Do both people need PS Plus for It Takes Two?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

The short answer is yes – both players require an active PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) subscription to play the co-op adventure game It Takes Two together online. This applies whether playing on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5.

PS Plus enables online multiplayer functionality across games on PlayStation platforms. So even with It Takes Two‘s Friends Pass allowing Player 2 to download the full game for free, they will still need their own PS Plus membership to join Player 1 online.

However, It Takes Two also supports local couch co-op and wireless play without needing PS Plus for either player. So there are options to play together while avoiding subscriptions.

Below we‘ll take a deeper look at recent PS Plus plans and pricing, It Takes Two‘s cross-play capabilities, and what the future may hold for co-op gaming services.

PlayStation Plus In 2023 – Plans and Pricing

As of 2023, Sony offers PlayStation Plus across three membership tiers:

PlayStation Plus Essential – $9.99/month

  • Online multiplayer access
  • 2 monthly downloadable games
  • Exclusive discounts
  • Cloud storage

PlayStation Plus Extra – $14.99/month

  • All Essential benefits
  • Game catalog of 400+ PS4/PS5 titles

PlayStation Plus Premium – $17.99/month

  • All Extra benefits
  • 340+ more games including PS1/PS2 titles
  • Game trials of new releases
  • Cloud streaming access

Based on the above, even the basic PS Plus Essential plan meets the requirements for playing It Takes Two online.

Over 48 million gamers subscribed to PlayStation Plus as of January 2023. This represents steady growth even with new tiered plans.

It Takes Two Friends Pass – How It Works

It Takes Two from Hazelight Studios and Electronic Arts provides a Friends Pass system that allows Player 2 to download and play the full co-op game for free.

But as covered already, PlayStation Plus is still required for both players to play online.

Here is how the It Takes Two Friends Pass works:

  • Player 1 purchases full game and invites Player 2
  • Player 2 finds Friends Pass listing on PlayStation/Xbox store
  • Friends Pass downloaded fully unlocks co-op mode
  • Only limitation is Player 2 requires PS Plus also for online multiplayer

Over 2 million gamers played It Takes Two in its first year, making great use of the Friends Pass offer.

The Friends Pass also enables cross-generation online play. For example, Player 1 on PS5 can play with Player 2 on a PS4 system. But it does not allow cross-platform multiplayer between PlayStation, Xbox, and other platforms.

Local Wireless and Couch Co-Op Options

While playing online requires both It Takes Two players to have PlayStation Plus memberships, alternatives exist for those without subscriptions:

Local Wireless Play

  • Connect two PS4/PS5 systems directly
  • Requires only one game purchase
  • No PS Plus needed for local wireless multiplayer sessions

Couch Co-Op

  • Share one screen and controllers on a single system
  • Also only needs one purchased copy
  • Again does not require PS Plus for couch co-op

So while online multiplayer does mandate both players have PlayStation Plus, the offline and couch co-op options provide more flexibility.

The Future – More Co-Op Gaming Services?

Given strong growth in both multiplayer titles like It Takes Two and services like PlayStation Plus over the past decade, what might the future hold? We may see:

  • Bundling of top co-op games with PlayStation Plus subscriptions
  • More indie cross-platform co-op games allowing broader online communities
  • Enhanced experiences forcouch co-op, local wireless play
  • Optional multiplayer subscriptions separate from services like PS Plus

Co-op and multiplayer gaming shows no signs of slowing down. As platforms and business models continue evolving, services enabling online play together will likely persist in some form.

But game developers also recognize demand for more flexibility around subscriptions. That is why innovative offers like It Takes Two‘s Friends Pass prove so popular with players.

I hope this deep dive on whether PS Plus is required to play It Takes Two online helps explain the current landscape! Please let me know if you have any other questions.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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