Borderlands 3 is currently the best co-op game you can play on PS4
Sometimes you don't want to play a game by yourself; sometimes you want to have a good time with a friend. For the purposes of this list, we stuck to games that don't typically fall under the category of competitive multiplayer shooters like Call of Duty, Battlefield, Rainbow Six Siege, and more. The games below give a great cooperative experience without the threat of random strangers mowing you down and possibly ruining the fun.
a... Featured favoriteBorderlands 3
Love or hate the series' trademark humor, Borderlands is one of the best franchises out there when it comes to co-op play. Borderlands 3 introduces four new Vault Hunters with a variety of character builds so that even if you and your friends are playing as the same character, no two will ever be alike. Whether you play as a mystical Siren or digi-cloned ex-hitman, you'll need some friends if you want to help save the galaxy.
Double the badassBorderlands: The Handsome CollectionStaff pick
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection compiles Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel into one outstanding package. Its over-the-top theatrics and gunplay make for a breath of fresh air compared to serious, gritty first-person shooters. The world of Pandora is full of colorful monsters looking for their next meal. When you team up with a buddy (or three), the fun never ends.
More Badass bad guysBorderlands: Game of the Year Edition
With the original badassery co-op experience of Borderlands being revamped this past April to update graphics, loot, and bug fixes. Borderlands: GOTY is now just as epicly fun as The Handsome Collection. Grab your friend(s) for the first shoot and loot installment of the series. You'll get 75 gold keys for free as well as a set of weapons for each character to start your adventures in style.
Escape prison togetherA Way Out
A Way Out made waves when it was first revealed for being out-of-the-box. It wasn't the typical type of experience players were used to seeing as it requires you to play with a friend. Two players take on the role of two inmates who, only with the help of each other, attempt to escape prison. Because of this, you can play A Way Out either online or through local split-screen co-op.
Tactical takedownsThe Division 2
Don't let the bitter taste of The Division turn you away from The Division 2, this is the essencial example of a company learning from their mistakes. Grab some friends, pick your unique class and hit up some online tactical co-op. You can focus solely PvE or toss in a little PvP as you complete missions to build out your base. With a long term plan, this game is going to get updates regularly with the first year mapped out.
Fighting NazisWolfenstein: Youngblood
Nothing is quite as satisfying as killing Nazis. B.J. Blazkowicz's kids, Soph and Jess, take up the family business after their father disappears in Paris. Players can team up and play as either sister and complete the entire campaign together. This game was designed with cooperative play in mind, and even if you don't have a buddy to play with, an AI partner will have your back.
Masterclass raidsDestiny 2: Forsaken - Legendary Collection
Destiny 2 has some of the best six-player raids out there, and new ones keep getting added with each major expansion. Shadowkeep is another separate purchase from the base game, but this bundle still nabs you The Curse of Osiris, Warmind, and Forsaken expansions. Team up with some friends and take on the universe's toughest challenges.
Building your dream worldMinecraft
There's almost no limit to what you can do in Minecraft, making it a highly versatile game. You want to explore and slay monsters with friends? You got it. Build elaborate castles together? You can do that too. With the help of a few other players, you can even create and build your own mini-games within it. All you need is your imagination and some extra manpower to get it done.
The bad guy clubLEGO DC Super-Villains
Any recent LEGO video game is always good to play through with a friend, and LEGO DC Super-Villains just so happens to be one of the newest in the series. If you've ever wanted to play against your favorite heroes and see how the bad guys operate, this is the way to do it. While this one doesn't support online co-op, you can play the entire campaign through local couch co-op with a friend.
Cook your heart outOvercooked! 2
Overcooked! 2's premise is simple: cook the best meal you can in the allotted time while dealing with wacky obstacles. Add a friend or two into the mix and the game becomes even more hectic. The good thing is that chaos is part of the fun. If you don't want a helping hand in the kitchen, you can compete against a friend to sees who's best. Overcooked! 2 also supports online or local co-op.
16-Bit arena combatTowerFall Ascension
TowerFall Ascension was primarily designed by one person, but it has the exceptional quality of an indie made by a group. This 16-bit action game is great for parties where you can play locally with friends. You'll be thrown into an arena armed with a bow and arrows to fight to the death in your own little mini battle royale.
The name says it allDon't Starve Together
As the name implies, your goal here is to not starve" together. The world around you will do its best to tear you down, and you'll need to survive with the help of a friend to ensure you stay well fed and healthy. The influence of Tim Burton is evident in its art style, so make sure you go into Don't Starve Together prepared for a dark adventure.
A yarn of a taleUnravel Two
This puzzling co-op is local only (unless you happen to have a PS Vita). But, for a couch co-op what is better than Yarny? Two Yarnies! Work your way through a world from a new perspective where the simplest things can now propose difficult challenges. Approach each new puzzle with a open mind and perhaps discover the unbreakable bonds of friendship.
Opt for co-opWhen you want to ignore the online world of multiplayer games for a while, why not play with a friend? Borderlands: GOTY, Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, and Borderlands 3 give you four games total and so many hours of gunning fun. They are a blast playing with a group of friends, but the humor in them is oriented towards adults.
For children out there, Overcooked! 2 is great. You can also hop into Minecraft where your imagination is your only limitation.
No matter which style of game you prefer, there is an escape from massively multiplayer games that doesn't mean you have to play alone. No matter if it's an online or in person for a couch co-op that you are looking for, we have a little something for everybody. Grab a friend, grab a game and have some fun!