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Local Co-Op hidden gems on Steam
Every game here is tagged Local Co-Op on Steam, sits between 1,000 and 5,000 reviews, is rated at least 80% positive, and carries a catch drawn from its own negative reviews. All 40 of them. How these pages are made.
Isometric action-adventure with puzzle-solving, combat, and exploration. Features cooperative play and environmental traversal.
The catchThere is a good chance it will not launch at all on a modern Windows PC.
Games like Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light →
Wave-based co-op shooter where players defend a power source by collecting weapons and fighting toy enemies. It offers casual, light-hearted fun with classic action figure themes.
The catchOnline matches are hard to find, leaving you fighting bots or wrestling server errors.
Games like HYPERCHARGE: Unboxed →
This is a 3D platformer where players navigate colorful worlds, solve puzzles, and defeat enemies. It features cooperative multiplayer and a focus on creative problem-solving.
What players likedPlayers praise its intuitive controls, incredible music, and whimsical world-building, often comparing it to Super Mario 3D World and LittleBigPlanet.
The catchCo-op is riddled with lag, desync and a bug that swaps which player you control.
Games like Sackboy™: A Big Adventure →
LEGO Indiana Jones is a cooperative action-adventure puzzle game. Players solve puzzles and battle enemies using LEGO mechanics.
What players likedPlayers praise its satisfying gameplay, perfect level design, and amazing soundtrack, comparing it to other LEGO TT games.
The catchA jump bug stops characters leaping off bridges and moving tiles, blocking progress.
Games like LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures →
Tower defense played from the invading alien side: place towers anywhere and link them with laser fences to funnel human waves, then drop in yourself as a shape-shifting fighter craft.
What players likedPlayers praise it as a well-rounded, straightforward tower defense game with strong turrets and great mechanics, enjoyable for all ages.
The catchThe towers barely matter since your ship does most of the damage in every mission.
Games like X-Morph: Defense →
Cat Quest III95% positive from 4,083 reviews202423% finish itDeck Verified
This is a 2.5D open-world action RPG where players explore a pirate-themed world, sail a ship, and engage in combat. It offers solo or local co-op gameplay with refined combat and treasure hunting.
What players likedPlayers praise its improved combat, charming art style, and engaging pirate-themed adventure, making it the best in the series.
The catchThe pirate ship handles clumsily and its combat is more chore than fun.
Games like Cat Quest III →
Co-op action space shooter with frantic teamwork manning ship stations. Explore randomized levels, upgrade ships, and rescue space-bunnies.
The catchAssigning controllers to players is a repeated struggle that can end a session.
Games like Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime →
Shank90% positive from 4,025 reviews201025% finish itDeck Playable
A 2D sidescrolling beat-em-up with a weapon-based combo system and a violent grindhouse feel. It features shooting and slashing through enemies for bloody revenge.
What players likedPlayers praise its fun beat 'em up gameplay and variety of weapons, despite its short length.
The catchCombat is repetitive button mashing against spongy enemies and goes stale fast.
Games like Shank →
Two to ten players clear 22 short puzzle stages that only open when everyone coordinates their moves, locally or online. This is the 2016 original, later given a visual refresh and net play.
What players likedIt's a free, cooperative puzzle-platformer like other teamwork-focused games, praised for its fun communication and coordination with friends.
The catchOnline co-op is close to dead and often fails to connect friends at all.
Games like PICO PARK:Classic Edition →
Death Trash92% positive from 3,691 reviews2021Deck Verified
Open-world RPG with real-time combat, stealth, and dialogue choices. Explore a handcrafted post-apocalyptic world with a unique horror-punk feel.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique blend of weird horror, punk aesthetic, and strong story, finding it a fascinating and cool experience despite its unfinished state.
The catchYears into early access with barely any new content and no sign of a finished game.
Games like Death Trash →
Shank 282% positive from 3,600 reviews201216% finish itDeck Verified
Shank 2 is a 2D side-scrolling brawler with a fast-paced, brutal combat loop. It features a multi-weapon system and cooperative survival mode.
What players likedPlayers praise its brutal, stylish action as a banger beat 'em up, smoother than its predecessor.
The catchIt is a step down from the first game, with clunky delayed controls and a bad dodge.
Games like Shank 2 →
A 4-player local party game with intense archery combat. Players compete in versus matches or cooperate in a quest mode.
What players likedPlayers praise its classic, cool gameplay, excelling in both co-op and PVP experiences.
The catchControllers often go undetected or map to wrong buttons, and bindings cannot be changed.
Games like TowerFall Ascension →
This is a hand-drawn 2D adventure game where players manually control all bodily functions. It offers a challenging and humorous experience of keeping a character alive through mundane and absurd tasks.
What players likedPlayers praise the humorous story and engaging characters, comparing the manual controls to driving a car while managing bodily functions.
The catchThe manual body controls stop being funny fast and turn into a tedious chore.
Games like Manual Samuel - Last Tuesday Edition →
Guacamelee! 291% positive from 3,335 reviews201813% finish itDeck Verified
This is a Metroidvania action-platformer featuring brawling combat and dimension-shifting mechanics. It offers a vibrant, culturally inspired adventure with cooperative play.
What players likedPlayers praise Guacamelee! 2 as an innovative, story-driven metroidvania with fun characters and satisfying melee combat.
The catchPunishing pixel-perfect platforming and instant death traps overshadow the fun combat.
Games like Guacamelee! 2 →
Co-op action-adventure game. Players cast spells, duel, and explore iconic locations.
What players likedPlayers praise its expanded hub world and extensive character roster, feeling like a bigger, more complete LEGO Harry Potter experience.
The catchStuttering and frame drops plague the PC version even on powerful hardware.
Games like LEGO® Harry Potter: Years 5-7 →
Atmospheric side-scrolling action-adventure platformer. Fly through imaginative traps and puzzles with a forest dweller.
The catchThe PC port is a buggy, stripped down version of the mobile original.
Games like BADLAND: Game of the Year Edition →
Fight'N Rage91% positive from 3,189 reviews20179% finish itDeck Verified
A classic 2D side-scroller beat'em up with local co-op. It features simple controls for complex combos and multiple endings.
What players likedPlayers praise its intuitive controls, fluid hitboxes, consistent art, and engaging progression, feeling like a polished, hidden gem.
The catchDifficulty comes from enemy spam that crowds the screen until your character vanishes.
Games like Fight'N Rage →
Obscure96% positive from 3,183 reviews201424% finish itDeck Unsupported
Survival horror game where players control a group of students solving puzzles and fighting monsters in a locked-down high school. Features co-op gameplay and unique student abilities.
What players likedPlayers praise Obscure as a fun, co-op survival horror game with a teen horror movie tone, reminiscent of classic PS2 titles.
The catchFixed camera angles hide enemies while clumsy aiming makes fights frustrating.
Games like Obscure →
Cinematic platformer with solo and co-op campaigns. Players shoot enemies and solve puzzles as a chicken to overthrow a penguin regime.
What players likedPlayers praise its originality and entertaining side-scrolling action, reminiscent of classic arcade shooters with a unique premise.
The catchControls are clunky and the shooting is too simple, so combat gets boring fast.
Games like Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken →
The Cave87% positive from 2,904 reviews20133% finish itDeck Verified
This is a 2D puzzle-adventure game where players switch between three characters to solve environmental puzzles. It features a dark, humorous tone and a unique, seamless cave environment.
What players likedPlayers praise this charming puzzle-platformer, comparing it to games like Trine and Unravel, for its unique character abilities and replayability.
The catchConstant slow backtracking makes puzzles a chore, and it expects three playthroughs.
Games like The Cave →
Renegade Ops85% positive from 2,860 reviews2011Deck Unsupported
Top-down vehicular combat shooter. Players destroy enemies in co-op or solo, upgrading vehicles and weapons.
What players likedPlayers praise this fast-paced, explosive top-down arcade shooter for its destructible environments and fun local co-op, reminiscent of old-school games.
The catchFrequent mid-mission crashes force a full level restart because there are no checkpoints.
Games like Renegade Ops →
Voidigo96% positive from 2,742 reviews20234% finish itDeck Verified
Voidigo is a roguelite shooter with dynamic boss fights and weapon customization. Players dodge, stomp, and pursue fleeing enemies in a humorous, chaotic world.
What players likedPlayers praise Voidigo as a chaotic, charming, and fluid bullet-hell roguelike, often compared to Gungeon and Binding of Isaac.
The catchMost weapons and perks feel weak, leaving runs unrewarding and progression underwhelming.
Games like Voidigo →
This is a modern arcade shoot 'em up with a core loop of blasting enemies, upgrading your plane, and completing missions. It offers intense action with beautiful environments and a deep progression system.
What players likedPlayers praise it as a modern, replayable arcade classic with balanced difficulty, rewarding weapon upgrades after initial grinding.
The catchProgress demands replaying the same stages endlessly to farm currency for upgrades.
Games like Sky Force Reloaded →
Heave Ho91% positive from 2,572 reviews20192% finish itDeck Verified
Heave Ho is a chaotic multiplayer party game where players swing using their hands to reach platforms, leading to hilarious failures. It's a physics-based co-op and versus challenge focused on teamwork and precarious movement.
What players likedPlayers praise its fun, accessible physics-based co-op that's easy to learn but challenging to master.
The catchThere is no online co-op, and the Steam Remote Play workaround often fails.
Games like Heave Ho →
Pid83% positive from 2,431 reviews201280% finish itDeck Verified
Pid is a 2D puzzle platformer where players use gravity beams to navigate challenging environments and solve puzzles. It offers a co-op experience with exploration and combat in a visually striking alien world.
What players likedPlayers praise Pid as a beautiful and clever puzzle platformer with a unique gravity beam mechanic.
The catchFloaty, sluggish controls make the precision platforming feel unfair rather than hard.
Games like Pid →
Dead Pixels87% positive from 2,423 reviews201210% finish itDeck Verified
This is a procedurally generated zombie shooter with local co-op. Players scavenge for items and fight hordes in a dangerous, ever-changing city.
The catchRuns recycle the same enemies and scenery, so it turns repetitive within an hour.
Games like Dead Pixels →
Jamestown94% positive from 2,362 reviews201119% finish itDeck Verified
A 4-player co-op top-down shooter with a steampunk Mars setting. Its core loop features reviving teammates to ensure collective survival.
What players likedPlayers praise this short, excellent bullet-hell shooter for its art, music, and writing.
The catchOften fails to run on modern systems and has gone years without any fix.
Games like Jamestown →
A momentum-based platformer in which a ninja carries its own speed past homicidal robots to grab gold and reach the exit, across 4,690 hand-made levels with an editor and leaderboards.
What players likedPlayers praise N++ as a perfected precision platformer, often compared to Celeste, with vast content and satisfying flow.
The catchLong standing bugs go unfixed, with broken displays, failed launches and lost saves.
Games like N (NPLUSPLUS) →
Moving Out80% positive from 2,297 reviews20205% finish itDeck Verified
This is a co-op physics-based moving simulator with a chaotic, creative core loop. Players lift, toss, and smash furniture through increasingly fantastical levels.
What players likedPlayers praise the fun, cooperative gameplay, comparing it to other games where remote play works flawlessly.
The catchThere is no online co-op, so it only works with someone next to you.
Games like Moving Out →
Physics puzzle game where players control a cosmonaut's limbs to complete tasks in zero gravity. It offers a challenging, deliberate experience with a unique control scheme.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique, hilarious, and frustrating physics-based co-op that fosters teamwork and unforgettable moments.
The catchFloppy ragdoll controls fight you constantly, turning simple tasks into long ordeals.
Games like Heavenly Bodies →
Mosa Lina95% positive from 2,000 reviews2023Deck Verified
A physics-driven puzzle-platformer with randomized tool and level selection. It forces creative problem-solving through unpredictable challenges.
What players likedPlayers praise "Mosa Lina" as a fun, creative puzzle-platformer with great audio, visuals, and rewarding physics-based challenges.
The catchRandom tool draws often leave levels unwinnable and you cannot retry the same setup.
Games like Mosa Lina →
Action-adventure game with LEGO building and co-op. Players battle enemies and solve puzzles across movie storylines.
What players likedPlayers praise its level builder and sandbox elements, comparing it to Harry Potter Years 1-4 for its creative freedom.
The catchLevels are only a few minutes long and repeat the same fight, vehicle and boss formula.
Games like LEGO® Indiana Jones™ 2: The Adventure Continues →
Capcom's two D&D arcade beat 'em ups, Tower of Doom and Shadow over Mystara, with four-player drop-in online co-op, class picking, and House Rules toggles like infinite item durability.
What players likedPlayers praise this compilation of faithful D&D arcade beat 'em ups for its incredible pixel art and online multiplayer.
The catchController support is broken or missing and the keyboard controls cannot be rebound.
Games like Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara →
This is a co-op action-platformer with a core loop of exploring, fighting, and using unique abilities. It features a humorous, cartoonish feel with a focus on friendship and bizarre quests.
What players likedPlayers praise its fun, silly platforming adventure, often comparing it to Castle Crashers, Adventure Time, and Mario.
The catchLevels and enemies repeat and combat stays one button mashed to the end.
Games like The Adventure Pals →
This is a roguelite beat 'em up with tag-team combat. Players choose two characters to switch between for strategic combos.
What players likedPlayers praise it as the best Double Dragon since The Revenge, a competent beat 'em up with fun roguelite elements and diverse characters.
The catchCo-op is broken, with online that fails to connect and sessions full of desyncs.
Games like Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons →
Survival horror co-op game with teen movie themes, featuring character switching and puzzle-solving against monsters. Players explore a college campus overrun by dangerous, dream-inducing flowers.
What players likedPlayers praise its improved mechanics, impactful character abilities, and heightened tension, making it a darker horror experience.
The catchAreas demand specific characters, forcing constant backtracking to swap the party.
Games like Obscure II (Obscure: The Aftermath) →
A roguelite platformer where auto-targeting handles the shooting so runs are about jumps and loadout, with 150-plus weapons and a currency called Malbytes that mutates characters into glitched forms.
What players likedPlayers praise its "easy to learn, hard to master" difficulty and unique blend of roguelike mechanics, unlike Risk of Rain.
The catchMovement is floaty and hitboxes are unreliable, so bouncing on enemies often backfires.
Games like Rogue Glitch Ultra →
The Yawhg83% positive from 1,454 reviews2014Deck Verified
A 1-4 player choose-your-own-adventure with randomized stories and over 50 endings. It offers a dark, consequence-driven narrative about a town facing impending doom.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique atmosphere and writing, comparing it to a simple, short, and fun party game.
The catchEach run ends in ten to twenty minutes, with little content for the price.
Games like The Yawhg →
A 2D puzzle-adventure game where players use heat and cold mechanics to solve environmental puzzles. It features single-player and cooperative play with two contrasting protagonists.
What players likedPlayers praise its beautiful graphics and clever puzzles, often comparing it to Portal.
The catchPuzzles repeat the same scarf hunt across worlds and go stale after a couple of hours.
Games like Degrees of Separation →
Escape Academy88% positive from 1,304 reviews202254% finish itDeck Verified
A cooperative puzzle-adventure game where players solve escape room challenges. It features a school setting and a variety of themed rooms.
What players likedPlayers praise it as a fun, collaborative escape room game with engaging puzzles, suitable for both solo and co-op play.
The catchEvery room is on a countdown timer, so puzzles cannot be solved at your own pace.
Games like Escape Academy →
