Console gaming, and Xbox in particular, is almost always more fun with friends. There are plenty of single-player titles to choose from, but some of the best gaming memories are made with someone else by your side.
Ahead, we’ll look at the five best co-op games for Xbox, which include some designated co-op titles, story-based games that are fun with friends, and open-world sandbox games that allow players to chart their own paths.
The best part of these co-op Xbox games is that the first two only require you to buy them once. Even if you’re playing remote co-op, only one person needs to buy the game, and they can share their code with a friend.
It Takes Two is an action-adventure game where players control two main characters: Cody and May.
The duo is a married couple on the brink of divorce who are magically transformed into dolls by their daughter’s wish.
To regain their human forms, they must traverse a world full of puzzles and challenges, requiring significant coordination.
The game features a variety of gameplay mechanics and a strong emphasis on collaboration, creating a unique experience for co-op players. Each player is often required to complete different tasks, so you can choose which of your party is better suited for a different role.
It Takes Two is widely considered one of the best co-op games for Xbox and all platforms.
The whole point of the story promotes teamwork; this isn’t just a single-player game that you can play with a friend. It’s designed to be played together. It literally takes two.
A Way Out was the first game from Hazelight Studios, the developers of It Takes Two. The idea of both games is the same, although the plotlines are very different.
Like It Takes Two, A Way Out is a two-player co-op game that requires both players to work together to achieve their goals.
Each player will have a unique experience and individual tasks, meaning you can play it with the same person at least twice before moving on.
Unlike It Takes Two, which has a more wholesome story, the focus of A Way Out is for the two protagonists, Leo and Vincent, to break out of prison. The art style of the game is more realistic than the cartoonish style of It Takes Two, so you may have a preference for one over the other.
Both A Way Out and It Takes Two are relatively short games and are both inexpensive, so there’s no reason not to run through both of them with a partner.
Before Hazelight released It Takes Two, A Way Out was widely considered the best co-op Xbox game for two players, but it’s still near the top of the list.
Unlike some of the other co-op Xbox games on this list, Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t specifically designed to be multiplayer. You can play the game solo without losing much in the way of story or progression.
Still, Baldur’s Gate 3, like Dungeons and Dragons - on which it’s based - is always more fun with friends. You can play couch co-op or online and will undoubtedly have more laughs and memories than if you played the game alone.
As stated, Baldur’s Gate 3 is based on the Dungeons and Dragons universe. It’s a top-down, turn-based RPG with some of the richest storylines in all of gaming.
Nearly every decision you make changes the story, giving significant weight to your in-game choices. This will also enhance replayability, so you certainly get your money’s worth with this one.
With a friend or two by your side, you’ll find yourself finding creative ways to solve problems and engage in combat. The freedom that Baldur’s Gate 3 offers you means that you’ll be able to find your own path. It’s not just one of the best Xbox co-op games but one of the best video games of all time.
Minecraft is a tried-and-true good co-op game for Xbox. It’s the original sandbox game, where players can build, fight, dig, and do anything their heart desires. There’s no concrete story to Minecraft, although the game has experienced countless updates since its release in 2011.
If you want a narrative-driven game to play with one or two other people, then Minecraft might not be for you.
If you want to relax, build, explore, and go at your own pace, then it’s everything you could ever want in a co-op Xbox game.
There’s a shocking depth to Minecraft if you’ve never played it. What seems like a simple, blocky, procedurally-generated world quickly unravels into one of the most complex and endless games on the market.
Of course, if all you want to do is build a replica of your house, make a farm, and adopt a dog - you can do that too.
Stardew Valley has a similar draw to Minecraft, with a bit more structure. Instead of building any structure you can imagine, Stardew Valley tasks you with running a farm in a new town. You grow new crops each season, fix up the town’s dilapidated community center, and meet your new neighbours.
You don’t need to play Stardew Valley with a partner to get the most out of the game, but it does add an element to your farm you’d otherwise be missing.
Tending to your plot of land, exploring the mines, and maintaining relationships with the townsfolk can be a lot to handle all by yourself. With another player or two, it makes things a whole lot easier.
One of the best reasons to play co-op in Stardew Valley is that you have twice the productivity. While one player harvests crops and gathers resources from the farm, the other can explore the town and hit the mines for higher-quality materials.
More than anything else, Stardew Valley is a relaxing game. There’s a lot to do, but there’s no rush to get any of it done.
You can go at your own pace, which makes it a good co-op Xbox game for new players and a great first game to play with your significant other.
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