- We Were Here Forever local co op is not supported — the game is online-only, two-player co op through Steam
- Walkie-talkie communication is the core mechanic; voice chat inside Discord undermines the intended experience
- Two copies required — each player needs the game on their own PC to connect
- 10-15 hour campaign across six chapters with mostly linear progression
- Free friend passes are not part of this entry; both players must own the game
Does We Were Here Forever Support Local Co Op?
We Were Here Forever local co op is not available. The game is built exclusively as an online, two-player cooperative experience. Total Mayhem Games designed every puzzle around the premise that two players are in separate locations — often separate rooms within Castle Rock — and can only communicate through the in-game walkie-talkie. A shared screen or split-screen setup would break that design at a fundamental level, since each player is deliberately shown different information.
If you were hoping to solve mysteries side-by-side on the couch, the closest workaround is playing in the same room on two separate PCs while still using the walkie-talkie system. Sitting together does not change how the game functions, but it does make the experience feel a little more like couch co op.
Video Highlights:
- Setting up a campaign is simple: invite your friend via Steam and they appear in your lobby
- Saves are shared and progress is retained even after quitting mid-puzzle
- The walkie-talkie mechanic adds strong immersion, though hints can be unhelpful
- The campaign runs roughly 10-15 hours across six chapters
- Some puzzles obscure information in ways that feel obtuse even to experienced players
| Feature | Local Co Op | Online Co Op |
|---|---|---|
| Split-screen | Not supported | Not applicable |
| Player count | N/A | Exactly 2 |
| Platform | N/A | PC (Steam) |
| Voice communication | N/A | In-game walkie-talkie only |
| Game copies needed | N/A | One per player |
Do not purchase We Were Here Forever expecting couch co op. There is no local multiplayer mode, and the developers have not indicated plans to add one. Both players need their own copy and an internet connection.
Why the Game Is Online-Only by Design
The entire We Were Here series is built on asymmetric information. One player sees symbols, shapes, or instructions that the other cannot, and the pair must describe what they see over the walkie-talkie to progress. Describing "an angry alien with two antennas" to a partner who cannot see your screen is the whole point — and it only works when each player genuinely has a private view.
Co op reviewers who tested the game found the walkie-talkie system to be the strongest element of the experience. Keeping your Discord channel open while playing is tempting, but going all-in on the in-game radio — signing off with "copy that, over and out" — adds significantly to the immersion. The immersion only breaks in moments where both characters stand next to each other but still speak through the radio.
Asymmetric Puzzles
- Each player sees different information
- Descriptions replace direct knowledge
- Separation drives the design
Walkie-Talkie Immersion
- Simulates a real radio
- Push-to-talk style communication
- Strongest feature per reviewers
Shared Progress
- Saves are shared automatically
- Quit and resume mid-puzzle
- Minimal bugs reported
| Design Element | Purpose | Local Co Op Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Separate rooms | Hides information from each player | Would fail on shared screen |
| Walkie-talkie | Forces verbal description | Redundant when sitting together |
| Split clues | Requires two viewpoints | Both clues visible at once |
| Dark atmosphere | Builds tension individually | One player may spoil reveals |
If you want a couch-like session, use two PCs with back-to-back desks so neither player can see the other's screen. Keep using the walkie-talkie anyway — it preserves the intended challenge.
How to Set Up Online Co Op: Step-by-Step
Starting a campaign is straightforward. Based on hands-on co op impressions, setup is one of the smoothest parts of the experience, even for players new to PC co op.
Both Players Buy the Game
Each player needs their own copy of We Were Here Forever on Steam. There is no free friend pass in this entry, unlike some other co op titles.
Launch and Reach the Lobby
Start the game and open the co op lobby. In the lobby, you can talk normally with your partner before the campaign begins.
Invite via Steam
Invite your friend through the Steam friends list. They will appear in your lobby once they accept.
Start the Campaign
Once the game begins, all communication switches to the walkie-talkie system. Coordinate descriptions carefully from the opening dungeon onward.
Handle Desyncs
If a rare desync occurs (one player cannot see the other), quit to the menu and reload. Shared saves drop you right back where you left off.
| Setup Step | Time Needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase two copies | Varies | Watch for Steam sales |
| Lobby creation | Under 1 minute | Normal voice works pre-game |
| Steam invite | Under 1 minute | Friend accepts and joins |
| Campaign start | Immediate | Walkie-talkie takes over |
Early co op testers reported that saves synced reliably and bugs were minimal, with only one desync fixed by a quick restart. You have little to worry about on the technical side.
What to Expect From the Co Op Campaign
You begin We Were Here Forever as prisoners in a dungeon connected to the spooky Castle Rock. Story details are intentionally drip-fed through cutscenes and the puzzles themselves, forming a mystery around the castle and its former inhabitants. The campaign spans six chapters and takes roughly 10-15 hours depending on your puzzle-solving speed.
The experience stays mostly linear until the midpoint, where you choose the order in which to complete the final three chapters. Most of the time you and your partner are separated into different rooms, relaying information to solve multi-phase puzzles that grow more complex with each stage.
| Campaign Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Setting | Dungeon and Castle Rock |
| Chapters | 6 total |
| Length | 10-15 hours |
| Structure | Linear, then choose final 3 chapters' order |
| Puzzle format | 2-3 phases per puzzle, increasing complexity |
| Communication | Walkie-talkie only during play |
Honest expectations matter here. Co op reviewers found that some puzzles — like arranging mannequins in a church based on rules both players deduce — feel properly cooperative and satisfying. Others obscure key clues in ways that feel cheap, hiding crucial information in blurry set dressing or scattering it across entire areas. The in-game hint system offers little real help, with generic prompts like "have you communicated about what you're seeing?"
This is a demanding puzzle game, not a casual co op romp. Even experienced duos ended up looking up several solutions online. If you and your partner dislike obtuse puzzle design, consider waiting for a sale.
Preparation Checklist Before You Start
Before diving into Castle Rock, run through this list with your partner so your session goes smoothly.
Pre-Launch Checklist:
- Confirm both players own the game on Steam
- Agree to use the in-game walkie-talkie instead of Discord
- Test microphones and headset quality beforehand
- Block out 10-15 hours of playtime across sessions
- Set expectations: some puzzles are deliberately obtuse
Your enjoyment depends heavily on communication style. Pick someone patient who enjoys describing shapes, symbols, and patterns in detail — frustration compounds quickly when a partner gives vague directions.
FAQ
Q: Does We Were Here Forever have local co op or split-screen?
No. We Were Here Forever local co op is not supported in any form. The game is exclusively online two-player co op, because its puzzles rely on each player seeing different information that must be described over the walkie-talkie.
Q: Can I play We Were Here Forever in the same room as my partner?
Yes, as a workaround. You can both play on separate PCs in the same room, but the game itself still runs as an online session with each player on their own screen. Avoid looking at each other's monitors to preserve the puzzle design.
Q: Do both players need to buy the game?
Yes. Each player needs their own copy on Steam. This entry does not include a free friend pass, so budget for two copies unless you catch a sale.
Q: Can we use Discord instead of the walkie-talkie?
Technically you could keep a Discord channel open, but it undermines the core mechanic. Co op reviewers found that committing fully to the walkie-talkie — including radio jargon like 'copy that' — adds considerably to the immersion.
Q: How long is the co op campaign?
Expect 10-15 hours across six chapters, depending on your puzzle-solving skill. The game is linear until the midpoint, after which you choose the order of the final three chapters.