You know, as a longtime fan of both Marvel and video games, I've been thinking a lot lately about the current landscape. We're living in 2026, and following the incredible success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we've seen a massive surge in Marvel-themed games. But let's be real—the quality has been all over the place, hasn't it? We've had our absolute triumphs, like Marvel's Spider-Man and the surprisingly addictive Marvel Snap. Then there are those hidden treasures that maybe didn't get the love they deserved, like Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and the tactical brilliance of Marvel's Midnight Suns. And, of course, we can't forget the letdowns, with Marvel's Avengers being the prime example. Developers have tried their hand at various genres, but I firmly believe there's a massive, untapped well of potential for a Marvel game that captures the magic of a title like It Takes Two.
Sure, looking ahead, we have promising projects on the horizon like the upcoming Iron Man and Black Panther games, Skydance's mysterious project, and the highly anticipated Marvel's Wolverine. But when I scan the roster, I can't help but notice a glaring absence: meaningful, narrative-driven cooperative experiences. Most co-op Marvel titles, like the Ultimate Alliance series, default to a classic beat-'em-up formula. There's nothing wrong with that, but imagine the possibilities of a less combat-centric adventure, one that prioritizes partnership, puzzle-solving, and emotional connection just like It Takes Two did so masterfully.
The Blueprint for Success: What Made 'It Takes Two' Special
Let's talk about that game for a second. When Josef Fares and Hazelight Studios released It Takes Two, they didn't just make a co-op game; they created a genre-defining experience. It went on to win Game of the Year, and for good reason. Its charm wasn't just in its beautiful art style or its clever story about a couple on the brink of divorce being turned into dolls. The real magic was in its relentless innovation.
The gameplay never let you get comfortable. You and your partner were constantly thrown into new scenarios: one moment you're platforming through a garden, the next you're solving spatial puzzles, then you're in a shooter sequence, or even dabbling in fighting game mechanics. It had a horror-themed underwater section and a dungeon crawler segment! It was a breathtaking celebration of video games as a medium, all tied together by the core requirement of communication and cooperation.
Why Marvel is the Perfect Playground
Now, Marvel properties, by their nature, often play it safe. And I get it—when I boot up a game as Spider-Man or Iron Man, I want to feel powerful. I want that superhero fantasy. But the successes of Midnight Suns (a tactical RPG) and Marvel Snap (a quick card battler) prove that audiences are hungry for diverse and inventive gameplay within this universe. A co-op title inspired by It Takes Two's ambition—one that constantly reinvents its mechanics—could be an absolute game-changer.
So, who could star in such a game? My mind immediately races to a few perfect fits:
1. The Fantastic Four: This is the most obvious choice, and it's bursting with potential. With Marvel Studios finally tackling a movie for them, a simultaneous four-player co-op game would be phenomenal. Instead of another world-ending threat from Galactus, imagine a more personal, lighthearted story. The gameplay could shine by splitting the team into dynamic pairs:
| Hero | Potential Gameplay Role |
|---|---|
| Mr. Fantastic | Platforming & puzzle-solving via stretching. |
| Invisible Woman | Stealth sections and creating force fields for traversal. |
| The Human Torch | Flight-based sections and environmental interaction. |
| The Thing | Strength-based puzzles and combat (when needed). |
Players would have to constantly adapt to new partner combinations, mastering communication just like Cody and May did.
2. Cloak and Dagger: If you want to directly replicate the intimate relationship dynamic of It Takes Two, this duo is perfect. Their powers are inherently complementary—teleportation through darkness and light-based constructs. A story exploring their bond through cooperative puzzle-solving (using light to create paths through darkness, for instance) could be emotionally resonant and incredibly unique.
3. Rocket and Groot: The ultimate buddy-cop duo! This pairing writes itself. One player as Rocket, tinkering and crafting gadgets, while the other plays Groot, growing and reshaping the environment ("I am Groot!" meaning "extend this branch here!"). Their friendship is the heart of the Guardians, and a game focused on their synergy would be hilarious and heartwarming.
4. Moon Knight: Okay, hear me out. This would be a wild, psychological twist. What if each player controlled one of Marc Spector's alters—like Marc and Steven? The gameplay could shift dramatically based on who is "in charge," with puzzles requiring the distinct skills of each personality. It would be a co-op game about internal cooperation, which is a mind-bendingly cool concept.
The Core Ingredients for a 2026 Marvel Masterpiece
Looking at what's possible now in 2026, here’s what a Marvel "It Takes Two" would need to succeed:
-
Evolving Gameplay: The number one rule. No gameplay loop should last more than an hour before it morphs into something new.
-
Narrative-Driven Cooperation: The story must make the co-op essential. It can't just be two people playing separately on the same screen.
-
Emphasis on Puzzle-Solving & Exploration: Combat should be minimal, a spice rather than the main course. Let the superheroes use their powers creatively, not destructively.
-
Accessible Yet Deep: Like its inspiration, it should be easy to pick up but reward skilled coordination and communication.
In an era where live-service games and massive open worlds dominate, there's a beautiful simplicity and pure joy in a tightly crafted, shared adventure. Marvel has a universe full of iconic relationships just begging to be explored in this format. We've seen what heroes can do alone; now, in 2026, I'm ready for a game that shows us what they can do together, in a way that's fresh, inventive, and unforgettable. Someone at Marvel Games, please make this happen! 🙏