As much as the internet has benefited people, it has also taken away some joys, like playing multiplayer games on the couch with a friend or family members. The PC is especially guilty of this since it popularized online multiplayer gaming to the extent that split-screen has almost been phased out to extinction.
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Posts 1 By Geoffrey MartinLuckily, there are still games out there that have remained defiantly old-school and offer split-screen gameplay. After all, even though playing with complete strangers over the internet has its perks, there’s nothing quite like gaming with friends in the flesh. Not all split-screen multiplayer games available today are great, but there are plenty of gems out there.
Jump! The Floor Is…
Everything Is A Platform
Jumping puzzles have always been a thing in games, but lately there’s been a popular push for games that are all about platforming constantly. Jump The Floor Is from Games Doc is another one of those, but it’s doing something different.
You’re still presented with a massive ascending playground full of props to jump on or over, but this time around it’s a lot more competitive. The floor can change into hazards to add further complexity, plus traps and power-ups that will let you speed past other players or fly over certain sections. It’s a chaotic mix that’s a challenge on your own, but even better when you’ve got an opponent to race against in split-screen.
Only Out
Escaping Town, Over And Over Again
Zombie survival games are always at their best when you’re able to bring in a few friends, or even just one. Co-operating in a post-apocalyptic world with a pal with nothing but your wits and whatever you have in your inventory to hold you through. With Only Out from Shark Studio, you’ll have to think fast as those hordes come quickly.
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Posts By Matt MckeownYour goal is to get out of an overrun town in one piece whilst a seemingly unending tide of shambling undead try to take a bite out of you. You’ll have to be smart about what you bring with you as every extra bit of weight will slow you down, and if you can’t grab enough supplies to leave, you never will.
Goo Goo Grapplers
Building Up Your Battle Baby
For those in the market for something odd to play with their pals then pick up Goo Goo Grapplers from Both Good. This brilliant idea of a one versus one MOBA style game puts you in control of a pixelated baby that’s armed to the proverbial teeth.
Your infant has special abilities and deadly toys to collect, with more being unlockable and upgradable as time goes on. So your tiny tikes can get quite terrifyingly powerful. It’s a very simple premise and a fun MOBA gimmick that can suck you in for hours pretty easily with a group of friends playing it locally. If you like unique indie games, grab Goo Goo Grapplers.
Tales Up
Story Time Blended With D&D
A multiplayer game that heavily focuses on roleplay, Tales Up is a terrific adventure into a fantasy universe with your friends. It’s a mix of a Dungeons And Dragons adventure with visual novel mechanics that will keep you riveted to your seat until the end.
There’s a number of tales to try, unique modes, funny and creative writing, and an overall relaxed vibe as you go through each story. New “books” are released regularly and the skill level is approachable to everyone, so you can stick it on after a few drinks and still be fine. Overall, if you enjoy fantasy novels and slow burn novels, then we highly recommend Tales Up.
Earth Defense Force 6
Yelling EDF! Constantly
Earth Defense Force 6
3.5/5 Released July 24, 2024 Developer(s) Sandlot Publisher(s) D3Publisher How Long To Beat 45 Hours OpenCritic Rating Fair Powered by Expand CollapseGrab your wackiest gun and strap on a power suit as the giant bugs are back in force in Earth Defense Force Six. A time looping tour de force that slips into tedium at times, EDF Six took everything that made the last game great and cranked it further up the scale.
Massive mobs of mobile androids join the ranks of fan favorite monsters, and the weapon roster is the biggest they’ve had so far. Whilst there’s no new classes, the current collection of roles have been given a substantial tweak for the better. Multiplayer is still great, especially in split-screen, and the community is nice and healthy. So dive in if you haven’t checked out Earth Defense Force before because you’re definitely missing out.
Whilst some knowledge of the series' overarching plot can help, it’s not mandatory. You can still enjoy shooting hordes of aliens for hours.
Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed
Causing Chaos As Crypto Once Again
Destroy All Humans! 2 Reprobed
Released August 30, 2022 Developer(s) Black Forest Games Publisher(s) THQ Nordic OpenCritic Rating Fair Powered by Expand CollapseCrypto Sporidium is back and looking better than ever in Destroy All Humans! 2: Reprobed from Black Forest Games. The swinging '60s is about to get a lot wilder, and cruder, thanks to this aggressive alien from another world. Take over the town and uncover a horrific plot involving alien DNA and the KGB.
The open world is your Oyster from the jump and it’s incredibly easy and quick to load up Crypto with all sorts of deadly toys. You can blast through the game on your own, or tag in a friend with split screen co-op as you tear up the town. There’s also competitive multiplayer with a few minigames if you fancy something different. A brilliant remaster of an old classic, Reprobed comes highly recommended.
UnPlugged
Brilliant Bot Game for Buds
Unplugged
Music Action Indie Systems Released October 21, 2021 Developer(s) Anotherway 3 Images CloseWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAn adorable puzzle platformer from DemonLabs Interactive, UnPlugged is one of those games that makes you realize just how handy extension cables can be. The premise is simple, you and your friend play as two little bots that have to solve puzzles. The catch, you’re plugged in and can only walk so far
Without a constant source of energy, these little androids just switch off. So it’s up to you and your buddy to stretch their cables to breaking point whilst still staying charged. It’s a game that encourages a lot of critical thinking and risk taking as you wander around the vast subterranean science complex. A very low stakes split screen game that’s suitable for all skill levels, we recommend picking up UnPlugged.
Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports
Cartoon Chaos On The Court
You can be any age and still enjoy the Looney Tunes, and what better way to jump back into the anarchy than by playing Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports from Bamtang Games. Sticking these classic cartoon characters into a sports setting is something they’ve done plenty of times before, and it works well here.
What awaits you, and three of your friends, is a collection of sports games all wrapped up in a Looney Tunes setting and it’s a blast. From Golf to Tennis, Basketball and European Soccer, there’s something for everyone. You can treat the sports seriously, or go all in like the cartoon characters themselves and turn every round into a zany fight to the bitter and bruised end.
A Way Out
Breaking Out Of The Big Slammer
A Way Out
Released March 23, 2018 Developer(s) Hazelight Studios Publisher(s) Electronic Arts How Long To Beat 7 Hours OpenCritic Rating Strong Powered by Expand CollapseIt's not often that a game is specifically designed around teamwork and split-screen gameplay, especially on PC. Yet, Hazelight Studios defies conventions with A Way Out, resulting in one of the most notable multiplayer games. You and a friend assume the role of two convicts trying to break out of prison and elude the authorities.
While the experiences are often isolated, you'll need to work together to progress. This is sometimes done by improvising and choosing your own methods, which include actions like distracting guards. The experience is further colored with some delightful mini-games that range from Pong to Connect Four.
Outward
Beginning A Brutal Adventure
Outward
Released March 26, 2019 Publisher(s) Deep Silver Number of Players 1-2 Developer Nine Dots How Long To Beat 34 Hours OpenCritic Rating Weak Powered by Expand CollapseSet in the gorgeous fantasy world of Aurai, Outwardblends survival-centered gameplay mechanics with the thrill of exploration. Along the way, there are enough creatures in your path who very much want you dead to mandate weapon upgrades, spell enchantments, and — most relevantly — ample room for a friend to help save your skin.
Games like Outward often sport online multiplayer opt-in functionality. It's comparably rare to see a developer who's just as determined to offer local features. There's something special about splitting the screen to pitch a tent to defend against the dangers of the night.
