Best co-op space games for two players

What makes co-op space games special

The main appeal of cooperative gameplay is the opportunity to share responsibilities instead of handling every challenge alone. In many space games, players take on different roles that complement each other. One person might pilot a spacecraft while their teammate operates weapons, monitors important systems, or repairs damaged equipment. This creates situations where good communication is just as important as individual skill.

Cooperative modes generally fall into two categories: local and online. Local co-op allows players to share a computer or console, making it ideal for couch gaming. Online co-op connects friends playing from different locations, although it typically requires separate devices, game copies, and an internet connection. Some titles support both formats, while others are designed specifically for one.

Open-world space adventures offer additional freedom. Instead of following a fixed sequence of missions, players can explore planets, gather resources, and build settlements at their own pace. These games are particularly enjoyable when friends have different interests, since one person can focus on exploration while another manages construction or crafting.

However, multiplayer doesn't automatically mean cooperative gameplay. Some games place players in the same universe without offering shared missions or meaningful teamwork. Before choosing a title, it's worth checking whether friends can complete objectives together, share resources, and continue their progress across multiple sessions.

How to choose a space game for two players

Finding the right cooperative space game depends on what both players enjoy. A fast-paced shooter may be perfect for friends who love action, while a relaxed exploration sandbox is better for those who prefer discovering new locations and building something together. The best choice is one that gives both participants meaningful things to do.

Consider these factors before starting your next adventure:

• Co-op format: Whether the game supports local split-screen, shared-screen gameplay, or online multiplayer;

• Teamwork mechanics: Opportunities to share missions, operate vehicles, construct bases, and manage resources together;

• Difficulty: How easy the mechanics are to learn and whether newcomers can contribute without extensive practice;

• Platform compatibility: Supported devices, cross-play availability, and any restrictions on multiplayer sessions;

• Accessibility: Purchase requirements, hardware demands, session length, and progression systems.

Another important consideration is how much time you can spend playing together. Arcade adventures often work well for short sessions, while survival sandboxes can become long-term projects. A complex spaceship might take several evenings to finish, but that ongoing sense of progress can make cooperative construction especially rewarding.

Save systems also deserve attention. In some games, the host controls the world, meaning other players cannot continue independently. Dedicated servers or persistent multiplayer environments offer greater flexibility, especially when friends have different schedules.

Best co-op space games to play together

Space-themed cooperative games cover everything from relaxed planetary exploration to demanding crew simulations. We've selected eight titles that provide distinctive experiences for two players, even when larger teams are supported. The editorial ratings reflect our assessment of their gameplay rather than official store review scores.

No Man's Sky — explore the universe with a friend

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2. Editorial rating: 9.5/10. Availability: Paid; online multiplayer on supported platforms, including Switch 2, but not the original Switch.

No Man's Sky offers a massive procedurally generated universe filled with planets, unusual creatures, valuable materials, and mysterious locations. Friends can join forces to explore unfamiliar worlds, establish planetary bases, complete missions, and upgrade their equipment. Since exploration isn't tied to a single objective, players can create their own adventures rather than follow a rigid campaign.

The experience is especially enjoyable for gamers who prefer freedom over constant combat. One player can search for resources while another expands a settlement or prepares a ship for the next expedition. Space battles and environmental dangers add excitement, but there's also plenty of time to appreciate alien landscapes. For two players looking for an open-ended adventure, No Man's Sky provides an enormous playground.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime — control one spaceship together

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch. Editorial rating: 9.4/10. Availability: Paid; local co-op for 2–4 players, without built-in online multiplayer.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a colorful cooperative action game where players share control of a small spaceship. Different stations operate the engines, weapons, shields, and navigation systems, but there aren't enough players to manage everything simultaneously. Your crew must constantly move between stations and decide which tasks deserve immediate attention.

The gameplay quickly becomes chaotic when enemies attack from several directions. One player might control the ship while their teammate handles defense, only to switch positions when a new threat appears. Although its visual style looks friendly, the challenges demand coordination and quick reactions. It's an excellent couch co-op option for friends who enjoy laughter, teamwork, and occasional panic.

Astroneer — build a planetary base together

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch. Editorial rating: 9.2/10. Availability: Paid; online co-op, with platform-specific multiplayer compatibility.

Astroneer is a space exploration sandbox centered on gathering resources, modifying terrain, and building advanced infrastructure. Players arrive on an unfamiliar planet with basic equipment and gradually establish a functioning research base. With the right tools, they can reshape the environment, construct vehicles, automate production, and travel to other worlds.

Working together makes expansion much easier. One player can explore underground caves while another maintains the base or develops transportation systems. Oxygen management and environmental hazards create challenges without turning every expedition into a battle. Astroneer is particularly suitable for friends who enjoy creative gameplay, steady progression, and the satisfaction of building something from scratch.

Space Engineers — design your own spacecraft

Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox. Editorial rating: 9.1/10. Availability: Paid; online multiplayer and cooperative building.

Space Engineers takes spaceship construction to another level by giving players an extensive collection of functional building components. You can create small exploration vessels, enormous capital ships, planetary vehicles, and orbital stations. Every design requires careful consideration of propulsion, power generation, storage, and control systems.

Cooperative building adds a useful division of labor. While one player develops the hull and installs engines, another can focus on resource extraction, electrical systems, or defensive equipment. Completed ships can then be tested in space, where unexpected engineering problems sometimes lead to spectacular failures.

The learning curve is substantial, but experimenting with different designs is part of the fun. For players who enjoy technical challenges and detailed construction, Space Engineers can provide countless hours of shared creativity.

PULSAR: Lost Colony — become a real spaceship crew

Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS, Linux). Editorial rating: 9.0/10. Availability: Paid; online co-op for up to five players, with AI crew support.

PULSAR: Lost Colony puts players aboard a spaceship exploring a procedurally generated galaxy. Instead of controlling separate vessels, participants become members of the same crew. Available roles include captain, pilot, engineer, scientist, and weapons specialist, with each position responsible for important ship systems.

Together, players can investigate abandoned stations, visit alien planets, fight hostile vessels, and complete missions for different factions. Communication becomes essential during combat, when the pilot must maneuver the ship while other crew members manage power, weapons, and repairs.

Although the game is designed around a larger crew, two players can fill key positions and assign remaining responsibilities to AI-controlled characters. This makes PULSAR a compelling option for friends who want to experience the pressure and excitement of operating one spacecraft together.

Barotrauma — survive beneath an alien ocean

Platforms: PC (Windows, macOS, Linux). Editorial rating: 9.3/10. Availability: Paid; single-player and online co-op.

Barotrauma takes place beneath the frozen surface of Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. Instead of commanding a spaceship, players operate a submarine exploring a dangerous extraterrestrial ocean. The crew must maintain equipment, monitor the reactor, repair hull damage, and defend against hostile creatures.

Each participant can specialize in a different role, including captain, mechanic, engineer, or medical officer. Problems often escalate quickly: a damaged electrical system can disable essential machinery, while an unexpected creature attack may force everyone to abandon their assigned tasks.

Two-player sessions are possible with assistance from AI crew members, although managing a submarine remains demanding. Barotrauma is ideal for gamers who appreciate survival mechanics, tense teamwork, and unpredictable situations where a small mistake can threaten the entire expedition.

Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander — build and command your fleet

Platforms: Windows PC. Editorial rating: 9.1/10. Availability: Paid; online and LAN co-op, Early Access.

Cosmoteer combines spaceship construction with tactical combat and crew management. Players design vessels using individual modules, deciding where to place weapons, engines, generators, and other equipment. Internal layouts matter because crew members must transport supplies and keep essential systems operational.

As your ships become more advanced, even minor design decisions can influence their effectiveness in battle. Poorly protected components may become vulnerable targets, while inefficient layouts can slow down weapon systems or repairs.

In cooperative multiplayer, friends can explore space, develop their fleets, and participate in battles together. The combination of engineering and tactical decision-making makes Cosmoteer especially attractive to players who enjoy experimenting with ship designs and refining their strategies.

Lethal Company — dangerous expeditions with a friend

Platforms: Windows PC. Editorial rating: 9.0/10. Availability: Paid; online co-op, Early Access.

Lethal Company sends a crew to abandoned industrial facilities scattered across distant moons. The objective is to collect valuable scrap and meet the company's profit quota, but dangerous creatures and unpredictable environments make every expedition risky. Players must decide how much equipment to carry, when to retreat, and whether a valuable item is worth the danger.

Communication creates some of the game's most memorable moments. One player can remain aboard the ship and monitor the situation while another searches the facility. Limited visibility, unexpected encounters, and sudden emergencies frequently turn simple missions into chaotic adventures.

Playing with two people increases the difficulty because there are fewer teammates available to help. However, that pressure also makes teamwork more meaningful. Lethal Company is a great choice for friends who enjoy survival horror, tense exploration, and short gaming sessions filled with unexpected surprises.

Which genres of cooperative space games are worth exploring?

Cooperative space games offer a wide variety of experiences, so choosing the right genre depends on your preferred pace and playstyle. Exploration sandboxes are excellent for players who want to relax, discover unusual worlds, and work on long-term projects. No Man's Sky and Astroneer provide opportunities to explore planets and gradually develop settlements without focusing exclusively on combat.

Engineering sandboxes such as Space Engineers and Cosmoteer appeal to players who enjoy solving technical problems. Designing a functional spacecraft can become a shared project where both participants experiment with different layouts and equipment. The construction process is often just as entertaining as using the finished ship.

For friends who prefer constant communication, crew-based games provide a more focused experience. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime and PULSAR: Lost Colony require players to coordinate responsibilities and react quickly when unexpected situations arise. Their mechanics make cooperation essential rather than optional.

Survival and horror games offer a more intense alternative. Barotrauma and Lethal Company challenge teams to manage limited resources and respond to dangerous environments. These games are particularly enjoyable with voice chat, where every warning, instruction, or panicked reaction contributes to the atmosphere.

Another interesting category is multiplayer space strategy. Unlike traditional cooperative adventures, these games may allow friends to develop separate colonies or empires while working toward shared goals. Players can coordinate economic growth, form alliances, and participate in large-scale military operations. This style of cooperation is particularly appealing to gamers who prefer long-term planning and galactic politics.

About our game: WarForGalaxy

If you enjoy space exploration but want to take your teamwork beyond individual missions, WarForGalaxy offers an opportunity to build an interstellar empire alongside other players. This free online multiplayer 4X strategy game combines planetary development, technological research, diplomacy, and large-scale space warfare. Instead of controlling a single character or spaceship, you manage a growing civilization and decide how to expand its influence across the galaxy.

Your journey begins with a developing planetary colony. As you gather resources and upgrade infrastructure, you can research new technologies, strengthen your economy, and assemble military fleets. Every decision matters, from choosing which buildings to improve to preparing defenses against potential enemies. Careful planning helps transform a modest settlement into a powerful interstellar empire.

Cooperation plays an important role in WarForGalaxy. Friends can join the same alliance, coordinate development, support one another, and participate in military operations together. The galaxy is populated by real players from around the world, so diplomatic relationships and strategic rivalries constantly influence the situation. Working with reliable allies can be just as valuable as maintaining a strong fleet.

WarForGalaxy also features Hermes, an AI assistant designed to simplify everyday empire management and help players analyze strategic situations. By reducing the effort required for routine activities, it gives commanders more opportunities to focus on expansion, diplomacy, and upcoming conflicts.

Another advantage is accessibility. WarForGalaxy is cross-platform and available on computers and mobile devices. On PC, the game runs directly in your browser, with no separate client download or installation required. You can start building your first colony and gradually develop your own approach to galactic conquest.

Ready to take your teamwork to an interstellar scale? Play WarForGalaxy for free, invite your friends, establish a powerful alliance, and compete for control of planets across the galaxy. Your next great space adventure begins with a single colony.