The PS4 has lots of games that you and a friend can play together on the same console. Games like Resident Evil 5 and Team Sonic Racing are some of the best for playing together on one screen. They offer different kinds of fun, like deep RPGs or racing games where you work together. While most people use the PS4 for online play, it’s also really good for playing games with a friend on the same couch. These games are great for when your friends don’t have a PS4 or you only have one console at home, letting you have fun when you and your friend are together.
The PlayStation 4 has lots of great games you can only play on it and others that are available on different consoles, too. Here, we’ll talk about the best free-to-play games on Sony’s console. There are many games like this on the system, but some are clearly more fun and interesting than others. These are the games that stand out, so let’s shine a spotlight on the best split-screen games the PS4 has.
Portal Knights
In Portal Knights, you start by making your own character and choosing a class. Then, you enter a vibrant, open world where you can do whatever you want. You can explore, build, fight enemies, and more.
Think of it like a role-playing game (RPG) version of Minecraft. But, this game has a proper campaign with quests to finish. Even though it’s a free environment, you and a friend can work together to achieve a goal in split-screen.
Goat Simulator
Released2014-04-01
Developer(s)Coffee Stain Studios
Genre(s)Simulation, Action
Simulation games are usually serious, but Goat Simulator is anything but serious. It’s a crazy action game where you play as a goat set loose in a city. There’s no real goal; your main job is to create as much chaos as possible.
You might wonder, how much trouble can a goat really make? Well, in this game, the answer is a lot! As the player controlling the goat, you can cause all sorts of problems by interacting with various things in the world. The game’s fun, especially with more than one player, thanks to the many things you can mess with and the game’s ragdoll physics.
Borderlands 3
Released2019-09-13
Developer(s)Gearbox Software
Genre(s)Action, RPG, First-Person Shooter
Borderlands 3 is about a bunch of Vault Hunters (that’s you) trying to stop two dangerous twins with bad plans. The story is okay, but it’s mostly a reason for you to explore the dangerous world of Pandora, shoot things, and have fun.
The best part of the game is the action-packed gameplay, especially when you’re playing with friends. The shooting is smooth, and there are lots of different enemies. And since the game has RPG elements, there are cool special abilities to use as well.
Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
Released2014-11-11
Developer(s) Traveller’s Tales
Genre(s)Action-Adventure
The game is called Lego Batman 3, but it’s really about the whole DC universe, with many characters from the comics, both heroes and villains. The main story is about Brianiac invading Earth, and it forces the good and bad guys to team up.
You’ll see some unusual teams in the game, and you can play with a friend. The gameplay is like other Lego games, where you run around colorful levels, breaking things and fighting enemies. It’s easygoing and a lot of fun.
Quake 2
Quake 2 is a classic sci-fi shooting game that’s been updated for newer consoles. It’s not a complete remake, so it still looks and feels a lot like the original, but it runs better.
If you’re unfamiliar with Quake, you only use big guns to defeat different enemies. You can play with up to three friends in split-screen mode as you go through the whole story together. There are also some player-versus-player modes if you want to compete against your friends instead of teaming up with them.
Samurai Warriors 5
Hack-and-slash games come in different types. Some of the cool ones have a “one versus 100” style where you battle lots of enemies on the screen at once. That’s what happens in Samurai Warriors 5.
But in this game, you don’t have to fight all the enemies by yourself. There’s a cooperative Citadel mode where you and a friend team up to fight waves of enemies and defend bases. It’s not a totally new mode, but the main fighting part makes it enjoyable.
Resident Evil 6
Developer(s)Capcom
Released2012-10-02
Genre(s)Third-Person Shooter
Resident Evil 6 is divided into four stories with different main characters, and all these stories connect with each other. Each story allows you to play with a friend in a split-screen co-op.
While it’s not a favorite among Resident Evil fans because it’s more action-packed than the horror series usually is, it still offers a lot of entertaining action. In this game, you’ll be battling against all kinds of wild creatures in fast-paced third-person gunfights. There are even some boss battles to spice things up.
Divinity: Original Sin – Enhanced Edition
In the first Divinity Original Sin, you control two customizable heroes called Source Hunters. Their job is to stop a mysterious energy called the Source. However, since this is a complex role-playing game, the story gets more intricate as you go along.
But the main story isn’t the only focus. There’s a lot of extra stuff for you to explore. And no matter what you’re up to, you can bring a friend along. Together, you make choices and join in turn-based battles.
Team Sonic Racing
Developer(s)Sumo Digital
Released2019-05-21
Genre(s)Racing
Mario isn’t the only game character in kart racing games. Sonic’s characters also race each other in several titles. Team Sonic Racing not only lets you race against friends but also lets you team up with them.
Racing games are speedy, full of fun, and great for kids! In these games, you can play as a team. Each person has their own car, but you share power-ups. Your final score depends on where everyone finishes. You can enjoy all of this in up to a 4-player split-screen.
Can’t Drive This
Can’t Drive This is a special racing party game where one player builds a track, and another player drives on it. If these tasks happened in order, the game would be quite simple. But the building and driving happen at the same time. So, the driver has to trust that the builder puts the right pieces of track in the right places. They can’t stop to give the track creator time because the car blows up if it drops below a certain speed. It creates a very chaotic experience that four players can enjoy.
Outward
While most RPGs are typically single-player experiences, some offer good co-op role-playing games. For instance, Outward allows you to play the entire game in split-screen with two players. In this game, you take on the role of an unfortunate character burdened with a significant debt that needs repayment. To settle the debt, you must align yourself with one of the game’s factions, and you get to choose which one.
As evident from the story premise, you don’t control a special hero; instead, you play as an ordinary person. This means you often have to outsmart your opponents in combat. Enemies aren’t the only threat, as the game includes survival mechanics, requiring you to avoid issues like starvation, dehydration, or contracting diseases.
Stardew Valley
Developer(s)ConcernedApe
Released2016-02-26
Genre(s)Simulation, RPG
Stardew Valley is a well-known and relaxing game where you inherit a run-down farm that needs fixing. While the game encourages you to restore the farm, it also gives you the freedom to live your Stardew life however you want.
The good news is you don’t have to go through this journey alone. Stardew Valley offers a co-op option, allowing another person to join as a farmhand. However, being a farmhand doesn’t limit them to just working on the farm; they can engage in many of the same activities as the host.
Don’t Starve Together
Don’t Starve Together is a unique kind of multiplayer split-screen game. As the name suggests, the goal is not to starve, but it has elements of horror and a distinctive artistic style. You can play split-screen online with your friend and explore various expansion packs.
Working together, you’ll craft items, build structures, and face monsters and unexpected surprises. This game is sure to captivate you and your friend with its nature and the enjoyable experience it offers.
Earth Defense Force 5
If you’ve played an Earth Defense Force game before, you’ll know what EDF 5 is all about. In this crazy game, each mission involves surviving waves of enemies, but these are not your typical enemies. They’re enormous monsters that outnumber you and your friends. Luckily, depending on your character class, you’ll have powerful weapons to fight back. No matter the gun, battles are sure to be chaotic and exciting.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes
Developer(s) Traveller’s Tales
Released2013-10-22
Genre(s)Action-Adventure
The Lego series has become experts at cooperative play, and Lego Marvel Super Heroes showcases this skill. The game features all the iconic characters from the Marvel Universe who join forces to thwart villains like Loki and Galactus from taking over Earth.
The gameplay follows the typical Lego game style, with players progressing through levels, battling foes, and solving puzzles. However, superheroes utilize their unique powers, such as Spider-Man swinging and Mr. Fantastic stretching. The game also includes a fun free-roam feature, letting you explore the Lego version of New York.
