As online multiplayer dominates the triple-A gaming industry with an endless wave of live-service games, local co-op experiences have become a rare gem. While there are still some excellent options for playing with others in person—games like Overcooked and It Takes Two come to mind—narrative-driven experiences designed specifically for couch co-op are increasingly scarce. Few studios are investing in creating games that capture the magic of sharing a story side by side, leaving a noticeable gap in this beloved genre.
Hazelight Studios is setting a new standard for local co-op gaming. When you search for co-op games, It Takes Two and A Way Out consistently appear among the top recommendations—and for good reason. These titles deliver tightly focused, story-driven experiences that revolve entirely around two-player cooperation and communication. Success is impossible without a partner, making teamwork essential. Few games capture the joy of sharing a narrative journey with another person quite like these. They offer a uniquely immersive experience where both players are integral to the story, creating moments of connection and exclusivity rarely found in modern gaming.
The Game Awards Was, Predictably, Full Of Multiplayer
This year’s The Game Awards showcased an exciting lineup of multiplayer games, catering to a wide range of gaming tastes. Among the highlights was Thick As Thieves, a PvPvE immersive sim marking Warren Spector’s return to the genre. Fans of fast-paced action were introduced to Rematch, a 5v5 soccer game from the developers of Sifu, blending competitive sports with unique mechanics. Additionally, Nightreign, an Elden Ring spin-off, drew attention as a cooperative game where players can team up to battle iconic bosses from Dark Souls and Bloodborne. While the gameplay promises intense action, it remains unclear whether Nightreign will include a narrative or focus solely on its multiplayer combat.
This year’s The Game Awards showcased an exciting lineup of multiplayer games, catering to a wide range of gaming tastes. Among the highlights was Thick As Thieves, a PvPvE immersive sim marking Warren Spector’s return to the genre. Fans of fast-paced action were introduced to Rematch, a 5v5 soccer game from the developers of Sifu, blending competitive sports with unique mechanics. Additionally, Nightreign, an Elden Ring spin-off, drew attention as a cooperative game where players can team up to battle iconic bosses from Dark Souls and Bloodborne. While the gameplay promises intense action, it remains unclear whether Nightreign will include a narrative or focus solely on its multiplayer combat.
Borderlands 4 continues the franchise’s tradition of co-op gameplay, but don’t expect it to focus heavily on couch co-op—it’s more tailored for online collaboration. Meanwhile, Squid Game Unleashed brings a satirical twist to the battle royale genre, embracing its dark irony. A new Game of Thrones MMORPG is also on the horizon, though early impressions suggest it’s fairly average. From the creators of Payday, Den of Wolves is set to launch in early access next year, promising a fresh take on heist-style gameplay. For fans of multiplayer FPS games, Midnight Murder Club offers a demo available now, giving players a chance to dive into its thrilling action.
At the show, two intriguing co-op games designed specifically for two players and centered around storytelling were announced. One standout was Split Fiction, a new title from Hazelight Studios. Staying true to the studio’s signature style, the game features two complex characters, each driven by their own goals and motivations, who must collaborate to achieve a shared objective. What sets Split Fiction apart is its bold approach to genre—seamlessly alternating between sci-fi and fantasy settings, offering a fresh contrast to the more grounded realism seen in Hazelight’s previous hits like It Takes Two and A Way Out. For an in-depth look, check out Eric Switzer’s preview.
Another intriguing title is Stage Fright, an unexpected gem from Ghost Town Games, the creators of Overcooked. This game presents a coming-of-age story through the eyes of children, blending “Overcooked-style chaos” with escape room-inspired cooperative gameplay. While details remain limited, the game promises a mix of frantic, wholesome fun. It may lean toward a more family-friendly tone compared to Split Fiction, but it’s shaping up to be just as entertaining.
Two Games Do Not Make A Trend
Ghost Town Games, known for its emphasis on co-op gameplay, has taken an intriguing new direction with Stage Fright. Unlike Overcooked, which thrived purely on chaotic, team-based fun rather than storytelling, their latest project seems to prioritize narrative elements. This shift marks a notable evolution for the studio, signaling their intent to explore new creative territory while still appealing to their co-op-focused audience.
This highlights a growing recognition among studios of the strong demand for narrative-driven couch co-op experiences. The success of It Takes Two, with an astonishing 20 million copies sold, underscores this hunger for cooperative storytelling games. Despite the clear appetite, the industry has been slow to meet the demand, though we may be witnessing a shift. Studios specializing in co-op experiences are stepping up to fill this niche, tapping into its vast potential. This momentum could inspire other developers to cater to this underserved demographic, paving the way for more engaging co-op titles in the future.