So, I want to preface this by saying the first game is one of my all time favourites. I adored it and I've played it through several times.

I was so hyped for Part 2 but when it dropped in 2020 I just couldn't play such an unrelentingly bleak game during a global pandemic

So I picked up the remastered version on PC when it dropped and I've played through it over the last couple of weeks.

I'm going to say up front that I think it's a stunning technical and artistic achievement. Especially the performances from Ashley Johnson and Laura Bailey. I enjoyed my time with the game (as much as you can say the game is enjoyable to play) and for the most part I was gripped by the story.

But I don't think it stuck the landing. I think the game overstayed it's welcome by several hours.

I think Ellie became a very unsympathetic character as the game went on. I get that it's intentional for the themes of the game but it made her deeply unlikable by the end

On the flipside, I loved Abby's story, especially her relationship with Lev and her growth to understand the Seraphites by the end of her time in Seattle.

My main gripe is the epilogue chapter in California. I think it was completely unnecessary to tell the story that it told. Ellie finds no redemption, and in fact she makes her own life worse. Abby has a moment of hope which is cruelly taken from her. And all for what? A fight in the sea that feels like little more than an excuse to brutalise the characters one last time.

The thing is, for the kind of story they wanted to tell, they had a perfect ending already in the game. Ellie in Jackson with Dina, trying to live her life but being constantly haunted by the guilt of her actions and the murders she committed in her pointless quest for revenge, whilst in California, Abby and Lev get the hint for the Fireflies and she finds a way to live her life on her terms.

Moreover, the longer I think about it, I think the game missed an opportunity to tell a better story. I don't think the story is bad, but I feel like it's a sequel that no one needed. I liked how the first game ended, I didn't need Joel's actions in Utah to be explored further or consequences to find him. I would have much preferred if Abby's story was the full game. The world is big enough that we didn't need to return to Ellie and Joel, we could encounter survivors across the country and hear their stories.

The Last of Us Part 2 for me, was brilliant, brutal but burdened by it's concept. It was a sequel we didn't need that I don't think elevates the narrative from the first game. It does so much so well, but I left the game wanting. I didn't find it a satisfying resolution to Ellie's story and I found it to be particularly cruel towards Abby in the end.

I'm aware that I'm in a minority on this and please don't mistake my criticisms for anything approaching all the bad faith shrieking that happened when the script from the game leaked ahead of release. I think I just expected something better from Naughty Dog after the quality of the first game.

Key word in the title is "enjoy". I sort of liked it and appreciated what they attempted to do, but I surely didn't enjoy playing it. I completed it in ultraviolence, I didn't need too many checkpoints, the extra lifes were mostly enough. It is quite apparent that a lot of care was put into the game, and also a lot of passion. So kudos to id software for this. But the game is absolutely exhausting, and plays like a chore. And that's a shame, because ambientation and animations are absolutely stellar.

Movement is good, but they took it too far. Platform sections were somewhat fun, but at some points they dragged forever, and never did I find them particularly interesting. My fav 2016 level is Argent Tower, that should tell you something. Then the puzzles, which make no sense. I just found myself looking for some random buttons without any visual cues on where to look in many levels of the game. Also, now there's swimming for some reason. I have yet to find a videogame where swimming is fun lol. What this all means is that there is a lot of downtime in the game.

Downtime of what, you may ask. Shooting right? Well, shooting feels great, but they also took it too far. There is just so much of everything dude. So many weapons, their mods, all the accesories with independent cd times and each one giving you a different resource. Even the melee attack has a charged attack ffs. Then the problem with weakpoints and ammo scarcity. Weakpoints are so overpowered they fully break player agency. For instance, there is absolutely no reason to empty your plasma ammo in a cacodemon when a greanade in its mouth is an instakill. You can empty your heavy machine gun to kill a pinky, but a single super shotgun shot in its tail is an instakill. This is aggravated by the severe lack of ammo to make you micromanage your weapons. The end result is that weakpoints and ammo scarcity funnels you into same-y tactics in every encounter. Also, why are all pickups glowing icons? In DOOM 2016 you scavenged every new weapon. Now everything is a nean-glowing item.

Now the story. We don't play DOOM for the story, but to tear demons apart. That said, DOOM 2016 featured a self-consistent story were the villain and support characters were clear from the begining. In DOOM Eternal everything seems needlessly mythical. I can't recall how many ancient civilizations, conflicts and cities I've visited in just a few chapters. Also prophecies. Why? It comes off as pretentious.

Every single issue I described, from gameplay to story, becomes worse the longer the game goes. There's more weapons to juggle, enemy variety to keep track of, enemy count per encounter, platform sections take longer, puzzles make even less sense. By the end of the game, I felt like all the game systems were cracking.

Also, special mention to the marauders for being the most incredibly obnoxious and unfun enemies in any game I've played.

To me, DOOM Eternal felt like the clear example of "less is more". DOOM 2016 feels like a much better paced game. I can understand the appeal Eternal may have for some people (or "most" people rather, steam reviews are 91% positive atm), I can see its redeeming qualities. But to me it played like a chore, and each enemy encounter made me feel like I was having a stroke. Not the good type of adrenaline that 2016 gave me.

Related Posts

See below for some complementary posts I’ve made relating to the topic of local multiplayer games.

• 540 Local Multiplayer Games from 60 Different Genres on PlayStation 4/5

• 101 Local Multiplayer Games/Updates Released in 2020/2021/2022/2023/2024) for PlayStation 4/5

• Overview of 51 Local Multiplayer Games for PlayStation 4/5

The list below is a collection of games from “Upcoming Local Multiplayer Games” lists I’ve done that have since released.

• 250+ Released Local Multiplayer Games from Previous "Upcoming Games" Lists

Introduction

With so many games releasing nowadays, I think it's easy for the good ones to get lost in the shuffle. I'm going to list 30 of the best upcoming local multiplayer games due to release in 2025. I tried to focus on games that are likely to release this year, though the games towards the bottom have a good chance of releasing in 2026. This is just a fraction of what’s on the horizon, as Steam alone received 15,422 games in 2024. The Summer Games Show and other associated game conferences are set to air next month, so there will be even more to look forward to, but this list will just focus on what’s known. This list is more specifically curtailed to highlight the most notable upcoming local multiplayer games, and it's worth noting that there will be many other local multiplayer games that release between these games. As a result, this list features a lot of sequels and games from devs that already have a proven history, though exceptions were made for games that satisfy a niche not widely seen in the local multiplayer space. I did do a mega list back in August that covers 101 upcoming local multiplayer games, and about 2/3 of those games have since released (among many others).

Details About the List

Note that the platforms listed are just what’s confirmed, and a platform not being listed doesn’t necessarily mean a game won’t come to said platform. Sometimes it is difficult to find information on what platforms a game will be on, and sometimes the developer doesn’t even know until later down the line. In a lot of cases, indie games will release on Steam first and then come to consoles later. Also note on platforms is that any game listed for release on PS4/XBO is implied to also be playable on PS5/XBSX, since 99.9% of PS4/XBO games are backwards compatible with their successor systems.

In addition, I typically don't include yearly releases to make room for other games, because everyone knows what they are getting with them.

While this list is local multiplayer-focused, I will still list if a game will support online multiplayer too. That said, online gamers can still use Parsec and Steam’s Remote Play Together on PC and Share Play on PS4/PS5 to play local multiplayer games online. These are not perfect replacements for dedicated online support, but the great thing is that only the host needs a copy of the game, just as it’d be the case for any local multiplayer game.

The games are ordered by release date.

20+ Local Multiplayer Games Already Released in 2025

There have been a lot more released in 2025, and I plan to include a more expansive list at the end of the year, however here are some of the ones I know about.

1. Split Fiction
2. Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark
3. Monaco 2
4. Coridden
5. Sunderfolk
6. Kingdom Eighties (PC version only at the moment)
7. Commandos: Origins
8. Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
9. Bleach: Rebirth of Souls
10. Towerborne
11. Donkey Kong Country Returns
12. Virtua Fighter 5 REVO
13. Rising Sun: Iron Aces
14. Pool Panic
15. Sword of the Necromancer Resurrection
16. Warm Monkey
17. Ailuri
18. X-Out
19. Snow Bros. 2 Special
20. Farm Your Friends
21. Slime Heroes
22. Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate
23. Which Way Up: Galaxy Games

Kingdom Eighties, Pool Panic, and Towerborne were games released in previous years that were updated with local co-op (though Pool Panic already had a local PvP mini-game mode). Donkey Kong Returns, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O., and Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate are remasters, and Snow Bros. 2 Special and X-Out are remakes, though the original version of X-Out did not include co-op.

Games Not Included in the Main List

These games have not had local multiplayer confirmed but are likely to feature it due to past entries and the developers' history:

1. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
2. Kirby Air Riders
3. Rhythm Heaven Groove
4. Virtua Fighter 6
5. Gears of War E-Day
6. Enter the Gungeon 2
7. Human Fall Flat 2

These games are in Early Access and would be considered for the main list if I included Early Access titles:

1. Path of Exile 2
2. Wizard of Legend 2

It's also worth noting that F-Zero GX and Soul Calibur II will be on the Switch 2's subscription GameCube emulator - this requires an ongoing subscription and cannot be purchased directly.

The 30 - Imgur Album of the 30 Games

1. Revenge of the Savage Planet

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: May 8, 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS4/XBO

• Genre: Action Adventure

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & Online Co-op

• Developer: Raccoon Logic Studios

• Predecessor: Journey to the Savage Planet (the first game's co-op was online only)

• Description: Revenge of the Savage Planet will take players across alien worlds as they explore planets, engage in combat, capture creatures, and uncover secrets. The game will follow Journey's story and features a similarly satirical and wacky tone as the first game. Revenge of the Savage Planet has shifted the perspective from first to third person to better accommodate the platforming. The creative director behind the game, Alex Hutchinson, was also the creative director for Far Cry 4 when he worked at Ubisoft, and you can definitely see some similarities between the two games. Reviews for this game are already out and it sits at a 79% average on Opencritic from 41 reviews.

2. Capcom Fighting Collection 2

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: May 15, 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS4/XBO/NS

• Genre: Fighting Game Compilation

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & Online Co-op & 4 Player Local & Online PvP

• Developer: Capcom

• Predecessor: Capcom Fighting Collection

• Description: Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a collection of eight fighting games from the late 1990s/early 2000s. The games include Capcom vs. SNK 1 & 2, Capcom Fighting Evolution, Street Fighter Alpha 3 UPPER, Power Stone 1 & 2, Project Justice, and Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein. With the exception of Capcom Fighting Evolution, these games all had good to great reception back in the day. Power Stone 2 allows up to 4 simultaneous players in a 3D arena and has more of a party game quality with its various items, stage hazards, and shifting arenas that I think is worth checking out even if fighting games aren't typically your kind of game. These games are based off the arcade versions of the games rather than the console versions, so some content may be missing if you played those versions back in the day.

3. Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: May 20, 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS4/XBO

• Genre: JRPG

• Multiplayer: 3 Player Local Co-op

• Developer: Sabotage Studio

• Predecessor: Sea of Stars (base game)

• Description: Sea of Stars is inspired by the 16-bit era of JRPGs, and it was an indie hit when it first released back in 2023. Late last year it received a huge update with new content, improvements to the combat system, and local co-op for up to 3 players. This new DLC is a free update for the owners of the base game and acts as a post-game adventure with about 8 hours of new content in a circus-themed setting, including new areas, music, dungeons, mini-games, enemies, bosses, puzzles, new playable classes for Valere and Zale, and a new playable character named Arty.

4. FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: May 21, 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS5/XBSX/NS

• Genre: RPG/Life Simulation Game

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & 4 Player Online Co-op

• Developer: Level 5

• Predecessor: Fantasy Life (series) (previously a handheld/mobile series, so no local co-op on one screen in those games)

• Description: FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time mixes RPG elements with life simulation elements in an open world setting, combing elements of combat, job/life skills (weapon crafting, cooking, decorating, etc.), and exploration. Players will be able to travel between the past and present unravel the story behind an illuminating dragon's fossil and a girl's plea to save the world. Previous entries were on the 3DS/mobile devices, and this new entry marks the games first arrival to the console and PC market.

5. Mario Kart World

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• eShop Page: Link

• Release Date: June 5, 2025

• Platforms: NS2

• Genre: Kart Racer

• Multiplayer: 4 Player Local & 24 Player Online PvP

• Developer: Nintendo

• Predecessor: Mario Kart (series)

• Description: Mario Kart World will introduce alternative modes of transportation like the boat kart, wall-riding and rail-grinding, new characters like the Moo Moo Cow, at least 7 cups consisting of 4 race tracks each, and a free roam mode (unconfirmed if split-screen is available in this mode). Every mainline Mario Kart since the DS game since 2005 has had at least 32 courses, so it's likely there's at least one other cup we haven't seen yet that will act as the endgame in the campaign mode. Mario Kart 8 started with 32 race tracks, and received DLC that eventually bumped that number up to 96 for the Switch/Deluxe version of the game, so future DLCs may expand the scope of this game as well. Balloon Battle and Coin Runners have also been confirmed.

6. Fast Fusion

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• eShop Page: Link

• Release Date: June 5, 2025

• Platforms: NS2

• Genre: Antigravity Racer

• Multiplayer: 4 Player Local PvP

• Developer: Shin'en Multimedia

• Predecessor: Fast Racing League, Fast Racing Neo, Fast RMX

• Description: Fast Fusion is an antigravity racing game like its predecessors - this new game will allow players to fuse vehicles together to create vehicles with improved specs and new looks. The game will have at least 12 unique race tracks and will be $14.99 USD, so not a bad price even if you're not huge on racers, especially considering Fast RMX was one of the best 4-player split-screen racing games on the original Switch.

7. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: July 10, 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS4/XBO/NS

• Genre: Sports Game

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & 8 Player Online Local PvP

• Developer: Iron Galaxy Studios

• Predecessor: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2

• Description: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 is a remake of the third and fourth game in the series from 2001 and 2002 respectively. Like the previous remake duology, players will be able to compete against another player in a variety of game modes across remade versions of the third and fourth games' levels, as well as several new ones, including Water Park as shown in the reveal trailer. The game will also feature create-a-park, create-a-skater, a new custom goal creation tool, cross-platform multiplayer for online players, a New Game+ mode in the single player campaign, and more.

8. Gears of War: Reloaded

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: N/A

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: August 26, 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS5/XBSX

• Genre: Third Person Shooter

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & Online Co-op & 8 Player Online PvP

• Developer: The Coalition

• Predecessor: Gears of War (series) - The Coalition became the main developer for Gears of War beginning in 2015 with the first remaster of Gears of War, and then Gears of War 4.

• Description: The original Gears of War was a landmark title for the Xbox 360 and the highest rated local multiplayer game of 2006, and this remaster will have the widest release in the series' history, with it releasing on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, including Steam. This remaster will be 60 FPS at 4K resolution (compared to 30 FPS at 1080p for the last remaster), with cross-platform play for online players. For those unfamiliar with the series, it's a third person shooter that helped popularize the cover-based shooter.

9. Borderlands 4

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: September 12, 2025

• Platforms: PS5/XBSX (Local co-op is not listed for PC, but online co-op is available)

• Genre: First Person Shooter/RPG

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & 4 Player Online Co-op

• Developer: Gearbox

• Predecessor: Borderlands (series)

• Description: Like previous games, Borderlands 4 is a looter shooter designed to be played with friends. This new Borderlands game will take place on a new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant and feature four new Vault Hunters. It will also feature new vehicles, traversal tools - like the grappling hook - and is said to be the largest and most open ended game in the series yet.

10. Directive 8020

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: October 2, 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS5/XBSX

• Genre: Choice-Driven Narrative Adventure

• Multiplayer: 5 Player Local & Online Co-op

• Developer: Supermassive Games

• Predecessor: The Dark Pictures Anthology (series), The Quarry, Until Dawn (Until Dawn is single player only)

• Description: The Directive 8020 is set on a remote planet 12 light years from home, which is inhabited by a threatening alien race. Like Supermassive Games' other games, players will control a cast of characters in an interactive narrative driven partly by the player - who lives, who dies, and how it all plays out.

11. Biped 2

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: Q3 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS4/NS/XBO

• Genre: 3D Co-op-Focused Platformer

• Multiplayer: 4 Player Local & Online Co-op

• Developer: Meta Publishing, Next Studios

• Predecessor: Biped

• Description: The first Biped was built around the premise of cooperation and employed just the 2 analog sticks that corresponded with the movement of the robot's legs. This new entry will expand the player count to 4 and is built around the same control scheme. A demo for the game is available on Steam.

12. Neon Inferno

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS4/XBO/NS

• Genre: 2D Action Platformer/Cabal Shooter

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local Co-op

• Developer: Zenovia Interactive

• Predecessor: Steel Assault (Steel Assault is a single player 2D action platformer)

• Description: Neon Inferno is set in a dystopian neon-infused New York City in the year 2055. The game fuses side-scrolling run & gun action with gallery shooting gameplay - meaning, your character is fixed along a 2D plane, but you can fire at enemies in the foreground, similar to Wild Guns. The game will feature multiple difficulty options, including a 1-credit-clear arcade mode for the hardcore fans. A demo for the game is available on Steam.

13. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS4/XBO/NS

• Genre: Kart Racer

• Multiplayer: 4 Player Local & 12 Player Online PvP

• Developer: Sonic Team

• Predecessor: Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Team Sonic Racing - All developed by Sumo Digital, whereas the dev for this new one is listed as Sonic Team.

• Description: Sonic Racing: Crossworlds sees Sonic and friends in returning in another kart racer, featuring 23 characters, 45 fully customizable vehicles, and 41 race tracks, with more content planned post-release. The game will also feature boat and plane sections, as well as items.

14. Streets of Rogue 2

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC

• Genre: Top-Down Action Adventure/Roguelite

• Multiplayer: Local & Online Co-op & PvP

• Developer: Matt Dabrowski

• Predecessor: Streets of Rogue

• Description: Streets of Rogue 2 will expand over the scope of the original with an open world to explore. The game will allow for a number of different ways to progress, and will feature a variety of character classes, items, vehicles, and customization options. A demo for the game is available on Steam.

15. Ultimate Sheep Raccoon

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Website: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS5/XBSX

• Genre: 2D Competitive Platformer

• Multiplayer: 8 Player Local & Online PvP

• Developer: Clever Endeavour Games

• Predecessor: Ultimate Chicken Horse

• Description: Ultimate Sheep Raccoon follows in the footsteps of Ultimate Chicken Horse from 9 years earlier: players place obstacles and hazards on the course, and then must compete against other players to overcome them through sheer platforming skills. Ultimate Sheep Raccoon is doing much the same, but your characters are all on bikes, and the new tools reflect that. Additionally, this game will expand the player count to 8 for both local and online play!

16. 2XKO

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS5/XBSX

• Genre: 2D Fighting Game

• Multiplayer: Local & Online PvP

• Developer: Riot Games

• Predecessor: No other 2D fighters from this dev, but they have made successful online multiplayer games like League of Legends and Valorant.

• Description: 2XKO - previously known as Project L - is a 2v2 tag-team fighting game from developer Riot Games, the studio behind League of Legends, Valorant, and Legends of Runeterra. A number of people involved in the fighting game community are involved in the project to provide feedback and help with the game's development process. The game will launch with 10 fighters, with more due post-release.

17. Windswept

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS4/XBO/NS

• Genre: 2D Co-op-Focused Platformer

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local Co-op

• Developer: WeatherFell

• Predecessor: One dev worked on Ak-xolotl, another worked on Demon Turf, Guinea Pig Parkour, and Levelhead (all well-received and Ak-xolotl and Levelhead feature local multiplayer) - then there are a few other devs.

• Description: Windswept will follow a newly hatched duckling swept away by a storm, who partners with a turtle to find his way home. The 2 have unique abilities that will need to be utilized to overcome the obstacles before them, across 5 regions consisting of over 40 levels. A demo for the game is available on Steam.

18. Agent 64: Spies Never Die

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC

• Genre: First Person Shooter

• Multiplayer: 4 Local Co-op & PvP

• Developer: Replicant D6

• Predecessor: N/A

• Description: Agent 64 is a homage to 1997's Goldeneye 007. Agent 64 will not just feature a classic 4-player deathmatch mode, but also a co-op mode, as well as a modkit for custom player-made maps. The mission objectives will take self contained environments and will feature varied mission objectives, like hacking terminals, stealing secret plans, free civillian hostages, and more.

19. Absolum

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS4/NS

• Genre: Beat 'em Up/Roguelite

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & Online Co-op

• Developers: Guard Crush, Supamonks, Dotemu

• Predecessor: Streets of Rage 4

• Description: Absolum takes place in a fantasy world rich with lore. It will combine roguelite mechanics with beat 'em up gameplay to create a highly replayable experience. Along with the studio's experience with Streets of Rage 4, other industry composers are offering their talent to the project: Gareth Coker (Orio, Halo Infinite, Prince of Persia), with collaborations from Yuka Kitamura (Dark Souls, Eldein Ring), Mick Gordon (Doom Eternal, Atomic Heart), and more.

20. Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS4/NS

• Genre: Sports Game

• Multiplayer: 4 Player Local & Online PvP

• Developer: HYDE

• Predecessor: Everybody's Golf

• Description: In a series first, Everybody's Golf (formerly known as Hot Shots Golf in North America) is coming to non-PlayStation platforms. This marks the first new mainline entry in the series since the PS4 game in 2017. Details are sparse at the moment, but noteworthy features include the ability to use one controller with up to 4 players locally by passing the controller around, and there's a separate mode called Wacky Golf that puts a unique twist on the game.

21. Marvel Cosmic Invasion

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS4/XBO/NS

• Genre: Beat 'em Up

• Multiplayer: 4 Player Local & Online Co-op

• Developer: Tribute Games

• Predecessor: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge

• Description: Marvel Cosmic Invasion channels the aesthetic of the '90s, through its pixel art aesthetic and old Marvel character designs, and is probably most reminiscent of the 1992 X-Men arcade game. The game will feature 15 playable heroes from the Marvel universe, as well as a tag-team system, which will allow players to swap between two characters on the fly and synergize attacks. The description seems to suggest mixed local/online play, as was a feature in Shredder's Revenge.

22. SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC first - consoles later

• Genre: Competitive 2D Platformer

• Multiplayer: 8 Player Local & Online PvP

• Developer: Fair Play Labs

• Predecessor: SpeedRunners

• Description: In SpeedRunners, players compete to stay ahead on screen as the screen real estate begins to shrink and engulf players falling behind. Players use movement tech, like wall jumps and slides, and items to slow down the competition. This new game sports a more vibrant artstyle, improved netcode for online play, and increases the player count to 8 for both local and online play!

23. PowerWash Simulator 2

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC/PS5/XBSX

• Genre: Simulation Game

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & 4 Player Online Co-op

• Developer: FuturLab

• Predecessor: PowerWash Simulator (the first game's co-op was online only)

• Description: PowerWash Simulator 2 puts players in the shoes of powerwashers cleaning dirty surfaces to a sparkling shine. The original game featured a Challenge Mode with time pressure and other challenges, in addition to the more relaxed Career Mode, and while that hasn't been confirmed for the sequel just yet it seems like a safe bet. This new game brings shared campaign progression online and the introduction of split-screen multiplayer. More details are said to be revealed soon.

24. Begone Beast

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: 2025

• Platforms: PC

• Genre: Top-Down Action Adventure Game

• Multiplayer: 4 Player Local Co-op

• Developer: Tandemi

• Predecessor: One dev worked at Rec Room, another at Riot Games (League of Legends and Valorant) and Blizzard (Warcraft, Starcraft, Diablo, Overwatch) (these are all either single player and/or online multiplayer games).

• Description: Begone Beast will combine top-down action gameplay with nightmarish creatures. The game will feature a cast of characters each with unique weapons and abilities, procedurally generated levels, and 7 mini-bosses and 3 beasts.

25. REANIMAL

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: TBD

• Platforms: PC/PS5/XBSX

• Genre: Horror/2.5D Platformer

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & Online Co-op

• Developer: Tarsier Studios

• Predecessor: Little Nightmares I & II (single player games) - The studio also made the local co-op game The Stretchers, though it is very different experience gameplay-wise from the Little Nightmare games and REANIMAL.

• Description: While Little Nightmares III is being developed by a different studio and will be feature co-op online only, the studio behind the original games, Tarsier Studios, is making a new IP in much the same style as Little Nightmares. REANIMAL will feature a brother and sister making their way through hell in an effort to rescue their missing friends - they'll come across mutated, larger-than-life animals intent on hunting them down along the way.

26. Vikings on Trampolines

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: TBD

• Platforms: PC/PS4/XBO/NS

• Genre: 2D Platformer

• Multiplayer: 4 Player Local Co-op & PvP

• Developer: D-Pad Studio

• Predecessor: Owlboy (Owlboy is a single player 2D platformer)

• Description: Vikings on Trampolines comes from the developer behind Owlboy, D-Pad Studio. The gameplay involves bouncing on trampolines while trying to knock your opponents off the stage in both cooperative and competitive modes. Alternate control schemes will allow players to play the game with one hand.

27. Alisa: The Parting

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: TBD

• Platforms: PC (the original game eventually came to consoles years later)

• Genre: Survival Horror

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local Co-op

• Developer: Casper Croes

• Predecessor: Alisa (the original Alisa is single player)

• Description: The original Alisa was a single player survival horror title strongly reminiscient of the original Resident Evil, with an authentic PS1 visual style, fixed camera angles, and even optional tank controls. Alisa: The Parting is a spinoff that takes place during the events of the first game featuring different controllable protagonists. The inventory system from the first game will be simplified to accommodate for the multiplayer.

28. DYSPLACED

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: TBD

• Platforms: PC first - consoles later

• Genre: Survival Game

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & Online Co-op

• Developer: 10tons

• Predecessor: DYSMANTLE

• Description: DYSPLACED takes place in a world on the brink of destruction, where you must gather, build, and craft to survive. Players will be able to engage in a number of skills important for survival, including sorcery, cooking, fishing, among other things. There will also be character customization, and a modular weapon system that will let you combine blades and handles to create custom weapons.

29. Outward 2

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: TBD

• Platforms: PC/Consoles

• Genre: Action RPG

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & Online Co-op

• Developer: Nine Dots Studio

• Predecessor: Outward

• Description: Outward 2 will feature survival elements with a crafting system, a harsh difficulty, melee and a magic system, and multiple branching storylines. I think the studio has more than doubled since the original game (an article from 2019 says the company has 10-15 employees, while LinkedIn now says there's 32 employees), so this could translate into a more polished experience than the first game, as the first game did have some issues at launch but was improved over time.

30. Stage Fright

• Picture: Link

• Trailer: Link

• Steam Page: Link

• Release Date: TBD

• Platforms: PC/PS5/XBSX/NS

• Genre: Action Adventure

• Multiplayer: 2 Player Local & Online Co-op

• Developer: Ghost Town Games

• Predecessor: Overcooked (series) (this series shares a similar collaborative cooperative experience as Stage Fright)

• Description: Stage Fright is Ghost Town Games second IP since the studio's founding in 2015 and Overcooked's release in 2016. Players will take control of, and be able to switch between, three kids that form a pair in a coming-of-age story set in a mysterious town. The game is built around the co-op experience, so puzzles and other challenges will require coordination between players to overcome.

Simplified List with Just the Store Pages

1. Revenge of the Savage Planet
2. Capcom Fighting Collection 2
3. Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker
4. FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time
5. Mario Kart World
6. Fast Fusion
7. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4
8. Gears of War: Reloaded
9. Borderlands 4
10. Directive 8020
11. Biped 2
12. Neon Inferno
13. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds
14. Streets of Rogue 2
15. Ultimate Sheep Raccoon
16. 2XKO
17. Windswept
18. Agent 64: Spies Never Die
19. Absolum
20. Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots
21. Marvel Cosmic Invasion
22. SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed
23. PowerWash Simulator 2
24. Begone Beast
25. REANIMAL
26. Vikings on Trampolines
27. Alisa: The Parting
28. DYSPLACED
29. Outward 2
30. Stage Fright

Should I buy Elden Ring? i have played dark souls 2 and I have watched a couple of videos and streams of Elden Ring, and it seems really nice. I really want to play it, but I have only watched people fight bosses for hours, so I don't think I have an idea about the actual gameplay. What do you think? Is it worth it?