My partner and I are huge fans of the chaotic couch co-op game Overcooked. However, after playing it countless times, we decided to search for another great co-op game to play together. Much to our surprise, finding a suitable game was more challenging than expected. We have different gaming styles—she is a casual gamer while I am more strategic—so finding a game that suits both of us was like finding a unicorn. I know there are others out there who would love to play more games with their partners, friends, kids, or pets, so I’m putting together a list of casual couch co-op games to help out.
So, what makes a good co-op game? Simply saying it’s a game you can play together with friends is too generic. In this article, when I refer to a “good co-op game,” I’m specifically talking about a video game that requires cooperative play to achieve a shared goal and allows players of different skill levels to have fun together. Additionally, the best co-op games, in my opinion, are couch co-op games played on the same console for practical and financial reasons.
To evaluate a game’s cooperative play value, I’ve developed a scoring system that measures factors such as the need for communication, intuitive controls, ease of starting to play, obvious rules and goals, and being un-frustrating. We want games that are easy to pick up and play, have clear objectives, and can be enjoyed by players of varying skill levels.
Now that we have this scoring system, let’s get into some game recommendations!
1. Overcooked: All You Can Eat:
Overcooked AYCE is the gold standard for couch co-op games. It’s a game where teams of chefs work together to cook and serve dishes within a time limit. The gameplay is intuitive and the challenge comes from the level designs that require coordination and communication with your fellow chefs.
2. Manic Mechanics:
Manic Mechanics is a co-op game where players work as a team to fix various vehicles. The gameplay is simple enough for anyone to understand, but proper work division and avoiding hazards are necessary to achieve high scores.
3. Moving Out 2:
Moving Out 2 is a game where your crew is hired to move furniture. While the controls and physics systems can be frustrating, the game offers robust assist mode options that allow players to enjoy the chaos without the difficulty.
4. Streets of Rogue:
Streets of Rogue is a roguelike immersive sim action sandbox game filled with zany nonsense and open-ended interactive mechanics. The goal is to become the mayor, and players can approach the game in various creative ways.
These are just a few recommendations based on the criteria I’ve set. Remember, the key to a good co-op game is the ability to communicate and cooperate with your fellow players while having fun together. So gather your friends, family, or pets, and enjoy these couch co-op games!
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
