Nothing brings people together better than a good scare, right? The following co-op horror games are a great excuse to jump online with old friends and new.
These titles will have you all huddled together, dealing with racing hearts and sweaty palms as you sneak past or confront eerie threats. You’ll end up laughing nervously as the tension ramps up and competing for supplies when things get tough.
By the time you’re done, you’ll have a much better idea of who you can rely on when everything gets intense.
25. Inside the Backrooms
Developer: MrFatcat
Publisher: MrFatcat
Back in 2019, clever users took an image of a strange yellowed hallway and developed the concept of the Backrooms. When you “noclip” out of reality, you land in a maze of walls where strange entities lurk. Inside the Backrooms brings this eerie concept to life in a co-op multiplayer experience that’s as straightforward as it is unsettling.
Once in the Backrooms, there’s only one thing to do—escape. Unfortunately, six entities and a series of ever-changing puzzles block your path. You’ll need to work together to move through the maze of walls and dead ends, or you’ll quickly find yourselves overwhelmed.
Inside the Backrooms is a strong depiction of the elaborate creepypasta and an entertaining multiplayer game that’s sure to keep you and your friends on the edge of your gaming chair.
24. Labyrinthine
Developer: Valko Game Studios
Publisher: Valko Game Studios
We don’t tend to expect much out of a hedge maze. You get lost for a bit, laugh, and eventually find your way out. Unfortunately for the players in Labyrinthine, their experience is quite different. Trapped in a seemingly endless loop of turns and dead ends, your group is constantly trying to find a way out—and the maze is not on your side.
Tackle the core narrative, following the footsteps of an unfortunate fairground worker of the Happisburg hedge maze, or try your luck in procedurally generated mazes. Both options leave you facing puzzles that block your path and creatures that are determined to catch up with you.
Labyrinthine is a surprisingly simple concept that offers a ton of depth as you uncover the mysteries within the maze.
23. Bigfoot
Developer: CyberLight Game Studio
Publisher: CyberLight Game Studio
Tired of only seeing grainy videos and photos of Bigfoot? Then jump into a game of Bigfoot and prepare to see the legendary creature in high-def clarity. You might immediately wish you hadn’t.
In this tense multiplayer title, players head into a dense redwood forest in search of Bigfoot. Equipped with traps, cameras, and gadgets, their goal is to track and neutralize the threat. Players who want to flip the script can step into the role of Bigfoot and scatter the opposing team using powerful attacks and throwable objects.
Bigfoot feels like most asymmetrical multiplayer games, just with bigger, meaner, and more intense stakes. Playing as the titular creature is a chaotic delight, but there’s something about the shared mayhem when a group attempt goes wrong that really drives home the fun.
22. State of Decay 2
Developer: Undead Labs
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
The world has fallen apart, and there’s only one real way to cope: by working together.
State of Decay 2 offers a thoughtful take on a zombie-ravaged world, dropping you into a landscape full of communities trying to carry on. Yours is among them, and between roaming groups of enemies and special infected, it’s going to need a little help. While you can go it alone, you’re also free to call in a friend in the game’s co-op multiplayer.
Helping out another player’s community does come with rewards, so there’s always something in it for you. Still, you’ll constantly need to weigh your choices, because even well-intentioned decisions can spiral into trouble.
21. Back 4 Blood
Developer: Turtle Rock Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
It’s easy to label Back 4 Blood as a Left 4 Dead clone, especially since Turtle Rock developed the original co-op shooter. However, the studio tried to differentiate it by adding a card-based mechanic that either provides perks or shakes up the match with unpredictable modifiers.
Back 4 Blood really comes alive with others, despite the addition of a single-player mode. It simply doesn’t land as well alone, partially thanks to the weak AI. But there’s nothing quite like maneuvering through a level full of Ridden with a few friends at your side.
Success requires teamwork, and just one careless teammate can alert a crowd and derail the entire level. That’s part of the charm—if you know who you’re playing with.
20. Don’t Starve Together
Developer: Klei Entertainment
Publisher: Klei Entertainment
If Tim Burton were to develop a video game, it would likely look a lot like Don’t Starve. At the very least, the aesthetics would be nearly identical, which is part of the charm of this survival experience. Whereas Don’t Starve puts players in the mysterious Constant, where strange creatures lurk at every corner, Don’t Starve Together lets you bring a friend. And you’ll need them.
Creatures are only half the threat, as hunger and sanity constantly work against you. Can you build a base and gather resources quickly enough to prevent disaster? Probably not on the first go, but that’s half the fun.
You’ll need to coordinate, gather supplies, and make use of the in-game build system to manage the many dangers of the Constant.
19. Deceit
Developer: Baseline
Publisher: Baseline
Few co-op experiences make you question whether you can trust your teammates. Deceit breaks the mold and throws players into uncertainty by secretly “infecting” a fraction of them. Those who aren’t infected must work together to escape, while the hidden impostors quietly work against the group and avoid being discovered.
If the impostors reach the end of a zone without being exposed, they transform into powerful creatures and start openly disrupting the team. At that point, the tension ramps up as everyone scrambles for a plan.
Deceit is all about reading people and staying calm under pressure—especially when things suddenly go sideways.
18. The Blackout Club
Developer: Question
Publisher: Question
Remember when you and your friends gathered in a treehouse to talk about your town’s strangest mysteries? In The Blackout Club, you won’t just talk about them—you’ll investigate them.
Up to four players team up in this co-op experience to stop the oddities plaguing their small town. Using an array of gadgets and careful planning, you’ll need to outsmart the adults who seem to be under a strange influence.
Together, you’ll complete missions to uncover the secrets beneath the town while avoiding its unusual inhabitants and the supernatural Shape that watches your every move.
17. Resident Evil Revelations 2
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
What if the way you handled fear determined whether you stayed in control? Resident Evil Revelations 2 explores that idea with Claire Redfield and newcomer Moira Burton, who are infected with a strain that reacts to stress.
Players can team up as Claire and Moira as they try to escape the Overseer’s grasp. The narrative also switches to Barry Burton, who returns to aid his daughter alongside Natalia, a mysterious young girl.
The dual perspectives offer two very different experiences. Claire and Moira rely more on careful planning, while Barry’s side provides a more direct approach with Natalia’s support abilities. It’s the kind of co-op Resident Evil fans had been hoping to see for years.
16. Dead Space 3
Developer: Visceral Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Some say Dead Space 3 moved too far from its horror roots, but it’s far from a bad game. Its shift toward action opened the door for a co-op mode featuring series protagonist Isaac Clarke and Sergeant John Carver.
The game introduces human enemies to increase variety, but there’s still a wide assortment of unsettling creatures to deal with. Working together gives the campaign a new flavour as you coordinate your loadouts and strategies.
Yes, it’s different from the earlier entries, but Dead Space 3 still offers plenty of tense moments—especially with a friend alongside you.
15. Pacify
Developer: Shawn Hitchcock
Publisher: SKH Apps
Never enter a haunted house alone. Pacify proves why by sending you and up to four friends into a mysterious home in search of paranormal evidence. As members of Paranormal Activity Helpers Incorporated, you’re equipped with basic tools and a lot of determination.
It doesn’t take long for strange events to unfold, sending you on a frantic search for items that can soothe the spirit of the young girl who lives there. Each new attempt is a race to stay calm and find a solution before things escalate.
Pacify shines when a group coordinates well, creating moments that are equal parts tense and entertaining.
14. Hunt: Showdown
Developer: Crytek
Publisher: Crytek
Go on the hunt of a lifetime with a friend at your side in Hunt: Showdown. A world of supernatural creatures stands between you and your target, each requiring different tactics to overcome. Some go down easily, giving you confidence—right before the real challenge appears.
Hunt: Showdown is set in a stylized historical era and pits you against powerful threats. You’ll use your wits, firearms, and tools to track your target and complete your mission. Other players are also in the mix, competing for the same objective, which adds another layer of unpredictability.
It’s an atmospheric and tactical co-op experience that rewards patience as much as precision.
13. Friday the 13th: The Video Game
Developer: IllFonic
Publisher: Gun Media
Could you escape from Jason Voorhees? Probably not—but Friday the 13th: The Video Game gives you a chance to try. This asymmetrical multiplayer experience teams you up with others looking to survive a night at Camp Crystal Lake.
Set across memorable locations from the film series, Friday the 13th challenges you to escape by repairing a vehicle, calling for help, or simply lasting until time runs out. Meanwhile, Jason is always nearby, forcing you and your group to stay alert.
Working together means searching for supplies, dividing tasks, and planning escape routes. It’s more cooperative than it may appear on the surface—and immensely rewarding.
12. Dead Island
Developer: Techland
Publisher: Deep Silver
Slow-moving zombies don’t sound like much of a problem—until you’re surrounded. Dead Island takes a slower, more atmospheric approach to the genre. Its tropical setting might look relaxing at first, but danger waits around every corner.
You and your group will explore the island of Banoi, gathering supplies, helping survivors, and improving your equipment. The emphasis on close-range combat and environmental interaction gives the game a unique rhythm compared to other co-op zombie titles.
Dead Island is stylish, surprisingly methodical, and a great experience to share with another player.
11. Last Year: The Nightmare
Developer: Elastic Games
Publisher: Elastic Games
Asymmetrical horror comes to school in Last Year: The Nightmare, a six-player multiplayer experience. You and several classmates must work together to avoid the Fiend—an unpredictable enemy that changes tactics throughout the match.
The story revolves around a group who become trapped after playing an occult card game. To escape, you’ll need coordination, quick thinking, and an understanding of the killer’s patterns.
Last Year mixes strategy with improvisation, making each match feel different from the last.
10. Obscure
Developer: Hydravision Entertainment
Publisher: DreamCatcher Interactive
You’ll need to dig a little into gaming history to find Obscure, a co-op survival horror gem from the PS2, Xbox, and PC era. Styled with an old-school third-person camera, Obscure takes inspiration from classic survival horror while adding some co-op twists.
You can explore the school alone, but the game truly shines when played with another person. Each of the five students has unique abilities, and the story encourages exploring together for clues and upgrades.
Obscure also features permanent consequences for losing a character, adding weight to your decisions and cooperation.
9. Devour
Developer: Straight Back Games
Publisher: Straight Back Games
Devour follows a group of cult members who accidentally unleash a supernatural threat. As the danger grows, it’s up to you and your friends to perform a ritual to undo the damage they’ve caused.
You’ll explore dimly lit locations in search of ritual items while avoiding the roaming presence that hunts your group. Your main tool is a UV flashlight, which can briefly calm hostile characters so you can regroup.
Every level in Devour is a balance of planning, communication, and staying calm under pressure.
8. SCP: Secret Laboratory
Developer: Northwood Studios
Publisher: Northwood Studios
SCP: Secret Laboratory brings the popular SCP Foundation universe into a multiplayer setting. Players can take on roles such as scientists, security staff, or test subjects attempting to escape the facility. Others become SCP entities, each with their own abilities.
Working together is essential as you navigate the underground site, solve problems, and avoid hostile forces. Humans also clash with each other as loyalties shift and objectives change mid-game.
No two rounds feel the same thanks to the mix of roles and dynamic encounters.
7. Cry of Fear
Developer: Team Psykskallar
Publisher: Team Psykskallar
With a friend at your side, Cry of Fear becomes a far more manageable—and even more interesting—experience. The town you explore is deserted, filled with unsettling imagery and tense encounters.
Cry of Fear includes a full co-op campaign that lets you team up with up to three other players. The atmosphere constantly keeps you on edge, and the world plays tricks on your senses to heighten the tension.
Originally built from a Half-Life mod, Cry of Fear evolved into a surprisingly deep and memorable horror game.
6. Dying Light 2
Developer: Techland
Publisher: Techland
If exploring a city filled with the infected is fun, doing it with friends is even better. Dying Light 2 lets up to four players jump into each other’s games, either for side-by-side action or to work through the main story.
Everything great about the single-player experience—parkour, crafting, exploration—remains intact in co-op. Only character progression is locked to the host, but the flow of gameplay stays fast and enjoyable.
There are plenty of zombie-themed co-op games out there, but Dying Light 2’s open world and expressive movement make it easy to spend hours wandering together.
5. GTFO
Developer: 10 Chambers Collective
Publisher: 10 Chambers Collective
GTFO asks one important question: do you trust your team that much? In this co-op title, you descend into a massive underground complex full of unusual creatures. Stealth plays a big role, as many threats are dormant until someone makes a mistake.
Coordinate quietly, move slowly, and complete your objectives for the mysterious Warden—until everything inevitably goes wrong. When it does, teamwork and quick reactions are key.
GTFO is tense, tactical, and unforgettable with the right squad.
4. Dead by Daylight
Developer: Behaviour Interactive
Publisher: Starbreeze Studios
Dead by Daylight pits four survivors against a single killer in a supernatural arena. To escape, the survivors must work together to repair generators and unlock the exit.
Meanwhile, the killer—played by another user—tries to stop them. There’s a huge roster of killers and survivors, including recognisable characters from various horror franchises.
The tension, unpredictability, and constant teamwork requirements make Dead by Daylight a co-op classic.
3. Phasmophobia
Developer: Kinetic Games
Publisher: Kinetic Games
Have you ever explored an abandoned location with your friends and shared spooky stories? Phasmophobia takes that idea and turns it into a proper ghost-hunting adventure.
Armed with tools like EMF meters, thermometers, and voice recorders, your team investigates haunted sites to gather evidence and identify the type of spirit. As the investigation progresses, the spirit becomes more active, raising the tension.
Phasmophobia’s blend of teamwork and deduction makes every session memorable.
2. The Forest
Developer: Endnight Games
Publisher: Endnight Games
After a plane crash, you awaken alone in the middle of a vast forest—and your son has been taken by a mysterious figure. With limited supplies, you must explore, build, and adapt to survive.
The Forest supports co-op, allowing you and a partner to construct shelters, craft tools, and explore hidden areas. The peninsula is full of strange inhabitants, and their behaviour evolves as you progress.
It’s a tense, atmospheric survival game that constantly pushes you to expand your comfort zone.
1. Left 4 Dead 2
Developer: Valve
Publisher: Valve
Is Left 4 Dead 2 the ultimate co-op horror experience? Many would argue yes. From its distinct special infected to its sprawling campaigns, L4D2 remains one of the most replayable multiplayer titles ever made.
Four players work together to cross each level, supporting each other against waves of infected enemies. Each special type brings a new challenge, encouraging teamwork and careful coordination.
It’s fast, frantic, and one of the best bonding experiences you’ll find in a multiplayer game.
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