โค๏ธ 2-Player Cross-Platform Guide

Best Co-Op Games Like It Takes Two with Real Crossplay (2026)

You and your partner loved It Takes Two โ€” or you wanted to play it together, only to hit the heartbreaking reality that it does not support crossplay between PS5, PC, and Xbox. Mainstream listicles keep recommending single-platform games that cannot connect your devices. Here is our verified guide to cooperative games sharing the Hazelight formula with genuine cross-platform support.

Updated September 2026 โ€ข 7 min read โ€ข Verified by PlayCompat Network Lab
๐Ÿšซ The Crossplay Truth About Hazelight Games

Why Canโ€™t You Play It Takes Two Cross-Platform?

Despite winning Game of the Year and having sold over 16 million copies, It Takes Two does NOT have cross-platform multiplayer between PlayStation, PC, Xbox, or Switch.

It only supports cross-generation play within the exact same console ecosystem (e.g., PS4 can play with PS5, and Xbox One can play with Xbox Series X|S). If one partner is on PC and the other is on PlayStation, your only options are playing together on the same couch or finding a different game with real cross-network bridges.

๐Ÿงฉ What Makes a Game Truly Feel Like It Takes Two?

1. Asymmetric Mechanics

Neither player is a clone. Player 1 gets a hammerhead, Player 2 gets nails. You cannot progress without active dialogue.

2. Forgiving Fail States

Instant respawns and frequent checkpoints. Missing a jump doesnโ€™t wipe 20 minutes of progress or cause relationship friction.

3. Variety Over Grinding

Shifting gameplay styles (skating, shooter rails, dungeon crawl, magnet physics) keep non-gamer partners continuously engaged.

4. Cross-Device Connectivity

The ability to connect your home console with your partnerโ€™s PC or laptop without buying expensive duplicate hardware.

The 7 Best Games Like It Takes Two (With Crossplay Verified)

Ranked by asymmetric cooperation, relationship-friendly pacing, and multi-platform networking capability.

#1

Sackboy: A Big Adventure

PS4, PS5, PC (Steam & Epic)
โœ“ Full Crossplay (PlayStation โ†” PC)

Just like It Takes Two, Sackboy delivers vibrant handcrafted worlds, physics-driven cooperative traversal, and delightful synchronization puzzles. PC players link a free PlayStation Network account to invite console friends seamlessly.

Gameplay Dynamic: Cozy 3D Platforming & Whimsical Fun
Partner Carry Tolerance: High (Infinite lives checkpoints & carry mechanics)
#2

Grounded

PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
โœ“ 100% Universal Crossplay Across All Platforms

Shrunk down to the size of ants, duos build shelters, craft acorn armor, and navigate backyard hazards. With universal crossplay between PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, it is the ultimate game for couples on mismatched hardware.

Gameplay Dynamic: Backyard Survival & Shared Base Building
Partner Carry Tolerance: Very High (Custom difficulty & Arachnophobia safety sliders)
#3

We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip

PC (Steam & Epic), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
โœ“ Full Cross-Platform Play (Console โ†” PC)

Hazelight fans love asymmetric puzzles where both partners see different sides of the problem. We Were Here splits the two players into different chambers with in-game walkie-talkies. You must verbally describe what you see to solve each challenge together.

Gameplay Dynamic: Asymmetric Communication & Logic Puzzles
Partner Carry Tolerance: Medium (Requires active walkie-talkie communication)
#4

Bread & Fred

PC (Steam & Epic), Nintendo Switch
โœ“ PC Cross-Store + Local Couch Split-Screen

Two adorable penguins tied together by a short rope must climb a snowy mountain. Timing swings and momentum creates the same laugh-out-loud cooperative tension as It Takes Twoโ€™s clockwork levels.

Gameplay Dynamic: Hilarious Penguin Physics & Rhythm Climbing
Partner Carry Tolerance: High (Assist mode with anchors and infinite jump toggles)
#5

Portal 2

PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck
โœ“ PC (Windows โ†” Mac โ†” Linux โ†” Steam Deck)

The cooperative campaign of Portal 2 pioneered modern duo gaming. Playing as Atlas and P-Body, players manipulate portal physics and gesture pings with zero combat stress.

Gameplay Dynamic: The Masterpiece of Asymmetric Cooperative Logic
Partner Carry Tolerance: High (No reaction time reflexes required; purely intellectual)
#6

Human: Fall Flat

PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, Switch
โœ“ Partial Crossplay (PC Game Pass โ†” Xbox Console)

If your partner is prone to gaming anxiety, Human Fall Flat has zero fail state. Wobbly ragdoll physics ensure that even failing an environmental puzzle is hilarious rather than stressful.

Gameplay Dynamic: Wobbly Physics Slapstick & Sandbox Puzzles
Partner Carry Tolerance: Maximum (No fail states, zero game over penalty)
#7

Astroneer

PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Switch
โœ“ Conditional Crossplay (Dedicated Servers)

Duos shape terrain with deformation tools, build planetary rovers, and explore solar systems in complete tranquility. Crossplay functions seamlessly between PC and consoles when connected via dedicated servers.

Gameplay Dynamic: Cozy Planetary Exploration & Terraforming
Partner Carry Tolerance: Very High (Peaceful sandbox pacing)
๐Ÿ’ก Technical Pro-Tip

How to Play A Way Out & Unravel Two Across Two Screens

If you desperately want to play A Way Out or Unravel Two without being in the same room, you can bypass the lack of online crossplay using Steam Remote Play Together or Parsec.

1. Only ONE person purchases and launches the game on PC.

2. Send an invitation via Steam Remote Play Together or Parsec to your partner's laptop, tablet, or secondary PC.

3. The game treats Player 2 as a local couch controller plugged into the host's PC, streaming video with near-zero latency.

๐ŸŽฎ Tested Couch Hardware

Prevent Controller Disputes: Ergonomic Couch Gamepads for Duos

Whether playing split-screen on the living room TV or using Remote Play from the sofa, mismatched controllers and analog stick drift create needless couple friction. Here are our verified hardware picks.

๐Ÿงฒ
Hall Effect Anti-Drift Electromagnetic sensors that never develop stick drift during precision platforming.
๐Ÿ›‹๏ธ
Symmetrical Ergonomics Both players sit comfortably on the sofa without fighting over desk space or keybindings.
โšก
Zero Input Lag Dedicated 2.4G wireless and high-speed Bluetooth eliminate timing penalties in rhythm co-op.
Couples Top Choice โ˜… 4.6 (12,400+)

8BitDo Ultimate Wireless Controller with Charging Dock

Zero Stick Drift โ€ข Universal Switch, Steam Deck & PC Companion

โœ“ Hall Effect Joysticks: Electromagnetic sensors 100% immune to stick drift
โœ“ Multifunction Magnetic Charging Dock: Auto wake/sleep when undocked
โœ“ Dual-Band Connectivity: Ultra-low latency 2.4G dongle + Bluetooth + USB-C
โœ“ 2 Ergonomic Pro Back Paddle Buttons with on-the-fly macro mapping
Sticks: Hall Effect Electromagnetic (Anti-Drift)
Battery: Up to 22 hours (1000mAh Rechargeable)
Best For: PC, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch & Couch Co-Op
Street Price: $49 โ€“ $69
๐Ÿ›’ Check Deal on Amazon โ†—
Best Immersion โ˜… 4.8 (95,000+)

PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller

Next-Gen Haptic Immersion โ€ข The Gold Standard for Sony & PC

โœ“ Dynamic Adaptive Triggers: Varying levels of physical force and tension
โœ“ Next-Gen Haptic Feedback: Dual actuators replace traditional rumble motors
โœ“ Integrated Microphone & Headset Jack: Plug-and-play voice chat on couch
โœ“ Native Steam Input support with direct haptic passthrough on supported PC titles
Sticks: Precision Analog with textured grip
Battery: Up to 12 hours (1560mAh Built-in)
Best For: PS5, PC Steam Input & Mac Duo Gaming
Street Price: $69 โ€“ $74
๐Ÿ›’ Check Deal on Amazon โ†—
Easiest PC Setup โ˜… 4.7 (130,000+)

Microsoft Xbox Core Wireless Controller

Instant Windows Plug & Play โ€ข Flawless Game Pass Integration

โœ“ Native Windows 11 Integration: Zero driver setup or third-party tools required
โœ“ Hybrid D-Pad: Accurate input tactile response for platformers and puzzle co-op
โœ“ Textured Grip on Triggers, Bumpers & Back-Case prevents slipping during tense rounds
โœ“ Custom button remapping via the native Xbox Accessories app on PC & Console
Sticks: Precision Calibrated Analog
Battery: Up to 40 hours (AA Batteries or Rechargeable Pack)
Best For: PC Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S & Windows 11
Street Price: $49 โ€“ $59
๐Ÿ›’ Check Deal on Amazon โ†—
โš–๏ธ Affiliate Notice: As an Amazon Associate, PlayCompat earns from qualifying purchases at zero extra cost to you.
Verified 2026 Couch Co-Op Lab Standards
โค๏ธ

Have Mismatched Devices at Home?

Test your exact setup (e.g. PS5 + Laptop, PC + Switch, or Shared Couch) on our deterministic Couples Matcher to filter out high-stress games and verify Friendโ€™s Pass eligibility.

Launch Couples Compatibility Matcher โ†’

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does It Takes Two support crossplay between PS5 and PC?

No. It Takes Two does NOT support cross-platform multiplayer between PlayStation and PC (or between Xbox and PC). It only supports cross-generation play within the exact same console family (PS4 with PS5, or Xbox One with Xbox Series X|S), or local shared-screen couch co-op on the same machine.

Q. Does A Way Out support cross-platform multiplayer?

No. Like It Takes Two, Hazelightโ€™s earlier title A Way Out does not support crossplay across different console ecosystems or PC. Both players must own the game on the same platform family, or play together on the same television in split-screen.

Q. Can you play Unravel Two online across different devices?

Unravel Two was built exclusively as a local couch co-op game without native online multiplayer. However, PC players can use Steam Remote Play Together or Parsec to invite a partner on a laptop to stream player 2 over the internet.

Q. What makes a game "like" It Takes Two?

A true Hazelight-style co-op game features mandatory two-player design (cannot be beaten solo), asymmetric puzzle roles where partners have complementary abilities, frequent mechanics switches to prevent boredom, and forgiving fail states that prioritize shared enjoyment over mechanical punishment.