Summary
- It Takes Two offers a narrative-driven cooperative experience with humor, creativity, and emotional depth.
- The game features challenging puzzles requiring true cooperation and unique abilities for rewarding outcomes.
- Temtem, a Pokemon-inspired MMORPG, allows online co-op gameplay with creature collection and strategic battles.
With the holiday season now here, the search for the perfect games to enjoy with family and friends is on as a key part of the festive tradition. Fortunately, with this December's PS Plus free games come two that bring the Christmas spirit of cooperative gameplay along with them, hopefully finding success in bringing friends and family together for the holidays. Temtem and It Takes Two are two of the three games included in December 2024's PS Plus lineup, both of which have been specifically designed to encourage cooperative gameplay, with It Takes Two even incorporating classic couch co-op split-screen gameplay into the mix.
PS Plus subscribers who are hoping to take advantage of the cooperative capabilities of Temtem and It Takes Two will have to wait until December 3, 2024 before they can download the games, but then they'll have nearly the entire month to enjoy these two cooperative gaming experiences in the spirit of the holidays. Unfortunately, while It Takes Two is playable in both local and online co-op, Temtem is online only.
PS Plus December 2024's It Takes Two and Temtem Are Perfect for the Holidays
It Takes Two Is All About Teamwork
Hazelight Studios' critically acclaimed action-adventure title It Takes Two is the perfect game for those looking for a more narrative-driven cooperative gaming experience, as it is much more than a pile of gimmicks thrown together to create a co-op game. On the contrary, It Takes Two offers a heartwarming and deeply engaging story following the journey of Cody and May, two dolls brought to life and tasked with mending their fractured relationship. On the narrative side of things, It Takes Two is filled with plenty of humor, unparalleled creativity, and emotional depth, making it an ideal experience for those looking to spend some quality time with a loved one during the holidays.
As far as It Takes Two's gameplay goes, each of the game's levels is filled with clever puzzles and platforming challenges that require true cooperation between players. Each player controls a different character and the two work together throughout the game's story to overcome challenging obstacles with rewarding outcomes, utilizing the two characters' unique abilities to progress through the game. Each level introduces new mechanics that are tied to the environment or the characters' emotional journeys, and the challenges and puzzles are cleverly designed to require both players to communicate and collaborate. Since It Takes Two often requires perfect coordination and teamwork, it's at its best when played on the couch next to a friend or family member, but it is still playable online as well.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- March 26, 2021
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Animated Blood, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Hazelight Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on the craziest journey of your life in It Takes Two, a genre-bending platform adventure created purely for co-op. Invite a friend to join for free with Friend’s Pass and work together across a huge variety of gleefully disruptive gameplay challenges. Play as the clashing couple Cody and May, two humans turned into dolls by a magic spell. Together, trapped in a fantastical world where the unpredictable hides around every corner, they are reluctantly challenged with saving their fractured relationship.
Master unique and connected character abilities in every new level. Help each other across an abundance of unexpected obstacles and laugh-out-loud moments. Kick gangster squirrels’ furry tails, pilot a pair of underpants, DJ a buzzing night club, and bobsleigh through a magical snow globe. Embrace a heartfelt and hilarious story where narrative and gameplay weave into a uniquely metaphorical experience.
It Takes Two is developed by the award-winning studio Hazelight, the industry leader of cooperative play. They’re about to take you on a wild and wondrous ride where only one thing is for certain: we’re better together.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
- Number of Players
- 2
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Switch
- How Long To Beat
- 12 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- File Size Xbox Series
- 44 GB (November 2023)
- Local Co-Op Support
- 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Temtem Is a Pokemon-Inspired MMORPG
Temtem isn't on the same level as It Takes Two when it comes to cooperative gameplay, but it's still a fun and relaxing game that is more enjoyable when played alongside a loved one. As the desire for creature-collecting games continues to increase, Temtem is the perfect remedy for that desire, featuring an expansive world filled with adventure, exploration, and, of course, adorable creatures. To top it all off, Temtem allows players to enjoy the game with their friends and family online, offering a deep multiplayer experience that’s perfect for holiday bonding.
Inspired by Pokemon, Temtem invites players into the world of the Airborne Archipelago, where they can team up with friends to capture creatures, engage in strategic battles, and explore the vibrant world together. Players can capture a wide range of creatures in Temtem, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, and build a team to compete against other players or NPC trainers. In light of that, its co-op mode feels both nostalgic and fresh, as players are able to share the excitement of hunting for new Temtem, battling trainers, and exploring Temtem's vast open world. Overall, Temtem brings with it a unique holiday spirit by emphasizing the importance of connection, and PS Plus subscribers can pick it up starting December 3, 2024.
Temtem
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 75 /100 Critics Rec: 63%
- Released
- September 6, 2022
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Language, Mild Fantasy Violence, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Crema
- Publisher(s)
- Humble Bundle
WHERE TO PLAY
Temtem is an online multiplayer creature-collection adventure. Seek adventure in the lovely Airborne Archipelago alongside your Temtem squad. Catch every Temtem, battle other tamers, customize your house, join a friend's adventure or explore the dynamic online world.
Every kid dreams about becoming a Temtem tamer; exploring the six islands of the Airborne Archipelago, discovering new species, and making good friends along the way. Now it’s your turn to embark on an epic adventure and make those dreams come true.
Catch new Temtem on Omninesia’s floating islands, battle other tamers on the sandy beaches of Deniz or trade with your friends in Tucma’s ash-covered fields. Defeat the ever-annoying Clan Belsoto and end its plot to rule over the Archipelago, beat all eight Dojo Leaders, and become the ultimate Temtem tamer!
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS5, Switch & Xbox Series X|S
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- How Long To Beat
- 60 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong