15 great games to play with a friend – from platformers and fighting games to racing and online shooters
A good game is always a celebration. But more often than not, good things are even better when shared with loved ones. Fortunately, in games this opportunity is presented quite often. We decided to put together a small interactive entertainment guide for two (and sometimes more) players.
A way out
Great crime drama for those who want to share an interesting story with someone close
Typically, interactive stories are designed with a single player in mind. It is not surprising: how to create a story game for solo passage is more or less clear, but how to make one story – coherent, interesting, with unexpected twists, work well in co-op is not so obvious. But the authors of A Way Out , apparently, took this uncertainty as a challenge and made the right decision.
The main characters of the game are two prisoners who meet in prison. They are very different people, but suddenly it turns out that they still have something in common. For example, personal accounts with one criminal tycoon. Having accidentally found this point of contact, the heroes decide to flee to freedom together and take revenge on the offender.
Most of the time in A Way Out, the screen is split in two so each hero can act independently.
In principle, A Way Out cannot be played alone – only together with someone. There are enough moments of imposed co-op, when a simple, in general, action is deliberately complicated so that two characters are required to complete it. But the game is also full of really great episodes in which the co-op really warranted. The plot is also very interesting, and we recommend going through it to the very end, because the developers did not disappoint with the ending. In general, this is an almost ideal game for two if you and your friend / girlfriend / wife / husband suddenly find that you have a free evening, which has absolutely nothing to keep you busy.
Chariot
Who would have thought that an arcade game in which one of the main supporting characters is a wagon with a dead body could be so much fun
A disaster struck in the fairy kingdom – the beloved king died. The monarch should be buried, but his ghost flatly refuses to rest in peace until the crown princess and her fiancé find him a worthy tomb and collect treasures from the surrounding catacombs worthy of a royal grave. So the heroes have to hit the road, and even drag a cart with the royal remains, in which to store gold, diamonds and other jewelry.
Although in Chariot you and your friend drag the corpse on your own hump for the entire game, in terms of gameplay, this is a very colorful and fun platformer with many unexpected mechanics and non-trivial puzzles. And to solve many of them, it will be necessary to very clearly coordinate actions.
Biped
We do not often write about games that you can play with children or people who are just getting started with this type of entertainment. Biped is not a very difficult, but adorable platformer that everyone will love. You play as two robots who must restore a network of interplanetary navigation beacons, and along the way you solve puzzles. And although the tasks themselves seem easy to ingenuity, in fact the game generates dozens of situations when someone makes mistakes – and everyone laughs. The only caveat is that the game is very short: only 3-4 hours. But this is enough to brighten up a couple of evenings and have a lot of fun.
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
If you wanted a new approach to space simulators, this game is for you
Games in which you need to control a spaceship will surprise no one for a long time. But the authors of Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime looked at the topic from a new angle. In their game, each system on the ship is controlled from a separate remote control. Therefore, say, one person cannot steer a ship and shoot at enemies at the same time – a division of labor is needed.
This is what the game is all about: the attempts of a small crew to survive in a terribly unfriendly universe, transferring from the pilot’s seat to the turret, and from there – to the control panel of the shields. The sensations are unusual, but very cool.
Portal 2
Although Portal 2 was released a long time ago, even against the background of modern games it looks very cool
Although both parts of Portal were originally single-player games, for the second part, the developers also came up with an additional co-op mode. There is practically no plot in it, but there are two cute robots. By controlling them, players need to solve very interesting and varied puzzles.
In this case, you have to use all the tools familiar from the story mode. The tasks are specially designed so that to complete them you have to think and act together. And when you finally find a solution to some particularly difficult puzzle together, you feel like you’re in seventh heaven.
Cuphead
An untrained person may mistake a cartoon Cuphead for a child’s play, but that would be a big mistake.
A good two-player game isn’t necessarily a cute puzzle or interactive story. If you are into a bit tougher entertainment, there are options for you too. For example, the hand-drawn shooter Cuphead. Do not look that the style of drawing here is borrowed from old American cartoons: this game will chew and spit out even a very experienced player.
The boss battles are especially difficult here: whole separate levels are devoted to them. To win, you need to have iron nerves and a quick reaction. And all this can be experienced when paired with someone. If you survive and reach the end, we are sure that your friendship will grow even stronger.
Lara croft and the guardian of light
Even the famous Tomb Raider needs help sometimes
The isometric action adventure Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is unlike any other in the Tomb Raider series. In addition to the unusual perspective, there are other unique elements here: for example, the co-op mode. Actually, Guardian of Light works best as a game for two. According to the plot, the ancient warrior Totek joins Lara, and together the heroes are trying to overcome some evil that has returned to the world.
Both characters have unique abilities that must be combined to overcome various deadly traps and puzzles. The experiment with the cooperative turned out to be very successful, so it’s even a pity that the idea didn’t catch on. But if you haven’t seen the Guardian of Light yet, be sure to give it a try!
Dying light
Techland’s previous game, Dead Island, was good too, but Dying Light is even better
There are many zombie games, but there is nothing like Dying Light anymore. Where else can you find open-world zombie action with melee combat and parkour? For those who dream of such a pastime, Dying Light is perfect, in which, moreover, a completely full-fledged cooperative appears immediately after the training stage. By joint efforts, you can go through at least the entire plot, get enough of the abandoned buildings left in the city, which is almost completely captured by the dead, and in general – have fun properly.
Moreover, a sequel will be released next year. Also with zombies, also with parkour and also with co-op. It’s time to start preparing to meet Dying Light 2 fully armed.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
A bright and fun platformer that anyone can play with pleasure – even a veteran of video games, even a beginner
Although Donkey Kong was originally a negative character, over time he has developed a signature series with several great platforming games. Tropical Freeze is the fifth installment in this series and is just as fun to play. There is everything a good arcade needs: cute characters, interesting and varied levels, nice graphics, responsive controls.
The Switch version of Tropical Freeze has the added benefit of being comfortable to play with a less experienced player. Especially for beginners, the developers have added a new playable character, Funky Kong. He has more health points, he knows how to make a double jump, stay under water for an infinitely long time, he is not afraid of the deadly spikes that are stuck in many parts of the levels. In general, for a beginner player – what you need.
The division 2
The smallpox pandemic that launched the events of The Division did not spare not only New York, where the original was set, but also Washington, where we have to fight in the sequel
The first part of The Division was initially scolded, but for the sequel, the developers clearly understood much better what and how to do. Therefore, the game turned out to be much more interesting and of better quality. Now it’s a really cool online shooter with tons of loot that will motivate you to play almost indefinitely. Plus an excellent plot, plus wonderful tactical battles with cover, plus an unusual PvP – the features of the game can be enumerated for a long time.
Note that both The Division are initially designed for teams of four. But the balance in the game is very flexible, so together most of the activities go through no worse: somewhere a coordinated game is enough, somewhere the system will find you a couple more partners.
Stardew valley
There is no time to get bored in Stardew Valley alone, and even more so with friends
An excellent game for those who are drawn to the ground. According to the plot, the main character (or heroine – here you decide for yourself) lives in the city and sits in his pants at an unloved job, but suddenly inherits a farm in the wilderness from a deceased relative. Now you need to put this neglected economy in order.
While most of our readers probably hate to dig in the garden beds (and so do we, frankly), Stardew Valley has a very interesting and relaxed process. Very quickly you fall into some kind of special blissful trance and plunge headlong into rural life: you dig up, fertilize, sow, take care of the cattle. And in parallel, you fish, communicate with the inhabitants of a nearby town, help the spirits who have settled in an abandoned culture house, make forays into a mine inhabited by strange creatures on the outskirts. In general, there is something to do here. And most importantly – not so long ago there was an update that added multiplayer to Stardew Valley. So now you can do the same in the company.
Don’t starve together
A Russian proverb says: “In peace and death is red.” So, even if you fail to fulfill the mandate set out in the title of the game, at least you will not die alone
If Stardew Valley is a game about how a city man got out of town and found happiness there, then Don’t Starve Together tells a somewhat opposite story. Here, the characters also find themselves in the wild, but instead of happiness, they are likely to die from cold, hunger or the teeth of wild animals. But this does not mean that it is not worth fighting.
Don’t Starve Together fight for life and is dedicated. This is one of the best survivors on modern platforms – creepy and funny at the same time, with very unusual characters and the world, with an excellent crafting system, a bunch of dangers and surprises – both pleasant and not so.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
A visual demonstration of the possibilities offered by the co-op mode in Original Sin 2
Divinity: Original Sin 2 has many virtues. This is an interesting role-playing game with a well-developed world, an interesting story and a very cool combat system in which you can make whole combos from skills, sometimes with very unexpected results. It also has a cooperative mode. Moreover, players have much more freedom in it than usual. Here you can, for example, not only help each other, but also betray, pursuing some of your goals. And even in dialogues, not one player is puffed up for the whole squad, but each member of the group can express his opinion on many issues. And these opinions do not have to coincide.
All in all, when it comes to co-op, Original Sin 2 is unique in many ways. Of course, to go through it, you need a very loyal friend, because the plot here is long, for tens of hours. And all the same, there will definitely be something that you did not see.
Overcooked 2
If you thought cooking was a good way to calm your nerves, think again.
Another living proof that a game with intense gameplay – so to bloody sweat – can be made even on the most innocuous material. Overcooked 2 here is a cooking game. Only here you need to cook quickly, a lot, at constantly transforming levels and with a whole team. Due to the fact that the configuration of the “kitchen” is changing all the time, you have to not only coordinate with your partner, but also constantly re-negotiate who is doing what.
It is the need for continuous dialogue that makes Overcooked 2 so challenging and interesting. Here you need to constantly talk, ask for help, respond to other people’s requests and do everything as quickly as possible, until the inexorable timer has reached the end. The entertainment is very nervous but exciting.
Mortal kombat 11
Fierce fights, finishing moves, favorite characters – all you need for a good evening
Of course, when it comes to games for two, fighting is a must. There is a real expanse here now, but the last part of Mortal Kombat is perhaps the best option. This is a game that does not require a lot of preparation, but at the same time it delivers a lot of positive emotions. She’s beautiful, entertaining, dynamic, tense – just like a good fighting game should be.
Well, and, of course, cruel. Gone are the days of the classic Mortal Kombat, which was accused of almost promoting Satanism through fatalities, it is still a very bloody game. So, if you want not just to relax, but also to let off steam, turn on MK11 with a friend – you can’t go wrong.
Mario kart 8 deluxe
If you want speed and crazy tracks, here you will find both
Another great way to have fun with a couple is arcade racing. And here Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is practically unmatched, although a person who has not previously encountered this series may get a wrong impression of it. Despite its cartoonish appearance, Mario Kart is a really cool race, with steep tracks, high speeds and real adrenaline.
And it’s especially interesting to play it together. You can fight bots with a friend or go online and challenge experienced racers from all over the world. In any case, a few hours of fun are guaranteed. Although if you don’t have a Switch, but you want to play something similar, don’t despair. Try Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled as a replacement. The characters are different, but the essence is similar. True, online is worse.
