The best horror games with two playable characters

Key takeaways

• Games with two playable characters can increase story depth or offer unique cooperative gameplay opportunities.
• Titles like
  Dead Space 3
  and
  Resident Evil 5
  Excellence in leveraging dual-character mechanics to create immersive and exciting cooperative gameplay.
• Like games
  Alan Wake 2
  and
  Resident Evil 2
  Introduce two main characters, providing new perspectives and enriching the overall story.

Multiple playable characters are a common feature in the game, serving different purposes. Some games use multiple characters to provide different perspectives on events, adding depth to the story. Others introduce multiple playable characters to prioritize cooperative play, giving players the chance to team up with friends. Horror games, in particular, embrace this feature, often with two or more playable characters. This approach has been significantly popularized by developers such as Supermassive Games, where characters can meet unexpected deaths based on player choices, creating additional tension.

Although many horror and story-driven games feature more than two playable characters, it is more common for players to alternate between the two main characters. Often, players can choose one of two characters at the start of a campaign, or the game can shift focus between characters at key moments to serve the plot. This dual-character approach is particularly prevalent in survival horror, as it allows developers to tell interconnected stories from different perspectives. Let's explore some of the best survival horror games featuring exactly two main playable characters, examining how these titles effectively deliver shared narratives.

1 Dead Space 3

Isaac Clarke and John Carver

Dead Space 3 marked a significant change for the franchise, moving towards a more action-oriented style and introducing cooperative play with the addition of John Carver as a second playable character. While the game can be completed solo with Isaac Clarke as the main protagonist – where Carver only plays a minor role – opting for co-op deepens the story and gameplay, and is only more fun.

In co-op mode, players must navigate the story together, often traveling, fighting, and solving puzzles side-by-side. However, the game contains several moments where the characters split up, creating tension and allowing each player to face particularly scary sections alone. Adding to the psychological depth, Carver's exposure to the marker causes strange hallucinations that only he can see, further immersing the players. dead space Vidya. These visions not only add to the horror but also reveal more about Carver's struggles, providing a different layer to the game's cooperative storytelling.

2 Alone in the dark

Edward Carnby and Emily Hartwood

A recent reboot of the iconic horror series alone in the dark Introduces two playable heroes: Edward Carnby, portrayed by David Harbour, and Emily Hartwood, brought to life by Jodie Comer. Unlike other games with dual protagonists, this title does not feature a cooperative mode. Players must choose their characters at the start and stick with them throughout the playthrough.

While Edward and Emily share similar overall missions, Chapter 4 diverges significantly, exploring each character's troubled past and personal memories. This variation not only adds depth to the story but also encourages multiple playthroughs, as players may not get every collectible or get every ending in a single run. alone in the dark Leans more towards the adventure genre, focusing on puzzle-solving with an atmospheric and quirky tone. However, it doesn't shy away from occasional scares and intense action-horror moments, such as avoiding the terrifying Dark Man that constantly haunts the player.

3 Resident Evil 5

Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar

Resident Evil 5 It marked a defining moment as the first foray into cooperative play for the franchise, reflecting the cooperative trend of its era. Players can tackle the game alone, with Sheva Alomar acting as an AI-controlled partner, or experience the campaign in co-op mode with a friend. Cooperative mode is where the game really shines, with many of its mechanics, puzzles, and scenarios specifically designed to encourage teamwork, making it even more engaging with a real human partner.

However Resident Evil 5 A heavy inclination to action, e.g Dead Space 3It still offers moments of terrifying tension, especially in certain atmospheric episodes. Many sections require players to split up and navigate separate paths, often relying on each other for support — such as covering a partner with a sniper rifle. In addition, the game includes tactical co-op elements, allowing players to freely share weapons and consumables and revive each other during difficult encounters. These mechanics are especially important when facing the game's most challenging bosses for some shared moments of pure thrill.

4 Resident Evil 2

Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield

Resident Evil 2 Remake Widely regarded as one of the best entries in the series and one of the most popular modern remakes, earning praise for its balance of honoring the original while introducing modern improvements. The game features two distinct campaigns, one for Leon Kennedy and one for Claire Redfield, each equipped with unique weapons and perspectives on the unfolding events. The order in which players complete the campaigns affects certain details, encouraging at least four playthroughs to fully experience the story and its variations.

opposite alone in the darkLeon's and Claire's campaigns offer different gameplay and story despite taking place in the same overarching environment. Each character encounters unique NPCs, gains access to different areas within the Raccoon City Police Department, and encounters key events at different times, maintaining a sense of freshness and discovery with each playthrough. True to its existential roots, RE2 remake It delivers relentless tension through its sparse resources, dimly lit atmosphere, and terrific sound design. It leans more towards atmospheric horror than action-heavy RE4 or RE5Offers a truly nerve-wracking experience that not every player can bear.

5 Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake and Saga Anderson

Alan Wake 2 Marking the studio's first full venture into the survival horror genre, it stands as a remarkable sequel that honors Remedy's signature storytelling, drawing clear inspiration from it. Resident Evil. The game features dual protagonists: Saga Anderson, an FBI agent investigating a string of murders, and Alan Wake, a writer trapped in a supernatural Dark Place – a reality shaped by dreams and nightmares.

One of the game's standout achievements is its dynamic approach to the two protagonist feature. The gameplay segments of Saga and Alan feel distinct, with unique skills, weapons, environments, and enemies to suit their respective stories. Beyond gameplay, their stories are intricately intertwined, with each character influencing the other's journey in surprising and meaningful ways. Adding to its effect, Alan Wake 2 This might be the scariest entry on the list. The game leans heavily on chaotic environments and intense jump scares – so much so that even the developers have admitted to pushing the limits of fear and tension too far.