Eurogamer’s review of Splatoon Raiders called it salmon max, and the four-player co-op salmon runs are the reason the mode has kept players hooked since Splatoon 2. Nintendo is not shipping Raiders on desktop, which leaves PC players hunting for the same rhythm: a squad, wave-based objectives, tight communication, and loot at the end. The genre has a strong bench on Steam.
We tested seven co-op shooter games on desktop against three questions. Does it hold a group of four together across a full session? Does the mission design keep the loop fresh past hour ten? And does it work over crossplay or Steam networking without matchmaking pain?
What to look for in a co-op shooter
Not every online shooter is a co-op shooter. The good ones share a handful of traits:
- Small squad sizes, usually three or four, that fit friend groups
- Cooperative objectives, not just deathmatch reskinned
- Progression that rewards playing together over solo grinding
- Voice chat integration that actually works
- Difficulty scaling that keeps veterans engaged without locking out newcomers
- Cross-progression or at least Steam family-sharing friendly design
Quick comparison table
| App | Best for | Platforms | Free plan | Starting price | Player count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Rock Galactic | Dwarven space mining loop | Windows, Linux | Free weekend events | Standard base game | 1-4 |
| Helldivers 2 | Chaotic democratic bug-hunting | Windows | No | Standard base game | 1-4 |
| Left 4 Dead 2 | Enduring zombie co-op classic | Windows, Linux, macOS | Frequent free weekends | Budget-friendly, deep discounts | 1-4 |
| Warhammer 40K Darktide | Melee-heavy 40K power fantasy | Windows | No | Standard base game | 1-4 |
| Warhammer Vermintide 2 | Ratcatcher slasher fantasy | Windows | Free weekend events | Budget-friendly with sales | 1-4 |
| Payday 3 | Heist crew shooter | Windows | No | Standard base game | 1-4 |
| Back 4 Blood | Deck-builder zombie shooter | Windows | Free weekend events | Budget-friendly | 1-4 |
The apps
1. Deep Rock Galactic — Best for the dwarven space mining loop
Deep Rock Galactic built its reputation on procedurally generated caves, four asymmetric classes (Driller, Engineer, Gunner, Scout), and a mining-plus-shooting loop that stays fresh through Hazard 5. The class specialization forces coordination in a way most shooters do not: the Scout runs ahead with a grappling hook, the Engineer builds ziplines, the Driller carves tunnels, the Gunner covers retreats.
Where it falls short: The base game is stable but seasons add cosmetic progression that some players find grindy. Solo play works but the game is designed around four humans.
Pricing:
- Free: frequent free weekends
- Paid: standard base game with all seasons free
Platforms: Windows, Linux (native)
Download: Deep Rock Galactic on Steam
Bottom line: Deep Rock Galactic is the default co-op shooter pick in 2026 for a reason. Start here if your group is new to the genre.
2. Helldivers 2 — Best for chaotic democratic bug-hunting
Helldivers 2 exploded on release for the top-down carnage translated into third-person and the persistent Galactic War that ties every session to a shared narrative. The friendly-fire mechanic and stratagem system reward communication, and a bad drop becomes the story of the night.
Where it falls short: Balance patches have pushed the meta around aggressively. Some weapon nerfs frustrated long-term players. Occasional matchmaking hiccups on new content drops.
Pricing:
- Paid: standard base game
- Warbonds sold separately
Platforms: Windows
Download: Helldivers 2 on Steam
Bottom line: Helldivers 2 for groups that want big-scale co-op with a war-story spine. The friendly fire is a feature, not a bug.
3. Left 4 Dead 2 — Best enduring zombie co-op classic
Left 4 Dead 2 is 16 years old and still holds servers. The AI Director’s dynamic pacing keeps replays unpredictable, the campaign structure fits into 45-minute sessions, and the mod scene is one of the largest on Steam. Community content extends the game past what Valve originally shipped.
Where it falls short: The engine shows its age. Netcode occasionally hiccups on modded servers.
Pricing:
- Paid: budget-friendly, deep sale discounts multiple times a year
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: Left 4 Dead 2 on Steam
Bottom line: L4D2 for groups that want a proven co-op shooter with mod support and a low price of entry.
4. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide — Best for melee-heavy 40K power fantasy
Darktide shifts the co-op shooter template toward melee-and-guns rather than gun-first. The four classes each carry a chainsword, a hammer, or a psyker’s staff alongside their firearms, and enemy waves force close-quarters brawling constantly. The 40K setting is one of the strongest visual identities in gaming, and Fatshark leaned into the grim aesthetic.
Where it falls short: Launch was rough. Content additions arrived slower than promised, and monetization for cosmetics drew community pushback. Both improved in 2025.
Pricing:
- Paid: standard base game
Platforms: Windows
Download: Darktide on Steam
Bottom line: Darktide for groups that want melee and guns in equal measure and love the Warhammer 40K universe.
5. Warhammer: Vermintide 2 — Best for the ratcatcher slasher fantasy
Vermintide 2 is Darktide’s fantasy sibling, released in 2018 and still receiving updates. Five heroes, each with three career variants, mow through Skaven ratmen and Chaos warriors across a campaign that has genuinely earned expansion over the years. The melee combat is the studio’s strongest work.
Where it falls short: Mostly melee. If your group came for gunplay, this is not the pick.
Pricing:
- Paid: budget-friendly with regular sales
- DLC available separately
Platforms: Windows
Download: Vermintide 2 on Steam
Bottom line: Vermintide 2 for groups that will trade guns for chainswords and hammers.
6. Payday 3 — Best for the heist crew shooter
Payday 3 shifts the four-player template to bank robberies, jewelry heists, and armored car takedowns. Stealth-or-loud mission structure gives sessions a choice: methodical infiltration or full-blown shootout. The heist-and-escape loop keeps runs shorter than looter-shooters and easier to fit into an evening.
Where it falls short: The launch was troubled, and the roadmap has run behind. Content additions have picked up but the game is not as full as Payday 2 became at its peak.
Pricing:
- Paid: standard base game
- DLC heists sold separately
Platforms: Windows
Download: Payday 3 on Steam
Bottom line: Payday 3 for a group that wants heist theatre. Payday 2 remains the deeper option if you can look past the older engine.
7. Back 4 Blood — Best for the deck-builder zombie shooter
Back 4 Blood came from Turtle Rock, the original Left 4 Dead studio, and layered a card-based build system onto the L4D formula. Runs pull cards each level that modify weapons, movement, and stats. The randomization keeps repeat play interesting in a way pure L4D never did.
Where it falls short: Live service support wound down. New content stopped landing after the third expansion.
Pricing:
- Paid: budget-friendly base game with the DLCs bundled
Platforms: Windows
Download: Back 4 Blood on Steam
Bottom line: Back 4 Blood for groups that finished L4D2 and want the same rhythm with modern deck-builder progression.
How to pick the right one
- If you want the simplest recommendation: Deep Rock Galactic
- If you want big-scale narrative co-op: Helldivers 2
- If you want a proven classic and low cost: Left 4 Dead 2
- If Warhammer is the sell: Darktide for guns, Vermintide 2 for melee
- If heists are your thing: Payday 3
- If you finished L4D2 and want a modern take: Back 4 Blood
FAQ
What is the best co-op shooter for a group of four? Deep Rock Galactic is the safest pick in 2026. Distinct class roles force real teamwork without being punishing.
Can I play co-op shooter games on Steam Deck? Left 4 Dead 2, Deep Rock Galactic, and Vermintide 2 all run well. Helldivers 2 and Darktide need higher settings and battery drains fast.
Which co-op shooter has the best crossplay? Helldivers 2 offers PC and PlayStation crossplay. Back 4 Blood originally shipped with wider crossplay support.
Are any of these free? Most run free weekends. Deep Rock Galactic, Left 4 Dead 2, and Back 4 Blood are all frequently discounted or free-to-try.
What is a good alternative to Splatoon Raiders on PC? Deep Rock Galactic’s Salvage Operations and Helldivers 2’s evacuation missions carry the same wave-defense energy.
Which one has the shortest sessions? Left 4 Dead 2 campaigns and Payday 3 heists both run 30-45 minutes. Deep Rock missions can be tuned to similar lengths.
