Key Takeaways
- PS5 offers great co-op games with engaging stories, like “Helldivers 2” & “Chicory,” providing enjoyable gameplay experiences.
- “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake” may not need co-op, but its story remains strong, making it a worthwhile PS5 experience.
- While lacking complex stories, games like “Gotham Knights” & “Avatar” offer decent narratives & fun co-op gameplay on the PS5.
The PS5 is moving along nicely, and 2024 could shape up to be the generation’s biggest year yet. There are already plenty of amazing games to play. The system’s backward compatibility alone grants players access to some of their favorite titles with a serious graphical boost.
There are quite a few great co-op games players can run on their PS5s and play with friends locally or through the internet. Enthralling storylines have never been the domain of these kinds of titles, but it doesn’t mean that good writing has never been successfully incorporated into a co-op game.
Updated September 22, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Co-op PS5 games with great stories are quite rare, with most cooperative projects emphasizing gameplay. For example, Earth Defense Force 6 is a fantastic co-op option, but it cannot be recommended for its story (which, to be fair, gets the job done). The same can be said for Core Keeper or Risk of Rain 2. TimeSplitters: Future Perfect has a great co-op story, but that is a PS2 port that happens to be available on PS5.
Fortunately, September 2024 has produced one option that qualifies, especially for people who are fans of Warhammer 40K.
16 Cat Quest 3
A Relentlessly Charming Action RPG
The Cat Quest games are just the best bite-sized RPGs. All three entries offer delightful romps with simple but satisfying combat, streamlined progression and weapon systems, and a whole lot of cat puns. The latter is enough to warrant a recommendation, but Cat Quest 3 has way more to offer than witty dialogue that emphasizes the franchise’s adorableness. Overall, this is probably the best game in the series, which means something in a franchise defined by consistency.
While not revolving around co-op like Cat Quest 2, which has two protagonists who are both central to the story, the 2024 sequel’s implementation of the feature is arguably just as good, at least in terms of the gameplay. Although not important to the story, the second player can mostly do the same things as the main user, so they should not feel too short-changed. Narratively, Cat Quest 3 mostly just tasks players to find a treasure before a sinister pirate, a situation that serves as a justifiable excuse to explore the gorgeous world. Nobody is going to claim the plot is deep, but it fits the game’s tone and world perfectly, all the while presenting plenty of opportunities to interact with cute NPCs.
15 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Fantastic Co-Op Beat ‘Em Up With A Fun Fanservice-Heavy Story
OK, this one is rated on a curve. Beat ’em up games focus very little on their stories, usually just throwing out a few still images in between stages. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is no different, and its narrative is largely irrelevant and certainly not a reason to pick up the project. However, relative to similar releases, the story is charming and well done. The game includes a lot of references to past TMNT projects, filling the campaign with Easter Eggs and identifiable bosses.
If someone is specifically craving an accessible beat ’em up with fantastic co-op, Shredder’s Revenge is arguably the best option on the PS5. They also get to play through a cute story filled with loving nods to the franchise’s legacy.
14 Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons Remake
A Co-Op Remake Of A Game That Did Not Need Co-Op
This case is weird. Starbreeze’s Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was specifically designed around the player controlling two siblings simultaneously, a decision that helped foster a strong connection with the characters while also complementing the story’s theme of brotherhood and dependency. Despite seemingly being ideal for co-op, Starbreeze deliberately avoided adding multiplayer to the game, and while playing it, this omission never feels like an oversight or mistake.
Avantgarden’s remake adds co-op, allowing each player to control one brother. Except for a graphical upgrade, this change is the main difference offered by the 2024 version, and it arguably produced a less memorable overall experience. That said, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is still an above-average PS5 co-op game with a great story that can readily be completed in a single sitting. Even if it does not reach the heights of the original, it is still worth playing.
13 Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora
Faithful Extension Of The Movies
OK, it might be a stretch to describe Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora‘s story as “great” since it plays things very safe. That said, the game is a spot-on imitation of James Cameron’s movies in this area, delivering a straightforward but sound narrative defined by epic action alongside plenty of opportunities to take in the Western Frontier’s natural beauty. The latter is undoubtedly Frontiers of Pandora‘s main selling point since the open-world is nothing short of gorgeous, along with being as expansive as any other modern Ubisoft project.
Considering the gameplay is not far removed from Far Cry, the fact Frontiers of Pandora handles co-op similarly to that franchise makes sense. Avatar is generally presented as a single-player experience, but a guest can jump in at any moment, and their progress will be saved for their campaigns. Although nothing too special, this system works well and helps extend the game’s staying power.
12 Gotham Knights
For All Its Flaws, The Game’s Story Is Pretty Good
Gotham Knights garnered a mixed reception at launch, and that is being kind. In truth, it was among 2022’s most disappointing games, and its reputation has not started to mend. However, nowadays, Gotham Knights is far easier to recommend since it is frequently discounted and can be accessed through subscription services like PS Plus Extra. And, for all the title’s flaws, its story is quite good.
Sure, Gotham Knight‘s plot does not reach the same heights as the Bat Family’s greatest comic storylines nor does it match Rocksteady’s trilogy, but that does not mean it has no value. The playable characters share a camaraderie that feels genuine, and they grow quite a bit throughout the campaign. The central mystery/story is consistently engaging and well-written, even if it can be predictable at times.
Funnily enough, most of the above points also fit
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
, another disappointing DC game with a passable story that is elevated by 4-player co-op. Honestly,
Gotham Knight
‘s plot is considerably better than
Suicide Squad
‘s, but an argument could be made that the latter has more entertaining banter between the main characters. Neither title is a must-play or even very good, but they are fine for a quick run through their campaigns.
11 Solasta: Crown Of the Magister
Traditional But Enjoyable D&D Adventure
Baldur’s Gate 3 overshadows every other Dungeons & Dragons game on PS5, particularly titles that are also tactical RPGs. Solasta: Crown of the Magister is not on the same level as Larian’s masterpiece, and if a player is unsure which project to pick up, they need to go with the latter. However, this statement is solely a celebration of BG3 rather than a condemnation of Solasta; in fact, the latter is a pretty good all-around experience and a sound investment if a group of D&D fans are craving a fairly faithful video game adaptation.
Based on the 5e, Solasta‘s combat does a great job of translating the tabletop game’s rules and rhythm. The gameplay is comfortably the project’s strongest feature, along with a robust character creator that gives players plenty of room to experiment with classes. While nothing too amazing, Solasta‘s story is enjoyable and keeps things accessible and simple, making for a fun romp that does not require too much prior knowledge of D&D (even if it is a benefit).
10 Ghost Of Tsushima: Legends (Story Mode)
10 Arcs That Tell Interesting Myth-Based Stories
Ghost of Tsushima is a great single-player open-world game that features accessible but challenging combat, breathtaking visuals, a historical Japanese setting, and a pretty good story. While nothing too amazing, the latter is generally told well and features a strong range of secondary characters, most of whom have bigger personalities than Jin, the protagonist. GoT is fantastic, but the standard story does not support co-op.
Fortunately, Sucker Punch eventually released Legends, a multiplayer mode that has enough content to feel like a fully fleshed project in its own right. Although not completely removed from Jin’s story and Mongol invasion, Legends adds a mythological element, casting players as resurrected warriors who come back to take on an Oni uprising. The premise is, admittedly, a bit fantastical and far-fetched compared to the fairly grounded central story; however, it is told with the same sense of gravitas and top-tier presentation.
Legends is split into four modes, and most people will likely spend their time in Survival. This option allows four players to engage in PvE co-op to defeat wave after wave of enemies and protect three regions. While fun and replayable, Survival has no plot; consequently, if some narrative drive is what someone is seeking, they will need to check out Story. This mode features 10 arcs that are split into three chapters each, and they tell fairly self-contained tales that are similar to GoT‘s side quests, albeit with a supernatural twist. Although not amazing, the stories are relatively fun and do not overstay their welcome.
Story can only be played by two players.
9 Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Play Through Abbreviated Versions Of The Movies
The Lego games are always reliable options when it comes to lighthearted co-op games, and The Skywalker Saga is a contender for the best in the franchise. Covering all nine main movies, the campaign is chock-full of content, Easter eggs, and unlockable characters. Die-hard Star Wars fans should get a kick out of seeing this humorous but still quite authentic adaptation; conversely, people who are not that into the sci-fi property should still find something to enjoy in this gorgeous adventure.
Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga handles local co-op in largely the same way as other Lego games, permitting friends to go along for the ride without impacting much of the story. Online co-op is not supported, so this is just for those looking to take on the Empire from the comfort of a single couch.
8 Returnal
Clever Blend Of Story & Gameplay
As part of the “Ascension” update, Returnal added co-op, permitting up to two players to combine forces. Only online co-op is supported, and the feature is activated once someone dies for the first time. After that point, that person will be able to host a public or private session from Selene’s crash site; alternatively, they can join a cycle. Co-op does not significantly change the Returnal experience, although the game’s difficulty is ramped up to make up for the fact there are two Selenes.
A rogue-like, Returnal follows a scout who lands on an alien planet and becomes stuck in a time loop. Delivering quite an emotional storyline that complements the premise and gameplay, Housemarque’s title is among the best PS5 co-op games on the market.
7 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Grimdark Awesomeness
What constitutes a good story? Does it have to be deep? Emotional? Nuanced or epic? Or, does it just have to be entertaining? Now, even more so than movies, video game stories can be tricky to accurately rate since a campaign can be extremely fun despite having a terrible narrative. Space Marine 2 is a bit of a special situation since it cannot be recommended specifically for its story, but it can 100% be recommended for its co-op campaign. Putting aside all the online content designed to keep people coming back for more, Space Marine 2‘s shining achievement is its bombastic story mode that delivers epic visuals and a great sense of scale.
While more than playable alone, the campaign is far better alongside two friends, just because they are likely to be way more useful than AI partners. Together, three Space Marines should have a blast destroying Tyranid armies across an array of planets, and that’s all the game has to offer to be a success. Fortunately, Space Marine 2 goes the extra mile by supplying a competent story with some character growth for the protagonist (Titus), even if the writing is generally quite simple and straightforward.
More importantly, Space Marine 2 nails the feeling of being in a war. Throughout the campaign, players will find themselves regularly looking over expansive battlefields defined by destruction and death, and it is both awe-inspiring and horrifying. The protagonist has to be fairly secure in their beliefs as otherwise the story wouldn’t work, but there is just enough depth to be worth following rather than just ignoring.
6 Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Cute & Clever Writing
Those who are looking for something a little more relaxing and charming should check out Chicory: A Colorful Tale. It’s a great change of pace, putting players into a world that has seemingly lost its color and tasking them with literally painting things back to life.
It’s a joy to run through with a friend, and the story is heartwarming, to say the least. This is the perfect thing to pop in for a relaxing night on the couch. It’s a great little indie-style gem hidden among the bigger co-op offerings.
5 Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
An Entertaining DnD Adventure
Gearbox’s Borderlands has been delivering fun co-op first-person shooter mayhem for over a decade, and all the entries are a blast in their own right. The first entry to debut directly on the PS5, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is a spin-off that builds upon the ideas of Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep, a Borderlands 2 DLC. Set within the world of a tabletop game, players create a character and then go on a comical adventure to stop the Dragon Lord.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands has awesome gunplay, comfortably the best in the series so far. The story does not take itself all that seriously, and while the humor is hit-and-miss, the spin-off is more consistently charming than some of the franchise’s recent main entries. The overall narrative is rather forgettable, but the minute-to-minute writing is generally solid. This is an easy recommendation for fans of Borderlands or anyone looking for a lighthearted FPS set in a fantastical universe.
4 As Dusk Falls
An Epic Tale Of Secrets, Family, & Choices
Thanks to Supergiant, the PS5 has plenty of interactive movies that are perfect for game night; however, these projects generally fall within the horror genre, which might not suit everyone’s fancy. Fortunately, As Dusk Falls has been ported to Sony’s system and takes things in a different direction.
Set in a small town that appears unspectacular but, in reality, has a long and dense history, As Dusk Falls follows a range of characters as they try to balance grudges, secrets, and family drama. The game is a great solo option that emphasizes player choice and succeeds in making these decisions count. As Dusk Fall‘s implementation of 8-player co-op is unique as well, with the group voting to determine each character’s actions.
3 Baldur’s Gate 3
Masterful Storytelling
Roughly a month after coming out on PC, Baldur’s Gate 3 made its way to the PS5, and Larian’s project survived the transition in one piece. Based on Dungeons & Dragons, the RPG delivers in nearly every area, be it combat, customization, storytelling, or co-op support. The latter highlights Baldur’s Gate 3‘s tabletop origins since players can set up a co-op campaign save file that they revisit as a group; obviously, this can be quite a commitment, so the game also offers new players the chance to join existing playthroughs.
Set in a vast and complex world, Larian created a deep RPG that emphasizes player choice, particularly in its secondary content. The turn-based combat system can be initially overwhelming if someone is not familiar with the studio’s previous releases, but it is rewarding in the long run. In co-op, players are allowed and even encouraged to do their own thing and decide when they want to come together.
2 The Quarry
Perfect For Horror Nights
If horror is a group’s genre of choice, then they cannot go wrong when it comes to Supermassive Games. The developer has carved out a niche for itself in the co-op interactive drama market, with Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology chapters all being dependable picks. 2022’s The Quarry is another feather in the studio’s cap, and it supports up to 8 players in both local and online co-op.
An ode to 1980s slashers, The Quarry wears its inspiration on its sleeve. As tends to be the case with these sorts of stories, the game finds a group of teenagers heading out to the eponymous location with plans to spend the night. Things quickly go wrong, and one of them might be responsible for the mayhem. Depending on how many people are playing the game, The Quarry could just assign a single character to every player, which will force everyone to decide whether they will prioritize self-preservation over what is good for the collective.
1 It Takes Two
The Ultimate Co-Op Adventure
Developed by Hazelight Studios, a company whose primary focus is co-op experiences, It Takes Two is a deeply emotional story of a little girl coping with her parents’ divorce by playing with hand-made rag dolls that resemble her mom and dad. The girl’s tears falling on the dolls trap her parents’ souls inside the toys, and they become the two-player characters.
Players will have to travel through magical realms that are a reflection of the parents’ positive memories of one another. By solving environmental puzzles and completing platforming challenges, they attempt to mend their broken relationship and get back into their own bodies. From the gameplay perspective, it’s a fun, challenging platformer that relies heavily on cooperation between players. However, it is its creative, unique narrative that makes this game a truly essential title to play on the PS5.
