Is Enter The Gungeon Online Co Op

16 August 2026 | 38

Dodge Roll's critically acclaimed bullet-hell roguelike, Enter the Gungeon, has captivated players for years with its challenging gameplay and massive weapon variety. While fighting through the dangerous shifting rooms alone is an exhilarating test of skill, many players prefer tackling difficult dungeons with a trusted gaming partner. This has led to a persistent question within the community regarding the specific multiplayer systems implemented by the development team.

The Official Multiplayer Design

By default, the developers designed Enter the Gungeon to explicitly support native local cooperative play for two players on the same screen. This means a second player can easily plug in an extra controller to take control of a unique companion character known as The Cultist. However, the game does not feature any built-in, native online matchmaking or cross-network lobbies directly within its menu settings.

This traditional couch co-op limitation ensures that both players share the exact same screen real estate while dodging hundreds of incoming projectiles. While this setup perfectly replicates the classic arcade feel, it leaves distant friends looking for alternative methods to connect. Fortunately, modern platform features have provided excellent workarounds for this multiplayer limitation.

Using PC Workarounds for Distance Play

PC players using digital distribution platforms like Steam can easily bypass the lack of native networking by utilizing a built-in streaming feature. The popular Steam Remote Play Together service allows a host player to virtually share their local screen session with an online friend across the internet. This feature tricks the game into believing that the secondary input device is connected directly to the host machine.

For those using other PC launchers, third-party software alternatives like Parsec provide a similar high-performance screen sharing environment. These applications stream your desktop display to a remote friend with incredibly minimal input latency, making fast-paced rolling maneuvers feasible. Using these digital tools transforms the local layout into a functional online environment for long-distance companions.

Console Solutions for Connected Rooms

Console enthusiasts can also take advantage of platform-specific features to simulate online cooperative sessions from separate homes. For example, PlayStation owners can utilize the Share Play system to hand over virtual controllers to a party member over the internet network. This allows your friend to join the chaotic firefight even if they do not own a physical or digital copy of the title themselves.

Xbox and Nintendo Switch players must rely entirely on the standard local connection, meaning physical proximity remains required on those specific ecosystems. When setting up a couch session, ensure your guest is comfortable utilizing the unique supportive items provided specifically to the secondary companion character. Cooperative mode slightly alters the item distribution dynamics, so effective communication remains essential for surviving the deeper chambers.

Survival Tips for Two Players

Tackling the shifting chambers with an ally introduces a unique layer of difficulty because enemy health pools scale upward to balance the extra firepower. Sharing a single camera perspective requires both players to move in sync to avoid getting pinned against dangerous walls or environmental hazards. It is vital to coordinate who receives specific health drops and weapon upgrades throughout the run.

If the primary player falls during an intense boss encounter, the companion character can revive them by finding special chests in later rooms. This mechanic gives pairs a useful safety net that is completely unavailable during standard solitary attempts down the elevator shaft. Mastering these collaborative strategies is the most reliable way to conquer the final boss together.