Co-op | Geekscape

Work Together With Your Goo Friend In ‘Luigi’s Mansion 3’

by Josh JacksonOctober 25, 2019

Coming out of E3 this year, Luigi’s Mansion 3 might have been the biggest surprise of the show for me. The obvious level of improvement from an already fantastic second game was immediately apparent, partially due to the inclusion of Gooigi, Luigi’s gooey clone. Used to solve puzzles that Luigi can’t access himself, having this unexpected partner adds an extra layer to the complexity of the game. But perhaps more important is the ability to play the game side-by-side with another player. We had a chance to extensively play through some of the game’s co-op features as we dug deeper into the haunted halls of Luigi’s latest adventure.

Attempting to climb a seemingly endless set of stairs in pursuit of an evil gardening ghoul, Luigi continuously has his bravery put to the test. Outside of the ghosts using the environment to their advantage with different possession tricks, the mansions of the past were typically static. That’s clearly not the case this time around, as the haunted plant begins to tear through the staircase that everyone’s second favorite plumber is attempting to climb. Usually, his tools from the previous games such as his ghost sucking Poltergust, his stunning flashlight and his ability to barely hold himself together are enough to push through. However, there are times where doing so would be impossible alone, which is where Gooigi comes into play.

When trying to find alternate routes through the hotel, Gooigi’s assistance is invaluable. Generally, the second player can shorten the time it takes to clear a room, whether its smashing broken objects to reveal treasure, tag teaming powerful ghosts or working on separate opponents to lessen the workload. Other times though, important pathways may be blocked by a gates or drains that a person of a solid consistancy wouldn’t be able to push through. As if Gooigi was born for this very purpose, his permeability allows him to squeeze into areas that Luigi can’t get to, helping our hero advance further than he could on his own. Ultimately, Luigi’s still in charge, so he can call back Gooigi to his backpack at any time and is the only one that can open doors. What, did you think he’d be outshined in his own game?

Allowing the story mode to be played completely in co-op adds a whole filmy layer of excitement to a game we were already thrilled about. Are you planning on tackling Luigi’s next adventure on your own or with a jiggly pal? Let us know in the comments as we anxiously anticipate Luigi’s Mansion 3‘s October 31 release.

E3 2015: We Bro Up With ‘Super Dungeon Bros.’

by Josh JacksonJune 23, 2015

Any game that allows four player couch co-op is always welcome. Say what you will about online gaming, but there’s nothing like being able to settle in with your bros, (and bro-ettes?), grab a bunch of controllers, and go crazy. With local team ups becoming more and more rare, it’s always exciting to see a game get the full, team up treatment. In Super Dungeon Bros., both online and local “bro-op” are supported, allowing four players to rock out in this rock-and-roll inspired hack and slash. We sat down with the game at E3 to check in on how the game is coming along so far.

Tasked as choosing between Axl, Lars, Ozzie or Freddie, four knights with distinct personalities to match with their bright colored armor, game play relies less on who you choose, and more on what you choose! Each bro can choose a variety of weapons, including swords, bows and hammers. Aside from the typical differences between attacks, such as speed, damage and range, each one also has their own, unique abilities that help the team clear enemies from each room. For example, the sword unlocks what’s called the “Bronado,” where its user activates a prolonged spin attack, while stacking the partners he makes contact with on top of him, resulting in a spinning tower of pain for their enemies.

On that subject, stacking is important when progressing through the dungeons. A co-op game in every sense of the word, progression often requires partners to team up. Whether that means stacking and throwing bros over gaps, activating multi person switches, or opening distant doors for the rest of the team to go through, working together is key to advancing. With that in mind, the team has to make sure to be on the same page, since taking too long results in larger waves of enemies respawning. Taking too long to enjoy the scenery can result in a tougher dungeon, so you’ll always want to be moving. Then again, don’t move TOO much, since dodge rolling consecutively leads to your bro getting dizzy. It’s all a balance, you see.

Like a Call Of Duty E3 presentation, Super Dungeon Bros is bro from head to toe. Including plenty of co-op abilities, four player local and online modes, awesome music, unique abilities and characters with their own sets of wisecracks, and a fast paced play style, and you get what’s shaping up to be a very enjoyable multiplayer experience. With cross play between the Xbox One and Windows 10, or PS4 to PC, you’ll have plenty of ways to team up with your friends and rock out when the game is released late this year.

E3 2015: We Climb The Totem With ‘The Legend Of Zelda: Triforce Heroes’

by Josh JacksonJune 17, 2015

One of the few surprise announcements from Nintendo’s E3 Digital Event was The Legend Of Zelda: Triforce Heroes. As a semi revival of the Four Swords series of multiplayer Zelda games based on the Link Between Worlds engine, this 3DS title promised to give us a more fleshed out experience, focusing more on cooperation rather than competition. When I got the chance to pick up Link’s latest adventure with two complete strangers, we put this notion to the test.

First off, each dungeon starts off with various costumes that Link can choose to wear, each of which give him different advantages in the game. From the standard tunic, to a samurai inspired spin attack outfit, and even Zelda’s dress, how your link will play can have a huge effect on being able to progress, especially if the dungeon being explored needs certain tools to advance with.

From there, the three of us had to constantly work together to conquer the challenges of the Kokiri Forest, primarily through the new totem mechanic. In order to reach tall enemies or higher paths, the three Links can pick each other up, being able to stack all three on top of each other. Whichever hero is on top is responsible for attacking, while the bottom one controls movement, so without proper communication between the two, it’s really easy to struggle against enemies. If you get stuck as the one in the middle, it sucks to be you. As of now, he couldn’t do anything. Which might be better off since the wrong move can lead to the death of the team, considering that all three of you share the same health bar. Oh yes, I can see friendships being destroyed.

After solving a small set of puzzles in each room, the team can only advance by standing on one piece of the Triforce, which greets players at the end of the area. Side weapons such as the bow and bombs have to be discovered in the dungeon you’re in, but ammo never becomes a problem since this game borrow’s LBW’s meter system. From the little that we played, it teased our brains quite a bit trying to figure out how to solve certain puzzles, leading to the final boss that required us to stack the right amount of characters to reach its changing weak point. Oh, and when you win, don’t forget to tap your cheering emoticon on your list of reactions on the bottom screen! It does nothing except look adorable, but what else do you need?

Triforce Heroes may be short the fourth sword, but it’s shaping up to be another solid co-op effort from Nintendo. Featuring both local and online multiplayer, would-be heroes will be able to team up from all around the world when it releases this fall. What are your impressions from what you’ve seen so far?

‘Project Treasure’ Brings Couch Co-Op Back To The Wii U

by Josh JacksonJune 7, 2015

When not busy cosplaying his own characters, Katsuhiro Harada usually spends his time making some amazing games. Known as the man behind the long running Tekken series as well as having his hand in Soul Calibur, his reputation as a solid gaming mind has grown with each successful release. This is why gamers attention piqued when he mentioned his next project; a four player co-op title exclusively for Wii U, known only as Project Treasure. Details were scarce until now, but with the release of its first preview trailer, the game is looking like it could be one to watch.

Featuring four different characters, each of which wield different weapons as they raid temples for loot. Using twin katanas, a giant hammer, pistols and heavy artillery to tear through hordes of monsters, each character looks like they would fulfill a unique role on the team. As expected from the history of the development team, these features are further highlighted by some great looking character models and color coded attacks. The idea of pairing up with three other friends and raiding dungeons in this manner feels both nostalgic and fresh, which might just be what they’re going for!

Based on the little we’ve seen, I can’t wait to find out more about what Project Treasure has in store. With E3 around the corner, we’ll be sure to uncover what we can on Harada’s latest project! Let us know what your impressions are below, and check back with us as more information is released.

Watch The Launch Trailer And Opening Cinematic For Turtle Rock’s ‘Evolve’

by Derek KraneveldtFebruary 10, 2015

Briefly: Turtle Rock Studios long awaited Left 4 Dead follow-up, Evolve, finally hits store shelves today, and 2K games has debuted both the launch trailer and opening cinematic for the award-winning title.

In the game, A player-controlled monster must evade a team of four uniquely-skilled playable hunters. You can evolve and overpower as the monster, or team up and out number as the hunters, and it looks like an absolute blast.

Jake had an opportunity to give his thoughts on the game back at SDCC, and I’d be more than willing to bet he’s playing right now. Take a look at both videos below, and let us know if you’re playing as the Hunters or the Monster.

SDCC 2014: ‘Sunset Overdrive’ Infects Our Hearts

by jake108August 4, 2014

From the start of the presentation, Sunset Overdrive was a game steered toward a direction where players could be who they wanted to be in a post-apocalyptic world where rules didn’t exist.

After a new energy drink infects all who attend said energy drink’s release party thrown by the fictional company Fizzco, the protagonist goes from being a garbage man to, well, you know:

The world is inhabited by different variations of monsters, each with their own tactical advantage and yearn for your death. The only thing they desire more than killing you is more of Overcharge Delirium XT, the Fizzco energy drink that started this whole mess. Players will be able to set traps using this energy drink to distract enemies and string together awesome combos. The game plays like a cross between your fun arcade shooter and Jet Set Radio. It would seem that players who stay on the move, and have proficient acrobatic skills, will have an easier time staying alive.

Aside from the monsters, Sunset Overdrive’s world is also inhabited by “Scabs.” These are the guys who, rather than band together with other survivors, would rather steal from other groups. Speaking of other groups, players will also run into other bands of survivors, each with their own comedic origin story as to how they survived the initial outbreak.

First, we have the Fargarths, who at the time of the outbreak, were role-playing in their own little world. Second, we have the Troop Bushido. These guys are composed of boy scouts who fled to a Japanese samurai museum you see below.

Online play will feature 8-player cooperative modes that will allow you to gain XP that can be used for both multiplayer and single player abilities. With each mission, the mode culminates into a “Night Defense” gametype in which you and your peers protect an objective from hordes of enemies.

Sunset Overdrive is due for an October 28th release date in North America, and October 30th everywhere else on the Xbox One!

Watch An Entire ‘Evolve’ Match Via An Interactive Trailer!

by Derek KraneveldtApril 24, 2014

Briefly: We all loved Left 4 Dead, so of course we’re excited for its creator’s next development, Evolve.

The game looks to take the tried-and-true style of Left 4 Dead, but instead of fighting waves and waves (and waves) of infected, you’ll instead be hunting for a fifth player that’s controlling some sort of giant, deadly monster.

A new trailer for the game has just hit the web, and it takes a neat interactive form that lets you switch perspective between the hunters and the monster. Here are the instructions:

Turn Annotations [ON] | The in-game HUD elements like health bars, jetpack meters, and player names have been hidden for this video. You can track Goliath’s health and Hunters’ incap states from the controls at the bottom of the screen. Use the annotations on the same overlay to switch between perspectives in real-time throughout the match.

Take a look at the trailer below, and let us know if you’re excited for the game. Evolve hits PS3, Xbox One, and PC this Fall!

Happy Hunting: Here’s The First Trailer For Turtle Rock’s ‘Evolve’

by Derek KraneveldtFebruary 11, 2014

Briefly: Sure, it kinda looks like Left 4 Dead mixed with Predator, but as it’s coming from L4D creator Turtle Rock, that sounds like an excellent combination.

Following the game’s announcement last month, Turtle Rock has debuted the first trailer for their upcoming sci-fi shooter, Evolve. The game looks to take the tried-and-true style of Left 4 Dead, but instead of fighting waves and waves (and waves) of infected, you’ll instead be hunting for a fifth player that’s controlling some sort of giant, deadly monster.

Take a look at the neat trailer below, and let us know what you think! The game will hit PS4, Xbox One, and PC this Fall, and pre-ordering will net you an exclusive skin, as well as the first DLC monster once it’s released.

http://youtu.be/zlaPT08Tmxc

Evolve expertly blends cooperative and competitive multiplayer experiences as a team of four hunters face off against a single, player-controlled monster. Set on an alien planet in the distant future, gamers hunt their prey in adrenaline-pumping 4V1 matches. Players experience Evolve as a first-person shooter when playing cooperatively as the four hunters, while they control the monster in the third-person perspective, providing a gameplay experience unique to Evolve.

‘Left 4 Dead’ Creator Turtle Rock Unveils ‘Evolve’

by Derek KraneveldtJanuary 7, 2014

Briefly: The next game from Left 4 Dead creator Turtle Rock has finally been revealed.

It’s called Evolve, and the game will grace the cover of this month’s Game Informer magazine. GI also has the first info on the project, which will be published by 2K games (who acquired the IP from THQ), and will hit PS4, Xbox One, and PC this Fall.

Like Left 4 Dead before it, Evolve sounds like an absolutely wonderful multiplayer experience. Here’s the low-down from Game Informer:

The sci-fi multiplayer-focused shooter pits a four-player crew of alien hunters against a separate player-controlled monster that grows larger and more powerful over the course of matches. Each hunter features its own unique items and abilities, and while the monster may be outnumbered, its size and an assortment of devastating attacks make it a more than formidable foe. Like Turtle Rock’s previous titles, Evolve is being built with variety and replayabilty in mind; the result is a novel mix of cooperative and competitive multiplayer elements that’s unlike anything we’ve played before. Our exclusive hands-on time with the game’s four-versus-one hunt mode left us with plenty to be excited about, and you can get all the details in this month’s issue.

Sounds like a buy to me. We’ll be sure to share more info on Evolve as soon as it’s available!

Source: Game Informer

Buddy-Up With A New Trailer For ‘New Super Mario Bros. U’

by Derek KraneveldtOctober 5, 2012

Nintendo today released a trailer featuring some co-op play for the upcoming New Super Mario Bros. U.

It’s pretty amazing how fresh these side scrolling Mario titles can feel, even 27 years after the launch of the original NES / Famicom titles. Each new game manages to retain the same feeling as the originals, which is a feat that not many series’ manage to do.

All I can say is that I can’t wait. I’ll be among the first to pick this up when it releases on November 18th.

Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think!