I love co-op party games like Overcooked and Moving Out as much as the next girl, but some gaming sessions just call for a slower pace and cozier vibes. That’s right — believe it or not, many of my favorite memories of gaming with friends don’t involve screaming at each other and rage-quitting. As my favorite cozy co-op games prove, some of the best multiplayer moments come from being able to just kick back and unwind in a virtual space with your crew.
Whether you’re looking to tend a farm with friends or explore dreamy landscapes during a date night in, these cozy multiplayer games offer the perfect excuse to spend quality time with the people you care about most.
1. Stardew Valley
Such an obvious suggestion that I almost didn’t bother adding it to this list. This farming sim is basically the gold standard for cozy co-op, and if you haven’t played it yet…what are you waiting for? You and up to 7 friends each get your own cabin, but you’ll share farm resources and key game progress.
Stardew Valley is already a cozy game, but the ability to split up responsibilities among players makes it even cozier. Hate going to the mines? No problem! Leave that to your fellow farmhands while you fish, forage, or whatever else suits your fancy. Online multiplayer and split-screen options are available, and you can even play with your favorite Stardew Valley mods installed, so there’s no excuse not to give this one a try.
Play this one if you:
- Haven’t yet. I’m so serious. Bookmark this list and come back to the rest of these titles once you’ve given Stardew Valley a shot.
Where to play: Steam | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation| Xbox
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing might be another obvious pick, but what good is a list of multiplayer games without the créme de la créme of cozy co-op? There’s something magical about visiting your friend’s island for the first time and seeing their personality come to life through their decorating choices. Up to 8 players can visit an island and work on projects together via local wireless or online play, making it the ultimate comfort game for long-distance friendships
Play this one if you:
- Love decorating and customizing every little detail
- Want a game that follows real-world seasons and events
- Find joy in seeing how friends express creativity
Where to play: Nintendo Switch
3. It Takes Two
One of my all-time favorites! Play as a couple that gets magically transformed into dolls and must work together to escape their daughter’s fantastical world of toys. Every single level reinvents itself with new mechanics that require two players working in perfect sync — one minute you’re piloting a plane together, the next you’re solving puzzles as garden tools. Plus, the Friend’s Pass means only one of you needs to buy the game in order to play together!
Play this one if you:
- Want a game designed specifically for co-op
- Enjoy when storytelling and gameplay work hand-in-hand
- Like challenges that require genuine collaboration
Where to play: Steam | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation | Xbox
4. Dinkum
Dinkum is an Aussie-inspired take on the classic farming sim formula, and it’s as charming as it sounds. Up to 6 players can farm, mine, and build together. And the best part? Guests can carry their progress back to their own worlds, so you won’t feel the pressure to do everything twice. Like Stardew, there’s a healthy mix of activities that means everyone can find their niche — whether that’s raising animals, exploring the mines, or just fishing by the water.
Play this one if you:
- Want farming sim gameplay with a fresh, unique setting
- Like when multiplayer sessions feel meaningful for everyone
- Enjoy having lots of different activities to choose from
Where to play: Steam | Nintendo Switch
5. Core Keeper
Think of this as what Minecraft might be if it focused more on cozy co-op gameplay than survival mechanics. Up to 8 players can dig, build, and explore underground caves together. There’s something oddly relaxing about the chunky pixel art and the way you all work together to create sprawling underground bases. If your favorite part of every farming sim is the mining, not the farming, Core Keeper could be the game you’ve been looking for.
Play this one if you:
- Want sandbox building and light combat
- Enjoy exploring procedural worlds
- Love the organized chaos that comes with 8-person multiplayer
Where to play: Steam | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation | Xbox
6. Coral Island
Coral Island is the classic farming sim with a tropical makeover and 3D graphics. In the newly released multiplayer mode, up to 4 players can farm, dive, and explore the vibrant island together. The eco-friendly themes and colorful art style create such a welcoming atmosphere — it’s not quite the same as taking a real tropical vacation with your friends, but it’s pretty darn close.
Play this one if you:
- Like relationship building and romance mechanics (there are over 70 NPCs!)
- Enjoy games with environmental and conservation themes
Where to play: Steam | PlayStation | Xbox
7. Split Fiction
The team that made It Takes Two recently returned with another dedicated two-player adventure, and full disclosure — my partner and I have been loving it. In this one, you’ll play as writers trapped in virtual worlds that mirror the fantasy and sci-fi stories you’ve created. Every level feels like a surprise gift with completely new rules, but the core partnership remains the same throughout the game.
And yes, this one comes with a Friend’s Pass too, so you only need to buy one copy of the game for both of you to play.
Play this one if you:
- Loved It Takes Two and want more collaborative storytelling
- Enjoy games that keep you on your toes
- Want a cooperative narrative experience with approachable difficulty levels
Where to play: Steam | Nintendo Switch 2 | PlayStation | Xbox
8. Sky: Children of the Light
There’s something genuinely magical about holding hands with a friend as you glide through the dreamlike realms of Sky: Children of the Light together. This social MMO adventure prioritizes emotional connection over traditional game goals. The hand-holding mechanic might sound silly, but when you’re soaring through the clouds in sync, it creates some unexpectedly touching moments.
Play this one if you:
- Want a peaceful, non-competitive multiplayer experience
- Love exploring beautiful, atmospheric worlds
- Are looking for a free cozy game to play with friends
Where to play: Steam | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation
9. WEBFISHING
Sometimes the best co-op experiences are the simplest ones. This quirky fishing sim is basically a virtual pier where up to twelve players can cast lines, chat, and just hang out. It’s not about progression or achievements — it’s about creating a cozy space to spend time with friends, and with nearly 100 different creatures to catch, it’s surprisingly addictive.
Play this one if you:
- Want a low-pressure hangout experience
- Enjoy fishing mechanics (that aren’t overly complicated)
Where to play: Steam
10. Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is already considered one of the best cozy games for Switch thanks to its stellar single-player experience, but there’s also a local co-op mode that lets a second person join in as Daffodil the cat. You’ll work together to manage the ship, craft items, and care for spirit passengers. The second player can participate in all the same tasks except talking to spirits, making it a perfect option for someone who wants to pick up and play without driving the story.
Play this one if you:
- Want cozy management gameplay with meaningful storytelling
- Enjoy crafting, building, and caring for others
- Don’t mind if a game might make you emotional
Where to play: Steam |Nintendo Switch | PlayStation | Xbox
11. Luma Island
Honestly, this is the ultimate co-op life sim for 1-4 players. Luma Island features a Cozy Mode, an Adventure Mode, and a Hero Mode, so you can easily adapt your gameplay to the vibes of the party. Choose whether you want to farm and raise creatures, complete quests for the island locals, or just go exploring around the map.
The devs recently released the game’s first major update (for free!), with plenty more to come, so it’s never too late to get in on this one.
Play this one if you:
- Want drop-in/drop-out multiplayer sessions and optional solo play
- Enjoy exploration and some combat mechanics
- Like games that keep adding new content
Where to play: Steam
Which of These Cozy Co-op Games is Your Favorite?
In my opinion, the best cozy co-op games have figured out how to transform ordinary activities into shared experiences. Whether you’re planting virtual crops or exploring magical worlds together, these games prove that the best multiplayer moments often happen when the stakes are low and the company is good.
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