If you want a PlayStation game to play with other people, start with Sackboy: A Big Adventure for local group play, Helldivers 2 for a four-player online squad, or Gran Turismo 7 for competitive racing. The shortlist below separates couch play, online co-op, and online competition—and notes which games are also available beyond PlayStation.
Quick comparison
| Game | Best for | Verified group size | Local or online | Online requirements | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sackboy: A Big Adventure | Local group co-op | 1–4 players | Local play; online play optional | PlayStation Plus required for online play | PS5, PS4, PC |
| Helldivers 2 | Online co-op squad | Up to 4 online players | Online; online play required | PlayStation Plus required for online play | PS5, PC, Xbox |
| Returnal | Two-player online co-op | Up to 2 online players | Online co-op | Internet access and PlayStation Plus required; each player needs the game installed on PS5 | PS5, PC |
| Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut | Separate online co-op mode | Not stated on the cited PlayStation listing | Online co-op in Legends, separate from the campaign | Not stated on the cited PlayStation listing | PS4, PS5 |
| Gran Turismo 7 | Competitive online racing | Up to 20 online players | Online competition | Not stated on the cited PlayStation product page | PS4, PS5 |
Best PlayStation games for local co-op
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sackboy: A Big Adventure is the clearest pick here for people who want to play together in the same room: PlayStation lists one to four players and says online play is optional. That makes it suitable for local play without requiring every session to be online. Its online mode supports up to four players and requires PlayStation Plus. PlayStation’s Sackboy: A Big Adventure page lists PS5, PS4, and PC versions and gives a release date of November 12, 2020.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Gang Beasts - PlayStation 4 | $16.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Red Dead Redemption - PlayStation 5 | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Days Gone - Playstation 4 | $28.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
EA SPORTS FC 27 Standard Edition PlayStation5 |Physical Disc I VideoGame |English | $67.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Titanfall 2 - PlayStation 4 | $14.49 | Buy on Amazon |
Choose it when the priority is a shared platform-adventure experience rather than a competitive match. The official listing establishes the player count and online options, but does not give a separate local-only maximum in the details cited here.
Best online co-op games
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 is the pick for an online squad: PlayStation describes it as a cooperative team shooter in which you can team up with as many as three friends, for up to four online players total. Unlike Sackboy, it requires online play, and PlayStation Plus is required for online play. It is available on PS5, PC, and Xbox, so it is not exclusive to PlayStation consoles. PlayStation’s Helldivers 2 page lists those platforms and requirements.
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#1 Best Overall
- Gasp with Shock and delight at the spectacle of stupid pugnacious thugs punching, kicking, and throwing their foes into unspecified hazardous machinery, flaming INCINERATOR pits, and ginormous industrial fans.
- Watch in horror and Amusement as gangs of saggy beasts grab, push, pull, and shove their enemies from permanently Suspended building scaffolds, unattended ferris wheels, and commercial haulage trucks.
- Customise your character and fight local and online enemies in the melee game mode or fight with friends against the gangs of Beef City in the gang game mode.
Choose it if your group wants coordinated online missions and is comfortable with an always-online format. It is not the couch co-op option in this list.
Returnal
Returnal offers a smaller online co-op challenge, supporting up to two players. PlayStation says each player needs Returnal installed on a PS5, and co-op requires internet access and PlayStation Plus. Its co-op does not cover every mode: the Tower of Sisyphus, House sequences, and Challenge Mode are unavailable when playing co-op. The official page lists the game for PS5 and PC, while its FAQ describes it as PS5-only; the stated co-op requirements specifically call for each player to have the game on PS5. PlayStation’s Returnal page has the mode and platform details.
Rank #2
- When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is forced to hunt down the gang of criminals he once called friends.
- Experience Marston’s journey across the sprawling expanses of the American West and Mexico as he fights to bury his blood-stained past in the critically acclaimed predecessor to the 2018 blockbuster, Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Also included is Undead Nightmare, the iconic horror story that transforms the world of Red Dead Redemption into an apocalyptic fight for survival against a zombie horde.
Pick it for a two-player online challenge, but check whether the parts you want to play together are included in co-op before choosing it.
Ghost of Tsushima: Legends
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut includes Legends, a separate online co-op mode. Treat it as an additional multiplayer mode, not as co-op throughout the main single-player campaign. PlayStation lists the Director’s Cut for PS4 and PS5 and also lists Ghost of Tsushima: Legends as a separate store item for those consoles. The cited listing does not state a player count, so confirm the store details for the edition you intend to use rather than assuming a group size. PlayStation’s Ghost of Tsushima listing identifies the included mode and platforms.
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Rank #3
- Harsh Open World: Using the power of PlayStation 4 and unreal engine 4, days one offers an incredibly realistic and detailed open world experience. But be careful— day and night cycles, all affect gameplay and enemy behavior
- Brutal Sandbox Combat: Perfect your gameplay with an endless combination of strategy and play in every situation. Craft customized items using pieces and parts found in the field, from brutal melee weapons to traps and more
- Compelling Story: At its core, days gone is about survivors and what makes them human: desperation, loss, madness, betrayal, friendship, brotherhood, regret, love and hope. It’s about how hope never dies
- Play as Deacon St.John, a bounty hunter facing a brutal struggle for survival while searching for a reason to live
Best competitive multiplayer game
Gran Turismo 7
Gran Turismo 7 is the competitive pick, not a co-op game: PlayStation says online races support up to 20 players. The game also includes campaign, arcade, and driving-school modes. PlayStation labels it a “PlayStation Exclusive*” and lists PS4 and PS5 versions. The Gran Turismo 7 product page provides the online player count and platform details.
If you own the PS4 version and move to a PS5, PlayStation Support confirms that the PS4 version can be played on a PS5 console. Read PlayStation’s PS4 games on PS5 support information for that compatibility detail.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Advanced, Action-Packed Gameplay – Whether fighting as a Pilot, the dominant force on The Frontier, or as a Titan, 20-foot tall war machines, Titanfall 2 provides an incredibly fun, fluid, and thrilling combat experience that is unmatched.
- Captivating Single Player Campaign – Step on to The Frontier as a Militia rifleman with aspirations of becoming a Pilot. Stranded behind enemy lines, and against overwhelming odds, you must team up with a veteran Vanguard-class Titan and uphold a mission you were never meant to carry out.
- Deeper Multiplayer Action – With six brand-new Titans, a host of deadly new Pilot abilities, an expanded customization system, new modes and much more, Titanfall 2 gives players the deeper Multiplayer experience they have been asking for.
- Play with Friends, or Make New Ones – The social tissue of Titanfall 2, Networks makes it fast and easy to play with friends old and new. Whether Social or Competitive, players will be able to create and join a variety of Networks that best suit their play styles and preferences.
Rank #4
- PHYSICAL DISC - Standard Edition for PlayStation 5 (disc) includes the full EA SPORTS FC 27 game. Not compatible with PlayStation 4 console.
- Experience The World's Game in EA SPORTS FC 27. Play in The Grounds, team up with friends in Clubs, learn from football mentors and express your style on and off the pitch
- Enjoy more authentic gameplay with dynamic corners, enhanced attacking intelligence, player-focused defending and community-inspired innovations that give you greater control in every match.
- Build your legacy in Manager Career with a rebuilt Transfer Market and Dynamic OVRs, then create your dream squad in Football Ultimate Team and showcase your achievements in the new FUT Gallery.
Which one should you choose?
- Playing in the same room: Start with Sackboy: A Big Adventure, the shortlist’s clearest local-play option.
- Gathering an online squad of up to four: Choose Helldivers 2 if everyone can play online and meet the PlayStation Plus requirement where applicable.
- Looking for a two-player online challenge: Consider Returnal, keeping its co-op mode exclusions in mind.
- Wanting a separate co-op mode attached to a single-player game: Look at Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut for Legends.
- Wanting to race against other players: Choose Gran Turismo 7; its multiplayer is competitive rather than cooperative.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
