Co-op games are perfect for spending a nice time with your friends and family or even with complete strangers. However, with the games on this list, you should be careful about who you play with. Because they can certainly test a good relationship.
What kind of list is this? In this list, you will find co-op games that can be just as dangerous as they are fun. Due to their concept or simply because they are very difficult, these games can surely put a few friendships to the test.
Bread and Fred
Developer: SandCastles Studio | Genre: Jump’n’Run | Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch | Release: May 23, 2023 | Players: 1-2
What to expect: In the Jump’n’Run game Bread and Fred, you have to prove that you can work well together. You control the little penguins Bread and Fred, who are tethered together by a rope.
This way, you find your way through a snowy and icy landscape. For example, you must overcome large chasms by swinging one of you back and forth on the rope, letting go at the right time to use the lift force.
You should therefore only play Bread and Fred with good friends, because one small mistake can mean that you land right back at the beginning of your ascent. This can be quite frustrating after the fifth time and can test some friendships.
Moving Out 1&2
Developer: SMG Studio, Devm Games | Genre: Party Game, Simulation | Platform: PC, PS4/PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox | Release: April 28, 2020 | Players: 1-4
What to expect: In this party game, you work for the moving company Smooth Moves. Your task is to take care of moving tasks all over town.
Together, you pack up furniture and boxes from various houses into your large transporter. This sounds easier than it is, as the trailer already shows. Because you have to carefully consider how to get, for example, a large sofa out of the house.
It can definitely happen that a few windows and doors break, but that way the job gets done faster.
Moving Out made it onto this list because you as a team naturally have to figure out how to get the sometimes bulky furniture through the narrow spaces. This can lead to longer discussions.
Heave Ho
Developer: Le Cartel Studio | Genre: Jump’n’Run | Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch | Release: August 29, 2019 | Players: 1-4
What to expect: In Heave Ho, you play a little character that consists only of a head and quite long arms. With your team, you try to reach the goal together from a starting point on different maps.
You can only hold on with your hands, swing back and forth, and fly a little through the lift force. And that’s where your teammates come into play. Because you can also hold on to each other and thus cover much longer distances.
In Heave Ho, you should definitely be able to rely on each other. Because some jumps should only be attempted if you are sure that your friend will catch you on the other end. Otherwise, you face the abyss and the lonely new start at the starting point.
Heave Ho can therefore lead to some discussions and swearing. Because if just one person makes a small mistake, it can ruin the entire level.
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
Developer: | Genre: | Platform: | Release: | Players:
What to expect: In this game, it is definitely an advantage if you really know each other well and can best understand each other blindly.
Because here it’s your job to defuse a bomb before it blows up in your faces. The tricky part is that only one of you can handle it and see the mechanics of the bomb. All others have the instructions for defusing.
So you need to work together quickly and safely. A wrong instruction or agreement could mean the end of the whole group.
Ultimate Chicken Horse
Developer: Clever Endeavour Games | Genre: Jump’n’Run, Party Game | Platform: PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox | Release: March 4, 2016 | Players: 1-4
What to expect: In Ultimate Chicken Horse, you try to be the first to reach the goal by running and jumping. What’s special about it? You build the level yourself.
Before each round, you can choose between platforms, lifts, or similar items. However, there are also some traps involved. Because it’s not only about reaching the goal, but also preventing your fellow players from doing so.
Just make sure not to jump into your own built traps, because they can catch you just as well, and then it means: Unfortunately, no points for you this round. Another twist is that you only get points if your level is not too easy.
Sometimes in Ultimate Chicken Horse, you should also cooperate, for example, if you want to knock the leading player off their throne.
Ultimate Chicken Horse can be really frustrating for a friendship when you make each other’s lives hell with nasty traps. Ignoring the “evil” intentions of your friends is probably only possible if you truly like each other.
Cuphead
Developer: Studio MDHR | Genre: Jump’n’Run, Run and Gun | Platform: PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox | Release: September 29, 2017 | Players: 1-2
What to expect: Cuphead is a Jump’n’Run game that offers you classic shooter action and focuses on boss fights.
In addition to pretty challenging gameplay, the game stands out mainly because of its graphics. These are inspired by classic cartoons from the 1930s. Cuphead was created using similar techniques from that time and impresses with hand-drawn animations and atmospheric jazz recordings.
You should ideally only play the co-op mode of Cuphead with really good friends. Because even if you don’t want to make each other’s lives difficult here, the game itself is so challenging that swearing is programmed.
Overcooked 1&2
Developer: Ghost Town Games, Team 17 | Genre: Simulation | Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/PS5, Xbox | Release: August 7, 2018 | Players: 1-4
What to expect: In Overcooked and its sequel, you control a little chef through various kitchens. In these, you try to prepare meals and work through your orders while adhering to a time limit.
In the different kitchens, obstacles and dangers await you, which do not make this job easier. In co-op mode, it can get quite hectic in the kitchen with up to four players in a team.
There is also a competitive multiplayer option. Here, two teams must compete against each other and collect as many points as possible in a set time. Especially in this mode, you must be able to rely on your colleagues.
In Overcooked, it’s important to work together as a team and to sometimes forgive your friends for a silly mistake.
Which co-op games do you only play with your really good friends? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
