The IVG popular vote went to Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, which is impressive considering the first game had no multi-player options whatsoever. While it didn’t include a campaign co-op option, it did have a somewhat story-driven three-player co-op mode that allowed you to play many of the story mode levels in a new way. The missions featured cutscenes and an (if somewhat basic) narrative packed in with several set pieces similar to those that made the single-player campaign so enjoyable. There was also a Survival mode similar to Horde mode in Gears of War 2, as well as Gold Rush, a similar survival mode, but with an objective (other than simply surviving).
Halo games are known for great multi-player, and while Halo 3: ODST featured a largely unchanged competitive multi-player component, the Firefight co-op mode really stood out. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 also featured the independent two-player Spec-ops mode that included various objective and survival-based missions. Left4Dead 2 built upon the first game’s brilliant co-op gameplay by throwing in melee weapons, new infected and an improved AI director. Resident Evil 5 too was a game built around co-op and the entire campaign could be played co-operatively offline or online. Demon’s Souls was probably the most innovative of the lot and it broke new ground in co-operative gameplay not only for the RPG genre, but in co-op gaming as a whole.
But the IVG staff decided that it was Borderlands that deserved the title of best co-op game the most. This epic role-playing shooter with a gazillion guns, challenging enemies and a unique cel-shaded art style features 2-player split screen co-op as well as 4-player online drop-in and drop-out co-op with character classes which play quite differently. The level design not only encourages, but also necessitates co-operation and teamwork. It’s a game that is best experienced in co-op and it’s our staff pick for the game with the Best Use of Co-op.
IVG Staff Pick: Borderlands
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