Co-op games with better stories than it takes two

It takes two it was released in early 2021 and managed to take this year by storm. There were co-op games before this, but nothing quite as engrossing. The story of a bickering couple about to get a divorce who are then turned into dolls was a fresh story concept, but the real hero of the whole experience was the gameplay, which never stopped evolving.

That's the most It takes two fans took the game away because the story, while deep on a human level, could also be a bit depressing at times. While these other co-op games may have worse stories, they manage to have a better range of emotions. They don't all have to be better than It takes two on the whole, but the narratives are easier to digest.

The way out

Jailbreak

The way out was the first game developed by Hazelight Studios to focus on cooperative gameplay, it followed It takes two. The game begins in a prison where two playable characters, Leo and Vincent, are trying to escape.

Once they do, it's an adrenaline rush as they're constantly on the run, which then segues into a third act no one saw coming. The co-op elements aren't as inventive, but the darker, more mature story picks it up slightly.

Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons (2024)

From one controller to two

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was developed by Starbreeze Studios and released in 2013, serving as a precursor to what director Josef Fares achieved when he founded Hazelight Studios. Originally, the game was set in a fantasy world where two brothers went on a quest to find medicine, with players having to control each brother with the same controller.

In the 2024 remake, it was turned into a co-op game, but could still be experienced solo. While the single-player combat was a more inventive way to play the game, one way or another, the story was great at conveying its emotions without the characters speaking a single intelligible word.

Children of Morty

Bergson is resisted

Children of Morty is a roguelike that focuses on the Bergsons, a family destined to prevent an evil darkness from awakening beneath their homestead. The plot is conveyed through a narrator, and the family goes through many battles as the players go through the many dungeons below.

The most playable characters are family members such as John, the patriarch of the family, along with his children, Linda and Mark. Even when they don't talk to each other, the narrator does a decent job of creating emotional beats as players defeat monsters in co-op.

Donkey Kong Banana

One monkey, one singer

Donkey Kong Banana pairs Donkey Kong with a younger version of Pauline who rides on his back. In singleplayer, he only comments on DK's movements and serves as his voice in cutscenes, as he can only grunt and show a wide range of expressions.

A second player can take control of Pauline and sing to blow up parts of the environment with their voice. It's not the best co-op experience for the other player because he's stuck on DK's back. That means the fans Donkey Kong franchise will love the story as it unfolds in some locations in the final section that are absolutely some of the wildest moments of the 2025 gaming year.

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One

Heroes and villains unite

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is another good platformer with It Takes Two vibes, right Ratchet & Clank adored by fans because of the group's dynamic. Players can team up with up to four players and take on the roles of Ratchet, Clank, Captain Qwark, or Dr. Nefarious, all forced to work together to take on a greater evil.

The comedy between the characters makes certain pairings fun to watch on repeat, and the inventive weaponry makes the action great fun. Too bad it's still a PS3 exclusive.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Wii version)

Bustin makes us feel good

Ghostbusters: The Video Game not the first Ghostbusters game despite the name. Instead, this 2009 third-person shooter brought most of the cast together as an attempt to create a sequel worthy of the franchise. Terminal Reality developed PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 versions that have more realistic graphics, but no campaign co-op.

Red Fly Studio developed a Wii version that had a more cartoonish aesthetic and had full two player co-op with a slightly toned down story. Either way, hearing the main cast together again was a treat and there are some great set pieces.

Anthology The Dark Pictures: Man Of Medan

Watch out for big ships

Anthology The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan is the first installment of this anthology horror series. It featured five playable characters, each of which could be controlled by a different player if it took place on the couch.

As players control Alex, Brad, Conrad, Fliss, and Julia, they can influence the story as these young adults explore the mysterious ship SS Ourang Medan, which appears to be haunted. Since every character can die, it makes for a more dynamic story and co-op experience that's fun to play through multiple times.

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North

Second Community

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a side story that takes place concurrently with the main books. Instead of going after Sauron and the One Ring, the three adventurers band together to stop one of the Witch-kings. Eradan was a human Ranger who had stealth and ranged abilities, Farin was a dwarf and the primary warrior of the group, and Andriel was an elf with magical abilities.

The experience was linear, but with a full three-player party, players didn't care because the game did a good job of filling in the gaps in the books that felt believable and not just filler material. From portraits to famous places, fans lord of the rings would dig this game if only it wasn't removed.

Portal 2

Robots In Disguise

Portal 2 is a great sequel that improved upon the original with a more exciting story and more exciting dialogues. Most probably forgot or didn't know, but there was a co-op campaign attached that canonically took place after the main game.

Two players could control the robots Atlas and P-Body in a series of trials that GLaDOS set up in the Aperture test facilities. With great writing for GLaDOS, the awkward antics of the two robots, and challenging but fair puzzles, those who play it with a good partner may find it more awesome than the base game.

Untangle the two

A trip to nature

Unknit was an indie game about a red yarn creature aptly named Yarny who goes on a silent but exciting adventure. The sequel added a blue version of Yarny along with full co-op.

Untangle the two is a countryside adventure where players must work together using their tiny muscles to push rocks and blocks along with their stringy bodies to climb or swing. It's another great example of a game whose story manages to delight and touch the heart even when the two Yarny characters are unable to speak.