Over the past few weeks I have put a lot (seriously, A LOT) of time into Diablo IV. What started as a single-player experience quickly converted into a co-operative one once my husband got into the game, and we have since done plenty of the activities scattered throughout the various regions. This got me thinking, what makes for an enjoyable co-operative experience, and are there any other games I could suggest for people looking for a multiplayer experience that isn’t built around competitive mechanics?
What makes for a good co-operative experience in my opinion? Fun. It’s that simple. Both players should be having fun while playing and feel like they are contributing the experience. If one player is more proficient and likes a challenge, or maybe has a high-level character, a game that scales itself to balance difficulty per player is more accessible. The more accessible it is for every person, the easier it is for them to have fun. Accessibility also applies to roles within the experience, roles that can be variable, so each player can take on a function they enjoy like problem solving or action-based interactions.
so what games would I suggest?
Well, the obvious game that most would suggest is It Takes Two, a game built around mechanics designed for two players, as opposed to a game that allows for a second player. What this means is that every level, interaction, and design choice was made with the intent that the game would be experienced by two players co-operatively. The game varies these mechanics, such as character abilities, across levels however the core idea remains – players must work together to overcome challenges. These challenges are also a ton of fun.
Then there’s Sea of Thieves, a fun pirate experience where the game doesn’t determine the role of each player, but rather players decide amongst themselves who should do what and when. As pirates roaming the seas in your own ship, the sails need constant adjustment, someone needs to man the helm, and don’t forget someone to fire the cannons in a firefight – all roles that players can alternate whenever they like.
I’ve already posted about We Were Here Forever, latest in the series of co-operative puzzle-based games. The unique factor is the asymmetrical gameplay, as each player will have their own objectives to solve a common goal. One player may be given vital clues that they must decipher and provide to their partner who has a series of puzzles to solve. This offers great replay options as switching roles provides a fresh experience to challenges when seeing them for the alternate perspective.
There are also of course games that have a single-player campaign such as Halo or Gears of War that are expanded upon by having a co-operative system. These can be a lot of fun too, understanding that players should be of a similar skill level to get the most enjoyment from them. Gears 5 did also include a support character, in the form of the hovering robot JACK, that was designed to allow a secondary player to have a more casual experience which is a nice touch.
These are just a few, and there are plenty great titles to experience with other players, and the web is full of resources such as Co-Optimus for you to find something that fits your needs. Just remember, it’s about having fun.
