There are a lot of fantastic games to play on PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium, with many of them offering engaging single-player storylines and experiences. Sometimes, though, it's more fun to enjoy a PS Plus game with friends, and it's even better if that title can be played locally. Online games have made massive strides in recent years, but it's hard to deny how entertaining it is to play through a riveting cooperative adventure with friends in the same room.

Although they might not be the standard anymore, local co-op games are still fairly common, and Sony's subscription service has quite a few projects that support the feature. These titles cover a wide range of genres and gameplay styles, so there should be something for most players. Here are the best local co-op PS Plus games.

Updated June 25, 2024: PS Plus Extra and Premium's June 2024 lineup did not prioritize local co-op, except for two more Lego games. Still, the service already had plenty of titles that could scratch a subscriber's cooperative itch.

Streets of Rage 4 (PS Plus Essential For June 2024)

Metascore: 82

PS Plus Essential's June 2024 lineup is pretty great, even if it might lack that killer title. While licensed projects do not have the greatest reputation, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake represents the movement at close to its best, delivering a gorgeous and easy-going 3D platformer filled with loving nods to Nickelodeon's franchise. Unfortunately, the game does not feature co-op, but it is worth playing even if someone is not a fan of the source material. AEW: Fight Forever supports local co-op in the form of tag team matches, and the gameplay is a throwback to wrestling games from around the turn of the century. Flawed as it is, Fight Forever is fine for a few matches.

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Finally, June 2024 has Streets of Rage 4, and it is arguably the month's best freebie. More importantly for this discussion, the long-awaited sequel is an absolutely brilliant co-op option, particularly for fans of the beat 'em up genre. Although evolved enough to feel modern, the game still sticks close to its predecessors' format; consequently, someone's mileage might vary depending on their fondness for the arcade classics. Starting with four playable characters (and a few unlockables) who all have wildly different movesets that should satisfy most playstyles, Streets of Rage 4 is a finely-tuned masterpiece that challenges players to fully learn the combat's intricacies, and the campaign is quite difficult by most metrics. The visuals look great, the boss fights are consistently awesome, and the attack animations are smooth as butter and satisfying – Streets of Rage 4 is a delight.

Tales Of Symphonia Remastered Or Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

Metascore: 68/81

• 	Tales Of Symphonia Remastered	Tales of Vesperia Definitive Edition
  PS Plus Availability	Premium	Premium
  Platform(s)	Switch, PS4, Xbox One	Switch, PS4, PC, Xbox One
  Released	2023-02-17	2019-01-11
  Developer(s)	Bandai Namco Entertainment	Namco Tales Studio
  Genre(s)	Action RPG	JRPG

While not supported by every entry, Bandai Namco's Tales franchise is generally a reliable pick for co-op. PS Plus Premium subscribers have access to two of the most beloved games in the series: Symphonia and Vesperia. The former is rightfully hailed as a classic of the genre, and the PS2 release cemented the IP as an all-time great. PS Plus has the 2023 remaster, which does not offer much more than a boost to the visuals and a few minor tweaks. As this iteration is largely the same as the 2003 version (or, more accurately, the PS3 HD rerelease), the game can feel antiquated by today's standards, and a complete newcomer might struggle to get through the campaign's fairly slow opening few hours. Nevertheless, Symphonia offers a great story and even better characters, along with a real-time combat system that supports a plethora of playstyles. Co-op also fixes one of the title's biggest shortcomings: fairly dumb partner AI.

Alternatively, players can try Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition, which has arguably aged better as a complete package than Symphonia. Although the games do not have extremely different battle systems, Vesperia is notably faster and more responsive, creating an overall superior experience. Its cel-shaded visuals have also aged like fine wine, allowing both the 2008 original and its 2019 iteration to be pleasing to the eye. The story is also top-notch, and it is led by perhaps the best protagonist in the entire Tales franchise.

Regardless of which game people pick, they can look forward to a lengthy action JRPG with a well-implemented co-op. That said, co-op is limited to combat.

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

Metascore: 76

Borderlands is synonymous with co-op, but the main games are not available on PS Plus. Fortunately, the January 2024 lineup somewhat remedied that oversight by adding Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, a spin-off that gives Gearbox's trademark looter shooter franchise a traditional fantasy makeover, or at least as "traditional" as Borderlands is willing to get. The story is framed around a campaign of Bunkers & Badasses, an obvious stand-in for Dungeons & Dragons. Tiny Tina acts as the Dungeon Master, and players take control of a new hero who has joined the party that is looking to take down the Dragon Lord. The narrative starts fairly by the numbers and safe, but things get progressively more absurd, ultimately resulting in quite an enjoyable experience.

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands replaces the core entries' sci-fi weaponry with options inspired by fantasy tropes, although they largely function the same way. And, similar to Borderlands, the spin-off drowns players in loot with incremental stats that can seem inconsequential if the weapon is not tried directly. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands makes activating co-op quite simple, and players even have a few options that determine how loot is spread among the party. On the PS5, the shooter supports 4-player local co-op, instantly making it one of the best split-screen games on PS Plus. On the PS4, players will have to settle for 2-player support.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge

Metascore: 85

Beat 'em ups really are made for co-op, and TMNT: Shredder's Revenge exemplifies that. Inspired by the franchise's classic entries in the genre, the 2022 release is a colorful and challenging throwback that should satisfy fans of Turtles in Time along with newcomers who never stepped into arcades. For the most part, the campaign follows a fairly standard structure for a beat 'em up, including offering a myriad of playable characters: the Turtles themselves, Splinter, April, and Casey Jones. More importantly, each character has a unique moveset and strengths that set them apart from their peers. This versatility significantly enhances the project's replayability since a single playthrough probably won't take somebody longer than a couple of hours.

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In co-op, friends can team up to take on the Foot Clan, and they will do more than just share a screen. Shredder's Revenge incorporates a couple of multiplayer-focused mechanics that reward co-op play, including special 2-player attacks. Along with local co-op, the game also supports online multiplayer for up to 6 participants, and it is possible to mix and match the two versions to fully stack a lineup.

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Metascore: 79

Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a delightful 3D platformer, a genre that is not overrepresented on the PS5. As the LittleBigPlanet spin-off can largely be experienced in single-player, any solo runners will have generally a good time; however, the game not only supports local and online co-op but occasionally emphasizes it. While most of the campaign's levels are designed for solitary players, there are a few stages specifically created for co-op. These do not have to be completed to get to the end of the campaign, but they do make the process a lot easier.

While these stages are co-op driven, the rest of the campaign can also be tackled by four players. Sackboy uses a drop-in, drop-out multiplayer system, permitting friends to jump in whenever they feel like it. This method complements the game's relaxed tone and makes it perfect for short sessions since players do not have to commit to completing a full playthrough.

Untitled Goose Game

Metascore: 80

Untitled Goose Game offers unbridled chaos. A quaint British town becomes subject to unspeakable horrors due to the arrival of a goose, one that plans to turn the citizens' lives upside down. And, to make matters worse, the waterfowl can bring a friend.

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House House's Untitled Goose Game is a silly but charming game that puts players in charge of a goose (or two geese in local co-op) as they steadily try to complete tasks. More often than not, this process involves being a nuisance to the townsfolk, and the indie title is a lot of fun. Beyond the addition of a second goose, the game does not change too much since the campaign's objectives remain the same. Players can have a blast working together as they annoy the furious NPCs.

Cat Quest 2

Metascore: 78

Cat Quest and its sequel are both relentlessly charming smaller-scale action RPGs, but only the latter supports 2-player co-op. More importantly, the campaign was likely designed to be played with a friend, to the point of both the story and cover image showcasing the dual protagonists (this time, the feline partners with a dog to create perhaps the most adorable pair of heroes in gaming). For the most part, the conventional good vs evil story plays things safe, mostly serving as an excuse to send players on a joyous adventure through towns, wastelands, and dungeons. En route, they will face off against an impressive range of monsters, engaging in combat that has more depth than might initially appear to be the case.

Now, Cat Quest 2 is a perfectly fine solo RPG that allows players to swap back and forth between the two protagonists; however, an AI partner is seldom as useful as another human, and that is mostly true for this game. In terms of difficulty, Cat Quest 2 delivers enough of a punch to not bore experienced players (at least when played in Normal Mode), while also being accessible to children who might be taking their first steps into the world of gaming.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game Complete Edition

Metascore: 75

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game Complete Edition adapts Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novel as it pits the titular character against a slew of his girlfriend's ex-partners. Harboring back to traditional beat 'em ups, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game is a charming romp defined by retro visuals, simple but solid gameplay, and tough bosses.

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The game comes with seven playable characters that have a few unique features, allowing friends to team up and work together to take on the roster of sinister exes. There are even a few co-op combos to spice things up.

Overcooked! 2

Metascore: 81

The best local co-op PS Plus games often threaten to ruin friendships, and Overcooked! 2 will test even the sturdiest of bonds. Sure, losing to a friend in a game of Mario Kart 8 can be frustrating and might lead to the occasional outburst, but that is nothing compared to the high pressure of running a restaurant.

As orders roll in, players must work together to remain on top of everything. Poor communication will lead to wasted seconds and pointless actions, along with perhaps a touch of anger. However, when everyone syncs up and the kitchen begins to operate like a well-oiled machine, the outcome is pure magic.

Magicka 2

Metascore: 72

Magicka 2 is a power fantasy in the sense that it gives players the ammunition to create spells that could impress the likes of Gandalf, Shang Tsung, and Doctor Strange. While players are given all the tools they might need, executing them is hardly easy as it requires carefully pressing the right buttons to combine magic types, and these input sequences are long. Testing as the game's learning curve can be, Magicka 2 rewards the committed with satisfying wizardry destruction.

Although possible solo, Magicka 2 is meant to be played with a few friends as enemies hit hard and without remorse. In a group of four, players can spread overwhelming and delightful mayhem across the land. It is a lot of fun.

Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition

Metascore: 83

Spiritfarer casts players as Stella, a woman who assumes Charon's role of ferrying the dead to the afterlife. A management sim with some minor platforming, Spiritfarer follows the genre's typical formula of resource collection to expand the protagonist's business. A beautiful art style and unusual premise help set the game apart from its peers.

Something else Spiritfarer does exceptionally well is local co-op. A second player can step into the paws of Stella's cat, Daffodil. Along with being adorable, the feline can complete many of their master's actions, lessening the busy work synonymous with these games.

Alienation

Metascore: 79

A twin-stick shooter, Alienation was a blast when it came out in 2016 and time has done little to hurt the game's appeal. Earth has fallen at the hands of an alien invasion, so it is up to the players to turn the tide by doing a lot of shooting and killing.

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Alienation supports single-player and online co-op, both of which are quite fun, although the latter isn't all that active nowadays. However, the shooter is arguably at its best when played in local co-op since this allows the team to coordinate better. There are four characters with individual classes, each of whom has unique strengths and weaknesses. Alienation is explosive, incorporates engaging RPG elements, and offers quite a steep challenge.

Moving Out 2

Metascore: 80

PS Plus Extra's August 2023 line-up was special as it contained two day-one additions, something that had yet to happen with the subscription service. Sea of Stars is a retro RPG throwback from the same developer behind The Messenger, and it will eventually support 2-player co-op for those who want to play with a friend. PS Plus' other launch-day inclusion was Moving Out 2, a sequel that has largely gotten very good reviews. Its predecessor is also on Sony's subscription service, and while a perfectly enjoyable game in its own right, newcomers will probably want to start with the sequel since it expands on most of the same ideas.

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While technically playable solo, Moving Out 2 is designed with co-op in mind, to the point the game can be difficult to recommend solely as a single-player option. Essentially, it is all about moving furniture, which is one of those ideas that sounds like it cannot possibly be fun. However, unlike reality, Moving Out 2 turns the tedious task into an over-the-top adventure where each piece serves as its own puzzle. The game uses exaggerated physics to shake things up, and movers will need to work quickly (and wisely). The core gameplay loop is largely similar to the first game, but the sequel goes for broke in its setting by incorporating a multidimensional element. Silly as that might sound, it works well in this instance.

Dysmantle

&alt="Fighting a boss in Lost Planet 2" data-image-id="480696" height="1000" src="https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/5-Fighting-a-boss-in-Lost-Planet-2.jpg" width="2000" />

Capcom's Lost Planet is such a bizarre series. The franchise produced three main games and a spin-off, all of which are fairly distinct from each other. Even though the console Lost Planet trilogy was all released on basically the same hardware and within a span of about 7 years, they vary so greatly in terms of strengths, weaknesses, and tone that they cannot be recommended as a whole. If someone is seeking a single-player experience, they should check out the original Lost Planet; however, if co-op is someone's poison, they should look no further than Lost Planet 2. Lost Planet 3 is also a game that exists.

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Supporting local split-screen and 4-player online co-op, the sequel was clearly designed to be played with friends. The campaign is split into missions that contain a few basic objectives, although they are mainly there to give players something to kill while wearing awesome mech suits. Lost Planet 2 emphasizes teamwork to an extent, especially during its massive and awe-inspiring boss battles. Even all these years later, the latter encounters are still visually impressive.

For The King

Metascore: 74

Depending on the player, For the King will either be a frustrating time-sink that is not worth the hassle or an addictive RPG that does an admirable job of replicating a tabletop campaign. Fondness for the latter is required to appreciate IronOak's project as the developer clearly set out to recreate that type of experience, and that goes beyond the implementation of turn-based movement and fantasy tropes. For the King is driven by randomness, with nearly every action taken by players adhering to the discretion of the RNG gods. As such, there can be times when the game seems to be actively working against the player, which is not fun. However, randomness is a central part of many classic tabletop games, adding an element of unpredictability to playthroughs. Love or hate it, For the King knows what it wants to be and delivers on that promise.

Moving past that extended disclaimer, this RPG tells a fairly basic story about setting out on an adventure to protect the kingdom following the death of its ruler. Players create a party and are dropped into a grid-based map, with every action being turn-based. For the King utilizes roguelike elements to ensure each playthrough offers something different, and players will likely find themselves having to start over after their characters are wiped or they are just having a brutal campaign. The combat is also turn-based and generally enjoyable, opting to match accessible mechanics with a high difficulty ceiling (even on lower levels).

Human: Fall Flat

Metascore: 67

If unpredictable physics and a sandbox that encourages experimentation are a recipe for endless giggles, then Human: Fall Flat turns players into master chefs. Each of the game's thematic levels provides a few objectives that require completing platforming challenges and solving puzzles; however, Human: Fall Flat is at its most entertaining when any guidelines are ignored in favor of producing chaotic messes.

In split-screen, two people receive blank humans to direct, and the addition of another player opens up even further the already vast gameplay possibilities. The more creative and curious the users are, the more fun Human: Fall Flat becomes.

Kingdom Two Crowns

Metascore (Switch Version): 85

Strategy games are already niche, and Kingdom Two Crowns is a fairly unique entry in that genre. The side-scroller casts players as a ruler who must travel across islands to try and establish their kingdom. Naturally, this process involves investing a lot of money in infrastructure, all the while creating strongholds that can protect people from monsters. Being king or queen is not simple, easy, or predictable, and failure learning process in Kingdom Two Crowns.

If the weight of this responsibility is too much for one shoulder to take, then a second ruler can step in to help carry the burden. However, Kingdom Two Crowns' co-op involves little direct interaction between the players since the game casts them as monarchs who co-exist while still largely doing their own thing.

The Ascent

Metascore: 77

Debuting as an Xbox console exclusive, The Ascent eventually joined Sony's ecosystem, and while not a masterpiece, the cyberpunk game has more than enough to offer to warrant a recommendation. Just to be clear, this action RPG works well as a solo experience, and an argument could be made that this option represents the game at its best. Nevertheless, the 4-play co-op support does not detract much from the overall package, even if it does not add a great deal to it. Furthermore, The Ascent can be a slog at times, so having a few friends along for the ride can help greatly during these moments.

Set in Veles, players step into the shoes of a mercenary, a role that is not exactly highly regarded. The beautifully designed urban jungle is arguably the game's highlight, and exploring Veles leads to some of the campaign's most memorable moments. The RPG utilizes a twin-stick shooter combat system that, while decent, might take a second to grow on someone since it is slower than the genre's typical offerings.

Fury Unleashed

Metascore: 78

PS Plus has a couple of run and gun options, and the genre is fairly synonymous with co-op. One of the best modern-ish titles is Fury Unleashed, a 2017 game that harbors back to the glory days of arcades while providing a fresh spin. Adopting a roguelite formula, the title challenges players to complete a series of levels altered by procedural generation, granting changes to each run. The gameplay is fairly straightforward, with players having access to a few special abilities with the standard gun. While the core gunplay gives Fury Unleashed a pick-up and play quality, depth is provided through combo and progression systems, the latter of which permits permanent upgrades to be unlocked.

Fury Unleashed supports two-player local and online co-op. In practice, multiplayer does not significantly alter the immediate experience; however, it extends the game's replayability since things can get rather repetitive during solo runs. Bringing a friend adds a bit more flavor, which should help keep the loop interesting for a while longer. Still, fans of run and gun games should check out this indie release regardless of whether they have a co-op partner or not.

Death Squared

Metascore: 72

SMG Studio's Death Squared is an intriguing puzzle game that pushes cooperative play to the forefront. Split into levels (or tests), players have to direct their colored cubes toward their associated square. Each level comes packed with traps and challenges, and although the game can be played solo, Death Squared shines brighter in co-op.

Players need to coordinate to help each other reach their end goal, and communication is key. Puzzle games tend to be isolating, but Death Squared flips that completely on its head to create one of the genre's more memorable modern releases. It is charming, difficult, and even tells a decent story for a puzzle game.

Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince

Metascore: 80

The Trine series has always been known for its engaging cooperative gameplay but some players were disappointed with the third installment in the series, noting that it took away from a lot of the gameplay elements that made the series such a fun local-co-op romp. Trine 4 aimed to set things right by once again giving players the puzzle-solving, side-scrolling, action-heavy platforming content they'd come to know and love.

While some players still regard Trine 2 as the best in the series, there is so much to appreciate with the fourth installment, including its stunningly beautiful visuals and environments. The gameplay is also better than ever.

Enter The Gungeon

Metascore: 82

Dodge Roll's Enter the Gungeon's co-op is not perfect, but it is unique. A fairly successful roguelike, the 2016 game has many of the genre's standard tropes, including punishing difficulty and level-reset following a death. However, Enter the Gungeon does try to grant players a sense of progress by allowing them to purchase and unlock weapons for future runs, so it is not the most unforgiving roguelike on the market.

Rather than allowing friends to pick different starting characters, the co-op mode casts the second player as an in-game NPC who is not usable in solo runs. This firmly casts player two in a supportive role, although they still gain access to most of the same weapons as the main user. Furthermore, while Enter the Gungeon is tough in any state, co-op ramps up the challenge considerably.

LEGO DC Super-Villains

Metascore: 74

PS Plus Extra and Premium have an impressive selection of Lego games, most of which support local co-op. Ultimately, someone's preferred project might come down to the license involved. Marvel fans will likely gravitate towards Lego Marvel's Avengers, which is regarded as one of the franchise's highest points. If The Dark Knight is more somebody's speed, they might wish to try Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, which is essentially a Justice League game in everything but name, Jurassic World is also a decent option, and the same can be said for Lego Ninjago Movie VideoGame. These titles are all available on the Extra tier, and they offer lighthearted family-friendly entertainment that two players can enjoy simultaneously. Lego City Undercover is also awesome, but that is solely a single-player experience.

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On the Extra tier, that leaves Lego DC Super-Villains, an entry that received a fairly muted response at the time of its release. By 2018, the Lego formula had begun to wear thin since the licensed games rarely deviated from the blueprint; consequently, Super-Villains just felt like another run-of-the-mill project. However, in isolation, it was arguably the franchise's best game up to that point, delivering a fun story that executes the role-reversal formula well. More importantly, Lego DC Super-Villains' gameplay is better suited to co-op than most of its predecessors, in the sense that some of the events and challenges take advantage of a second player's presence. While co-op is always fun, most Lego games kind of just throw the second user into the sandbox and call it a day.

Premium tier subscribers have a few more Lego options at their fingertips. Despite being overshadowed by The Skywalker Saga, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga is still one of the franchise's best games. Lego Harry Potter Collection is fantastic, and the same can be said for Lego Batman and its sequel. Even the Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean games are enjoyable.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House Of Ashes

Metascore: 72

PS Plus Extra subscribers can play through the first three entries in The Dark Pictures Anthology, and they are all decent horror games in their own right. Along with specializing in the genre, Supermassive tends to provnbsp;

Zombie Survival Game With 2-Player Co-Op (No Metascore)

Although not extremely well-known, Dysmantle can scratch a few itches. Along with being a very competent entry in the zombie genre, 10tons' project is also one of the better local co-op PS Plus Extra games that blends survival and RPG mechanics to satisfy both categories. Set in a fairly typical post-apocalyptic hellscape, players must survive, scavenge, craft, and just break everything they find. The latter serves as the main progression; the stronger players get, the bigger the items they can tear down. It is a simple system that works well and grants the repetitive gameplay loop a sense of evolution that might otherwise be lacking.

Co-op is quite straightforward and boils down to a copy joining the first person in their adventure. With no split-screen, Dysmantle requires players to stay together at all times, which limits the action somewhat. Co-op is otherwise fun and helps minimize the exhaustion of the break-loot-craft-break cycle, along with making it easier to manage combat encounters.

Dragon's Crown Pro

Metascore: 80

Vanillaware does not create bad games, and Dragon's Crown ranks comfortably among the decorated developer's greatest achievements. Originally released for the PS3 and Vita, the game eventually made its way to the PS4 in the form of a Pro edition, and this version is on PS Plus Premium. Featuring six playable classes, Dragon's Crown blends side-scrolling beat 'em up action with RPG systems, crafting an experience that can be deeply addictive despite being ultimately quite repetitive. Players will find themselves playing through the same nine levels as they gradually level up their characters (and take on higher difficulty levels), and the combat system is more than good enough to keep things interesting for a long while.

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In terms of co-op support, four friends can team up to take on the campaign's challenges. When the full playable roster is used, the on-screen action can get a touch chaotic and overwhelming; nevertheless, co-op is a positive addition to Dragon's Crown. The game is great solo, but bringing a friend along can make the grind less exhausting.

Children Of Morta

Metascore: 80

An action-RPG roguelike, Children of Morta follows the Bergson family as they crawl their way through randomly-generated dungeons. Featuring seven playable characters that each feel unique, players have a wide range of duos they can try out, and they will need to experiment since swapping between family members is required.

Along with decent gameplay that blossoms nicely as the campaign progresses, Children of Morta also tells a surprisingly effective character-driven narrative, presenting the Bergsons as a unit with history rather than mere puppets. Friends looking for a more difficult co-op game should try out this title.

Lost Planet 2

Metascore: 68

Capcom's Lost Planet is such a bizarre series. The franchise produced three main games and a spin-off, all of which are fairly distinct from each other. Even though the console Lost Planet trilogy was all released on basically the same hardware and within a span of about 7 years, they vary so greatly in terms of strengths, weaknesses, and tone that they cannot be recommended as a whole. If someone is seeking a single-player experience, they should check out the original Lost Planet; however, if co-op is someone's poison, they should look no further than Lost Planet 2. Lost Planet 3 is also a game that exists.

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Supporting local split-screen and 4-player online co-op, the sequel was clearly designed to be played with friends. The campaign is split into missions that contain a few basic objectives, although they are mainly there to give players something to kill while wearing awesome mech suits. Lost Planet 2 emphasizes teamwork to an extent, especially during its massive and awe-inspiring boss battles. Even all these years later, the latter encounters are still visually impressive.

For The King

Metascore: 74

Depending on the player, For the King will either be a frustrating time-sink that is not worth the hassle or an addictive RPG that does an admirable job of replicating a tabletop campaign. Fondness for the latter is required to appreciate IronOak's project as the developer clearly set out to recreate that type of experience, and that goes beyond the implementation of turn-based movement and fantasy tropes. For the King is driven by randomness, with nearly every action taken by players adhering to the discretion of the RNG gods. As such, there can be times when the game seems to be actively working against the player, which is not fun. However, randomness is a central part of many classic tabletop games, adding an element of unpredictability to playthroughs. Love or hate it, For the King knows what it wants to be and delivers on that promise.

Moving past that extended disclaimer, this RPG tells a fairly basic story about setting out on an adventure to protect the kingdom following the death of its ruler. Players create a party and are dropped into a grid-based map, with every action being turn-based. For the King utilizes roguelike elements to ensure each playthrough offers something different, and players will likely find themselves having to start over after their characters are wiped or they are just having a brutal campaign. The combat is also turn-based and generally enjoyable, opting to match accessible mechanics with a high difficulty ceiling (even on lower levels).

Human: Fall Flat

Metascore: 67

If unpredictable physics and a sandbox that encourages experimentation are a recipe for endless giggles, then Human: Fall Flat turns players into master chefs. Each of the game's thematic levels provides a few objectives that require completing platforming challenges and solving puzzles; however, Human: Fall Flat is at its most entertaining when any guidelines are ignored in favor of producing chaotic messes.

In split-screen, two people receive blank humans to direct, and the addition of another player opens up even further the already vast gameplay possibilities. The more creative and curious the users are, the more fun Human: Fall Flat becomes.

Kingdom Two Crowns

Metascore (Switch Version): 85

Strategy games are already niche, and Kingdom Two Crowns is a fairly unique entry in that genre. The side-scroller casts players as a ruler who must travel across islands to try and establish their kingdom. Naturally, this process involves investing a lot of money in infrastructure, all the while creating strongholds that can protect people from monsters. Being king or queen is not simple, easy, or predictable, and failure learning process in Kingdom Two Crowns.

If the weight of this responsibility is too much for one shoulder to take, then a second ruler can step in to help carry the burden. However, Kingdom Two Crowns' co-op involves little direct interaction between the players since the game casts them as monarchs who co-exist while still largely doing their own thing.

The Ascent

Metascore: 77

Debuting as an Xbox console exclusive, The Ascent eventually joined Sony's ecosystem, and while not a masterpiece, the cyberpunk game has more than enough to offer to warrant a recommendation. Just to be clear, this action RPG works well as a solo experience, and an argument could be made that this option represents the game at its best. Nevertheless, the 4-play co-op support does not detract much from the overall package, even if it does not add a great deal to it. Furthermore, The Ascent can be a slog at times, so having a few friends along for the ride can help greatly during these moments.

Set in Veles, players step into the shoes of a mercenary, a role that is not exactly highly regarded. The beautifully designed urban jungle is arguably the game's highlight, and exploring Veles leads to some of the campaign's most memorable moments. The RPG utilizes a twin-stick shooter combat system that, while decent, might take a second to grow on someone since it is slower than the genre's typical offerings.

Fury Unleashed

Metascore: 78

PS Plus has a couple of run and gun options, and the genre is fairly synonymous with co-op. One of the best modern-ish titles is Fury Unleashed, a 2017 game that harbors back to the glory days of arcades while providing a fresh spin. Adopting a roguelite formula, the title challenges players to complete a series of levels altered by procedural generation, granting changes to each run. The gameplay is fairly straightforward, with players having access to a few special abilities with the standard gun. While the core gunplay gives Fury Unleashed a pick-up and play quality, depth is provided through combo and progression systems, the latter of which permits permanent upgrades to be unlocked.

Fury Unleashed supports two-player local and online co-op. In practice, multiplayer does not significantly alter the immediate experience; however, it extends the game's replayability since things can get rather repetitive during solo runs. Bringing a friend adds a bit more flavor, which should help keep the loop interesting for a while longer. Still, fans of run and gun games should check out this indie release regardless of whether they have a co-op partner or not.

Death Squared

Metascore: 72

SMG Studio's Death Squared is an intriguing puzzle game that pushes cooperative play to the forefront. Split into levels (or tests), players have to direct their colored cubes toward their associated square. Each level comes packed with traps and challenges, and although the game can be played solo, Death Squared shines brighter in co-op.

Players need to coordinate to help each other reach their end goal, and communication is key. Puzzle games tend to be isolating, but Death Squared flips that completely on its head to create one of the genre's more memorable modern releases. It is charming, difficult, and even tells a decent story for a puzzle game.

Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince

Metascore: 80

The Trine series has always been known for its engaging cooperative gameplay but some players were disappointed with the third installment in the series, noting that it took away from a lot of the gameplay elements that made the series such a fun local-co-op romp. Trine 4 aimed to set things right by once again giving players the puzzle-solving, side-scrolling, action-heavy platforming content they'd come to know and love.

While some players still regard Trine 2 as the best in the series, there is so much to appreciate with the fourth installment, including its stunningly beautiful visuals and environments. The gameplay is also better than ever.

Enter The Gungeon

Metascore: 82

Dodge Roll's Enter the Gungeon's co-op is not perfect, but it is unique. A fairly successful roguelike, the 2016 game has many of the genre's standard tropes, including punishing difficulty and level-reset following a death. However, Enter the Gungeon does try to grant players a sense of progress by allowing them to purchase and unlock weapons for future runs, so it is not the most unforgiving roguelike on the market.

Rather than allowing friends to pick different starting characters, the co-op mode casts the second player as an in-game NPC who is not usable in solo runs. This firmly casts player two in a supportive role, although they still gain access to most of the same weapons as the main user. Furthermore, while Enter the Gungeon is tough in any state, co-op ramps up the challenge considerably.

LEGO DC Super-Villains

Metascore: 74

PS Plus Extra and Premium have an impressive selection of Lego games, most of which support local co-op. Ultimately, someone's preferred project might come down to the license involved. Marvel fans will likely gravitate towards Lego Marvel's Avengers, which is regarded as one of the franchise's highest points. If The Dark Knight is more somebody's speed, they might wish to try Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, which is essentially a Justice League game in everything but name, Jurassic World is also a decent option, and the same can be said for Lego Ninjago Movie VideoGame. Lego The Hobbit and Lego The Incredibles are also pretty good. These titles are all available on the Extra tier, and they offer lighthearted family-friendly entertainment that two players can enjoy simultaneously. Lego City Undercover is also awesome, but that is solely a single-player experience.

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On the Extra tier, that leaves Lego DC Super-Villains, an entry that received a fairly muted response at the time of its release. By 2018, the Lego formula had begun to wear thin since the licensed games rarely deviated from the blueprint; consequently, Super-Villains just felt like another run-of-the-mill project. However, in isolation, it was arguably the franchise's best game up to that point, delivering a fun story that executes the role-reversal formula well. More importantly, Lego DC Super-Villains' gameplay is better suited to co-op than most of its predecessors, in the sense that some of the events and challenges take advantage of a second player's presence. While co-op is always fun, most Lego games kind of just throw the second user into the sandbox and call it a day.

Premium tier subscribers have a few more Lego options at their fingertips. Despite being overshadowed by The Skywalker Saga, LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga is still one of the franchise's best games. Lego Harry Potter Collection is fantastic, and the same can be said for Lego Batman and its sequel. Even the Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean games are enjoyable.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House Of Ashes

Metascore: 72

PS Plus Extra subscribers can play through the first three entries in The Dark Pictures Anthology, and they are all decent horror games in their own right. Along with specializing in the genre, Supermassive tends to provide co-op in their modern games, with The Quarry arguably representing the best implementation of the feature. The Dark Pictures Anthology set the foundation for that project's multiplayer, and all the games shine the brightest when experienced as part of a group rather than solo.

House of Ashes has five playable protagonists, and if five players are participating, they will each get to control a single character. Obviously, they won't get to play all at the same time since the campaign shifts between different points of view, so someone will be active while everyone else watches. The exciting factor is that one person's decisions should impact the party.

Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition (PS3 Version)

Metascore: 84

Capcom's Resident Evil is primarily known for its single-player campaigns, but the franchise has dipped its toes into co-op on occasion. For the most part, the series has a solid track record when it comes to 2-player gameplay, and its co-op peak is undoubtedly Resident Evil 5. Marking a full shift into action territory, RE5 is a third-person shooter with a campaign that can be fully experienced with a partner, and the game is at its best when that is the case.

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Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar have to make their way through a nation in West Africa infested with the Uroboros Virus. Teamwork is very important here, and players are expected to have each other's backs. Ammo is relatively scarce too, so coordinating weapons to ensure both protagonists are armed and ready is crucial.

Resident Evil 6, Resident Evil Revelations 2, and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles also support couch co-op and are part of PS Plus Premium. They do not quite reach the same heights as RE5, but they are decent (particularly RE6).

Vikings: Wolves Of Midgard

Metascore: 67

Diablo's shadow looms far and wide over the isometric action RPG genre. While Blizzard's franchise might not be on PS Plus, Vikings: Wolves of Midgard serves as a respectable alternative. Except for its Norse influences, a setting that was more unique in 2017 prior to the launch of God of War, Vikings doesn't deviate too far from the beaten path for this type of game. The kill, loot, and recycle loop continues to be repeated for a reason – it works.

Vikings: Wolves of Midgard supports local and online co-op, and the journey is far more enjoyable with a few friends who are willing to synergize their builds.

Earth Defense Force 5

Metascore: 72

PS Plus has a couple of Earth Defense Force projects, and they are all acquired tastes. Sandlot's franchise translates monster b-movies into games, delivering a straightforward, silly, but highly enjoyable experience. While not completely devoid of variety, most missions boil down to "kill every insect" as hundreds of these big buggers crowd the streets and crawl over buildings. Even though the visuals are far from great, EDF is relentlessly charming, as long as somebody goes in with realistic expectations. These titles offer mindless fun, and that's largely it. Do not go in expecting a great story, very deep gameplay, or a wide assortment of character customization options. Just pick a class, try out some different weapons, and shoot everything that moves. Also, mecha.

Although viable solo, EDF 5 can get repetitive very quickly when players are taking on the alien insectoid hordes as a one-soldier army; fortunately, the franchise tends to prioritize multiplayer. Along with 4-player online support, 2-player local co-op is available, and the introduction of a secondary user really elevates the overall experience. Co-op lets the class system shine and increases the difficulty slightly, requiring a slightly more tactical approach in the process. Not every name needs to be complex; sometimes, nothing hits the mark like blasting away an army of ants.