The latest hit from Larian Studios, Baldur’s Gate 3, has made a significant impact since its PC debut, and now PS5 fans can also jump into the action. The game is packed with engaging quests, formidable foes, and intriguing companions, all ready to be explored in a shared experience with your friends.
While Baldur’s Gate 3 does have online multiplayer, couch co-op is also available which is particularly helpful if you’d prefer to game in person with your buddies in split-screen play as opposed to over the internet.
Contents
- What is couch co-op in Baldur’s Gate 3?
- How to play Baldur’s Gate 3 couch co-op
- Baldur’s Gate 3 couch co-op tips for PS5
What is couch co-op in Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5?
Couch co-op, also known as local multiplayer or split-screen mode, lets two players play the game simultaneously on the same console and screen.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, players can collaborate, strategize, and role-play together, making the game even more engaging. The game will simply be split into two halves and each player will be able to interact with companions and complete their own individual story arcs.
How to play Baldur’s Gate 3 couch co-op
Firstly, to play couch co-op with a friend, you’re going to need two PS5 controllers ready. Both players will need a controller to play Baldur’s Gate 3 couch co-op mode.
How to launch a new local co-op game together
- Launch the Game: Start Baldur’s Gate 3 on your PS5
- Click New Game: Choose “New Game” from the main menu
- Choose difficulty: Select from the Explorer (easy), Balanced (medium), or Tactician (hard) difficulties
- Load the second player: Once the character creation screen has loaded, simply press X on the second controller to enable split-screen mode.
- Begin Your Adventure: After completing the character selection process, both players can now play Baldur’s Gate 3 on the same screen, sharing the same game instance.
How to join an existing game together
- Launch the Game: Start Baldur’s Gate 3
- Load game: Click “Continue” to load into your existing save
- Load the second player: Once the game has loaded, simply press X on the second controller to enable split-screen mode.
- Continue your adventure: Player two will be able to either create a new character or choose an existing one from the party.
Couch co-op tips for PS5
Performance: Playing in split-screen mode on the PS5 may switch the game to 30 FPS mode, even if you were previously in Performance mode. This is to ensure smooth gameplay for both players.
Player Limit: The PS5 version of the game currently supports a two-player limit for split-screen. While the idea of a four-player local co-op sounds exciting (but chaotic), the current hardware constraints of the PS5 make it challenging.
Experience: Playing couch co-op offers a unique experience. Both players can role-play as their characters, embark on individual story arcs, and interact with different party members.
While inviting your friend around for a session, take a look at some of our other handy Baldur’s Gate 3 guides and content: