Gaming

What are the best games for a couple to play co-op on laptops?

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Portal 2 vs Terraria vs Don't Starve Together

 vs Stardew Valley vs Starbound vs Divinity: Original Sin - Enhanced Edition vs The Escapists 2 vs Divinity: Original Sin - Enhanced Edition vs ArcMaze

Specs

Steam Rating

Overwhelmingly Positive

Genre

-

Co-Op

-

Platforms

-

Controller Support

-

Multi-Player

-

Steam Rating

-

Genre

2D platformer / Minecraft-like

Co-Op

8 Player Online / 8 Player LAN

Platforms

Windows, Mac, Xbox 360/One, PS3, PS4, Nintendo 3DS, Switch, iOS, Android

Controller Support

Android (MOGA / HID), Steam (Full)

Multi-Player

Local WiFi/Servers

Steam Rating

-

Genre

Roguelike, Survival, Horror

Co-Op

2-4 Player Local

Platforms

PS 4, Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, Switch

Controller Support

-

Multi-Player

-

Steam Rating

-

Genre

Farming Simulation, Role-Playing

Co-Op

Online and Local, up to 4 players

Platforms

Windows, OS X, Linux, PS 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS Vita, Android

Controller Support

-

Multi-Player

-

Steam Rating

Very Positive

Genre

Survival

Co-Op

Online Co-Op/PvP

Platforms

-

Controller Support

-

Multi-Player

-

Steam Rating

-

Genre

Dungeon Crawler RPG

Co-Op

2 Player Local / Online

Platforms

Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One

Controller Support

-

Multi-Player

-

Steam Rating

-

Genre

Sandbox, Role-Playing, Strategy, Simulation

Co-Op

4 Player Online / 2 Player Local

Platforms

Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Linux, Mac

Controller Support

-

Multi-Player

-

Steam Rating

-

Genre

Dungeon Crawler RPG

Co-Op

2 Player Local / Online

Platforms

Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One

Controller Support

-

Multi-Player

-

Steam Rating

-

Genre

-

Co-Op

-

Platforms

-

Controller Support

-

Multi-Player

-

Pros + Cons

Pro
 Well implemented tools that improve teamwork

In a game that requires perfect timing and teamwork, Portal 2 features many tools to facilitate said teamwork. One of the most helpful tools is a 3-second countdown timer that players can use to coordinate their actions – e.g., to ensure that you launch a portal or jump at the perfect time. There is also a marker that you can place on certain objects for your teammate to see, as well as a setting that shows your partner's view superimposed on the corner of your screen.
Comment

Pro
 Co-op does not punish when you want to goof off with or troll the other player

While Portal 2 requires focus and logic, it does not punish players for causing a bit of mischief. The instant respawn system means trolling your friend will affect almost nothing in the game, as there are no in-game setbacks when you die. Being able to stop at any point in the game to just goof around is great for releasing some steam, even when it is at the expense of your co-op partner.
Comment

Pro
 Versatile selection of co-op multiplayer

It’s possible to play a multiplayer game for free online using the Steam servers, as well as locally on your machine using split-screen (the second player must use a gamepad controller if playing locally). This keeps the multiplayer options versatile to any players needs.
Comment

Pro
 Challenging puzzles that require creative thinking

The game challenges your brain to use portals, cubes and other mechanics in order to solve simple and complex puzzles in interesting ways. Trying to figure out the best placement of entrance and exit portals in order to gain access to (perceived) inaccessible places takes a lot of thought, especially in the later game.
Comment

Pro
 Cross-platform co-op

As long as both players have a Steam account, the co-op is able to be played even if one user is playing on the PS3 while the other is on a PC.
Comment

Pro
 Witty and funny character driven story

Four major characters drive the single player campaign, and they are amazing. Three of which have explosive personalities, bring humor, suspense, sadness, and empathy. The other being Chell, who doesn’t speak but her interactions with the rest of the cast make her all the more mysterious and interesting. Most of the time you don’t even see or directly interact with the characters, but that just shows how great they are.
Comment

Pro
 Entertaining and well delivered voice acting

Voice acting for Wheatley the robot is done by Stephen Merchant (Extras, The Office UK, Life's Too Short) in humorous fashion. His delivery is well executed on all dialogue. On top of this specific experience, the rest of the voice acting of every other character in the game is performed just as well, in part due to the fact that the dialogue was written in a smart and entertaining fashion. This makes for a top quality listening experience that shows a lot of care was taken with the voice acting of the game.
Comment

Pro
 Huge selection of user-generated content that should appeal to any use-case

The game has more than 60,000 co-op puzzles created by users through the Steam Workshop and through mods. Because it is user-generated content, the quality and size of these puzzles vary widely, including everything from simple, one-off chambers to full-fledged expansions with high-quality stories, voice-overs, and new gameplay elements (for example, Mel). By having such a selection of content, there should be something that appeals to just about anything someone is looking for.
Comment

Pro
 Creates a sense of accomplishment through a high level of teamwork

Co-op multiplayer offers a completely different set of puzzles from the single-player campaign, which keeps things fresh for those that finished the single player campaign. Almost all co-op puzzles require a high level of teamwork, creating a great sense of accomplishment for the players working together.
Comment

Con
 Steep co-op learning curve

Although the single-player campaign features a gradual learning curve, co-op offers no mercy. The puzzles start off hard and only get harder. It’s highly recommended that you play through single-player first if you are not familiar with Portal's mechanics.
Comment

Pro
 Rewarding progression system that hinges on your own collecting and crafting abilities

The vast majority of items in Terraria can be used to create other items, often requiring specific crafting stations (which themselves must be crafted). This is the core of character advancement, since gear defines nearly everything about your character. The better ones gear is, the longer they can survive, thus rewarding the players who work the hardest at it. This is also added incentive for playing with a partner or a friend!
Comment

Pro
 Playing with groups of friends allows for endless scenarios of building and destruction

Up to 8 players can join a shared Terraria world, including the worlds that are used in single-player mode. This allows for large co-op or PvP games. Build something big together, or destroy the other guy’s base. The scenarios are endless.
Comment

Pro
 Contrasting bright and happy graphics against the suspenseful survival gameplay makes for a game creates a feeling of urgency

Instead of building a deliberate feeling of suspense, Terraria uses bright palettes and arcade action to provide a fun experience outside of the survival elements. When those elements gradually appear one by one, each is all the more shocking, This contrast makes for an ever growing sense of urgency in the game, in order to craft a safe space as well as weapons to protect oneself.
Comment

Pro
 Allows for freedom of expression for all ages, all at your own pacing

The game has all kinds of tools and materials that you can acquire and use to build whatever you can imagine. From housing, furniture, weapons, to any type of structure, the possibilities are almost endless. Which is great for children who enjoy building and problem solving – and for adults who enjoy the same. It also makes for a great objective-less game, where you can do just about anything you want at your own pace.
Comment

Pro
 Find servers, tutorials, and streams within minutes online

Terraria has a very large community of players on just about every platform including mobile, desktop, and console. With many players come many servers to play on, as well as tutorials and Let's Plays. Finding content or help getting started will be quite easy.
Comment

Con
 Gameplay can feel slow

There is little to show progress in the game other than gaining items and building structures. Progress can seem to take a long time because you have to collect every item needed to craft the necessary tools, equipment, and materials to advance.
Comment

Con
 No tutorial and unintuitive menus

There is no tutorial to speak of and the menu system can be a bit cumbersome and confusing.
Comment

Pro
 Fun crafting system

You need to learn how to craft a variety of things, from farms to ensure a steady supply of food to items like weapons and armor so you can survive the various evils you encounter while exploring. The crafting system has a lot of depth to it and there are hundreds and hundreds of things to make.
Comment

Pro
 Lots of replayability

With randomly generated (customizable) levels, different characters, ever-unfolding story elements, and permadeath, the game offers a lot of variety within the goal of constantly striving to survive longer.
Comment

Pro
 Pleasantly twisted sense of humor

Random quips from characters, infotext and the world itself (such as the existence of werepigs) show glimpses of a dark sense of humor throughout.
Comment

Pro
 Very active modding community with numerous mods available

Using the Steam Workshop, Don't Starve has a very active modding community. With nearly 800 mods currently available, there are unlimited ways you can change your Don't Starve experience.
Comment

Pro
 Easy to get started but has a lot of depth

The game starts out easy, with very little in terms of mechanics, and the single objective of not starving. Then, over time, new mechanics are introduced as you explore more of the game world. The game provides very little guidance, leaving players to figure out how things work for themselves. In addition to game mechanics, even goals and story elements are unveiled organically over time.
Comment

Con
 It can be quite a grind

The game requires quite a lot of grinding in order to gather materials that can be used to craft needed items. It is a slow process that may get repetitive as it will have to be repeated any time the player dies.
Comment

Con
 Constant restarts can be drawn out and boring

The beginning of a playthrough starts out pretty slow, which is exacerbated by the fact that the player will need to restart many many times as the game is a rouguelike, so permanent death is something that will be encountered often.
Comment

Pro
 Very fulfilling to play

Stardew Valley is a very simple game where you're free to do anything and everything at your own pace. This includes building your farm, planting and harvesting crops, and exploring the world among many other things. It will feel enjoyable no matter how fast or slow you do it. This coupled with the colorful/pleasing art style and the great soundtrack makes it an extremely pleasing experience.
Comment

Pro
 A great mix of genres

While Stardew Valley is primarily a farming simulator, it also has social interaction elements and combat elements. The social interaction elements allow you to interact with people around the town. You can befriend them, get quests from them, hang out with them, and even find a significant other to go out with and eventually marry. It can be very addictive to max out your relationship with everyone. The combat elements are introduced when you unlock the dungeon, allowing you to battle creatures such as slimes, golems, and even mummies. While the combat is pretty simple, having you just swing your weapon, it's very satisfying to whack away at enemies. If farming ever starts feeling stale you can try either of these to mix it up, allowing you to keep the game fresh for a longer time.
Comment

Pro
 Great freedom in designing your farm

When creating your own farm you aren't just limited to plowing fields for planting crops. You can also dig wells, put down fences, and even build various structures such as barns or stables. This allows you to build a farm that firmly matches your goals and sense of aesthetics.
Comment

Pro
 Incredibly deep gameplay

The exploration, crafting and combat are all both very polished and deep in terms of what you can do, especially compared to other games in the genre. This makes the sandbox very fun to play in as you're never really stuck doing the same thing over and over.
Comment

Pro
 Delightfully challenging

Starbound is unlike most games in this genre, in that from the very beginning it has a decent level of difficulty to it, which for a lot of people is a very nice change. The very first enemies you encounter can get the better of you, and materials will take awhile to harvest. Don't expect rapid advancement unless you get very lucky.
Comment

Pro
 The game gets even better with multiplayer

Play with your friends! It makes base-building and exploration much more fun, and you'll also advance to the more impressive craftable items more quickly. Of course it will take a decent level of coordination in order to make the best use of having multiple people work on a single aspect, but that's part of the fun.
Comment

Pro
 There are over a dozen planet types to discover

From temperate jungles to literal oceans of magma, Starbound has a ton of interesting places to discover. Each planet type also has several different biomes, both above and below ground.
Comment

Pro
 You can customize your experience with an extensive crafting system

Starbound's crafting system boasts around 1500 different items (or more). This means a whole lot of things to look through and work towards.
Comment

Pro
 You can unlock new sectors of space to explore by facing several different bosses

By facing the Bosses of Starbound and defeating them, you open up the universe even more. This essentially means that by killing a boss, you increase the diversity of the materials you can obtain, which also increases the customization you can do of your character through new and improved gear.
Comment

Pro
 Informative and well paced tutorials

Starbound allows the player to go at their own pace while completing the tutorials. By the end of the tutorials the player will have the skills and equipment to succeed in the game and have fun doing it.
Comment

Con
 First bit of playing the game can be slow

Initially the player needs to amass enough coal to fuel their ship, which is a bit of a grind.
Comment

Pro
 Gets even better with another player

When you've got another player with you, you can discuss tactics in combat (because of the turn-based combat), what conversation options to choose, you can trade between yourselves and cooperate in many other ways. It's a great game to sit down and play with a partner (or a friend!).
Comment

Pro
 Fully interactive environments

Divinity: Original Sin has an innumerable amount interactions that take place in the game, ranging from NPC interactions to elemental spells that can douse fires, to a cornucopia of items that can be stolen. Most actions in the game can have consequences as well, from lower ranking in a town when thieving to much to full on guard battles. There is often a price to pay for behaving badly and getting caught.
Comment

Pro
 Moral choices affect gameplay

Users will be confronted with moral choices they need to make when on quests, these choices will effect parts of the game depending on what they choose, making for a realistic and immersive environment.
Comment

Pro
 Incredible amount of game content

Divinity: Original Sin offers upwards of 100 hours of gameplay.
Comment

Con
 Mechanics take a lot of trial and error

There is a basic tutorial, but it is very limited and does not explain some of the finer aspects of the game. Much of the title relies on using spells, in and out of combat. Want to get into a locked door, you can burn it down. Want to save a burning ship, cast a rain spell over it. While this may seem like an intuitive mechanic, it does take a bit to get used to it and and solve situations through this manner as none of this is explained as to being able to be done.
Comment

Con
 Building a working party may take several tries

Depending on what one want to achieve in the game with their party and what jobs and powers they want each to have it may take several restarts in order to get a good balance. This will take time and can be an inconvenience as none of this is spelled out in the game whatsoever.
Comment

Pro
 Dungeon crawler

The dungeon crawler game is dark, mysterious and full of surprises.
Comment

Pro
 Huge fantasy world

It's nice to play the game for a long time and explore the world.
Comment

Pro
 Browser-based

3D game without installing.
Comment

Pro
 Free-to-play

Comment

Pro
 First person 3D game

Comment

Pro
 Multiplayer game

It is fun to play with other people and find friends.
Comment
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