The gaming industry tends to work in trends. One type of game will be popular for a while before eventually tailing off and losing its place to something else. The shooter genre, however, has managed to maintain popularity for years. Of course, it's changed plenty of times through the decades. But the simple act of shooting people, monsters, or zombies in a video game setting is evergreen.
RelatedThe Best Third-Person Shooters, Ranked
We rank the best third-person shooters out there, spanning multiple console generations. Did your favorite make the list?
PostsYet, not enough of them allow you to do it with a buddy by your side. While cooperative shooters aren't extremely rare, it seems like there should be more of them. That being said, there are a few amazing ones out there, and these are the greatest.
Updated March 21, 2025 by Ben Jessey: There are plenty of great co-op shooters out there. We created this list of the best ones and have now updated it to add a few more.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands
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Shooter Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 71/100 Critics Rec: 42% Released March 7, 2017 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs Developer(s) Ubisoft Publisher(s) Ubisoft Engine AnvilNext 2.0 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Local MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONGhost Recon Wildlands is a cooperative third-person shooter set in a very large open world. The place includes mountains, deserts, forests, and other terrain to traverse. Much of the game revolves around you driving around the map, visiting different places, and completing missions.
The combat is a bit slower and more tactical than your average shooter. You're encouraged to scout places out, use cover, and utilize your equipment to get the best of your enemies. What's also interesting is that while the game is primarily a third-person title, you can aim in first-person, giving you the best of both worlds.
Evil West
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Third-Person Shooter RPG Action Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 73/100 Critics Rec: 58% Released November 22, 2022 ESRB m Developer(s) Flying Wild Hog Publisher(s) Focus Entertainment Engine Unreal Engine 4 Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe combat in Evil West isn't what you typically expect to see in a shooter. After all, you aren't just shooting people. You're also using melee attacks and special abilities to deal some damage. Yet, guns are certainly a significant part of the experience. You have a revolver, rifle, and a flamethrower to use in battle.
The foes you're typically battling against are supernatural monsters that regular humans can't handle. Thankfully, you aren't a regular human. You're a vampire hunter named Jesse Rentier, and your co-op buddy will be the same, as this is a co-op experience where you both play as two versions of the same character.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
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Third-Person Shooter Hack and Slash Systems 7.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 81/100 Critics Rec: 87% Released September 9, 2024 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence Developer(s) Saber Interactive Publisher(s) Focus Entertainment Engine Swarm EngineWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALYou get to both shoot guns and swing things in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, as it's a third-person shooter and a hack-and-slash title in one.
Whether you're hacking or shooting, though, the game is a lot of fun, especially when you're playing with friends. Together, you can play through an enthralling campaign that utilizes Warhammer's deep lore to deliver a story that is interesting even to people who aren't familiar with the 40K canon.
Contagion
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Action Horror Systems OpenCritic Reviews Released October 25, 2013 ESRB t Engine Source Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALContagion is a multiplayer first-person survival horror game. It contains multiple modes, and two of them are cooperative ones. In Escape, you and a team of up to eight players need to complete various objectives in an effort to escape your surroundings. If you fancy a more heroic experience, you can opt for extraction, where you need to save AI survivors.
Both of these modes have you battling and gunning down hordes of zombies as you attempt to complete your goals. There are several weapons in the game to help with that, and they generally feel pleasant to shoot.
Halo Infinite
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First-Person Shooter Systems 4.5/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 87/100 Critics Rec: 94% Released December 8, 2021 ESRB T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence Developer(s) 343 Industries Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Engine SlipspaceWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONThe Halo series perfected its signature brand of first-person shooter gameplay long before Halo Infinite was released. Therefore, Infinite doesn't dramatically change things, but it arguably provides the smoothest combat in the series. The inclusion of new weapons and a grapple hook mechanic helps keep things fresh, too.
Another thing that makes this different from other Halo games is the campaign features an open world. So, not only can you embark on missions with your buddies, but you can also drive around and explore a Halo ring with them.
Time Warpers
When you think of a game that contains a blocky world and various dangerous creatures, you likely think of Minecraft. Yet, while the presentation of Time Warpers is similar to the sandbox title, it's a very different game. This is because, in Minecraft, you don't spend all your time gunning down the creatures you find.
Time Warpers is a fast-paced shooter where you're encouraged to be in perpetual motion to avoid being surrounded by the massive groups of enemies you face as you attempt to take them all out. The game also offers gun customization, continuous progression, and, of course, co-op play.
Earth Defense Force 6
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Third-Person Shooter Action Systems 3.5/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 74/100 Critics Rec: 67% Released July 24, 2024 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence Developer(s) Sandlot Publisher(s) D3Publisher Engine HavokWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALLike every Earth Defense Force game, EDF 6 is a wild and over-the-top third-person shooter. The developers don't seem to put much focus on storytelling or having eye-catching visuals. These games are all about wacky fun, which is something EDF 6 certainly provides.
The game is all about running around large areas while killing the invading monsters. These beasts are typically gigantic, and there is usually an incredible number of them. Thankfully, you have various high-powered weapons to bring them down.
Army Of Two: The 40th Day
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Third-Person Shooter Systems Released January 8, 2010 ESRB m Developer(s) EA, Zynga Publisher(s) EA Engine Unreal Engine 3 Multiplayer Local MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALArmy of Two: The 40th Day is a title built explicitly for cooperative play. Therefore, you both play as significant characters. Their names are Salem and Rios, who are two operatives that are attempting to stop a terrorist attack in Shanghai, China.
It's a solid third-person cover shooter with deep weapon customization and nicely designed environments. Because it is a co-op through and through, there are various cooperative moves you can unleash on the many enemies you fight. For example, you can boost a teammate up to allow them to peek and shoot over an obstacle.
Quake 2
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FPS Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 89/100 Critics Rec: 100% Released December 9, 1997 ESRB M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Violence, Language Developer(s) id Software Publisher(s) Activision Engine Quake II engine Multiplayer Local Multiplayer, Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONQuake 2 is one of those FPS games that really helped popularize the genre many years ago. In 2023, an enhanced version came out on newer consoles. It is more of a port than a full remaster or remake, so it isn't visually spectacular. That said, the core first-person gunplay is still a lot of fun.
It brings back memories of another era of games, like the original Doom and Duke Nukem. As such, there is no deep story or a bunch of cutscenes in this game. You just go from room to room, blasting monsters with various different weapons.
Shadow Warrior 2
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FPS Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 77/100 Critics Rec: 62% Released October 13, 2016 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Nudity, Drug Reference, Strong Language Developer(s) Flying Wild Hog Publisher(s) Devolver Digital Engine Road Hog Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONShadow Warrior 2 doesn't take itself as seriously as many other FPS games. It contains plenty of jokes, and not many of them are very sophisticated. So, if you're a fan of crass humor, then Shadow Warrior 2 might be right up your alley.
Its core combat is flashy and exciting. It's also really fast-paced, and you're encouraged to move around a lot as you fight a range of different enemies. Some of those beasts are really big and powerful. Thankfully, though, you and your friends have plenty of interesting and dangerous weapons at your disposal. It is not all guns, either, as there are plenty of blades in the title, too.
