Setting up War in the North two player co-op in the Legacy Edition is straightforward once you understand how the game handles hosting, invites, and platform restrictions. The rerelease restores the online multiplayer that was removed when the original was delisted in 2017, so you can finally play the full campaign with a friend again. Whether you want couch play or online sessions, this guide walks through every step, common failure points, and the fixes players actually use.
Two-Player Campaign Modes Across Platforms
| Co-op Mode | Max Players | Platform / Store | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online co-op | 3 | Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG | Restored in Legacy Edition; no crossplay between platforms |
| Local split-screen | 2 | PC, modern consoles | Not available on original Nintendo Switch |
| Local co-op + 60 FPS | — | Original Nintendo Switch | Both features unavailable on this platform |
| Remote Play Together | 2+ | Steam | Allows shared split-screen over the internet via Steam |
| LAN co-op | 3 | PC (original release) | Supported alongside online play in the original version |
The Legacy Edition supports two distinct ways to play together, and knowing which one fits your setup saves you from wasted troubleshooting time. According to the official Steam store page, the game includes Single-player, Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Steam Achievements, Steam Cloud, Remote Play Together, and Family Sharing. That means you have real flexibility, but each mode has its own quirks that affect how you invite and connect.
Online co-op lets you and a friend play through the entire campaign together over the internet, with each player controlling one of the three main characters. Local split-screen restricts you to two players on the same screen, which is perfect for couch sessions but unavailable on the original Nintendo Switch hardware according to the RPG Site announcement. The table below breaks down the key differences so you can pick the right mode immediately.
| Mode | Max Players | Platform Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Co-op | 3 players | PC (Steam, EGS, GOG) | Full campaign, no crossplay between platforms |
| Local Split-Screen | 2 players | PC, modern consoles | Not available on original Nintendo Switch |
| Remote Play Together | 2+ players | PC (Steam) | Uses Steam's streaming, host needs good upload |
| LAN Co-op | 3 players | PC | Requires same network, less common setup |
The co-op campaign is identical whether you play online or locally, so you never miss story content by choosing one mode over the other. Each character finds class-specific secrets that only they can open, which means playing with a partner actually unlocks more loot than solo runs. Community reports on the Steam Community Hub confirm that the 3-player co-op achievement Strength of Our Alliance is fully functional online, so you can chase that trophy without worrying about broken matchmaking.
Which mode should you choose?
If you and your friend live in different places, online co-op is your only real option, and it works well as long as both of you have stable connections. If you share a couch, split-screen is the more intimate experience, though it does split your field of view during combat. Remote Play Together is a clever middle ground because it lets one player stream the game to the other, but the host needs a solid upload speed to avoid lag spikes during intense fights. For most players, online co-op is the default choice because it feels native and supports the full three-player roster.
How to invite friends in War in the North
Getting your party started requires you to understand the host-and-join flow, which is simpler than many older co-op games but still trips up new players. The game does not use a traditional lobby system, so you need to start a campaign first and then open it to friends. Here is the exact process that works on PC, based on player reports and the official store documentation.
- Step 1: Launch the game and select New Game or Continue.
Step 2: Choose your character — Farion, Eradan, or Andriel — because the host's character locks in for the session.
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Step 3: Start the campaign and play through the opening tutorial until you gain control of your character in the first hub area.
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Step 4: Open the pause menu and select the multiplayer option to make your session visible to friends.
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Step 5: Have your friend open their friends list, find you, and select Join Game.
The key detail is that the host must be past the initial cutscene before the game accepts join requests, so do not try to invite during the prologue. If you want to know whether progress carries over between sessions, check our breakdown of co-op progress and hosting rules before you commit to a long run.
Joining a friend's game
Joining is even easier than hosting because you just need to be on the same platform and have the host's session open. Open your Steam friends list, right-click your friend's name, and select Join Game if the option is available. If you do not see the option, the host has not opened their session yet, or they are still in the tutorial area. The join option only appears when the host is actively in a campaign that allows multiplayer, so coordinate with your friend before launching the game.
War in the North co-op not working: common fixes
Connection failures are the most frustrating part of any co-op experience, and War in the North has a few known issues that players report frequently. The good news is that most problems have straightforward solutions, and the Legacy Edition fixed the biggest issue from the original release — the online multiplayer that was completely absent after the 2017 delisting. According to IGN's coverage, the rerelease restores online co-op for up to three players, so you are not fighting a dead feature.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Join option grayed out | Host is in tutorial or session not opened | Finish prologue, open multiplayer from pause menu |
| Connection timeout | NAT type or firewall blocking | Port forward, enable UPnP, or use Remote Play Together |
| Desync during combat | One player has unstable connection | Switch host to player with better upload speed |
| Crossplay not working | Platforms do not share servers | Both players must use same store (Steam to Steam) |
| Split-screen unavailable | Playing on original Switch | Use a modern console or PC for local co-op |
Firewall and NAT issues are the most common culprits when War in the North co-op multiplayer fails to connect. If you and your friend cannot establish a session, check that the game is allowed through Windows Defender Firewall on both machines. Players also report that enabling UPnP on your router resolves most NAT-related timeouts, which is worth trying before you manually forward ports.
The split-screen limitation
Local co-op is a selling point for the Legacy Edition, but it has a hard platform restriction that catches people off guard. The original Nintendo Switch cannot run split-screen because of hardware limitations, and the same applies to the 60 FPS mode on that platform. If you bought the game on Switch expecting couch co-op, you will need to use a different device or stick with online play. This is a hardware constraint, not a bug, so no patch will fix it on the original Switch hardware.
War in the North co-op multiplayer setup guide
Getting the best experience out of your co-op sessions requires a bit of preparation, especially if you are playing online. The game's combat relies on a shared combo chain — in multiplayer, all three players build the combo chain together, which triggers Hero Mode for the entire party when filled. That means coordination directly affects your damage output, so a stable connection and good communication matter more than individual skill.
Before you start, verify these three things:
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Both players own the Legacy Edition on the same platform (Steam, EGS, or GOG).
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Both players have completed the game's initial tutorial at least once.
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Both players have stable internet connections with no packet loss.
If you are playing on Steam, Remote Play Together is a solid fallback when direct connections fail. The host streams the game to the guest, which sidesteps most NAT and firewall problems entirely. The tradeoff is that the guest experiences input lag proportional to the host's upload speed, so this works best when the host has at least 10 Mbps upload. Community testing suggests this mode is particularly useful for the 3-player co-op achievement, since you can bring in a third player without needing a second copy of the game.
Optimizing your session
Character selection matters more than you might expect in co-op, because each hero has unique abilities that complement the others. Eradan is the melee ranger who excels at close-range damage, Andriel is the mage who controls crowds with elemental spells, and Farion is the elf archer who picks off enemies from range. A balanced team of all three covers every combat scenario, while a two-player setup should avoid doubling up on the same class to keep your options open. The game also lets you swap items between players, so share loot strategically rather than hoarding gear you cannot use.
Campaign Rewards and Trophies Earned Together
Playing through the campaign with a friend changes how you approach progression, because the game tracks progress based on the host's save file. If you join a friend's game, you keep your character's level and gear, but the story progress saves to the host's campaign. That means you should decide who hosts the long-term run before you invest hours into a session, since the guest's story progress does not advance independently. For a detailed look at how this works, including whether you can keep items and levels, read our guide on co-op progress and what carries over.
The Strength of Our Alliance achievement requires three players to complete a mission together, which is the only co-op-specific trophy that demands a full party. Players on the Steam Community Hub actively organize sessions for this achievement, confirming that the online matchmaking works reliably. If you are short a third player, try posting in the community hub or using the game's Discord — you will usually find someone willing to join within a few minutes.
What carries over between sessions
Your character's level, skill points, and inventory persist across sessions, so you can join a friend's game with your fully built character. The host's world state determines which missions are available, and any loot you pick up during a guest session stays in your inventory. This is generous compared to many co-op games, and it means you can grind gear in a friend's higher-level campaign before tackling your own story. Just remember that story progression is host-bound, so alternate who hosts if you both want to advance your campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play War in the North two player co-op on the same console?
Yes, split-screen co-op supports two players on the same screen on PC and modern consoles, but not on the original Nintendo Switch. Both players need their own controller, and the game splits the screen during exploration and combat. This is the easiest way to play locally without needing a second copy of the game.
Why is War in the North co-op not working on Steam?
The most common causes are firewall blocks, NAT type mismatches, or the host not opening the session from the pause menu. Verify both players can see each other's online status, allow the game through Windows Firewall, and enable UPnP on your router. If direct connection still fails, use Steam Remote Play Together as a reliable fallback.
Does War in the North co-op multiplayer support crossplay?
No, crossplay is not available between Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. Both players must own the game on the same platform to play together online. This is a confirmed limitation of the Legacy Edition, so check which store your friend purchased from before planning a session.
How do I invite friends to my War in the North co-op campaign?
Start your campaign, complete the tutorial, then open the pause menu and enable the multiplayer option. Your friend can then join through their friends list by selecting Join Game. The host must be past the prologue before the join option appears, so do not attempt invites during the opening cutscene.
Can I keep my character progress when joining a friend's game?
Yes. Your character's level, skills, and inventory carry over when joining a friend's session, but story progression saves only to the host's campaign. Alternate hosting duties so both of you advance your individual stories. If you're new, our beginner guide covers builds and early skill priorities.