Tis the season people. Outdoor activities are dwindling thanks to the cold air constantly blowing from old man winter. Thankfully, every gaming platform is dishing out big deals on many games to keep you entertained, but it doesn’t mean you have to game alone. So, I put together this quick, no-fluff list of 3 great co-op games I’ve been playing that may have flown under your radar and are worth checking out.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
If you are like me (I’m sure you are) then you love a good run & gun sci-fi shooter in which the goal is to mow down the endless hordes of alien creatures in your path, and rightfully so since everything in this game is trying to kill you and your friends. Warhammer: 40,000” Space Marine 2 is dark, gory, and constant heart-pumping action in beautiful 4k 60FPS.
The campaign is deep in the Warhammer lore, but let’s be honest, like Gears it’s the gameplay that truly motivates the purchase in these types of games, and it’s solid on that front. The game supports up to 3 players with cross-platform play. My first go around I played with a friend on Xbox and another on PC with no connection issues. However, it does NOT support local co-op so keep that in mind.
Dead Island 2
WOW! Dead Island 2 was in development limbo for years and some (myself included) thought it would never be released, but it did and another WOW! The game is actually very good and delivers on what fans of the series expected. The action takes place in Los Angeles years after Dead Island 1 and Riptide. You get to pick which one of the six characters you want to play, each with their own backstory and motivation to live.
The zombie outbreak has taken over Los Angeles and there is plenty of whacky character interactions and bizarre game quests to keep you and your friends laughing while finding new and creative ways to kill zombies. The game supports up to 3 players online and with cross-gen play, NOT cross-platform so Xbox One / Xbox Series X/S or PS4 / PS5. Note, that there is no local co-op support, just online co-op.
G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra
Now I know for a fact this game was way off many radar. After posting my review back in September, I received a bunch of messages like “Is that a real G.I. Joe game?” Or “Does Hasbro know about this?” My reply was YES to both. This is a beautifully hand-drawn beat’em up G.I. Joe game with all new fully voiced cut-scenes that look & sound like they were ripped from the 1980s cartoon.
The soundtrack was created by Tee Lopes who also worked on TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge. The game supports up to 4 players local and online co-op and you get to pick from Duke, Roadblock, Scarlett, and Snake Eyes (more characters to come). If you are a fan of the G.I. Joe then this is a must-have.
Honorable Mention: Starship Troopers: Extermination
See, nice and quick. I would however like to add one honorable mention which is Starship Troopers: Extermination which in October added cross-platform support between PC and consoles supporting up to 16 players. Ok, enough reading. Go play something.
