Quick Verdict: It Takes Two is the safer, more universally acclaimed pick, a Game of the Year winner with a 95 percent Overwhelmingly Positive Steam rating and over 20 million copies sold. REANIMAL is newer and pricier, with a rockier launch that has settled around 73 percent positive. Both let one owner bring a friend along for free through a built-in Friend’s Pass. It Takes Two costs $39.99 on Steam, REANIMAL costs $49.99, and both already have their own “how to get it free” guide linked below.
It Takes Two and REANIMAL are both built entirely around co-op, and both ship with a genuine Friend’s Pass that lets a second player join for free. Beyond that shared feature, they couldn’t be more different in tone. One is a colorful, constantly inventive adventure about repairing a marriage. The other is a bleak survival horror from the studio behind Little Nightmares. This guide breaks down where each one wins.
It Takes Two vs REANIMAL at a Glance
| Category | It Takes Two | REANIMAL |
| Release Date | 2021 | February 13, 2026 |
| Price on Steam | $39.99 | $49.99 (Deluxe Edition $59.99) |
| Developer | Hazelight Studios | Tarsier Studios |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts | THQ Nordic |
| Steam Reviews | 95 percent positive, “Overwhelmingly Positive” (47,700+ reviews) | Around 73 percent positive (2,300+ reviews) |
| Awards | Game of the Year, The Game Awards 2021 (3 wins) | None yet |
| Genre | Co-op adventure, puzzle platformer | Co-op survival horror, stealth and puzzle |
| Best For | Players who want the most acclaimed, proven co-op adventure | Players who want atmospheric co-op horror from the Little Nightmares team |
Tone and Setting
It Takes Two follows Cody and May, a couple on the verge of divorce magically turned into dolls, told through a mix of slapstick chaos and genuinely emotional beats about repairing a relationship. REANIMAL follows a brother and sister fighting through a flooded, monster-infested island to rescue missing friends, leaning fully into Tarsier Studios’ bleak, unsettling horror atmosphere. Edge: It Takes Two, for a tone that works for a broader range of co-op pairs, while REANIMAL suits horror fans specifically.
Gameplay Variety
It Takes Two reinvents itself constantly, with every level introducing new mechanics, abilities, and even genre shifts across the full campaign. REANIMAL keeps a more consistent focus throughout, built around land and boat traversal, stealth, and environmental puzzle-solving. Edge: It Takes Two, for sheer mechanical variety across a single playthrough.
The Friend’s Pass System
Both games let one owner invite a friend to join the full co-op campaign for free, no purchase required on the guest’s end. It Takes Two’s Friend’s Pass has worked reliably since its 2021 launch. REANIMAL’s equivalent Friends Pass was actually missing from the PC version at launch, a core selling point for a co-op game, though THQ Nordic shipped a fix within hours. Edge: It Takes Two, for a Friend’s Pass that worked correctly from day one.
Critical and Community Reception
It Takes Two holds a 95 percent positive Steam rating from over 47,700 reviews and swept three categories at The Game Awards 2021, including Game of the Year. REANIMAL has settled around 73 percent positive from over 2,300 reviews after recovering from a rocky, “Mostly Negative” launch day. Edge: It Takes Two, for the stronger and more consistent reception.
Price and Value
It Takes Two costs $39.99 on Steam. REANIMAL costs $49.99 for the standard edition, with a $59.99 Deluxe Edition on top. Edge: It Takes Two, for the lower price paired with the stronger critical reception.
Which One Should You Play First?
- Want the most acclaimed, proven co-op experience for a first-time co-op night: start with It Takes Two. Its Game of the Year sweep and near-universal praise make it the safer pick.
- Want atmospheric horror co-op from the Little Nightmares team: start with REANIMAL. Its bleak tone and creature design are its own thing entirely.
- Want to spend less for more consistent quality: start with It Takes Two, which costs less and rates higher.
- Want the newest release and don’t mind some post-launch rough edges: start with REANIMAL, which THQ Nordic has continued patching since its February 2026 debut.
Overall Verdict
It Takes Two remains the safer, more broadly appealing recommendation, backed by a Game of the Year sweep, a 95 percent positive Steam rating, and over 20 million copies sold. REANIMAL costs more and launched with real stumbles, including a Friend’s Pass that was initially missing on PC, but it has recovered to a reasonably positive reception and offers a genuinely different, horror-focused co-op experience for players who want it. If you’re picking a co-op game for a general audience, start with It Takes Two. If you specifically want atmospheric horror from the Little Nightmares team, REANIMAL is worth a look now that its launch issues are fixed.
Get Both For Less
Both games already have their own dedicated guide on this site covering legitimate ways to get them below full Steam price. Read How To Get It Takes Two Free and How To Get REANIMAL Free for the full breakdown of both routes, including each game’s built-in Friend’s Pass.
FAQ
Which is better, It Takes Two or REANIMAL?
It Takes Two is the better pick overall, with a 95 percent positive Steam rating and a Game of the Year sweep at The Game Awards 2021. REANIMAL is the better pick specifically for horror fans, with a bleaker tone from the creators of Little Nightmares, though its reception sits lower at around 73 percent positive.
Do both It Takes Two and REANIMAL have a Friend’s Pass?
Yes. Both let one owner invite a friend to join the entire co-op campaign for free. It Takes Two’s has worked since launch in 2021, while REANIMAL’s was missing on PC at launch and fixed within hours by THQ Nordic.
Is REANIMAL cheaper than It Takes Two?
No, REANIMAL costs more. It’s priced at $49.99 on Steam compared to It Takes Two’s $39.99.
Did It Takes Two win any awards?
Yes. It won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021, along with two additional categories, a rare feat for a co-op-only title.
Is REANIMAL’s Friend’s Pass fixed now?
Yes. It was missing from the PC version at launch on February 13, 2026, but THQ Nordic shipped a fix on Steam within hours of release.
