Best Online Co-Op Games On PS Plus

Sony’s PlayStation Plus Extra subscription gives players access to games that cover most needs. The service has lengthy RPGs like Dragon Quest 11 and Skyrim, shorter action games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and competitive multiplayer titles like For Honor. There should be something for just about anyone, and that includes co-op.

Local co-op and split-screen games encourage friends to come together for a night in front of the TV, and the best examples of these releases on PS Plus are mentioned in this article. However, online co-op is also popular, and Sony’s subscription service does not neglect this feature. What are the best online co-op PS Plus games to play with friends?

Updated December 3, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The PS Plus Essential games for December 2024 will be added to the service today, and they cater to co-op. Two titles support the feature, and one of them is particularly fantastic.

1 It Takes Two (PS Plus Essential For December 2024)

An Imaginative Adventure Designed Specifically For Co-Op

The final PS Plus Essential lineup for 2024 includes two games that support online co-op, along with Aliens: Dark Descent, which is solely single-player. A creature-collector RPG that suffices as an alternative to Pokemon, Temtem allows two tamers to work together, with each person taking charge of three monsters in a 6-member team. As the game revolves specifically around 2v2 battles, the combat is well-designed for co-op; that said, most people will likely prefer to play Temtem solo since these types of releases are not typically synonymous with cooperative multiplayer.

Conversely, It Takes Two is the poster child of co-op. Hazelight specializes in multiplayer, with both A Way Out and It Takes Two demanding two participants. Yes, the latter cannot be played at all in single-player, which makes sense considering the narrative revolves around an on-the-rocks couple who are forced to go on an absurd adventure that might just help them mend their relationship. Whether they want to or not, they will need to work together to complete the campaign’s puzzles and overcome its enemies, and communication is key. This extends to the players, who will need to keep a line open to ensure they are on the same page.

Admittedly, It Takes Two is a better fit for local rather than online co-op, but the latter is still an option and functions well. Make sure to pick this title up while it is available on PS Plus.

2 Remnant 2

A Soulslike Shooter That Shines Brightly In Co-Op

Soulslikes are no strangers to co-op, with many games incorporating player summons in some form or another; however, the mechanic tends to be a small part of most packages rather than a defining feature. Gunfire’s Remnant series is generally an exception, to the point that the first entry can be hard to recommend as a solo experience. While catering better to single-player runs thanks to the Handler class’ good boy companion, the 2023 sequel is still very much sold on its online co-op support that allows three players to take on this difficult but not impossible challenge as a unit. Remnant 2 expands greatly on its predecessor’s selection of archetypes, which are classes. They are all fairly unique and come with a range of skills, perks, and traits that allow for varied gameplay styles that should cater to most people’s preferences. Beyond just variety, parties can and should aim for synergy, creating a lineup that caters to different roles like tank and healer.

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Now, Remnant 2 is generally great as far as online co-op PS Plus games are concerned, but it does require an appreciation for Soulslikes and third-person shooters. The game is a fairly “typical” entry in both genres that will likely not hit the mark with people who do not generally enjoy these types of projects. The campaign incorporates procedurally generated elements as well for replayability’s sake, although it is primarily related to secondary dungeons. While implemented well, this feature can be divisive since the stages can be a bit nondescript at times.

3 Monster Hunter Rise

Capcom’s Reliable Co-Op Franchise That Is Very Replayable

Sure, Monster Hunter Rise can be played and enjoyed solo for 100+ hours without much issue; however, the game pushes its co-op element, something that can be said for most entries in Capcom’s franchise.

Now, Rise has two types of quests: Village and Hub. The former are single-player only and, in total, last about 10 hours. While a bit too easy for veterans, these quests serve as an introduction for newcomers, teaching them the basic skills they will need to stand a chance in the harder missions. Once someone gets through the Village quests or feels confident in their abilities, they should head to the Hub to try out its many hunts, which are far harder and can be played in co-op.

Rise handles its co-op brilliantly, making it as easy as possible for friends to team up while removing some of the more frustrating elements in Monster Hunter World. Parties can try to synergize their builds to create a well-rounded team; alternatively, they can simply go with their preferred loadout and ignore everything else. As the Hub quests can take quite a long time to complete, co-op makes them easier to digest and arguably more enjoyable.

4 Ghost Of Tsushima: Legends

Mythological-Leaning Co-Op Spin-Off Game

Systems

PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium

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Number of Players

2-4

Released

July 17, 2020

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Ghost of Tsushima is a fantastic action-adventure game with a robust single-player campaign. A few months following the base title’s debut, Sucker Punch dropped Legends, a co-op side experience deep enough to justify a standalone release. Along with common modes like Survival, Legends also comes with a Story that guides two players through roughly 6 hours of content.

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Legends has four classes: Samurai, Ronin, Assasin, and Hunter. Each one fits an archetype and has a specific role they should be fulfilling in combat scenarios. While some options like the Samurai are viable for solo or two-player runs, classes like the Ronin are designed with support in mind. Legends might just be the best PS Plus online co-op game.

5 Warhammer: Vermintide 2

Fantastic Combat & Solid Presentation

A popular first-person action game, Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is celebrating its five-year anniversary in 2023. Despite its growing age, Fatshark’s release is still reasonably active, and it is arguably the best action-oriented Warhammer game of the last decade. Vermintide 2 pits the Heroes of Ubersreik against wave after wave of rat-themed enemies, showering them with loot if they manage to survive.

While the vanilla version only has 13 missions (+4 from free updates), the stages are meant to be repeated endlessly as players upgrade their class and weapons. Vermintide 2‘s five playable characters are wildly different from each other, ensuring most people find someone who suits their preferences.

6 The Dark Pictures Anthology: House Of Ashes

A Consistently Fun Horror Co-Op Series

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes

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PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium

Number of Players

1-5 (Local Co-Op); 1-2 (Online Co-Op)

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Released

October 22, 2021

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Supermassive’s The Dark Pictures is an anthology series that will eventually include 8 games; at the moment, four main entries have been released along with a VR spin-off. While not quite as robust as Supermassive’s other horror projects like The Quarry and Until Dawn, The Dark Pictures‘ chapters are consistently great picks for co-op, especially local. In online co-op, House of Ashes opts for a shared experience where players get to stir the ship for a while before handing over control to their friends.

Although overshadowed by the couch iteration, House of Ashes‘ online co-op is a valid option in its own right. Limited to two participants, the game automatically picks who will be actively playing the campaign and decides when to switch control. This system might not be to everyone’s fancy, but it does provide a unique co-op experience since one player’s actions directly impact the full group.

7 Returnal

Cool Co-Op Option In An All-Around Brilliant Game

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PS Plus Availability

Extra & Premium

Number of Players

1-2

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Released

April 30, 2021

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Housemarque knows a thing or two about co-op. Dead Nation, Resogun, and Alienation all make good use of the feature, and they support both local and online connections. The developer’s most recent project, Returnal, did not launch with multiplayer, but an online two-player co-op option was added as part of the Ascension update. Thanks to this addition, players can now join forces to take on the game’s roguelike challenges, and there is the option to use a public or private server.

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Returnal is challenging, and co-op does not necessarily make the experience easier. However, it does introduce a revive option into the gameplay loop, granting players a second chance. Otherwise, co-op provides essentially the same core experience as solo runs, albeit with two Selenes rather than just one. As the base package is fantastic, the same can be said about Returnal‘s co-op.

8 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

7 Characters, 16 Stages, And Endless Entertainment

They might not come around as often as they once did, but it is always an exciting day when a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game launches. And, in a nice change of pace from most of the franchise’s post-2000s efforts, Shredder’s Revenge is also great. Looking to recapture the Turtles’ beat ’em up glory days, Tribute Games basically created a game ripped right out of the ’90s, albeit with enough modern touches for it to come across as a loving homage rather than just an antiquated throwback. Up to six players can join forces to take on the Foot Clan, and they are free to pick from the Turtles, Master Splinter, April, and Casey Jones. Even at face value, that is a more than solid selection for this type of game, and that is before taking into account each character’s unique traits. All the playable figures bring something fresh to the table, so even solo players can enjoy replaying the campaign by switching between the characters.

Gameplay-wise, Shredder’s Revenge sticks fairly close to the standard beat ’em up formula. The characters have a limited but satisfying moveset, and the levels pack a considerable punch. The boss fights are quite difficult and require mastery of the combat system’s mechanics to overcome. The stages are overflowing with references to TMNT‘s past, and the nods cover many of the franchise’s sides rather than just its gaming history.

9 Dead By Daylight

Asymmetrical Horror With Limited Cooperation

Dead by Daylight is the most famous asymmetrical multiplayer game on the market, and that seems unlikely to change anytime soon. The game pits four survivors against one killer, with many of the available characters being based on popular IPs (although there are several original creations too). While one side of the equation will not be cooperating with anyone, the survivors should try to work together since they are considerably weaker than any of the killers. That said, players are largely left to their own devices, so they can decide themselves whether they wish to prioritize communication or not.

Dead by Daylight is kind of a weird inclusion as it is primarily advertised as an online multiplayer rather than co-op experience, which makes sense since matches are PvP rather than a group of players against AI. Nevertheless, it still works well as a co-op game, and it is among the best and most popular titles on PS Plus.

10 Tetris Effect: Connected

A Classic Revamped For Co-Op And Multiplayer

2018’s Tetris Effect gave the ultimate classic video game a contemporary makeover, creating a modern reimagining that stuck true to the original’s blueprint while carving out a unique identity all of its own. That version was and still is fantastic, an easy recommendation for players craving a robust puzzle game designed around solo content. In 2020, Tetris Effect: Connected hit the market, an upgrade that – as suggested by its subtitle – focused on multiplayer. Providing a fairly addictive PvP experience, this iteration incorporated a range of modes that complement the gameplay loop. While Tetris is largely associated with single-player content, the franchise is obviously a good match for competitive play, and Connected showcases as much.

As fun as PvP is, Tetris Effect: Connected is specifically named after its online co-op mode. This option allows a few players to share the screen as they work towards completing separate puzzles while taking on an AI opponent. On the surface, this might sound like a basic implementation of co-op that does not add all that much to the core experience; however, Connected has one great twist: the players’ puzzles combine to create a single canvas. This development is a treat whenever it triggers during matches, and it creates a cooperative exchange that works wonders.

11 Back 4 Blood

Decent As A Left 4 Dead-Style Shooter

Back 4 Blood is a first-person co-op shooter reminiscent of Left 4 Dead. Turtle Rock’s project wears its influences on its sleeve, which is hardly a terrible thing considering the market is not flooded with these sorts of titles. Back 4 Blood has solid gameplay and visuals, along with a card-based customization system that permits players to tweak their loadouts.

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The differences between Back 4 Blood‘s playable survivors are not skin-deep either. Each character has unique traits and default weapons, which encourages teams to craft parties consisting of survivors that bring the best out of each other. Even though it is not a masterpiece and has had a fairly short lifespan for this type of project, Back 4 Blood is more than good enough to keep a group of friends engaged for a few hours.

12 Zombie Army 4: Dead War

Another Solid Team-Based Shooter

Another zombie shooter akin to something like Left 4 Dead or Back 4 Blood, Zombie Army 4: Dead War is for those people who prefer a third-person perspective. Even though the game does not quite have the same name recognition as either of those projects, it is a respectable entry in the subgenre. As is always the case, four players can join forces to blast their way through fairly self-contained levels filled with a colorful and grotesque assortment of flesh-eaters.

Zombie Army 4 shakes things up by being set after World War 2 and granting a Nazi coat of paint to its armies of the walking dead. This setting is the element that distinguishes the game the most from its peers, and the campaign makes good use of the premise. Zombie Army 4 guides players through an over-the-top and entertaining story that is long enough to feel substantial without overstaying its welcome. Along with a decent selection of weapons, Dead War uses a rewarding perk system that adds some flavor to combat.

13 Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince

Gorgeous Visuals, Puzzles, And Fun Class-Based Gameplay

Frozenbyte’s Trine is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for co-op-driven action-platformer games. All the franchise’s titles are worth seeking out, however, PS Plus subscribers will need to settle for Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince. Despite the number in its title, this entry can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of its predecessors, so newcomers can start here.

Trine 4 follows three heroes (a mage, thief, and knight) as they go on an epic fantasy-laden adventure that tests their might and teamwork. While not devoid of combat, the campaign focuses on puzzles and platforming, with the former requiring creative use of the characters’ abilities. In solo runs, players can switch between the characters with the click of a button; in co-op, each user takes charge of one hero. Trine 4 features two modes: Classic and Unlimited. The former ties three players to specific heroes, while the latter allows four users to swap to any character whenever they want.

14 Dead Island 2

Slay Together

October 2024’s PS Plus Extra and Premium lineup had quite a few online co-op options. Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is an asymmetrical multiplayer game that lets people take charge of either ghostbusters or ghosts, while Firefighting Simulator The Squad allows four players to team up to battle fires. The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me is another one of Supermassive’s short but generally engaging horror experiences, and it is a fine entry that should hit the mark with people who enjoyed the other stories in the series.

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While all those are decent titles, the month’s headline act was Dead Island 2, both in terms of general size and also co-op support. After spending a long time in development hell, this sequel finally materialized in 2023 and, to everybody’s surprise, was pretty good! Dead Island 2 drops players in Los Angeles and mostly encourages them to kill every zombie in their wake, and there are plenty of them. Everything is framed through missions that gradually open up small-ish self-contained maps, so the campaign is fairly streamlined. The story is nothing special, but the combat is pretty awesome, especially the melee side of things. Dead Island 2 indulges in gore and excess, delivering an addictive and satisfying gameplay loop that is enhanced with a few RPG elements.

Co-op is implemented fairly well and becomes available within the first hour of a playthrough. Players can pick from six slayers, who are essentially classes with unique skills. That said, they are not that different, and a party can include duplicates. Dead Island 2 is a blast solo and even better with friends.

15 Outriders

Decent Campaign In Co-Op

Ah, Outriders – a game that attracted plenty of hype before its debut but faded into the shadows fairly quickly after launch. Reminiscent of AA projects of old (which can be said for most People Can Fly games), this sci-fi looter shooter is the definition of a mixed bag. The third-person gunplay is explosive, aggressive, and reasonably customizable thanks to solid weapon selection. When focusing solely on combat, Outriders is generally a fun but derivative time; unfortunately, the rest of the game can be a drag. The story has some interesting ideas but does not bring them together in a way that takes full advantage of their potential, resulting in a simultaneously confusing and forgettable plot. Although improving after launch, the endgame is not particularly rewarding and falls into repetition way too quickly.

While still present, those negatives become mostly minor inconveniences when Outriders is played in co-op. Allowing three players to experience the campaign together, the game’s class system really shines when teams create builds that complement each other, which is not that difficult to do. The visceral action benefits from the added mayhem afforded by larger firefights, alleviating an entertaining system to even higher heights. Honestly, Outriders is worth a playthrough for solo players craving a decent third-person shooter; however, it is almost a must-play as a PS Plus co-op game.

16 Demon’s Souls (2020)

Co-Op Is A Small But Important Part Of The Souls Experience

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PS Plus Availability

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Number of Players

1-6

Released

November 12, 2020

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FromSoftware’s Souls games incorporate a unique form of multiplayer that enables players to visit each other’s worlds, and the Demon’s Souls remake is no exception. Depending on the item used, players can either invade and engage in PvP or be summoned to provide a helping hand. While the former tends to get more attention, the latter is also a common practice.

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Up to four players can convene to take on the game’s plethora of challenging fights, with the helpers being sent back to their universes if they die or take down a boss. It should be noted that while co-op is ongoing, two invaders can also show up to add a PvP twist to the tale, so players should always be on their toes.

17 Dying Light 2: Stay Human

The Core Gameplay Is Good Enough To Overcome A Few Flaws

Dying Light 2‘s co-op is kind of weird. On the one hand, it is an exciting feature that should and does serve as a selling point for the game. Conversely, co-op is added fairly haphazardly, with the extra players essentially being along for the ride rather than active parts of the story. The feature also came with its share of bugs, although Techland has released quite a few updates with fixes since the game’s debut.

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Putting aside all that stuff, Dying Light 2‘s gameplay loop is so fun and addictive that bringing on a few friends naturally adds to the mayhem, even if some aspects of co-op are a bit broken. Set in an impressively designed open-world, the game is all about parkour and movement, encouraging players to free-run across buildings and streets while fighting off both zombies and humans. While not necessarily scary, Dying Light 2 can be very intense, particularly at night when the infected flood the streets.

Now, it should be noted that only the host player can progress in their story, which can be a bit frustrating for people planning to play through the whole campaign together. Still, everyone keeps their acquired items, so it is not like they receive no progression.

18 Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

Great Option For Groups Who Want A Game They Can Play For Months

The Division 2 builds on its predecessor’s solid foundations. The action RPG tries to be both a single-player third-person shooter and a live-service always-online experience, and, for the most part, it does an impressive job.

The main story will keep players engaged for a good 30 hours, and this section can be largely enjoyed solo. Alternatively, most of the campaign can be experienced in co-op, which unlocks after the story’s intro is completed. In comparison, the endgame content revolves heavily around PvP and online co-op. Four players can combine to create squads and take on missions, while that number is doubled for raids.

19 Killing Floor 2

Simple, Chaotic Fun

PS Plus Extra has a few co-op games capable of scratching someone’s “blast zombies in the face” itch, and Killing Floor 2 compares favorably with any of its peers. Despite being fairly old by this point, the 2016 release holds up well thanks to its enjoyably over-the-top core gameplay loop along with a surprisingly addictive progression system. The campaign guides teams through a series of levels filled with wave after wave of enemies.

Killing Floor 2‘s gameplay loop is not complicated, and it is arguably simpler than games like Left 4 Dead; however, it is complemented by Perks that essentially serve as classes. Coming with unique abilities and weapons, each Perk can be leveled up, which adds a lot of replayability to the package. Killing Floor 2 supports up to 6 players simultaneously, and this is one of those games that simply needs to be experienced in co-op. Technically, single-player is an option, and while not unplayable, it is not great either.

20 Payday 2: Crimewave Edition

A Staple Of The Co-Op Scene

In 2023, Payday 2 celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and the co-op shooter is still as popular as ever. The game has a simple but brilliant premise: team up with friends to pull off heists. It is possible to take on missions solo, but Payday 2 is intended to be experienced with a consistent group of friends.

The progression system revolves around unlocking better gear and skills, both of which play significant roles in enhancing a crew’s professionalism. Consequently, players genuinely feel like they are improving with each new heist as their crew gradually morphs into a well-oiled machine.