Narrative-Driven Cooperative Games You Can’t Miss

13 October 2025

Alright, let’s cut straight to the chase—you’ve been looking for games that don’t just let you button-mash your way through endless waves of enemies. You want juicy narratives, intense teamwork, and those signature "OMG, are we actually doing this?" moments with your friends. I mean, why get sucked into a dull grind when you could be embroiled in epic storytelling alongside your gaming squad?

Lucky for you, I’ve rounded up some absolute bangers that combine gripping stories with cooperative gameplay. These narrative-driven cooperative games don’t just give you an excuse to yell at your buddies (because let’s face it, who doesn’t love yelling at their friends over bad strategy?). They immerse you in tales so rich you might as well grab some popcorn. So, buckle up and prepare to geek out!

Why Cooperative Games With Stories Are The Best

First off, let’s agree on one thing—gaming is better when it’s shared. Sure, single-player campaigns are fun, but nothing quite compares to screaming, "REVIVE ME, BRO!" while your character bleeds out, or celebrating with a synchronized victory dance after cracking a tough mission.

But here’s the kicker: when you add a good story to that mix, the experience goes from "fun hangout session" to "unforgettable cinematic journey." Think of it like playing D&D with your buddies, except your dungeon master is the game itself, and you don’t have to painstakingly roll dice to find out if you tripped over a pebble. Good cooperative games with a strong narrative are all about teamwork, emotional investment, and moments that have you replaying them in your head long after you’ve shut the console down.

Okay, that’s the cheerleading bit done. Now, let’s dive into the good stuff.

1. It Takes Two

> Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
> Why It Slaps: Emotional and quirky storytelling meets jaw-dropping co-op mechanics.

Alright, let’s talk about the game that took 2021 by storm. It Takes Two is like therapy—but way cheaper and way more fun. You and your gaming partner (friend? spouse? sibling? random internet guy you met in a lobby?) play as a married couple turned into tiny dolls. Why? Because their kid’s magic tears said so. Yeah, it’s weird—but a good kind of weird.

The narrative takes you through their crumbling relationship, and the gameplay makes you work together like a well-oiled machine. Every level throws in unique mechanics, from manipulating time to piloting a literal pair of underwear. There’s no sitting back and letting someone else carry you here—you’ll need actual teamwork to make it through, and trust me, the story hits all the feels.

It Takes Two is like playing a Pixar movie, except this one challenges you to actually sort out your emotional baggage along the way.

2. A Way Out

> Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
> Why It Slaps: It’s a jailbreak drama that REQUIRES two players. No soloing allowed.

From the same creative team behind It Takes Two, A Way Out is an absolute masterpiece of storytelling and cooperation. You and a buddy play as two inmates—Vincent and Leo—trying to escape prison. It’s basically Shawshank Redemption meets split-screen chaos.

What makes it unique? The gameplay shifts the narrative perspective between characters. Sometimes one of you might be sneaking past guards while the other plays cards in the prison yard. Other times, you’ll both be navigating heart-pounding action sequences together. Oh, and the ending? I won’t spoil it, but prepare yourself for some spicy emotional trauma.

Let me put it this way: this game is a test of your teamwork and potentially your friendship. If you can make it out alive (emotionally, that is), you and your co-op partner deserve a medal.

3. Divinity: Original Sin 2

> Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
> Why It Slaps: Deep storytelling meets tactical RPG goodness.

Okay, RPG fans, where you at? If you haven’t tried Divinity: Original Sin 2, you’re missing out on one of the most expansive narrative-driven co-op experiences out there. This game is so immersive it feels like it should come with its own smoking pipe and wizard hat.

You and up to three other players create custom characters or pick from pre-made ones, each with their own backstories and goals. The story itself is packed with moral decisions, epic battles, and enough world-building to make Tolkien proud. You can flirt with NPCs, kill them (maybe by accident, but nobody’s judging), or betray your friends if you suddenly feel a little chaotic.

It’s like a giant sandbox of storytelling, where every choice matters. Oh, and the combat is turn-based, so you can actually plan your moves instead of just mashing buttons like a caffeinated squirrel.

4. The Dark Pictures Anthology (Pick Your Poison)

> Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC
> Why It Slaps: Horror, quick-time events, and finger-pointing galore.

Want to ruin friendships while simultaneously scaring the bejesus out of each other? Look no further than The Dark Pictures Anthology. This series offers standalone horror stories (Man of Medan, Little Hope, House of Ashes, and The Devil in Me) where you and one or more friends play as different characters in a spooky scenario. Think supernatural horrors, cursed towns, and eerie military bunkers.

The kicker? Your choices dictate who lives and who dies. One wrong move or poorly-timed button press, and BAM—you’ve sent your friend’s character to an untimely death. Imagine explaining that to them while they glare at you over Discord.

It’s like watching a horror movie, except YOU are the one making the dumb decisions. Pass the popcorn and prepare to yell, "Why did you do THAT?!"

5. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

> Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, VR
> Why It Slaps: It’s a literal bomb defusal simulator. Chaos guaranteed.

If you want a game that’ll make you laugh-cry and possibly consider ending lifelong friendships, this one’s for you. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes places one of you in a room with a ticking time bomb while the rest of your squad tries to guide you—using a super-complicated manual.

Here’s the catch: the person with the bomb can’t see the manual, and the people with the manual can’t see the bomb. Oh, and there’s a timer, so you’re racing against the clock while trying to figure out what the heck a "Simon Says module" even is.

It’s like trying to put IKEA furniture together with three blindfolded people shouting instructions at you. But hey, if you can defuse a bomb under pressure with your crew, you can survive literally anything together.

6. We Were Here (Series)

> Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
> Why It Slaps: Puzzles + communication + mysterious castle vibes.

If you and your BFF love solving riddles and have a high tolerance for yelling "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON’T SEE THE LEVER?!," the We Were Here series should be on your radar. You and a friend are dropped into separate parts of a mysterious castle. Your only way to communicate? Walkie-talkies.

The puzzles require both players to share information and work together like a dysfunctional married couple on a game show. The narrative unfolds as you progress, adding a layer of intrigue to all the brain-teasing.

Pro tip: don’t play this with someone who has the patience of a caffeinated squirrel. You’ll end up shouting at each other like contestants on The Amazing Race.

7. Gloomhaven (Digital Edition)

> Platforms: PC
> Why It Slaps: Dungeon-crawling meets branching narratives.

Fans of tabletop games, this one’s for you. The digital version of Gloomhaven brings the epic tabletop experience to your PC, complete with co-op gameplay and a massive story campaign. It’s a tactical RPG where you and your team battle through dungeons, make tough moral choices, and strategize like medieval accountants.

The cooperative gameplay really shines here. You’ll need to plan every move, coordinate with your team, and sometimes make sacrifices for the greater good. It’s kind of like playing chess if the chessboard was a dungeon filled with traps and monsters—and every piece had its own tragic backstory.

So, What’s the Verdict?

Narrative-driven cooperative games are like the peanut butter and jelly of gaming: they just work. They’re perfect for bonding with friends (or arguing—you do you), and they offer unforgettable experiences that traditional multiplayer games can’t match. Whether you’re looking for emotional rollercoasters, heart-pounding action, or head-scratching puzzles, there’s a game on this list for you.

So go ahead, fire up your console or PC, grab a buddy or three, and dive into these masterpieces. Just don’t blame me if your friendships are tested along the way.