Multiplayer and co-op options in video games were long limited to anyone sharing a console, but soon evolved to offer online competitions and sessions as well. Thanks to the internet, gamers around the world are more connected than ever before, and that's great. However, nothing beats the feeling of playing a game on the couch together with a loved one, whether it's a puzzle game or a shooter.
The most important cooperative games
Without these titles, the world of co-op gaming may not have evolved in the right direction.
There aren't many multiplayer games these days that offer couch co-op, but those that do should be sought out. As fun as these games are, they can cause some arguments, hopefully good fun. Words will be said in the heat of the moment because these games can be stressful for several reasons.
It takes two
Marriage in danger
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Collaboration options: Two local/online
It takes two it was designed with co-op in mind, so it can only be played by two people. The theme is about a couple who are about to divorce, but their child doesn't agree, so they wish for it, turning the parents into dolls. Thanks to a magical book, the two have to go through a campaign involving various mini-games designed to save their marriage, but they don't cooperate with each other that much. Communicating goals can be tricky, but it's fun, even as dark as the subject matter can be.
Overcooked 2
Yes chef!
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Cooperation options: Four local/online
Overcooked 2 it can also be called “The Bear Simulator”, named after the show, because the instant play in this cooking game can be as hectic as in a real kitchen. In co-op, in each mode, the AI will randomly select dishes for the party to prepare, and each player must be at their station to ensure the best course of action. From washing dishes to chopping vegetables, everyone is important, and if one player falls behind, it can jam the queue. That's why communication is important in this couch co-op game, even if it often leads to yelling.
Cuphead
Prepare for an ambush
Cuphead
9/10
- Released
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September 29, 2017
Cuphead is an obvious choice as the game is notoriously difficult in single player and can be even more complicated in co-op. It's a 2D game with hand-drawn animations, focusing on lengthy boss fights that are very challenging to overcome due to heavy to hard-to-dodge attacks. The advantage of playing cooperatively is that players can revive each other, but if someone is bad at counters, then they may not be able to revive their partners easily, which can lead to arguments about who was worth the match.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
A fun but complex GameCube setup
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Cooperative options: four locales (GameCube version)
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles was first released on the GameCube where all four players had to have a Game Boy Advance to control their characters, with the screen set up as a map and item guide. Players could create their character and then roam dungeons with their party, but the catch was that players always had to have a bucket to protect them from Miasma, which drains the HP of those outside of the bucket's protection.
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Arguments often broke out over who got to carry the bucket instead of fighting, and healing wounds was also a hot topic as things could quickly escalate during action combat. There's a remaster out now on consoles, but it's online only and doesn't have the same multiplayer feel as the original, so while it can build tension, the GameCube version is still worth picking up for game night.
Super Mario Party
Seeing stars
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Cooperation options: Four locals
The Mario Party the series is designed to be enjoyed by the whole family, but that doesn't mean parents, kids or friends won't start screaming when things go wrong. Super Mario Party'with the main mode finds players in a board game where they will roll dice and go through mini-games trying to get as many stars as possible to win. Sometimes rolling the dice can seem unfair if one player has a big advantage with luck, or they are good at randomized minigames that can often be complicated to remember in a short amount of time.
River Survival Mode is a four-player co-op mode that upends the standard as players can work together, but it can be difficult to communicate how players should achieve their goals. Rowing on all fours is about as complicated as patting your head and rubbing your belly.
Cadence Of Hyrule: Crypt Of The NecroDancer with The Legend Of Zelda
Hop To The Beat
Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer with The Legend of Zelda is a Zelda spinoff that finds Cadence, from NecroDancer Cryptplugged into Hyrule, who must help Link and Zelda stop an evil music mage from taking over the land. Instead of attacking enemies from top to bottom like normal Zelda adventure, players will have to step to the beat and match the beat, similar to NecroDancer Cryptand fortunately, it can be easy alone because music rules.
However, with a co-op partner it can be much harder to time your strikes, leading to poor coordination, which can be fine on the world map, but can be disastrous in boss fights.
Spelunky 2
A pile of traps
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Cooperation options: Four local/online
Spelunky 2 is a 2D roguelike platformer where every playthrough will be random. Unlike other roguelikes, Spelunky 2 it doesn't have a progressive system, so each run will be as challenging as the last. Everything will want to kill the player, from enemies to traps, and if one player falls behind, it can be bad for the whole party. Corpses can be revived using the coffins in the next room, but they are not easy to find. Shifting that burden to the side isn't exactly ideal, as it slows things down and makes everyone more vulnerable.
Anthology The Dark Pictures: House Of Ashes
Death defies you
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Co-op options: Five local/two online
The An anthology of dark imagesy games are standalone interactive horror games, great for large groups to play together on the couch. One exceptional Anthology The Dark Pictures: House of Ashesfeatures a group of soldiers trapped in an ancient underground ruin when things start happening. Each chapter changes the playable character and there are five in total, meaning five players on the couch will be prompted to switch controllers.
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The party will often yell at the player what choice they think they should make, which can be nerve wracking with time sensitive choices. If this character dies, be prepared to hear about it all night because once you die, that's it and the story will continue without them.
LittleBigPlanet 3
Cute but demanding
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Cooperation options: Four local/online
Despite the cute aesthetic of the Sackboy character, LittleBigPlanet series is demanding, p LittleBigPlanet 3 be downright brutal at times. The big gimmick in this sequel is the addition of new SackBoy characters to control, who all control differently. Not everything was mechanically sharp, so navigating a maze designed for these specific characters and timing jumps could be difficult and tedious. Checkpoints also allowed for so many deaths, so when one player kept wasting them, it brought the whole party down.
Keep talking and no one will explode
Hurt Locker
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Cooperation options: Four locals
Keep talking and no one will explode is a bomb disposal simulator where every game will be different. One person must be in charge of defusing the bomb and the rest of the party ideally has a specific job. For example, one player will go through a diffuser to cut wires, while another will go through symbols or language barriers to decipher. There's a manual for every part of the process, and even a quick countdown timer doesn't help. It's about as stressful as defusing a bomb in real life, minus the life-threatening situation.
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