The Best Local Co-Op & Split-Screen Strategy Games, Ranked (2024)

Strategy games are typically slower, more intricate affairs than most other video game genres. However, that is not to say that they can't be enjoyed with other players. In fact, competing against other human players for strategic domination is one of the genre's most engaging systems.

Yet, competitive multiplayer is not always the best way to play titles in the strategy genre. By playing strategy titles cooperatively, especially crouched around a local gaming setup, dynamic alliances can brew from the chaos of the strategic fallout.

9 Sid Meyer's Civilization VI

A Strategy Giant Allowing For Cooperative 4X Fun

For more than 30 years, Sid Meyer's Civilization series has taught gamers about historical societies, engaged them with diplomatic conundrums, and showcased the destruction of continental warfare.

With a healthy dose of communication, the 4X world of Civilization VI can be carved out between friendly local players. On PC and console, 'hot seat' multiplayer allows gamers to play on the same screen and tackle each era together. Players can trade, ally, and defend one another to achieve victory over AI and other human players.

8 Pit People

A Cult-Classic Indie Take On Coop Turn-Based Combat

Although the name The Behemoth may not be familiar to all gamers, this development studio's influential indie titles are sure to be. In creating titles such as Alien Hominid, Castle Crashers, and Battleblock Theatre, they have carved out a unique style and aesthetic for their games.

Their 2018 turn-based strategy titlePit People combined their off-the-wall comedy and a pseudo-randomized combat system to create a unique experience. Players can share the same screen against a common enemy — or, of course, go head-to-head against one another.

7 Tooth and Tail

An Anthromorphic RTS With Real-Time Cooperation

• Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4
• Developer: Pocketwatch Games
• Genre(s): Real-time Strategy
• Released: September 12, 2017

A genre that does not easily allow itself to be played cooperatively is that of the real-time strategy title. This is mostly due to the technical power required to allow for two instances of the game to be played at the same time.

However, Pocketwatch Games' 2017 game Tooth and Tail pulls off their anthropomorphic take on the genre with both local and online cooperative play. In this Animal Farm-esque revolutionary tale, players control particular commanders, rather than taking direct control over every individual unit.

6 The Escapists 2

A Tactical RPG WIth Cooperative Multiplayer At Its Forefront

Of all aspects of the original Escapists title, Team 17 sought to incorporate one major update to their top-down RPG-strategy game: multiplayer. However, due to the 2015 game's code hindering a multiplayer update, a full-blown sequel was created with this focus.

As such, up to three players can play Escapists 2 through its handy drop-in, drop-out multiplayer system. Gamers can work together to scout out more of their prison's architecture and loot more resources, making escaping even more of a seamless task than before.

5 Defense Grid 2

Tower Defense With A Focus On Communication and Cooperation

• Platform(s): PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Hidden Path Entertainment
• Genre(s): Tower Defense
• Released: September 23, 2014

Defense Grid 2's tower-defense genre is unique in that it not only allows for cooperative play, but ultimately encourages a cooperative mindset.

While players will still work together to defend a host of space stations and intergalactic colonies from the alien horde, resources and buildable squares are shared between all participants. As such, if one player is saving for an ultimately superior upgrade or unit, gamers are required to communicate and cooperate to allow for a smooth gameplay experience.

4 For the King

A Tabletop Title That Excels When Played Cooperatively

For the King's 2018 full release not only brought with it a uniquely stylized tabletop strategy-RPG experience, but also allowed players to share it with others.

While the title is perfectly manageable through solo play, the classes, attributes, and cosmetics mean that every adventurer feels like their own individual character. Splitting up the group to tackle antagonistic forces, or to rest up and barter for goods, is enjoyable playing solo, but is bolstered by a local or online group of real-life companions. ​​​​​​​

3 Pikmin 3: Deluxe

A Nintendo Re-Release Introducing Campaign Coop

• Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
• Developer: Nintendo EAD, Nintendo EPD, Eighting
• Genre(s): Real-time Strategy, Action
• Released: October 30, 2020

With Pikmin 3's focus on splitting up the central cast of pint-sized explorers to cover more ground each day, the much-loved Wii U title's multiplayer elements seemed specially designed for a cooperative experience. However, despite some cooperative-exclusive challenge modes, no story co-op ultimately arrived at the 2013 title.

Yet, with the game's 2020 enhanced port to the Nintendo Switch console, a local campaign coop was introduced. As such, the entirety of Pikmin 3's miniature multitasking became available to play with a friend. ​​​​​​​

2 Worms 2: Armageddon

A Return To Series' Roots That Reinvigorates Cooperative Play

• Platform(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, iOS, Android
• Developer: Team 17
• Genre(s): Artillery, Strategy
• Released: July 1, 2009

Originally released as an Xbox Live Arcade title before becoming available on iOS, Android, and PlayStation 3, Worms 2: Armageddon's 'hot seat' local co-op and PVP multiplayer ranks as one of the most acclaimed in the entire franchise's history.

A sequel to Team 17's 2007 Xbox Live Arcade Worms title, which returned to the series' 2D roots, this turn-based 2D tactics title is just as explosive and extravagant as older titles in the series.

1 Kingdom: Two Crowns

A Slow-Paced Strategy Title Played Best With A Companion

2018's Kingdom Two Crownsexcels in so many genres. It is simultaneously a city management system, a tower defense game, and a strategy title. Raw Fury also bolstered the game's release by incorporating local and online multiplayer.

In this 2D sidescrolling strategy title, players are required to balance allocating resources to both defensive ends of their settlements. However, while solo players will have to micromanage both sides of an ever-expanding town, cooperative play allows a division of the stressful yet rewarding workload.