Key takeaways
- Shared campaign: In games such as Guacamelee! 2, partners experience the same overall route and ability unlocks. This is usually the simplest arrangement for a first co-op run.
- Separate mode: When co-op is an added mode, as with Rabi-Ribi, don’t assume it follows the solo campaign’s map and progression one-to-one.
- Stage-based multiplayer: In Harmony of Despair, replayable missions and character development take priority over jointly uncovering one giant map.
- Uneven skill levels: A game can let one player carry more of the combat, but platforming or exploration can still leave a newer partner behind. Choose a forgiving shared campaign if staying together matters most.
Best Co-op Metroidvania Games to Play Together
The best co-op Metroidvania for most pairs is Guacamelee! 2: it supports up to four local players, keeps everyone in the same adventure, and makes its brawling easier to share than a precision-heavy exploration game. Choose Outland for a focused two-player campaign, Rabi-Ribi’s co-op mode for a more demanding, asymmetric partnership, or Castlevania: Harmony of Despair if you want short, multiplayer-focused missions rather than a traditional shared campaign.
One caveat matters: “co-op” can mean anything from exploring one connected map together to joining a separate multiplayer mode. Player counts below refer to local or online play where applicable; platform features and availability can vary by edition and region, so check the specific store listing before buying.
Our top picks
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At a glance: which game fits your group?
| Game | Players and co-op structure | Platforms and availability | Difficulty and progression fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guacamelee! 2 | 1–4; local shared campaign | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch | Accessible brawling; players share the story and exploration |
| Outland | 1–2; local co-op in designated sections | PC and older console releases; check current storefront availability | Moderate; color-based combat and platforming reward coordination |
| Rabi-Ribi | Single-player campaign with a separate two-player co-op mode | PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch | Challenging bullet-hell combat; co-op changes the feel rather than making a shared campaign |
| Castlevania: Harmony of Despair | Up to 6; multiplayer stages, local or online depending on version | Older Xbox and PlayStation releases; platform and online service status vary | Combat-heavy missions; progression is character- and loot-focused |
| UnEpic | 1–2; cooperative play in supported versions | PC and select console releases | Old-school, stats-and-equipment progression; less seamless exploration |
These games don’t all offer the same kind of Metroidvania co-op. Some share a campaign, some add a mode to a primarily solo game, and others organize multiplayer around discrete stages. That distinction is more useful than the player count alone.
Best picks by situation
For a first co-op Metroidvania: Guacamelee! 2
Up to four people can play locally through the campaign. The group fights, platform-hops and unlocks the wrestling-inspired combat abilities needed to reach new areas. Partners remain part of one adventure, so one person doesn’t have to manage a separate character build or learn a complicated equipment system before joining in.
Its main trade-off is screen congestion: with four players, busy fights can become difficult to read. For a first playthrough, two players are often the comfortable choice; invite more people when your group values a lively couch session over precise platforming. It’s primarily a local co-op pick, so don’t assume that buying it on a platform with online services means the campaign supports online multiplayer.
For two players who want coordination: Outland
Outland is built around switching between light and dark energy. In co-op sections, partners need to pay attention to those mechanics while tackling enemies and hazards. This makes it a better fit for two players who enjoy talking through a puzzle or timing an attack than for a group that wants to pile into a chaotic four-player brawl.
Its co-op is more limited than a continuously shared campaign: not every part of the single-player journey is designed for two. It’s also an older game, and present-day availability can be less convenient than that of newer releases. Confirm that the version you can access includes the mode you want before planning a session.
For a skilled pair who enjoy hard fights: Rabi-Ribi
Rabi-Ribi combines a sprawling, ability-gated world with demanding projectile-heavy boss fights. Its co-op option is a separate mode rather than a simple promise that two players share every step of the main campaign. That makes it a pick for partners who are happy to treat co-op as a different way to play, not necessarily as a full shared-story substitute.
Expect a sharper learning curve than in Guacamelee! 2. More players can help with pressure and damage, but they don’t remove the need to learn attack patterns or move carefully through dense projectiles. If one partner is new to action games, agree on difficulty expectations before committing.
For a group that prefers short missions: Castlevania: Harmony of Despair
This entry puts multiplayer combat at the center, with stages designed for groups of up to six rather than one seamless, shared-world journey. Characters bring different strengths, and the appeal comes from coordinating attacks, replaying missions and improving equipment. Exploration is more room- and stage-based than the open-ended map backtracking typical of a single-player Metroidvania.
It can be a strong match for a regular gaming group, but it’s the least straightforward recommendation for a new purchase. The game is associated with older console releases, and compatibility, digital availability and online functionality depend on the platform and service. Check those details first—especially if your group is spread across different systems.
For old-school RPG systems: UnEpic
UnEpic mixes platforming and exploration with role-playing systems such as character stats, spells and equipment. Its cooperative option may appeal to players who want more build choices than a straightforward action platformer provides. The trade-off is that its co-op experience and availability depend on the release, and it can feel less polished or immediately readable than newer alternatives. It suits patient players who enjoy learning systems together.
How co-op changes exploration and progression
In a Metroidvania, a new movement ability can open paths explored hours earlier. Co-op raises practical questions: do both players need to stay together, do they share upgrades, and can one player lead while the other catches up? Those answers shape the experience more than a headline player count.
- Shared campaign: In games such as Guacamelee! 2, partners experience the same overall route and ability unlocks. This is usually the simplest arrangement for a first co-op run.
- Separate mode: When co-op is an added mode, as with Rabi-Ribi, don’t assume it follows the solo campaign’s map and progression one-to-one.
- Stage-based multiplayer: In Harmony of Despair, replayable missions and character development take priority over jointly uncovering one giant map.
- Uneven skill levels: A game can let one player carry more of the combat, but platforming or exploration can still leave a newer partner behind. Choose a forgiving shared campaign if staying together matters most.
Before buying, check whether the mode is local or online, how many controllers it supports, and whether progression is saved for both players. Also check whether the game offers drop-in play if you expect partners to join after a session has started.
Choose by group size and experience
| Your situation | Best starting choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Two new players sharing a couch | Guacamelee! 2 | Four-player local support leaves room to add friends, while the shared adventure is easy to follow. |
| Two players who enjoy coordination | Outland | Its light-and-dark mechanics give partners a reason to work together. |
| Two experienced action-game players | Rabi-Ribi | Its demanding combat offers a more technical challenge, though co-op is a separate mode. |
| A group of three or more seeking missions | Castlevania: Harmony of Despair | It supports up to six players, subject to the version and multiplayer service available. |
| Players who like stats and gear | UnEpic | Its role-playing systems add build decisions alongside platforming and exploration. |
Bottom line
For the broadest recommendation, pick Guacamelee! 2 if you want a shared local campaign that can accommodate up to four people. Choose Outland when a two-player, coordination-focused experience sounds more appealing, and Rabi-Ribi when difficulty matters more than seamless campaign sharing. For larger groups, Castlevania: Harmony of Despair has the biggest player count—but verify that you can still access the right version and multiplayer features. In every case, check the exact platform listing for co-op type, controller count and online support before purchasing.
