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[KevinCow]

It's a confusing issue, and I don't really think there is a right answer. I know I love playing with my friends when given the option. But since I don't get to hang out with them a whole lot these days, co-op isn't really an option most of the time.

Thing is, though, just as games designed around co-op aren't as fun in single player, games designed around single player aren't as fun in co-op. I guess you just have to know what you're getting into when you get a game.

 

[MoxManiac]

I honestly don't think that's really all that comparable to a mainline RE game having co-op through the entire story.

 

[Llyranor]

Many of my favorite recent titles are games that I would completely overlook if they had no co-op. RE5 is one of them; a very strong GOTY candidate for me as it is, but I would gladly pass on it if it were singleplayer only.

I would certainly not mind if every game ever made from now on had co-op. On the other hand, I do think it's unfair for franchises that were known previously to be singleplayer. I can see how frustrating babysitting AI would be in RE5 (babysitting stupid Alyx was horribly in HL2 Ep1). I can still enjoy singleplayer games quite a bit, but there are some genres for which I find it to be standard, and games which don't have it within that genre get an immediate pass from me. FPS, for starters.

Online co-op has singlehandedly made this my favorite console generation by a very large margin.

 

[Anticitizen One]

forced coop sucks. If a game is good but doesn't have a big online following then you are forced to babysit an A.I. buddy which I cant stand.

 

[Leon S. Kennedy]

I played both one player and local co-op. On one of the bosses, it really helps to have Sheeva behind the boss and Chris in front of the boss. It works great with a friend in local co-op, but the Sheeva AI just sticks next to you and makes it frustrating to get a good shot off. There aren't that many great games with local co-op, so I'm really happy to have RE5. I would like to see more games like this. The AI needs to be much better to make the 1 player mode more enjoyable though.

 

[.GqueB.]

Its kind of a double edged sword. In a game like crackdown it was perfect. The co-op aspect didnt feel forced. It just became a situation where there were two agents instead of one. But in a game like RE5 where its more narrative driven, forcing co-op just feels wrong. Like I couldnt imagine playing this game alone, theres no point. I hate having to babysit any computer players. White hot rage hate it.

But if co-op wasnt there then Id kind of feel cheated. Co-op makes every game more fun by default/ Its something I want but I dont want the implementation to be bunk... like in Fable 2. Seriously wtf was that crap?

 

[gcubed]

Don't blame Capcom's shitty attempt at coding Sheva's AI on co-op.

i'll accept this

 

[crowphoenix]

I dont think I will ever be able to finish even the demo unless I play it in co-op... looks great... amazing but archaic controls are killing me man.

Oddly enough, the demo is actually harder than the game. That mad rush section was toned down by quite a good bit in the actual release.

 

[Haeleos]

Thing is, though, just as games designed around co-op aren't as fun in single player, games designed around single player aren't as fun in co-op. I guess you just have to know what you're getting into when you get a game.

I think Gears of War 2 as well as the Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon games work really well in co-op and in single player. The issue here is Capcom didn't put as much effort into making the game fun in single player as it is in multiplayer.

----

With a game like Left4Dead, the single player is a glorified co-op training mode, but I don't think there were any illusions that it would have been anything other than that. In RE5, it should've been just as viable to play SP as it is co-op.

Again, you can't blame RE5's gameplay on anything other than the designers of the game... not the actual inclusion of the mode itself. There is no such thing as "foced co-op."

 

[{Mike}]

Want to know what went wrong?

All they had to do is take the RE4 formula, make a great SOLO EXPERIENCE, and add MULTIPLAYER MERCS. That's all. But Takeuchi can suck my dick for forcing coop everywhere just so it might be more similar to games such as Gears of War, Army of Two, etc.

Want to make a good RE again? Give coop as OPTION, and create ORIGINAL scenarios created solely for coop. Not the whole fucking game you morans.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

To the people saying RE5 is so much better because of the co op, just about any game is better with MP. Especially when you're playing with a person in the same room. It's like the bad user levels in LBP, when you're with 2 or more people (off or online) you feed off each other and create fun among yourselves.

Sure people might want KZ2 to have co op in the mai story, but I wouldn't want to share the

Spoiler

robot mech

with anyone. Even if the worst performing player had to use the jeep or something. Any way it's designed for sp anyway, so a co op patch won't be a bad thing.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

I'm currently being a masochist and playing RE5 on professional by myself. That part in the cave where your partner has to hold the flashlight fucking sucks.

 

[Hilbert]

Every game is better with co op. Yep, for me at least, EVERY game.

 

[Arpharmd B]

I dont think I will ever be able to finish even the demo unless I play it in co-op... looks great... amazing but archaic controls are killing me man.

Why? AI Sheva is great.

I'm playing through single player by myself with no problems. I don't even notice shes there unless I need to manage inventory, or she gets my back/heals me once in a while.

RE5=optional CO:OP done right. GeOW=optional CO:OP done wrong (Dom is worthless, though he's better in 2).

 

[Raide]

Every game is better with co op. Yep, for me at least, EVERY game.

I agree with this. Even games that suck are made more fun by adding co-op. Great games with co-op just make things so much more memorable. I would have preferred Resi 5 to stay singleplayer and Capcom make a real Resi:Outbreak game and work on the co-op elements for that.

 

[big_z]

Why? AI Sheva is great.

I'm playing through single player by myself with no problems. I don't even notice shes there unless I need to manage inventory, or she gets my back/heals me once in a while.

you must be playing on easy. try hard and sheva is a pain in the ass.

 

[JB1981]

Nope, it was a great addition. I enjoyed the game much more than I have any other recent games due to the fact that I could enjoy the entire thing in CO-OP using system link. That said, I had an optimal setup (I had doubles of everything necessary to enjoy the game with a friend in the same room) and I realize that most people won't be able to enjoy it quite as easily.

What system you play it on?

 

[Swifty]

I don't think many people would be complaining about the partner in singleplayer if it weren't for Sheva's tendency to blow through ammunition or the instant game over when she dies.

The reason why no one complains about Dom in Gears of War is because Dom doesn't need to be replenished with ammunition nor does he die instantly when he runs out of health (Except when hit by a Beserker).

 

[AppleBlade]

Yeah, it's a total turn off to me when I read in a review that you have to play a game co-op to really enjoy. These games tend to get over-rated by the gaming media imo because most of them have friend's list full of gamers and co-workers (who are also gamers) ready and willing to play a co-op game. Guess what? Most people do not have a similar situation. I have a couple of friends on my friend list that I know and would love to play games with but since they are ordinary people and don't play and cover games for a living they don't always have all the latest games nor do they have the exact same hours as me. I tend to play most of those kinds of games by myself and I think most people are in the same boat as I am.

 

[Version 3.0]

RE5 doesn't feel to me like the co-op is actually necessary. I feel like they could've given Chris (or Sheva) a rope or something and it would've been a better single-player game.

That said, yes, I do want games that actually require co-op. RE5 just doesn't fall into that category.

 

[Version 3.0]

Why? AI Sheva is great.

I'm playing through single player by myself with no problems. I don't even notice shes there unless I need to manage inventory, or she gets my back/heals me once in a while.

RE5=optional CO:OP done right. GeOW=optional CO:OP done wrong (Dom is worthless, though he's better in 2).

I feel the exact opposite. I was able to play through both Gears games by myself, and had a good time doing so. I'm currently only halfway through RE5 because I've given up playing alone and now only play when my human co-op player is available. It's just too frustrating. She's too dumb and the options for commanding her are useless.

 

[Dr. Zoidberg]

force coop doesn't bother me if the fucking AI wasn't so damn retarded.

They are always getting in the way, precisely where I want to go. I had this problem a lot with KZ2's AI squadmates. I'd be getting shot, instantly try to go back the way I came to escape, and there was damn Rico or whatever in my way. I wish there was a toggle in the options in these games where I could "walk through" my AI companions when I wanted.

 

[Solideliquid]

I had read somewhere that once you beat the game you have the option of playing as Sheva solo. Is this true? I beat the game but I haven't found the option.

 

[Spasm]

Why? AI Sheva is great.

Try chapter 2-1 on Veteran and report back. She runs off on her own, leaving you to deal with 6 of those fucking dog thingies on your own.

 

[JudgeN]

Try chapter 2-1 on Veteran and report back. She runs off on her own, leaving you to deal with 6 of those fucking dog thingies on your own.

Up to 4-2 on Veteran all solo and have yet to have a single problem with sheva. She hasn't even been killed yet, give her the machine gun/sniper rifle and she actually very good. I'm playing on PS3 so many its the cell that give Sheva super human smarts :lol

 

[smokeymicpot]

It shouldn't be forced. I played Re5 the other day and I had gotten game over twice for the fact my partner had died. I had to give her ammo then some health. I don't wanna baby sit or even play with a friend.

 

[Perdew]

I prefer co-op in games where it really has no place, like Ikaruga!

Spoiler

Ironically the best co-op video I've seen was actually double play

 

[Beer Monkey]

I prefer the approach of Splinter Cell: CT and Resistance 2 where there the game includes a distinct, separate co-op campaign that lasts for several hours.

 

[Ranger X]

Of course it shouldn't be forced.

I personally skipped RE5 because of that. I didn't feel like playin this game in coop that's all. I would totally have played it on the solo mode if it was properly done but right now I don't feel there's the necessary control options for Shiva so fuck that. Tons of other games on my shelve to play anyways.

.

 

[Spasm]

Up to 4-2 on Veteran all solo and have yet to have a single problem with sheva. She hasn't even been killed yet, give her the machine gun/sniper rifle and she actually very good. I'm playing on PS3 so many its the cell that give Sheva super human smarts :lol

I had to try that area over 6 times. Each time she had a fire lit under her ass to run through the trains, gauntlet style, leaving me all by my lonesome. She'd listen to my recall command for about 2 seconds, then take off running again. Every single time.

 

[Christopher]

hate it too

Have had some bad random online matches with little 12 year olds saying fag and gay every other word, really dappens the experience. That's why if I do play online I do it with friends only.

 

[Blast Processing]

I prefer to play games alone.

 

[drakesfortune]

I hope not. It's a trend I really, really hate. Speaking of reviewers, I'm so sick of them talking about multiplayer games and giving them high praise, and barely mentioning that they're only talking about multiplayer. There are a lot of us out here who very rarely play multiplayer games. Outside of WoW and some COD4, I don't play them, and it NEVER factors into my decision to buy a game.

Reviewers have a ton of people who are video game nerd buddies that also can afford a lot of games, and play a lot of games at a level that most people just don't. I think reviewers have been putting way too much emphasis on co-op and multiplayer when writing reviews. I get that they love playing games like that, and I'd probably like to as well if I had a HUGE pool of friends that both had 360's/PS3's, and the time and money to spend playing them. I think the vast majority of the people out there are like me, and don't have that huge network to pull from to enjoy games like Left For Dead with friends etc...

 

[Deleted member 30609]

I wouldn't call it necessary, it depends on the game and how it is initially designed. In RE5's case, having forced co-op was a design choice, and one that worked out quite well in my opinion, so I have no issues.

It comes down to the implementation. But no, I don't think it is some sort of prerequisite for all single player games.

 

[Speevy]

The fact is that many people prefer to have personal experiences with games.

Some games are for your friends, both in the same living room and around the globe to join and have a great time.

Some games are not.


This is why I can't justify buying RE5 right now. I don't want to play it with anyone, and I don't care what happens to a retarded AI partner.

 

[El-Suave]

If you asked gamers what they hate in gaming, they'll probably list "escort missions" among their pet peeves. So it probably isn't a great idea to turn your entire game into one.

I respect games like Left 4 Dead, even if I personally don't want to play them, but at least they're their own brand and it's easy to stay away. Turning a very traditional single player franchise into a quasi forced co-op is just wrong.

 

[SovanJedi]

I really enjoyed RE5, but the Co-op completely changed the game in a way I did not enjoy. I appreciated some of the stuff it did right like a few of the jaw-droppingly awesome bossfights and a bit of crowd control, but too often I resented Sheva's addition to the whole adventure. While Resident Evil 4's move away from shock horror tension towards action was acceptable, having a second character just removes any sense of solitude and mounting fear I may have had during the entire game - not only that but later on when

Spoiler

the enemy starts using guns and you really do need to work together in order to take enemy gunmen out

it was blatantly turning into an entirely different game altogether - a Japanese-developed Gears of War clone but with the tank controls of the RE series, and there it kind of falls apart and disappointingly shows the weakness of such a design decision.

For some games it's perfect. In fact, I would like the next Gears game to take more inspiration from RE5 for its single player campaign. But seriously, keep that forced co-op out of my games.

 

[AZ Greg]

If coop weren't the main focus of RE5, I'd probably care about the game a lot less. Even from a single-player perspective, honestly.

Exactly how I feel.

Also, and I'm sure due to the game being designed around co-op, but I have to applaud anyone who played it by themselves. I would have quit early on if forced to play it alone. Co-op alone propelled the game from a generic action romp to a very enjoyable experience. I hadn't played an RE since 3, but if 4 was just like 5, minus the co-op, then I really can't understand the love it got last generation. Still need to give it a go though.

 

[Colocho]

I remember when single player mode was actually single player mode.

 

[Frenck]

It isn't. Like many, many other things this one of the things that Chaos Theory did right.

You have the main campaign which is single player only and a separate co-op campaign which ties into the story and has a lot of crossover moments.

The most obvious plus is that you don't have an AI partner running around with you at all time when you're playing alone and that the game offers true co-op gameplay in the co-op mode, not just a slightly tweaked single player experience.

 

[stuminus3]

I play video games because I really fucking hate other human beings, video games lets me forget they exist for a while.

Guess what my opinion is.

 

[Spirit of Jazz]

Co-op in a game designed for co-op > co-op tacked onto a single player game.

Yes friendly A.I. is an issue, but who the how many people are unable to play online? I've played RE5 with people on my friends list and random, I've yet to have any issue with that fact as the game, in fact I think it's a much better title than RE4 because of it.

 

[AgentOtaku]

I concur with the OP.
...but in RE5's case, it feels awkard because Sheva and Chris don't really say anything to each other ouside cutscenes.
Sheva doesn't feel like a person but rather an AI routine. Shit Army of Two did a better job of making our Buddy AI felt like it had something that vaguely resembled a personality.

 

[SovanJedi]

I play video games because I really fucking hate other human beings, video games lets me forget they exist for a while.

Guess what my opinion is.

You play co-op with crab people instead?

 

[stuminus3]

You play co-op with crab people instead?

See, this is why I hate people. :lol

 

[RocketDarkness]

I concur with the OP.
...but in RE5's case, it feels awkard because Sheva and Chris don't really say anything to each other ouside cutscenes.
Sheva doesn't feel like a person but rather an AI routine. Shit Army of Two did a better job of making our Buddy AI felt like it had something that vaguely resembled a personality.

After playing Left 4 Dead for so long, it's hard to believe that Chris, a character that's appeared in...what, 3 or 4 different games, has less personality than a small group of 4 in a game with no real story.

 

[AgentOtaku]

After playing Left 4 Dead for so long, it's hard to believe that Chris, a character that's appeared in...what, 3 or 4 different games, has less personality than a small group of 4 in a game with no real story.

yep

 

[Nizz]

I hope not. It's a trend I really, really hate. Speaking of reviewers, I'm so sick of them talking about multiplayer games and giving them high praise, and barely mentioning that they're only talking about multiplayer. There are a lot of us out here who very rarely play multiplayer games. Outside of WoW and some COD4, I don't play them, and it NEVER factors into my decision to buy a game.

Reviewers have a ton of people who are video game nerd buddies that also can afford a lot of games, and play a lot of games at a level that most people just don't. I think reviewers have been putting way too much emphasis on co-op and multiplayer when writing reviews. I get that they love playing games like that, and I'd probably like to as well if I had a HUGE pool of friends that both had 360's/PS3's, and the time and money to spend playing them. I think the vast majority of the people out there are like me, and don't have that huge network to pull from to enjoy games like Left For Dead with friends etc...

You bring up some good points. Let's not forget sometimes reviewers/sites get games sent to them, or like 1up where they had a library of games accessible to them. Sometimes they do end up buying the games themselves to support the devs, though. Plus, in an environment like a gaming site, in a point you bring up, having a huge pool of friends/community comes with the territory. But you're right, not everyone has as much disposable income for/access to so many games.

There's been a lot of emphasis lately on games having/needing co-op, which I find sometimes unnecessary. I don't want to see the single player game become extinct. I like playing through games at my own pace. Discovering things about it that you may not notice if you're blasting through with a friend on Live/PSN. Co-op should be an option, not fitted into a traditionally single player experience like the RE games where an AI partner may not be the ideal thing...

 

[Jammy]

I hate this trend of forced co-op. Co-op works in certain games like Gears of War, Army of Two, etc. But for Resident Evil? Bioshock? The next Metroid? FUCK NO. Everything I've learned about from the series staples, atmosphere, etc. seems to be thrown out the window just because developers want to add fucking co-op in their game. IT DOESN'T WORK.

I understand if certain parts of RE would be co-op, or maybe if the whole game was like Outbreak, but now I feel like the single player feels like a shitty, lesser version of what it should be, not to mention that computer AI for partner players is absolute shit.

 

[jibblypop]

Boo to co-op being shoe-horned into every game... It makes the game developers treat playing single player like an afterthought when it's what some of us care about the most.