Chariot

A royal funeral becomes an unexpectedly demanding underground expedition in Chariot, a physics-driven platformer built around hauling a king’s oversized coffin to a proper resting place. The Princess and her fiancé guide the wheeled chariot through cavernous tombs, ancient ruins, icy tunnels, and other colorful subterranean hazards while the late monarch’s ghost complains from beyond the grave. Its tone stays playful and family-friendly, but the constant risk of losing control of a heavy, momentum-filled coffin gives every route a satisfying edge.

Players run, jump, pull, push, and swing from a rope tethered to the chariot, using slopes, ramps, switches, moving platforms, and careful timing to reach each exit. The coffin is not simply cargo: its weight, speed, and position shape every puzzle, and reckless downhill runs can turn into hilarious disasters or useful shortcuts. Levels encourage detours for gems and other valuables, with extra loot making the load harder to handle and creating a smart risk-versus-reward decision. Solo play works well, but local co-op is the main attraction, since two players can coordinate pushes, catches, rope swings, and rescue attempts when the chariot heads somewhere it absolutely should not.

Chariot stands out because its co-op is genuinely collaborative rather than merely letting a second player tag along; both partners must understand the same physical object and react to its unpredictable movement. The 25 stages across five distinct environments offer multiple paths, hidden collectibles, and challenge-heavy optional areas that reward replaying with better control. Its clean cartoon visuals and ghostly royal commentary keep frustration from becoming too severe, even when a near-perfect run collapses at the finish line. Fans of Trine’s environmental platforming or the tactile teamwork of Overcooked will find a slower, more puzzle-focused co-op experience here, while newcomers should use a controller and expect a brief learning curve before the rope mechanics click.