It was the turning stuff back on in updates that was my final straw

Sephiroth - Final Fantasy 7

In the first one, you could drop in and out of each other’s games and you would share progress on relevant missions. In number 2 you would join one players game, only they would get credit for any progress and it tethered you together. So although technically co-op, it was a significant downgrade from the first game and didn’t lend itself to the open world nature of the game, more like being player 2.

I have a co-op buddy too and heaps of good suggestions from others here. Two that I’ve been enjoying as 2 person co-op:

Wartales: started this after completing BG3 and it was a real interesting change in thinking. This is fantasy party adventure, but you run a team of mercenaries, so it’s more about the team build and strategy, rather than the specific character focus that you have in BG3.

The Wild Eight: an isometric survival, crafting, set in a plane crash in the snow. Some story, discovery elements included.

But not 2, because the sequel doesn’t have true co-op

The dynamic story telling in Wyldermyth is fantastic, love interesting character arcs that can develop.

Slime rancher