Best Co-Op Games After It Takes Two
If you just finished It Takes Two and want that same mix of teamwork, humor, and varied gameplay, the top pick is Unravel Two. It delivers the same two-player-only design with clever puzzle-platforming, a touching story, and a much more relaxed pace, making it the easiest and most satisfying next step.
What to Look For
Not every co-op game scratches the same itch as It Takes Two. Focus on these criteria when picking your next title:
- True co-op design: The game must require both players, not just allow a second player to tag along. Look for mechanics that force coordination, like shared abilities or complementary roles.
- Variety of gameplay: It Takes Two changes mechanics every level. Games that mix platforming, puzzles, combat, and mini-games keep the experience fresh.
- Story and tone: A compelling narrative or a lighthearted tone helps maintain engagement. Some games are pure gameplay, which is fine, but story-driven co-op feels closer to the It Takes Two experience.
- Accessibility: Difficulty spikes can frustrate casual players. Look for adjustable difficulty, checkpoints, or forgiving mechanics.
- Local or online: Decide whether you’ll play on the same couch or remotely. Some games support both, others only one.
Unravel Two
Strengths: This is the closest spiritual successor in terms of cooperative puzzle-platforming. You control two yarn characters connected by a thread, which creates constant coordination. The puzzles are clever but not punishing, and the visual storytelling is beautiful and emotional. It also has a local co-op mode and a relaxed difficulty curve.
Trade-offs: The story is told without dialogue, which may feel less engaging than the cinematic cutscenes of It Takes Two. The game is shorter (around 5-6 hours) and has no combat, so if you want action, this isn’t it.
Who it suits: Couples or friends who enjoyed the puzzle-platforming and emotional beats of It Takes Two and want a more serene, atmospheric experience.
Portal 2 (Co-op Mode)
Strengths: The co-op campaign is a masterclass in two-player puzzle design. Each player has a portal gun, and solving chambers requires precise communication and timing. The writing is witty and the puzzles scale from easy to brain-bending. It supports both local split-screen and online co-op.
Trade-offs: The game is older (2011) and the graphics show it. The difficulty can spike sharply, especially in later chambers, which might frustrate less experienced players. There’s no story in the co-op mode beyond the humorous test-chamber narrative.
Who it suits: Pairs who love logic puzzles and don’t mind a challenge. If you and your partner enjoy problem-solving and laughing at failure, this is a top choice.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Strengths: This is a massive, accessible co-op adventure with hundreds of characters and levels. The drop-in/drop-out co-op is seamless, and the game is forgiving—dying just costs studs. The humor and collectibles keep completionists busy for dozens of hours.
Trade-offs: The gameplay is much simpler than It Takes Two: mostly combat, light puzzle-solving, and exploration. The story is a condensed retelling of the nine films, so it’s not original. Some players find the combat repetitive.
Who it suits: Families or casual gamers who want a relaxed, fun, and long-lasting co-op experience without any frustration.
A Way Out
Strengths: Made by the same studio as It Takes Two, this is a cinematic co-op action-adventure about two prisoners escaping. It forces cooperation through split-screen, with each player often doing different tasks simultaneously. The story is dramatic and the gameplay includes stealth, driving, and quick-time events.
Trade-offs: The tone is much darker and more serious than It Takes Two. The gameplay is more linear and scripted, with less variety. The ending is divisive—some love it, some hate it. It’s also shorter (around 6 hours).
Who it suits: Players who want a gripping, story-driven experience with high stakes and don’t mind a lack of whimsy.
Overcooked! 2
Strengths: This is the ultimate test of communication and coordination, but in a chaotic, hilarious kitchen. You and your partner must cook, chop, serve, and wash dishes across increasingly absurd kitchens. It’s frantic, funny, and every level is a new puzzle of efficiency. It supports local and online co-op.
Trade-offs: It’s very stressful and can cause arguments (in a fun way, usually). The difficulty ramps up quickly, and some levels require near-perfect execution. There’s no story to speak of.
Who it suits: Pairs who enjoy a high-energy challenge and can laugh under pressure. If you want a relaxing experience, avoid this one.
It Takes Two (Second Playthrough)
Strengths: The game is designed to be replayed. You can swap characters to experience the other half of the abilities, and there are many hidden mini-games and collectibles you missed. If you loved it the first time, playing again with the other player in the other role feels fresh.
Trade-offs: The story is the same, so the emotional impact is reduced. Some levels are less fun when you know the solutions.
Who it suits: Pairs who want more of the exact same experience without buying a new game.
How to Choose
First, set your budget. Unravel Two and A Way Out are often on sale for under $10, while Lego Star Wars and Overcooked! 2 are usually $20-30. Portal 2 is older and cheap. If you want the closest experience to It Takes Two, choose Unravel Two. If you want a similar studio style, pick A Way Out. If you want variety and length, Lego Star Wars offers the most content. For a pure puzzle challenge, Portal 2 is unmatched.
Consider your skill levels. If one player is less experienced, Unravel Two and Lego Star Wars are forgiving. Overcooked! 2 and Portal 2 require more dexterity and logic. Also, decide if you want local or online play: all listed games support both except Unravel Two, which is local only (though you can use Remote Play Together on Steam).
A common trade-off is story vs. gameplay. A Way Out and Unravel Two have emotional narratives; Overcooked! 2 and Portal 2 are pure gameplay. If you want a mix, Lego Star Wars is a good compromise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are any of these games as long as It Takes Two?
No. It Takes Two is about 12-15 hours. The closest in length is Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, which can take 20+ hours to complete the main story and much longer for 100%. The others are 5-8 hours.
Can I play these online with a friend?
Yes, except Unravel Two which is local-only, but you can use Steam Remote Play Together to play online. All others have native online co-op.
Which game is best for a non-gamer partner?
Unravel Two is the most accessible with gentle puzzles and no fail states. Lego Star Wars is also very forgiving. Avoid Overcooked! 2 and Portal 2 for complete beginners.
Do I need two controllers for local co-op?
Yes, for console versions. On PC, you can use one keyboard and one controller, or two controllers.
Is A Way Out as good as It Takes Two?
It’s made by the same developer and shares the split-screen co-op design, but the tone is much darker and the gameplay is more linear. Many players love it, but it’s a different experience.
Can I play these with my kids?
Lego Star Wars and Unravel Two are family-friendly. Portal 2 is fine for older kids (10+) but puzzles are tough. A Way Out is rated M for violence and language, so not for young children. Overcooked! 2 is E-rated but can be stressful.
Bottom Line
If you want the closest thing to It Takes Two, buy Unravel Two—it’s cheap, beautiful, and requires the same kind of cooperation. For a more action-packed story, pick A Way Out. For a long, fun, and easy experience, choose Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. For pure puzzle satisfaction, Portal 2 is a classic. And if you want to test your relationship, Overcooked! 2 is the ultimate co-op test. Any of these will give you hours of shared fun.
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