Co-op has been a beloved feature in video games since the dawn of the industry, and there are still plenty of great co-op games released today. 2022 saw its fair share of exceptional co-op gaming experiences, with most allowing gamers to team up with friends either online or locally on the couch.
FromElden Ring’s tough-as-nails co-op to narrative-driven experiences likeThe Quarry, co-op gamers had quite the variety of games to choose from this year. However, there were 10 co-op games that stood in particular as especially great, and so thoselooking for a new co-op game to playshould certainly consider giving them a look if they haven’t already.
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Here are the best co-op games of 2022. Keep in mind that this list is inalphabetical order.
Elden Ring
FromSoftware’s open world epicElden Ringis an incredible journey solo, but it’s even more fun when playing with friends. LikeDark Soulsbefore it,Elden Ringallows players to summon others into their game world for help with overcoming difficult sections and taking on tough bosses. While there are some restrictions to it,Elden Ringco-opbasically lets Tarnished play through the entire game start to finish and makes setting up co-op sessions significantly easier than it has been in previous FromSoftware games.
Elden Ringco-op has an interesting PvP element to it as well. Whenever players start a co-op session, they open the door forElden RingPvP invaders to attack, which can make an already intense game that much more frantic. There are certainly ways FromSoftware could improve the co-op, but what’s here is still one of the finest co-op experiences of the entire year.
Escape Academy
Escape rooms are all the rage these days, andEscape Academyallows players to tackle them in video game form.Escape Academytakes players to an espionage school where students are taught the art of escaping. While one can tackleEscape Academy’s challenges and puzzleson their own, they can also bring a friend with them in split-screen and online co-op. Like real-life escape rooms,Escape Academy’s puzzles are much more fun to solve with a friend.
Grounded
Obsidian Entertainment first launched itsHoney, I Shrunk the Kids-inspired survival gameGroundedas an early access release in July 2020, but at the time it was in a pretty rough state. Two years later, Obsidian has released the1.0 version ofGrounded, and it shows just how far the game has come. InGrounded, up to four players can take on the roles of unfortunate kids who have found themselves shrunk to miniscule size and are forced to survive in the dangerous backyard. Players have to craft tools, weapons, and armor to fight massive bugs and acquire the resources necessary to build shelter, complete quests, and solve the game’s overarching mystery.Groundedshould appeal to those that enjoy playing games likeMinecraftwith their friends, and while its initial early access launch was rough around the edges, the final product is one of the finest co-op releases in recent years.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby and the Forgotten Landis the best-sellingKirbygameso far, and for good reason. Arguably the most ambitiousKirbygame to date,Kirby and the Forgotten Landhas Kirby exploring 3D worlds for the first time in the series. Kirby can go on this adventure by himself, but a second player can join in on the fun by taking control of Bandana Waddle Dee. Bandana Waddle Dee lacks Kirby’s transformation powers, but he has his own move set that is perfect for fighting offKirby and the Forgotten Land’s various enemies.
Nobody Saves the World
Developer Drinkbox Studios has built a reputation for delivering high-quality co-op game experiences withGuacameleeand its sequel, and it’s done it yet again withNobody Saves the World. InNobody Saves the World, the titular Nobody has to explore an overworld map and various dungeons filled to the brink with deadly enemies. The trick is that they can morph into a variety of different forms to give them an edge in battle, ranging from a mouse to an archer to a ghost to even a dragon. Leveling up Nobody’s forms unlocks new abilities that make the combat and exploration that much more entertaining.
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Nobody Saves the World’s co-op integration has only improved since the game’s launch. Initially,Nobody Saves the Worldonly had online co-op, but a free update since then has made it possible to play offline co-op as well. This way, even more co-op-minded gamers can discover the engrossing and often hilarious adventure that isNobody Saves the World.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetcertainly have their flaws, with technical problems weighing down the first-ever truly open worldPokemonadventures. But whilePokemon Scarlet and Violetdefinitely need updates to address some of their issues, the games nailed the co-op implementation. Not only arePokemon Scarlet and Violetthe first main seriesPokemongames with an open world, but they are also the first main series games to support co-op play.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetco-op allows up to four players to explore the same version of thePaldea regiontogether. But while players can stick with each other and explore together, they are also capable of simply walking off on their own and having a completely independentPokemonadventure if they so desire. Progression one makes in co-op carries over to their main save as well, which makes it a worthwhile endeavor.Pokemon Scarlet and Violetco-op also gives players another way of obtaining version exclusive Pokemon besides trading, which makes it easier for players to complete their Pokedex.
Splatoon 3
Splatoon 3has a variety of game modes for players to check out, from the well-received story mode to the versus multiplayer, which is the meat and potatoes of anySplatoongame. But when players aren’t busy going through the story or duking it out in the versus multiplayer modes, they can team up with friends to participate in the Horde Mode-style Salmon Run Next Wave. WhereasSplatoon 2’s Salmon Run was time-gated, though,Splatoon 3players can play Salmon Runwhenever they want. The special Big Run variant of the mode is available periodically forSplatoon 3players to check out as well.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Some of the greatest co-op gaming experiences have been provided by arcade beat ‘em ups, andTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revengecaptures those moments perfectly. A love letter to the old-schoolTMNTvideo games,Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revengeis a classic-style beat ‘em upwith modern sensibilities. It’s best played in 4-player co-op with each player taking on the role of one of the titular ninja turtles, butShredder’s Revengealso allows for 6-player co-op play for those who don’t mind a little chaos in their gaming sessions.
The Quarry
Supermassive Games’Dark Picturesseries innovated a new style of co-op play for interactive narratives where players can essentially draft the characters they want to play as, and then they have control of those individuals during the events of the game.The Quarrycarries on that tradition in a larger-scale story, allowing players to select which ill-fated teenagers they want to try to keep alive against the various horrors that torment them during the course of the game. While the game is entirely playable alone,The Quarryis significantly more entertaining in co-op, and it’s definitely the preferred way to experience the game.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
Gearbox Software’sBorderlandsgames have long provided engrossing adventures for co-op minded gamers, and nowTiny Tina’s Wonderlandsis carrying the torch. A spin-off of theBorderlandsfranchise with a decidedlyDungeons & Dragons-spin,Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandshas players teaming up in co-op to explore a bizarre fantasy land filled with countless weapons and endless loot. With split-screen and online co-op options,Tiny Tina’s Wonderlandsis another solid co-op experience from Gearbox and an easy recommendation for co-op gamers looking to get the most bang for their buck.
