Co-Optimus - Editorial: The Co-Op Survival Guide

The Co-Op Survival Guide

Editorial

Nicholas "bapenguin" Puleo Tuesday 13th of October 2009 08:44 PM

Survival or Waves modes seem to be all the rage these days with co-op games. And while we all love a good cooperative experience bolstered by solid exposition, it's hard not to love the arcade like nature of survival challenges. Survival modes typically have arcade style scoring or progression, rewarding players with more points for working together. Some have a fixed endpoint, while other require you to survive as long as possible before being completely over run. All of these modes are separate from the main game.

Right now there's four major players in the survival mode genre for shooters, we'll take a look at what they offer, what sets them apart from each other, and even some strategies to help survive!

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Tags: editorial call of duty left 4 dead gears of war 2 halo 3 odst uncharted 2 dawn of war 2 resident evil 5

Reader Comments

Psyclops at 10:11 PM on 10.13.2009

This was a real kool article. A nice break from "news." I must say that of them all, Nazi Zombies has got to be my favorite. What can I say? Oh, I'll say this, "We in the Nazi killin' business. And cousin, business is a-boomin'." =>

unowho999 at 01:53 AM on 10.14.2009

btw, for Survival mode, its not just the finale parts, the crescendo moments of any campaign can be used for Survival.

heavyc31190 at 04:23 AM on 10.14.2009

"starts out like the traditional "finale" missions"

Unowho999 just so you know he said LIKE. As in similar to. Plus FINALE was in quotes to signify the sense of similarity. Which in L4D tends to be calling a horde and waiting.

Biohzrd451 at 07:31 AM on 10.14.2009

Very good write up, having a good team who communicate is key to making it through the long haul.

Zonf86 at 07:37 AM on 10.14.2009

My main advice - have me on your team

bapenguin at 07:38 AM on 10.14.2009

Thanks, crescendo was the word I was looking for before so I'll make it more clear now.

MisterDeeth at 07:48 AM on 10.14.2009

Good read! Love the co-op.

Brainp0wa at 08:52 AM on 10.14.2009

I think it deserves mentioning that in COD:W@W, there was one zombie map added to each of three separate DLC map packs. If you want all three of the new zombie maps, be prepared to drop thirty bucks.

It sure would be a wonderful Halloween treat if they bundled the three new zombie maps together! Now I would pay ten bucks for that.

MisterDeeth at 09:59 AM on 10.14.2009

Agreed with Brainp0wa...I'd have paid ten dollars for that, but I suppose they knew that, and that's why I was suckered into buying all three separate map packs. Still, I feel the extra Zombie maps were totally worth it.

smurphster at 10:28 AM on 10.14.2009

so true... i'm really not interested in the W@W multiplayer. i'd rather buy the zombie maps as a pack. that's why i like gears, you can play horde mode on all the maps. sure, some where clearly designed more for horde and others for MP but they all work.

ShadokatRegn at 11:17 AM on 10.14.2009

I may or may not have had a Gears of War 2 dream where I was in horde mode with a bunch of people, and were not doing so hot, so I suggested "The Co-op Survival Guide" and it totally worked.

I really like this idea, and am impressed with how well it came out!

GeneralChaos at 11:49 AM on 10.14.2009

By no means am I an expert, but in L4D 've found that it's best to come up with one strategy/holding position and stick with it, rather than trying to get creative each time. While the team may protest to trying the same thing ove and over, I've observed that with each try the survival time improves.

MisterDeeth at 12:58 PM on 10.14.2009

GeneralChaos I think you're right, because you're setting up solid factors in the gameplay. If each person's position does not change, then that person is forced to continually adapt their strategy to fit the role/location.

If each player were to just run amok throwing out gas cans and squealing for help when they get lasso'ed/tackled/vomited on/tank'ed, then I could see why your team's performance might never improve.

I guess what I'm saying is "keep it up". By creating solid, non-variable factors such as location/role/weaponry, I'd wager your team can better adapt to the Infected's onslaught accordingly.

ong_elvin at 08:53 PM on 10.15.2009

Firefight
* Grunt Birthday Party gave plasma grenades in H2, but in H3 it's just confetti without the damage. I haven't been using GBP in ODST for this reason - it's based on the H3 engine and the confetti just makes things messier. Not sure about whether it explodes for damage though.

* Choke points don't work so well on most maps. You need to be aggressive, and take out the Jackal Snipers and vehicles.

* Don't bother regrouping between waves. Run around, find grenades, swap out weapons for fresh ones, grab health packs.

* Grunts and Jackals are weak to AutoMag. Brutes are weak to Carbine, plasma, Hammer, and Needler. Drones are weak to SMG. Hunters are weak to Plasma/Spike Grenades, Rockets, Fuel Rods, and Hammers. Engineers are weak to Plasma Pistol (pre-Mythic) and Needler.

* The Sniper Rifle bit needs some clarification. After Tilt activates (set 2) the Sniper Rifle becomes nigh-worthless against standard Brutes if you don't have Plasma weapons coordinating fire; it can still knock the helmet off a Chieftain though.