The Best Co-Op and Multiplayer Experiences in Early Access

15 June 2025

Let’s be honest—there’s something magical about teaming up with your friends in a game and laughing until your sides hurt or screaming in terror when things go sideways. Co-op and multiplayer games are where friendships are tested, alliances are broken, and memories are made. And in the wild west of Early Access titles, some seriously awesome experiences are waiting to be had—if you know where to look.

So if you're hunting for the best co-op and multiplayer games still cooking in Early Access but already blowing minds, you’re in the right place. We’ve dived into the weird, the wonderful, and the just-plain-wacky to bring you the most engaging multiplayer gems that you might be missing out on.

What Makes a Great Co-Op or Multiplayer Experience in Early Access?

Before we start listing names, let’s talk criteria. When it comes to Early Access multiplayer games, players want:

- Fun, intuitive co-op gameplay
- Frequent updates and active development
- Regular communication from devs
- Bug-minimal (well… as minimal as possible) gameplay
- A strong community

And of course, it has to be fun—it doesn’t have to be perfect (we know it’s Early Access), but the core gameplay loop has to be enjoyable with friends. That’s the baseline for everything we’re about to cover.

Alright, let's dive into the digital trenches.

1. 🔨 Valheim

Let’s kick off with a big one. If you’ve somehow missed Valheim’s meteoric rise, let me catch you up. It’s a viking-themed survival game where up to 10 players can team up to explore, craft, and fight their way through a procedurally generated world.

Yeah, it’s still in Early Access. And yeah, it’s already a better survival game than most fully launched ones.

You get to build massive halls, hunt down godlike bosses, and just vibe around a fire with your pals while the northern lights dance above. The best part? It’s not brutally punishing. Valheim succeeds in balancing challenge with chill vibes, and that makes it one of the most enjoyable co-op games out there.

Why It Rocks in Co-Op
Because no one wants to solo a troll. Trust me.

2. ⚔️ Deep Rock Galactic

Space dwarves. Need I say more?

Okay, fine—imagine Left 4 Dead mixed with Minecraft and a touch of Starship Troopers. Throw in four bearded miners with grappling hooks, drills, and flamethrowers descending into bug-infested caves to mine precious minerals and escape with their lives.

Deep Rock Galactic was in Early Access for a while but has since launched, so we'll give it a slight nod. However, it’s inspired many Early Access games you can play right now—and it still receives regular updates, essentially functioning like a living platform.

Co-Op Gold
Teamwork is essential. You need someone to drill, someone to light the path, and someone to keep the bugs off your back. It’s chaos, but in all the right ways.

3. 🪓 Sons of the Forest

This spiritual successor to The Forest dropped jaws when it hit Early Access. And guess what? It’s as creepy as it is cooperative.

In Sons of the Forest, you and your co-op crew crash-land on a mysterious island full of hostile mutants. You’ll need to gather resources, build shelter, and try not to get eaten. It’s got a healthy dose of horror, but when you’re in it together, the fear turns into adrenaline-fueled fun.

With its high-quality visuals and some of the best AI companions in survival gaming, this one isn’t just about co-op; it thrives on it.

Why It’s Special
Building hideouts, defending them from waves of terrifying creatures, and awkwardly placing logs with friends? It’s like Home Improvement, but make it horrific.

4. 🦖 Satisfactory

Think Factorio but in 3D and with the option to build giant, spaghetti-like factories with your friends.

Satisfactory is all about automation—but don’t yawn yet. It’s surprisingly engaging to optimize production lines and traverse alien landscapes with your crew. The co-op isn’t just an afterthought; it’s core to the experience. Divvy up tasks, plan your factory layout, and argue over whether to build vertically or go full sprawl.

Multiplayer Magic
There’s something oddly soothing about splitting up tasks—one person mines, another automates, someone else builds a hyperloop across the map for no good reason. Pure manufacturing madness.

5. 🚀 Starbound

Starbound’s been cruising around in Early Access longer than most people spend in college, but it’s still an absolute delight for co-op play.

Imagine Terraria in space. You and your buddies hop from planet to planet, each with its own biomes, quests, and loot. Sandbox madness ensues. Whether you're building a base or getting your face chewed off by alien enemies, there’s always something new on the horizon.

Why It's a Go-To
Because who doesn’t want to explore space with a friend while dressed as a penguin wielding a laser sword?

6. 🧪 Project Zomboid

Okay, don’t let the dated graphics fool you—Project Zomboid is one of the most hardcore survival sims you’ll ever play. And it’s SO much better with friends.

You’re plopped into a zombie apocalypse with nothing but the clothes on your back and a whole lotta fear. You’ll scavenge, build, survive, and most likely die. But with co-op, you can die together! Yay?

Why It’s Co-Op Heaven and Hell
You’ll be coordinating supply runs, fortifying safehouses, and dealing with the sheer weight of losing a friend to a zombie bite. It's emotionally brutal, but oh-so-addictive.

7. 🏗️ Raft

Raft tosses you and your friends into the middle of the ocean on—you guessed it—a raft. What starts as a tiny square of wood becomes a floating fortress thanks to crafting, recycling, and surviving against enormous sea threats (yes, sharks included).

The real joy here? Cooperation. You can’t do it alone. You’ll need someone cooking food, someone purifying water, someone dealing with the seagulls eating your crops. It’s like a survival-themed group project—but fun.

Why It Works
Because there’s something oddly bonding about yelling at your friend to fish faster while a shark is chewing through your bedroom wall.

8. 🪖 Hell Let Loose

Ready to jump into something a bit meatier? Hell Let Loose is a large-scale, tactical WW2 shooter that’s been gaining serious traction while in Early Access.

Unlike your standard run-and-gun multiplayer games, this one’s all about coordination. Voice comms are crucial. You’ll need to work together to flank enemies, hold objectives, and survive intense firefights.

Why It’s a Multiplayer Marvel
It rewards teamwork like no other. Run off solo, and you’ll be cannon fodder. Work with your squad, and you’ll feel like a war movie hero.

9. 🌲 The Forest

Yes, before Sons of the Forest came The Forest. And even though it’s technically no longer in Early Access, it laid the groundwork for the current survival co-op wave. Worth a shout-out because it still sees lots of action and relevance in the Early Access-like scene.

It’s a terrifying, story-rich survival game that becomes oddly cozy once you and your buddies settle in. Building a little village by the lake while fending off cannibal attacks? That’s the dream.

Why It Still Holds Up
Nothing bonds people like shared trauma. And also, treehouses.

10. ⛏️ Core Keeper

If you’re into cozy, pixel-style games but still want that addictive multiplayer journey, Core Keeper is your jam.

Simultaneously simple and deep, this dungeon-digging co-op game lets you and your mates mine, cook, craft, and fight in an evolving underground world. It’s got that Stardew Valley vibe but with way more risk and action.

Multiplayer Highlight
The rhythm of mining together while chatting feels chill and satisfying. Then a massive boss shows up and, well, things get spicy.

What’s the Future of Co-Op in Early Access?

Here’s the thing—Early Access is no longer a dirty word. Some of the best multiplayer games in recent years have either started in Early Access or remain in it now due to constant updates and refinement.

Players get to be part of the journey. And when it comes to co-op, that evolving nature can add to the fun. You and your friends can grow with the game—watch new updates drop, strategies evolve, and worlds expand.

More devs are seeing the power of multiplayer in Early Access. Why? Because nothing builds community—or exposes bugs—faster than a passionate group of co-op players pushing every system to the limit.

Final Thoughts

Early Access isn’t just a testing ground anymore. It’s where some of the most innovative co-op and multiplayer gameplay is happening right now. From surviving zombie hordes with your best buds to building floating cities in the sea, the possibilities feel endless.

Whether you're into survival sims, shooters, factory builders, or pixel-art adventures, there's an Early Access multiplayer title waiting to steal your free time.

So grab your squad, pick a game from this list, and go make some virtual memories. Just, uh… don’t blame us when you lose sleep binging gameplay until sunrise. Been there. Still there.