Game recommends – Cooperative or not

Last year I posted some co-op video game recommends for Valentine’s Day. Like I wrote before, every couple has their thing that they like to do together, and for my husband and I, it’s playing video games!

The games I chose last time had single player options, but I felt that their strength was in the multiplayer option. This time, I’m recommending co-op games that are great as both single and multiplayer games. So whether you’re playing by yourself or with someone else, all that matters is that you’re having fun, right? 🙂

Portal 2 (PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PS3)

Sypnosis: You wake up as Chell, the protagonist from the first Portal, and find that the Aperture Science complex is falling apart and looks like it’s about to be destroyed. While trying to escape with Wheatley, they accidentally wake up GLaDOS, who separates the two and makes you go through new test chambers again. In the multiplayer, you go through additional test chambers as the two testing robots, Atlas and P-body.

My thoughts: Portal 2 continues the greatness of Portal 1, especially the cleverness of the puzzles and the witty humor. The single and multiplayer modes are different though. In terms of story, the multiplayer actually takes place afterwards. I recommend that both players go through the single player first. Not only is it a great game, but it introduces all of the elements that multiplayer uses. If there are any Portal newbies, going through the single player will also help you “think with portals” for the multiplayer mode.

Multiplayer means two Portal guns, and with 4 portals… oh man, the craziness you can do. It introduces new ideas that aren’t possible with a single Portal gun and really makes you work together to solve all of the puzzles. The trailer for the co-op actually shows several examples of this. We loved it, and the multiplayer mode is one of our top co-op games.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates (DS)

Sypnosis: Yuri and Chelinka are twins who lived a happy life until an evil force came and tragedy fell upon their family. Years later, the two set out on a quest to reunite with their friends and to do something about the upcoming danger.

My thoughts: Unlike Portal 2, Ring of Fates has the same levels in both single and multiplayer. In single player, you control 4 characters and have story cinematics. In multiplayer, you control one character and connect with others. You have the same levels but none of the story. Though a cute looking game, the single player story is surprisingly dark, and the multiplayer is really fun to do with other people.

I liked it so much that I beat it in both modes, even though the levels were the same. Since everyone plays on their own DS, you can explore rooms without really restricting each other. You can do some things on your own and then work together for the parts that require cooperation. The game has 4 classes with different specialties, and the levels tend to make use of all 4. Fortunately, all of the levels are still possible without having a complete party.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 1 & 2 (Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, PC)

Sypnosis: Play as Marvel heroes to determine the outcome of the Marvel universe through the missions you choose to accept. In the first game, the Masters of Evil attack SHIELD, and Nick Fury is given permission to create a task force to confront them. The second game follows the Civil War arc, where the heroes are split between pro and anti superhero registration.

My thoughts: Both MUA games are a lot of fun and can be played alone or with up to 4 people. Single and multiplayer modes are actually the same, both in gameplay and in story. You always have 4 characters and any characters not controlled by people become AI players. You can also switch to any non-claimed character any time you want, even in the middle of a fight.

If you’re a Marvel fan, then this is extra fun because it allows you to make up your own Marvel team. I love how many characters there are to choose from and how you can pick how you want their skills to be leveled up. You’re also not stuck to the team you make and can try different combinations.

My husband and I are always on the look out for games that we can play with each other, and we finished a few more recently 🙂 I’ll have more recommends another time!