September 9th 2023.
It's no secret that co-op games are a great way to share the fun and excitement of gaming with friends or family members. This week's Hot Topic asked readers to name their favorite online and couch co-op games, from retro classics like Bubble Bobble to more modern ones like Gears of War. Most people admitted to enjoying co-op and wished there was more local multiplayer.
TommyFatFingers shared his favorite couch co-op game: Civilization 6. He and his wife play on separate PC/laptops, taking their time so there's no stress. They also enjoyed It Takes Two, which they played on separate screens but were still able to talk to each other in the same room. Currently, they're playing Hades together on the Switch.
For reader Bobwallett, Borderlands, Gears of War, and Army of Two were the standouts when it came to co-op games. He also noted that Resident Evil 5 was improved with a sentient partner. In particular, he had a great time chainsawing locusts and booting tickers in Gears of War with his partner.
ANON's experience with co-op was a bit different. They had never been into co-op games or multiplayer, but recently started playing through the first two Crash Bandicoots with their girlfriend. They're now looking forward to playing Goof Troop on the SNES, as it's a laidback game without much combat or reflexes required. It'll also give them the chance to tell their girlfriend all about director Shinji Mikami's illustrious career.
Mitchell shared that they don't usually do co-op because they don't play well with others. The only exceptions were Splatoon and Bloodborne, both online. They enjoyed the feeling of pinning down the opposing side in Splatoon and appreciated the help and skill of the two players who helped them beat the Loran Darkbeast in Bloodborne.
Finally, icelticghost shared that Dead Space 3 was the best co-op game they've played. It excelled in co-op with secret levels, horror with backstory, and a drop-in and drop-out system. They even wished that more games would apply the idea of one player seeing things the other can't. They also suggested that a remake of Dead Space 2 with a surprise co-op section could be an interesting idea.
It's no secret that co-op games are fun, but this week's Hot Topic asked which one readers enjoy the most. Hammeriron asked if players choose the game for their co-op partner or the other way around, and how much experience they had with the game.
Most people agreed that there's nothing quite like playing games with family members, and that local multiplayer games are the best way to get them interested in gaming.
Love a decent co-op game, as I enjoy playing games with my wife from time to time. The game we always go back to is Civilization 6, playing on separate PC/laptops. We can team up and take our time so there is no stress. We really enjoyed It Takes Two last year, with its constantly changing game mechanics on every level keeping it fresh. We played this on separate screens but were still able to talk to each other in the same room. And we are still playing Hades together on the Switch, but we do a world and boss each. So couch co-op is OK but only if you get the whole screen!
Most people agreed that co-op games improve immensely when playing with a friend. Borderlands, Gears Of War, Army Of Two, and Resident Evil 5 were all mentioned as great games to play with a partner. They especially loved Gears Of War, as the addition of a sentient partner was a god send.
I’ve never been into co-op games, or multiplayer at all for that matter. Even something like Street Fighter, which I was obsessed with as a child, was mostly played versus the computer rather than with others . My girlfriend and I have played through* the first two Crash Bandicoots recently though, and it’s been a lot of fun. We’re going to play Goof Troop on the SNES next, as she loves Disney and it seems like a really fun, laidback game without much combat skills or reflexes needed. It’ll also give me the chance to tell her about director Shinji Mikami’s illustrious career in forensic detail over the course of several hours, which she will absolutely love!
I don’t do co-op because I don’t play well with others. The only exceptions are Splatoon and Bloodborne, both online not local. Splatoon because it was a shedload of fun when the purple squid god smiled down and it all came together, it was awesome. There were a small handful of times when a team spawned without everyone using the same weapon of choice. Rollers *coff coff*. The feeling of pinning the opposing side down in their respawn zone and hammering them with a team that knew what it was doing is up there with the best gaming memories I have. Bloodborne was out of necessity in the chalice dungeons. I was lucky enough to summon two skilled players for both Headless Bloodletting Beast and the Loran Darkbeast. I beat Paarl solo first time but not this variant. As much as I dislike co-op I really did appreciate the help and skill on show from all four summons, I sent both pairs a thank you afterwards. None of that changed my perspective about playing games online co-op or PvP if I can help it.
The best co-op game from what I have played has been Dead Space 3. As a co-op game, it excelled and that’s where it really delivered with some secret levels. I just wish more games would apply the idea of your co-op partner can see visions that you can’t. The horror in these sections was also better with more backstory. And I really believe the co-op sections in this game were what Visceral was truly aiming for in this sequel. It was easy to play with randoms, as most players knew the sections. It was a nice drop-in and drop-out co-op game. And after the superb remake of Dead Space a remake of 2 and 3, perhaps adding a surprise co-op to 2 along the lines of 3, might not be such a bad idea.
Overall, it's clear that co-op games are a great way to bond and have fun with family members and friends. From couch co-op to online play, everyone has their favorite game to play with a partner. Whether it's a classic like Bubble Bobble or a more recent game like Dead Space 3, co-op games are here to stay.
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