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The 2011 Co-Op Game of the Year Awards

Yo Fiddy...give that award!

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Best PC Co-Op Title of 2011

While the PC might not have seen as many AAA co-op releases in 2011, it did see an abundance of small studio and indie games shine on the platform. Early in the year we got Magicka from Arrowhead Studios, a brilliant co-op game that blended wizards, elements, and spell casting into an often hilarious adventure. That’s not to say that the big names in PC gaming didn’t make an impact, Portal 2 by all accounts stood out as the co-op game to play on the PC. Valve even extended the game into the console realm by allowing cross platform play with the PlayStation 3 through the game’s two player co-op campaign. Like the game’s single player story, Portal 2’s co-op campaign starring Atlas and P-Body was delightfully entertaining and equally as challenging forcing players to put two heads together instead of one.

It was a fierce battle this year, but emerging victorious as our pick is a little indie shoot-em-up called Jamestown, from Final Form Games. It’s not often that you’ll see a title from this niche genre grab our attention - but the staff fell in love with its quirky setting and brilliantly implemented learning curve. 

Most bullet hell shooters in co-op boil down to a second player adding offensive firepower, but Jamestown adds the ability to revive other players, shield your team from bullets, and the different ship archetypes allow players to assume specific roles. Despite only featuring local co-op, being able to easily support 4 players on a single PC is a feat few games accomplish, and was among the most fun we had in co-op this year.

 

Best PC Co-Op Title of 2011: Jamestown 
Runners Up: Portal 2, Magicka



 
Reads: 20593
 
Author
Nick Puleo
Owner and Managing Editor

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pofigster
8:57 AM
12/29/2011

Nice write-up. My picks fall more in line with the community as I enjoyed Jamestown and can see the pick-up and play appeal of it versus Portal 2, but just didn't feel like it could hold my attention too well once I beat the story. Bullet Hell games are fun for their twitch reaction and Jamestown made co-op useful and fun, but the game itself just didn't set itself apart for me.


txshurricane
9:11 AM
12/29/2011

Solid choices. I don't think 2011 stacked up to 2010 in terms of co-op games, but it was still a good year. Looking forward to seeing Ghost Recon Future Soldier contending in 2012!


kevinclough
9:22 AM
12/29/2011

I agree with your console picks. I really want to see Magicka come to console so I can play it. I was annoyed when they announced that Gears 3 was being pushed back from Spring 2011 to Fall 2011, but it turned out to be a great decision. The level of polish in Gears 3 is amazing and all of the co-op options are great. My only complaint with Gears 3 is not being able to have a second player use a guest account when playing online. They offered that in Gears 2, so it is just a blatant attempt to cash in by Microsoft.


smurphster
9:24 AM
12/29/2011

there were plenty of great games to choose from this year.

@jim halo 4 will beat GRFS


justabaldguy
10:10 AM
12/29/2011

I agree with this write up more than previous years' results. Not sure why "Fiddy" was mentioned? Anyway Gears 3 is looking great though I'm certainly late to that party. I agree with Jim though, in general 2011 didn't seem as awesome as 2010. With a few good ones on the way for 2012, maybe we're looking at an even numbered year rule?


smurphster
10:23 AM
12/29/2011

--- Replying to justabaldguy -----
this is the third year fiddy has made an appearance for the GOTY awards


pheriannath
10:42 AM
12/29/2011

Obviously, you don't remember the prestigious "Golden Fitty" award we gave out a few years back!


kersplat12785
1:14 PM
12/29/2011

Definitely agree with Dungeon Defenders as the Downloadable co-op game of the year. Heck, I think it's probably my game of the year in general!


pheriannath
1:44 PM
12/29/2011

Dungeon Defenders is definitely growing on me the more I play it. If nothing else, the PC version (and the number of times it's appeared in a Steam sale since release) represents a great value.


smurphster
2:02 PM
12/29/2011

i think this says something too: (might have to view in forums)


kersplat12785
2:17 PM
12/29/2011

Yeah...the PC version is my favorite. Mostly because of the price, the DLC, and the holiday stuff (in Online Ranked).


Shardik
2:27 PM
12/29/2011

I just bought dungeon defenders yesterday for my brother and I, 3.75 plus 1.25 for extra class pack, can't beat that.

we also finally got to rent saints row 3 last night, and WOW have we been having a good time. May be our sleeper hit of the year.


BigBadBob113
2:42 PM
12/29/2011

Nice write-up and all the games mentioned definitely deserved it. I still think that Dead Island was the best consoles, but at least it got an honorable mention.

@smurfy
Colonial Marines will beat Halo 4 (I hope)


Mugsy
5:30 PM
12/29/2011

Well now I really am sad that Gears 2 and 3 aren't on PC. Oh well, KZ3 and Resistance 3 were reasonable co-op experiences on PS3.

Looking forward to Diablo 3 and Torchlight 2 in 2012.


Armor Biff
5:33 PM
12/29/2011

--- Replying to smurphster -----Yes I admit I'm addicted.
Also, it looks like I'm pretty much the only one who still plays Left 4 Dead 2.


smurphster
8:23 PM
12/29/2011

--- Replying to Armor Biff -----
i just picked it up on pc actually (i already have it on 360). i'm thinking maybe we'll do a co-op night sometime down the road.


DJ Cherkes
12:29 PM
1/2/2012

Huh, no Trine 2? I mostly agree with the co-op win for Gears of War 3, though the BS of not allowing a guest account just about knocks them off the top for me. Happily played 2010's Halo: Reach instead of GOW3 when my friends were over, due to that... As for Trine 2, it was very close to #1 on my co-op list this year. Then again, Beat Hazard might be some of the most rockin' fun I've had all year, and that co-op wasn't mentioned either... Regardless, nice list!


DJ Cherkes
12:31 PM
1/2/2012

--- Replying to Armor Biff -----

I've been playing LFD2 as well. Mostly with my co-worker, but I also just played local co-op with my wife! Great fun as a split-screen. Lots of shouting and OMGOMGOMG we're gonna die.


PrinceCola
9:19 AM
1/4/2012

Gonna try to get some of these games, i have way to few good co-op games. (Except Dead Island)

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Total Comments: 19

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