This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on December 20, 2021 - December 26, 2021

Video games are a great way to unwind on a lazy weekend by yourself, but sometimes they are better with some company. Not only are cooperative (co-op) games enjoyable and exciting, they tighten the bond between players as well. Here are some fun, challenging and bingeworthy co-op games to check out.

In Portal 2, players use “portals” to complete a puzzle before moving on to the next one. There are two portals: blue and orange. When you go into one portal, you come out of the other. However, not all surfaces can accommodate a portal and this makes the game tougher! In the case of Portal 2, the co-op game is the secondary storyline, but equally fun and challenging.

If you and your gaming partner love solving puzzles, this game will keep you occupied for hours. Portal 2 can be played on the Steam platform for PC and Mac OS, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

May and Cody are about to get a divorce, but their daughter Rose is desperate to keep them together. In her efforts, Rose unknowingly turns her parents into dolls, transporting them into a magical world where they encounter the self-proclaimed love guru Dr Hakim. The game’s story follows May and Cody as they try to turn back into humans, learning about themselves and each other throughout the game.

During the pandemic, couples have played this game in an effort to reconnect with each other. It Takes Two can be played on the Steam platform on PC and Mac OS, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.

A Way Out is an exclusively co-op adventure game where you play the role of one of two prisoners making their daring escape from prison. The game must be played with two players and each player controls one of the main characters, Leo and Vincent, in a reluctant alliance to break out of prison and gain their freedom. What begins as a thrilling breakout quickly turns into an unpredictable, emotional adventure.

If mission-centric puzzles and a good storyline are what you favour, this game is for you. A Way Out can be played on the Steam platform on PC and Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

This co-op game follows Alpha and Bravo, two deadly mercenaries, who will take on the toughest missions to take down a ruthless drug cartel. Set in modern Mexico, the game has a grim story amid a brutal drug war. The characters have the capability to interact and engage with each other, such as playing rock, paper, scissors to decide who gets to perform a stealth kill on enemies.

If you’re a fan of third-person shooter games or just looking for a stress-reliever, be sure to check this out. The Army of Two series is available on PlayStation and Xbox.

The Adventures of Tintin starts off with Captain Haddock taking a hit to the head, which knocks him out. Tintin and Captain Haddock then delve into his mind, where there are a series of doors that act as portals to new levels. The game can be played single or co-op, where the characters can interact with each other to pass through challenges.

Along the way, other characters are unlocked within the Tintin universe, all of whom have their own special abilities; Tintin has a grappling hook to take him to higher platforms and Captain Haddock has super strength to break down barriers.

If you’re a fan of 2D side-scrolling platform games, such as Super Mario, this is a fun game to explore, especially with all the side goals and quests. The Adventures of Tintin: The Game is available on PlayStation and Xbox.

Unravel 2 is the sequel to the single-player game, Unravel. The premise is fairly simple: Gamers play as one of two small dolls made of yarn who are connected to each other. The yarn can be used to lasso and swing from trees, build bridges and drag objects from one place to another. Players can play alone and switch between the yarn dolls, but the game is much more enjoyable with a friend as most puzzles require teamwork.

If you’re a fan of puzzles and good, simple yet crisp animation, be sure to give this a go. Unravel 2 is available on Steam, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Xbox.

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