Best Multiplayer Games - How-To Geek

The Quest for Authentic Multiplayer Experiences

Many gamers express disappointment with recent titles marketed as "multiplayer," often featuring simplistic mini-games or exclusively online play. If you're seeking genuine couch-based multiplayer, this article provides guidance.

A Reader's Dilemma

A reader, "Missing Old-School Multiplayin'," voiced frustration with modern games labeled as multiplayer. These often fall into two categories: trivial mini-games unrelated to the core gameplay, or modes requiring internet connections or separate consoles.

The reader inquired about the availability of classic multiplayer experiences, reminiscent of titles like Gauntlet or GoldenEye, where players share a single screen.

The Evolving Definition of "Multiplayer"

We understand your frustration. Returning to console gaming after a period away, we encountered the same issue. The term "multiplayer" has become ambiguous, diverging from its original meaning.

Previously, multiplayer clearly indicated players sharing a television and console for side-by-side gameplay. However, the definition has expanded to encompass online gaming, networked play, and various competitive or cooperative modes.

Consequently, the "Plays 1-4" label on game boxes or reviews is often uninformative, potentially signifying limited content or lacking true shared-screen experiences.

Limitations of Major Game Review Sites

Websites like IGN and GameSpot, while valuable for general reviews, offer limited clarity regarding specific multiplayer features. Let's examine the reviews for Borderlands 2 as an example.

While the Borderlands 2 box art provides helpful information, many gamers browse and purchase games online, necessitating readily available details.

IGN's review mentions "mixed online/split-screen co-op," but lacks detailed specifics. The "specifications" section only states "Online," a vague and unhelpful descriptor. Even the IGN wiki provides minimal assistance.

Similarly, GameSpot's review lacks any mention of multiplayer content, despite it being a key feature of the Borderlands series.

Both sites are excellent resources for overall game information, but fall short in clearly outlining the type of multiplayer experience offered.

Discovering Co-Optimus: A Dedicated Resource

For accurate and detailed information on multiplayer games, we recommend Co-Optimus.

Co-Optimus offers game reviews, a blog, and announcements, but its standout feature is a comprehensive database of multiplayer titles.

Detailed Game Information on Co-Optimus

Let's explore the information available for Borderlands 2 on Co-Optimus.

The landing page immediately reveals crucial details: local co-op for two players ("couch co-op"), online play for up to four players, LAN/System-Link play for four players, and the ability to combine local and online play (two local + up to two online).

Furthermore, it confirms that the game's campaign is cooperatively playable with a splitscreen setup.

If understanding the multiplayer experience is paramount, the Co-Optimus database is an invaluable resource.

Screenshots and videos further illustrate the multiplayer interface.

Advanced Search Capabilities

The true strength of Co-Optimus lies in its powerful search filters. If you enjoy Borderlands 2 and seek similar First Person Shooters with a shared campaign and cooperative mode, simply apply those filters and sort by rating.

This generates a curated list of games tailored to your preferences.

Clicking on any game entry provides detailed information, as demonstrated with our previous examination of Borderlands 2.

A Comprehensive Multiplayer Database

Co-Optimus is the premier resource for discovering multiplayer game content, covering all consoles, computer games, and mobile platforms like Android and iOS.

With a tool like Co-Optimus, finding the multiplayer experience you desire is within reach!