Battle Royale Games 2026: 7 Scored
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best co-op game in 2026?
- Split Fiction, a two-player adventure from the It Takes Two studio. It blends genres and realities across constantly inventive set pieces, and a Friend's Pass means only one player needs to buy it.
- What is the best couch co-op game?
- It Takes Two and Split Fiction both support local couch co-op and are built ground-up for two players. It Takes Two remains the definitive couples pick, with over 27 million copies sold.
- What is the best co-op game for a big group?
- Helldivers 2 for four-player squad chaos with cross-play, or Lethal Company for chaotic survival-horror salvage runs. Both shine with friends on voice chat.
- Do co-op games require two copies?
- Not always. It Takes Two and Split Fiction use a Friend's Pass so only one person buys the game. Helldivers 2 and Lethal Company require a copy per player.