The Best Coop Games of 2013
In previous years, gamers have been given some incredible cooperative experiences. Gears of War, Portal 2, Left for Dead, Journey and Halo were all great cooperative games and among the best games released in their respective years. 2013 did not offer anything at that level. There were some highpoints, however, and this list represents the best co op games of 2013. Quick caveat: there were some games that we didn’t quite get around to (Splinter Cell and Diablo come to mind), so keep in mind that this list represents our best experiences this year, but if you have recommendations, be sure to let us know.
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Number 5: Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine
Monaco is a fun experience. The game is a top-down stealth game with vibrant if minimalist graphics. You and your friends stage a series of heists in a variety of settings; each of the characters possesses their own skills and abilities as well as their own backstories. The plot is simple but interesting as the thieves work together to steal and escape each stage. The simplified graphics take a little getting used to, but once you get in to the levels and the flow of the game, it’s a lot of fun. Given the lack of fun cooperative titles available for download, this one really stood out this year.
Number 4: Payday 2
Payday is a fun and exciting experience. You and your buddies get to re-enact the heist sequence from Heat (though, sadly, without scenery-chewing Al Pacino). The heists are sometimes straightforward, sometimes very complex, and almost always go south pretty quickly, but it’s all part of the fun. Playing with AI can be a bit of a chore (in contrast to Left for Dead, where the AI controlled allies are professional zombie killers). However, this game is the closest thing to Left for Dead we got this year, and – when played with friends – is a lot of fun.
Number 3: Lego Marvel Super Heroes
The Lego games seem to be struggling between creating their own stories or providing players the opportunity to rehash scenes from popular movies, and they seem to be having more success with the former than the latter. Batman 2 was a blast to play and it’s original storyline was hilarious; Lord of the Rings was fun but much less interesting. Marvel is another step in the right direction; it gives you a wide variety of super heroes with in a fun, bright, and engaging New York City. It’s not as clever or funny as Batman 2 was, but it was a great entry in Lego games.
Number 2: Super Mario World 3D
Super Mario World is the first great game for the Wii U, and better late than never. The game makes you feel nostalgic for Super Mario World with the simple addition of multiple players able to share in the experience. Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess are all playable, and each have their own abilities (reminiscent of the underrated Super Mario Bros. 2). The levels are great, bright, diverse, fun, and never overwhelmingly challenging. This is the kind of game you can play with a veteran gamer or newbie. The only real criticism we have is that it took this game so long to get here.
Number 1: Saints Row 4
Months after its release, we’re still playing Saints Row 4. Extravagantly over the top, Saints Row abandons its formula of simply emulating Grand Theft Auto and, instead, turns your character into a superhero with a variety of over the top powers. With references and parodies of Metal Gear Solid, Mass Effect, and other games, Saints Row is the perfect game to end this generation of games with. Yes, the world is a little drab (in the simulation in which the game takes place, there’s a perpetual depressing dusk), the game is a little glitchy (but never gamebreaking) and more silly than compelling, but in a less-than stellar year for coop games, Saints Row 4 was the best of the bunch.
