Co-op has been a staple of gaming for most of the medium's lifespan, although its prominence can fluctuate from time to time. While arguably associated more with PvP games, the PC scene is certainly no stranger to cooperative games, particularly ones that are played online. Local co-op options can be a bit harder to find since the feature is not typically prioritized on platforms like Steam, but they also exist and there are some great titles out there.

When looking for multiplayer games to play with friends, players will likely gravitate either to team-based shooters or MMOs, two genres that have produced more than their fair share of great releases. However, there are plenty of great Steam co-op games that go beyond those categories.

Updated May 1, 2024 by Mark Sammut: April 2024 produced a couple of neat free Steam co-op games, including one title that has been available through other avenues for years.

Co-op games that focus on PvP will be largely ignored. Countr-Strike 2 is an example of an omitted game, although modes like Wingman can satisfy players looking for PvP co-op.

1 Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop

Steam User Rating: 94%

Alien Swarm might just be Valve's most forgotten game, although the 2010 release is by no means bad. In fact, anyone seeking a twin-stick co-op shooter can certainly do worse than this title; however, they should consider jumping into Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop instead of the original game. For one, Reactive Drop is still being updated despite coming out in 2017, which cannot be said for Alien Swarm. Secondly and more importantly, the expansion does exactly what it advertises: improve the base experience.

While not lacking a PvP, Reactive Drop is primarily about co-op. 8 players can take on one of the game's 10+ campaigns, each consisting of a couple of missions. Naturally, the gameplay loop boils down to players going up against wave after wave of enemies while they try to work toward a level's endpoint. Straightforward as this concept is, Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop manages to incorporate quite a bit of nuance through its classes and tactics-driven gameplay. This is not one of those forgiving games that allow players to effectively disregard the rest of the team as they live out their Rambo fantasy; no, teamwork is necessary for survival.

2 We Were Here

Steam User Rating: 90%

Following the same thread as innovative puzzle co-op games like Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes, We Were Here sees two players lost in a frozen wasteland and separated. The only form of communication they have is through their handheld radio devices.

Both players must have working microphones to communicate as they work together through challenging puzzles to reunite. Both players will have an entirely unique gameplay experience. We Were Here is inspired by real-life escape rooms and has three other games in the series if players fancy more thrilling challenges.

3 With You

Steam User Rating: 89%

With You is a wholesome cooperative puzzle-platformer game for just two players to enjoy. Together, the couple must collaborate to solve a series of physics and platforming segments through problem-solving, gentle communication, and jumping on each other.

Short and sweet, with its intentionally wonky controls, With You resolves to improve the bonds and intimacy between the two players and (quite literally) bring them closer together.

4 Muck

Steam User Rating: 93%

Dani's Muck is just an all-around solid free-to-play sandbox game. While not necessarily pushing the genre forward, it does cover the basics well while providing an enjoyable multiplayer experience. Friends can live together on the same server, seeing how long they can survive on a procedurally generated island as they steadily work towards the campaign's endpoint (which does exist). Death is permanent in survival mode, so the stakes are fairly high.

Despite its vibrant and simple visuals, Muck does not pull all that many punches, and it even has a couple of challenging boss fights. Multiplayer helps ease the difficulty somewhat, but it does not make the game a walk in the park either.

5 No More Room In Hell

Steam User Rating: 89%