Summary
Since the days of the arcade, video games have been designed to bring people together. Whether it’s with fighting games that pit friends against friends orpuzzle gameswhere players team up to complete tasks together, co-operative gameplay has been around forever. That being said, it can be difficult to find the right game for a quick but fun session of gaming.
These games available on current-gen consoles are the best choices for gamers who want to kill a quick hour online or in person with their friends. From high-intensity games that require precision from both teammates to breezy fun, these games will offer hours of fun, even if it’s just in short bursts of time.
More about Overcooked: All You Can Eat:
The first Overcooked game was released in 2016, and it has since been followed up by a sequel in 2018. Since then, the two have been bundled together asOvercooked: All You Can Eat, allowing gamers to get a taste of both cooking simulators in one package. While sessions ofOvercookedmay be short, they’lltest the limits of co-operation between players.
Players control chefs in a virtual kitchen,preparing meals togetherin a small space while coordinating with each other. It can lead to someMario Party-esque drama, but given that the game is split up into individual levels, it’s aneasy game to pick upfor a little bit and then leave for another play session, thoughit may sever a few friendshipsor relationships in the process.
More about Untitled Goose Game:
Co-op gameplay wasn’t available inUntitled Goose Gamewhen it was initially released in 2019 but has since been added as anadditional game mode via updates. In the standard game, players control agoose wreaking havocaround a neighborhood, completing an ever-growing list of objectives, making it the perfect choice for a morelaid-back multiplayer experience.
In co-op mode, geese work together toaccomplish various goals, more often than not involving the terrorizing of everyday people. WhereasOvercookedis a more stressful gaming experience,Untitled Goose Gameissure to bring laughterto a pair of gamers looking for an easy adventure to sink an hour or two into at a time.
More about Nobody Saves The World:
Nobody Saves the Worldisa dungeon-crawling action RPG, whereplayers control “Nobody,“a blank character model who transforms and makes use of variousunlockable abilities. Each of the game’s levels are procedurally generated, as players continue to advance through completing quests and unlocking higher-level dungeons.
The game also supports bothlocal and online multiplayer, which can make it a lot of fun for either hardcore RPG fans or casual gamers. If anything, it’s just fun to see howmany forms “Nobody” can take, whether it be ahorse, a dragon, or a ghost,each with different functions to navigate dungeons and battle enemies.
More about It Takes Two:
As the title suggests,It Takes Twois designed specifically for cooperative play. Whether it’s online or through local multiplayer,the game makes use of split-screen mechanicsas players control a married couple who are being controlled by their upset daughter. At every level,players must work togetherto take advantage of each other’s respective abilities.
What makesIt Takes Twoa great choice for alimited-time co-op gameis the “Friend’s Pass,” which, when bought by an owner of the game, means they can share the gameplay online with a friend who doesn’t own the game. If neither player owns the full game, both can also try out the first level via online co-op to see if they’d like to buy it and continue the rest.
More about Snipperclips: Cut It Out, Together:
Snipperclips: Cut It Out, Together!was a launch title for the Nintendo Switchavailable exclusively on the online store. In the game, twoplayers control Snip and Clip, who can rotate their bodies and cut sections of each other to make various shapes, which they use to accomplish various tasks, solve puzzles, and fit into different parts of each level.
Since its release, an expansion calledSnipperclips Pluswas released as both a retail game and DLC for the original game, featuring even more levels. It’s asolidly simple puzzle gamethat’s perfect for killing an hour with a friend in local multiplayer. It’s even a good choice for younger players, as it’s easy and kid-friendly enough for gamers of all ages.
More About Portal 2:
In a similar vein toSnipperclips,Portal 2expanded on the firstPortalgameby adding in anadditional multiplayer campaign separate from its single player narrative. In that campaign, two players control Atlas and P-Body, portal gun-wielding robots built by GLaDOS to progress through various test chambers, and later, unlock a vault full of human test subjects.
Portal 2supportsco-op in both local and online multiplayerand is available on a wide variety of consoles, including the current generation.The campaign is only roughlysix hours in length, give or take some extra time for players who get stuck on various levels. However, its consistency of saving in between each stage means duos can progress at their own pace.
