Co-Op Critics

June 9, 2019 In News

Expedition: Exclusive Begins Soon!

E3 week is upon us, and we’re all excited to not only hear about new games, but new consoles, like project Scarlett and Google Stadia. Sony already started talking about the PS5, and with Stadia launching this year, the next generation is ready to begin.

It’s this type of excitement that leads me to buy all the consoles each generation. I am pulled in by the reveal of exclusives, games I can only get on one console or another. But guess what? Here we are, on the brink of a new generation, and there are a ton of current gen exclusives that I either haven’t played, or never finished.

I’m gonna fix that.

Starting this month, I’m going to dive into the list of exclusives that are still on my list to either play or finish, and I’m gonna beat ’em. I’ll be streaming and recording a lot of the gameplay. The series will be called Expedition: Exclusive, and it will be up on our YouTube page if you want to follow along with me.

So keep your eyes peeled, as it will be starting up soon. On Xbox One, I’ll be jumping back into Crackdown 3, and on PS4 it will be Spider-Man.

February 28, 2019 In News

Games We’re Excited About: March 2019

It already March! Where has the time gone? That question is for another blog to ponder, but right here, right now, we want to talk about video games. Specifically, the video games that are releasing this month. More specifically, the three games that we are most excited about for March 2019:

The Division 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – March 15
Both Nick and I poured quite a few hours into The Division when it came out three years ago. But as much as we loved the co-op campaign, we did not get into the Dark Zone multiplayer. It sounds like Ubisoft has made a lot of improvements to the multiplayer experience, and with the new setting of D.C., we are fired up to jump into this new installment.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – March 22
I am a From Software Games junkie. Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne–love them all. And I have to admit, I was a little disappointed when I first learned that From’s new game wasn’t Bloodborne 2 or a new Souls game. But that passed quickly when I took one look at the game. Sekiro shares plenty of DNA with those other games, but looks be offering even more dynamic combat than any From game before it.

Yoshi’s Crafted World (Switch) – March 29
Nintendo is absolutely killing it with the Switch. And while it’s awesome that we have new Mario and Zelda games, I’m actually excited to dig into some of the secondary franchises on the new console, like the adorable Yoshi. And Yoshi has never been more adorable than he is in this new, paper craft-themed platformer.

Those are the games we’re excited about here at Co-Op Critics for the month of March. What’s on your list of “must buys” for this month’s games?

September 9, 2018 In Video

HAIL TO THE KINGPIN! – Brian Plays Spider-Man

Brian begins a playthrough of Insomniac’s new Spider-Man game for the PS4. In the opening chapter, Peter helps the NYPD and Detective Watanabe take down the Kingpin.

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About Spider-Man:

Spider-Man is an action-adventure game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 4, based on the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man. The game tells a new story about Spider-Man that is not tied to an existing comic book, video game, or film, and covers both the Peter Parker and Spider-Man aspects of the character. Spider-Man is an action-adventure game set in an open world modern-day New York City and played from a third-person perspective. It features combat systems such as an aerial combat, spider sense and reflexes, and finishing moves.

June 6, 2018 In Video

New Series: Dark Souls Remastered–Saving Solaire (EP 1)

We are Osuria, a cleric and scholar who has studied the Age of Ancients, the Age of Fire and the Undead Curse that plagues our world for years. Through our studies we know this curse and this cycle has affected many worlds, and they key to stopping the curse is ensuring the fire is kindled in the world where all of this began. One name has shown up repeatedly in our research–Solaire.

In order to save Solaire–and our world as well–we must sacrifice everything. Forsaking our faith and our humanity, we will travel to Lordran and become an vessel for chaos so that Solaire may bring order to the world.

But first, we must slay the demon who patrols the Undead Asylum.

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About Dark Souls:

Dark Souls is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Namco Bandai Games. Dark Souls is a third-person action role-playing game. The core mechanic of the game is exploration. Players are encouraged by the game to proceed with caution, learn from past mistakes, or find alternate areas to explore. The player character is a cursed undead, locked away in an undead asylum. After escaping the asylum, the player travels to Lordran to ring the Bells of Awakening, where they meet undead from other worlds, such as Solaire of Astora. The bells awaken Kingseeker Frampt, who tells the player to brave Sen’s Fortress and ascend to Anor Londo. In Anor Londo, Gwynevere instructs the player to succeed Lord Gwyn and fulfill the prophecy. To accomplish this, the Lord Souls must be acquired from all the Lords and returned to the flame.

June 6, 2018 In Opinion

Games We’re Excited About: June 2018

With all the focus in June being on E3, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a pretty sparse month as far as game release. Not So. This month we’re getting expansions, new IP, returning franchises and megahit ports. Here are the games were excited about this month:

The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset (PS4, Xbox One, PC)–June 5
I first bought ESO when it launched on XBox One, and I probably pout four or five hours into my first character. But as a solo experience, it just didn’t match games like Oblivion or Skyrim for me. I finally got Nick and Jeff to get on board with Summerset though, so you can expect some co-op adventuring from us int he near future.

Vampyr (PS4, Xbox One, PC)–June 5
I know next to nothing about this game, except from what I’ve seen int he trailers. It has a very “The Order: 1886) feel to me so far, and that’s enough to make me interested in checking it out. I’m hoping the blood-craving system has some sort of sanity-like effect that is deep enough to make being a vampire interesting.

Flashback: 25th Anniversary Edition (Switch)–June 7
Flashback is still one of my favorite SEGA Genesis games of all time. It was mind-blowing when it came out, and I was such a fan that I actually tried several times to play its terrible sequel, Fade to Black. I didn’t pick up this remaster when it originally came out a few years ago, but i will gladly play through this again on the Switch.

Mario Tennis Aces (Switch)–June 22
I like my tennis arcade-y, and I like my characters Nintendo-y. Enuff said.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (Switch)–June 29
I still haven’t played the first Wolfenstein, despite having it on the hard drive of my PS4. But being able to take the sequel with me when i travel for work will definitely get me to play this one.

Those are the games piquing our interest this month. What’s on your list?

March 21, 2018 In Video

RETURN TO YHARNAM! – Brian Plays Bloodborne

Brian picks up where he left off two years ago, in the Forbidden Woods. The first order of business is unlocking a shortcut so he can bypass the area that he’s been stuck in forever.

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About Bloodborne:

Bloodborne is a 2015 action role-playing game directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, developed by From Software, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 4. The game was announced at Sony’s Electronic Entertainment Expo 2014 media briefing on June 9, 2014, where a trailer was shown, and was released worldwide in March 2015, to critical acclaim.

March 1, 2018 In Opinion

Games We’re Excited About: March 2018

March is pretty packed month for game releases, with a great mix of sequels, new exclusives and long-awaited remasters. Here’s what we’re looking forward to this month:

Kirby Star Allies (Switch) – March 16
Who doesn’t love Kirby?! No seriously, this game is actually about Kirby turning enemies into allies. I feel like Kirby is one of the most underrated franchises of all time, and I am stoked he’s coming to the Switch this month.

Burnout Paradise Remastered (PS4, Xbox One) – March 16
Easily my favorite racing game of the modern console era, Burnout paradise is back this month! Not only does the game look amazing, but its fantastic soundtrack is completely intact for this updated version.

Sea of Thieves (Xbox One, PC) – March 20
Rare’s multiplayer pirate adventure finally arrives this month, and I can’t wait to roucnd up the Co-Op crew and hit the high seas. I am also super tempted to get that exclusive Sea of Thieves Xbox One controller, as it is flat-out gorgeous.

Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom (PS4, PC) – March 23
I had Ni No Kuni for the PS3 and put around 20 hours or so into it before falling off. The sequel looks great, and I haven’t sunk my teeth into a good JRPG in a while, so I’m hoping this one really hooks me.

Far Cry 5 (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – March 27
Gotta be honest–I’m not the biggest Far cry fan. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is by far the most fun I’ve had with the franchise, but I’ve been following the development of Far Cry 5 with interest. This isn’t a day one purchase for me, but I’ll be p[aying cliose attention to how it’s being received, and I’m thinking it might be a summer game for me.

MLB The Show 18 (PS4) – March 27
While MLB’s RBI Baseball gets incrementally better each year, it’s not even in the same ballpark (see what I did there) as The Show. Sony’s exclusive franchise continues to set the bar, and this year’s entry will be no different. And since my San Diego Padres are looking like they’ll be competitive this year, I’m even more excited to get my hand on this one.

That’s our list for March–what games are you excited about?

December 27, 2017 In Opinion

Games We’re Excited About: January 2018

The New Year is here, and while January isn’t a smorgasbord of game releases that we’ve come to enjoy in the months leading up to the holidays, there are a couple of pretty bog releases this month. Here ate the ones we’re excited about:

Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition (PS4, PC)–January 16
I bought Street Fighter V for PS4 when it came out, and fell off of it pretty quickly. Capcom really screwed up the launch of SFV, and hopefully with this arcade edition, they can bring people back to it. This version will include all of the characters that have been previously released, a handful of new ones, as well as a new arcade mode and team battle mode.

Ni no Kuni: Revenant Kingdom (PC, PS4)–January 19
I put about 20 hours into the original Ni no Kuni, and while it was completely charming, I felt like it took a really long time to get going. I’m hoping its sequel–whch will no doubt be meant to appeal to those unfamiliar with the series as well–will bet better paced. But there is no denying that the visual style of Ni no Kuni is stunning, and that alone would have me checking this game out anyway.

Lost Sphear (Switch, PS4, PC)–January 23
From the studio behind I Am Setsuna comes as new JRPG that hearkens back to the glory days of the SNES and PSX. I am expecially excited about the fact that this is coming to Switch, as Nintendo’s hybrid console is quickly becoming my RPG machine. The story in Lost Sphear involves a hero trying to save reality by restoring memories (I think).

Monster Hunter: World (PS4, Xbox One)–January 26
Monster Hunter is another series I have tried to get into a handful of times, mostly because of the comparisons to the Souls series. All of the previous games have been too dense to hold my interest, but I’ll be lining up to try again when Monster Hunter: World arrives. From what I’ve read so far, the tutorial system is better than in previous games, which has me excited.

And those are the games we’re looking forward to this month. What’s on your list? Let us know in the comments, or hit us up on Twitter @CoOpCritics!

September 29, 2017 In Opinion

Games We’re Excited About: October 2017

October is just about here and were are all-in on the major games release season. This month is packed with releases, from highly-anticipated sequels to new entries featuring beloved characters. Here are the games we’re excited about for October:

Battle Chasers: Nightwar (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – October 3
Joe Madureira’s fan-favorite comic series is now an action JRPG by developer Airship Syndicate. The combat is turn-based and the dungeons of the aracnepunk world are randomly generated, which should make for a lot of replayability.

Middle-Earth: Shadow of War (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – October 10

The Nemesis system returns in the sequel to the very well-received Shadow of Mordor. For this new tale of Middle Earth see the return of Talion and Celebrimbor, as they head into Mordor to turn Sauron’s own minions against him.

The Evil Within 2 (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – October 13
Detective Sebastian Castellanos barely survived the nightmare of The Evil Within, and in this second installment, he has to work with the group that destroyed his life in order to save his daughter. If you missed the original game when it came out (as I did), you can watch my let’s play series on our YouTube channel.

Road Rage (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – October 24
A mere 26 years after the motorcycle brawler Road Rash cosumed many hours of my SEGA Geneis playtime, its spiritual successor arrives on console and PC. Road Rage is an open-world race and vehicle combat game where you can customize your character and bike and then take to the streets of a huge city that has been ravaged by crime.

Wolfenstein: The New Colossus (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – October 27
Maybe the most exciting reveal of E3 this past spring, The New Colossus looks like it’s definitely a game of the year contender. I haven’t even played the first Woflenstein yet, and I am dying to get my hands on this one.

Super Mario Odyssey (Switch) – October 27
Every single thing I’ve seen from this game looks amazing. The Switch has been building a fantastic library of games since it launched, and now we get a Mario game to sit alongside Zelda. I cannot even put into words how happy this makes me. Nintendo is back, and this looks like it could be one of the best Mario games of all time.

Man! What a month! These are just a handful of October’s releases, so let us know in the comments what you’re excited about, or hit us up on Tiwtter at twitter.com/coopcritics!

September 12, 2017 In Video

ROOKIE INITIATION! – Brian Plays LawBreakers – EP 1

Brian jumped into the frenetic action of LawBreakers and was schooled by people who actually know what they’re doing.

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About LawBreakers:

LawBreakers is a first-person shooter video game developed by Boss Key Productions and published by Nexon for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4. Two teams of five players must work together to complete the objective of the match, with one side playing as “Law” and the other side playing as the “Breakers.” Though teams may not play as characters from the opposite side, the chosen Roles have the same equipment and play-style regardless of team.