There's a trio of co-op titles out this week across multiple platforms.  

As the wizard, thief and knight gaze into the middle distance, perhaps their sense of reflection is brought on by the news that Frozenbyte, the creators of Trine, have mentioned on their online forums that a 360 version of the game:

It's an abbreviated issue of Beyond Co-Op this month, as several of the staff have found themselves indisposed for one reason or another. Still, we've found time to bring you three solid reviews of titles you don't want to miss. Mass Effect 2, Bayonetta and Silent Hill: Shattered Memories await!

Playstation 3 owners with North American PSN accounts can download flOw on PSN for free today until 9pm PST. That only gives you guys about four more hours to get a jump on this deal, so get jumping! (Note: this deal does not include the expansion)

Welcome to Beyond Co-Op, a weekly piece that talks about industry stories that may or may not be related to co-op gaming.

Microsoft's X10 has come and gone, and as Peter Molyneux promised, Fable 3 has been revealed.  Lionhead's Molyneux also promised you'd be super pissed about one of the game's features, but it appears even the nega-hype generated by one of the industries greatest minds also falls short of expectations.

The Simpsons Arcade Game was one of the finest examples of the co-op beat 'em up you'll ever play. Authentic voice acting and spot-on animation would have been enough to make the game memorable, but add in one particular innovation, and the game becomes a true Co-Op Classic.

Sometimes you get the feeling you'd rather just be lazy and do nothing.  Cast away all of life's worries and responsibilities, and sit your ass on a couch staring into a digital world for 12 hours straight.  Hopefully someone amongst the staff will be able to achieve that zen like state.  

It seems like it was just yesterday when word of Ironclad Games' Sins of a Solar Empire: Trinity pack reached our ears.  December and January have come and gone so fast, and now this all-in-one bundle is available for your co-op enjoyment at the reasonable price of $39.95 through Stardock's Impulse platform, or local retail outlets.  As we mentioned before this pack not only includes the full version of Sins of a Solar Empire, a title we rather enjoyed, but the two expansions - Entrenchment and Diplomacy - as well.  Trust us when we say, that's a lot of co-op gaming in one box, and a good way to spend a possible three-day weekend.

Microsoft's X10 event has provided a few co-op goodies this week, including a co-op hands-on impressions of Lost Planet 2 from IGN UK.  While the impressions piece doesn't offer too many details about the "new type of co-op" that was touted when the game was announced, it does talk about some rather interesting customization options that will be available to players, as well as briefly mentioning that there are six different factions for players to choose from for their co-op campaign.

Despite the high praises we gave Halo 3: ODST we had one major complaint - no cooperative match making.  The excuse that was given at the time was a lack of resources, co-op matchmaking was something the Halo 3 engine wasn't capable of, and Bungie didn't have the manpower or time to alter it.  

We were teased earlier this year of the Gears of War characters of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago joining the crew of Lost Planet 2.  Now we get to see the real deal in action as gameplay videos and screens have made their way out of Microsoft's X10 event in San Francisco.