My partner and I love playing games together. It’s one of our most favorite things to do. Does it often test the very fabric of our relationship when the lines of communication inevitably fall apart? Sure. But when she and I become a singular entity tackling a game that’s trying to break us, there’s nothing else quite like it.
We’re on a mission: To play and rank the couch co-op games currently available on PS Plus Extra’s Game Catalogue. Why? Because we’re starting to get a little too comfortable with each other. So, it’s time to inject some tension into our lives.
No, but seriously, the goal is to create a home here for fellow PS Plus subscribers who are looking for the next game to enjoy with their partner, friend, or loved one. I hope that you find it useful. Bookmark this page to stay up-to-date with this ever-evolving list, and wish us luck as my partner and I assess the viability of our relationship along the way.
Criteria
Obviously the elusive “fun factor” will take precedence when considering a game’s position. But, if a game wants to do well on on this particular list, then they need to have a focus on:
Player Collaboration. Games that encourage communication will be rated highly. The more my partner and I strategize – or argue – about how best to tackle a game’s challenges, the better that game will place.
Cooperative Functionality. Great co-op games consider all the players in their design elements. They treat every player with the same level of consideration that they treat Player One with.
Accessibility. And not just regarding things like difficulty, sensory output, and control scheme flexibility. A great co-op game is respectful of our time. It’s not always easy to get us available, and in the same room together. When we are, we’re not interested in meandering our way to the fun; we want to jump right in.
Parameters
Exclusions. Lego, sports, fighting, and competitive games will not have a home here. The sheer number of them merits their own separate rankings. We’re also excluding most of the family-friendly licensed games for the same reason, unless they have some cross-generational appeal. An example of such an exception would be TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge.
Rolling Credits. We won’t be “beating” all of the games here; there aren’t nearly enough hours in the day. We do, however, intend to play up to at least a game’s primary gameplay loop. If it’s worth our time (and yours), we’ll keep playing it past the point that we include it here. And, if our opinion of a game changes over time, that’ll be reflected in its rankings.
Release Schedule & Format
Format. Each new entry will include a short review summary. Click on a game in our Current Rankings section to jump straight to it. Check out our Candidates section for a peek at the games we intend to tackle in the future.
Updates. This will be an evolving list, changing over time. New games will be ranked as my partner and I play them, and we may even rearrange already-ranked games as our impressions of them develop. The intention is to update the Candidates section to reflect the changes that PlayStation makes when updating their offerings on their Game Catalogue.
Subscription Changes. Sony’s additions and removals of its PS Plus Extra offerings will affect a game’s inclusion. If PlayStation removes a game from its Game Catalog, we’ll remove it from this list. If a removed game already has a ranking, then I’ll be sure to create a separate blog post about them.
About Us
Wilson. Your humble writer. Having lived at or below the poverty line for most of my life, I wanted to explore subscription models in greater detail. As a kid, I was never allowed to buy a game that cost more than $20. I was a perpetual bargain bin warrior. There’s a good chance that I would have abandoned this hobby that I love so much without the existence of mom and pop shops and companies like GameStop and GameFly; say what you will about their practices, but they served as a lifeline for me, a light at the end of the tunnel in an otherwise gloomy existence. Subscriptions have been a boon for budget gamers everywhere.
KellyAnne. My partner; in life and in gaming. Though her voice won’t be felt much in this blog post – aside from being my ever-patient editor – her opinions will have considerable weight in these rankings. I’m particularly interested in the appeal of these games from a more layperson’s perspective. She’s no slouch though, video games having been a prominent part of her life, and mostly those of the co-op persuasion. She similarly came from a “you can’t have it unless it’s on sale” household. Notably, she’s ADHD autistic, so I have the added benefit of gauging the opinions of someone with a heightened sensitivity to audio and visuals, helping me diversify my approach to the Accessibility Criteria.
Reach Out!
Finally, I want to hear from you! If you think that there’s a game that merits my attention, don’t hesitate to push for it. Write an email to bitwormblog@gmail.com with the subject “Ranked!” and a summary of why you think your choice deserves the limelight. Or, feel free to comment below.
Now, without further ado…
Current Rankings
Click game to jump to review summary
#3: Cult of The Lamb
Candidates
Click game to jump to PSN Store
- Biped
- Cat Quest II
- Death Squared
- Dreams
- Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires
- Dynasty Warriors 9
- Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair
- Earth Defense Force 5
- Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain
- Enter the Gungeon
- For The King
- Fury Unleashed
- Gigantosaurus The Game
- Harvest Moon: Light of Hope
- Harvest Moon: Mad Dash
- Human: Fall Flat
- Jumanji: The Video Game
- Magicka 2
- Overcooked! All You Can Eat
- Pile Up! Box by Box
- Portal Knights
- Rain World
- ReadySet Heroes
- River City Melee Mach!!
- Rock of Ages 3: Make & Break
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure
- Salt and Sacrifice
- Samurai Warriors 5
- Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
- Terraria
- Tetris Effect: Connected
- The Ascent
- The Jackbox Party Pack 9
- TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge
- Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes
- Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince
- Vikings – Wolves of Midgard
- Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr
- Warhammer: Chaosbane
- Yet Another Zombie Defense HD
#1: Untitled Goose Game
Developed by House House
Released 2019
2 Players
Untitled Goose Game is ostensibly a stealth/puzzle game. In actuality, it’s a chaos simulator. Developer House House has made manifest the anxiety I feel whenever I’m face to face with a large bird that’s a little too confident in its abilities. In this title, you play as a goose whose sole mission in life is to annoy the residents of a European village. Thankfully, the storybook art style and the beautifully done score makes all your mischief feel charming and hilarious.
The game can be completed in just a few short hours and is broken up into self-contained, interconnected levels that open up as you progress through a to-do list. Some of the tasks are pretty straight forward. Others allow for some flexibility in how you accomplish them. They range from stealing items to tricking humans into performing tasks for your amusement. The mechanics are technically shallow: You walk or run or sneak around, you flap your wings, you pick stuff up, and you honk. Where the game gets a little deeper is the way in which the humans reacts to your actions. Some are frightened by you, some angrily chase you, and others find you to be terribly entertaining. A special nod should be paid to the music, consisting of a dynamic piano that shifts between playful and frantic, changing based on your actions.
The game is largely the same in co-op mode, which you can access immediately. The barrier to entry is virtually nonexistent and there are very little consequences to being caught by humans trying to right your wrongs: the NPCs reset and they forget all about you, allowing for another opportunity to try again. The best part of playing this with a friend is the hilarity that ensues from having two geese run amok, imposing their will on unsuspecting victims.
#2: Children of Morta
Developed by Dead Mage
Released 2019
2 Players
Indie developer Dead Mage places storytelling at the forefront of this charming and familiar rogue-lite RPG. It focuses on the Bergson family, guardians of Mount Morta, as they contend with an encroaching evil called the Corruption. The art direction throughout is laudable; pixelated graphics are detailed and animations are fluid. The game can be challenging, but not overwhelmingly so. In fact, I welcomed defeat in its procedurally generated dungeons, if only to watch the endearing story of a close-knit family unfold, wonderfully narrated by actor Ed Kelly.
In combat, this title wants you to slow down and to consider your surroundings. It wasn’t until my partner and I were ambushed by skeletons for the third time – lying in wait in the periphery of our field of vision – that it started to click. We then funneled monsters into more advantageous positions. We called out any traps that we noticed and lured our enemies into them. As with most rogue-lites, much of your success will be based on how lucky you are. But, much of it will have to do with how carefully you make your way and how well-crafted your strategy is.
Cooperative mode isn’t immediately available, unlocking after the completion of a 15-20 minute tutorial. I wouldn’t let that discourage you though. A big draw to experiencing this with a friend is the asymmetry in gameplay. Playable characters are introduced gradually throughout the story. Each member of the Bergson family has their own unique skillsets, and players cannot choose to play the same Bergson at the same time. This encourages teamwork in a meaningful way; you’ll want to coordinate your efforts at every stage, playing to the strengths of each character, lest you both go down.
#3: Cult of The Lamb
Developed by Massive Monster
Released 2022
2 Players
In Cult of the Lamb: Unholy Alliance, we are introduced to the most adorable representation of a cult leader that we will ever have the privilege to witness. Developer Massive Monster combines two disparate genres to great effect: a construction/management sim and an action roguelike. You’re tasked with building up a commune of religious zealots in the name of an otherworldly entity while also eradicating rival cultists that have subjugated this world’s precious little critters. The balance between Zen-like management and fast paced action makes for a gameplay loop that is worthy of worship.
While the mechanics aren’t terribly deep, there are several progression trees tied to combat, base building, and cult management, all of which have a symbiotic relationship to one another. How you progress in one area of the game has a direct correlation to features in other areas of the game. This title also does a great job of introducing new mechanics at a steady pace that, along with its randomized dungeons, makes for fresh and engaging sessions every time.
Other games should take note of the ease with which Massive Monster introduced their co-op mode. The base game was a single-player game upon release, but two years after launch, they introduced the Unholy Alliance update. Now Player 1 can simply press the start button and add another player right off the bat, one who has the exact same level of control and agency within the game. The only limitation between the two players is their ability to argue their respective positions when making decisions for the good of the cult; decisions like, say, whether to spend the time necessary to re-educate a dissenter or to offer them up to a demonic entity using a bloody, sacrificial ritual.
#4: Phogs!
Developed by Bit Loom Games
Released 2020
2 Players
Bit Loom Games has presented us with something that is patently ridiculous. In this puzzle platformer, you play as a two-headed dog. The two controllable heads are found on either end of a stretchy, worm-like body. These heads collaborate – or get in each other’s way – to navigate a series of delightfully-modeled, interconnected levels. While the game leans more puzzle than platformer, it offers very little by way of challenge. That’s not why you’d play this title though. You’d play to discover the interesting and absurd ways that this unconventional gameplay mechanic is explored.
You’ll also find a lot to love in its cartoony aesthetics. The characters you come across are like something out of a children’s storybook. They, along with the detailed levels that they reside in, tickle the imagination. In one of the worlds, where sleep is the theme, pastel purples and soft blues left me fantasizing about my own dreamscapes.
The game offers a novel control scheme; two players can share a single controller, each side of the controller affecting each head. Unfortunately, it’s an option that you’ll likely have to use, whether you like it or not. When my partner and I tried to use two separate controllers, the inputs were remarkably finicky. One player’s actions registered on the head of the other player. Objects were unintentionally dropped and platforming opportunities were lost. This made the imprecise control scheme more frustrating; I almost gave up on this game for that reason. I’m glad I didn’t. Because, while some minor technical and control issues do mire the experience somewhat, this is a whimsically realized world ideal for anyone who’s looking for a laugh with a literally close friend.
#5: Rayman Legends
Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier
Released 2013
4 Players
Back in 2013, Ubisoft made a strong case for the virtues of a massive AAA studio undertaking a more modest project when they released Rayman Legends. Though this is a platformer – an old and well-trodden genre – this one manages to feel fresh and unique. You’ll find a gauntlet of meticulously crafted levels full of beautiful animations and visually rich backdrops. This title sits comfortably on the Mount Rushmore of platformers and it’s a shame Ubisoft hasn’t seen fit to release any other games of this caliber in the Rayman series.
In it, your buoyant character will jump, glide, and punch through levels that are all inventive and varied from one another. One moment, you’ll methodically make your way like you would in a conventional 2D Mario game. A moment later, you’ll frantically rush to the finish line as the level whizzes by you while trancing like you would in a 2D Sonic game. It’s a masterclass in pacing. New mechanics are introduced at a steady clip, ensuring every session feels unique from the last. And, if you lean completionist, then you’ll be happy to know that every level is rife with secret sub-levels to test your mettle.
While this is a phenomenal game overall, it is not a phenomenal co-op game. There’s a rhythm to many of its levels and it can often feel like too much to ask for players to get on the same wavelength. One maddening mechanic is the ability for players to attack each other. My partner and I would regularly punch the other to their deaths when we actually intended to be helpful. While there isn’t a huge penalty to death, It still creates moments where someone will be in stasis for the majority of a level, serving more as spectator than player. Rather than enhance the experience with a partner, you’re more likely to create moments of frustration, which prevents this game from ranking very highly amongst its peers on this list. Do yourself a favor and play this one alone. It deserves your attention but your relationship does not deserve its headaches.
Hit me up if I missed any candidates or if you see that any of the games I have listed here have been removed from PS Plus Extra.
Email bitwormblog@gmail.com or comment below!
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