Baldur’s Gate 3 is a fantastic game to play with friends but is there an option to play in couch co-op?
Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 is an immensely popular RPG that initially launched on PC and has since made its way to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S for console fans to enjoy. From loveable companions to meet, quests to complete, and a lot of enemies to battle, the world of Baldur’s Gate 3 is massive.
The game is also a perfect experience to enjoy with friends by your side and you can either join them in online multiplayer or couch co-op which is great if you’d prefer to play with your pals in the same room.
So, here’s exactly how co-op play works for PS5 and Xbox Series X in Baldur’s Gate 3.
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?
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 on PS5 & Xbox Series X
Firstly, to play couch co-op with a friend, you’re going to need two PS5 or Xbox Series X controllers ready. Both players will need a controller to play Baldur’s Gate 3 couch co-op mode.
Unfortunately, local co-op isn’t available on Xbox Series S, likely due to the console’s lower processing power.
How to launch a new local co-op game together
- Launch the Game: Start Baldur’s Gate 3 on your PS5 on Xbox Series X
- 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, enable split-screen mode by pressing X on the second PS5, or A on the second Xbox controller.
- 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 or A 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
Performance: Playing in split-screen mode on the PS5 or Xbox Series X 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 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 consoles 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: