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Best Story-Driven Co-Op Games to Play Together Instead of GTA

For a shared campaign rather than GTA’s multiplayer, start with It Takes Two or Split Fiction. Compare their stories, co-op setups, and Friend’s Pass conditions before you play.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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If you want a story you can experience together—not just a multiplayer mode—start with It Takes Two. It is built specifically for two players and supports couch and online co-op. For a newer adventure that jumps between science-fiction and fantasy, try Split Fiction. Before buying, check how each game’s co-op and Friend’s Pass work on the platforms you and your partner use.

What makes these good alternatives to GTA?

The best fit is a shared campaign in which both players take part in the adventure, rather than a game that simply offers multiplayer alongside a solo story. It Takes Two and Split Fiction are both described by publisher Electronic Arts as adventures designed for two players. They differ in story, tone, and online-play conditions.

It Takes Two: the best starting point for a dedicated duo

It Takes Two follows Cody and May, a couple transformed into dolls and pushed to repair their fractured relationship as they travel through a fantastical world. Its challenges shift across the adventure, making it a strong choice when you want a varied, cooperative campaign rather than a conventional open-world crime game. EA describes it as built purely for two and playable in couch or online co-op. EA’s game overview has the publisher’s description.

Steam lists local and online co-op, identifies Hazelight Studios as developer and Electronic Arts as publisher, and gives the release date as March 25, 2021. Steam’s store page provides its listing details.

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#1 Best Overall
KeyWe (Nintendo Switch)
  • Cute, chaotic co-op - buddy up on the couch or Flock online
  • Equally cute single-player- control both Kiwi Birds on a single controller to venture out on a solo mail service adventure
  • Perilous postal environments - navigate post office desks and shipping rooms to become a master of the mail service
  • Seasonal Silliness - encounter hazards caused by wintery weather, autumnal thunderstorms and more on the way to becoming postal pros
  • Customizable kiwis - change the color of your kiwi's feather and unlock new accessories - because Kiwi Birds look cute in Little hats.Get Exclusive Wardrobe Items Only on Nintendo Switch.Pre-order now to receive the Early Bird Pack

How the Friend’s Pass works

EA’s Friend’s Pass can let an invited second player join without buying another full copy, but one player must own the full game. Both players need the relevant platform account, and online play is platform-limited rather than general cross-platform play. Some consoles also require the applicable online subscription. Check EA’s Friend’s Pass requirements for the exact platforms and setup before you buy or invite someone.

Split Fiction: a newer adventure across sci-fi and fantasy

Split Fiction follows Mio and Zoe, two writers caught in their own stories. Their contrasting worlds alternate between science-fiction and fantasy, with platforming, stealth, puzzles, and other changing challenges. EA presents it as a two-player co-op adventure and split-screen experience. It suits pairs who like a genre-hopping premise and want a purpose-built duo campaign. See EA’s overview of Split Fiction for its description.

Cross-play and Friend’s Pass

EA describes Split Fiction’s Friend’s Pass as supporting cross-play across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. The pass requires installation, persistent internet access, and an applicable platform account; one player still needs to own the full game. Confirm current support and requirements for your particular devices on EA’s Friend’s Pass page before setting up a session.

Rank #2
Back 4 Blood - PlayStation 5
  • Fight your way through a perilous world In a 4-player co-op story campaign where you must work together to survive increasingly challenging missions
  • Choose from 8 customizable cleaners and a range of lethal weapons and items
  • Play with or against friends in PvP
  • A new Roguelike card system creates different experiences each and every time
  • A PlayStation Plus subscription is required to play Back 4 Blood on PlayStation or Xbox consoles.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Which game should you choose?

What matters It Takes Two Split Fiction
Story and feel Cody and May try to repair their relationship in a fantastical adventure. Writers Mio and Zoe move between science-fiction and fantasy stories.
Co-op focus EA describes it as built purely for two. EA describes it as a two-player co-op adventure.
Play arrangement Couch co-op or online co-op. Split-screen adventure or online play through Friend’s Pass.
Friend’s Pass compatibility Online play is platform-limited, not general cross-platform play; check EA’s platform-specific requirements. EA describes cross-play among PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, subject to requirements.
Full-game ownership One player must own the full game for the full co-op experience. One player must own the full game.

Choose It Takes Two if you want couch co-op or a relationship-centered adventure. Choose Split Fiction if the sci-fi-and-fantasy premise appeals more or cross-play between the listed platforms matters to your pair. In either case, check platform compatibility before purchasing or arranging online play; a Friend’s Pass does not remove every platform or account requirement.

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What about A Way Out or Baldur’s Gate 3?

A Way Out and Baldur’s Gate 3 are also suggested in conversations about story-driven co-op, but the available official product details here do not establish their current co-op modes or platform conditions. If you are considering either, verify those details for your specific platforms before treating it as a match for your setup. For a broader role-playing campaign in particular, co-op support and play conditions are a separate decision from choosing a dedicated two-player adventure.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
KeyWe (Nintendo Switch)
KeyWe (Nintendo Switch)
Cute, chaotic co-op - buddy up on the couch or Flock online
$14.97
Bestseller No. 2
Back 4 Blood - PlayStation 5
Back 4 Blood - PlayStation 5
Choose from 8 customizable cleaners and a range of lethal weapons and items; Play with or against friends in PvP
$9.43

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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