Highlights

  • Co-op games offer a great way to bond with friends or enjoy multiplayer fun.
  • Mouse and keyboard controls can provide advantages, especially in shooters and precise tasks.
  • Different games cater to different control preferences, allowing players to choose what works best for them.

Co-op games are a great way to spend time with friends, or just experience a fun title with other people. From cozy simulators to hardcore shooters, there is no shortage of games to enjoy as a group.

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While using a controller is perfectly fine for many titles, certain games allow players to do a little more with a mouse and keyboard, especially when it comes to various shooters, which is why crossplay is not that common for the genre. Still, ultimately it does come down to preference, and there are certain individuals who can outshine many players with their controller alone.

8 Dead By Daylight

More Maneuverability For Killers & Survivors

Huntress
Dead by Daylight

Genre(s)
Horror , Survival
Released
June 14, 2016
Developer(s)
Behaviour Interactive
  • Number of Players: 1-5

Dead by Daylight has kept a strong player base throughout the years, constantly updating the game and adding more killers and survivors. While not everyone is on board with all the changes, the company is diligently working to fix as many problems as they can and try to keep the familiar game fresh.

Playing with a mouse and keyboard allows players to have just a bit more control over where they’re going, and can look around much faster than players with a controller. Certain abilities, like Huntress axes, are also easier to aim and land.

7 Terraria

Better Accuracy & Easier Building

Terra Blade in Terraria
Terraria

Platform(s)
PC , PS3 , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X , Switch , Vita , iOS , Android , macOS , Linux , 3DS , Stadia
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure , Sandbox
Released
May 16, 2011
Developer(s)
Re-Logic
  • Number of Players: 1-8

Terraria, similar to Skyrim, has been ported to almost every console and system known to man. As such, players from all platforms have learned to love and appreciate the cozy action adventure, with any and all ways of controlling a character.

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Mouse and keyboard players do get a slight advantage when it comes to combat, especially during the later stages of the game. Certain bosses possess incredible speeds, and adjusting one’s position and aim with a controller might be just a bit harder, and a bit chaotic at times.

6 Valheim

Easier To Work On Structures & Use Bows

Valheim
Valheim

Genre(s)
Sandbox , Survival
Released
February 2, 2021
Developer(s)
Iron Gate AB
  • Number of Players: 1-10

Valheim is a great survival game, especially for those who want a slightly different setting. The game focuses on the Nordic theme, complete with mythical beings, runes, and Viking-themed structures

While players who prefer melee fighting might not notice that much of a difference, those who enjoy using bows and arrows will appreciate the accuracy and control that a mouse provides, especially during the tougher boss fights. The game also allows for extensive, three-dimensional building, which could also be a bit more expansive with the PC controls.

5 Palworld

Superior Accuracy & Mobility

Mammorest
Palworld

Genre(s)
Open-World , Shooter , Survival
Released
January 19, 2024
Developer(s)
Pocket Pair, Inc.
  • Number of Players: 1-32

Palworld really took the world by storm with its release, peaking at more than 2,000,000 concurrent players according to SteamCharts. The game took quite a lot of inspiration from obvious sources and ran in a completely new direction for the genre.

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The game is still in early access, and as such there are still plenty of bugs all around, and some players have reported having problems when playing with controllers. Still, aiming rifles at the cartoon-like Pokemon-inspired creatures is a bit more accurate with a mouse.

4 No Man's Sky

Easier To Navigate The Universe

Explorer
No Man's Sky

Genre(s)
Adventure , Action , Survival
Released
August 9, 2016
Developer(s)
Hello Games
  • Number of Players: 1-4

No Man’s Sky continues to add new updates and features to the game, vastly improving the experience since the game’s launch. From exploration to movement and building, every aspect of the game has been greatly refined, and many more additions have been introduced by the team.

The controls are certainly more of a preference in the game, as the combat is not as heavy as some other titles can be. Many players mention using both methods when playing, specifically preferring the mouse and keyboard when roaming the world on foot.

3 Baldur's Gate 3

Superior Control In Turn-Based Combat, Faster Map Navigation

Baldur's Gate 3 Player Discovers Secret Passageway
Baldur's Gate 3

Platform(s)
PC , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X
Genre(s)
RPG
Released
August 3, 2023
Developer(s)
Larian Studios
  • Number of Players: 1-4

Much like Divinity: Original Sin 2, Baldur’s Gate 3 is very well optimized for all kinds of controllers. Choosing a needed ability is fairly straightforward, and in most cases aiming doesn’t prove to be too much of a problem.

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Still, it is hard to compare the efficiency and precision of the mouse and keyboard. It is much easier to quickly pick an ability, having access to pretty much all of them on the screen. On top of that, it is much faster to quickly look all over the map, and find the perfect angle for the next attack amongst the many different Actions & Bonus Actions players can make.

2 Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

Shoot More Efficiently With A Mouse

Character aiming a weapon at a dragon
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

Platform(s)
PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PC
Released
March 25, 2022
Developer(s)
Gearbox Software
Genre(s)
Action RPG , FPS
  • Number of Players: 1-4

The Borderlands series has always been a fantastic choice for co-op play, and the latest standalone game is no exception. Up to 4 players can delve deep into the famous DLC’s sequel, embracing the total magical chaos.

Depending on the class, playing with a mouse and keyboard does give players much more control and accuracy with their powers and the gazillion guns, as well as a bit more mobility. Regardless, it is an incredibly fun journey, and fans of the genre should definitely give this one a try.

1 Risk of Rain 2

Fluid Movement & Ability Usage

Risk of Rain 2
Risk of Rain 2

Platform(s)
Xbox One , Nintendo Switch , PC , PS4
Genre(s)
Third-Person Shooter , Roguelike
Released
September 11, 2020
Developer(s)
Hopoo Games
  • Number of Players: 1-4

Risk of Rain 2 is all about quick movements, incredible boss fights, and a myriad of abilities and loot. As such, having more control and speed from the mouse and keyboard definitely gives players an edge, though that does depend somewhat on the actual character.

Regardless of what method the players prefer, they can always grab a friend, or match up and try to beat the many various levels and enemies together. It is a fun and addictive game, one that can easily bring hours and hours of entertainment.

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