Cooperative gaming has played a critical role throughout the history of video games, with its significance sometimes varying depending on trends in the gaming landscape. While often associated with player-versus-player (PvP) experiences, the realm of cooperative games—especially online co-op options—is well-established on platforms like Steam. However, locating local co-op titles can be more challenging, as this feature tends to take a backseat in many modern offerings.
Updated December 25, 2024 by Mark Sammut: As we close out another year, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the upcoming landscape of free co-op Steam games. Although the selection may seem limited, there are a couple of titles worth noting, with one of them appealing to PvP enthusiasts as well.
Table of Contents
For this roundup, PvP-centric cooperative games will be excluded. For example, while popular titles like Counter-Strike 2 have engaging modes that accommodate cooperative play—like Wingman—this list will focus on games that primarily emphasize co-op elements.
The following games have been ranked largely on their quality, with the newest additions highlighted first for better visibility.
1. Once Human
Steam User Rating: 71%
Despite a crowded month for free-to-play titles, Once Human managed to stand out, overshadowing even The First Descendant. The open-world survival game, though not without its flaws, is a noteworthy experience worth downloading. Set against the backdrop of an alien infestation caused by corrupt human corporations, players take on the role of meta-humans battling the chaos while uncovering the entities responsible for the apocalypse.
Though primarily playable in solo mode, the game supports multiplayer co-op, which arguably enhances the overall experience. Players can create groups like Party, Hive, or Warband, with Hive being particularly suited for those playing the campaign cooperatively. While the game can feel repetitive, exploring it with friends can mitigate this issue and dramatically heighten the fun.
2. Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop
Steam User Rating: 94%
Alien Swarm, originally released in 2010, remains a hidden gem among Valve’s catalogue. Players seeking a twin-stick shooter should prioritize Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop, which offers significant improvements over the original and continues receiving updates since its 2017 relaunch. The game primarily focuses on cooperative gameplay, allowing up to eight players to engage through a variety of campaigns, each presenting different levels of enemy waves to conquer.
While it’s accessible for casual gameplay, success hinges on teamwork. Players can’t simply operate independently; cooperation is essential for survival, making this title perfect for those who enjoy strategic, team-based gameplay.
3. We Were Here
Steam User Rating: 90%
Diving into a chilling, cooperative puzzle-solving experience reminiscent of modern escape rooms, We Were Here pairs two players who must rely entirely on their handheld radios to communicate while separated in a frozen wasteland. Each player experiences unique challenges and puzzles, requiring constant dialogue and teamwork for success.
This title is just one part of a series that has expanded to account for players seeking more intricate puzzles and an engaging cooperative environment.
4. With You
Steam User Rating: 89%
With You offers a delightful cooperative puzzle-platformer experience ideal for two players. Engaging in various physics-based challenges, friends must work closely together to solve puzzles, employing gentle communication and collaborative problem-solving.
This short yet enjoyable game aims to strengthen the bonds between players, ensuring that the experience is as intimate as it is entertaining—quite literally bringing players closer through cooperative play.
5. MultiVersus
Steam User Rating: 83%
After a popular open beta phase, MultiVersus returned with new content on May 28, 2024, providing players with an entertaining multiplayer experience similar to Super Smash Bros.. Within the game, players can opt for single-player campaigns alongside PvP modes while primarily enjoying the chaotic and strategic 1v1 or 2v2 battles.
The game has faced criticism for its launch discrepancies, including missing features and troublesome progression systems. However, the core gameplay remains enjoyable and visually impressive, offering a fun gameplay variant with innovative characters. The cooperative elements elevate the experience, enhancing strategic combat with friends.
6. Muck
Steam User Rating: 93%
Muck stands out as a solid free-to-play sandbox experience, emphasizing cooperative survival. Players can band together on a procedurally generated island, facing the challenges of survival mode where death is permanent, thus heightening the stakes during gameplay.
The vibrant visuals complement a range of challenges, including intense boss battles that require teamwork and strategic planning, making it a riveting experience for friends.
7. No More Room In Hell
Steam User Rating: 89%
No More Room In Hell immerses players in a chilling first-person horror atmosphere where you team up with up to eight players to survive a zombie apocalypse. Thanks to proximity-based voice chat, communication requires strategic positioning, amplifying the game’s tension.
Taking cues from popular media like The Walking Dead, this game is not only enjoyable but also guarantees hours of thrilling entertainment as players navigate a world overrun by zombies.
8. Unsolved Case
Steam User Rating: 89%
Step into the shoes of detectives in Unsolved Case, where you and a partner must unravel the mystery surrounding a serial killer known as the Cryptic Killer. Communication is critical, as each sleuth holds only a portion of the clues needed to solve the puzzles and advance the narrative.
This engaging experience lasts about an hour and serves as a prelude to potential future games in Eleven Puzzles’ lineup, although its replay value may be limited.
9. Sven Co-Op
Steam User Rating: 93%
Sven Co-Op, initially a mod for Half-Life, has evolved into a standalone free-to-play title on Steam. With a nostalgic charm reminiscent of the early 2000s, it offers a wealth of diverse content, including maps from Half-Life and its various expansions—without requiring ownership of the original game.
Despite its age, Sven Co-Op‘s mechanics remain engaging, providing players with a fresh take on cooperative first-person shooters. It retains a dedicated fanbase, illustrating its lasting appeal and nostalgic value.
10. One-Armed Robber
Steam User Rating: 88%
For fans of the heist genre, One-Armed Robber is a free-to-play game that allows up to four players to team up for chaotic missions. Players can approach challenges either with stealth or guns ablaze, adding an exciting layer of strategy to the experience.
The game’s quirky premise—embodying a one-armed robber—adds an entertaining twist to the typical heist format, making it a fun choice for friends looking for a lighthearted gaming session.
11. One-Armed Cook
Steam User Rating: 92%
If you enjoyed One-Armed Robber, you might want to check out One-Armed Cook, another wacky take on cooperative gameplay. Players assume the roles of chefs tasked with managing a restaurant while only having one arm, leading to hilariously chaotic gameplay as they attempt to prepare and serve dishes amidst the disorder.
Designed for immediate fun without an extensive storyline, One-Armed Cook thrives on its accessible gameplay, perfect for quick gaming sessions with friends eager for light-hearted competition.
12. Cry Of Fear
Steam User Rating: 88%
Having originated as a mod for Half-Life 2, Cry of Fear has transformed into an expansive free-to-play horror game, presenting players with numerous layers of content. The initial single-player experience introduces core mechanics, facilitating players’ understanding of the gameplay narrative. Subsequently, groups can dive into a dedicated co-op campaign featuring four-player gameplay, which generally echoes the stages of the single-player version but offers new twists and challenges.
Additionally, community-driven content like the co-op campaign called Manhunt provides further variety, creating exciting opportunities for teamwork and puzzle-solving in a horror setting.
13. Warframe
Steam User Rating: 87%
Warframe has evolved into one of the most ambitious free-to-play experiences available, expanding from its modest origins. Although not every update has been well-received, the developers at Digital Extremes have significantly enriched the game throughout the years.
While Warframe can be enjoyed as a solo experience, it offers robust multiplayer options. Missions can be tackled with friends, and while players sometimes engage in solo play, cooperative gameplay enhances the fun and efficiency of grinding through its extensive content.
14. Damnosaurus
Steam User Rating: 92%
In Damnosaur, players face a world invaded by time-traveling dinosaurs, assuming the role of Proh, a pink-haired heroine equipped for combat. This colorful shoot-em-up offers local split-screen co-op, allowing players to collaborate while coordinating their attacks against waves of enemies.
The game’s vibrant art and engaging gameplay create an energetic cooperative experience that’s sure to entertain friends.
15. Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories
Steam User Rating: 86%
Escape Memoirs provides players with a collection of short stories akin to escape room challenges. Friends can tackle these puzzles alongside each other or opt to work independently. While there’s limited replay value due to the story structure, the game offers a dynamic and visually appealing experience that challenges players’ critical thinking skills.
By focusing on puzzles that avoid excessive hints, this indie title successfully creates compelling scenarios that require teamwork in problem-solving.
16. Lost Ark
Steam User Rating: 71%
If you’re looking for a cooperative action-RPG experience similar to Diablo 4, then you should investigate Lost Ark. This free-to-play MMOARPG allows players to select various classes and embark on an immersive adventure through the expansive lands of Arkesia.
With fluid combat and a myriad of quests, raids, and side missions, Lost Ark is perfect for those seeking engaging dungeon crawls with friends. Players can also opt-out of PvP interactions, focusing instead on cooperative PvE play.
17. Dungeon Defenders 2
Steam User Rating: 77%
Dungeon Defenders 2 invites players to defend the kingdom of Etheria against monster hordes through real-time strategy and action. Players can form a party of heroes, and in cooperative mode, they assume different roles to outsmart and defeat incoming foes.
Although it may not be the most active game on Steam, it consistently attracts a decent player base for those looking to join forces and strategize to protect their realm.
18. Banned
Steam User Rating: 62%
Palia has transitioned from beta to Steam, receiving a mixed reception post-launch due to some users’ expectations not aligning with its farming-sim nature. While still in development, it holds potential for a cooperative life-sim experience, housing up to 25 players on a server.
Despite current limitations in multiplayer features, Palia has room for growth, and future updates may enhance its co-op offerings, making it worth watching.
19. Halo Infinite (Only Multiplayer)
Steam User Rating: 70%
While the campaign of Halo Infinite supports 4-player online co-op, its multiplayer mode is notably free-to-play. The multiplayer offerings bring together a host of classic modes that require teamwork for success. Players can engage in 4-player firefights against increasing waves of AI enemies, providing not just fun but also a solid coordination experience.
Despite some critique, 343 Industries regularly updates multiplayer content, ensuring it remains appealing for veterans and newcomers alike.
20. Sky: Children Of The Light
Steam User Rating: 84%
Sky: Children of the Light offers a unique MMO experience that emphasizes exploration and cooperation over traditional objectives. While it lacks the typical quests or guild elements associated with the genre, it thrives on organic play within its enchanting world.
Though the game may find it challenging to maintain an engaged player base over time, it represents a refreshing alternative to typical gameplay loops, making it an excellent companion to more action-oriented titles.
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