The 30 Best Local Co-Op Games on Steam

Steam and local co-op games are not synonymous, as the latter is primarily associated with consoles. PC gaming is nowadays all about online multiplayer, which has largely replaced LAN play that was so popular back in the day (and I sincerely miss). Steam has thousands of online games that emphasize teamwork and coordination, but you might not realize that Valve’s platform also loves couch co-op. In most cases, if a title supports the feature on consoles, the PC version will also have it.

So, pull up a second chair or run an HDMI cable from your desktop to your TV and get ready to experience some of the best local co-op games ever, all found through your Steam library. We are talking RPGs, beat ’em ups, shooters, platformers, puzzlers, horror, and nearly every other genre imaginable.

Updated March 1, 2026 by Mark Sammut: One of the best co-op games of 2026 (so far) launched in mid-February, and Reanimal is perfect for Little Nightmares fans or just any duo looking for a touch of horror. I also added Rhythm Doctor, which made its full launch in December.

Quick Picks: Best Steam Local Co-Op Games For Different Circumstances

Before we dive into the individual games, let’s go through a few recommendations for different group sizes or preferences. If you are only looking for quick advice on something to play, the following table should help. To keep things interesting, we will include three games per category, and the last one will not be in the full list below.

1

Reanimal

The Latest Great Horror Co-Op Game

While Little Nightmares 3 didn’t quite manage to live up to expectations, the same cannot be said about Reanimal, the newest co-op horror title by the developer who created the original two Little Nightmares games. Venturing fully into horror territory rather than just flirting with it, Reanimal is intense, cryptic, atmospheric, and just plain old unsettling. Although 100% playable solo, the game is clearly designed with co-op in mind, with each player taking control of one of the two playable characters. So much of this harrowing journey requires the two children to not only coordinate but also support each other, and this dynamic is enhanced when you play the game with a companion.

Now, Reanimal is not the deepest project ever, mechanically, nor is it the longest. Mostly sticking to the Little Nightmares blueprint, the campaign throws out decent puzzles, most of which should not require too much time to complete. No, the game’s appeal comes in its environments, subtle storytelling, and the world in general.

2

Rhythm Doctor

Save Patients By Sticking To The Beat

Do you love rhythm games? How about medical dramas? Well, what about a combination of the two? After nearly 5 years in early access, Rhythm Doctor finally made its full debut in December 2025, and it is safe to say that the wait was more than worth it. This is comfortably one of the most captivating and unique rhythm games of the current decade, along with being one of the hardest. You and your partner will need to really figure out the beat if you want to complete the harder stages, and they start to get challenging quickly.

On the surface, Rhythm Doctor seems like one of the simplest games of all time. Players have to help patients by pressing a button along with a song and their heartbeats. That is pretty much it, at least mechanically. With each new level, a new rhythm is introduced, and suddenly, pushing one button at the right time becomes a lot harder. Then, you have to deal with multiple patients at the same time, sending everything into overdrive. The songs are fantastic, the storytelling is effective, and the local co-op is well implemented, although single-player is the main focus. Still, 2-player co-op is enabled for the full campaign.

3

Marvel Cosmic Invasion

Accessible And Fun Steam Beat ‘Em Up Co-Op Game

Is it remotely surprising that the team behind TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge would end up producing one of 2025’s best co-op romps? Marvel Cosmic Invasion builds on Tribute Games’ previous outing by offering another gorgeous, challenging, and accessible adventure that can easily be enjoyed solo or with friends. The former works brilliantly and comes with tons of replayvalue due to the 15 playable characters, all of whom are unique; however, like with nearly every beat ’em up ever, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is just a bit better with friends.

The story is not important, and the only thing you need to know is that the combat is smooth and bombastic, fittingly so for a game that features some of the most iconic and strongest heroes in fiction. While single-player has its own quirks, co-op really makes you take into account the characters’ synergy, as you try to build a team consisting of complementary fighters rather than just solo artists.

4

Split Fiction

The Best Co-Op Game On Steam

Hazelight is back with another fantastic co-op experience. Similar to It Takes Two and A Way Out, Split Fiction only supports 2-player runs, so solo playthroughs are not an option. While that can be frustrating for people who prefer to game on their own, Hazelight’s dedication to co-op deserves praise, especially in an era when non-online-focused multiplayer projects are so rare. Due to this creative decision, Split Fiction is built to emphasize and bolster cooperative action, including a story revolving around two characters who are forced to work together after they are screwed over by a corporation. Zoe and Mio are both writers, with the former specializing in fantasy and the latter in sci-fi. Long story short, their ideas are not only stolen but also turned into worlds that Zoe and Mio have to play through to survive.

Like It Takes Two, Split Fiction constantly shakes up its locations and gameplay. Each level essentially takes place in a different world that falls under the general banner of fantasy or sci-fi, and the environments go through an impressive range of settings. The gameplay also evolves to match the situations, resulting in pretty constant surprises. Split Fiction could be described as a platformer, but that just reflects the core gameplay and not the game’s incredible scope. The story is pretty great too, with two fun protagonists and strong writing throughout. If two friends loved It Takes Two, they will probably adore Split Fiction.

5

Baldur’s Gate 3

The Best Co-Op RPG On Steam For Players Looking For A Long Campaign

After achieving near-perfection with Divinity: Original Sin 2, which is also a great co-op PC RPG, Larian Studios did the impossible and produced something arguably even better. After spending almost three years in early access, Baldur’s Gate 3 finally made its proper debut in August 2023, and to say the game was well-received would be an understatement. Hailed as a new benchmark in the CRPG genre, the long-awaited sequel is a deep and rewarding single-player experience that can easily keep somebody entertained for months on end. A big part of the game’s appeal is its flexible and reactive design that seeks to morph the world to complement a player’s choices.

While a fantastic solo experience, Baldur’s Gate 3’s local co-op feature is also not an afterthought. Players can join someone’s else campaign, or start a new one where they play together from the beginning. Thanks to the use of split-screen, adventurers are not tied to each other, and one party member can head out to explore on their own while their partner does something else. Even though they will likely stick together during most sessions, Baldur’s Gate 3 makes it possible for both players to feel in control.

6

PowerWash Simulator 2

A Relaxing Time With Your Friends

While not garnering the same level of initial praise as its predecessor due to technical issues, PowerWash Simulator 2 nevertheless has all the elements to be a fantastic sequel, and it should reach that status once some of the rougher aspects are fixed. Now, the multiplayer is one of these areas, as reports of lost connections have come in. However, this is primarily related to the online side of things, and the two-player local co-op should not provide any significant issues.

The Career mode can only be experienced with two players, making it pretty much perfect for local co-op. As with the first title, you and your partner get to run a business, completing cleaning jobs that vary in scope, scale, and location. More importantly, PowerWash Simulator 2 is one of the most relaxing multiplayer games on Steam. After a long, exhausting day at work, it is nice to jump into your therapeutic fictional job.

7

Absolum

Another Smash Co-Op Beat ‘Em Up Lands On Steam

Is there a genre that has more couch co-op success stories than beat ’em ups? Seriously, it seems like every other month produces a gem, and they tend to support both local and online on Steam (which is NOT a guarantee by any means). Absolum is another jewel to add to the genre’s crown, coming from the same team that handled Streets of Rage 4.

Compared to that, this game is far more fast-paced and flashy, incorporating roguelite elements to add more replayability. Absolum’s combat is among the best in the beat ’em up sphere, and it is not lacking in depth or accessibility. You have a few different characters to pick from, all of whom feel suitably different and combine to create interesting duos. The story is relatively lengthy for the genre, especially since you will be starting from scratch after a defeat.

8

It Takes Two

One Of The Greatest Local Co-Op Experiences Ever

Hazelight is responsible for three of the best 2-player Steam games, including Split Fiction. A Way Out is also fantastic and an easy recommendation for any duos seeking a mature storyline, but 2021’s It Takes Two is generally regarded as the superior overall package. The story follows a married couple who are shrunk down and have to go on a wild adventure to make it back home. The premise might sound derivative, but the game absolutely nails its characters and visuals.

As May and Cody are on the verge of getting a divorce, their shared situation forces them to openly communicate and work together after years of growing apart. It Takes Two’s co-op gameplay reflects and enhances the narrative’s themes.

9

Vampire Survivors

Popularized A New Genre & Still The Best In Class

Vampire Survivors is firmly established as one of Steam’s most popular games, and that will not change anytime soon. While not initially included, local co-op was added to the project in August 2023 to coincide with the release of the Switch version, and it was a great addition that elevated an already immaculate project. Up to four players can team up to take on the waves of enemies, with each one being allowed to pick from the available characters and weapons. In execution, co-op does not alter Vampire Survivors too significantly; however, it does tweak a few things ever so slightly to take advantage of the multiplayer element. If someone enjoys the single-player iteration, they will likely have fun with local co-op.

Like nearly every update released for the game, Poncle’s implementation of co-op was well-thought-out, with the developers even introducing a few options to reduce the frustration that might result from having multiple similar-looking playable characters on the field. That said, co-op is just a bonus rather than something that defines Vampire Survivors.

10

Path Of Exile 2

A Work-In-Progress That Is Already Very Good

2013’s Path of Exile is almost too good. The free-to-play action RPG delivered roughly a decade’s worth of brilliance, firmly establishing itself as one of the definitive dungeon crawlers. Even nowadays, it is still a pretty easy recommendation. However, for all its positives, PoE only supports online co-op, which makes sense for a game that was initially designed with computers in mind. Along with still offering 6-player online co-op, the 2024 sequel adds local multiplayer to the equation, albeit limited to just two people sharing a screen. Controllers are also required on PC.

Now, Path of Exile 2 is currently in early access and very much a work-in-progress; consequently, anybody looking to jump on board should be prepared for missing features, a few rough edges, and tweaks/updates that could drastically change the viability of certain builds. Crucially, the early access version is not free, although the full release will go down that route. As such, people who are not sure if this project is for them might wish to wait until version 1.0 drops, which will probably not happen very soon.

With that out of the way, it is now time to say that Path of Exile 2 is fantastic. Improving on nearly every idea found in its predecessor, the sequel is bigger and better, offering more satisfying combat, customization options that come with ridiculous variety, and a pretty good story (from what is currently available). The endgame is also shaping up to be pretty great. In terms of local co-op, PoE2 is quite a natural fit for the feature, and the classes and their build options encourage parties to put together characters that complement each other.