Non-MMO Multiplayer RPGs 2009 - 2012

The purpose of my Single Player RPGs article was to prove that the single player RPG genera was not going away due to the increase of MMO options. Its been about 2 years, since I wrote that article, and with 22 games listed, the attitude has changed. In fact, with key releases such as Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Fallout 3, single player RPGs are stronger then ever. Now, that said, it would seem the non-MMO multiplayer RPG genera is what's really on the verge of extinction (ie Baldur's Gate). So, this article will monitor the RPGs that are available for those RPG gamers that like coop, but prefer a scripted ending ...and have social lives outside of gaming.

For a complete list of all PC coop games per year

Traditional RPG

Two Worlds 2 - 4 player - 2011
Can not coop single player campaign. Instead, coop campaign will take place between the first and second game.
Metacritic -76

Fable 3 - 2 player - 2011
Features drop in/drop out multiplay; you can carry over items and gold; plot progression does not transfer; enemies do not scale up; and something about marring your coop buddy...
Metacritic -75

Neverwinter - 5 player - 2012
A reboot of the Neverwinter franchise.  This aims to be similar to Dragon Age game play.
[EDIT: this game is going MMO]

Action RPGs

Darkspore -  4 player - 2011From the makers of Spore, this game is a hybrid between Spore and Diablo.
Metacritic - 65

Dungeon Siege 3 -  4 player - 2011
Gas Powered Games will not be developing this next entry, but rather Obsidian. The DS series is best known for being a good Diablo clone, although DS2 fell a bit short in my book.
Metacritic -71

Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale - 4 player - 2011
Somewhere in the realm of Hasbro, some jester noted the D&D brand never had a CARPG.  In 2011 this will no longer be true, as this budget title hits the interwebs.
Metacritic - 49

Grim Dawn -  4 player - 2011
The spiritual successor to Titan Quest.  Like Torchlight, game is being developed on a small budget. 

Lord of the Rings: War in the North - 3 player - 2011
An RPG with LotR characters and licensing.

The First Templar - (FPS) 2 player  - 2011
Aims to be a coop Assassins Creed like game.
Metacritic -57

Magicka - 4 player - 2011
Diablo clone with just wizard types.  Lots O'magic options.  Satires overplayed ARPG genera.
Magicka: Vietnam - 4 player - 2011
Expansion to Magicka, only it has goblins with guns.
Metacritic -74

Torchlight 2 - 4 player - 2012
The first Torchlight was sortta the dev testing the waters to see how they can fare with a new IP  in the ARPG market.  With some success, they push forward with the ever excepted multiplay element.

Diablo 3 - 4 player - 2012
A continuation of the Diablo series. The original talent is no longer on the license, but the new team has a great resume.

All Zombies Must Die! - ARPG - 4 player - 2012
Low budget arpg with guns and zombies.

Path of Exile - ARPG - 2012
Another Diablo clone, with more blood.  It dabbles into MMO space, so I'll need more info on this title. Defiantly another Free-to-Play micro-transaction game.

Shooters with RPG elements


Borderlands - (FPS) 4 player - 2009
Considered the fastest selling original title of 2009. Could it be ...people really still crave this genera, numbers don't lie.
Metacritic - 81

Dead Island - (FPS) 4 player - 2011
A cross between L4D and Borderlands.  Game is nothing like its mind blowing trailer.
Metacritic - 81



Mass Effect 3 - (shooter) - 4 player - 2012
Fight alongside your friends as the galaxy goes to war.  This mode will enhance the single play experience without directly effecting the storyline of single player.


For a complete list of coop games per year