The Best Co-Op Experiences in Third-Person Shooters

16 October 2025

Let’s face it—gaming alone can be fun, but there’s something magical about teaming up with friends, diving into the thick of battle, and having each other’s backs when things get messy. That’s the essence of co-op, and third-person shooters have perfected this formula over the years. Whether it’s covering a buddy who’s reloading, coordinating a full-scale assault, or just laughing at the chaos you’ve caused together, co-op gaming is where memories are made.

Third-person shooters, in particular, offer that sweet spot of tactical gameplay with larger-than-life action sequences. But not all co-op games are created equal. Some nail the experience better than others. Buckle up, because we’re about to look at some of the absolute best co-op experiences in third-person shooters.

What Makes a Great Co-Op Third-Person Shooter?

Before diving into the games themselves, let’s break down what makes a co-op third-person shooter stand out. It’s not just about flashy graphics or crunchy gunplay (though those are definitely a plus). A great co-op game needs to:

1. Demand Teamwork: If you can brute force your way through a game solo, the co-op aspect kind of falls flat. A solid title should have mechanics that encourage (or even outright require) collaboration.

2. Have Diverse Roles: Some players thrive on being the tank and soaking up damage, while others prefer hanging back as snipers or healing the squad. The best games understand this and cater to different playstyles.

3. Offer Replayability: Without fresh challenges, story twists, or customizable gear, a co-op game can lose its spark fast. The best games keep you coming back, whether through new missions, harder difficulties, or evolving gameplay.

4. Blend Chaos with Strategy: The most memorable co-op moments often involve a perfect mix of well-thought-out plans… and things going absolutely sideways.

Feeling ready to squad up? Let’s dive into the games!

1. Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

Post-Apocalyptic Teamwork at Its Finest

If you and your friends love a healthy dose of tactical gameplay wrapped in a beautifully devastated Washington, D.C., The Division 2 should be at the top of your list. This third-person looter shooter delivers satisfying gunplay, crazy levels of customization, and the kind of co-op gameplay that demands communication.

The missions force you to work together. You might find yourself pinned by enemy fire, needing a teammate to draw aggro while someone else flanks to take out a sniper. And the Dark Zone? Oh boy, that’s where friendships are tested. Trusting each other during tense PvPvE encounters makes every extraction mission a nail-biting affair.

With its world constantly changing through updates and seasons, The Division 2 offers endless replayability. The endgame content alone is worth the investment if you’re into min-maxing gear and pushing your skills to the limit.

2. Gears of War Series

The OG Co-Op Shooter

The Gears of War series walked so other co-op shooters could run. Whether you’re tearing through the Locust Horde in the main campaign or surviving wave after wave in Horde Mode, this franchise is built for dynamic duos (or trios, or squads).

What makes Gears special? Its cover-based combat requires you to actually think about positioning and teamwork. You can’t just run-and-gun your way to victory—unless you like repeatedly getting chainsawed by enemies. And let’s not forget the weapons (hello, Lancer with a chainsaw bayonet!) and the adrenaline rush of reviving a downed teammate at the last second.

The series consistently nails that balance between heart-pumping action and those quieter moments of teamwork. Plus, you can’t beat a good ol’ bro moment with Marcus and Dom.

3. Warframe

Space Ninjas Who Shoot Stuff

What’s better than running around as a space ninja? Running around as a space ninja with three of your friends. Warframe is a relentless, fast-paced third-person shooter that lets you and your crew slice, dice, and blast through wave after wave of enemies.

The beauty of Warframe lies in its flexibility. Missions can range from epic boss battles to stealthy sabotage operations, and you can switch up your playstyle depending on the frame (i.e., character class) you use. Whether you're the tanky Rhino or the healer Trinity, every role has a purpose.

And let's not even start on the loot. With an insane amount of gear, mods, and weapons to collect, there’s always something to grind for. Fair warning: This game is a time sink—but in the best way possible.

4. Remnant: From the Ashes

Dark Souls Meets Guns

If you love a challenge, Remnant: From the Ashes is the type of game that’ll push your squad to its limits. This game takes the punishing difficulty of Dark Souls, tosses in some guns, and sprinkles in enough randomness to keep you on your toes.

The bosses in this game are no joke. You’ll need to communicate, adapt, and come up with a plan to survive. You’ll also have to share resources wisely—hogging all the ammo is a quick way to get your group wiped.

One of the best parts of Remnant is the procedural generation. Every playthrough offers fresh layouts, events, and challenges, so no two runs feel the same. It’s high-stakes, high-reward gameplay that thrives in co-op.

5. Fortnite: Save the World

Not Everything's About Battle Royale

Sure, most people think of Fortnite as the massive battle royale juggernaut, but Save the World offers something special for co-op shooter fans. This mode combines third-person shooting with base-building, letting you and your friends team up to fight off waves of husks (a.k.a. zombies on steroids).

Working together to fortify your base, set traps, and fend off increasingly tough enemies can be ridiculously satisfying. Plus, the cartoonish art style and goofy humor keep things lighthearted, even in the face of overwhelming enemy hordes.

It’s a great option for players who want a slightly more casual co-op experience but still crave solid shooting mechanics and strategic gameplay.

6. Ghost Recon: Wildlands

Tactical Freedom

Love sneaking around and planning your every move? Ghost Recon: Wildlands lets you and three friends take on the role of an elite team tasked with taking down a massive drug cartel. What sets this game apart is its open-world design and freedom of approach.

You can go full stealth, picking enemies off one by one with suppressed weapons. Or, if subtlety isn’t your thing, just roll in with a convoy of armored vehicles and cause utter chaos. Either way, coordinating with your squad is key to success.

The dynamic weather and day-night cycles add even more variety to missions. A midnight raid during a thunderstorm feels entirely different from a midday shootout in the blazing sun.

7. Left 4 Dead 2

Zombie-Slaying Classic

Yeah, I know it’s an older game, but there’s a reason people still go back to Left 4 Dead 2. Valve nailed the co-op formula with this one. It’s fast, frantic, and absolutely unforgiving if your team doesn’t stick together.

The AI Director ensures that no two games are the same, adjusting the pace and difficulty to keep you on your toes. One moment, you’re cruising through a level without a care in the world, and the next, you’re swarmed by zombies, Boomers, and Tanks.

The campaigns are short but sweet, making Left 4 Dead 2 perfect for quick gaming sessions with friends. And thanks to the modding community, there’s an endless supply of new content to keep the game fresh.

8. Outriders

Guns, Powers, and Chaos

Imagine Diablo-style loot grinding meets third-person shooting, and you’ve got Outriders. This game is all about going in guns blazing while using over-the-top powers to wreck your enemies. Think fire storms, gravity slams, and time-bending tricks.

What makes Outriders a fantastic co-op experience is how the abilities complement each other. One player can freeze enemies in place while another rains bullets or sets them on fire. The synergy between different classes creates some insane combo opportunities.

The game also rewards you for playing aggressively, with healing tied directly to damage output. So, there’s no hiding in cover—just pure, in-your-face action.

Why These Co-Op Games Shine

There’s no shortage of shooters out there, but these titles stand out because they put teamwork front and center. They’re not just about shooting stuff; they’re about sharing victories, picking each other up after defeats, and maybe even yelling a bit when plans go hilariously wrong. That’s the beauty of co-op—it’s messy, unpredictable, and insanely fun.

At the end of the day, these games remind us why we game in the first place: for the moments, the memories, and the camaraderie. So, grab a buddy (or three), load up one of these games, and start making some chaos together. Trust me, you won’t regret it.