New Unreal Engine 5 Co-Op Games coming in 2023 and beyond

Remnant II

Gunfire Games' Remnant II was released to critical acclaim in July, featuring third-person shooter gameplay with various classes as players are tasked with fighting through enemies to complete objectives throughout its levels.

The game can be played solo or with up to two other friends or random players in co-op mode, and the loot system distributes all found items to each player, so there's no need to fight over who gets what loot.

What distinguishes the title from other looter shooters is its use of procedural generation to make the game more replayable. It can generate biomes, level layouts, mini-bosses, quests, and even the story and characters at random, giving everyone a unique experience.

Remnant II is now available for the PlayStation 5 and PC, and the Xbox Series X/S.

The First Descendant

Nexon's upcoming free-to-play third-person shooter RPG, The First Descendant, has been compared to Destiny, The Division, and classic wave-based shooters.

Up to four players are given a variety of abilities and weapons to clear out hordes of enemies and take down large bosses to collect new loot, creating a gameplay loop in which your character grows stronger over time.

The game will be available with full crossplay functionality by the end of February 2024 on Xbox One and Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and 5, and PC.

Killing Floor 3

Tripwire Interactive revealed it was creating a brand-new installment in its gory shooter series using Unreal Engine 5 during 2023's Gamescom Opening Night Live.

Outside of the reveal trailer, little is known about the game, but players will most likely be using a variety of weapons such as shotguns, rifles, and melee objects to take down hordes of enemies in blood-filled levels, similar to the first two Killing Floor games and the original mod. Like its predecessors, Killing Floor 3 is expected to support up to six-player co-op in its core PvE mode.

The release date for Killing Floor 3 has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be in mid to late 2024. However, it has been confirmed that it will be available on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Payday 3

Starbreeze's follow-up to the janky but beloved Payday 2 is finally here, with up to four players tasked with stealing a variety of valuables from banks, fancy houses, and drug deals while fighting off waves of police.

Payday 3 is currently powered by Unreal Engine 4, but its developer has stated that the game will be ported to the newer, more powerful Unreal Engine 5 in the future. It's unclear when the migration will take place, but fans can expect the updated version to improve visuals and performance across the board, and hopefully, by then, the game's ongoing server issues will also be resolved.

Those interested in becoming a heister can do so now on the Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Game Pass.

Rooted

Rooted, an upcoming post-apocalyptic survival game from indie developer Headlight Studio, is set in 2100 after a war ends in global bacteriological warfare, leaving them to survive against the harsh world that remains.

The game will include all of the classic survival game elements, such as an in-depth scavenging system, hostile humans and animals who will hunt players or be hunted, and base-building mechanics that can be enjoyed alone or with up to three friends. Although PvP will be present, it appears that PvE versions of the map will be the primary focus.

The game's release date is yet to be announced; however, copies are expected to be delivered by March 2024, according to its Kickstarter page. There is no mention of a console release, but it will be available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

State of Decay 3

State of Decay 3 is the third installment in Undead Labs' successful zombie survival franchise.

Although little is known about the third game, players can expect to be dropped into an open world filled with hordes of zombies while scavenging and surviving with up to three other players. Along the way, players will meet other AI survivors and begin to build a base, with managing the world's finite resources becoming an important part of the experience.

No release date has been provided for the title, which was announced back in 2020, but we do know that it will be available on both Xbox Series X/S consoles and PC.

Stormgate

Stormgate is an upcoming free-to-play title from Frost Giant Studios, which includes former StarCraft and Warcraft developers, and is being marketed as a spiritual successor to the classic strategy franchises.

In the real-time strategy game, players take command of either the Earth's human defenders, alien invaders, or other unknown factions in a vibrant world with sci-fi and fantasy elements.

It appears to be very similar to StarCraft in terms of gameplay, with players controlling various groups of units and constructing bases to secure resources and gain an advantage over their enemies to defeat them. It features a single-player campaign, competitive multiplayer, and an unusual co-op mode in which up to three players can team up with three others to take down AI opponents.

Although no release date has been set, we do know that it will be available for free on PC.