Summary

  • Players will need to prioritize teamwork in the following horror games to progress.
  • Strive for purpose while goofing around in Lethal Company to maximize scrap collection.
  • Utilize proper coordination and movement to avoid overwhelming zombies in Resident Evil 5.

It's easy to assume that co-op horror games won't work, given that isolation is a huge part of what makes the scares in most horror titles effective. However, the sense of camaraderie these games offer can make for some memorable co-op moments, especially if games are tailored to lull players into a false sense of security before pulling the rug out from under them.

Featured Image, Best Roguelike Games Made for Co-op-1
8 Best Roguelike Games Designed Around Co-Op

These awesome roguelikes are made all the better for their excellent co-op experiences, delivering a great time with friends.

The last thing anyone wants is to be abandoned in a co-op horror game. It's important to prioritize teamwork, especially in titles where it's almost impossible to make progress without teaming up and forming a valid strategy.

Games will be ranked on the basis of how important cooperation and teamwork are to secure victory.

8 Lethal Company

Collecting Scrap With Friends While Avoiding Horrors Is A Blast With Friends

Lethal Company
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Released
October 23, 2023
Developer(s)
Zeekerss
Platform(s)
PC
Genre(s)
Horror

Lethal Company is one of the most popular video games around right now, with players loving the idea of exploring alien planets to collect scrap and earn money. Given the nature of the threats that await them on these planets coupled with the even-increasing scrap requirement, failure is something that a group should prepare for after a point.

While it's easy to goof around and laugh as other players get terrified, it's also important to explore planets with a sense of purpose to acquire as much scrap as possible. The game may inevitably start over, but players can always aim to maximize the number of times they meet their profit quotas by approaching a planet with a sound strategy.

7 The Outlast Trials

Can Be Completed Either Solo Or Co-op, With Players Having To Avoid Enemies And Complete Objectives

The Outlast Trials
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Survival Horror
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Released
May 18, 2023
Developer(s)
Red Barrels
OpenCritic Rating
Fair
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

While The Outlast Trials can be played by a single person, it's the co-op side of things that brings out the best of what this title has to offer. Players must complete objectives while running away from nightmarish enemies, a gameplay loop that fans of the series are familiar with.

Seeing other players run in horror as a monster chases them is hilarious, but players should try and focus on objectives discreetly if they want to make meaningful progress. With enough teamwork, players should be able to finish some of the game's toughest levels without facing too many problems.

6 Project Zomboid

Cooperating To Survive In The Zombie Apocalypse Is A Blast

Project Zomboid
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Survival Horror
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Released
November 8, 2013
Developer(s)
The Indie Stone
Platform(s)
PC
Genre(s)
Survival Horror

Project Zomboid is another game that can be tackled solo, but players can always use its multiplayer component to employ teamwork and survive every day in a brutal world full of the undead. Acquiring resources and forming a solid base becomes easier with friends.

Screenshots from Knights and Bikes (left) and Snipperclips (right)
16 Best Co-Op Puzzles Games

Co-op games come in many shapes, sizes, and genres, and some of the best multiplayer offerings focus on puzzles.

However, with the difficulty ramping up every day, it's important to optimize one's approach to the game. Players should try and maximize a unique set of skills that helps them stand out in the group, ensuring that survivors can help out whenever required and no ability is rendered redundant if two people end up leveling the same skill. Supply runs are easier when groups can team up to plan distractions, making looting easier too.

5 Content Warning

Players Must Band Together To Gather Footage Of Horrific Monsters And Enjoy Higher Viewership

Content Warning
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Released
April 1, 2024
Publisher(s)
Landfall Publishing
Platform(s)
PC
Genre(s)
Horror

Content Warning is a fun yet terrifying game where players must capture footage of supernatural threats and keep them in the frame for as long as possible to get high viewership. This is easier said than done, especially when one is scared out of their wits as a monster advances on them.

This is why a group of content creators should team up and optimize their approach in every level so that no single person is in the line of fire for too long. This ensures a high chance of survival for character and better viewership counts, letting them make meaningful progress with great ease.

4 Phasmophobia

Hunting Unique Ghosts Is Quite Terrifying, Even In A Group

Phasmophobia
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Survival Horror
Puzzle
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Developer(s)
Kinetic Games
PC Release Date
September 18, 2020
OpenCritic Rating
Strong
Genre(s)
Survival Horror, Puzzle

One of the most popular co-op horror titles ever made, Phasmophobia's gameplay loop is something many fans are familiar with. A group of ghost hunters must explore haunted locales, identify the spirit that resides there, and conduct an exorcism that can evict this ghost from the premises for good.

The game's proximity chat should be used properly to coordinate moves without wasting precious time. Most players might lose a ghost hunter or two if they're not careful or fast enough, which is why it's important to not panic and follow the plan to exorcise ghosts efficiently.

3 Resident Evil 5

Chris And Sheva Must Support Each Other Throughout A Terrifying Adventure

Resident Evil 5
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Released
March 5, 2009
Developer(s)
Capcom
OpenCritic Rating
Fair

The shift to a co-op action title for the Resident Evil series was met with a fairly mixed reception from fans of the series. While the action itself was pretty fun, most people wondered if the game was scary enough to retain the label of a horror game.

Powerwash Simulator, Goat Simulator and Arma 3 promo material
29 Best Co-Op Simulation Games, Ranked

Even though simulation games tend to emulate real-life experiences, they can be fun to play, especially the ones with a co-op mode.

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With poor teamwork, players will realize just how nightmarish it can be if a downed party member is being hounded by zombies as the other co-op partner tries their hardest to reach their ally. It's important to coordinate assaults and utilize proper movement so that the duo isn't overwhelmed by zombies as both Chris and Sheva try to complete their sensitive mission.

2 Dead By Daylight

An Asymmetrical Multiplayer Game Where Players Must Avoid Being Killed For A Ritual

Dead by Daylight
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Released
June 14, 2016
Developer(s)
Behaviour Interactive
OpenCritic Rating
Fair

Asymmetrical multiplayer games let players enjoy the feeling of playing as both the hunter and hunted. This makes for an engrossing multiplayer experience if this gameplay loop is executed with great panache, and nowhere is this more apparent than in Dead by Daylight.

One Killer must hunt down four Survivors who must power up generators to unlock a means of escape. Meanwhile, the Killer must eliminate each Survivor and impale their body on hooks to satisfy an eldritch being, making for a compelling horror gaming experience where the Survivors must tactically approach each generator and prevent any unnecessary deaths.

1 Left 4 Dead 2

The Survivors Must Team Up To Shoot Down Zombies And Survive At Any Cost

Left 4 Dead 2
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Shooter
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Released
November 17, 2009
Developer(s)
Valve
Platform(s)
PC, Xbox 360, Linux, macOS
Genre(s)
Shooter

Left 4 Dead 2 is one of the greatest multiplayer video games ever made, with players taking on the role of a survivor who travels with three others and tries to complete each level by the skin of their teeth. It's a harrowing experience where players will soon realize just how important it is to stick to the group and not isolate themselves.

Meanwhile, players can take on the role of the special zombies who regenerate frequently and use their unique powers to rip apart the survivors. Regardless of which side one plays for in Left 4 Dead 2, coordinating with other players is a must to attain victory.

Turn-Based Games With Online Co-Op (Featured Image) - Inkbound + Wasteland 3 + Wildermyth
Turn-Based Games With Online Co-Op

Fans who enjoy turn-based gameplay with their friends online may want to check out these titles.