Last Updated: October 7, 2026
Quick answer: For most people in 2026, the best games like it takes two for cooperative fun is the 1. Split Fiction — our #1 rated choice. See the full ranked comparison, alternatives and buying advice below.
Best Games Like It Takes Two for Cooperative Fun
The best games like It Takes Two are Split Fiction for a similarly inventive two-player adventure, Unravel Two for a gentler local co-op experience, and Portal 2 for clever teamwork with more puzzle-solving than platforming. Which one fits depends most on whether you need couch co-op, online play, cross-platform support, or a lower difficulty level.
It Takes Two is an unusually specific benchmark: it requires two players, builds its story around a pair working together, and constantly changes the tools and challenges. The games below are ranked by how well they deliver that kind of shared progress—not simply by whether they have a co-op mode.
Quick comparison
| Rank and game | Local / online co-op | Platforms | Difficulty | Typical session | Teamwork match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Split Fiction | Yes / yes; two players | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2 | Moderate | 45–90 minutes | Very close |
| 2. Unravel Two | Yes / no built-in online co-op | PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Easy to moderate | 20–45 minutes | Close, especially for platforming |
| 3. Portal 2 | Yes on supported versions / yes | PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | Moderate to challenging | 30–60 minutes | Close for puzzles, less for story |
| 4. Rayman Legends | Yes / no standard online campaign co-op | PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Easy to challenging | 20–45 minutes | Moderate |
| 5. Overcooked! 2 | Yes / yes; up to four players | PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC | Easy at first, demanding later | 10–30 minutes | Teamwork-focused, but not an adventure |
Session lengths are practical estimates for a few levels or a short play period, not fixed mission durations. Availability and multiplayer features can differ by platform and edition; check the specific version before buying, especially for older games.
Best picks by situation
1. Choose Split Fiction for the closest overall follow-up
From Hazelight, the studio behind It Takes Two, Split Fiction is the strongest match if you want another two-player campaign built around contrasting abilities, coordinated actions, and frequent changes in setting and play style. It supports local and online co-op, so it works whether both players share a screen or play remotely. The Friend’s Pass option lets one owner invite a second player on supported platforms, but confirm platform and cross-play details before purchasing.
Its main drawback is that it asks for sustained attention and communication. Pick it if you want a substantial adventure and both players are happy to learn new mechanics as they go. It is less suitable if you want short, low-pressure rounds or a game one person can easily carry alone.
2. Choose Unravel Two for local play and a calmer pace
Two yarn characters are connected by a strand that players use to swing, climb, and help each other cross obstacles. That connection makes cooperation visible and intuitive: one player can anchor the other or create a route, rather than simply running alongside them. It is a particularly good couch co-op choice for players who prefer gentle platforming to hectic coordination.
The trade-off is important: Unravel Two does not offer built-in online co-op. It is also less varied than It Takes Two, and some platforming sections still require timing. Buy it for a shared sofa and a quieter adventure, not as a remote-play substitute.
3. Choose Portal 2 for the best puzzle partnership
Its dedicated co-op campaign has two players solve spatial puzzles using portals, switches, and careful timing. It rewards talking through a plan and noticing what the other person can see, making it one of the best choices when “working together” matters more than a cinematic story. Local and online co-op are available on supported versions.
Portal 2 is an older release, so platform compatibility needs extra care: it is available on PC and older consoles, but not as a standard native release for current-generation PlayStation or Xbox consoles. Puzzle difficulty also rises, and getting stuck can slow a session. Choose it if you enjoy discussing solutions; skip it if one player tends to get frustrated when progress pauses.
4. Choose Rayman Legends for flexible, replayable couch sessions
This colorful side-scrolling platformer supports local multiplayer and makes it easy to jump into a level without committing to a long story chapter. Its movement is approachable, but collecting everything and mastering later stages takes practice. That makes it a good fit for mixed-experience pairs: one player can focus on reaching the finish while the other explores and collects.
It is not as tightly designed around two-player problem-solving as It Takes Two, and its standard campaign co-op is local rather than online. Choose it for quick shared play on the same couch, not for a remote campaign with a friend.
5. Choose Overcooked! 2 for short, lively sessions
Players coordinate cooking tasks in changing kitchens: gathering ingredients, preparing dishes, cooking, and serving them before time runs out. Local and online multiplayer support up to four players, so it is the most flexible pick for a small group. A round is short, making it easy to fit in a quick session.
It is a teamwork game, but not a story-led platform adventure. Later stages can become stressful because players must communicate quickly and recover from mistakes. Start with two players and agree on simple roles—such as one person preparing ingredients and the other cooking—before moving to more complicated kitchens.
Which game should you buy?
| Your situation | Best fit | Why | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| You want the closest two-player story adventure | Split Fiction | Purpose-built campaign with changing cooperative mechanics | Both players’ platforms and online compatibility |
| You will play on one sofa and prefer a gentler pace | Unravel Two | Clear, connected roles and approachable platforming | There is no built-in online co-op |
| You want puzzles and have patience for trial and error | Portal 2 | Co-op challenges require planning and communication | It runs on older platforms; verify your system |
| You want drop-in local levels rather than a long campaign | Rayman Legends | Short stages support casual, replayable sessions | Online campaign co-op is not standard |
| You have a group or want fast rounds | Overcooked! 2 | Supports up to four and works in brief bursts | Online play and cross-play depend on platform setup |
Compatibility and difficulty: avoid the common buying mistakes
“Multiplayer” does not always mean the same thing. Local co-op usually means two players use the same console or PC, while online co-op requires each player to connect remotely. Cross-platform play is a separate feature: two players may both be able to play online but still need matching platform families. Check the exact edition and platform store listing for those details before paying.
Also consider how much difficulty you want to share. A game that is easy to learn can still become demanding later: Overcooked! 2 adds time pressure, while Portal 2 asks for increasingly careful puzzle-solving. If one player is new to games, start with Unravel Two or early Rayman Legends levels. For the closest match to It Takes Two in structure, choose Split Fiction; for the best remote teamwork, prioritize a version with confirmed online support.
Ready to decide? Our #1 pick for 2026 is the 1. Split Fiction.
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