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Player cooperation is an integral part of Dungeons & Dragons. Whether the setting is a zany joke or an ominous wasteland, it is vital that everyone works together to succeed. Sometimes, however, sitting around a dimly lit table and using your imagination just won’t cut it. In those cases, enjoying a cooperative video game as a group is a great alternative! Here are five local co-op games to play with your D&D party.
For The King
For The King may not work for all D&D groups, as it only allows 3 players at a time. That being said, it is preposterously fun! It takes many of its core mechanics from Dungeons & Dragons 5e, so it should feel familiar to fans of the tabletop game. Elements such as ability checks and combat encounters are all done through behind-the-curtains dice rolls as well! The anticipation of wondering whether or not your character succeeds is just as potent in For The King as it is in D&D.
As you and your teammates progress through For The King, you will find new weapons and armor, level up your character, and dungeon crawl in a way that is very reminiscent of D&D. Be sure to check out this local co-op game for a more simplified but still fantastic version of Dungeons & Dragons.
Castle Crashers
Castle Crashers, while primarily a beat-em-up, absolutely contains some RPG elements. The gameplay is casual and silly, much like those less-than-serious D&D campaigns we have all enjoyed occasionally. But just because the game is light-hearted does not mean that Castle Crashers isn’t a stroke of genius.
The game has a slew of unlockable characters, each with unique abilities and strengths. Similarly to Dungeons & Dragons, unlocking better equipment is a major part of Castle Crashers. The game also supports 4 players, making it a perfect local co-op game for D&D groups needing a break.
Pit People
Yet another game created by The Behemoth is Pit People, a surprisingly deep RPG perfect for D&D parties. Much like actual Dungeons & Dragons combat, you will often find yourself facing insurmountable hordes of enemies. Turn-by-turn, however, the hexagonal battlefield will be cleared of adversaries.
Pit People is teeming with personality. The game, along with its narrator and characters, is charming in a way few others have accomplished. Each in-game hero is essentially its own D&D class, so there should be a character for everyone. Pit People is available for two players locally and 4 players online.
Baldur’s Gate 3
You knew it would be on here! Baldur’s Gate 3 is a masterpiece of a game. Not only is it directly based off of a Dungeons & Dragons license, but it follows D&D fifth edition rules to the T! Players will build their party, upgrade characters, and complete quests utilizing a plethora of actual D&D spells and weapons.
Perhaps what makes Baldur’s Gate 3 the most charming is its incredible character writing. The voice acting is top-notch, and your group of friends will find themselves caring about NPCs in the same way you would in a tabletop RPG. Baldur’s Gate 3 is, without a doubt, one of the greatest local co-op games for D&D players.
Crawl
Crawl is an asymmetrical dungeon crawler where one player controls the hero while the rest take control of the dungeon and its hazards. Technically, this makes it cooperative only as long as you are in a team dungeon. Nonetheless, the game is an utter blast with the right group of friends!
Crawl is chaotic in a way that only D&D campaigns can replicate, and we mean that in the best way possible. Multiple different traps and enemy types make the game feel different through each playthrough, and boss fights are epic. On top of all this, there are few instances in gaming that feel quite as satisfying as overcoming the odds and completing the dungeon.
Related:
How To Use the Baldur’s Gate 3 Character Builder
For more co-op games in the same vein as this list, check out our picks for the best RPGs that follow Dungeons & Dragons’ rules.
