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. Hannah Dillon is a Technology Writer and Editor at wikiHow. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from North Dakota State University in 2013 and has since worked in the video game industry as well as a few newspapers. From a young age Hannah has cultivated a love for writing and technology, and hopes to use these passions in tandem to help others in the articles she writes for wikiHow.
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Hazelight Studios' 2021 game It Takes Two was a huge success—both critics and players loved the gameplay and the storytelling. But after you've finished It Takes Two, you might be wondering if there are other games like it. Sadly, there aren't many games exactly like It Takes Two, but in this article, we go over 30 co-op games you can play that have similarities to It Takes Two, either in gameplay, style, narrative, or just how fun they are.
Top 5 Games Like It Takes Two
- Split Fiction
- A Way Out
- Grounded
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure
- Unravel 2
Steps
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Split Fiction is probably the best game to play next if you liked It Takes Two. Split Fiction is the newest game by It Takes Two's developer, Hazelight Studios. It follows two writers who team up to stop a corporation from stealing their ideas, all while traversing through (and solving puzzles in) virtual worlds based on their fantastical ideas. [1] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Platformer, action-adventure
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A Way Out is Hazelight's first game, released before It Takes Two. While A Way Out is also a co-op game, it's not super similar to It Takes Two, so you'll be treated to an entirely new gaming experience. A Way Out focuses on two convicts who are trying to plan a prison break—already a stark tone shift from the premise of It Takes Two. [2] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Genre(s): Action-adventure
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One aspect of It Takes Two that we haven't discussed is how the two main characters are shrunk down in size. While it might seem obvious why this hasn't been touched on yet, we find a similar thread in Grounded, a game where you and your friends must survive in your own backyard when being shrunk down to a minuscule size. While this game is a survival game and doesn't involve puzzles like It Takes Two, it has some of the same beats and requires teamwork to get the job done. [3] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Survival
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Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a spinoff of the LittleBigPlanet series. While this platformer was designed as a solo-player experience, it's still a whole lot of fun to play co-op—and the game even features some optional (but very enjoyable) co-op exclusive levels. It also has a similar aesthetic to It Takes Two, if that's something that you really enjoyed. [4] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation
- Genre(s): Platformer
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If you're looking for another whimsical game with puzzles and platformer aspects, look no further than Unravel 2. In Unravel 2, you and a partner play as little creatures made of yarn, and you must work together to complete puzzles, traverse the landscape, and build structures like bridges. [5] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Puzzle, platformer
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If you haven't played Overcooked yet, we must warn you that playing this game with your friends, family, or loved ones might seriously test your relationship. However, if you're sure you can handle the heat, then get in the kitchen. Overcooked is a wildly popular game that doesn't have puzzles like It Takes Two, but it definitely requires teamwork and creates a whole lot of chaos. [6] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Simulation
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Moving Out is a game where you must do just that—move out. You're tasked with moving items out of a house, and you must cooperate with your other players to get that task done. While this might sound simple in concept, it usually ends up a little more chaotic than you might think. This game is great for people who love the teamwork aspect of It Takes Two. [7] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Puzzle
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Moving Out 2 is a sequel to 2020's Moving Out, and while it has the same premise, it expands on the first game and adds even more puzzles to complete. And for lovers of It Takes Two, teamwork is still tantamount in this furniture-moving game. [8] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Puzzle
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If you're looking for a wholesome, cute, and fun co-op game to follow up to It Takes Two, look no further than Kirby and the Forgotten Land. While this game is designed as a single-player game, you can play co-op with one player controlling Kirby and another controlling Bandana Waddle Dee. One downside is that Waddle Dee definitely feels more like a sidekick next to Kirby.
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Action, platformer
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Unlike some of the other games on this list, Knights and Bikes was designed as a co-op game first, but it just so happens to support solo play. Knights and Bikes follows two little girls as they explore their town, imaginations running wild. This game is full of puzzles, teamwork, and story-driven gameplay—a perfect game to play if you loved It Takes Two. [9] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Action-adventure
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Super Mario Bros. has been a co-op series for a long time, but Wonder is the most beginner-friendly installment yet. This game is great for people who aren't great at platformers or for little kids just learning how to play games. And while it's not as story-driven as It Takes Two, it's a fun co-op game with beautiful visuals to keep you entertained.
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Platformer
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In Phogs!, you and your partner each control one head that's connected to the same dog (like CatDog, but both ends are dogs). While this game isn't story-driven at all, it's full of puzzles and will require a lot of teamwork between you and the person playing the other end of the dog. [10] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Puzzle, platformer
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While this game is a little bit older, it's still one of the best co-op platforming experiences around. In Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, one player will control Donkey Kong while the second can control Dixie, Diddy, or Cranky Kong. Lovers of It Takes Two will enjoy the gameplay that requires teamwork between both players.
- Platform(s): Wii U, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Platformer
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As Dusk Falls is a little more serious than It Takes Two, but it focuses on a similar topic: familial relationships. This game follows two families that become intertwined after the Walkers and the Holts get into a car accident in Arizona in 1998. This game is more of an interactive fiction game, and instead of players taking control of one character, everyone has to vote on the best option to progress the story. [11] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Genre(s): Adventure, interactive fiction
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In Nikoderiko: The Magical World, you and a partner play as two adventurers who need to get a dangerous relic away from the big bad evil guy of the game, Grimbald. While this game is a platformer that feels more similar to Crash Bandicoot and Donkey Kong Country, It Takes Two fans will enjoy the teamwork aspect as well as the fun, brightly-colored world that Nikoderiko takes place in. [12] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Platformer
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In KeyWe, players play as Jeff and Debra, two kiwi birds who run a post office. This game can be played solo, but was really designed for co-op gameplay. This game isn't story-driven, but it does involve puzzles and a lot of communication, so It Takes Two fans will enjoy the teamwork required to complete the game. [13] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Puzzle-platformer
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While Biped is actually quite different from It Takes Two (both narratively and gameplay-wise), it has a fun and unique mechanic—your character's legs are each controlled by one analog stick or mouse button. And while it's not super similar to It Takes Two, it blends adventure and puzzle elements into one game that It Takes Two fans will enjoy. [14] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Action-adventure, puzzle
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Guacamelee! is an indie action platformer that has a lot to offer. It's best played co-op (though it's even better if you can play with two or three other players) and it has a very gradual learning curve. Since the game is nonlinear, you can always go back to older areas to find new things and learn some interesting secrets. It Takes Two fans will enjoy the teamwork and the game's awesome art style. [15] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Wii U
- Genre(s): Platformer, metroidvania
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If you want a couch co-op game to play with a loved one, try Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime. This game is a shooter, but it also has cooperative aspects. Each player must protect one side of the spaceship, and they unite to fight off the forces of Anti-Love. While this game isn't inherently romantic, it is a good game to play with your significant other. [16] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Action, platformer
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If you liked the relationship aspect of It Takes Two, you'd probably enjoy Haven. Haven is a survival game that follows Yu and Kay, who must work together to survive on a new planet that isn't particularly hospitable to them. Teamwork is key if you want to survive on this alien planet. [17] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Roleplaying
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This is less a recommendation for one particular game and more a recommendation for an entire series. Trine is a series that has spanned over an entire decade, with the release of the first Trine in 2009 and the latest installment, Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy, in 2023. These games are full of adventure, puzzles, and teamwork that will keep you and a partner engaged for hours. [18] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Wii U
- Genre(s): Puzzle-platformer, action-adventure
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A Hat in Time is a co-op platformer inspired by games like Banjo-Kazooie, Spyro the Dragon, and Psychonauts. In this game, you must help Hat Kid, an alien, return to her home planet by collecting various items throughout the game. A Hat in Time was an indie success in a faltering co-op landscape when it was released, and It Takes Two fans are sure to enjoy the whimsical nature of the game. [19] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Platformer, action-adventure
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If you loved the puzzles in It Takes Two, the puzzles in We Were Here will be right up your alley. And the best part is that if you enjoy the first We Were Here game, you can play the sequels We Were Here Too and We Were Here Together for even more puzzle-solving goodness. [20] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Genre(s): Puzzle
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While Portal 2 (sequel to Valve's insanely popular release Portal) has a dedicated single-player campaign, there is an entirely separate co-op mode that you can play with a partner. In Portal 2's co-op, each player controls one side of a portal gun. You must work together to complete the puzzles—some of which can be quite challenging to figure out. [21] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Puzzle-platformer
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While Castle Crashers is pretty different from It Takes Two, it's still an incredibly fun co-op gaming experience. It's a hack n' slash game where you and your partner(s) play as knights trying to rescue princesses that have been captured by a wizard. This game can be a little challenging, but it's fun nonetheless. [22] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Hack n' slash
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Stardew Valley isn't a platformer, nor does it have puzzles to solve. However, it is an incredibly cozy and fun game that has a multiplayer option. Stardew is a farming sim, and it's pretty open-ended as far as what you can do. There are tons of different activities to complete every day, and you'll spend hours perfecting your farm with your partner. [23] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
- Genre(s): Farming sim
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In Escape Academy, you and your partner play as students training to become Escape Room Masters. In this game, you'll be solving puzzles in order to get out of an Escape Room. Some puzzles are logical, while others require some creative thinking. [24] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s): Adventure, puzzle
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Human: Fall Flat is a physics-based game where you must get from one end of a level to the other—which sounds simple in concept, but in practice isn't that easy. This game is funny, has a ton of replay value, and is great if you want to follow It Takes Two with something a little goofier. [25] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
- Genre(s): Puzzle-platformer
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Before Josef Fares founded Hazelight Studios, he worked on a game called Brother: A Tale of Two Sons with Starbreeze Studios. While the original version of Brothers didn't have co-op support (save for the Switch version), it was added when Avantgarden remade the game in 2024. However, it should be noted that this game works better as a single-player game, and you might find the co-op lacking. [26] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
- Genre(s): Adventure
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Myrmidon is kind of an outlier on this list, simply because it's a free student project available to play for free on Steam. While this game has a lot to love, it's best to remember that it won't have the same polish as the other games on this list. That being said, Myrmidon is definitely a game to check out if you enjoyed It Takes Two. In this game, one player is a puppeteer and the other is a puppet, and you must work together to create and navigate through levels. [27] X Research source
- Platform(s): PC
- Genre(s): Adventure, puzzle platformer
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Truth be told, Hazelight's co-op gaming experiences are truly one-of-a-kind, and there aren't many games that capture the exact same essence as It Takes Two, Split Fiction, and A Way Out. However, new co-op games come out every year, and before long, Hazelight will likely be back with a new installment in their growing library of co-op games. Here are a few upcoming co-op games to keep an eye on:
- Stage Fright
- Popucom
- Biped 2
- Little Nightmares 3
Expert Q&A
Tips
You Might Also Like
References
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/2001120/Split_Fiction/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1222700/A_Way_Out/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/962130/Grounded/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1599660/Sackboy_A_Big_Adventure/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1225570/Unravel_Two/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/448510/Overcooked/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/996770/Moving_Out/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1641700/Moving_Out_2/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/592480/Knights_And_Bikes/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/850320/PHOGS/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1341820/As_Dusk_Falls/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/2374190/Nikoderiko_The_Magical_World__Directors_Cut/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1242980/KeyWe/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1071870/Biped/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/214770/Guacamelee_Gold_Edition/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/252110/Lovers_in_a_Dangerous_Spacetime/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/983970/Haven/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/35700/Trine_Enchanted_Edition/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/253230/A_Hat_in_Time/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/582500/We_Were_Here/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/620/Portal_2/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/204360/Castle_Crashers/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/413150/Stardew_Valley/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1812090/Escape_Academy/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/477160/Human_Fall_Flat/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/225080/Brothers__A_Tale_of_Two_Sons/
- ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/3247270/Myrmidon/