Does Mass Effect 2 Need Co-Op?

Co-operative and multiplayer modes are almost expected in this day and age and it is sad to see that a lot of people refuse to buy games that do not include them. Sometimes it´s meant to for it, other times, not so much – unless it is a first-person shooter.

[emmerin]

no.

[PeterPanParadox]

I definitely get the point and see how it would help... but it´s not needed by any means. Great article.

[gaffyh]

It doesn't need it, nothing NEEDS it, but it would be nice. It would also work very well in this too, because you have a squad of 3 at all times, so it would work and would make the game a lot more tactical.

[morganfell]

Well if you are only trying to detract from the game then yes it needs it. After all they used the same argument to attack Killzone 2 when co-op was not needed. Funny how those same people are absent now.

[ClownBelt]

It's not a Sony exclusive, so no need to nitpick.

[thereapersson]

Mass Effect could definitely benefit from it. After all, Mass Effect 2 is a TPS / RPG hybrid, with squad-based gameplay. So it's naturally a fit for cooperative play IMO.

And I agree, Morganfell. It's funny to see people saying NO to co-op in a game like this for once, when it's a game where it would make the MOST sense. Double-standards, much?

[lowcarb]

Maybe not for ME2 but I personally think co-op is a plus for games that present squads. GEOW did it and the one thing that disappointed me in both was the lack of 4 player co-op. Heck just play L4d2 with the computer and then you see just how much better the experience gets with real people. I just don't see how having guys run around with you the whole game not doing anything but scripted crap can immerse you.

[Tony P]

Same old expectations brought on by a market saturated with shooters. Now any game with a gun in it *needs* co-op despite genre. It's not a perfect solution for a RPG.

[socomnick]

Its an rpg of course it does not need co-op what kind of stupid question is this. If you want co-op in rpgs go play mmos.

[ryhanon]

Yeah, because there's nothing I enjoy more than playing through conversation trees with all my best buddies.

Seriously, how exactly would co-op benefit Mass Effect (or most any RPG that isn't MMO)?

The author even says: "When a game´s experience comes solely from the strong narrative and story-line I really don’t think it´s necessary to include any sort of multi-player mode." - ok then, so *why* are you saying ME2 needs it? I agree with the idea that co-op is an often misused feature, but I don't agree that ME2 should have had it. The whole point of the game is the narrative and building your character through progression and all of the conversation trees. That is the core of the gameplay, it's not something that really lends itself to co-op. How would that even work?

And as for the TPS sequences, yeah, I agree it would probably be cool to have a real person controlling your AI partners in the TPS sequences, but it's a *highly* impractical request for this game. How would they implement something like that? Your friend joins your game to play with you only while you're involved in a battle and then leaves once the action is over so you can get back to the conversations and story? That's not what the game is about.

For those of you that don't think it was fair to criticize KZ2 for a lack of co-op, are you nuts? Not only would co-op have been *easy* to implement in KZ2, but the game is practically begging for it. The entire game you're paired up with one or more of your teammates, right down to the final battle even, the lack of a co-op option was mind boggling for that game - not only did the gameplay call for it, but so did the narrative. That's not to say that it detracted from the game as a whole, but it could have been a great feature if they did it and it would have made perfect sense. Then you have a game like Halo with co-op that makes *absolutely no sense* in the context of the narrative.

[Christopher]

Absolutely not. The gameplay is near perfect as it is. I think the only thing I want to see in the DLC are new storylines and hopefully new weapons/upgrades/powers. I don't care to see new party members either, but would love to revisit and do quests for characters from the first game that we don't get to see in the second game.

[Pebz]

Well, if they can patch it in just like it was done with Unreal 3 (based on the same engine and whatnot), and make it work like they did with the Baldur's Gate series; multiplayer that doesn't affect the story at all, I don't see why anyone would be against having the option. Somehow I doubt it would cost Bioware many man hours, that would be at expense of other DLC.

Does it *need* it though? No.

[Aquanox]

Short answer: No.
Regular answer: Hell No!
Long answer: Stop making stupid blogs.

[otherZinc]

Killzone 2 is a FPS, Halo is a FPS, Gears of War is a 3rdPS, Uncharted is a 3rdPS, Rainbow Six Shooter, Ghost Recon Shooter: & the beat goes on! To All Stupid People: MASS EFFECT IS A ROLE PLAYING GAME (RPG for the STUPID)!

Its an RPG that has fantastic interactive activity, the way games should be, not a JRPG, where you push a series of buttons & stand around to watch your character hack a small helpless chicken with an ENORMOUS SWORD! How stupid is that?

And Yes: Killzone 2 should be a co-op game as well as Uncharted 2, but the PS3 cant make a game co-op through the campaign because it would have to sacrifice graphical fidelity because the memory is split. That is why the PS3 doesn't have ONE GAME that is co-op through the campaign that looks good. The only games are cell shaded & Operation Flashpoint that looks like crap on the PS3 & 360.

So, you'll never see a co-op campaign based game on the PS3 that looks like Killzone 2 because it cant be done!

[Nihilism]

STFU noobs, I'm sick of games being dumbed down for this A.D.D generation of gamers that demand co-op and multiplayer in each game. Go die, Mass effect is an RPG. Please name the last multiplayer RPG you played. The entire genre will be ruined if co-op is added, like tacked on multiplayer it will become a new standard.

Just f-ing stop, go play halo and scream at each other over your headsets while you shove pizza down your insolent little throats.

[Lightsaber]

Both Dragon Age and Mass Effect are perfect for co op why Bioware didnt add them I have no idea. However both are also the 2 (3 if you count ME1 & 2) best rpg's of this gen

[IndigoProductions]

Everything needs co-op.

[Throwaway2020]

Just don't ask us why. Especially in an RPG.

[Jamescagney]

(He who can't be argued against)-RPGs need co-op!

(Someone that asks questions) -Why?

(He who can't be argued against)-They just do!

[Letros]

Bioware multiplayer, where did you go?!!!

[Dev8 ing]

Wrong. Only PS3 exclusives need to have single player, multiplayer and coop. But...But... All the other RPG's are adding coop/online functionality. Shut up XBL FTW.

[denimsky]

No, I don't want it. There are other games for that.
I want them to concentrate on the single player.

[rawrockkillz]

No. I want them to focus everything they have on the the story and the single player experience.

[ktchong]

There are people who don't buy anything without multiplayer.

And then there are people who don't buy anything with *only* multiplayer, i.e., me.

[MegaPowa]

:O go play it now! if you have a good pc that is

[Jamescagney]

You and me both.

[Fanb0y]

The unreal engine can handle co-op and split-screen co-op very well. It would certainly be nice, kinda like Borderlands with actual character progression and a good story.

[Nihilism]

Please do not compare that lame abomination of an 'RPG' to ME2.

Borderlands is as simple as they come, ME2 on the other hand..actually has a story and a purpose, no co-op, bad fickle gamer * smacks over the head with a frying pan *

[NoOoB101]

No it doesn't need it but it would be nice to have online co-op.

[Kalowest]

Hell NO.

[DelbertGrady]

No.

[Jamescagney]

It doesn't need it. Not all games do, and especially this one.

[Charmers]

Oh for gods sake, why is it every single game that comes out MUST have a multiplayer component ? The Mass Effect series is a shining beacon of how a single player game should be. If they added a multiplayer component to it, all that would do is take resources away from the SP campaign.

There are more than enough SP games with MP added let those that enjoy a pure SP game have Mass Effect without the crud of MP. Note I am not against a Mass Effect MP game I just hate the idea of a Mass Effect SP game having MP tacked on.

[BYE]

Do sharks need pimp suits?

[damnightmare]

Yes, what a stupid question.

[mrv321]

Would sharks be better with Pimp suits?

[Parapraxis]

Everything is better in a pimp suit.

[josh14399]

if mass effect 3 had co-op i wouldnt buy it.

[ballsofsteel]

needed now but would definitely make the game even more amazing and really make it stand out form bioware's past games

[Nihilism]

AHAHA,

You Bioware really needs to get away from that terrible trend of making critically acclaimed single player games. Their just digging themselves a hole by not sucking the MP <0<k :S

I think the reason they are so successful is because they do what they love and don't make things based solely on industry trends.

aka they have a pair, unlike 99% of developers out there.

[ballsofsteel]

first off meant to say "no" not "now" second ALL BIOWARE GAMES ARE NEARLY THE SAME(story/structure wise). there's a running joke about how each games starts the same and follows the same path.

okay tell me if this sounds familiar this supposedly regular guy is doing nothing in what seems like and average day and then BAM some invasion/violent event happens and our hero is thrust into a situation is does not grasp after everything calms down he finds out the world has big plans for him after being given a demanding mission to save the world/galaxy with a seemingly impossible goal our hero gets access to an airship/spaceship and is given the ability to roam around the univerise/world. in order to progress this main mission our heroes travles to 3-4 worlds/planets/cities with each world having a major story mission the only gives you a piece of the puzzle. Throughout this entire time the character has the ability to change how the missions progress through a dialog selction system with responses varrying from the "good path", "bad path", and the "gray" path which can generally manifest itself in the look of the character. Throughout this journey our hero can recruit different individuals varying in sex and species. in between travels our hero can converse with these individuals at the ship/camp. Our hero can even romance some in his party and even same sex romances that generally culminate in a kiss/sex scene that occurs right before you undertake the final mission. lets see to avoid a wall of text(sarcasm) i'll end it here.

does this sound familiar? it should becuase star wars knights of the old republic, jade empire, mass effect 1, dragon age origins, and mass effect 2 all follow this structure. While this my sound like hate i really do love every single one of these games however they all have the same faults of being too similar.

my point about co op was that bioware can do something very radical in gaming. imagine playing ME3 with another friend in your squad that with a dual dialog system? bioware can take regular co op and making a meaningful story that is enhanced with co op which is something no game has ever really done. bioware has the tools and talent to not only make ME3 a great game but to make it one best games of all time and making a story based co op can be a big part of that.

[Tony P]

BioWare are already engaged in making a co-op RPG.

It's called SW:TOR.

[no1safe]

No it doesn't. Is there really more to say than that?

[The Maxx]

Mass Effect 2 needs Co-op as much as Uncharted 2 needed it. In other words, they don't. The way the games are set up, it's only ment to be a single player experience. It just won't seem right the way the games were set up.

No sense ruining a good game just st that you can shove a non-needed function into the game.

[CAPT IRISH]

NO!!

[Antan]

No.

[ukilnme]

Nope. Single player games FTW!!!

[thehitman]

devs should put co-op at least offline mode in their games if it doesnt hinder the direction that the game is going in. I have a brother and many friends and family and really the best games I enjoy are games that I can play w/ them. Games like Army of Two, RFOM, Halo etc. Games like cod4, kz2 and even Mass Effect or FF could easily incorporate co-op systems that work and allow your friends to play with you and I think it ups the re-playability value also.

[QQcrybaby]

Absolutely not.

[TwistedMetal]

DEMON SOULS is a ps3 exclusive RPG and It has 3 player online co-op story mode. It also has vs mode, and envade mode where you can jump into someones game online as a black phantom and fight and kill them when they questing. you can also trade items. Now thats a next gen difinitive RPG with 120+ hrs of gameplay.

WHITE KNIGHT CHRONICLES INTERNATIONL has 4 player co-op, item trade, 50+ online quest, and you can build your own town and its used as your lobby for online.

These are next gen RPGs with 60+hr gameplay and online. You guys gonna praise mass effect for being not even half the game fallout 3, and oblivian are. you got some freaking nerve. Both those games go Goty and ME got nothing. Oblivian and fallout3 make ME2 look like garbage.

[Jamescagney]

You come out with some crap. Has Oblivion and FO3 got mp? No. What has gamelength got to do with it? DS is something else entirely, it is unique, the way the mp is incorporated is unique. It's also a game that works just as well offline.

ME would not lend itself well to mp, and it just doesn't need it.

Just looks like you want to criticize ME2 just for the sake of criticizing it really.

[hoops]

Twisted Metal you are the biggest sony fanbiy here. If this were a PS3 exclusive game, you would be singing a different tune. I also bet the farm that when Oblivion was released you bashed it....Until it came to the PS3.
You're on sad girl.

[Allowen]

Lots of things that should change not just on RPGs but on other games as well :

A Coop online or on the same screen is a must have for RPGs to have such option.

Racing games all should have a split screen option AND online mode +WITH MANY cars on the screen controlled by other players or PC.

Get a game like Grid (or is it Dirt?) that you can play with up to 4 friends but then there will be no other cars on the race but you and your friends.
Mario Kart Wii is still the BEST multiplayer mode racing game on this gen, it is just amazing.

[kewlkat007]

It's tough to share an W/JRPG with someone else tagging along. That's why it is a ROLE PLAYING GAME.

With your guns blazing and someone(human) by your side "pure" FPS/3PS are mostly Shoot first , ask questions later.

Really who wants to sit there through an RPG where everyone plays differently.

-Some rush through the whole game.
-Some like to read a lot,
-Others like to mix up what's being said.
-Some rather do sidequest for hour before continuing.
-W/JRPG's have a different pace depending on the person.

Obviously, this is not your Gears of War type 3PS. Yeah the options is always kewl to have(I mean who would say NO!! to that?) Does it make the game less then what it is, well just ask around. I don't think so.

[Socomer 1979]

Must be either a weak dev or a weak console.
The 360 is ooold maaan.

Cmon Bioware!
On psn online is a standard!

[BadTaste]

So? In a way that's like saying "Why doesn't Heavy Rain have online?"

[KingKionic]

It would be pretty good to have the option to do coop . Bioware could put it in . There`s so many missions that there would be no restrictions .

[Foxgod]

RPG's dont need Co - OP.
They should 100 % focus on single player, focus on making ME3 even bigger then part 2.

[Captain Tuttle]

No, of course not. That would be silly.

[HurstDarkStar]

and when it does arvive it gets shuned as tacked on(bioshock anyone)

[JonnyBigBoss]

It'd be nice but it would be too much to ask for.

[mark3574]

co-op is garbage no game needs it

[theunknown]

If your entire friend list consists of ME2, it sounds rather tempting.

[Guitardr85]

I for one still buy games based upon story and immersive gameplay. I could honestly care less about multiplayer, but then again, I am an old school gamer...