New & Updated: Best Co-Op Games to Try in 2025

Top Picks for Casual Gamers

Looking for fun and engaging cooperative puzzle games to enjoy with friends or family? 2024 has brought a fantastic selection of titles that emphasize teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. Whether you’re into video games or board games, there’s something for every casual gamer. 

1. Split Fiction

Split Fiction is the latest co-op adventure from Hazelight Studios, renowned for their previous titles It Takes Two and A Way Out. Released on March 6, 2025, it’s available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version launching on June 5, 2025 . 

In Split Fiction, you and a partner play as Mio and Zoe, two writers—one specializing in sci-fi, the other in fantasy—who become trapped inside a simulation of their own stories after a corporate experiment goes awry. The game alternates between their imaginative worlds, offering a blend of sci-fi and fantasy settings. Each level introduces unique mechanics and challenges, such as riding dragons, controlling spherical robots, and engaging in dance battles.

Designed exclusively for two players, Split Fiction supports both local and online co-op. It features cross-play across all platforms and includes a “Friend’s Pass,” allowing a friend to join your game for free, even if they don’t own a copy.

🌟 Reception & Accolades

The game has received critical acclaim, with Metacritic scores ranging from 90 to 93 across platforms . It sold over 2 million copies within its first week . Split Fiction is considered a strong contender for Game of the Year 2025 . 

🎬 Upcoming Film Adaptation

A film adaptation is currently in development, directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) with a screenplay by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Deadpool). Actress Sydney Sweeney is set to star and serve as an executive producer.

2. Chained Together

Chained Together is a co-op 3D platformer developed by Anegar Games and released on June 19, 2024. In this game, up to four players are literally chained together and must coordinate their movements to climb out of hell. The game offers various difficulty modes, including a challenging “Lava” mode where players must ascend quickly to avoid rising lava. It has been praised for its unique mechanics and cooperative gameplay, drawing comparisons to titles like Getting Over It and Only Up!

Now is available on Windows via Steam. There have been reports of similar games with different titles on other platforms, but these are not official releases from Anegar Games .

📱 Mobile Versions Overview

On the Google Play Store, Chained Together is offered by Arcadia Global. This version is a single-player parkour-style game where players ascend from the depths of hell, navigating various obstacles. It has garnered over 500,000 downloads but holds a modest rating of 3.3 stars. Users have reported issues such as intrusive ads, subpar graphics, and lack of multiplayer functionality. 

For iOS users, Chained Togather: Hell Escape is available, developed by Big Kid Gaming Studio. Similar to its Android counterpart, this version offers a solo climbing experience with puzzle elements. It has a 3.5-star rating, with feedback highlighting frequent ads and gameplay that doesn’t match the original PC version’s quality.

3. Pico Park 2

PICO PARK 2 is the official sequel to the original co-op puzzle game PICO PARK. Developed by TECOPARK, it was released for Nintendo Switch on August 27, 2024, and for Windows PC and Xbox consoles on September 12, 2024 .

🎮 What’s New in PICO PARK 2 ?

PICO PARK 2 builds upon the cooperative gameplay of its predecessor, supporting 2 to 8 players both locally and online. The game features cross-platform play across Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Xbox, allowing friends to connect regardless of their platform .

The game introduces four distinct modes:

• WORLD: A series of 60 levels with puzzles that adapt to the number of players.

• ENDLESS: A co-op score attack mode.

• BATTLE: A competitive mode featuring mini-games.

• DARK: A challenging mode with unexpected twists .

Additionally, players can customize their characters with various hats, adding a fun visual element to the gameplay.

🌟 Reception & Accolades

The game has received positive reviews for its engaging co-op mechanics and accessibility, making it suitable for players of all ages 

🛒 Where to Get It?

• Nintendo Switch: Available via the Nintendo eShop .

• Steam (PC): Available on the Steam store .

• Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S: Available through the Microsoft Store . 

4. Islands of Insight

Islands of Insight is a unique puzzle-adventure game developed by Lunarch Studios and published by Behaviour Interactive. Released on February 13, 2024, for Windows PC via Steam, the game immerses players in a serene, open-world environment filled with over 10,000 handcrafted puzzles spread across five distinct biomes.

In Islands of Insight, you assume the role of a Seeker exploring a vast realm of floating islands. The game offers a variety of puzzle types, including logic grids, perspective challenges, hidden object hunts, and environmental puzzles. Players can navigate the world in either first or third person, gliding between islands and uncovering secrets at their own pace.

Progression is achieved by solving puzzles, which grants Mastery in specific puzzle types, experience points, and Sparks—used to unlock new abilities and cosmetic items. The game also features Enclaves, areas housing curated puzzle challenges that, when completed, unlock new regions and puzzle types.

🌟 Reception & Accolades

The game received generally favorable reviews, praised for its vast array of puzzles and tranquil atmosphere. Critics highlighted the game’s ability to provide a relaxing yet mentally stimulating experience, though some noted that the narrative elements were minimal. 

For puzzle enthusiasts seeking a meditative and expansive puzzle-solving journey, Islands of Insight offers a rich and engaging experience.

5. Bread & Fred

Bread & Fred is a cooperative 2D platformer developed by SandCastles Studio and published by Apogee Entertainment. Released on May 23, 2023, for PC and on May 24, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, the game features two penguins, Bread and Fred, who are tethered together by a rope as they attempt to climb a snowy mountain.

Bread & Fred is a cooperative 2D platformer developed by SandCastles Studio and published by Apogee Entertainment. Released on May 23, 2023, for PC and on May 24, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, the game features two penguins, Bread and Fred, who are tethered together by a rope as they attempt to climb a snowy mountain.

🎮 Game Modes and Features

• Co-op Mode: Play locally or via Remote Play with a friend, navigating the mountain together.

• Single-Player Mode: Control a penguin tethered to Jeff the rock, tackling the climb solo.

• Assist Options: Features like setting checkpoints and infinite jumps are available to ease the difficulty.

• Speedrun Mode: For those seeking an extra challenge, compete for the fastest ascent.

🛒 Where to Get It?

• Steam: Available on the Steam store .

• Nintendo eShop: Available for Nintendo Switch users

If you’re all about playing games that are more fun with friends than alone, these are some really great co-op games released out in 2024.  Happy gaming!