Competitive escape rooms exist! You have two of the same room and each team is racing to be done first. We did it for a wedding party where the bride and groom drafted teams from the friends that attended and it was a ton of fun.
Arkham Horror Wendy: This is one I've only played once with you Chris: Yeah Wendy: ...So you've played a lot of it with out me... Chris: I did, it was really nice . . . . . . . . . . of Zee and Camilla to let me jump into a campaign with them.
I really wanted to like spirit island, but my husband couldn’t grok it at all, and it’s too hard for me to be able to play my character well and also help him with his. Another game that is super complex, but in an extremely different way is Tindaya. I love playing it solo, but I also plays co-op, semi-co-op, and competitive. The theme is similar to Spirit Island, but the gameplay is totally different. The rules are very complex, but easy to remember because they make logical sense based on the theme. Basically, you are playing as natives trying to appease the gods and fight off invaders, while upgrading your population, food, animals, and tools. It starts out as a bunch of small islands, but if a volcano erupts, the landmass might become connected. If you don’t appease the gods enough, everyone loses (which is where the semi-co-op comes into play). It’s probably not for everyone’s tastes, but I really like it!
The first time I played Elder Sign as a 2 player, I almost died on the second turn. My partner saved me and we went on to run the game through. I ended up dying late in the game and he was able to pull out the win the next round. Whew!😅 Awesome epicness!
One of my favourite new games is the pseudo-sequel to Isle of Cats, Race to the Raft. Haven't seen it getting much love, but I think it is an amazing co-op game.
So Clover and Just One are among the few co-op games that I like. Unlock is on my list after playing one scenario. We had a great time, even though we went way past the one hour time, and had to look at several hints. The best part is that everything is in a deck of cards. No maps, tickets, dials, etc. I ran out and bought 12 more scenarios.
You can definitely play it as a one shot, but it's absolutely going to be the only game you play that evening if you do any mission besides the first one. Set up and tear down isn't bad, but the games can go long.
Good lists! One thing im noticing with a lot of the best COOP games is that they REQUIRE cooperation + individual thought. E.g. the crew its impossible to play that game solo, youre required to cooperate with another to play it. Same for something like XCOM or Space Cadets where you cant focus on other people's decisions because you only have enough time to focus on your own stuff most of the time (unless you modify the rules/time given... Which xcom allows, but the best experience is obviously to play on the 4 player mode), so it requires cooperation + individual thought. In a way those games solve the Alpha Gamer problem in their design too. I still love games you can play coop/solo (Ghost Stories, Spirit Island or Pandemic would probably find their way onto a list like this for me), but i think im going to be seeking out a few more games that can only be played coop (i e. that can't be played solo without modifying the rules somehow) for that full coop experience.
Really well said! I think more people are feeling that way. While I would never choose to play Pandemic by forcing players to hide their cards, I do like when new games create those things which require real cooperation like you said. -Chris
I was just shaking my head at this 'Top 10 Cooperative Games' list ... until Elder Sign and Jaws of the Lion showed up. Of course, individual tastes always come into play, but what about Vagrant Song, This War of Mine, Forgotten Waters, and Mansions of Madness, all of which I feel are superior to Micro City (a better solo game), So Clover, and some of the others mentioned here. Oh well ... to each his own. :)
My top 10 Spirit Island The Crew Gloomhaven Mechs vs Minions Hanabi Flip Ships Codenames Duet The LOOP Just One Aeon's End I'd love to try Too Many Bones and Marvel Champions.
Vagrantsong just didn't work for my wife and I. After fighting with the terrible rule book, we finally broke down and watched enough of a first scenario playthrough to get what they struggled to convey in the book. We played through three or four scenarios and decided that our time would be better spent playing other games. Definitely bummed as the theme and production are great, but for us, the game falls absolutely flat.
I was so curious to watch this video. Good Co-ops are usually dungeon crawls or miniatures rolling dice to kill other miniatures. It was very weird to see a top 10 co-op list with no Zombicide, Massive Darkness, Descent, Castle Panic, Oathsworn ect in it. Can’t say I agree AT ALL, but it was still a weird and entertaining video.
@TheDiceTower I noticed your most recent top 10 (Halloween games I think) is not available to be viewed. I see there is a “private video” listed as the most recent top 10. Just wanted to give you a heads up that that one didn’t post properly…..also hoping to see it since I missed it live! Thanks for the great content.
I'm half-tempted by Sky Team, mostly because I'm looking for a game that feels a lot like "two-player The Crew" (without using the Crew variant). To Chris/Wendy, or others that have played it, do you feel like Sky Team gives you that feeling? One nice thing about The Crew is that it's quite replayable even after you do all the missions, do you feel like Sky Team has similar longevity or does it have more of a shelf life? I'm also a little concerned about the randomness of the game lending itself to unwinnable situations. Any thoughts on these topics are appreciated!
I instantly thought of The Crew when I played Sky Team for the first time. I feel like The Crew has and endless amount of longevity, so to compare might be unfair. Sky team has tons of modules that we haven't even tried yet, plus a significant amount of airports that all act a little bit differently. I feel like I could play this for a long time. On that note, I also LOVE the crew with the 2 player varient. I feel like the shared information adds for even more unique level of difficulty as well as communication.
Yes! That's the perfect art style. Or even better, a mix of different Batman styles. One case follows Brave and the Bold, another is an Adam West "some days you can't get rid of a bomb" case.
My group has been loving Pandemic Legacy Season 1 and its gotta be up there as one of my favorite co-op experiences. Project ELITE is a fantastic title and one that I'm always wanting to play with new players. Arkham Horror LCG has got to be my absolute favorite. The variability, the theme. I love it!
Destinies isn't cooperative, even though I often thin of that at first and then have to remind myself it's not, haha. Sleeping Gods is really solid, we just finished our first run through of the Primeval Peril version. While I really enjoy it, I think I might need more plays for it to move higher. Thanks for watching!
Your description of Sky Team sounds a lot like the Apollo game that came out a few years ago. Which was fun but not terribly replayable once you cracked it.
@@DTWendy That sounds great! Apollo just had the Gemini and Apollo missions and once you got the flow of where to allocate the dice, it was almost impossible to lose.
While my favorite "cooperative" game is several of the Pandemics, but I don't play them cooperatively anymore. I've played them so much that nobody is as good as me, so I'm either going to be annoyed at others playing lamely or I'm going to start Alpha Gaming. While I'm not as in love with the Legacy games as everyone else, I would say they are probably the best cooperative versions because I go into them not knowing a lot, so I'm figuring stuff out with everyone else. 0 is the best, with two new mechanics that should be moved to a non-Legacy version or two. 2 was a lot more interesting in the discovery department, but they rushed the ending to get it in this year timeframe.
Spirit island is garbage in my opinion. Too hard to teach due to its complexity, as well as each spirit playing so differently, as well as the game takes far too long. It is just way too hard to hit the table If you have a good group that already knows what they are doing, I suppose it is worth it at that point
@@christaggart5687 it’s a good game just not for everyone wouldn’t go so far as to call it garbage. It’s a heavier co-op game but that doesn’t detract from it being a good game. The asymmetric powers lend themselves well to everyone feeling useful and impactful, it lowers alpha gaming, but it does come at the cost of having to teach a lot of things. It wasn’t on this particular list it it’s not a garbage game.
@@christaggart5687I agree. I would like the game if it was faster. It is so long for what it is. It's basically the pandemic system, with cool asymmetrical characters. However, it's at least twice as long (at least!)
Lol thanks Chris for circling back on that Whole New World 🧜♀️ 😂😂 I was surprised you didn’t react and wondered if you were holding your tongue 😛!! 😂
Competitive escape rooms exist! You have two of the same room and each team is racing to be done first. We did it for a wedding party where the bride and groom drafted teams from the friends that attended and it was a ton of fun.
Arkham Horror
Wendy: This is one I've only played once with you
Chris: Yeah
Wendy: ...So you've played a lot of it with out me...
Chris: I did, it was really nice . . . . . .
. . . . of Zee and Camilla to let me jump into a campaign with them.
Haha, yeah that pause seemed to last forever. I thought for sure he was going to be in some serious trouble.
@@ibeholder12
It was enough pause to edit it for the end of the year video, with having Kelso yell 'Burn!' before Chris continues the sentence.
Lol!!! Umm This could be added to the end of year bloopers ! Attn Roy!
Great review of co-op games. Seriously watched this twice so I can take closer look at some specifics you've highlighted. Thank you.
Fun list. Thanks.
"A Whole New World" is from Aladdin. "Part of Your Word" is Little Mermaid. :-)
And "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" is from Cinderella 😅
Vagrantsong was absolutely worth learning for me. My wife and I played it on our anniversary date, and had a blast (cue Roy sound effect)
Great list, guys! :) Cooperative games was the way to my wife and me into board gaming world (The Legends of Andor was our first co-op).
“When you’re fast asleep” is from Cinderella after she wakes up right before the bell tolls.
That was a phenomenal review. Thanks so much for your hard work and critical assessment!
I play a ton of cooperative games and ya'll have almost no overlap with my top games... and I love it
I am curious:
What are yours?!?
Yeah let’s hear em
If you don’t Rock and Stone…
You ain’t going home.
I recently got into Spirit Island. I'm really exited about this game. I had hoped that it would be on one of your lists. 😢
I really wanted to like spirit island, but my husband couldn’t grok it at all, and it’s too hard for me to be able to play my character well and also help him with his.
Another game that is super complex, but in an extremely different way is Tindaya. I love playing it solo, but I also plays co-op, semi-co-op, and competitive. The theme is similar to Spirit Island, but the gameplay is totally different. The rules are very complex, but easy to remember because they make logical sense based on the theme. Basically, you are playing as natives trying to appease the gods and fight off invaders, while upgrading your population, food, animals, and tools. It starts out as a bunch of small islands, but if a volcano erupts, the landmass might become connected. If you don’t appease the gods enough, everyone loses (which is where the semi-co-op comes into play). It’s probably not for everyone’s tastes, but I really like it!
It aint no real coop list without! Love it or hate it; its a top 10 easy.
The first time I played Elder Sign as a 2 player, I almost died on the second turn. My partner saved me and we went on to run the game through. I ended up dying late in the game and he was able to pull out the win the next round. Whew!😅 Awesome epicness!
I was just asking myself this morning when I'd get to see another Top 10 from the DT. Thanks ya'll!
Great list thank you! Just came across cooperative Trash Talk game and it looks good!
Great list Yis. Happy to see Switch and Signal.
One of my favourite new games is the pseudo-sequel to Isle of Cats, Race to the Raft. Haven't seen it getting much love, but I think it is an amazing co-op game.
My wife loves it. It's also fast and easy to set up.
Thank you, Chris and Wendy! Great choices!
I just recently got a copy of Reckoners and the Steelslayer expansion and I'm looking forward to playing. What I've seen online looks interesting.
More videos from you two is needed!
Now starting this vid, hope Aeon's End is up there! Love the game and only ever heard them mention it
I love you two! You make a wonderful couple! If you each had to choose a favorite of all time games which would you each choose??
So Clover and Just One are among the few co-op games that I like. Unlock is on my list after playing one scenario. We had a great time, even though we went way past the one hour time, and had to look at several hints. The best part is that everything is in a deck of cards. No maps, tickets, dials, etc. I ran out and bought 12 more scenarios.
Did I hear a rock and stone?
Still deciding on pulling the trigger for this one. Just seems so big that it could take up a lot of time for game night.
FOR KARL!
You can definitely play it as a one shot, but it's absolutely going to be the only game you play that evening if you do any mission besides the first one. Set up and tear down isn't bad, but the games can go long.
Rock and stone!
Good lists! One thing im noticing with a lot of the best COOP games is that they REQUIRE cooperation + individual thought. E.g. the crew its impossible to play that game solo, youre required to cooperate with another to play it. Same for something like XCOM or Space Cadets where you cant focus on other people's decisions because you only have enough time to focus on your own stuff most of the time (unless you modify the rules/time given... Which xcom allows, but the best experience is obviously to play on the 4 player mode), so it requires cooperation + individual thought. In a way those games solve the Alpha Gamer problem in their design too.
I still love games you can play coop/solo (Ghost Stories, Spirit Island or Pandemic would probably find their way onto a list like this for me), but i think im going to be seeking out a few more games that can only be played coop (i e. that can't be played solo without modifying the rules somehow) for that full coop experience.
Really well said! I think more people are feeling that way. While I would never choose to play Pandemic by forcing players to hide their cards, I do like when new games create those things which require real cooperation like you said. -Chris
Cinderella sings a dream is a wish your heart makes. 😊 Also, I enjoyed watching this, thanks for another great top 10!
I was just shaking my head at this 'Top 10 Cooperative Games' list ... until Elder Sign and Jaws of the Lion showed up. Of course, individual tastes always come into play, but what about Vagrant Song, This War of Mine, Forgotten Waters, and Mansions of Madness, all of which I feel are superior to Micro City (a better solo game), So Clover, and some of the others mentioned here. Oh well ... to each his own. :)
I have not played too many co-op games, but Shadowrun: Crossfire, ISS Vanguard, and Kitchen Rush would be among my top games.
My top 10
Spirit Island
The Crew
Gloomhaven
Mechs vs Minions
Hanabi
Flip Ships
Codenames Duet
The LOOP
Just One
Aeon's End
I'd love to try Too Many Bones and Marvel Champions.
Vagrantsong just didn't work for my wife and I. After fighting with the terrible rule book, we finally broke down and watched enough of a first scenario playthrough to get what they struggled to convey in the book. We played through three or four scenarios and decided that our time would be better spent playing other games. Definitely bummed as the theme and production are great, but for us, the game falls absolutely flat.
Felt exactly the same. I love the artwork, and theme, but the rulebook leaves a lot to be desired.
Great list🤩 got some nice inspiration for new games😂
Love co-op games! But the fact that Robinson Crusoe didn't make the list is criminal.
I was so curious to watch this video.
Good Co-ops are usually dungeon crawls or miniatures rolling dice to kill other miniatures.
It was very weird to see a top 10 co-op list with no Zombicide, Massive Darkness, Descent, Castle Panic, Oathsworn ect in it.
Can’t say I agree AT ALL, but it was still a weird and entertaining video.
Happy to see Deep Rock on this list! It's great game, and an awesome adaptation. I'm looking forward to the biome expansion. Rock and Stone Forever!
Can't wait to escort Doretta on the tabletop. Rock and Stone!
@@roelterlinden9501 same!
Did someone say Rock and Stone??
@@drhumupower8570 to the bone!
@TheDiceTower
I noticed your most recent top 10 (Halloween games I think) is not available to be viewed. I see there is a “private video” listed as the most recent top 10.
Just wanted to give you a heads up that that one didn’t post properly…..also hoping to see it since I missed it live!
Thanks for the great content.
Jar Jar is a Sith!
Did I hear a ROCK and STONE?
The Elder Sign app is cool but it still hasn't replaced the physical version for me.
I played the app for years before playing the physical version, so it was hard for me to feel like I was stepping backwards.
Co2 is amazing Wendy, ignore Chris lol.
As much as Chris loves to talk, he’s got plenty of no-communication games on his list.
I'm half-tempted by Sky Team, mostly because I'm looking for a game that feels a lot like "two-player The Crew" (without using the Crew variant). To Chris/Wendy, or others that have played it, do you feel like Sky Team gives you that feeling? One nice thing about The Crew is that it's quite replayable even after you do all the missions, do you feel like Sky Team has similar longevity or does it have more of a shelf life? I'm also a little concerned about the randomness of the game lending itself to unwinnable situations. Any thoughts on these topics are appreciated!
I instantly thought of The Crew when I played Sky Team for the first time. I feel like The Crew has and endless amount of longevity, so to compare might be unfair. Sky team has tons of modules that we haven't even tried yet, plus a significant amount of airports that all act a little bit differently. I feel like I could play this for a long time. On that note, I also LOVE the crew with the 2 player varient. I feel like the shared information adds for even more unique level of difficulty as well as communication.
Haven't played Sky Team but I also get The Crew vibes and considering the Crew is my #2 favorite game, I really want to try Sky Team!
Micro Macro Gotham City with the art style from The Brave And The Bold… just take my credit card
Yes! That's the perfect art style. Or even better, a mix of different Batman styles. One case follows Brave and the Bold, another is an Adam West "some days you can't get rid of a bomb" case.
My group has been loving Pandemic Legacy Season 1 and its gotta be up there as one of my favorite co-op experiences.
Project ELITE is a fantastic title and one that I'm always wanting to play with new players.
Arkham Horror LCG has got to be my absolute favorite. The variability, the theme. I love it!
I thought Destinys, or Sleeping Gods would be Number 1 and I'm missing Oath - but that's maybe more Camillas thing.
Destinies isn't cooperative, even though I often thin of that at first and then have to remind myself it's not, haha. Sleeping Gods is really solid, we just finished our first run through of the Primeval Peril version. While I really enjoy it, I think I might need more plays for it to move higher. Thanks for watching!
Your description of Sky Team sounds a lot like the Apollo game that came out a few years ago. Which was fun but not terribly replayable once you cracked it.
Sky Team has 20+ scenarios and modules, so it's not something you completely "crack" though you do get better at the base actions of the game.
@@DTWendy
That sounds great! Apollo just had the Gemini and Apollo missions and once you got the flow of where to allocate the dice, it was almost impossible to lose.
While my favorite "cooperative" game is several of the Pandemics, but I don't play them cooperatively anymore. I've played them so much that nobody is as good as me, so I'm either going to be annoyed at others playing lamely or I'm going to start Alpha Gaming. While I'm not as in love with the Legacy games as everyone else, I would say they are probably the best cooperative versions because I go into them not knowing a lot, so I'm figuring stuff out with everyone else. 0 is the best, with two new mechanics that should be moved to a non-Legacy version or two. 2 was a lot more interesting in the discovery department, but they rushed the ending to get it in this year timeframe.
44:00 It's not the little mermaid but Jasmine.
Yes to # 1 & #2 picks: the crew and pandemic season 0. Definitely had to turn off the audio to avoid any spoilers for season 2 :)
Beyond Baker Street
The Crew
Regicide
Deliverance
Im also into season 2! Best pandemic
No Spirit Island? 😑
Just watched the video, so I feel prepared to answer this.
No.
Spirit island is garbage in my opinion. Too hard to teach due to its complexity, as well as each spirit playing so differently, as well as the game takes far too long. It is just way too hard to hit the table
If you have a good group that already knows what they are doing, I suppose it is worth it at that point
@@christaggart5687 it’s a good game just not for everyone wouldn’t go so far as to call it garbage. It’s a heavier co-op game but that doesn’t detract from it being a good game. The asymmetric powers lend themselves well to everyone feeling useful and impactful, it lowers alpha gaming, but it does come at the cost of having to teach a lot of things.
It wasn’t on this particular list it it’s not a garbage game.
@@christaggart5687I agree. I would like the game if it was faster. It is so long for what it is. It's basically the pandemic system, with cool asymmetrical characters. However, it's at least twice as long (at least!)
@@christaggart5687 I'd argue Arkham Horror LCG shares a lot of these issues (I'm a huge fan of both; my third and fourth fav coops)
Vagrantsong in more than 2 player is a really bad experience.
A Yi list without any PWH games! What is happening?!?!
Has he made any Co-op games that aren't for kids?
@@DTWendy I don't believe so! Was just making a joke =)
Shame there's no Spirit Island on this list. Shame! Shame! Shame!!
If Pandemic is on this list, Imma say this is the top 10 NFL games, cause lemme tell ya quarterbacking is a thing in that game
Let me tell ya, either you’re playing with the wrong peeps or you aren’t keeping cards private!
Mech vs minions
Spirit Island?
Forgotten Waters?
Forbidden Island?
This list is really bad lol
You're right, I picked the wrong games as my favorites.
Freelancers is the same game engine as Forgotten Waters, so it could be argued that your list criticising the list is really bad. 😊
@joshjenson8111 giving off that same energy that people have when a video game reviewer gives their favorite game less than a 9.