Best Games That Feel Like Co-Op But Feature NPC Companions
Best Games That Feel Like Co-Op But Feature NPC Companions
Single-player experiences in games don't have to be lonely, with many titles allowing the player to be followed around by a friend or two. While these games feel as if they should be something that can be enjoyed by another player, the games in this article are strictly single player with the additional support being controlled by an AI. However, these companions aren't stupid, as their AI makes them act and support the player as if they were a real person playing.
Related
Monster Hunter Rise: Things To Know About Co-Op
Here are all of the things you should keep in mind before partying up in Monster Hunter Rise.
Many players may become quite attached to their partner in crime, as they can offer crucial support during the most difficult encounters, along with helping out during puzzle sections of the game. Overall, these are the best single-player games that feel like they offer a co-op adventure — while remaining purely single-player experiences.
Resident Evil Zero
Two People Working Together To Explore A Facility
Resident Evil Zero
Platform(s) Wii, PS3, Switch, PS4, Xbox 360, PC, GameCube, Xbox OneReleased November 12, 2002Developer(s) CapcomGenre(s) Survival HorrorPublisher(s) Capcom
The Resident Evil games have had co-op available at times throughout its storied history. However, some of the games in the iconic horror franchise have given the player two characters they can swap between, with the other following closely, though they can't be controlled by a second player.
Resident Evil Zero feels and plays like many of the other Resident Evil titles, and therefore, when supported by a secondary character such as Rebecca Chambers or Billy Coen, depending on which character the player is controlling. While there are still moments when the two of them are separated, for the majority of the game they are exploring together, with the other one feeling like a co-op partner that is there to shoot the undead while you're trying to figure out where to go next.
Ratchet And Clank: Rift Apart
Clank Is The Greatest Partner A Player Could Have
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Platform(s) PS5, PCReleased June 11, 2021Developer(s) Insomniac GamesGenre(s) Third-Person Shooter, PlatformerPublisher(s) Sony
Although the action-adventure franchise focuses on the adventures of Ratchet and Clank, only two of the games in the entire franchise have allowed the player to work with or against another in co-op. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is one of many in the franchise that doesn't have co-op available, although a co-op mode would have fit right in with all the fun gadgets and arena-based encounters in the game.
9:35 Related
The Best Couch Co-op Games On Nintendo Switch
If you're looking for which Nintendo Switch games you can play with the friend next to you, we've got you covered!
While Clank may go missing at the start of the game, players when controlling Ratchet meet the likes of Rivet and others who not only help Ratchet but feel like they should've been an option for a second player. Especially after Clank returns, the tiny robot is always at the player's side, supporting him in any way that he can. While this does feel like a co-op partner, many still wish they could've had any actual friend's help too.
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
Pawns That Feel Like Real People
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
Platform(s) PS3, Switch, PS4, Xbox 360, PC, Xbox OneReleased April 23, 2013Developer(s) CapcomGenre(s) Action RPGPublisher(s) Capcom
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is a game that has a passionate online RPG community. However, the game doesn't have any sort of co-op — although the player has a team of Pawns that follow them around. Players rely heavily on these Pawns that have been created by other players, as well as having their own Pawn that they create at the start of the game.
Even though it isn't a co-op game, players are likely to find themselves getting incredibly attached to their own personal Pawn; players not only fully customize what they look like, but they (players) will likely turn to them at all times for support throughout the entirety of the fantasy adventure. Crafting a companion Warrior or Mage who constantly has the back of the player will show how incredible the AI is for Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen.
God Of War Ragnarok
Their Powers Are Needed For More Than Combat
God of War: Ragnarok
Platform(s) PS5, PS4Released November 9, 2022Developer(s) Santa Monica StudioGenre(s) Action, AdventurePublisher(s) Sony
In past God of War games, Kratos has always been someone that looks after himself with no support from others. This changed with God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok, as players had the assistance of Kratos' son, Atreus, as well as other companions who not only support in combat but also assist the player in solving the various puzzles of the game too.
Related
Best Dark Fantasy Co-Op Games
The following games boast wonderful dark fantasy settings and allow players to fight through them with a friend.
However, the companions' main focus is combat, as they can use a variety of skills connected to their weapon of choice to help the player stay alive during intense encounters. While the player can push the companion to use a specific ability, they (the companion) will mostly defend themselves and revive the player when they go down. With a companion being a regular member of the team, it's easy to feel like the game delivers a fun co-op experience, though it's fully a single-player masterpiece.
Little Nightmares 2
Two Characters That Inspire The Next Game
Little Nightmares 2
Platform(s) Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox OneReleased February 10, 2021Developer(s) Tarsier Studios, Supermassive GamesGenre(s) Survival Horror, Puzzle, ActionPublisher(s) Bandai Namco Studios
Little Nightmares 2 is one of the best horror puzzle-platformer games out there. Players love Little Nightmares 2 not only for its ominous story and haunted atmosphere, but also for its dual protagonists in Mono and Six (the memorable player character from the original game). While players have no control over Six in the sequel, she is an incredibly important part of the story in Little Nightmares 2, with the characters holding hands and working together to solve the various puzzles as they make their way across the creepy levels.
While no second player can control Six, this doesn't stop her from feeling like a friendly presence that the player is working with to make it through the platformer. Having these two characters work together may have encouraged Tarsier Studios to make the eventual Little Nightmares 3 an actual co-op adventure, allowing players to enjoy Little Nightmares with a friend, instead of just relying on Six — even if she was an amazing character that felt almost like an actual person controlling her.
2:51 More
The Best Co-Op Base-Building Games
Planning and building a base is satisfying to execute in games, and its only better with a friend. These are the best Base-Building Co-Op games.