Our Favorite Co-op Games for Your Next Game Night

A great co-op game gives everyone a reason to be there. Sometimes that means solving a puzzle together; sometimes it means one friend building a roof while another returns from an expedition with a story about the troll that destroyed the boat. The right choice depends on the group, the time you have and whether you want to relax or be challenged.

It Takes Two is designed around two players, with each person bringing different abilities to its puzzles and challenges. We like it for a pair who want to share the whole adventure, rather than have one person watch the other lead. Its changing abilities keep the pair communicating: the person holding one piece of a solution often needs the other to make it work.

It needs two players, so it is not the pick for a larger group or a solo evening. The Friend’s Pass lets an invited friend join online without buying a second copy; check the platform’s requirements before you start.

Valheim combines Viking-inspired survival, building and exploration. The appeal for us is the journey from a modest shelter to planning an expedition together, with room for friends who like building as well as those eager to fight.

Survival systems and preparation are part of the experience. Your group needs to decide what to bring, where to build and when to venture into a more dangerous area. That shared planning is a big part of why we would choose it for a regular group. If everyone wants instant action without gathering resources, another game on this list may be a better fit.

Stardew Valley lets friends share a farm, divide up jobs and find their own rhythm. One person can focus on crops while another goes fishing or explores the mines. We think it is an especially good choice when the conversation is just as important as the challenge.

Its calendar and steady progression reward returning to the farm over time; it is less suited to a single quick session. We would pick it for friends who are happy setting their own goals, whether that means improving the farm or simply seeing what each season brings.

Baldur’s Gate 3 brings a party-based fantasy RPG to co-op, with turn-based combat and plenty of choices. It is our pick for a group willing to settle in for a longer adventure and talk through what happens next.

Its systems take time to learn, and coordinating a long campaign is a commitment. It also works best when the group is comfortable with choices and conversations taking time. If everyone is happy with that, the different ways to approach a situation give the group plenty to discuss.