Strategy games have long scared off countless players with the label "high barrier to entry," but local co-op split-screen is exactly the best scenario for breaking down that barrier—someone right beside you to guide the way, low cost to experiment, and before you know it you've learned while laughing. This time I've ranked 13 strategy games with local multiplayer support from most beginner-friendly to least, using a simple set of criteria: control complexity, tutorial quality, session length, and community resources. If you or your friends have never touched a strategy game, start from number one and work your way down—guaranteed no regrets.
1. Kingdom: Two Crowns #
The entire game uses only the directional keys and a single action button—arguably the floor of control complexity in the strategy genre. The tutorial doesn't rely on pop-up text walls; instead, it lets you naturally learn the rhythm of building, recruiting, and defending as you patrol on horseback. In two-player mode, the newcomer simply follows the veteran around, and within five minutes you'll feel the strategic tension of resource allocation. That 90% positive rating is well earned.
2. Shell Shock Live #
Kinguin€1.84-74%Steam €1.84価格を見る →
Five minutes per round, weapon list at a glance, aim and fire—done. This tank brawler compresses strategic gameplay down to its lightest possible form: the only thing you need to think about is trajectory angle and weapon selection. A 93% rating with nearly thirty thousand reviews means the community is large enough to find opponents at any time. The zero-pressure multiplayer strategy starting point, perfect for breaking the ice at a party.
3. Crown of Death #
Kinguin€3.39-63%Steam €3.39価格を見る →
The 1-bit black-and-white pixel aesthetic strips RTS visual noise to the absolute minimum, and you can learn all the mechanics—buildings, unit types, and resources—in five minutes. This is the lowest-learning-curve real-time strategy game on the market, bar none. Local versus matches are fast and full of comebacks, making it the ideal low-cost entry point for players who want to try RTS but have been scared off by StarCraft and its ilk.
4. Worms: Weapons of Mass Destruction #
The Worms series has survived thirty years on a single core selling point: "turn-based artillery that anyone can grasp instantly." This entry supports up to six local players, features hilariously over-the-top weapons, and delivers maximum icebreaker energy by the end of a session. The new crafting system adds depth for veterans without interfering with the joy of a newcomer picking up a rocket launcher and opening fire. The hand-drawn art style is a delight, and the party atmosphere is second to none.
5. Rip-off #
Kinguin€21.51Steam €21.51価格を見る →
A cartoon-styled turn-based cooperative adventure from Behemoth, where the combat system uses color coding for intuitive guidance—red for enemies, blue for allies, readable at a glance. In two-player co-op mode the difficulty curve is extremely gentle, and the character collection and gear-building systems provide a satisfying positive feedback loop for newcomers. That 92% positive rating confirms the success of this "foolproof strategy" design philosophy.
6. Monaco: Captured Things #
Eneba€0.39Steam €0.39価格を見る →
Four characters each with a distinct role: the Locksmith opens doors, the Hacker cuts power, the Cleaner goes invisible, the Mole smashes through walls—abilities legible at a glance. The chaotic spectacle of four-player local heisting tests improvised strategy while generating endlessly hilarious moments. The level design is progressively paced, with the first few stages serving as the best tutorial themselves. The appeal of cooperative strategy is packaged here in its most effortless form.
7. Samurai Skull #
GAMIVO€1.95Steam €1.95価格を見る →
A streamlined turn-based strategy set in a samurai world, trimming away the tedious stat systems of traditional SRPGs. With a limited number of actions per turn, the decision space is just right for newcomers to digest. Matches end in under ten minutes, and local pass-and-play is a gentle introduction to turn-based PVP. The 92% positive rating comes from a modest but reliable review base—well suited for players who want strategic competition without learning a complicated system.
8. Tooth and Tail #
Kinguin€0.49-98%Steam €0.49価格を見る →
A real-time strategy game where a single analog stick commands an entire army—that design philosophy alone is the greatest act of goodwill toward new players. No box-selecting, no unit grouping, no anxiety over building placement; you simply lead your flagbearer toward the objective. Local versus matches move too fast to feel nervous, making it the perfect way to give a friend their first taste of the RTS command rush.
9. Warlaws #
Kinguin€1.96-88%Steam €1.96価格を見る →
A turn-based strategy title paying homage to Advance Wars, complete with a fully illustrated campaign tutorial that walks you through movement, attacking, and terrain bonuses step by step. Supports four-player local multiplayer, and the cooperative campaign mode ensures newcomers won't be driven off by getting stomped by the AI. The commander skills system adds character differentiation, but the core mechanics remain clean and clear. The most common compliment in the 83% positive reviews is simply: "great tutorial."
10. For the King / For The King #
A cooperative Roguelike strategy RPG with a board-game feel, where three-player co-op ensures everyone has a meaningful role. The difficulty gradient is clearly tiered from "Apprentice" to "Master," letting newcomers ease in at the lowest setting. The randomness of dice rolls reduces the pressure of pure strategy and gives beginners a real shot at turning things around. An 87% positive rating with thirty thousand reviews demonstrates its value as a co-op strategy entry point.
11. Wildland Chronicles #
A narrative-driven strategy RPG where characters age, fall in love, and even gain mysterious prosthetics after losing a limb—the sense of story runs deep. This narrative wrapper dramatically reduces the dryness typically associated with strategy games; newcomers are pulled forward by genuine investment in their characters' fates. Online co-op supports up to five players, and character progression is highly visual. The 94% positive rating is the highest on this list, and the community mod library is extensive.
12. Song of Conquest #
A turn-based empire adventure game where the campaign mode scaffolds strategic learning through its narrative arc: early chapters teach city-building, the middle sections introduce army composition, and the late game tests full-scale strategic coordination. This progressive difficulty design lets newcomers naturally absorb strategic thinking through story momentum rather than being dropped into a sandbox to fend for themselves. An 85% positive rating—well suited for strategy beginners who prefer a narrative thread to follow.
13. Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition #
The deepest system on this list, but also the one with the richest community resources. Steam guides, video walkthroughs, and build-sharing posts are available in abundance—any roadblock has a documented solution. Two-player couch co-op is the soul of this series; working through elemental combinations with a friend and arguing over dialogue choices is the entertainment in itself. An 89% positive rating with nearly 26,000 reviews sets the benchmark for strategy RPGs—the entry bar isn't low, but the ceiling is the highest here.
These 13 games cover the complete strategy-entry spectrum from "one-button operation" to "hundred-hour rabbit hole." Those ranked higher are perfect for breaking the ice with zero experience; those ranked lower leave room to grow for players willing to go deeper. Grab a friend, start from number one and work your way down—there's guaranteed to be one that has you both arguing on the couch.
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