Thanks to theSteamplatform, there are tons of amazing games for PC players to purchase, download, and enjoy. The Steam Greenlight program is even helping indie developers push their products, giving players even more choices, with tons of games released on the service each month. Steam also makes it incredibly easy for players to join one another in games, thanks to the handy friends list and invite features.
This makes the platform the perfect place for players to hop online and enjoy cooperative adventures together. There are tons of great co-op games on Steam to choose from, ranging from AAA releases to Indie darlings. To better point out some of the memorable cooperative adventures floating around the service, here’s a look at some of thebest co-op games on Steamand what players can expect from them.
Aslocal co-op has its own discussion,online co-op Steam gameswill take center stage for this article. That said, a few exceptions will be included.
Also, the games aren’t ranked by quality, and newer releases will be mentioned first for extra exposure.
Updated July 01, 2025 by Mark Sammut:The last month was not particularly packed with massiveSteam co-op games. Fortunately, Valve’s platform already has enough titles to keep someone busy for a lifetime. Two more titles have been added: Castle Crashers and Powerwash Simulator.
TVGS’sSchedule 1came completely out of nowhere and pretty much instantly took over Steam’s best-selling charts, establishing itself as one of 2025’s biggest surprise success stories (so far). Now, the game is still in early access, so anybody interested in jumping on board must be prepared for some rough edges and incomplete (or missing) mechanics. That said, the current version has more than enough content to keep a group of players busy for a long while, andSchedule 1’s roadmap is quite exciting too.
Although playable solo without losing anything significant,Schedule 1also supports 4-player co-op, allowing friends to work together to build a criminal empire. The multiplayer has some aspects that could use some work, but the feature’s implementation is quite good and, for the most part, does not have too many frustrating elements.
2025 has been pretty great for out-of-nowheregreat online co-op Steam games, andR.E.P.O.has lasted long enough to suggest it will be way more than just a flash in the pan. Again, likeSchedule 1, this project is in early access, so there is still quite a lot of work to be done. However,R.E.P.O.’s core gameplay loop is already established, with players heading into maps in search of valuables to meet their quota. Naturally, they are not alone, and they will sooner or later find themselves coming face-to-face with some rather terrifying entities.
Admittedly,R.E.P.O.’s premise sounds similar toLethal Company, but the former shakes things up by incorporating a physics element into the equation. Not only do the player’s characters control weirdly, but they must also transport the valuables in a way that constantly risks damage happening to them.R.E.P.O.is a lot of fun and, more importantly, must be played with friends.
A new Hazelight release is always a cause for celebration.Co-op Steam gamesare not extremely rare in the grand scheme of things, but story-driven projects designed specifically for cooperative play are hard to come by. More often than not, co-op is an alternative to solo runs, even if it might be the best way to experience a game. Hazelight specializes in two-player co-op, andSplit Fictionis another triumph.
The story revolves around two writers who have their ideas stolen, causing them to go on a creative adventure that involves visiting their own fantasy or sci-fi worlds. Zoe and Mio are not exactly on great terms at the start of the campaign, but they form a bond pretty quickly as they are instantly forced to co-exist, both inthe story and gameplay. The entire campaign is a celebration of co-op, and Hazelight uses the premise to craft a wide variety of unique worlds that encourage different play styles and abilities.Split Fictionis always evolving, and there are hardly any missteps.
Capcom’sMonster Hunteris synonymous with co-op. Sure, the games can be played and enjoyed solo, but the grind is made considerably easier when a few hunters decide to join forces. Steam users have a few options at hand, withMonster Hunter Wildsbeing spotlighted due to it being the most recent release.
Capcom updated quite a few things abouthow multiplayer works forMH Wilds, and not all the changes were a step in the right direction. Even if it is more complicated than it should be, co-op is still a major selling point of the game and will determine whether a lot of people stick around for months on end. Linked Parties allow four players to engage in hunts together, building parties that complement each other.
It took more than a decade to materialize, butSpace Marine 2is now a reality. So, was it worth the wait? Well, the answer is mostly yes, even if some aspects could use some tweaking. Putting asideOperations, the PvE modedesigned for players to replay the same missions and grind XP, the main campaign supports online co-op, and it is by far the best way to experience this story.
Sure, co-op improves nearly everything, butSpace Marine 2is very much designed around a three-person squad; consequently, solo players will be saddled with two AI partners who are not always the sharpest knives in the shed. Just to be clear, the campaign is still a blast in single-player as it is always satisfying to tear armies of Tyranids to shreds. Co-op just lessens some of the occasional frustration.
Operations can be fun too, but it is a grind and its mileage may vary from player to player. That said, the mode is worth a try since it will greatly extendSpace Marine 2’s life cycle.
After roughly 5 years in early access,Satisfactoryfinally made its full debut on June 05, 2025. Unsurprisingly, the full game is fantastic, delivering an addictive sandbox-style experience that allows players to create the factories of their dreams. Obviously, this type of game is fairly niche, but if someone wants to get lost in creating elaborate metal jungles that turn an alien planet into the ultimate resource farm, they will struggle to find something quite as deep asSatisfactory.
Four players can jump into the same world, and they can mostly decide how much they want to interact. Like the rest of the game, co-op is not for everyone, and player compatibility is important to reduce irritation. That said, with the right group, this function can improve what is already a brilliant experience.
When February 2024 started, few people would have predicted that the month’s big game would beHelldivers 2rather thanSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice LeagueorSkull and Bones. The latter two titles both support co-op, although only Rocksteady’s superhero project is on Steam. While not devoid of positives,Suicide Squadis the definition of a mixed bag, although it is better when played with a couple of friends. However,Helldivers 2is on a whole other level, delivering one of the best multiplayer experiences of recent years. The originalHelldiversis a great co-op game, but it operates on a far smaller scale than its successor, which significantly expands on the same general blueprint.
Boasting a tongue-in-cheek narrative and presentation,Helldivers 2casts players as soldiers who are liberating the galaxy, one planet at a time. The community takes on this (not so) righteous battle as a unit, so it genuinely feels like a joint effort.Players can join randoms or play with friends, and while the latter generally leads to a superior experience, the former is also fine for the most part.Helldivers 2handles co-op beautifully, but that would not matter if the actual gameplay was not addictive and fun. As it so happens, Arrowhead also crafted a brilliant third-person shooter that is both satisfying and challenging.
Like all live service games,Helldivers 2has had its share of ups and downs. Not every update or tweak has been met with support from the fanbase, but Arrowhead has a better-than-average batting score. The game is still widely active more than a year after its release, which is hardly guaranteed with these types of projects.
One of the all-timegreat co-op games,Castle Crashershas been around for nearly two decades, and it has aged like fine wine. The Behemoth’s beat ‘em up romp was pretty much instantly complete, but the developer has continued to support the project, including announcing a 2025 DLC. Post-release graphic patches also helped ensure that the visuals remain as charming and vibrant as ever, althoughCastle Crasherswas always timeless in this area.
For the uninitiated,Castle Crashersis an addictive side-scroller that primarily utilizes traditional beat ‘em up mechanics, albeit with the incorporation of a few RPG systems to heighten replayability and provide some more depth. While fun solo, the game was intended for 4-player co-op, which allows the hectic combat and wacky animation to really shine.
Every month, Steam seems to produce a couple of early-access games that take the world by storm, andLethal Companywon this lottery in October 2023. Supporting four-player co-op, the first-person horror game revolves around visiting moons that happen to have a few wayward creatures running around. The goal is to explore the area, collect loot to satisfy the company’s quota, and make it out alive. Basically, the concept is very similar to an extraction shooter, albeit without the shooter part.
Even though solo runs are possible,Lethal Companyreally emphasizes teamwork, to the point that someone can stay on the ship to monitor the moon and guide the rest of the group to safety. While still a work in progress,Lethal Companyalready executes its premise well, and the progressively growing quota provides replay value. The game can also be genuinely intense and terrifying.
A belated sequel to an all-time beloved RPG franchise created by a different developer who opted to change the core gameplay in a new direction,Baldur’s Gate 3needed to be near-perfect to avoid backlash. Somehow, Larian accomplished just that. After spending a few years in early access,Baldur’s Gate 3was finally released on Steam in August 2023, and it was everything most people could potentially want in a CRPG. For one, the game’s character creator is deep and impacts the rest of the campaign, meaning the first few decisions players make have consequences. This foreshadows the rest of the experience since player choice is a huge part of thisDungeons and Dragonsadventure.
Baldur’s Gate 3went down as one of the best single-player RPGs of 2023, and thesame can be said for co-op. Friends can jump into each other’s campaigns, and they are largely left to their own devices in how they interact with the world. While groups can decide to do everything as a unit, they can also spend considerable time apart as they focus on different things.
