The best action RPG to play with friends depends on your group’s platform, preferred party size and appetite for a long loot grind. The clearest verified fits here are Diablo IV, Last Epoch, Grim Dawn and Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr. This is a practical shortlist, not a definitive quality ranking: current co-op details for four other plausible picks are not established by the available sources, so they are identified as options to verify rather than presented with unsupported multiplayer claims.
Quick picks by group need
| Game | Verified group size | Best fit | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diablo IV | Up to four online; two local players, according to GamesRadar+’s 2026 guide. | Groups that want online play and console couch co-op. | Confirm current platform, edition, and cross-play support for everyone’s setup. |
| Last Epoch | Up to four in a party, per Eleventh Hour Games’ FAQ (July 20, 2021). | Groups who want a shared online adventure while keeping group-required PvE optional. | Online and offline characters are separate; confirm current mechanics before starting. |
| Grim Dawn | Up to four total players, per Crate Entertainment’s multiplayer guide. | Groups looking for scalable multiplayer sessions. | Monster strength and loot scale with player count; confirm platform compatibility. |
| Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr | Xbox listing specifies two-player local co-op or up to four online. | Groups considering both couch and online co-op. | That player-count information is from Xbox’s listing; check the relevant platform’s current requirements, including any online subscription. |
| Path of Exile 2 | Not established in the reviewed source. | Players interested in an Early Access isometric action RPG with character customization. | Check its current official multiplayer details and Early Access status before planning a group run. |
| Additional candidates | Not established for the games below. | Use the final four entries as discovery leads, not confirmed co-op recommendations. | Verify multiplayer mode, player cap, platforms and cross-play directly before buying. |
The sources establish actionable multiplayer details for four titles, not a verified eight-game co-op ranking. To complete the eight-game discovery list without implying unsupported features, the remaining entries below are clearly marked as unverified group picks.
Four picks with documented co-op details
1. Diablo IV: online party play and local co-op
GamesRadar+’s 2026 co-op guide describes Diablo IV as supporting up to four players online and two in local co-op, as well as cross-play and cross-progression. That makes it the most straightforward choice in this shortlist for a group that wants to combine online play with console couch sessions. Check that each friend’s platform and edition support the setup you intend to use; the source does not settle every current edition or platform detail.
Source: GamesRadar+ co-op games guide.
2. Last Epoch: four-player parties with optional group PvE
Eleventh Hour Games’ official Multiplayer FAQ, dated July 20, 2021, sets a maximum party size of four and explains that online and offline characters are separate. It also states the developer’s design intent: “Because we don’t want to lock the best loot behind content that requires a cooperative party and maintain that playing with groups is optional (albeit a lot of fun) we will not be adding content that requires parties to defeat.” Treat that as a historical statement of design intent, not a newly issued guarantee that every mechanic remains unchanged.
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#1 Best Overall
- Award-winning base game in the Gloomhaven universe that includes everything you need to have 90+ thematic roleplaying sessions with tactical combat.
- Play together with up to 4 players or tackle the campaign alone as a solo mercenary. Decide and shape how your character grows and their story progresses.
- No GM or Gamemaster needed! Everyone is a player and there's no homework before game sessions. Turn to your next scenario and start playing immediately.
- Includes miniature figures for each character and detailed standees for all monsters and creatures in the game. Use the immersive map tiles and tokens included to get a real feel of the fight.
- Unique card based fighting system that allows you to have more control over your choices each round than just dice would allow.
The official site describes multiplayer alongside offline play. If friends plan to play together, choose online characters rather than assuming an offline character can join the group.
Sources: Eleventh Hour Games’ Multiplayer FAQ and Last Epoch official site.
Rank #2
- DYNAMIC DUNGEON BUILDER: Modular tiles and evolving layouts create a new adventure every session. Double-sided cards become rooms or gear, so the map shifts as you explore. No two playthroughs are ever the same.
- TEAMWORK AND TACTICS: Choose from 8 unique heroes and work together in this fully co-op experience. Share loot, combine abilities, and coordinate strategies to survive enemies and defeat the boss.
- SMART CARD SYSTEM: Every card has two uses—expand the dungeon or boost your hero. This dual-purpose deck system drives deep decisions and exciting trade-offs with just three cards in hand.
- PLAY SOLO OR TOGETHER: Designed for 1–4 players, with solo rules built in. Whether you're flying solo or gathering your group, the scalable difficulty and quick sessions make it perfect for all setups.
- BIG FUN, SMALL BOX: Fast setup, quick turns, and replayable modes packed into a compact box. Perfect for weeknights, travel, or casual groups who want a dungeon crawler without the bulk or burnout.
3. Grim Dawn: multiplayer that scales with the party
Crate Entertainment’s official guide says a multiplayer session can include the player and up to three others. Monster strength and loot scale with the number of players, so the group should expect the challenge and rewards to respond to party size. The source does not establish cross-play or couch co-op; check platform compatibility with your friends before committing.
Source: Crate Entertainment’s Grim Dawn multiplayer guide.
Rank #3
- EXCITING EXPANSION PACK: Now you can expand your HeroQuest Game System with this Prophecy of Telor Quest Pack, once only available as part of the HeroQuest: Haslab Mythic Tier package (Requires HeroQuest Game System to play. Sold separately.)
- THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES: Playing as the warlock hero, unveil the secrets behind the Talisman of Lore and defeat the evil wizard Melar! The 14 game cards and quest book feature artwork that immerses you in the perilous world
- ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION OF MINIATURES: This tabletop board game expansion comes with 15 finely detailed unpainted miniatures, including the warlock hero and fiery orange monster miniatures
- INCLUDES 13 THRILLING QUESTS: The Prophecy of Telor quest book, written by Stephen Baker, features 13 quests set in ancient locations filled with monsters, spells, and threatening obstacles at every turn
- ENDLESS REPLAYABILITY: Delve deeper into the HeroQuest world with this expansion pack that adds to the game’s replayability. Players can also create their own stories and design their own quests
4. Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr: local or online group play
Xbox’s listing describes this action RPG as supporting two-player local co-op or up to four players online. Those figures are specific to the Xbox listing; do not assume identical modes or service requirements on other platforms. Xbox’s listing says online multiplayer requires a Game Pass plan, so check the current subscription terms for the relevant platform and account before arranging a session.
Source: Xbox listing for Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor – Martyr.
Rank #4
- Each mission takes between 1 and 2 hours and is so much fun you will want to play the next one right away
- Fully cooperative
- 2-4 players
- The 44 plastic miniatures are highly detailed, and a great value
Four more ARPGs to investigate before choosing
These entries round out the eight-game discovery list, but the available source material does not establish their current co-op mode, player cap, cross-play or platform restrictions. They may suit players interested in the genre; they are not verified recommendations for a specific group setup. Confirm each game’s current official multiplayer details before buying or scheduling a session.
5. Path of Exile 2
GamesRadar+’s 2026 ARPG roundup describes Path of Exile 2 as an Early Access action RPG with an isometric adventure and character customization. That description does not establish whether or how friends can play together. Check the current official game information for multiplayer mode, party size, platform availability and Early Access status.
Source: GamesRadar+ ARPG roundup.
6–8. Other genre candidates
The available sources do not substantiate three additional titles’ current co-op specifications. Rather than invent a party cap or imply that genre membership guarantees multiplayer, use these as prompts to compare games your group already has in mind. For each candidate, verify the following directly with its current official store or support page:
- Whether it supports online co-op, local co-op, or both.
- The maximum online party size and whether local players count toward that limit.
- Supported platforms and whether cross-play is available between your group’s systems.
- Whether the main adventure can be played together, or whether co-op is limited to particular modes.
- Whether friends need separate copies and whether an online subscription is required on their platform.
How to choose the right co-op ARPG
Start with everyone’s platform
Write down each player’s system before picking a game. A stated online player cap does not tell you whether PC and console players can join the same session. For Diablo IV, the 2026 guide reports cross-play; for the other verified picks, the sources here do not establish cross-play. Confirm the exact platform combination rather than relying on a general multiplayer label.
Match the game to your group size and play style
For a four-player online group, the documented options are Diablo IV, Last Epoch, Grim Dawn and Inquisitor – Martyr, with the qualifications above. For a two-player local session, the sourced options are Diablo IV and the Xbox version of Inquisitor – Martyr. If the group wants offline characters or expects to mix solo and co-op progress, account for Last Epoch’s separate online and offline characters.
Confirm the purchase and service details
Before anyone pays, match the store listing to the player’s platform and edition. Check whether every participant needs a copy and whether online play requires a platform subscription. These details can vary by platform and change over time; the available sources do not establish evergreen prices or current purchase terms.
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