Whether you are exploring the cosmos or roleplaying as an area wizard, the perfect area adventures are the chums you make alongside the way in which. Whether you are in the identical room enjoying split-screen or separated by 1000’s of kilometers, trendy video video games have you ever coated, and area co-op video games are having fun with a growth in recognition proper now.
We might’ve crammed this whole article with previous classics from the split-screen days of yore, however we’re resisting the urge to sink into a pleasant heat tub of nostalgia. We’re additionally specializing in the actually co-operative experiences — area co-op video games designed round teamwork slightly than single-player video games that begrudgingly embrace a co-op choice (even when most of them do help solo play).
Need extra out-of-this-world gaming lists? We have a great deal of different genre-specific area rundowns, together with the best space settlement and horror games, and there’s also our roundup of space & sci-fi games on Nintendo Switch for gamers on the go. Now, grab your assigned buddy and let’s dive into our list of the 10 best space co-op games out there today.
10. Space Station 13
- Release date: February 15, 2003
- Platform: PC (Windows)
- Developer: Exadv1, Space Station 13 community
Kicking off the list, we have Space Station 13, an ancient niche classic that’s been updated over the years and retained a passionate and dedicated community. Initially developed by Exadv1, it was meant to be an “atmospherics simulator,” however its decompiled codebase gave delivery to a web based co-op PC recreation that is been developed over 22 years. The result’s an extremely deep and interesting top-down, tile-based motion role-playing recreation with a robust emphasis on participant roles and teamwork.
By default, Space Station 13 is ready on, you guessed it, a far-future area station, however its community-developed nature and the truth that servers are hosted by distinct subcommunities translate right into a extremely versatile expertise by which gamers can work together with the sport world in some ways.
Each spherical, you will be assigned a task from a large pool, starting from very important crew just like the Captain, Security Officer, or Engineer, all the way in which all the way down to Chef, Janitor, or Clown. You can select to do your job and assist the crew, or simply be somewhat griefer and stitch chaos all through the station, with win situations that profit quite a lot of playstyles.
Depending on the server you are enjoying on and its guidelines, the targets and size of rounds could differ, so anticipate the surprising. Needless to say, its largest energy is selection, with no two matches being the identical; leaping between servers can also be extremely inspired for that reason. And the perfect half? It’s completely free.
9. Pulsar: Lost Colony
- Release date: June 22, 2021
- Platforms: PC (Windows, Linux, macOS)
- Developer: Leafy Games
Pulsar: Lost Colony is an open-world co-op area exploration recreation that duties gamers to kind a crew and pilot starships whereas leaping between planets and area stations. You can play it solo or with pals, however given how hectic and complicated issues can get, we advocate the cooperative choice. We shouted out Pulsar: Lost Colony in our area VR experiences checklist, however you’ll be able to play it simply high quality with no VR headset.
Much like in Star Trek: Bridge Crew, gamers can decide a task from an inventory that features Captain, Pilot, Scientist, Weapons Specialist, and Engineer. Pulsar’s influences are fairly clear, but it is bought a visible id of its personal and the trick of procedural era up its sleeve, which is greater than sufficient to advocate it to keen area explorers and pilots.
8. Astroneer
- Release date: February 6, 2019
- Platforms: PC (Windows), PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Developer: System Era Softworks
Astroneer has been round for years at this level, however its builders proceed to replace the veteran title regardless of revealing the follow-up, Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions, in early 2025.
And that is an important factor too, as a result of Astroneer is superior. It has a chill and stress-free vibe as you discover the universe, whereas nonetheless providing the surprise and pleasure wanted for a correct journey, and regardless of the huge scope, it by no means feels daunting or overwhelming. That’s a tough steadiness to nail, however System Era Softworks has cracked it, crafting a permanent open-world area recreation that is welcoming at the start.
Astroneer has tons to supply solo gamers, however going co-op ups the enjoyable issue fairly a bit, particularly once you dive into the base-building and crafting mechanics. If you are searching for a extra targeted and darker expertise after some time, the Glitchwalkers DLC that was launched in late 2024 is a pleasant option to shake issues up a bit, too.
7. No Man’s Sky
- Release date: August 9, 2016
- Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS), iOS, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 1/2
- Developer: Hello Games
We cannot cease recommending No Man’s Sky right here at Space.com, however are you able to blame us? It’s an incredible and diversified sci-fi online game that solely will get higher (and extra complicated) yearly. Saying its launch in 2016 was a little bit of a large number is a little bit of an understatement, however we’re glad Hello Games caught with it and continued so as to add new fixes, enhancements, and tons of (fully free) content material. As far as we all know, the devs are removed from achieved with it, particularly after a remarkable Switch 2 port.
On paper, its procedurally-generated universe promised to be revolutionary, however it fell flat when the sport first launched. Nowadays, it is a mind-bending technological achievement that is additionally extremely enjoyable to play, whether or not you are a pilot, mercenary, bounty hunter, or only a easy dealer. The content material on supply is staggering, and the liberty it offers gamers is unmatched.
More importantly for this checklist, you’ll be able to hyperlink up with different area explorers throughout different platforms* and get misplaced in a nearly countless universe collectively.
*Except the unique Nintendo Switch. Sorry.
6. Void Crew
- Release dates: November 25, 2024
- Platform: PC (Windows), PS5, Xbox Series X/S
- Developer: Hutlihut Games
There has been a slew of wonderful co-op video games not too long ago, with Peak, Lethal Company, and Split Fiction injecting new life into the style. For sci-fi followers, although, it is all about Void Crew.
Void Crew sees groups of as much as six gamers (solo play is feasible however not suggested) embark on adventures aboard superior spacecrafts, with every participant taking over a task on the ship (pilot, weapons, engineer, and many others).
In deep area, it’s essential to battle hostile aliens, courageous environmental hazards like asteroid storms & photo voltaic flares, and survive your teammates’ inevitable screw-ups. The position system is versatile and the gameplay loop by no means will get too difficult, so we now have few complaints past the dearth of an even bigger neighborhood. Don’t depend on becoming a member of random crews on this one — that is one the place that you must assemble your crew.
It’s chaotic, quick, and well provides roguelite parts into the combo. Moreover, it is getting updates continuously and has acquired additional recreation modes since its late 2024 launch.
5. Destiny 2
- Release date: September 6, 2017
- Platforms: PC (Windows), PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S
- Developer: Bungie
Destiny 2 is not the best sci-fi MMO to get into in 2025. Its lore is as layered and dense as a neutron star, onboarding for brand new gamers is a bit of a nightmare, and a number of the unique content material has been faraway from the sport by updates.
With all that stated, it is nonetheless an incredible recreation with a number of the finest moment-to-moment fight on the market. Developed by Bungie (of Halo fame), the gunplay and worldbuilding are beautiful, and when you like leveling up characters and unlocking sick new armor and weapons, you will really feel at dwelling.
Destiny affords an expansive sci-fi fantasy universe constructed on prime of our personal photo voltaic system. Guardians are this universe’s Jedi Knights, however they like weapons to swords (they’ll additionally use large swords, don’t be concerned) and have magic-ish powers as an alternative of the Force. Alliances with different alien species are developed as universe-ending threats rise, and the formidable narrative unravels over the course of expansions and seasons. The Edge of Fate has simply come out, and the Star Wars-themed Renegades enlargement will shake issues up later this yr.
Of course, Destiny is at its finest with pals and when tackling large raids, however you can make good progress solo and with random gamers too. Plus, you’ll be able to interact in player-versus-player modes when you’re feeling unfriendly or want a break from the grind.
4. Borderlands (series)
- Release date: October 20, 2009 (Borderlands 1)
- Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS), PS3/4/5, Xbox 360/One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 1/2
- Developer: Gearbox Software, 2K Australia
Looking for an additional ‘looter shooter’ however do not wish to cope with pesky MMO parts? You’ll be comfortable to be taught that the long-running Borderlands collection, which has 4 large entries earlier than you even get into spinoffs, is strictly that. The Borderlands universe is bloody, chaotic, comedic, and colourful in methods few online game collection are. There are loads of sci-fi shooters on the market, however Gearbox’s enduring franchise has a method all of its personal.
Whether with pals, household, or a accomplice, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable so long as you take pleasure in capturing alien monsters and psychos within the face whereas listening to raunchy jokes and making issues (and dwelling beings) go growth. If you have been questioning, sure, these video games are completely beatable solo, however they actually come to life in co-op.
Borderlands 4 simply dropped, however we would advocate you play by means of at the very least the central trilogy (Pre-Sequel is sweet however skippable) first. That’s quite a lot of recreation to get by means of; ideally suited when you’re searching for a recreation collection to ‘binge’ by means of the autumn/winter months.
3. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
- Release date: September 9, 2024
- Platforms: PC (Windows), PS5, Xbox Series X/S
- Developer: Saber Interactive
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was one among our favourite online game releases of final yr — little doubt about it — and it has firmly established itself as one of many finest Warhammer 40K video games of all time, too. Moreover, it was constructed particularly with co-op play in thoughts.
The important story marketing campaign is 100% playable in single-player, however it helps as much as three gamers in co-op. This additionally extends into the Operations mode, an especially replayable PvE mode that tells a unique aspect of the identical story — it is principally a second marketing campaign. Last however not least, the ‘endless horde’ mode Siege throws a squad of area marines right into a bloody onslaught, which solely ends once you fall.
While it’s a direct sequel to 2011’s first Space Marine, Space Marine 2 does a superb job of introducing new gamers to the grim darkness of the far-future setting of Warhammer 40K. It’s relentless, darkish, epic, and hard-hitting. All of that can also be felt by means of the fittingly heavy controls of the titular characters and the extreme weaponry that you’re going to use with excessive prejudice in opposition to xenos and the forces of Chaos.
Those who love the Gears of War collection ought to completely verify this one out, however even when you solely have a passing curiosity within the WH40K universe and/or third-person shooters, it’s best to spherical up some buddies and provides this one a go.
2. Deep Rock Galactic
- Release date: May 13, 2020
- Platforms: PC (Windows), PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X/S
- Developer: Ghost Ship Games
Can I get a rock and stone?
What might be higher than preventing off hordes of alien monstrosities? Fighting off hordes of alien monstrosities AND digging for uncommon minerals in outer area as a crew of beer-swilling, ass kicking area dwarves? If this feels like the most important ‘dudes rock’ recreation ever made, it is as a result of it is actually up there. With as much as four-player co-op, distinctive lessons, totally destructible environments, deep procedurally generated cave programs, and extra aliens that you could burn with a flamethrower, this one’s a blast everybody can take pleasure in.
Yes, it is a first-person shooter, however the focus is not placed on the capturing (although you will need to shoot fairly a bit). It’s all in regards to the loot. Get in, do not get misplaced, seize the minerals, and get out.
It could sound easy, however all of the aforementioned problems pile up and blend collectively to create utter chaos. There are loads of glorious on-line co-op video games, however few can spawn as many nice anecdotes as Deep Rock Galactic. Just make certain to carry the best instruments into every mission, and do not miss the drop pod because it leaves.
1. Helldivers 2
- Release date: February 8, 2024
- Platforms: PC (Windows), PS5, Xbox Series X/S
- Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios
The first Helldivers was a superb top-down co-op shooter that by no means actually broke into the mainstream. Helldivers 2, nevertheless, made an infinite splash in early 2024 and has been using that wave of success ever since. In reality, it was so widespread that Sony set plans for a film into movement. How will it differentiate itself from Starship Troopers? It most likely will not, however that is a dialogue for an additional day. What we are able to verify is Helldivers 2 knew precisely tips on how to captivate each informal and veteran gamers alike due to its mix of Verhoeven-esque violence (and satire), satisfying third-person gunplay, and random slapstick comedy worthy of the perfect Looney Tunes episodes.
On the floor, Helldivers 2 is all about big-damn heroes blowing bugs, robots, and different alien forces off the face of the galaxy, however the large twist is that the ‘passionate’ (let’s simply name them that) troopers Super Earth is sending to the frontlines are simply as expendable and short-lived because the bugs.
Helldivers 2 could be the one sci-fi shooter the place you die resulting from accidents and pleasant fireplace extra typically than on the claws of bloodthirsty bugs. ‘Managed democracy’ (the type that is unfold with superior firepower) comes at a value, and that price is laughing till your sides harm as you get splattered by a pleasant airstrike for the fifth time this mission.
Though revealed by PlayStation, Helldivers 2 made its way to Xbox Series X/S consoles in August, so now nearly everybody can play collectively no matter the place they recreation. Nintendo Switch 2 port when?