2025 has been a pretty great year for co-op games so far, but among all the smash hits, Split Fiction is widely considered to be a step above the rest. The iconic Hazelight split-screen action looks better than ever, and the game is delivered in every way possible, from visuals to storytelling to cooperative interactions that actually felt meaningful and not forced.
But the gaming world is just getting started, as there are many co-op games on the horizon with equally compelling worlds and inviting co-op mechanics that bring players closer together than ever. For players who love to enjoy their games with someone else, the future is shaping up to be full of impressive titles for couples, friends, and small groups to get excited for.
Lego Voyagers
Just Two Humble Little Blocks
LEGO is easily one of the world’s most recognizable brands, so when a cute co-op game was announced using the same blocky charm, players across the globe jumped with glee. Voyagers lets players take control of two tiny LEGO pieces as they adventure across the land to rescue an abandoned spaceship.
The puzzles look creative yet accessible, and players are given all the freedom in the world to explore the areas at their own pace. It might not have the same intensity as Split Fiction, but it has just as much power to bring people together and enjoy a calming journey with more than a few surprises.
Haunted Paws
Truly Man’s Best Friend
Haunted Paws offers a lighthearted spin on cooperative gameplay by casting players as dogs exploring a spooky yet childish world. Together, players solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and overcome obstacles using their canine abilities, which help them ward off spirits and save humans in need.
Its charming aesthetic and accessible mechanics make it an approachable experience for all ages. By combining cooperative problem-solving with endearing characters, the game stands out as both whimsical and engaging, thriving on creativity and the joy of a shared experience.
Stage Fright
Silly Split Screen Action
Stage Fright looks to take the split-screen concept and work in more puzzles, more communication, and more scares for players to deal with. The game comes from the creators of Overcooked, so players can expect the same level of chaos and insanity, just in a more problem-solving-oriented setting that requires a similar degree of teamwork.
What could really send the game into another realm in terms of popularity is how the game is presented to the player. Environments can be split into two, both with drastically different themes and structures, and players need to work together to figure out how to progress through the mind-bending pathways that cross into the realm of absurdity at times.
Little Nightmares III
Continuing The Dark Nightmare
Little Nightmares 3 continues the shrunken journey into darkness and despair, only this time, the perils can be experienced together. The game has the same gloomy atmosphere as the previous titles, but by adding a cooperative element, the puzzles and escapes feel more rewarding and perhaps even challenging.
It really thrives on atmosphere, as at its core, it is simply a sidescrolling adventure, but below the surface, it is a deeply unsettling exploration of the human psyche. With such a beloved franchise on its back, it has the potential to make some serious waves in the gaming world, both in the co-op genre and the horror.
Escape Simulator 2
Even More Devious Than Before
Escape Simulator 2 builds on the success of its predecessor by offering new, intricate escape room challenges to test even the smartest gamers. Designed from the ground up for cooperative play, it tasks players with solving puzzles through communication, observation, and creative thinking, at times requiring a great deal of imagination.
Its replayability is amplified by player-created content, allowing for endless new challenges and opportunities for craft puzzle masters to show off their skills. The emphasis on teamwork ensures that no two groups will approach problems in the same way, making it a highly social experience that has the potential to become the next big name in co-op gaming.
VISK
Haunting Environments With More At Play Than Meets The Eye
- Release Date: 2025
- Developer: Orionis Productions
Visk takes away any feelings of safety and transports players to a misty island with little guidance or direction to help them. Players must work together to gather clues and uncover the mysteries lying in the abandoned town, all whilst dealing with the feeling of being watched by an unknown presence.
The reason it has a good chance of taking off is the level of attention and care that has been put into every aspect of the design. It is an atmosphere-first experience that truly removes players from any realm of comfort, replacing it with feelings of doubt and dread, where the only way forward is together.
Reanimal
Unsettling Giants And Groteqsue Creatures All Around
Reanimal comes from the same devious minds that created Little Nightmares, only this time, the tension and horrors are being dialed to eleven. The game is all about claustrophobia, and the shared camera space reflects that, as both players must share a single, cramped perspective while solving problems and avoiding the giants that await.
In a similar way to its spiritual predecessors, Reanimal is taking simplistic 2.5D action and creating an immensely stressful experience that requires timing and precision at all times. With such a unique concept and a team with established success, there is no doubt that the game will shake things up in the co-op space in a big way.
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