E3 2008

E3 2008 Blogs continued...

Co-operative games rule at E3

by Mike Smith

If you find the ultra-competitive nature of most online games intimidating, you're not alone. This year's round of press conferences at video games trade show E3, though, saw an unprecedented flood of games featuring altogether more friendly multiplayer options.

It's a trend that really started with the original Halo, on Xbox, which let two friends play their way through the entire single-player campaign together -- but it's everywhere this year. Barely a game announcement came and went without the word "co-operative" thrown in there somewhere. Microsoft's headliner Gears of War 2 has a new 5-player co-op mode, and their press conference also revealed Resident Evil 5 will include two-player co-op -- a first for this long-running series. Xbox 360 RPG Fable 2 promises to integrate co-operative gaming into its world in a way that's even tighter and more seamless than anyone had expected. Even its light-hearted, casual-friendly title You're In The Movies focuses on group play.

The other console manufacturers weren't about to be left behind, either. New Nintendo offerings like Wii Music and Animal Crossing: City Folk put friendly multiplayer firmly at the top of the agenda. Sony's flagship shooter Resistance 2 boasts an impressive eight-player co-op option, and intriguing PS3 platformer LittleBigPlanet is practically defined by co-op play.

Our verdict? Looks like it's gone beyond a trend, and is rapidly in danger of becoming a phenomenon. If you're into co-operative play, it's going to be a good year.