Back in the '90s, local co-op gaming was all the rage, and though it's not as common today, it hasn't completely disappeared. Meanwhile, the puzzle genre has been steadily producing new projects, mostly indie titles that don't always attract mainstream attention.
There's a wide range of games that encourage communication and critical thinking. Some focus more on game mechanics, while others offer compelling narratives. These puzzle games come in different forms, from shape-based challenges to complex physics-based puzzles, ensuring that the co-op puzzle genre continues to evolve and expand.
Updated on December 24, 2023 by Mark Sammut: Co-op puzzle games are not extremely common, but there are more than enough options out there to keep a few friends entertained for a few weeks.
14 It Takes Two
Metacritic: 89
Hazelight specializes in co-op games, with both A Way Out and It Takes Two requiring two players. While the decision to omit single-player support might have limited the potential audiences for both games, it also means that these campaigns are designed entirely around co-op, ensuring that teamwork and coordination are not only central to the mechanics but also the stories.
Both titles are very good, but It Takes Two gets the nod as it is slightly more polished and features more puzzles. That said, Hazelight loves to play around with genres, so neither game is purely a puzzle experience. After another fight, a married couple are on the brink of a divorce, only to find themselves inhabiting their daughter's dolls. This turn of events paves the way for a wild and creative adventure that blends mini-games, platforming, puzzles, and storytelling to perfection.
13 Trine 4
Metacritic: 81
Trine is generally awesome. Except for the somewhat maligned third entry, which is not devoid of charm either, all the games in the series are decent starting points for newcomers. If push comes to shove, Trine 2 is probably the franchise's most popular game, but there is little separating it from Trine 4. Once again, the latter allows players to go on a fantastical journey as three fantasy archetypes (wizard, thief, and knight); this time, their goal is to find a lost prince.
As an adventure co-op game, Trine 4 is an unquestionable triumph; however, when analyzed purely on the quality of its puzzles, the title is merely good with moments of brilliance.
12 Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes
Metacritic: 88
This is a game with a lot of talking involved between the players, so it is not for everyone. Basically, there is a bomb that needs to be diffused. Only one person can see the bomb, and they have to guide the remaining players through the process of defusing it.
Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes will get the adrenaline pumping, as the bomb has a time limit before it explodes. Things can get stressful quickly as the group tries to solve the destructive puzzle in front of them. For some though, that is a fun and unforgettable way to spend an evening.
11 Never Alone
Metacritic: 73
Players can enjoy this title solo or with a friend. It is quite special, as it is based on a traditional Iñupiaq tale. In fact, it was made from a partnership between the Cook Inlet Tribal Council and E-Line Media. This makes the game a wealth of cultural insights.
Never Alone has eight chapters that focus on a little Iñupiaq girl, Nuna, and her arctic fox companion. In co-op, one player can control Nuna and the other can control the fox. The game has the two characters solve puzzles together and, with completion, literally unlock cultural insights about the Iñupiaq. For even more content, check out the game's expansion Foxtales.
10 Portal 2
Metacritic: 95
Portal 2 is rightfully hailed as one of the best single-player puzzle games of all time, and it completely deserves that reputation. However, Valve's project also comes with a co-op campaign that is almost as fantastic. Cast as two robots, players must work their way through a series of levels while GLaDOS provides a running commentary that tries to (not so) subtly pit the partners against each other.
As with most co-op puzzle games, Portal 2 steadily ramps up the complexity with each new challenge; however, the game also tweaks the nature of the puzzles' solutions. While initially they are designed in a way that could lead to one person taking charge, the later stages are far more concerned with teamwork.
9 Snipperclips: Cut It Out, Together!
Metacritic: 80
This underrated Switch game has two players solve various shape and physics-based puzzles together, as they can change the shape of the characters they play as. A lot of the puzzles involve moving objects or making themselves into the perfect shape to do various tasks.
The puzzles are diverse enough and cover a fairly decent range in terms of difficulty. That said, Snipperclips is ultimately a family-oriented game that is accessible to children.
8 Unrailed!
Metacritic: 77
This chaotic game tasks players with building a railway while a train is moving. Gamers should be prepared for a lot of panicked yelling among themselves as they try to keep the train from going off the rails.
In terms of puzzle games, Unrailed! is all about quick thinking, although people can ease themselves into the experience as there are four levels of difficulty. While the premise might sound simple on the surface, the title can get pretty challenging.
7 KeyWe
Metacritic: 74
A cute co-op game about two kiwis who manage a postal office, KeyWe takes a silly concept and creates a charming campaign that can keep someone entertained for a couple of hours. For more than 30 levels, players will have to work together to ensure packages get to where they need to go, and the developers do a good job of shaking up the formula to ensure things remain interesting.
KeyWe's puzzles are not extremely difficult, but they are not braindead either and complement co-op well. While solo runs are possible, they are not the ideal way to experience this delightful little title.
6 Shift Happens
Metacritic: 69
Meant for two people, Shift Happens is a game with four stages and plenty of puzzles to solve. While players can work together, the game also lets you stab each other in the back if fancied. After all, friends sometimes love to mess with each other.
Although Shift Happens has a cute, minimalist design, the levels do get more complex as the campaign progresses. For a group of friends who are looking for a compelling narrative though, this game may not be for them.
5 Knights And Bikes
Metacritic: 83
If someone wants a co-op puzzle game that follows a story with interesting characters, Knights and Bikes is the title for them. Players take on the role of childhood friends, Nessa and Demelza, as they explore an ancient island. They also have a pet goose named Captain Honkers.
The characters have different skills that are required for the various puzzles in the game. Besides the puzzles and story, there are fun little bits like customizing your bike. There is also a single-player mode where the player can team up with an AI.
4 Human: Fall Flat
Metacritic: 73
Lovers of funky physics would get a kick out of Human: Fall Flat. One to eight players can play, and there are multiple solutions to the puzzles. Due to the physics as well as having the ability to mess with other players, the game can get a lot of laughs. Human: Fall Flat is one of those multiplayer games that gets more chaotic and fun as more players join in.
With no real narrative to speak of, the game drops players into fairly open levels and gives them small hints on how to overcome the area's puzzles.
3 Tick Tock: A Tale For Two
Metacritic: N/A
As the title describes, this game is for two players. The players can be remote or local, but they do need to be able to talk to each other. Story-wise, Tick Tock: A Tale For Two took some inspiration from Scandinavian fairy tales. The players are trapped in an eerie world that was created by a clockmaker, and they have to solve various puzzles to escape.
Tick Tock: A Tale For Two sets itself apart by walking the line between single-player and multiplayer. Two people need to own the game on separate hardware and then start a campaign. They will need to work together to complete their playthroughs, but Tick Tock does not provide any way for them to communicate. Consequently, they will need to arrange their system.
2 We Were Here Forever
Metacritic: 81
What makes We Were Here stand out from other puzzle co-op games is that the players are separated, although their collective goal is to escape a castle (although We Were Here Forever expands on that setting). What connects the two players is just a walkie-talkie and the need to help each other out with the clues they find in the abandoned castle they are trapped in.
All the franchise's games are a blast to play through, but We Were Here Forever is the most recent and arguably the most polished of the bunch. That said, its predecessors are also very good.
1 Ibb & Obb
Metacritic: 83
Unlike some co-op puzzle games, Ibb & Obb does not have single-player as an option; therefore, it is co-op or nothing. All puzzles in this game are based on gravity.
While there are 15 levels to complete, players also have secret levels to find. Fans of this game don't just enjoy the cute graphics, co-op, and puzzles, but love it for the music. Kick back with a friend, and solve some puzzles together to these relaxing electronic tunes by Kettel.