Top 9 Free Co-Op Games on Steam - Play with Friends Now!

With the pandemic leading to an increase in multiplayer gaming, more and more gamers are turning to platforms like Steam to stay connected with friends. Working together towards a shared objective in multiplayer games can make victories all the more satisfying. However, not everyone can afford the latest popular titles, and some indie games offer just as much entertainment value. Luckily, there are plenty of free-to-play co-op games available on Steam that are not only innovative, but also among the best options for gamers on a budget.

When it comes to free co-op games on Steam, options may seem plentiful, but finding ones that solely focus on PvE can be a challenge. However, there are still a handful of excellent choices available on Valve's platform.

9 Damnosaur

Developer

Evlanic Entertainment

Genre

Arcade Shooter

Number of Players for Co-Op

2 Players (Local)

Steam Link

Damnosaur

In DAMNOSAUR, players are tasked with fighting off time-traveling dinosaurs as Proh, the pink-haired heroine. As the waves of prehistoric creatures become increasingly deadly, Proh must use an array of weapons to survive and save Jollywood. Even the slightest touch from the likes of Tricepatops and T-rex can mean certain death. DAMNOSAUR also offers local split-screen co-op for players to team up and battle the dinos together.

8 With You

Developer

Carol Mertz

Genre

Puzzle

Number of Players for Co-Op

2 Players (Local)

Steam Link

With You

The cooperative puzzle-platformer game, With You, is designed for two players to enjoy as they work together to solve a series of physics and platforming challenges. The whimsical couple must use problem-solving skills, gentle communication, and even jump on each other to progress. With intentionally-wonky controls, the game aims to improve the bonds and intimacy between the players, quite literally bringing them closer together.

7 No More Room In Hell

Developer

No More Room in Hell Team

Genre

First-Person Shooter

Number of Players for Co-Op

8 Players (Online)

Steam Link

No More Room In Hell

In No More Room In Hell, players can team up with eight others to battle the zombie apocalypse using a variety of over 30 weapons. The game features proximity-based voice communication, making it more challenging for players to communicate the farther they are from each other. Drawing inspiration from popular shows like The Walking Dead, No More Room In Hell offers an exciting and enjoyable experience that is guaranteed to provide hours of entertainment. In this game, players have the possibility of becoming infected with the zombie virus and must decide whether to warn their team or keep their fate a secret.

6 Unsolved Case

Developer

Eleven Puzzles

Genre

Puzzle, Point and Click

Number of Players for Co-Op

2 Players (Online)

Steam Link

Unsolved Case

Players take on the role of detectives in Unsolved Case, tasked with catching a serial killer known as the Cryptic Killer. To succeed, players must work together to solve a series of puzzles, with each party only seeing a fragment of the overall puzzle. Effective communication is key, as combining each person's clues is the only way to uncover the solution. Lasting around an hour, Unsolved Case is a fun and challenging brain-teaser. While it may lack replay value, it serves as a tantalizing taste of what Eleven Puzzles' upcoming Cryptic Killer games have to offer.

5 Warframe

Developer

Digital Extremes

Genre

Action RPG

Number of Players for Co-Op

4 Players (Online)

Steam Link

Warframe

Warframe, which will celebrate its 10-year milestone in March 2023, has undergone significant expansion throughout its lifetime. What began as an exciting but somewhat limited third-person shooter has evolved into one of the most ambitious and impressive free-to-play games available today. Although there were a few bumps in the road along the way and not every update was an improvement, Digital Extremes should be commended for their accomplishments over the past decade.

While Warframe is primarily a single-player experience, this is also true to some extent of its multiplayer component. Most missions can be completed as part of a squad, but players often operate independently rather than coordinating as a team. Once a player reaches a high enough level, they can quickly dispatch most adversaries, leaving little incentive for teamwork. As a result, it's possible to complete these operations without much interaction with other players.

Teaming up with strangers may be a common occurrence, but Warframe still prioritizes multiplayer and online co-op. Playing with four friends can lead to an enjoyable experience, as most of the game's content can be tackled together, providing ample entertainment for a couple of months. Co-op play also makes grinding easier compared to solo runs. While Warframe does offer PvP modes, its PvE co-op is more expansive and worth noting.

4 Bombergrounds: Reborn

Developer

Gigantic Duck Games

Genre

Battle Royale

Number of Players for Co-Op

3 Players (Online)

Steam Link

Bombergrounds: Reborn

Bombergrounds: Reborn is the ultimate choice for those in search of a high-energy, party game. It's a fresh take on the classic bomber games that were popular on older consoles like PlayStation One. With 15 animal characters to choose from, each with its own distinct advantages and abilities, you're sure to create some chaos and commotion. The game offers a Battle Royale mode that pits all players against each other, as well as team-based alternatives that provide frenzied cooperative gameplay.

3 Dungeon Defenders 2

Developer

Chromatic Games

Genre

Tower Defense, RPG

Number of Players for Co-Op

4 Players (Online)

Steam Link

Dungeon Defenders 2

Players are tasked with defending their towers against the Old Ones' armies of monsters in Dungeon Defenders 2. With an array of maps to choose from, players engage in satisfying action RPG gameplay that prioritizes real-time combat. While strategy is still a key element, players can create a party of four heroes in single-player mode and swap them out at any time, or team up with other players in co-op mode. Although it's not the most active game on Steam, Dungeon Defenders 2 still manages to attract a few hundred players at a time, which is impressive for a smaller-scale title that has been around for almost 6 years.

2 Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop

Developer

Reactive Drop Team

Genre

Top-Down Shooter

Number of Players for Co-Op

8 Players (Online)

Steam Link

Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop

Alien Swarm may not be the most well-known game in Valve's library, but it's definitely worth checking out. As a twin-stick co-op shooter, it's a solid option for fans of the genre. However, for those looking for a more updated experience, Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop is the way to go. Released in 2017, Reactive Drop is still receiving updates and improvements, unlike the original game.

The focus of Reactive Drop is on co-op gameplay, although there is also a PvP mode available. Up to 8 players can tackle one of over 10 campaigns, each with a few missions to complete. The gameplay revolves around fighting off waves of enemies as you progress towards the end of each level. What sets Reactive Drop apart is the depth it adds through its classes and tactics-driven gameplay. This isn't a game that encourages lone wolf playstyles; instead, teamwork is essential for survival.

1 We Were Here

Developer

Total Mayhem Games

Genre

Puzzle

Number of Players for Co-Op

2 Players (Online)

Steam Link

We Were Here

In We Were Here, two players find themselves stranded in a frigid wilderness and isolated from each other. To reunite, they must rely solely on their handheld radios to communicate and navigate through a series of intricate puzzles. With each player experiencing a distinct perspective, the game offers a truly immersive and collaborative experience. Drawing inspiration from real-life escape rooms, We Were Here also features three additional games in the series for those seeking even more engrossing challenges.