Best PC co-op games for two?

[daltonlaffs]

My girlfriend is getting a new Windows-based laptop soon, and with it comes a much more powerful video card. She can play all sorts of modern games now, but the biggest thing we're lost on is what we're going to play together with all the new possibilities this opens up.

We'd prefer something co-op, and preferably playable over the internet (even when she's right next to me, she's on my home wireless network). Neither of us are particularly into the gritty FPSes or the stupid grindy MMOs (I'm looking at you, MapleStory), but there must be *something* out there that we'll find entertaining.

Some things we've already tried and liked:
-Portal 2
-Team Fortress 2
-Magicka
-Minecraft (when it isn't bugging out)

We would prefer free or low-cost games, mainly because you have to pay double for two copies, but if the game is REALLY good, we'll consider any price tag.

So, Escapists, what are the best two-player co-op PC games?

 

[OverweightWhale]

Left 4 dead 1 and 2 are pretty cheap for the the PC now. Those are fun co-op games if you don't mind playing with 2 ai bots. Some others I can think of are Alien Swarm (free) or Killing Floor ($20 I think)

Edit: Didn't see the dislike for gritty fps lol.

 

[Danceofmasks]

Is Alien Swarm still free? I wasn't particularly impressed, but free is free.

Also, if you're into Diablo type .. err .. clones (kill stuff get loot level up), there are a lot of 'em out there.
Might fall into the "grindy" category, though. Depends on how keen you are to kill bosses repeatedly for rare drops.

 

[Matt Wood]

Terraria ($10 on steam) its like minecraft but in 2d, with a larger focus on building a base and exploring your randomly generated world for boss', minerals and loot, its a great game and will give you more than enough gameplay to justify the price.

 

[Wuggy]

Well, Borderlands is pretty fun in co-op. But it's fun pretty much only in co-op, and preferably 4 people.

 

[NinjaSpaceCore]

Terraria ($10 on steam) its like minecraft but in 2d, with a larger focus on building a base and exploring your randomly generated world for boss', minerals and loot, its a great game and will give you more than enough gameplay to justify the price.

Yes, I suggest Terraria because Terraria is epic and you need to quit whining about it, daltonlaffs Seriously, give it a chance

Edit: Wait for Pokemon Tower Defense to update with Multiplayer.

 

[OverweightWhale]

Is Alien Swarm still free? I wasn't particularly impressed, but free is free.

Also, if you're into Diablo type .. err .. clones (kill stuff get loot level up), there are a lot of 'em out there.
Might fall into the "grindy" category, though. Depends on how keen you are to kill bosses repeatedly for rare drops.

Alien Swarm is still free. I couldn't get full enjoyment out of that game as I was always the medic and stuck as the heal bot... Other then that it was fine for a free game.

 

[Waaghpowa]

Is Alien Swarm still free? I wasn't particularly impressed, but free is free.

It is.

As far as Co op games go, Pretty sure most of the best ones have been covered. I can't realld add much more than that.

 

[Simon Pettersson]

Magicka is awsome in multiplayer

 

[Halceon]

Well, If you can get another friend in the room, you should try the Artemis Spaceship Bridge simulator.

 

[Yostbeef]

Dawn of War 2 has a good drop in drop out co-op option for the campaign.It's an RTS that's incredibly streamlined for a faster and more action oriented pace.

 

[Daymo]

Trine is a fun little platformer that only costs like $5, so it's probably worth a shot.

 

[Choppaduel]

Left 4 dead 1 and 2 are pretty cheap for the the PC now. Those are fun co-op games if you don't mind playing with 2 ai bots. Some others I can think of are Alien Swarm (free) or Killing Floor ($20 I think)

Edit: Didn't see the dislike for gritty fps lol.

Well I wouldn't call L4D gritty in the same way I would call Gears of War or COD gritty.

Its in a nice area between the fun focused run-and-gun of Half-life and the gritty realism of Modern Military Shooter #47 and by nice I mean much closer to the former.


[hr]

In FPS terms, L4D is probably the best coop experience out there.

I recommend trying it before you buy it, but I have a feeling you'll like it. (based on Hat Fortress 2 & Portal 2)

I've been hearing good things about Terraria, but my area of experience lies mainly in FPS, so I can't really recommend it.

I would say stick with TF2, but that's not really an intimate experience is it?

 

[MajWound]

Well, Borderlands is pretty fun in co-op. But it's fun pretty much only in co-op, and preferably 4 people.

This. My brother and I played the hell out of Borderlands.

Diablo II was fun for about a decade. We would grind ourselves retarded looking for set items.

Apparently Swat 4 also has a co-op campaign. That game shit solid gold. Heart-stopping suspense, a textbook difficulty curve. It's too bad it was so damn short. And old.

 

[LostCrusader]

I saw Dawn of War 2 was already listed, so instead I'll suggest Shogun Total War 2. It has online coop campaigns that are quite awesome and allow you to help you partner with battles by commanding some of their troops. Also Terraria if you like 2d games.

 

[legendp]

alien swarm

it is not very advanced but it is free on steam. other suggestions are H.A.W.X but you may want joysticks for that, BFME2 ep (long name is :the lord of the rings the battle for middle earth 2 the rise of the witch king expansion pack). portal 2 is on your list already but that one is a definant keep. Minecraft on the other hand I would avoid it unless that is the only game you ever want to play with her. for FPS they're is tom clancys rainbow six veagas 1 and 2. if you mod crysis you can play co-op. Doom 3 with co-op mod is also good. halo has great co-op but I think co-op is only on console. I would also add to my list cod5 (zombies, the DLC on PC is free you can get it on file front) and cod 6 wich has special ops. there is alos left 4 dead 1 and 2.

 

[Serving UpSmiles]

Modern Warfare 2 Spec Ops is pretty good, although the split screen is kind of weak, I'd go for Black Ops' zombie mode.

 

[Yuno Gasai]

I will happily echo two games that have already been mentioned..

~ Left 4 Dead 1/2

Even if you're not really into FPS, honestly, give this game a shot. It's great fun to play with friends, even if you are accompanied by two AI bots. If you have any friends that own it already (and who are relatively local to you), I recommend asking them really nicely if they'll let you and your girlfriend try it out. That way, there's no money lost if you don't end up enjoying it. (Though I can quite easily say that for me, L4D is the most replayable and fun zombie survival horror game I've played.)

~ Diablo II

If you both like the sound of a hack 'n' slash with RPG elements, then you'll love this game. Yes, it does involve a lot of grinding, but when I was playing it with my friend, it didn't actually feel like grinding at all. It was just fun. You may want to be prepared to lose hours on end to this game, however. :3

 

[CplDustov]

splinter cell: chaos theory has a great coop!