Forget Going Solo: The Best Co-op Shooters to Play on PC
Cooperative shooter games, commonly referred to as "co-op shooters," are immensely popular among PC gamers who enjoy team-based gameplay experiences. Instead of battling against other players, you collaborate with friends or strangers online, working together to overcome challenging scenarios and enemies, and share the spoils of victory. Here’s a look at some of the top co-op shooters on PC, along with a breakdown of what makes co-op such a compelling way to experience shooting games.
Left 4 Dead 2
Valve’s Left 4 Dead 2 plunges players into a harrowing tale of survival in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Set in the aftermath of a global viral outbreak, four unlikely survivors band together to navigate treacherous environments teeming with the infected. Their journey takes them through a variety of locales, from desolate city streets to eerie swamps, each presenting its own set of challenges and dangers.
The co-op aspects of this classic first-person shooter game are central to its gameplay experience. Players must collaborate closely to fend off waves of relentless zombies, coordinating attacks, sharing resources, and providing cover for each other. Communication and teamwork are paramount as players strategize their way through the chaos, utilizing each survivor's unique abilities and weapons to overcome the undead horde. Whether reviving fallen comrades, holding off a horde while someone opens a door, or coordinating a last stand against overwhelming odds, Left 4 Dead 2 emphasizes the importance of cooperation in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Helldivers 2
Arrowhead Game Studios’ Helldivers 2 epitomizes the essence of an amazing cooperative shooting game through its intense and strategic gameplay experience. Building upon the success of its predecessor, Helldivers 2 immerses players in a futuristic world embroiled in a relentless war against alien invaders. Players assume the role of elite soldiers, known as Helldivers, tasked with defending humanity across the galaxy. With dynamic mission objectives and procedurally generated environments, each playthrough feels fresh and unpredictable.
The game's cooperative elements shine brightly as players must work closely together to overcome formidable challenges. From coordinating tactical strikes against enemy positions to providing covering fire for team members, missions in Helldivers 2 demand precise teamwork and communication. Friendly fire adds an extra layer of tension, requiring players to exercise caution and coordination in their actions.
Borderlands 2
Borderlands 2, developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K, distinguishes itself as an exemplary first-person co-op shooter-looter through its robust multiplayer mechanics and immersive gameplay experience. The game accommodates up to four players seamlessly, allowing friends or strangers to join forces and tackle the challenges of the world of Pandora together. Cooperation enhances dynamic combat encounters and mission-based gameplay, fostering teamwork and coordination among players. The ability to revive fallen comrades, share loot, and strategize together adds depth to the cooperative experience.
The game’s vast open world and extensive loot system provide ample opportunities for exploration and customization, ensuring each playthrough feels unique and rewarding. Whether embarking on story-driven quests or engaging in chaotic battles against formidable enemies, the cooperative aspect of Borderlands 2 elevates the gameplay experience, making it one of the standout PC shooting games.
Remnant 2
Remnant: From the Ashes is one of the highly popular third-person shooter games that provides a great co-op experience. Its sequel, Remnant 2, builds on that foundation with key features that further enhance team-based play. It introduces an expanded class system, providing increased build diversity and specialized roles for each player. This allows for deeper strategic coordination and unique team compositions. Additionally, encounters with powerful bosses often demand careful planning and collaborative execution, requiring the whole squad to work together to prevail. The result is a more intense and rewarding co-op experience with an even higher focus on teamwork.
Developed by Gunfire Games, this third-person shooter game continues the fight against the monstrous Root, an interdimensional threat that corrupts worlds. Players are thrown into a world shattered by the Root's influence. As a survivor, you'll travel through ravaged realms, facing corrupted creatures while searching for a way to restore balance and save humanity.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers offers a unique and engaging co-op shooting experience on PC through its distinctive voxel-based visuals and chaotic gameplay. Set in a world besieged by alien invaders, players must assemble a team of heroes from different dimensions to combat the extraterrestrial threat.
This EDF game's cooperative multiplayer mode allows players to join forces with friends or other players online, working together to tackle missions and defend humanity across various environments. Cooperative play enhances the game's fast-paced action and intense battles, encouraging teamwork and coordination to overcome waves of enemies and colossal bosses. Its lighthearted tone and colorful aesthetic add to the appeal, creating a fun and accessible co-op gaming experience.
Deep Rock Galactic
Ghost Ship Games’ Deep Rock Galactic (DRG) stands out as a fantastic co-op shooter on PC due to its unique approach to mission structure and class dynamics. Up to four players take on the roles of hard-core space Dwarves sent to explore spectacular caves on a hostile planet called Hoxxes IV. Each Dwarf class has specialized tools and weapons vital for success. Engineers create platforms for access, Scouts light up the darkness, Gunners unleash firepower, and Drillers carve through terrain. This emphasis on complementary roles creates an exceptional sense of teamwork. Missions demand close communication as Dwarves tunnel, mine valuable resources, and battle waves of alien creatures in the claustrophobic depths.
Deep Rock Galactic features lots of powerful weapons, including experimental plasma chargers and industrial flamethrowers, and trying them all out on a solid gaming machine brings the gaming to another level. Acer’s Nitro 16 gaming laptop, which exceeds DRG’s recommended system requirements, is one such machine.
Cooperation vs. Competition: Why Team Up?
While competitive multiplayer shooters focus on individual skill and player-versus-player combat, co-op shooters offer a different kind of experience. In co-op shooters, players must work together, communicate effectively, and coordinate their actions to overcome challenges. This collaborative aspect fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, as players rely on one another to achieve their objectives.
Co-op shooter games provide several benefits that contribute to their appeal among PC gamers. Firstly, they offer a social gaming experience, allowing players to connect with friends or make new ones online. Secondly, they encourage teamwork and communication, as players must coordinate their strategies and cover each other's weaknesses. Finally, co-op shooters often encourage replaying the game, as players can tackle the same challenges with different team compositions or difficulty levels.
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About Lalaine Capucion: Lalaine has been working as a freelance writer and editor for more than 12 years, focusing on lifestyle, travel, and wellness. When she isn’t writing, she's most likely curled up with a good book or trying out a new recipe in the kitchen. She lives in Metro Manila, Philippines.
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