Co-op games with better stories than it takes two

It takes two was released early in 2021 and managed to take the year by storm. There were co-op focused games before that, but nothing was ever quite as engrossing. The story of a bickering couple about to divorce who are then turned into dolls was a novel concept for a story, but the true hero of the whole experience was the game that never stopped evolving.

That's what most people It takes two fans removed the game, because the story, while deep on a human level, can also be a bit depressing at times. While these other co-op games may also have worse stories, they manage to have a better range of emotions. They may not all be better yet It takes two on the whole, but the stories are more digestible.

A way out

Prison Break

A way out was the first game developed by Hazelight Studios to focus on co-op play, followed by It takes two. The game begins in the prison with the two playable characters, Leo and Vincent, trying to get out.

Once they do, it's a high adrenaline rush as they are constantly on the run which then takes a third act twist that no one could have seen coming. The co-op elements aren't as inventive, but the darker and more mature story lifts it up somewhat.

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 the director, Josef Fares, would achieve when he founded Hazelight Studios. Originally, the game was set in a fantasy world where two brothers went in search of medicine, with players having to control each brother using the same controller.

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

Morta's child

The Bergsons strike back

Morta's child is a roguelike that focuses on The Bergsons, a family destined to prevent an evil darkness from resurfacing beneath their homeland. The plot is conveyed through a narrator, and the family goes through many struggles as players make their way through the many dungeons below.

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

Donkey Kong Banana

A monkey, a singer

Donkey Kong Banana pairs Donkey Kong with a younger version of Pauline who rides on his back. In singleplayer, she only comments on DK's moves and acts 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 her voice. For the other player, it's not the best co-op experience as they're stuck on DK's back. Like I said, fans of Donkey Kong franchise will love the story as it goes some places in the final episode that are absolutely some of the wildest moments from the 2025 gaming year.

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One

Heroes and villains unite

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is another great platformer with It Takes Two vibes, it Ratchet & Clank fans love because of the group dynamic. Players can team up with up to four players and assume the roles of Ratchet, Clank, Captain Qwark or Doctor Nefarious, all of whom are forced to work together to take on a greater evil.

The comedy between the characters makes some pairings fun for a replay, and the action, thanks to the inventive guns, makes for a great time. It's a shame it's still a PS3 exclusive.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Wii Version)

Bustin makes us feel good

Ghostbusters: The Video Game is not the first Ghostbusters game despite the name. Instead, this 2009 third-person shooter cast most of the cast as an attempt to make a sequel worthy of the franchise. Terminal Reality developed the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 versions, which feature more realistic graphics, but no campaign collaboration.

Red Fly Studio developed the Wii version, which had a more cartoony aesthetic, and it featured full two-player co-op with a somewhat toned-down story. Anyway, hearing the main cast together again was a treat, and there are some great set pieces.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man Of Medan

Beware of large boats

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan is the first entry in this anthology horror series. It featured five playable characters, each of which could be controlled by another player if done on the couch.

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

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North

The Other Fellowship

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

The experience was linear, but with a full party of three players didn't mind, as the game did a good job of filling in the gaps from the books that felt believable and not just filler. From cameos to familiar locations, fans of The Lord of the Rings would dig this game if only it wasn't delisted.

Portal 2

Robots In Disguise

Portal 2 is a fantastic sequel that enhanced the original thanks to a more exciting story and chipper dialogue. Most probably forgot, or didn't know, but there was a co-op campaign that took place canonically after the main game.

Two players could control the robots Atlas and P-Body in a series of tests set up by GLaDOS in Aperture's test facilities. Thanks to some great writing for GLaDOS, the two bots' convoluted antics, and challenging but fair puzzles, those who play it with a good partner might find it more awesome than the base game.

Dissolve two

A countryside tour

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

Clean up two is a rural adventure where players must work together by using their tiny muscles to push rocks and blocks along with their stringy yarn bodies to climb or swing around. It's another great example of a game whose story manages to delight and touch hearts even though the two Yarny characters can't speak.