There’s something special about sharing an RPG journey with someone else. It’s not just about the loot or the levels; it’s about the shared decisions, the messy victories, and the long, meandering paths players forge together. But not allco-op RPGsare created equal. Some just slap in multiplayer as an afterthought. Others build their entire experience around it, making every choice, every stat allocation, and every chaotic encounter feel like part of a bigger, shared story. When that design is backed by deep progression systems that actually reward long-term planning, things get even better.
These are the RPGs that go beyond button-mashing with friends. They make cooperation meaningful and progression satisfying, whether it’s by growing a party’s stats in harmony or having two players argue for thirty minutes over how to split one rare drop.
For players who like their co-op RPGs grimdark and blood-soaked,Warhammer: Chaosbanedoes exactly what it says on the tin. Set in the Old World just after the Great War Against Chaos, thisaction RPGdrops players into the role of a grizzled band of heroes who’ve seen way too much horror to be impressed by another Chaos spawn. The real draw here isn’t the story — which sticks pretty close to the usual Warhammer beats — but the combat, which isfast-paced, flashy, and just meaty enough to keep things interesting over dozens of hours.
Where it really starts to shine is in co-op. Each class is designed with a specific role in mind, and the synergy between them becomes more obvious (and necessary) on higher difficulties. The Dwarf Slayer’s raw melee damage pairs beautifully with the High Elf Mage’s crowd control spells, and coordinating abilities in real time turns encounters into chaotic, satisfying brawls. Progression comes in the form of good skill trees, gear sets, and unique Bloodlust powers that dramatically shift how each build performs, giving players a reason to keep grinding even after the campaign ends.
Set in a frozen,post-apocalypticColorado,Wasteland 3is everything players expect from a spiritual successor to the originalFalloutgames, but with more snow and even darker humor. It leans hard into turn-based tactical combat, moral quandaries, and build diversity, with a huge range of perks, skills, and quirks that let players create some truly bizarre characters — like a flamethrower-wielding grandma or a sneaky sniper with a clown fetish. No, really.
In co-op, things get interesting fast. Two players can control separate squads, tackle different quests simultaneously, and even make decisions that contradict each other, which the game doesn’t just allow, but actively encourages. One player might be negotiating with a cult leader while the other is off looting his kitchen for junk to sell. And because progression involves managing a base, unlocking new gear through choices, and optimizing team compositions for every bizarre encounter, there’s always something to plan, debate, or mess up spectacularly.
No game captures the crunchy feel of tabletopDungeons & Dragonsquite likeSolasta: Crown of the Magister. Based on the SRD 5.1 ruleset, it’s unapologetically faithful to the dice-roll-heavy experience ofreal-life campaigns, down to the point where players can see the actual die rolls during combat and skill checks. It’s tactical, it’s turn-based, and it’s proud of being a bit nerdy.
Co-op inSolastais all about communication. Since players each create and control their own characters, there’s a constant need to strategize around positioning, spell usage, and verticality, which are major mechanics in the game’s level design. Character progression is equally rich. Between class archetypes, feats, and multi-classing, parties can grow into highly specialized teams, whether it’s a silent infiltration crew or a magical deathball of AOE spells. It’s not the flashiest RPG out there, but for players who want a co-op experience that feels like cracking open a rulebook and diving deep into combat mechanics, it’s hard to beat.
Outwardis the kind of RPG that doesn’t care how players feel about tutorials. It throws them into a cold, uncaring world with nothing but a basic weapon, a broken-down house, and a debt that needs paying fast. There’s no main narrative narrative here, no world-ending threat. It’s just survival, exploration, and figuring things out the hard way. And in co-op, that trial-by-fire turns into a shared struggle that’s as frustrating as it is rewarding.
Local split-screen and online co-op both work smoothly, but they don’t make things easier. In fact, resource management becomes even more important. Both players share money, gear, and sometimes even the same backpack space. And, becauseOutwarddoesn’t scale enemy difficulty based on party size, some fights can go south fast if roles aren’t clearly defined. The progression system is unconventional but deep. Instead of traditional leveling, players pay trainers to learn new skills, and building out a character means making tough decisions about what to specialize in, since everything costs time, silver, and effort to unlock.
Diablo 4is a power fantasy wrapped in blood, curses, and some of the most addictive loot mechanics ever put into an ARPG. The story picks up decades afterDiablo 3, bringing Lilith into the spotlight and pulling the world of Sanctuary into another bout of divine-family drama. But the real meat of the game isn’t the main plot. It’s in the build-crafting, the seasonal content, and the never-ending loop of loot, dungeons, and skill tweaks.
Co-op is seamless and constantly rewarding. Players can group up at any time, tackle world bosses together, or join forces in Nightmare Dungeons, where coordination becomes key. And, thanks to the shared world and cross-play functionality, the community feels more connected than ever. Progression isn’t just about levels or gear score. The skill tree is expansive, the Paragon system adds deep late-game customization, and the constant influx of legendary aspects encourages experimentation. Every class plays differently, and each player brings something unique to the table, both in combat and in long-term strategy.
Everything aboutDivinity: Original Sin 2screams “co-op perfection.” Built from the ground up with multiplayer in mind, it gives each player full control over a character, everything from the backstory, goals, skills, and then throws them into a world where those things can and will clash. That’s not a bug — that’s the point. One player might want to free a tortured soul; the other might want to eat it to gain its memories. Both are valid. Both are supported.
What makes progression so satisfying is the sheer number of options available. Character builds can go wild, with hybrid classes, status-effect-based combos, and environmental manipulation all rolled into the core mechanics. Players who think tactically — like casting rain to set up an electric shock chain — are constantly rewarded. On top of that, the world reacts meaningfully to choices, both big and small. And, because co-op allows players to split up, roleplay differently, and even betray each other, every session becomes a unique experience. It’s not just a game; it’s a story generator with some of the best turn-based combat around.
There’s nothing quite like a group of friends absolutely ruining a carefully orchestrated cutscene by jumping on the table and starting a bar fight.Baldur’s Gate 3leans fully into the chaos of multiplayer storytelling, letting up to four players carve out their own narrative through the Forgotten Realms. The story follows a group infected with a mind flayer parasite, but it’s the player choices and all the unexpected consequences that shape what kind of disaster the party becomes.
Larian’s co-op implementation is as deep as it is flexible. Each player controls their own character, makes independent dialogue choices, and can wander off on their own, for better or worse. The turn-based combat, inherited fromDivinity: Original Sin 2, demands coordination, and because each class comes with dozens of spells, abilities, and unique interactions with the environment, team composition really matters. Progression is tied directly to player creativity. From multiclassing to build synergies, no two parties look alike by the time credits roll. And those 100+ hours? They fly by when every act feels like a new campaign.Baldur’s Gate 3stands as the new gold standard here, and it’ll be a tough one to top.
