You’re sitting there with a friend, or maybe a partner, and you want to play something that isn't just another mindless shooter. You’ve heard the hype. Everyone says It Takes Two is the greatest co-op experience ever made. They aren't lying. But then you see the price tag, or you realize you’re on different consoles, or you just don't want to commit forty bucks to a game you might finish in two weekends. Naturally, you start wondering about it takes two streaming free options. Can you actually play this thing without opening your wallet?
The short answer is yes, but it’s not through some shady "free download" site that’ll give your laptop a digital respiratory infection. It’s through a very specific, very legal loop-hole that Hazelight Studios—the developers—basically handed to us on a silver platter.
The Friend’s Pass: The Only Real Way to Play It Takes Two Streaming Free
Here is the thing most people miss. Hazelight, led by the perpetually energetic Josef Fares, did something kind of insane. They created the "Friend’s Pass."
Basically, only one person needs to own the game. That’s it. If I own the game and you don't, you can download the it takes two streaming free version (the Friend’s Pass) from the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, or Steam. I invite you. You join. We play the whole damn thing from start to finish, and you never pay a cent. It’s basically the digital version of "bringing a controller over to a friend's house," except you’re on your own couch and probably in your pajamas.
This isn't a trial. It isn't a demo that cuts off after twenty minutes. It’s the full, glorious, emotional rollercoaster. The only catch? I have to be playing with you. You can't take that free version and go find someone else who also doesn't own it. It’s a symbiotic relationship. You’re the parasite; I’m the host. And honestly? It works perfectly.
Why Steam Remote Play Changes the Game
If you’re on PC, there’s an even deeper "free" layer. Steam Remote Play Together.
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This feature is a bit of a miracle when it works. If I have the game installed, I can boot it up and "beam" the second player’s screen to your computer. To Steam, it looks like we’re sitting at the same desk with two controllers plugged into one PC. To you, it’s a high-quality stream. This effectively makes it takes two streaming free for the second player without even needing to download the Friend's Pass. You just need a decent internet connection. If your ping is over 100ms, though, prepare for some frustration during the platforming sections. Nobody likes falling into the abyss because of a half-second lag spike.
Subscription Services: The "Almost Free" Tier
Let’s be real for a second. "Free" usually has a footnote. If you don't have a friend who owns the game, your next best bet for it takes two streaming free (or close to it) is through the subscription ecosystem.
As of 2026, the game remains a staple on EA Play. Since EA published the game under their "Originals" label, it lives there permanently. Now, if you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you already have EA Play. You’ve likely been paying for it and didn't even realize It Takes Two was sitting there waiting for you.
Is it free? Not technically. You’re paying the monthly sub. But if you were already paying for the service for Halo or Forza, then adding this to your library costs exactly zero extra dollars.
The PlayStation Plus Situation
Sony’s service is a bit more fickle. It Takes Two has rotated in and out of the PS Plus Extra and Premium catalogs. If you missed the window when it was "Monthly Game of the Month," you might have to check the current Extra catalog. Unlike the EA/Microsoft deal, Sony doesn't keep everything forever. If it's currently "free" on the service, grab it immediately. Even if your subscription lapses later, having it in your "purchased" library (from the monthly claims) means it’s there whenever you reactivate.
Cloud Streaming: Playing Without a Console
Maybe the reason you're looking for it takes two streaming free isn't just about the money. Maybe you don't even have a gaming PC or a console.
This is where things get interesting. Because the game is on Xbox Game Pass, it is also available via Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud).
Imagine this. You’re on a MacBook. Your friend is on an old iPad. You both want to play. You load up the browser, hit the cloud gaming portal, and you’re playing a GOTY winner on hardware that would usually melt if you tried to run a modern game.
- Pros: No massive downloads. No need for a $500 console.
- Cons: You need a controller. Touch controls for a game this precise are a nightmare. Don't do that to yourself.
- The "Free" Hack: Sometimes, Microsoft offers a "$1 for your first month" deal. That is the cheapest way to "stream" this game legally. One dollar for a 15-hour masterpiece? That’s basically free in my book.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Free" Version
I see this on Reddit all the time. People download the Friend's Pass and then get angry because they can't start a game.
Let's clear the air: The Friend's Pass is a receiver, not a transmitter. You cannot host a game with the free version. You are the guest. You are the passenger. If you and your buddy both download the Friend's Pass, you’ll both just be staring at a menu screen. One of you has to pull the trigger and buy the base game—or have a subscription that includes it.
Also, cross-play is a bit of a mess.
If you’re on PlayStation 5, you can play with your friend on PlayStation 4. That’s "Cross-gen," and it works fine.
If you’re on Xbox Series X, you can play with a friend on Xbox One.
But if you’re on PC and your friend is on a Switch? Forget about it. There is no cross-platform play. This is the biggest hurdle for people looking for it takes two streaming free options because you’re limited by the hardware your "host" friend owns.
The Technical Reality of Streaming a Co-op Game
If you are actually streaming the game—as in, using a cloud service or Steam Remote Play—bandwidth is your god. It Takes Two is a game about precision.
There’s a level with a giant clock. There are levels where you’re flying a plane made of wood and boxers. If your stream stutters for even a second, you’re going to miss a jump, and your partner is going to scream at you.
Pro Tip: If you're using the "streamed" approach rather than a local install, use an Ethernet cable. Wi-fi is fine for Netflix because it buffers. Gaming doesn't buffer. It’s live. Every millisecond counts.
Is it worth the hassle?
Honestly? Yes.
There is a sequence in this game involving a stuffed elephant that will haunts your dreams. There’s a boss fight against a vacuum cleaner that is surprisingly intense. The game constantly shifts genres—one minute it's a platformer, the next it’s a dungeon crawler, then it’s a racing game. Most "free" games are riddled with microtransactions or "pay-to-win" mechanics. It Takes Two has none of that. It’s pure, unfiltered creativity.
Actionable Steps to Play Right Now
If you want to get started with it takes two streaming free today, follow this exact path:
- Audit your friends. Find the friend who has the most bloated Steam or Xbox library. Ask them if they own it.
- Check your Subscriptions. If you have Game Pass Ultimate, you already have the game. Stop looking for "free" ways; you're already paying for it.
- Download the Friend's Pass. Go to your console's store. Search "It Takes Two Friend's Pass." It is a separate download from the main game. Get it installed before your friend invites you to save time.
- Verify your Hardware. If you're going the Steam Remote Play route, make sure both players have "Remote Play" enabled in their Steam settings.
- Prepare for the Long Haul. This isn't a 2-hour indie game. It's a 12-15 hour journey. Don't start it at 11 PM on a Sunday unless you plan on calling out of work.
There’s no reason to pirate this game. Between the Friend's Pass and the inclusion in major subscription tiers, it’s one of the most accessible "premium" games ever made. Get your partner, grab a controller, and prepare to argue over who's fault it was that you died for the tenth time in the Cuckoo Clock.
The game is about fixing a broken relationship, but ironically, it’s the best way to test the strength of yours.