While there are all manner ofsingle-player horror gamesthat offer immersive experiences, co-operative horror games are somewhat less common. This is possibly due to the fact that co-operative horror games are arguably less scary, as everything is when beside a friend.
However, there remain a multitude of horror games,especially action-horror games, that manage to maintain a careful combination of terror and multiplayer chaos. Games likeLethal Companycan be as scary as they are hilarious, whileLeft 4 Dead2is a lightweight horror game that offers an undemanding cooperative experience that’s more widely accessible.
Aliens: Fireteam Eliteis a co-operative action-horror game that’s perfect forfans of horde shooterssuch asLeft 4 Dead 2and the classic sci-fi horror franchise,Alien. The loyalty to the source material is admirable, from the visuals down to the sound design, makingFireteam Elitea more than suitable game for groups that enjoyed James Cameron’sAliens.
The classic horde-shooter gameplay may be fairly standard, but it’s elevated by the addition of online co-op and the immersiveAlienpackaging. Players that dislike the third-person perspective, however, may prefer first-person horde shooterssuch asLeft 4 Dead 2.
This horror-infused first-person extraction shooter can be played solo, but it’s clearly been designed to play with one or two friends. Playing in a team gives players a better chance of survival, and the more pairs of eyes searching the brush for danger the better.
Hunt: Showdownis a shooter first and foremost, with a focus on detailed, heavy gunplay that’s deliberate and impactful. Strategy also plays an important part in the game, which becomes more complex when playing in a team.
Thisasymmetric multiplayer horrorgame pits one player, the killer, against several others, the survivors. This gameplay loop is intentionallyreminiscent of a classic slasher film, and although it’s a match-based versus game, the survivors must work cooperatively in order to escape.
A solid strategy, map knowledge, and teamwork are integral to success inDead By Daylight, making it a title that’s perfect for co-op. However, some players may get frustrated by having to rely heavily on their teammates.
AlthoughDead Islandcan be played in single-player, it’s arguably at its best when playing in online co-op, which allows for up to four players. The combination of standard gunplay and simplistichack-and-slash combatis at first an unremarkable experience, but the RPG elements and strong multiplayer capabilities elevate the overall package.
Dead Islandis a fairly formulaic zombie game that tasks players with completing various quests and hacking their way through hordes of zombies. In co-op, this experience becomes far more memorable, and the simple but chaotic action-horror gameplay leaves room for memorable moments between players.
Built with cooperative play in mind,GTFOis a hardcore first-person horror shooter that challenges players at every turn. The game’s gritty tone and dark, atmospheric 3D environments offer a unique flavor, butGTFOis driven by its relentless need for solid teamwork.
In the game, players make their way through underground environments in a gameplay loop that combines stealth and strategy with fluid gunplay.GTFOis designed with four-player co-op in mind, and although it allows players to fill their line-up with AI bots if need be, it’s clearly been designed with human teams in mind.
Lethal Companyis a co-operative sci-fi horror game designed with terror, comedy, and chaos in mind. The game tasks players with delving into dangerous facilities infested with an ensemble of horrific creatures, collecting as many valuables as they can in order to meet their company quota.
Teamwork is essential to success inLethal Company, as players are much more likely to survive in numbers. However, the main reason to playLethal Companywith friends is that it’s simply a lot more fun, especially when making use of the game’s proximity voice chat.
Resident Evil 5could be seen as somewhat of an exaggerated mess, emphasizing action over horror with a heavy hand and carrying players through a story that’s even more B-movie than its predecessors. However,Resident Evil 5is arguably one of the best co-op horror games, packed with action and moments that are all the more memorable with a friend.
Resident Evil 5was clearly designed with co-op in mind, as the game’s AI partner leaves something to be desired, often making the experience a frustrating one. Playing with a friend, however, removes the frustration and replaces it with a focus on teamwork, makingResident Evil 5rather rewarding to play cooperatively.
Certainly not the most horrifying game out there,Left 4 Dead 2is a decidedly action-oriented experience. However, the unpredictable AI Director and the dense atmosphere of its diverse environments provide the perfect level of tension, easily broken by the chaos of co-operative gameplay and the B-movie dialogue of the protagonists.
Left 4 Dead 2can be played in single-player with AI squad-mates, but it was clearly designed with multiplayer in mind. Teamwork is essential to success, especially on harder difficulties, and players will often be reliant on their teammates to prevent the various special infected from taking them down.
