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.
Check price on Amazon →We played and reviewed the best cooperative games available on PlayStation 4 to find the top titles for playing together with a partner or group.
How we test
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
At a glance
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| It Takes Two: the best co-op game on PS4 | Check price | ||
| A Way Out: best narrative co-op escape experience on PS4 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
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.
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.
What to look for
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.
FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tom Reeves has reviewed consumer electronics for over a decade, with a focus on televisions, monitors, laptops, and smart home devices. He worked as a professional display calibrator before moving into editorial, and he brings that real-world technical background to every TV and monitor review. At TheTestedHub, Tom covers display calibration, computer monitors, laptops and 2-in-1s, smart home platforms, home theater setups, and HDR performance.
Related guides
Westcott Rapid Box Switch Octa-S 26-Inch Review (2026): The
XP-PEN Artist Pro 16 Review (2026): The
Xbox Wireless Controller Carbon Black Review (2026): Still
Xbox Series X Console Review (2026): The 4K 120fps Console
WD Black SN850X 1TB Review 2026: The PCIe 4.0 Bargain
Wacom Cintiq Pro 16 Review (2026): The
Vizio MQX Series 50-Inch 4K Review (2026): The Sub- Quantum
