Co-op RPGs for Players Who Want More Games Like It Takes Two

While asymmetrical co-op is nothing new to the video game world, It Takes Two has done a phenomenal job of bringing the genre into the spotlight for a new generation. Its mix of enjoyable platform-puzzling and its endearing tale of a relationship on the mend have helped make Hazelight Studios a household name. And it's left people wanting more and more co-op gaming experiences.

There are so many games out there with co-op options, but sometimes you need to hone in on a certain type of experience that you and your friends prefer. After all, there’s nothing wrong with having personal preferences. Perhaps It Takes Two has left you wanting to try something new with your gaming bestie, like an RPG.

While there’s plenty of RPGs with co-op out there to choose from, not all things are equal. Some offer up a similar balance of story, gameplay, and intrigue as It Takes Two had to offer, but in a whole new package.

10 Phantasy Star Online 2

Wildin in Space

Sega’s revitalization of its classic MMORPG has been a breath of fresh air for folks looking for something to play together. Phantasy Star Online 2 is a colorful and inviting anime-inspired space adventure that’s not hard to wrap your head around. Players have a lot of room for character and environmental customization and combat isn’t difficult to figure out either. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something that players of various skill levels can enjoy together.

It’s not quite the narrative experience of It Takes Two, but it does have its moments. It does have plenty of content to get through as well. If you’re old enough to remember the original on the Dreamcast, you’ll want to grab a few friends and take the sequel for a spin.

9 Secret of Mana

Thruples Therapy

One of the greatest action RPGs of all time just happens to surprisingly be three-player co-op as well. Secret of Mana’s three-character squad could be controlled by a single player, or if you had the SNES multi-tap, two friends could pick up controllers and get in on the action. In general, RPGs have been a solo experience. The idea that you could hack and slash your way through such an epic adventure was enticing to say the least.

Secret of Mana is one of those games that should be played by every RPG fan at least once in their life. But, there’s no rule that says you have to play it alone. Find a couple of friends and head out on an adventure.

8 Diablo 4

A Devil of a Time

The latest addition in the long-running series, Diablo 4 is a great choice for players looking for a solid co-op experience. The lore behind the Diablo series helps breathe life into the game world and pull players into the story. The game’s open world means players will be able to carve their own paths of destruction and tell their own stories. And there’s always more than enough loot to keep all party members kitted up.

Maybe you’re a barbarian looking for a game to play with your favorite necromancer. Or perhaps you’re a druid who could use a hand defeating Duriel. Just party up in Diablo 4 and stay a while.

7 A Way Out

Breaking Free

Before Hazelight Studios made It Takes Two, they had already gone all in on making asymmetrical co-op masterpieces with A Way Out. It’s a darker, grittier co-op experience with a prison break story compared to their newer games, but you can see the foundation that was being for greater things. It’s also not a bad game in its own right.

And unlike It Takes Two, there’s more than one way for the game to end. It’s harrowing path of twists and turns to get through in A Way Out, but if you want a great co-op experience, you’ll want to add this one to your list.

6 Nobody Saves The World

Somone's Got To Do It

This Zelda-inspired action-RPG indie is big on style, adventure and just happens to have a co-op mode as well. The titular character, Nobody, is a blank slate that can turn into several quirky forms with various powers or abilities. Players explore the world together and do some challenging dungeon crawling as they turn into things like a robot or a mermaid.

Nobody Saves the World is a lot of random fun in the most wonderful of ways with its cavalcade of forms and procedurally generated worlds. It makes for a unique gameplay experience each time around that’s perfect for a party of two.

5 Borderlands 2

Catch A Ride!

The family that shoots together, loots together and no game proves that as much as Borderlands 2. If you want an FPS-RPG that’s full of colorful characters and dialog, you can’t do much better than this classic. Whether you just want to cruise around Pandora causing chaos or are looking to dive into the main plot and take on Handsome Jack, it’s better to go with friends.

Borderlands 2 is kind enough to have split-screen couch co-op as well, if you’re looking to spend a night in with someone special in your life and blow up some bandits. It might be a much more frenetic experience than It Takes Two, but it’s just as entertaining in its own ways.

4 Elden Ring

Carry Me

I’m not gonna lie, Elden Ring is a game I find to be tough as nails. I find myself lacking in the skill department to play it with any kind of depth. That’s why I’m so grateful that From Software took some mercy on souls like me and included co-op in their RPG epic. Having someone to guide me through the world and let me see everything that the Lands Between has to offer does make me feel a little less tough, but worth it. Even if I do feel like a tourist.

As far as co-op RPG experiences go, this is one of the more demanding games on this list, but if you and a pal are up for a challenge, the adventure is well worth it. Or you could always go it alone and hope that you’ll run into Let Me Solo Her/Him online.

3 Monster Hunter Wilds

Carve off a Piece

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of the hunt in Monster Hunter Wilds. This series is fundamentally made for the co-op experience and Wilds is no exception to the rule. Hopping on the back of your Seikret and heading off to beat up a Rompopolo or Rathalos with your rowdy, rough, crew is an exhilarating time and the fights are almost always engaging and rewarding. On top of that, the world of Monster Hunter Wilds is just flat-out gorgeous with plenty of areas to explore.

If you’ve got some pals that aren’t Palicos, and they enjoy a good co-op action-RPG game, you should all mount up in Monster Hunter Wilds. There’s literally hundreds of hours worth of content to keep you and your co-op crew entertained.

2 Split Fiction

A Sci-Fi Fanstasy

If you love It Takes Two and you haven’t played Split Fiction yet, you need to rectify this mistake. It takes everything you loved about It Takes Two and cranks it all up beyond 11. The sheer variety of gameplay, combined with a tale that’s just as enthralling as that of Cody and May’s make this game a no-brainer. Instead of trying to fix a broken marriage, Split Fiction has players shifting between the fantasy worlds of two very different writers. It’s definitely got a lot of scope to say the least.

Hazelight Studios really landed an impressive one-two punch with back-to-back bangers that both showed what asymmetrical co-op games are capable of. You simply must play it if you enjoyed It Takes Two.

1 Baldur’s Gate 3

Mind Flaying With Friends

It would make sense that one of the greatest RPGs ever made would also be one of the best co-op options for the genre. Baldur’s Gate 3 is just one of the most detailed, open-ended RPG experiences to ever see the light of day. And the fact that you can experience it all with a friend makes it even better. Whether you both want to put an end to the Elder Brain or race to see who can romance Astarion first, you’re bound to enjoy the game’s co-op experience.

The nice thing about Baldur’s Gate 3 is it’s essentially just a really awesome D&D campaign for you to play solo or with a small group of friends. And weren’t RPGs made to be group experiences in the first place?