2011 PC Co-op Games

The cooperative list of PC games continues for 2011.  2011 clearly shows a new trend; one part due to the shoddy economy, one part due to easy electronic distribution.  The new trend saturates the list with its small, light weight, quasi indie isometric action based games.

Coop list for a different year.

To be considered for co-op, game must be:

• Online or LAN, no split screens
• Involve 2 or more human players
• Players work along a progressive storyline, campaign, or various goals
• Does not have to be the same as single player campaign
• Generic RTS Skirmishes, Survival/horde mode and Team based game types like CTF and Deathmatch are not included
• No MMOs (game must have a conclusion)

Shooter:

Battlefield 3 - shooter - 2 player
[ Metacritic - 89 ]
Heck, I remember back in the BF1942 days, we'd have somethin called bots.  6 maps of coop shoot'n, that runs parallel to the single player campaign.

 

Dead Island - Shooter - 4 player
[ Metacritic - 81 ]
A cross between L4D and Dead Rising 2.  Game is nothing like its mind blowing trailer.

Rage - shooter - 2 player
[ Video | Metacritic - 79]
Separate from the single player campaign, coop acts as a prequel the the single storyline. 9 missions, about 15 minutes per mission.

PAYDAY: The Heist - shooter - 4 player
[ Video | Metacritic - 75]
This game reminds me of SWAT 4, only it revolves around the "bad guys".  The problem though, it looks very low budget, and seems like it'll have the DLC nickel-dime business model to it.

FEAR 3 - shooter - 2 player 
[ Video |  Metacritic - 74 ]
In an act of desperation for this license  (much like RE5), WB adds coop play to the mix.  This title will not  be developed by Monolith.

Serious Sam 3 - FPS - 16 player
[ Metacritic - 71 ]
Its SS2 with better graphics.  Classic shooter, run & gun.

Brink - shooter - 8 player 
[ Video |  Metacritic - 70 ]
A cross between Borderlands & Battlefield.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River - shooter - 4 player
[  Metacritic - 66 ]
This game continues with the Dragon Rising formula, similar to a Ghost Recon game; arcade tactical.

Call of Juarez: The Cartel - shooter - 3 player
[ Video | Metacritic - 48]
Campaign coop with an alternate ending from what single player get...doesn't save the game from being a flop.


Strategy:

Shogun 2: Total War - strategy - 2 player
[ Metacritic - 90 ] 
Concept tested in the Napoleon:TW expansion, it would seem turn based coop has now become a standard entry into the Total War series.

Dawn of War II: Retribution - RTS - 2 player
[ Metacritic - 80 ] 
Continues the coop campaign option in the DoW2 series. The very same series RTS fanboys don't talk about  because their too busy playing Starcraft and talking about how what a dump Supreme Commander 2 had become.

Men of War: Vietnam - RTS - 4 player
[  Metacritic - 65 ] 
The Men of War series has had a heck of a time getting respect, mostly due to the success of Company of Heroes.  MoW tries to break out of the shadow with a time jump to Vietnam, while continuing their coop options.

RPG:

Two Worlds 2 - RPG - 8 players
[ Metacritic - 76 ]
Does not include coop single player campaign. Coop campaign will take place between the first and second game, with a different character. Composed of seven mini-missions, with no saves during mission.

Fable 3 - RPG - 2 player
[ Metacritic - 75 ]
Another Fable title that failed to live up to the expectations.  Getting married and procreating with my coop partner should be reserved for the Sims MMO.

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

Dungeon Siege 3 - ARPG - 4 player
 [  Metacritic - 74 ]
Sorta the "go-to" for Diablo fans.  This will be developed by Obsidian Entertainment, and not veteran Gas Powered Games.

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North - ARPG - 3 player
[ Metacritic - 68 ]
Baldur's Gate in the Lord of the Rings universe.  I'll take the "wait and see" approach with this, given the developer has a weak resume.

Darkspore - ARPG - 4 player
[ Video |  Metacritic - 65 ] 
From the makers of Spore, this game is a hybrid between Spore and Diablo.

Hunted: The Demon's Forge - ARPG - 2 player 
[ Video |  Metacritic - 61 ]
A fantasy dungeon crawler.  Thinking Gears of War, with bow and swords n stuff.

 Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale - ARPG - 4 player
[ Metacritic - 49 ]
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.


Other:

Portal 2 - adventure - 2 player
[ Video |  Metacritic - 95] 
Coop campaign is separate from single player. Much like a Splinter Cell coop game, you must work together to get through each level.

Trine 2 - platformer - 3 player
[ Metacritic - 84 ] 
For Trine 1, they promised a online coop patch, but it never happened. Trine series as some puzzeling, but mostly focuses on jumping skills.

Saints Row: The Third - Action - 2 player
[ Metacritic - 86 ]
Campaign coop, which allows both to save progress as single player.  Feels like 3rd wheel, as storyline centers around one person.

F1 2011 - Driving Sim - 2 player
[ Video | Metacritic - 83]
Team based racing, finally.  Still competitive, even though it coop.

The First Templar - Action - 2 player  
 [  Metacritic - 57 ]
Aims to be a coop Assassins Creed like game.

The Cursed Crusade - Action - 2 player
[ Video | Metacritic - 54]
Aims to be a coop Assassins Creed like game. Deja vu.

(Last edit:Dec 2011)