A Fantastic Five: Top Alternatives to "It Takes Two"

It Takes Two is one of the most popular and beloved cooperative multiplayer games to hit the gaming scene. An adventure game that relies heavily on two-player cooperation to solve puzzles and advance the story, it has captivated audiences around the world. However, if you’ve mastered It Takes Two and are yearning for a new gaming experience, you’re in luck. We have selected the top five fantastic alternative games that echo the fun, the challenge, and the cooperative gameplay of It Takes Two.

1. A Way Out

There’s a charm to cooperative games that few others can match, and "A Way Out" fully leverages this. Ideally designed for two players, the game is all about forming an unlikely alliance and putting your heads together to break out of prison.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Built upon a dynamic split-screen co-op mechanic, it allows each player to control one of the two main characters, Vincent and Leo. The game is designed such that the actions of one player will affect the experiences of the other, fostering a bond between the on-screen characters and gamers. Set in a stark 1970s American prison, "A Way Out" has a compelling narrative revealing a story of betrayal, redemption, and unraveling emotions. The gameplay is diverse, featuring vehicle chases, stealth segments, melee fights, and more. This game sports a perfect blend of dialogue-driven sequences and gameplay-driven sections to keep players thoroughly invested in the plot.

2. Overcooked!2

“Overcooked!2” elevates the cooking gaming experience and provides a distinct and wild collaborative playstyle for enthusiasts of the genre.takes cooking to a whole new level and offers a unique and crazy cooperative gaming style to fans of the genre. Although it can be played solo, Overcooked!2 shines brightest when it’s played with a few friends in tow.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Set against the backdrop of the Onion Kingdom, you and your friends become part of an epic journey to save the kingdom from the walking dead bread called the Unbread. Each level plays out differently, with kitchens being set in the most bizarre of places, such as floating rafts, speeding trucks, and even outer space. The main aim here is to work together, strategize, and prepare a variety of recipes before the time runs out. Coordination and timing are crucial as you chop, cook, plate, and serve dishes. It’s addictive, challenging, and hilariously chaotic, leaving you and your teammates in fits of laughter.

3. Cuphead

Inspired by the aesthetic of 1930’s cartoons, “Cuphead” is a run and gun action game that encapsulates the spirit of both retro and modern gaming. This game will test your patience, resilience, and, most importantly, your friendship.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

In Cuphead, you and your partner play as Cuphead and his brother Mugman who, after losing a bet with the devil, embark on a quest to repay their debt. This game offers a blend of traditional run and gun action with several levels of boss battles. Set in the beautiful world of Inkwell Isle, each level is painstakingly craft, filled with enemies, obstacles, and visual elements that will make you feel like you're playing a cartoon. With challenging gameplay, Cuphead requires precision, strategic planning, and great teamwork to overcome each foe, making for a truly engaging and intense cooperative play.

4. Portal 2

Even though "Portal 2" was released a decade ago, it continues to be one of the industry's top co-op games. It builds on the unique mechanics introduced by the first Portal game and takes everything up a notch to provide a memorable gaming experience.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Portal 2 is all about solving a series of puzzles using the ‘Portal Gun’, enabling you to create portals linking two distant points. Alongside this mechanic, you'll also need to make good use of switches, movable blocks, lasers, light bridges, and other tools to complete each test chamber. Set in the Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal 2’s co-op story is stand-alone, featuring two new characters, ATLAS and P-body. Your goal is to assist GLaDOS, the laboratory's AI, test out new puzzles, and navigate infections banter between the characters. The cooperative game mode is separate from the main campaign, offering a fresh set of increasingly difficult challenges that need exceptional teamwork to overcome.

5. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga

“Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga” offers a fun and surprisingly deep cooperative experience, perfect for both children and adults who are fans of LEGO and Star Wars.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

This game allows players to experience the epic narrative of Star Wars Episodes I-VI, recreated in a uniquely LEGO style. The gameplay requires players to work together to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and progress through each level. As you go along, you’ll collect LEGO Studs, unlock new characters, and uncover hidden collectibles. Set in the expansive LEGO Star Wars universe, the settings include familiar Star Wars locations like the Death Star, Tatooine, Hoth, and more.

For those seeking a light-hearted yet engaging and cooperative gameplay, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is an ideal choice. Cooperative games aren’t just about playing; they're about collaborating, strategizing, and growing together. So, if you loved “It Takes Two”, these alternative games are sure to provide you with a similar yet distinctly unique gaming experience