This year, our team has been addicted to Phasmophobia. Whilst it has been out on PC for a while, the early access launch on consoles this Halloween has keep us completely hooked into ghost hunting – so much so that we’ve even arranged to go on a real-life ghost hunt together (seriously).
It also encouraged us to try out a few different co-op horror releases of 2024, with an impressive selection of titles seeing a full release over the past twelve months. We’ve discussed a few of those down below, and whilst we have no doubt that there are still plenty of cool co-op horror titles that we’ve yet to try, these are some of our favourites that have kept us coming back for more.
Phasmophobia
Given that it was Phasmophobia that inspired our team to put this list together, it’s only fitting that we discuss it first. It made its console debut this year, and believe me, it has kept us completely hooked in ever since.
Phasmophobia masterfully combines cooperative gameplay with spine-chilling horror, creating an unforgettable multiplayer experience that’ll leave players on the edge of the seat as they balance out careful investigation with a keen eye for a spectral threat. As a team of paranormal investigators, players explore haunted locations to gather evidence of ghostly activity, balancing fear with strategy in a way that keeps every session engaging. You’ll unlock new and improved equipment as you progress too, pushing players to be braver and try to tackle the higher difficulties to reap the additional rewards.
The game’s cooperative design is its standout feature, with each player utilizing tools such as EMF readers, spirit boxes, thermometers, and UV lights to try and identify the type of ghost that is haunting each locale. Success hinges on teamwork and communication (as well as the use of unlockable optional equipment to give you a fighting chance), as players coordinate their efforts to collect evidence whilst avoiding the ghostly attacks. This shared reliance heightens the tension, turning every creaking floorboard or flickering light into a collective moment of dread as you find yourself worried that you’ll be the next victim of the ghost. And when you do find a teammate’s dead body? It’s ALWAYS terrifying.
The dynamic nature of the activity of the ghosts ensures unpredictability, with no two investigations the same thanks to the deep selection of ghost types, the variety of evidence to collect, the cursed objects that can give you an advantage (often at a cost), and the selection of maps on offer. Each ghost brings with it different traits too, keeping the gameplay fresh and encouraging creative problem-solving – especially on higher difficulties where there’s less evidence to gather. The eerie sound design and realistic environments immerse players further, making even mundane tasks feel perilous. And hey, if you play right now, you can enjoy the Christmas event which sees players finding presents and dealing with Krampus…
Outlast Trials
We are BIG fans of the Outlast series here, so experiencing the horrors of it in cooperative gameplay seemed like a dream (or should that be nightmare?) come true.
The Outlast Trials blends cooperative strategy with relentless terror. Set in a sinister experiment conducted by the ominous Murkoff Corporation, players are thrust into nightmarish trials designed to test their mental and physical resilience. If you want to survive through the horrors of these trials, you’ll have to work as a team, creating a tense and disturbing atmosphere where you’ll have to ensure each player pulls their weight if you all hope to survive.
What makes The Outlast Trials feel especially unique for the series is its cooperative nature. Whilst the series’ previous strengths came in how it managed to isolate players in order to terrify them, The Outlast Trials instead encourages teamwork to navigate the dangerous environments, solve puzzles, and evade grotesque adversaries. Players must communicate effectively to manage resources, strategize escape routes, and support each other through each psychological challenge.
This shared vulnerability heightens the tension, making every scream, stumble, or success a communal experience that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat as you fight to survive. And hey, whilst you might think that having others with you might make things less scary, hearing the random shrieks of allies as you’re carefully sneaking around actually makes the experience all the more terrifying – even if there’s nothing funnier than seeing one of your teammates running away scared whilst you’re safe in a hiding spot.
The game’s procedurally generated scares and unpredictable enemies ensure the gameplay is always engaging, whilst the player progression and customisation adds plenty of depth to the experience. There’s been a wealth of additional content added to the game since release too, with the most recent update, The Breach, adding a new map, enemy type, and items for the player. The Winter Kill holiday event is in play too, bringing a festive twist to the murder and mayhem… nice.
Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord
This one is cheating a little because the game came out last year, but it was only with the release of the ‘Frozen Empire’ content in March that we started playing, so it counts. And hey, we can’t leave the Meta Quest out of this list!
Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord delivers an engaging multiplayer experience by combining the beloved franchise’s charm with innovative cooperative VR gameplay. Players step into the iconic roles of the Ghostbusters (including Slimer) and work together to capture spectral foes and save the world from the supernatural chaos brought forth by the dangerous Ghost Lord.
Come on, everyone’s pretended that they’re the Ghostbusters when playing with their friends when younger right? Well, Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord lets you live out that fantasy, with up to four players working together on each mission. Players must rely on teamwork to unleash proton beams, set traps, and contain mischievous ghosts in challenging environments, with communication key as players coordinate to isolate fast-moving ghosts or tackle multiple threats simultaneously.
The VR integration takes immersion to new heights, with players physically aiming their proton beam and using its momentum to keep a hold on ghosts, dodging any incoming attacks, and closely exploring the spooks of each eerily detailed haunted location, making every ghost encounter feel real and intense (even if the game takes adopts cartoon-like approach with its aesthetic). I’ll be honest, the game regularly made me jump when a ghost would attack – even if the game’s humour and light-hearted tone can make it a little less frightening than other titles on this list. And believe me, it can be tough, especially if your team aren’t working together effectively.
Unlocking upgrades for your gear and tackling tougher missions ensures replayability, with teams able to refine their tactics and experiment with different setups as they progress. My friends and I found it easier to plan out our roles carefully and upgrade different sets of gear, ensuring we all had a unique trick up our sleeves to keep on top of tougher ghosts. It’s satisfying and shows that whilst the game has a pretty straightforward gameplay loop, there’s plenty of room for strategy.
By combining nostalgia, cutting-edge VR, and rewarding cooperative gameplay, Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord is a really fun multiplayer experience that lets players live out the fantasy of… well… being a ghostbuster.
Sons of the Forest
Sons of the Forest is constantly thrilling thanks to its blend of immersive exploration, cooperative strategy, and an ever-present sense of danger. As a group stranded in a mysterious, hostile forest, players must work together to survive, build, and uncover the secrets of the island. I spent HOURS upon HOURS with the first game, and with Sons of the Forest’s full launch this year, I’ve been equally addicted.
The cooperative gameplay is at the heart of its brilliance, and whilst you won’t necessarily be assigned roles to play, you’ve got to ensure that each player carries out specific tasks in order to increase your chance of survival. Whether that’s gathering resources, helping construct shelters to keep safe, or dealing with the constant threat that is out for your blood, teamwork really does make the dream work in Sons of the Forest. It’s really satisfying, whilst seeing the group thrive because you’re each playing your role effectively adds a genuine sense of community spirit to the experience – especially if you find yourself playing with randomers (it is at its best with friends though).
Be warned though: enemies are brutal and carefully adapt to your behaviour, making for a sense of unpredictability as you have to deal with an ever-evolving threat. They get angry at you, they hold grudges, and they remember the things you’ve done, making for an experience where you never quite feel safe. It means players must communicate, plan, and adapt, especially during intense nighttime ambushes that can be genuinely terrifying.
Visually stunning environments, a day-night cycle, and changing seasons helps immerse players in the world, while the freedom to approach challenges in different ways ensures each playthrough of the game can be completely different. As I said, I’ve spent a ton of time with the game already, but I still only feel like I’m scratching the surface of the horrors it has to offer.
Murky Divers
Murky Divers excels as a co-op multiplayer game by combining underwater exploration with high-stakes survival and teamwork. Set in the depths of perilous underwater labs (amongst a host of other strange sites), players take on the roles of divers working for a shady corporation as they navigate to various undersea locales via submarine and then try to collect or destroy evidence of experiments gone wrong – all whilst surviving through the dangerous marine creatures that are left lurking in the watery remains. And to give a good idea of what sort of creatures you’ll face off against, I came across a fish with a chainsaw on its body… so yeah, it’s brutal, and that’s where the ‘horror’ side of the experience really shines through.
Each diver can unlock special equipment to make their trek more fruitful, encouraging players to collaborate and strategize through various means in order to make the most money. Simple things such as being able to communicate over long distances or being able to detect evidence come in handy, but I’ll admit, it’s the grappling hook which I loved the most (especially when pulling at other players to save them from a threat). This teamwork applies to navigating the seas too, with players working together to utilise the varied equipment on the ship in tandem to ensure that they’re uncovering worthwhile hauls instead of stumbling into the path of a kraken.
The underwater environment is stunning yet treacherous, with the game embracing a retro PSOne-style vibe which I’ll ALWAYS love. Visibility is limited, and the eerie soundscape enhances the sense of isolation and vulnerability – especially when you’re out of range of communication with a teammate, where every sound you hear will make you wonder what monstrosity could be lingering nearby. The tension of narrowly escaping a predator as teammates pull you to safety creates moments of shared triumph and exhilaration, whilst barely making it back to your submarine when your o2 is almost depleted is always thrilling.
With procedurally generated maps, resource and o2 management, a real focus on teamwork, a ‘wanted’ level that’ll see the sea police pursuing you (really), and all sorts of intriguing secrets to discover as you venture deeper into the sea, Murky Divers ensures replayability and keeps every session fresh and exciting. Its blend of immersive underwater adventuring with intense cooperative survival makes for a gripping and addictive experience, and whilst it might not be quite as scary as some of the titles listed here, the dark and disturbing secrets of the sea will do more than enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.
