Co Op Games Where One Player Can Carry the Team

13 October 2025

Ever had that one friend in your gaming squad who just seems to carry everybody? Maybe you're the hero who does the heavy lifting while everyone else runs into walls or forgets the controls. Yeah, we've all been there. Some co-op games are built so everyone has a role, and others? Let’s just say one player can become the digital version of Hercules – carrying the weight of the team on their back.

This list is for those games – the kind where teamwork is optional and one gamer can truly go beast mode. So grab a snack and settle in, because we’re diving into the world of co-op games where one player can carry the team. And hey, who knows? Maybe you’ll find your next game-night obsession.

The Art of the Carry – What Does It Really Mean?

Let’s break it down: To “carry” in gaming lingo means one player is basically doing all the important stuff – clearing levels, taking down bosses, reviving teammates, and still having the highest kill count. It’s like being the lead singer, guitarist, and drummer in a rock band all at once.

But not all games allow this. Some are so balanced that each player must contribute equally. What we’re interested in are those gems where if you’re skilled enough, you can step up and drag your team across the finish line.

Things That Make a Great “Carryable” Co-Op Game

Before we dive into the actual games, let’s quickly talk about what makes a game worth carrying in the first place:

- Power Scaling: The game doesn’t scale difficulty too harshly depending on the number of players.

- Player Independence: You’re not always stuck doing puzzle stuff where success depends on synchronized actions.

- Freedom of Playstyle: Can you go off-script and do your own thing? Perfect for carrying.

- Revive Mechanics: If you're the only player alive, can you bring the others back? If yes, welcome to carry-town.

Now that we know what we’re looking for, let’s jump into the juicy stuff.

1. Left 4 Dead 2 – The Undisputed King of Carry

You saw this coming, right? Left 4 Dead 2 is practically a playground for the solo savior. Four survivors battling wave after wave of zombies, special infected, and downright nasty AI directors? Sounds like chaos – and it is.

But if you’re good – like really good – you can keep your three friends alive long enough to finish the level. And if they all go down? Well, it’s time for your main character arc.

Why It’s Carry-Friendly:

- One skilled survivor can solo sections.
- Reviving and rescuing teammates mid-level is totally possible.
- The AI can go from dumb to dumber, letting you shine by comparison.

If you're a master of headshots, and you know how to kite a Tank like a pro, L4D2 is your stage.

2. Deep Rock Galactic – Rock and Stone, Baby

Alright, space dwarves and mining lasers – Deep Rock Galactic is cooler than it has any right to be. It’s a co-op shooter with destructible environments, alien bug swarms, and enough explosions to make Michael Bay blush.

Usually, each dwarf class has a role. But if you’ve got the skills, you can absolutely carry your clueless team.

Why It’s Carry-Friendly:

- The Gunner can take on high-difficulty solo roles with the right build.
- You can revive teammates, set up ziplines, and handle crowd control all on your own.
- Advanced players can complete objectives while others… get lost.

Ever carried a drill team through an onslaught of alien bugs while defending an oxygen pod and babysitting a sentient robot mule? Welcome to the pros.

3. Borderlands Series – The Loot-Snatchin’ Power Fantasy

The Borderlands franchise is all about chaotic gunplay and ridiculous amounts of loot. And while it's designed as a cooperative shooter-RPG, let’s be honest – some players can just dominate.

Especially in Borderlands 2 or Borderlands 3, certain character builds are downright broken (in a good way). Axton’s turrets or Moze’s mech? Pure solo power.

Why It’s Carry-Friendly:

- Characters can solo mobs and bosses thanks to OP builds.
- Teammates can just follow you around like loot-hungry puppies.
- Reviving is easy, and there's plenty of Second-Wind potential.

Ever steamroll a raid boss while your buddies are still looting ammo from the last fight? Then yeah, Borderlands is your arena.

4. Warhammer: Vermintide 2 – When Rats Attack, Some Heroes Stand Alone

Think Left 4 Dead but with swords, magic, and a whole lot of plague rats. Vermintide 2 is brutal in the best way. The AI director can unleash complete hell, and one wrong move can wipe the entire party.

But… skilled players who know enemy spawn patterns and have elite melee skills? They can carry. They can shine.

Why It’s Carry-Friendly:

- You can solo waves with the right weapon build.
- Clutch revives and heals are chef’s kiss moments.
- Crowd control, boss management, and escapes can be done solo – barely.

It feels like a fantasy movie scene where the knight stays behind to hold the horde while everyone else flees. Except you win.

5. Payday 2 – The Solo Mastermind’s Playground

Robbing banks, taking hostages, and wearing creepy masks – what's not to love? Payday 2 is a co-op shooter about crime, chaos, and coordination… or is it?

Some players memorize every map, timing, and police spawn point. They move like ghosts in the night while their teammates trip over tripwires. And yes, you can carry entire heists.

Why It’s Carry-Friendly:

- Stealth runs can be done solo even with a team.
- You can rescue teammates, manage hostages, and complete objectives alone.
- Builds like the Hacker or Kingpin let you become a one-man army.

If you’ve ever brought a noob crew through a nightmare-difficulty heist and still made it out with the loot? Respect.

6. Destiny 2 – Light Bearers Who Don’t Need a Fireteam

Is Destiny 2 technically an MMO? Kinda. Is it a co-op game where one player can carry? Absolutely. Between strikes, raids, and dungeons, one veteran Guardian can make a world of difference.

Especially in lower-tier content, you're basically a boss slayer babysitting space toddlers.

Why It’s Carry-Friendly:

- Strong loadouts can solo high-tier content.
- You can revive teammates, melt bosses, and complete mechanics solo.
- Exotics and mastered skill trees enable serious power fantasy.

If you’ve ever watched your fireteam wipe while you solo a raid mechanic with one HP left– you already know.

7. Don’t Starve Together – Survival of the Smartest

Ah, Don’t Starve Together. It’s charming, creepy, and cruel. You and your friends are tossed into a world teeming with darkness, hunger, and creatures that want to chew your face off.

But if you know the mechanics? You can definitely carry.

Why It’s Carry-Friendly:

- Experienced players can farm, fight, and build solo.
- You can revive others even late-game.
- Game doesn’t punish you for being the only competent one.

It’s survival of the fittest. And if your friends keep dying from eating spoiled meat? Well, guess who’s building the base and saving the day?

8. Monster Hunter: World – The Hunter Who Needs No Backup

Monster Hunter isn’t traditionally a co-op game in the way others are, but it lets up to four players tackle colossal beasts together. However, one well-armed hunter with a big sword and perfect timing?

Goodbye teamwork – hello solo carry.

Why It’s Carry-Friendly:

- Monsters don’t scale difficulty like some co-op games.
- You can do full hunts solo even in multiplayer lobbies.
- You’re really just flexing on everyone at that point.

If you’ve ever broken every monster limb while your squad misses every hit, congrats – you just carried.

9. Risk of Rain 2 – The Chaos Looper

Risk of Rain 2 is frantic, fast, and downright wild. You and your friends spawn into alien worlds fighting off infinite waves of enemies. Time is your enemy – the longer you play, the harder it gets.

But here's the twist: if one player gets a few broken item combos early? Oh, it’s game over – for the enemies.

Why It’s Carry-Friendly:

- Item RNG allows massive solo power scaling.
- You can revive teammates during boss fights.
- Teleporters and objectives can be soloed.

It’s like being Neo in the Matrix while your friends are still figuring out how to bend spoons.

10. Dying Light – Parkour Your Way to Heroism

You wouldn’t think a zombie parkour game would be a place for solo carries. But surprise surprise – Dying Light lets one skilled player absolutely dominate.

With precise movement, brutal melee weapons, and an eye for survival, you can drag your buddies across rooftops and out of trouble.

Why It’s Carry-Friendly:

- Movement gives a HUGE advantage.
- You can craft, heal, and defend on your own.
- You’ll be reviving your fallen friends a lot.

Ever parkour into a zombie-infested alley, save a teammate, and escape with firecrackers and a pipe wrench? Yeah, you’re the MVP.

So, Are You the Carry?

Let’s be clear – there’s no shame in being the teammate who gets carried. But if you are the one with 5,000 hours in the game and a sixth sense for enemy spawns, these games are your playground.

Whether you’re reviving fallen teammates, soloing bosses, or just dragging everyone to the objective, there’s a certain joy in being the hero of the squad.

And hey, next time your teammates joke, “Don’t worry, they got this,” maybe… just maybe… they’re right.