It has been a while since we named our Co-op Games of the Year, but it’s time to bring it back, baby. This year, your fearless Surviving Editor (I’m not quite dead yet!) and other members of the Co-op Crew each selected a personal co-op game of the year. On top of that, we all picked a "Beyond Co-op" game of the year as well. That’s twice the GOTY picks for the same low price (free)! Only 2024 releases and games that received expansions in 2024 were considered.
Co-op Games of the Year
Japanese Shooter of the Year: Earth Defense Force 6
Nominated by Paul Acevedo:
The EDF series is known for its B-movie sci-fi atmosphere and quirkiness, destructible environments, and addictive split-screen and online co-op. Earth Defense Force 6 has all that and more, making it the best game in the series (so far). Players select from four distinctive classes and embark on a mission to save the planet from the alien Primers. These fearsome foes have not only survived their defeat at the end of EDF5, but they’ve also used time travel to bolster their forces and undo their losses to the EDF.
The fight to save Mother Earth spans an incredible 146 missions (not counting two DLC mission packs) and five difficulty levels. In a huge improvement over past games, players’ completion progress is now shared between offline and online play. It will still take dozens of hours to finish EDF6 for the first time and hundreds of hours to fully complete it, but now players can hop between offline and online modes without hindering their progress. If you like grindy games and blowing up buildings and bad guys, EDF6 is as good as it gets. See our co-op review and developer interview for lots more details.
Earth Defense Force 6 costs $59.99 on PlayStation and Steam. On PlayStation, a deluxe edition is also available for $89.99 that bundles the game with DLC.
Paul’s honorable mention: River City Girls 2 “Double Dragon” DLC
Co-op RPG of the Year: Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Nominated by Mike Katsufrakis:
At its core, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a well put-together action JRPG with a colorful cast of characters, beautiful setting, and a nice breezy campaign to play through. Where it shines, however, is the cooperative mode that takes its cues from MMO-style raid encounters and Monster Hunter. Chasing loot and building the perfect team composition while steadily fighting more and more difficult bosses with friends was extremely satisfying.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink sells for $59.99 on PlayStation and Steam.
Honorable Mentions: Helldivers 2, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and Wayfinder
Live Service Game of the Year: Helldivers 2
Nominated by Nick Puleo and Locke Vincent, who writes:
Helldivers 2 is hands-down my favorite co-op game this year, delivering an experience that masterfully combines tactical depth with pure, unadulterated fun. The game's genius lies in its self-contained missions that perfectly balance challenge and accessibility, while offering a constant stream of meaningful rewards that keep you coming back for more.
The loadout system is particularly impressive, offering deep customization that encourages experimentation. Whether you're wielding heavy weapons against massive bug swarms or coordinating precise strikes against robotic forces, each weapon and strategy feels distinct and satisfying. The way different players can specialize in specific roles—from crowd control to heavy weapons specialist—creates dynamic team compositions that make every mission feel fresh.
What truly sets Helldivers 2 apart is its perfect blend of serious tactical gameplay and laugh-out-loud moments. Whether it's accidentally calling in an orbital strike on your team or heroically saving a mission at the last second, the game consistently creates memorable stories. The diverse biomes, from frozen wastelands to scorching deserts, each present unique challenges and tactical considerations, while the flexible difficulty system lets you fine-tune the experience to your group's skill level.
Having played the original Helldivers, I can confidently say this sequel represents a quantum leap forward in every aspect. The improved graphics, refined mechanics, and enhanced cooperative elements come together to create some of the most exhilarating gaming moments I've experienced with friends. While it might sound hyperbolic, I genuinely believe this could be the best co-op shooter ever made—it's that special.
Helldivers 2 costs $39.99 on PlayStation 5 and Steam.
Soulslike of the Year: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Nominated by Locke Vincent:
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (the expansion that came out in 2024) is a co-op game, but I played it solo. I loved having another excuse to dip into that world, where I spent countless hours exploring, feeling excited, getting scared, experiencing frustration, and finally reaching elation. We all know this emotional cycle and gameplay loop from From Software games—and “Shadow of the Erdtree” matches the original in both scope and size.
It was a truly amazing experience that I cherished. I took my time and didn't rush, spending a couple months to fully explore and complete this expansion. While I played many games this year, this one stood out simply due to the sheer number of hours I invested in it. Without a doubt, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is my solo experience of the year.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Edition costs $79.99 on Xbox and Steam. The “Shadow of the Erdtree” expansion by itself costs $39.99 on PlayStation and other platforms.
Paul’s honorable mention: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night: Classic II: Dominique’s Curse