Couch Co-op Chronicles

Because Couch Co-op Still Matters

Reviews Blog

Nine Parchments

Action RPG / Adventure

Nine Parchments Couch Co-op Review: Repetitive, Shallow, and More Frustrating Than Fun – 1.5/5

Nine Parchments looks like it should be a great couch co-op game. Colourful visuals, spell-focused combat, multiple playable characters, and a light fantasy tone all suggest something fun and chaotic in a good way. Unfortunately, the actual experience falls flat. After finishing a full run and seeing what the game had to offer, we walked away disappointed—and with no desire to keep playing.

This is a game built around repetition, but without the depth or progression needed to justify that repetition. Combat is serviceable at first, then quickly becomes dull. Character progression feels weak. The story barely exists. And some core design decisions—especially around friendly fire and spell selection—actively hurt the experience.

Portal Knights

Action RPG

Portal Knights – Legendary Edition Couch Co-op Review: Excellent Split-Screen Freedom Held Back by Shallow Class Balance – 4/5

Portal Knights – Legendary Edition is a colourful sandbox action RPG that wears its inspirations proudly. The blocky art style and mining-heavy progression immediately bring Minecraft to mind, but Portal Knights adds structured quests, RPG-style classes, leveling, and gear progression to create something more guided and approachable.

Played in couch co-op, this game does a lot right—especially when it comes to split-screen design. In fact, Portal Knights delivers one of the best implementations of independent split-screen co-op we’ve seen. Unfortunately, uneven class balance and a campaign that ends just as things get rolling keep it from reaching its full potential.

Kitaria Fables

Action RPG / Farming Simulator

Kitaria Fables Couch Co-op Review: A Cozy, Low-Stress Adventure Best Played Together – 4/5

Kitaria Fables is a charming, cozy action RPG that knows exactly what it wants to be—and sticks to it. This is not a high-stakes, mechanically demanding game. It’s a relaxed, cute adventure built around exploration, light combat, farming, and gradual character progression. Played solo, it’s pleasant. Played in couch co-op, it becomes genuinely enjoyable.

We went into Kitaria Fables expecting something light, and that’s exactly what we got. There’s no rush, no pressure, and no constant sense that you’re falling behind. You can take your time, experiment with spells, tend to your farm, and slowly improve your character at your own pace. It’s the kind of game that feels designed to be played on a quiet evening, controller in hand, without stress.

Darksiders Genesis

Action RPG

Darksiders Genesis Couch Co-op Review: A Surprisingly Excellent Co-op Action RPG – 4/5

Darksiders Genesis flew completely under our radar. We didn’t go in with high expectations, mostly because it doesn’t get talked about much when people list great couch co-op games. That turned out to be a mistake—because this game ended up being one of the more enjoyable co-op experiences we’ve played in a long time.

From the first hour, Darksiders Genesis feels confident in what it’s trying to do. Combat is smooth, responsive, and satisfying. Progression systems are deep without being overwhelming. Most importantly, it’s genuinely fun to play together. This isn’t a “co-op makes it tolerable” situation. Co-op actively makes the game better.

Victor Vran

Action RPG

Victor Vran Couch Co-op Review: A Short Action RPG That Never Quite Clicks – 2.5/5

Victor Vran is a short, serviceable action RPG that never quite clicks. Combat feels clunky, movement lacks precision, and the overall experience sits squarely in the “it’s okay” category. Not bad enough to quit, not good enough to recommend strongly. We finished it, but mostly because it wasn’t very long.

That said, there was one genuinely fun surprise: realizing one of the characters is voiced by the same actor who plays Raphael in Baldur’s Gate 3. That moment was more memorable than most of the gameplay.

dysmantle feature

Action RPG / Open-World / Survival

Dysmantle – Cozy Post-Apocalyptic Grind with a Hint of Repetition – 3.5/5

Dysmantle drops you into a colourful yet desolate post-apocalyptic world with one key mission: break, loot, and craft your way to freedom. It nails that “just one more item” itch, especially early on, where every level-up unlocks exciting new tools or skills. Unfortunately, by the mid-to-late game, that sense of reward fades—progression slows, and you may find yourself pushing forward mainly to check the “game completed” box rather than out of genuine excitement.