When the two player co-op game Killzone 3 is released exclusively for the PlayStation 3 in February, you're gonna want to make sure you are stocked up on popcorn and soda.  It's been revealed the game contains over 70 minutes of cutscenes, that's according to the BBFC which rated the game an 18+.   According to Eurogamer this rating, the ESRB equivalent of M for Mature, isn't just for bloody content - but for plenty of foul language.  But don't think this is like Bulletstorm, where it appears random swear words are thrown together for comedic effect.

The characters all stayed to the East

We've been curious about Spare Parts - EA's downloadable co-op platformer action game - since last summer. It looks like the PlayStation Network is going to be your first stop for all your mechanical needs; the game will be available tomorrow and Wednesday in the U.S. and EU (respectively), according to EA Bright Light.  The Xbox Live Arcade version isn't far behind, releasing worldwide on Wednesday.

F.E.A.R. 3 is expected out this spring.  We've got a new trailer focusing on what the developers call "divergent co-op."  Last year we previewed the different co-op features, including the scoring system and the lack of a revive mechanic.  This new video shows Point Man and Paxton Fettel in action.  If you have any compunction to notice the obvious, you will clearly see split screen around the 50 second mark.  So it will have 2 player co-op, either locally or online.  F.E.A.R. 3 just became a big blip on my co-op game radar.  How about yours? 

New maps are coming to Call of Duty: Black Ops, and zombies are coming with them.  Well, one of them, anyway.  Four new multiplayer versus maps will be available February 1st for the Xbox 360.  The maps are titled Kowloon, Discover, Berlin Wall, and Stadium.  For those of us who enjoy Combat Training, this will mean four new areas to comp stomp in.  Of course, the bulk of gamers will be playing versus multiplayer, but I have the reflexes of a sedated yak, so I'll continue to blast away at bots in CT.

The very fine tower defense game, Plants vs Zombies, is on sale as Xbox LIVE's deal of the week.  Defend your yard from the encroaching zombie hordes with plants like the Peashooter, the Cherry Bomb, and the Doom-Shroom.  Normally 1200 MSP ($15), Plants vs Zombies can be purchased for 800 MSP ($10) from now until January 24th.  We really like this game, and gave it a 4 out of 5 in our Co-Op review.  You and a friend can team up locally in Adventure Co-Op Mode or the refined Co-Op Mode.  If you have been on the fence about this one, what are you waiting for?  This might be the closest some of you get to actually having your own lawn. True, it's infested with zombies, but at least you don't have to mow it.

2011 looks to be another huge year for co-op games. Already we have a full schedule of co-op titles planned to be released in every quarter this year. We've got a video preview showcasing some highlights as well as the full list of co-op releases currently slated for this year right ahead!

It's a good thing that Jonathon Coulton is still alive after taking a return flight from vacation, as the singer and songwriter tweeted that in his pocket was a new song for Portal 2.  Coulton joked that if the plane went down...the song would be lost forever, luckily - it did not..  Coulton's fame was boosted by the first game when his song "Still Alive" became an internet and geek sensation, this was the first time it was confirmed that a song of his would be making a return for the sequel.

Blizzard has often been known as having some extensive and game-changing patches. Anyone who's played through different patches of Diablo 2 knows that a Blizzard patch can make it feel like a completely different game (mostly due to severe balance changes). Starcraft 2 got patched last week to version 1.2 and while there are a few balance changes for all of the races, patch 1.2 is mostly bug fixes and UI and Editor improvements:

This week we'll see the release of a unique looking co-op title from Square-Enix called Mindjack. The premise of the game is simple - at anytime someone can drop in and out of your game and hack the mind of a friend to fight along side of you.  On the flip side, they could also hack the mind of an enemy and fight against you.  Luckily, this can be disabled, providing a 3 player online co-op experience through the campaign.

PlayStation Move Heroes - the world's first collaboration of characters from the Sly Cooper, Jak & Daxter, and Ratchet and Clank series - will be shipping on March 22nd. Just in time to spend your early filed tax refund!* *U.S. residents only.

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