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As a seasoned gamer with decades of couch co-op adventures under my belt, I’ve witnessed the evolution of gaming from shared living rooms to virtual realms. But nothing beats the camaraderie and laughter that ensues when you’re huddled around a split screen, battling it out in the mad world of Borderlands or braving the harsh winter in Don’t Starve Together.
The escalating role of the online feature in computer games has sparked significant transformations – starting with the phase-out of traditional disc-based sales in favor of digital downloads, leading to a resurgence of indie games, and culminating in the proliferation of paid add-ons. These shifts have significantly impacted how we interact socially while gaming with our friends as well.
In the past decade, the term “multiplayer” has primarily been linked to online gameplay without physically interacting with others. However, a decade ago, it was common to play games together on the same couch, where multiple players gathered around a single screen to battle AI opponents or compete against one another.
As a longtime gamer who has played through countless hours of games alone, I have always found joy in the shared experiences that come with playing cooperatively with others. Couch co-op has been a staple of my gaming life since the days of split-screen multiplayer on my old Nintendo 64, and it remains one of my favorite ways to play even today. While online multiplayer has certainly grown in popularity over the years, couch co-op still holds a special place in my heart for its simplicity and accessibility.
2024 UPDATE
Four fresh additions have been added to the list instead of Trine 2, Snipperclips: Cut it Out, Together, Gears of War 4, and Tools Up!: Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince, Children of Morta, Cuphead, and Baldur’s Gate 3. This swap was carried out by Matt Lugowik.
IT’S NOT ALL!
In the current gaming landscape, some local cooperative play experiences are winding down, but there’s no shortage of games that continue to offer this style of gameplay, particularly from independent studios. When selecting our top picks, we had to make some tough decisions and couldn’t cover every excellent title available. If you believe a specific game deserves recognition that wasn’t included, please share it in the comments section. As we revise our article, the games most frequently suggested by readers will be considered for addition to our list.
Borderlands and Don’t Starve
The Borderlands Series
Campaign Type: A game mode tailored for 1 to 2 players (expandable to 4 players in the ‘The Handsome Collection’ edition). In console variants, it offers a local multiplayer experience via split-screen cooperation only.
- Genre: FPS
- Platform: PC, PS4, XONE, PS3, X360, XSX, PS5, Switch
- Release date: October 2009 (first installment)
It’s understandable that some people might take issue with Gearbox Software due to their long-time CEO, Randy Pitchford, often pointing fingers at others instead of his own studio when games underperform. However, it’s important to acknowledge that the Borderlands series is a credit to their team’s abilities.
In these unique blends of role-playing and shooter games, you can have a thrilling solo experience, but the real fun unfolds when you play with companions. The distinct abilities of characters come into play more significantly as they support each other during combat. This cooperative gameplay opens up new exploration opportunities, allows for tasks from odd NPCs, offers numerous chances to fight hordes of mutated creatures and rogue bandits, and presents a wide array of weapons, each with random attributes and found in abundance.
Unlike other games, the series stands out with its cartoonish graphics, lending a distinct style and ambiance to the Mad Max films. Moreover, the diverse cast of characters, each with intriguing abilities that can be upgraded as you progress through levels, makes Borderlands an engaging experience not just during the first two playthroughs, but even on subsequent ones. Lastly, the shooting mechanics are enjoyable and rewarding.
- More about Borderlands series
Don’t Starve Together: Console Edition
Co-op type: full game available on split screen
- Genre: survival
- Platforms: PS4, XONE, Switch
- Release date: September 2016
“Don’t Starve” isn’t just renowned as one of the top survival games out there, but it stands out as a pioneer in its genre because it was fully developed rather than being released as early access software. Originally, “Don’t Starve Together” offered the online multiplayer version of the game. However, subsequent updates enriched the game with content from the first official single-player expansion pack, “Reign of Giants,” and introduced entirely new features. Console versions of “DST” even allow two players to play simultaneously on a split screen.
In this unfamiliar realm, our days begin with the challenge of avoiding hunger, as hinted by the game’s title. Yet, survival isn’t just about food; it’s about staying alive in a world where seemingly everything can pose a threat. Initially, we focus on gathering supplies such as food and firewood, but soon realize that danger lurks everywhere. Monstrous spiders, werepigs, sentient trees, spectral hounds, and even bees and penguins are among the many perils our characters in Don’t Starve must navigate.
As a dedicated fan, let me share some survival tips: Watch over your mental wellbeing, maintain regular meals, stockpile essentials for winter, steer clear of prolonged darkness at night, and safeguard yourself from excess moisture and heat – it’s quite a challenge! But the sense of accomplishment when you successfully endure each Winter is simply indescribable. I’ve invested well over 300 hours into various iterations of the game Don’t Starve, and I can’t get enough!
Cooperative not starving on PC
Despite not being able to play against others on PC officially, players can utilize the extensive mod library that includes a modification enabling local multiplayer for up to three participants. Remarkably, it is for Don’t Starve Together but functions with the original Don’t Starve game.
- Don’t Starve Together in our encyclopedia
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-30949
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2024-08-07 13:02