Single-player experiences in games don’t have to be lonely, with many titles allowing the player to be followed aroundby a friend or two. While these games feel as if they should be something that can be enjoyed by another player, the games in this article are strictly single player with the additional support being controlled by an AI. However, these companions aren’t stupid, as their AI makes them act and support the player as if they were a real person playing.
Many players may become quite attached to their partner in crime, as they can offer crucial support during the most difficult encounters, along with helping out during puzzle sections of the game. Overall, these are the best single-player games that feel like they offer a co-op adventure — while remaining purely single-player experiences.
TheResident Evilgames have had co-op available at times throughout its storied history. However, some of the games in theiconic horror franchisehave given the player two characters they can swap between, with the other following closely, though they can’t be controlled by a second player.
Resident Evil Zerofeels and plays like many of the otherResident Eviltitles, and therefore, when supported by a secondary character such as Rebecca Chambers or Billy Coen, depending on which character the player is controlling. While there are still moments when the two of them are separated, for the majority of the game they are exploring together, with the other one feeling like a co-op partner that is there to shoot the undead while you’re trying to figure out where to go next.
Although the action-adventure franchise focuses on the adventures ofRatchet and Clank,onlytwo of the games in the entire franchisehave allowed the player to work with or against another in co-op.Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apartis one of many in the franchise that doesn’t have co-op available, although a co-op mode would have fit right in with all the fun gadgets and arena-based encounters in the game.
While Clank may go missing at the start of the game, players when controlling Ratchet meet the likes of Rivet and others who not only help Ratchet but feel like they should’ve been an option for a second player. Especially after Clank returns, the tiny robot is always at the player’s side, supporting him in any way that he can. While this does feel like a co-op partner, many still wish they could’ve had any actual friend’s help too.
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisenis a game that has a passionate online RPG community. However, the game doesn’t have any sort of co-op — although the player has a team of Pawns that follow them around. Players rely heavily on these Pawns that have been created by other players, as well as having their own Pawn that they create at the start of the game.
Even though it isn’t a co-op game, players are likely to find themselves getting incredibly attached to theirown personal Pawn; players not only fully customize what they look like, but they (players) will likely turn to them at all times for support throughout the entirety of the fantasy adventure. Crafting a companion Warrior or Mage who constantly has the back of the player will show how incredible the AI is forDragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen.
In pastGod of Wargames, Kratos has always been someone that looks after himself with no support from others. This changed withGod of War (2018)andGod of War Ragnarok, as players had the assistance ofKratos' son, Atreus,as well as other companions who not only support in combat but also assist the player in solving the various puzzles of the game too.
However, the companions' main focus is combat, as they can use a variety of skills connected to their weapon of choice to help the player stay alive during intense encounters. While the player can push the companion to use a specific ability, they (the companion) will mostly defend themselves and revive the player when they go down. With a companion being a regular member of the team, it’s easy to feel like the game delivers a fun co-op experience, though it’s fully a single-player masterpiece.
Little Nightmares 2is one of thebest horror puzzle-platformer gamesout there. Players loveLittle Nightmares 2not only for its ominous story and haunted atmosphere, but also for its dual protagonists in Mono andSix (the memorable player character from the original game). While players have no control over Six in the sequel, she is an incredibly important part of the story inLittle Nightmares 2, with the characters holding hands and working together to solve the various puzzles as they make their way across the creepy levels.
While no second player can control Six, this doesn’t stop her from feeling like a friendly presence that the player is working with to make it through the platformer. Having these two characters work together may have encouraged Tarsier Studios to make the eventualLittle Nightmares 3an actual co-op adventure, allowing players to enjoyLittle Nightmareswith a friend, instead of just relying on Six — even if she was an amazing character that felt almost like an actual person controlling her.
