September was another month packed full with interesting co-op releases of all shapes and sizes. In addition our database saw an expansion by over 200 titles new and upcoming spreading over all platforms. The Nintendo Switch library in particular sees almost daily additions to it's already huge trove of co-op-enabled past-times.
Minecraft Dungeons has had a pretty active update schedule since its summer release, which honestly makes a good deal of sense. Loot-em-ups tends to live and die based on how well their developer can sustain a constant influx of new content, so Mojang's flurry of free and paid post-release expansions should help them establish a nice, solid player base.
Every year I invite Co-Optimus staff and readers to pitch in and help kids through Extra Life. The charity benefits Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and brings in millions each year. It's a fun way for gamers to unite and do good in the world. This year, with the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the US, our children's hospitals need even more support. Here's your opportunity to pitch in and help.
Last week, Valve released a hefty piece of DLC for zombie-killing co-op classic, Left 4 Dead 2. Titled "The Last Stand," it packs a punch with 26 new survival arenas, 4 new scavenge areas, and a full-blown campaign based around The Lighthouse survival map. On top of that, there's new melee weapons (from Counter-strike: Source), new/reworked animations, PVP updates, and 30 additional achievements.
Audeze may not be a name that many folks recognize in gaming hardware circles, certainly not as common as SteelSeries or Razer. But Audeze has been around for a number of years producing high end planar magnetic driver headsets for audiophiles and now they are dipping into the gaming market with some pretty slick features just for gaming immersion. Enter the Audeze Mobius.
If you have been waiting for more Batman-universe video games since 2015’s Batman: Arkham Knight, the upcoming Gotham Knights could be just what the doctor (specifically Dr. Thomas Elliot) ordered. In the upcoming game from WB Montreal, we find the caped crusader has died. Now, with a new threat emerging in Gotham, players will be able to play as members of the Bat-family - Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin and Redhood - in order to stop the mysterious evil. This will be the first non-Lego DC game to feature 2-player co-op when it releases on the PC, Xbox One, the upcoming Xbox Series’, Playstation 4, and Playstation 5 sometime in 2021.
Ah, it's that time of year again. The leaves are turning. There's a slight bite in the wind. T-shirts are being swapped out for hoodies. Oh, and customers are starting to yell at you for leaving out the pumpkin spice instead of the ketchup. It must be fall in the world of Overcooked! 2.
Well, well, well. It seems that dang Co-Opticrew is headin' back into town for their usual weekend shenanigans. They may be outlaws, but by golly, they got hearts of pure gold, so legally speakin', there ain't much we can do about 'em. You'd best believe we'll be keepin' an eye on their gaming plans, though. Make sure there's no funny business and whatnot.
This week for our normal Monday Night Co-Op Stream we dove into the action strategy game Iron Harvest from developer King Art. In the game you are dropped into an alternate history set in a fictional Eastern European during the 1920s. Through the games three campaigns you'll experience a variety of viewpoints of the war and take on the role of three distinct heroes.
A few weeks ago we checked out Hellpoint, an indie action RPG in the same genre as Dark Souls. Developed by newcomer Cradle Games, Hellpoint puts players in a futuristic horror scenario where you'll unravel the mystery of what happened on a derelict space station.
Based on some early intel, it looks like the Co-Opticrew will be dusting off their capes and spandex for the weekend. It's been a while since we've felt powerful enough to stop... well, anything that's happening in the world right now, so maybe some time pretending we have superpowers will help. On the other hand, there's a surprising amount of pirate-themed action going on over the next few days as well, so maybe we're just looking for a way to feel pure, unbridled freedom. Might there be some social commentary buried deep within our choices? Probably, but that seems a little above my pay grade.
Given the isolated state the world has found itself in, there's been a lot of time to ponder things in 2020. Should you go back to college and get that degree you've always wanted? How many loaves of bread can one household eat in two weeks? And, most importantly, could you beat up all of your partner's exes?
