What’s better than the exquisite pain of perma-death? Why, sharing it with a friend or two, of course!
The above statement being a universal truth, I have endeavoured to start building the most detailed and comprehensive guide to co-op roguelikes and roguelites that I can. A personal guide, if you will, but one that I know will be very useful for anyone looking for a game to play with a partner or when some friends are over.
As with all of the listicles on here, this page is going to be refreshed as more games are played – perhaps more so in this instance than in others as the plan is to enlist some friends and play both online and local co-op as much as possible.
The criteria for inclusion in this little list is simple; I’ll only include critically successful games (a metascore 70 or above should just about do it in this instance), they’ll nearly all be either roguelikes or roguelites, and I’ll only focus on original games (no mods).
With that settled, let’s get straight to business. Here are the best co-op roguelikes and roguelites, starting with…
Spellmasons | Octavia Blue
I’m going to kick off this co-op party with a turn-based roguelike: Spellmasons. This is a game that can be played alone but it is much better with a friend or two in tow. (Well, actually, I’m not sure I’d call it a roguelike in the strictest sense, but that’s what the devs call it and that’s good enough for me.)
As the name implies, this a game steeped in magic spells, with players – up to eight at time – grouping up as the eponymous spellmasons. Together you must take on a series of escalating challenge rooms filled with monsters and potions, using your spells together to deal the most damage possible.
Turn-based tactics with up to eight people sounds unwieldy, but the trick here is that everyone takes their turns at the same time. This means that you can work together as a team, but also focus on what you’re doing – the best of both worlds, I think.
Platforms: PC (Mac, Win) – you can read more about Spellmasons by hitting this big fat link!
Ravenswatch | Passtech Games
While it might still be in Early Access at the time of writing, and therefore not widely available on all platforms, Ravenswatch is already in great shape and ready to rock and roll on PC.
This top-down isometric action-RPG is built around mythological themes, and it looks fantastic thanks to the game’s painterly graphics and bold art style. It’s also quite replayable thanks to a selection of finely tuned difficulty settings, which will allow you to tailor the experience for those present (it supports up to four players).
Another thing that I really like about Ravenswatch is the gameplay loop, which is a little unusual for a co-op game of this kind. Players must clear out an extensive level, balancing risk with reward before getting stuck into a boss battle at the end. It’s compelling stuff from the makers of Curse of the Dead Gods.
Platforms: Steam PC. You’ll find more thoughts in my preview!
Risk of Rain Returns & Risk of Rain 2 | Hopoo Games
Next up let’s talk about the brilliance of Risk of Rain Returns. And not just because it’s a recent release – it’s also a riot in multiplayer. As you can see in the clip below, which was our tenth attempt (or thereabouts), the screen can get really busy when two or more people are fighting in the same area. Chaos is part of the fun of RORR, and with a diverse roster of playable Survivors to choose from, no two runs are ever going to be the same.
Risk of Rain 2 is an immediate pick on any co-op roguelike list, and that’s with or without the Survivors of the Void DLC installed. It’s better with, I’d say, and there’s the added bonus here where if one player in the party has the content, it’s unlocked for everyone.
The frantic third-person shooter combat in ROR2 is, like its side-scrolling brother, defined by the game’s roster of playable characters. There’s a bunch of different playstyles catered to, and when you throw in the vast array of items and how they change things, you’ve got a co-op game that’s overflowing with gameplay possibilities.
Platforms RORR: Switch and PC. Read more:Risk of Rain Returns Review. Platforms ROR2: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox.
Streets of Rogue | Matt Dabrowski
It’s finally time for Streets of Rogue to enter the proverbial chat. This zany rogue of a game presents players with an altogether more open-ended co-op experience.
In my admittedly limited experience (I spent most of my time playing solo), it’s possible to get in the way of each other as the game’s emergent systems collide. Yet, the point of Streets of Rogue is that you never know exactly what you’re going to get, and a little extra mayhem is hardly going to ruin the fun now, is it? Actually, now that I come to think of it, maybe I like Streets of Rogue better with the madness of multiplayer.
Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox.
Nuclear Throne | Vlambeer
I’m going back to another game from a few years back, a mutated twin-stick shooter that I haven’t written about in ages. That’s right, Dear Reader, I’m referring to the excellent Nuclear Throne. This Vlambeer classic is a great example of community development done right, and it remains brilliantly playable to this day.
I think my favourite part of this game, which is absolutely nails I should add, is the post-apocalyptic setting, and the fun that the developers were able to have with it. Other games have evolved the ideas laid down here, often taking one aspect of Nuclear Throne’s design and then running with it, but none of them are as well rounded nor as radioactive as this punishing post-apocalyptic shooter.
Platforms: PC, PS4/Vita, Switch, Xbox.
Don’t Starve Together | Klei Entertainment
I doubt even Klei would have predicted the continued and sustained success of their co-op survival sim, Don’t Starve Together. I’m not at all surprised though, as high quality is a studio hallmark and I’ve enjoyed every game that I’ve played of theirs.
If I had to guess at the secret sauce that keeps the game flying high in the Steam charts, I reckon I’d call out the game’s delightful visual design. That site has only been up a couple of months and I’ve already written about the studio’s work on this front, but I’m prepared to sound like a broken record on this one as Klei makes some of the best looking games ever.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox.
The Binding of Isaac: Repentance | Nicalis
Online co-op is finally on the way to The Binding of Isaac: Repentance and as you might expect, there is a huge amount of interest. I had been keeping close tabs on the alpha’s progress but sadly it has gone offline until further notice, after someone datamined the public build.
The Binding of Isaac currently only supports couch co-op across console platforms, and it’s great fun for a multitude of reasons. The carnage, the crap-slinging, the demonic poop fiends – all of it is best tackled with a friend. I’m just delighted that online support is finally coming after all these years, and I look forward to the new modes that are being promised, once the alpha reemerges from the darkness.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox.
Spelunky 2 | Mossmouth & Blitworks
If you don’t mind potentially falling out with your opponents, then the multiplayer in Spelunky 2 is a great option. Don’t get me wrong, the co-op mode is fine and you should definitely play it, but I’m going to suggest that you and your friends also get stuck into the PvP modes.
The PvP modes can create absolute mayhem and the systemic gameplay means you never know how things are going to work out. Co-op campaign, on the other hand, makes Spelunky a little bit more forgiving.
Either way, Spelunky and Spelunky 2 are incredible games that provide some of the very best multiplayer around, and if you’ve not already played one or both yourself, I suggest you hop to it. Just keep an eye out for spikes and bats.
Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox.
Crypt of the NecroDancer | Brace Yourself Games
One video game experience I’ve yet to enjoy is an eight-player multiplayer session on Crypt of the NecroDancer. That sounds absolutely mental – playing with just one person is fun enough.
NecroDancer’s unique music-infused gameplay is all about fighting fantasy creatures to a funky beat. I’ve played so much of this game on my own over the years as nobody at home likes it for reasons I will never understand. That being so, it’s not one I think about from a multiplayer perspective, but there’s a number of modes to try and I had a great time last time I played, several years ago I will admit.
Platforms: Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PlayStation (4/Vita), Switch, Xbox One.Read More:The best halloween roguelikes.
Astral Ascent | Hibernian Workshop
Look at that, a new release sneaking in near the end! Astral Ascent is a lovely looking action platform game with loads of great boss battles and tons of interesting interlocking systems to progress. The game is all about escaping an astral prison guarded by zodiac bosses.
If all that sounds like your jam, then I invite you to proceed with relative confidence, but with the caveat that the multiplayer is local only. I can see why, as this one is all about precision combat that mixes melee and magic, and a responsive co-op partner is a must.
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox.
Roboquest | RyseUp Studios
One top quality first-person shooter that’s a great shout for multiplayer is Roboquest, which takes the looter shooter formula and injects it with giant frickin’ robots – what’s not to like about that?
Roboquest is good when played solo, but things are turned up to 11 when you introduce a friend. The playful Borderlands-inspired visuals really lend themselves to co-op, and the run variety is decent thanks to the level generation, plus there’s a huge number of weapons and build options on hand as you learn the game and master its nuances.
Platforms: PC and Xbox.
Vampire Survivors | Poncle
It wasn’t until recently that Vampire Survivors was a purely solo endeavour for me, but that changed recently and I’m glad for it. I can’t say I’m surprised, but it works rather well as a co-op game. I played with one person, but it supports four players.
The simple and defining difference is that you alternate the levelling of your characters. You can, however, mitigate for this by working together and when it works, it’s rather satisfying. When it doesn’t you’ll get gobbled up by a swarm of monsters. Possibly space monsters via the recent Among Us expansion: Emergency Meeting.
Platforms: Android, iOS, PC (Mac, Windows), Switch, Xbox One/Series.
Enter the Gungeon | Dodge Roll
There are few games that can match Enter the Gungeon when it comes to pulsating combat. This wonderful shooter puts the “bullet” in bullet hell in all the best ways imaginable, with a well executed theme that is matched only by its satisfying gunplay and reactivity.
The one thing I would say about playing Gungeon with a co-op friend: pick someone who is on the same wavelength as you. There is a fair degree of precision involved in this one, and if you and your buddy aren’t one with the Force, prepare to bite the proverbial bullet.
Platforms: PC (Windows), PlayStation (4), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One.
Gunfire Reborn | Duoyi Games
I’ve really warmed to Gunfire Reborn in recent weeks, which tends to suggest that I hadn’t played it enough before. Don’t be like me.
For those in dark, Gunfire Reborn is a frantic but deeply varied first-person shooter filled with great combat encounters and stylish design decisions that keep things feeling fresh and snappy. And best of all, this quirky little looter shooter supports co-op for up to four players.
The best parts of Gunfire Reborn are only amplified by co-op, as the game’s extensive range of weapons are able to synergise, which in turn leads to some satisfying moments where everything just clicks.
Platforms: Android, PC, PS, Switch, and Xbox.
Monaco: What’s Yours Is Mine | Pocketwatch Games
What’s this? Monaco isn’t a roguelike! I hear you, Dear Reader, but every now and then I’m going to bend the rules for a game that I love. In this instance, I’m going to leave you a parting gift: a game I recommend to anyone looking for a top quality co-op experience.
Monaco: What’s Yours Is Mine is basically a beautiful spin on Pac-Man with weird criminals and a lovely plinky plonky soundtrack. I’ve played on PC and console, and I still rate this heist ’em up as one of my favourite indies ever.
Platforms: PC, Switch, Xbox.
Is that it? Well, yes, for now it is. I’ve mostly played roguelikes by myself over the years. However, I’ve already got more play sessions lined up and the plan is for this to be a regularly updated page crammed full of great co-op games to share with your buddies.
On my list to play in 2024: Ship of Fools, Children of Morta, For the King, Roboquest, Barony, and I’m going to take another look at Endless Dungeon – and that’s not including the new games that are still being announced. The big one being Windblown, from Dead Cells dev Motion Twin.
