Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Est. Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| It Takes Two PS4 | Best Overall | ~$30-40 | 4.7/5 |
| Overcooked All You Can Eat PS4 | Best Budget | ~$20-30 | 4.6/5 |
| A Way Out PS4 | Best Premium | ~$25-40 | 4.7/5 |
| Borderlands 3 PS4 | Best for Shooter Fans | ~$20-50 | 4.5/5 |
| Minecraft PS4 | Best Compact | ~$20-30 | 4.6/5 |
Why you should trust this review
Our reviewer has played extensively in the PS4 co-op library across local and online formats, specifically evaluating the cooperative design quality of each title rather than its individual player experience. We assessed games on cooperative mechanics, whether both players feel equally engaged and necessary, narrative and emotional resonance in story-driven titles, and technical performance.
How we tested PS4 co-op games
Each game was played cooperatively with a partner through at least 60 percent of the available content, evaluating moment-to-moment co-op engagement, how well the game uses the cooperative format to create experiences impossible in single-player, communication requirements between players, and difficulty balance for mixed-experience player pairs.
Who should buy PS4 co-op games?
Couples, roommates, siblings, and friends who want shared gaming experiences on PlayStation 4 are the core audience. PS4 has one of the strongest co-op game libraries in console history, with several titles specifically designed to be played cooperatively rather than simply supporting a co-op mode as an afterthought.
It Takes Two: the best co-op game on PS4
It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios won the 2021 Game of the Year award and is specifically designed to be played by exactly two players cooperatively. The game follows a couple navigating relationship difficulties through a magical transformation, with each gameplay chapter introducing an entirely new set of mechanics that use the co-op format creatively. No two chapters feel the same.
The Friend’s Pass system means only one player needs to own the game, making it an exceptionally cost-effective co-op experience. The 12 to 15-hour campaign is the right length for a co-op story experience that feels complete without overstaying its welcome.
A Way Out: best narrative co-op escape experience on PS4
A Way Out is a two-player exclusive cinematic action game following two prison inmates who must cooperate to break out and go on the run. The split-screen design (always showing both players’ perspectives simultaneously) creates a unique cinematic quality and forces constant communication. The narrative builds to a genuinely surprising conclusion.
Like It Takes Two, A Way Out uses Friend’s Pass, so one player purchasing enables both players to complete the full game. At its current price point it is one of the most affordable significant co-op experiences on PS4.
What to look for in PS4 co-op games
Purpose-built co-op versus co-op mode: Games designed from the ground up for co-op (It Takes Two, A Way Out) deliver fundamentally different and usually superior co-op experiences compared to games where co-op is an added mode alongside a single-player campaign. Look for games that list co-op as the primary design intention.
Local versus online co-op support: Confirm the game supports your intended play style. Some games only support online co-op, which requires both players to have consoles and accounts. Others support local split-screen but with reduced visual quality. Check specifically before purchase.
Length and completion rate: Co-op campaigns longer than 20 to 25 hours have lower completion rates because life interrupts long campaigns. Short to medium campaigns (6 to 15 hours) are more likely to be completed together. Endlessly replayable co-op games (Deep Rock Galactic, Borderlands) require less commitment per session.
Friend’s Pass availability: EA-published Hazelight games (It Takes Two, A Way Out) use Friend’s Pass, which halves the effective purchase cost for online co-op. Seek out this feature when buying co-op games primarily for online use with one partner.
Difficulty calibration for your pair: Co-op games with adjustable difficulty allow pairs with different skill levels to find a challenge sweet spot where both players feel appropriately stretched without one carrying the other. This is particularly important in action and combat-heavy co-op games.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best local co-op game on PS4?+
It Takes Two is the best local co-op experience on PS4 and arguably the greatest co-op game ever made. Designed exclusively for two players, it features inventive mechanics, exceptional narrative, and over a dozen gameplay styles across its 12 to 15-hour campaign.
Do you need two PS4 consoles to play co-op?+
No. Most PS4 co-op games support local split-screen on a single console with two controllers. Online co-op requires two consoles and two accounts. It Takes Two and A Way Out are notable for offering Friend's Pass, which allows online co-op when only one player owns the game.
What is Friend's Pass on PS4?+
Friend's Pass is a system used by some EA and Hazelight games that allows a player who owns the game to invite a friend to play online co-op even if that friend does not own a copy. It Takes Two and A Way Out both use this system, making them particularly cost-effective for online co-op.
What are the best PS4 co-op games for couples?+
It Takes Two, A Way Out, Unravel Two, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime, and Overcooked 2 are all excellent co-op games designed for two players that work particularly well for couples. All have accessible mechanics and engaging cooperative dynamics without demanding previous gaming expertise.