Best Co-op Games for PS4 (Updated 2020)

1. Overcooked! 2 – PlayStation 4

Overcooked 2 is a hilarious and manic coop cooking simulation game that will push your collaboration skills to their limits.. Like its predecessor, the focus of the game is cooking and preparing various orders in an animated restaurant setting. Players are expected to master nine recipes, all while navigating a series of increasingly absurd restaurants that feature obstacles like moving floors, falling ingredients, and lava.

The sequel to the original, Overcooked!, Overcooked 2 was released in August 2018 and includes all the same gameplay as the original. It also incorporates new interactive levels and customization options, like recipes, restaurant themes, and chef costumes. It also integrates a new “tossing” ability that allows you to throw ingredients to your fellow players as the game unfolds.

Co-op mode is available via a local wireless network or through randomized online matchmaking. The game can be played with up to four players but is at its best with two players; the zany chaos can get a bit out of control the more players that are involved and can become quickly overwhelming. That being said, if you’re more focused on having a blast than actually mastering any of the recipes, throw in as many players as you want. Besides, if communicating for co-op gets to be too overwhelming, you can always turn off the feature and switch on over to competitive mode.

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• Local or wireless co-op
• Randomized online matchmaking available
• Engaging and unique gameplay

2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare – PlayStation 4

Call of Duty is perhaps one of the best-known warfare RPG games around. While it doesn’t exactly revolutionize the typical Call of Duty formula, Modern Warfare does take gameplay up a notch with a focus on high-powered and well-designed gunplay, along with a variety of options for intensive weapon customization in multiplayer modes— customization that can be applied to co-op mode as well. The graphic quality is also bumped up a notch from previous renditions of the game and offers crisp imaging and visually stunning action sequences. Unfortunately, the game (even single-player mode) can’t be downloaded without a steady internet connection, so users without Wi-Fi are out of luck.

The single-player campaign mode definitely received the bulk of the love from game makers, but co-op play is also available in the game’s popular Special Ops mode. Players gather in strike teams to fight battles and execute tactics of war together in unique missions and missions that are revamped versions of single-player battles. There’s also a PS4 exclusive Special Ops: Survival mode where players work together to combat massive teams of increasingly difficult enemies in varied environments.

While the publisher advertises co-op mode as available offline in traditional split-screen format, several players have reported issues with the split-screen/local co-op mode, so proceed at your own risk. The infrastructure of the co-op missions themselves is fine, but it lacks consistency and tends to boot players out of the game. Multiplayer seems to offer more consistency to users, but for those looking for true co-op missions, another warfare game may be a better choice.

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• Multiplayer and co-op modes
• Engaging campaign mode
• Beautiful visuals

3. Apex Legends Bloodhound Edition – PlayStation 4

If you’re looking for a classic Battle Royale game, a la Fornite, Apex Legends is a satisfying, well thought out, graphically polished alternative. Not just a Battle Royale game, Apex Legends also has elements of one-man hero shooter games. It lets you play as eight characters, each with their own individual skill sets and abilities, and all of them highly customizable.

While you can lone wolf it, the game is best played in groups of three— the perfect number for recruiting a reasonable amount of friends to join in with you. If a fellow player goes down, you have to grab their banner, take it to a respawn point and revive them, so you don’t have to try to attempt the rest of the battle down a member.

One of the true highlights of the game is its choice to sidestep a problem that’s plagued Battle Royale games for years: the inability to effectively communicate with your fellow teammates. Between laggy connections, faulty headphones, and a myriad of other glitches, the list of things that can go wrong are seemingly endless. Apex Legends has developed a ping system that dismisses all these challenges and allows you to communicate with your squad almost entirely audio-free. Press a button, and you can communicate to the rest of your squad a location you want to travel to, an item you’ve spotted, a suggestion for a point of interest— basically anything you’d be communicating via audio.

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• Single player or co-op mode available
• Ping system for communication
• Legendary “The Intimidator” Bloodhound skin and “Wrath Bringer” Prowler weapon skin

4. World War Z – PlayStation 4

A member of the plethora of movie-based video games, World War Z puts players in the fairly cliched position of having to fight off hordes of the undead as the world balances on the brink of apocalypse. There’s nothing wrong with this premise, but there’s also nothing here that hasn’t been seen before. It consists of 4 episodes that each consist of multiple chapters. While the premise and gameplay get repetitive fairly quickly, the game does allow for fairly expansive customization of weapons and class systems within each team.

With World War Z, online co-op is available for up to four players, but there are no other co-op formats allowed. This, combined with the lack of split-screen options, makes for a somewhat limiting co-op experience that fails to allow users the chance to fully engage with one another, or with the game itself. And, since the game doesn’t allow for local co-op, it’s entirely dependent on your internet connection and can often lag or crash due to your connectivity problems or those of one of the randomized members of your team.

That’s not to say the game’s a complete failure; the addition of friends makes for some memorable battle moments, and the graphics are often top-notch. And the co-op can be played in five different modes, so there are chances to mix things up a bit. But overall, the game should be taken at face value; a well-illustrated, fairly predictable, occasionally memorable game, with limited co-op options and unlimited hordes of the undead.

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• Online-only co-op (unless you play with AI characters)
• Co-op driven campaign modes
• Incredible and horrifying visuals

5. A Way Out – PlayStation 4

Unlike other co-op games, A Way Out is one of the few games that features a true co-op storyline, intended to be carried by multiple players. Beautifully designed and stunningly executed, the plot focuses on two prisoners, Leo and Vincent, who break out of prison and go on the run from the authorities pursuing them.

Co-op campaign play is available in split-screen mode only, either locally or online. The game is built around two characters, and therefore, limited to only two players. This also means only one copy is required to play the game, so you can have a friend join in even if they haven’t had the chance to purchase a physical copy of the disk. The version your friend downloads will technically be a free trial, so they won’t be able to play the game on their own without you joining them.

With a more cinematic spin than most conventional co-op games, A Way Out is a slow build to a dramatic finale. It’s got far more cut-scenes than most games, but also gives players the ability to move their characters around within the cut-scenes, something most games lack. NPCs within the game will also respond differently to the different characters, so you and your friend can gain different information despite initiating with the same passerby. The gameplay itself is entirely plot-driven and focused on a series of mini-game-esque sequences; while this may be disorienting for players used to more hack-and-slash games, the experience is cumulatively a rewarding one.

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• Co-op available without requiring dual purchases
• 2-player local or online co-op
• Offers a unique adventure

6. Borderlands 3 – Playstation 4

Borderlands 3 has always been a strong co-op contender, but this particular iteration enhances previously available co-op options and continues to prioritize the integration of multiplayer modes. If your priority is high-quality co-op gameplay, you won’t be disappointed.

In terms of premise, the game’s protagonist is you, a Vault Hunter, who is tasked with stopping the evil Calypso Twins from destroying the planet Pandora, and potentially the entire galaxy. When you’re not facing off with the twins, you have to ensure that vault items, scattered across the galaxy, are collected and don’t fall into the wrong hands.

The game’s absurd humor and crassness may appeal to some players but can get grating if they’re not quite your cup of tea. Also, players hoping this new version would dramatically expand the Borderlands universe should prepare for disappointment; despite some minor new additions and aesthetic changes, the galaxy largely remains the same as always.

Still, the game’s wide-ranging co-op modes are about as user friendly as they come. All co-op modes are available at any time during gameplay, regardless of how far you are in your mission or whether you’ve passed a certain checkpoint. Borderlands 3 also doesn’t limit what level players have to be at in order to be paired together, which means you can take some of your less-advanced friends under your wing, or vice versa. Split-screen/local co-op is available for duos of players, though the horizontal screen orientation can make it difficult to follow along with the text at times. Co-op is also available as an online option, with up to four players.

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• Split-screen and local co-op
• Use unique vault hunter abilities
• Discover new worlds with unique environments

7. Rayman Legends – PlayStation 4 Standard Edition

Rayman Legends is a joy of a game that offers diverse challenges and engaging gameplay with a quirkily designed, colorful cast of characters to boot. This new rendition brings together some of the best parts of the Rayman universe and focuses on the best parts of the game: the puzzles, music levels, and sheer ridiculousness of it all.

Rayman and his fellow heroes have been asleep for a century, during which the nightmares have returned and imprisoned the Teensies. The heroes are awakened by–stay with me–Murfy the Greenbottle, who was sent by the Bubble Dreamer to send them out to save the Teensies.

In case that sentence didn’t make it abundantly clear, this is a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously. You’ll get turned into a duck. You’ll watch as your enemies are tickled into submission. You’ll listen to care-free, catchy tunes as you navigate a loveable and zany series of five different worlds. You’ll have a blast.

Co-op campaign play is supported by four players locally, with no options for online co-op. It’s a return to the style of couch co-op that seems increasingly hard to find, and it does not disappoint. You can unscramble puzzles with your fellow players, or complete the musical levels, where your actions on screen create musical responses that supplement the game’s score. The lack of online co-op may be frustrating for players looking to join up with distant friends, but the stellar gameplay more than makes up for it.

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• 4-player co-op
• Compatible with Dualshock controller
• 3D boss battles

8. Minecraft Bedrock for PS4

If you’re looking for simple, old-fashioned, video game co-op fun, Minecraft is your best option. Its easy gameplay and endless options for character exploration and creation have made it classic for all ages. This sandbox RBG game is based on the premise that players construct and destroy blocks in a simple, three dimensional environment. The game is meant to serve as an outlet for the imaginations of its users and offers players vast freedom to explore the world of the game and customize their own experiences. The simple premise and basic graphics can make it easy to miss the sheer complexity and joyfulness of the game’s infrastructure.

Currently, the PS4 version offers split-screen co-op in crossplay mode, where users can both play at home from the same station using separate controllers. Access to the split-screen function requires a screen with an output of at least 720p. HDMI or RGB component cables can be used for optimization to allow users to implement this function. Co-op is also allowed with players on other platforms, like phone, Windows 10, or alternative consoles.

The PS4 version of the game is Bedrock Edition, which was released in December of last year. This new version includes the same basic gameplay as previous editions but adds some improvements to the game itself, including new, exclusive items, changes to the terrain, and enhanced graphics. The game features other enhancements as well, including variant world sizes, increased render distance for enhanced visibility, and support of the DualShock 4 touchpad.

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• Split-Screen and online co-op
• Expansive worldbuilding
• Open-world experience

9. Destiny 2: Forsaken – Legendary Collection – PlayStation 4

A classic active shooter game, Destiny 2: Forsaken offers satisfying gunplay and thoroughly enjoyable co-op experience. Set in the solar system in a sci-fi future, Destiny 2 offers massive improvements over the initial sequel to the game, which struggled to please fans with clunky gameplay and limited options and wildly increases the options available for weapons customization.

The chief focus of the game is defeating Guardians and completing various missions. While engaging gameplay is more of a highlight than complex storytelling, the game does offer an epic twist at the end of the campaign sure to satisfy players. Plus, this edition comes with two expansion packs for gameplay, so you’ve got four stories total to try to explore.

When it comes to investment, Destiny 2 is a game you can pick up, play for one night with pals, and then leave until the next week. Some players have reported that the first mission has to be played solo, but after that, you’re free to add other players for online co-op. If you choose to max out your capacity with five other players, you can tackle Raids or the Menagerie together. Smaller numbers (up to 2 friends) are supported for more expansive gameplay, like Story missions, Strikes, Patrol Zones, and Black army forges. Split the difference with four players, and you can play the Reckoning and attempt to garner Gambit Prime weapons and armor.

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• 104 GB hard drive required
• Four available story modes
• Expanisive collection of weapons

10. Diablo III Eternal Collection (PS4)

Diablo III is an action/adventure RPG set in the dark fantasy world of Sanctuary. Over the course of four acts, the game’s protagonist must defeat the forces of evil that threaten Sanctuary, navigating ominous prophecies, dark cults, and demon lords.

Unlike its predecessor, Diablo II, which allowed up to eight players in a single co-op game, this third edition only allows up to four. While this is still a respectable number, the gameplay isn’t as enjoyable as it was when more players were allowed to join in. Co-op mode also raises the stakes of gameplay by increasing the difficulty of the enemies you and your partner(s) face. It also increases the amount and value of coins and items your enemies will leave behind. Co-op can be enabled in either campaign or adventure mode, so it’s up to you which you choose. If you choose local co-op and play with a partner or roommate, split-screen is unfortunately not available, so you’re bound by the limitations of your partner when it comes to speed and navigation.

Just like the main game itself, some co-op features require constant DRM and will kick you out of the game if you experience any major glitches or lags—- a significant point of frustration for any players who might not have access to a steady streaming connection.

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• Includes three variant Diablo content packs
• DRM reliant co-op
• Includes hardcore mode