Co-Op Games with the Best Story

 Players have always loved co-op games because of how fun they are to play and how they require cooperation and coordination.  However, there was always a belief that these games are popular because of their gameplay and that single-player games are the ones with the best storylines.

For a while now, this has not been the case.  There are plenty of co-op games with a good and complex story.  This article will outline some of the best of such games in different genres.

Baldur's Gate 3

 Baldur's Gate 3 is an RPG game created by Larian Studios and made for the PC, Stadia, macOS, PS5, and Xbox Series X. As one of the the top games of 2023, the third chapter of the beloved game was long-awaited by fans, and it was delivered once it was finally available.

It's a great game to play as a co-op because of all the details that have been put into it.  The players can explore their own path and play the game as they want.  Every decision the player makes affects the potential outcome and is deeply personal regarding character development.

Divinity: Original Sin

 Divinity: Original Sin is also produced by Larian Studios, but it's a much smaller title with much less hype around it.  It's made for PS4, Xbox One, PC.  Many feel this RPG has put the studio on the map and led to other more lucrative and popular releases.

The story features two Source Hunters as the protagonists of an epic tale.  That's what makes it so good for co-op gameplay.  However, there are some issues with the gameplay, and it can be a bit played out and repetitive after a while.

Online Gambling

 Online gambling isn't the type of game that comes to mind when it comes to co-ops.  When the game is streamed live and played to mimic the look and feel of visiting an actual casino, the players can sit at the same table and play off one another.

Many gambling sites offer this feature now, and there's a detailed review of Stake.com, with all the sites that can accommodate this approach to online gambling.  Traditional casino games such as poker and blackjack are best suited to it, but most sites offer many other games as well.  Slots are the best way to take a break from card games.

Resident Evil 5

 Resident Evil 5 may be a strange title to find itself on this list.  It's important to keep in mind that it's not here because it's a good game in general but because it's good to play as a part of a co-op.  Many feel that this installment of the game is the one that changed it forever and moved the focus from horror to action.  It is the case by all accounts.  However, the action is especially fun when playing in a two-person team.

The game came out in 2009.  Capcom makes it and is available for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, and Switch.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons

 Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is an adventure game made by Starbreeze Studios.  It works on PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC and Switch.  It's usually the game that comes to everyone's mind when we talk about co-ops, and there's a reason for it.  It took a while to make the co-op work for Switch, but it does work now.

Brothers is an emotional tale that hits players in the gut right around the ending, which can be quite hard to deal with.  Thankfully, that's why it's played with a friend to help you cope.

Dead Space 3

 Dead Space 3 is a third-person shooter made by Electronic Arts.  It works on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, as well as on all the newer consoles with backward compatibility.  The game is often marketed as an immersive experience, which is somewhat misleading for some players.

The experiences the players will get immersed in are usually scary and horror.  The co-op aspect of things becomes crucial because the players need to work together and help each other deal with this scary environment.

Trine

 Trine is a platformer puzzle created by Frozenbyte.  It's a new game but a part of a long-running series.  The game is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. The co-op is very much based on the narrative, and choosing which character to use will determine which abilities you'll have and how the game will play out.

As you move through the game, the characters starting on the opposite ends must learn how to work together.  In the end, all characters need to change and evolve in order to win.  It's a perfect sum of engaging gameplay and a deep storyline.

Gears 5

 Gears 5 is a third-person shooter created by The Coalition studio, and it's made for PC and Xbox only.  When it comes to how story-driven the game is, it's a bit of a stretch to put it on this list, but it is such a game compared to others in the genre.

The gameplay is perfectly made for co-op play, as every player has a place in the story, and the story only works when all the players play out their roles.  The gameplay is fun and engaging, and there are missions for every player.

A Way Out 

A Way Out is one of the most beloved co-op games out there.  It's an adventure game made by Hazelight Studios and available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and newer backward-compatible consoles.  The game is a perfect mix of gameplay mechanics that require cooperation and a narrative that brings the players closer together as they play.

Unlike some of the other games on our list, it can only be played as a co-op, and that's when it fully shines.  It also includes several unique retro mini-games that fit great with its narrative.  That's all that can be said without spoiling the plot.

Portal 2

Portal 2 is a relatively old game now, but one that deserves a spot on any list of co-op games as it provides an amazing experience, even as it feels somewhat dated.  It's a puzzle game made by Valve in 2011.  The game is playable on PS3, Xbox 360, Switch, PC, and the newer versions of those consoles.

The genius of the game is in the fact that the gameplay fosters cooperation, and no puzzles can be solved without working closely with the other player.  The storyline is charming and mostly left to the cutscenes.

We Were Here

 We Were Here is a puzzle game made by Total Mayhem Games, and it can be played on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and the newer versions of these consoles.  One player is locked in a library, and another is locked in a series of challenges nearby.  Communication is critical to making sure both players get out alive.

The narrative is what drives the game as it compels the players to work together and form a bond.  Once they do, at the end of the game, they need to face difficult decisions, made even harder by the time they've spent together.

Which one of these co-ops will you try first?