Playing games alone can be fun, but nothing compares to the excitement of teaming up with friends. Cooperative (co-op) games allow you to share adventures, solve challenges together, and create memories that last long after the console is turned off. In 2025, developers are pushing the limits of creativity with innovative mechanics, stunning visuals, and unforgettable stories tailored for multiplayer experiences.

This guide highlights the best co-op games to play with friends in 2025, covering various platforms and genres. Whether you enjoy surviving apocalyptic wastelands, exploring open worlds, or tackling fast-paced shooters, this list has something for every squad.

1. Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 continues to dominate the co-op shooter space in 2025. The game places you and your squad on hostile alien planets where teamwork is essential for survival.

Why It’s Great for Co-op

  • Missions require tight coordination, as friendly fire makes careless play costly.
  • Each squad member can specialize with unique weapons, gear, and stratagems.
  • Randomized objectives ensure replayability.

With constant updates and seasonal events, Helldivers 2 is a must-play for groups that enjoy chaotic but rewarding action.

2. Palworld

Often dubbed the "Pokémon with guns," Palworld exploded in popularity in 2024 and continues to thrive in 2025 with new updates.

Why Friends Love It

  • Capture, train, and fight alongside quirky creatures called Pals.
  • Build bases, explore vast open worlds, and take on raids together.
  • Crafting, survival, and farming systems make teamwork more immersive.

Palworld’s blend of survival and creature collection makes it an unforgettable co-op journey.

3. Baldur’s Gate 3

Although released earlier, Baldur’s Gate 3 remains one of the best RPG co-op experiences in 2025 thanks to ongoing expansions and mod support.

Co-op Highlights

  • Deep story-driven campaign that adapts to player choices.
  • Four-player online or local split-screen co-op.
  • Strategic turn-based combat requiring teamwork and planning.

Perfect for groups who enjoy role-playing, decision-making, and tactical gameplay.

4. Minecraft

No list of co-op games is complete without Minecraft, and in 2025, it’s more popular than ever.

Why It’s Timeless

  • Infinite possibilities with creative building, survival, and custom servers.
  • New updates add fresh mobs, biomes, and mechanics every year.
  • Mods and community servers keep the game endlessly replayable.

Whether building massive castles or surviving zombie hordes, Minecraft is a go-to co-op title for all ages.

5. Fortnite: LEGO Mode

Fortnite keeps reinventing itself, and the LEGO mode has transformed the game into a creative co-op sandbox.

Key Features

  • Combine battle royale thrills with LEGO building mechanics.
  • Team up to create worlds, mini-games, or just relax and craft.
  • Cross-platform play ensures friends on different devices can join.

Fortnite’s constant updates make it one of the most flexible multiplayer experiences.

6. Deep Rock Galactic

Space dwarves mining dangerous planets may sound silly, but Deep Rock Galactic has one of the strongest co-op communities in gaming.

Why It Works

  • Four-player squads with distinct character classes.
  • Procedurally generated caves keep gameplay fresh.
  • Cooperation is key to surviving swarms of alien creatures.

It’s a perfect mix of humor, teamwork, and high-stakes action.

7. Diablo IV

For fans of hack-and-slash action RPGs, Diablo IV remains a top choice in 2025.

Why It’s Great with Friends

  • Dungeon crawling feels more rewarding when looting together.
  • Seamless drop-in/drop-out multiplayer.
  • Seasonal content and world events keep the experience fresh.

If you and your friends love chasing loot and slaying hordes of demons, this is your game.

8. Overcooked! All You Can Eat

Sometimes, the best co-op games are about chaos in the kitchen. Overcooked! All You Can Eat is still the ultimate couch co-op party game.

Why It’s Hilarious

  • Simple controls but frantic gameplay.
  • Communication and timing are essential to succeed.
  • Ideal for groups who want quick, laughter-filled sessions.

It’s the perfect way to test friendships—and patience.

9. Sea of Thieves

For pirate lovers, Sea of Thieves is the ultimate co-op adventure.

What Makes It Stand Out

  • Sail ships, fight skeleton crews, and hunt treasures.
  • Cooperation is essential for navigating, managing sails, and combat.
  • Seasonal updates add new quests, cosmetics, and world events.

If you dream of sailing the seas with your crew, this game delivers.

10. Lethal Company

One of the breakout co-op horror hits, Lethal Company combines spooky exploration with teamwork.

Key Aspects

  • Players explore abandoned facilities while avoiding deadly monsters.
  • Requires constant communication and strategy.
  • Perfect for fans of horror and comedy moments with friends.

In 2025, it remains one of the most streamed co-op games for its unpredictable scares.

11. Monster Hunter: Wilds

Set to release in 2025, Monster Hunter: Wilds is already one of the most anticipated co-op games.

Why Fans Are Excited

  • Team up to hunt massive, dynamic monsters.
  • Vast open worlds encourage exploration and strategy.
  • Deep weapon and armor customization for each player.

It promises to be the next evolution of the Monster Hunter franchise.

12. Among Us VR

Among Us still has its charm, but the VR version takes the experience to a new level in 2025.

Co-op (and Betrayal) Fun

  • 3D immersive environments make tasks and sabotage more engaging.
  • Hilarious interactions when playing with friends.
  • A mix of cooperation and deceit ensures endless replayability.

If you want both laughter and paranoia, this is the game for you.

13. Stardew Valley Expanded

With ongoing updates and mods, Stardew Valley remains a cozy co-op classic.

Why It’s Still Loved

  • Farming, mining, and festivals are more fun with friends.
  • Multiplayer mods expand the experience further.
  • Relaxing yet rewarding gameplay.

For groups who prefer chill experiences, this is the ideal choice.

14. Left 4 Dead Spiritual Successors

While Left 4 Dead itself is old, games like Back 4 Blood and other 2025 survival shooters keep the spirit alive.

Why They Shine

  • Fast-paced zombie survival with squad-based gameplay.
  • Variety of weapons, maps, and objectives.
  • High replay value with AI-driven enemy spawns.

Perfect for fans of intense survival action.

15. GTA Online & Roleplay Servers

Grand Theft Auto Online continues to evolve with new roleplay servers and expansions.

Why It’s Great

  • Open-world chaos is more fun with friends.
  • Roleplay servers allow for endless creativity.
  • Constant updates keep the experience fresh.

In 2025, GTA Online remains one of the top destinations for co-op fun.

Conclusion

The beauty of co-op games in 2025 lies in their diversity. From surviving alien worlds in Helldivers 2, to laughing over burnt meals in Overcooked, or exploring vast open seas in Sea of Thieves, there’s something for every type of gamer.

No matter your taste, these best co-op games to play with friends in 2025 guarantee unforgettable memories. Whether online or on the couch, these games remind us why playing together is always better.