Lonely in front of the computer was yesterday. Modern video games increasingly rely on a shared gaming experience. We show five games that only show their true greatness in a team.
Saving the world alone is a lonely affair. It’s nice when the burden is spread over several shoulders. Multiplayer games can be played from the comfort of your couch on a screen or over the internet. There is no such thing as going it alone. Instead team play and a lot of fun. There is something for everyone in our selection – from tactical inventors to party chefs.
Ubisoft mixes horror with tactics in Rainbow Six Extraction. After aliens land on Earth, a handful of elite soldiers must put an end to them. There is no more story, “Extraction” concentrates entirely on the demanding fights in tight spaces and dark corners.
Up to three players go into battle against the computer-controlled aliens in the multiplayer game. Instead of wild shooting action from the ego perspective, the focus is on tactics. Most of the time, the players carefully crawl through the corridors while crouching, scanning the surroundings and only slowly approaching their goal.
The tasks are varied: sometimes you have to eliminate particularly strong opponents, destroy alien nests or free prisoners.
Each team member has different abilities like a healing gun or piloting drones to scan the environment. The combination of the individual player classes promotes team play, because nobody is omnipotent and can shoot their way through the alien pack as “Rambo”.
Rainbow Six: Extraction is not a game for hotheads. In the higher levels of difficulty, every action provides a thrill, because virtual death can be lurking around the next corner. Once the aliens are startled, the mission is over quickly. In principle, a player can also go it alone, but only in a team does “Rainbow Six: Extraction” unfold countless tactical possibilities for weeks of fun.
Worth playing because: Hardly any other game combines challenging battles and scary moments as well as “Rainbow Six Extraction”. Teamwork is everything here, because if you just go out alone, you’ll quickly end up as monster fodder.
Rainbow Six Extraction, Ubisoft, for Xbox One/Series, PS4/5PC, Google Stadia, USK from 16.
2.) It Takes Two
In “It Takes Two” from the development studio Hazelight, the cantankerous couple May and Cody go astray. Accidentally enchanted by their own daughter, they turn into miniature dolls. Suddenly, toys come to life and bees become deadly giant monsters in this multiplayer game.
Until the couple is reconciled and hugs their daughter, the two have to face numerous adventures in the house and garden. An omniscient living book plays an important role in this. It Takes Two is the ideal game for couples: heartfelt, funny and a little crazy.
As May and Cody, players face a mix of action, puzzles and skill tests. In split screen, they climb mountains of books, slide along toy trains, and even land in some sort of cyberspace. Each section offers new worlds and varied challenges. Each time, the two must combine their skills to advance.
The magnificently staged adventure even walks the tightrope between serious family drama and ludicrous comedy. How May and Cody throw themselves into chaos together, argue and in the end make up could also be the material for a feature film. That should be one of the reasons why “It Takes Two” has won several awards.
Worth playing because: The original mix of varied game tasks and heart-touching story entertains from the first to the last minute. The staging and story bring back memories of films like “Toy Story”.
“It Takes Two”, Hazelight Studios, Electronic Arts, for Xbox One/Series, PS4/5, PC, USK from 12.
3.) Overcooked
Spoon out and fire up the stove! In the skill game “Overcooked” by Overtown Games, players become chefs. In a bird’s-eye view, they chop and cook as cuddly cartoon characters. Take a deep breath? Taking a break and hanging out lazily in the corner? There isn’t.
Only those who carry out every work step perfectly under time pressure will be rewarded with a decent amount of points. A party atmosphere is guaranteed. An internet connection is not necessary, because the multiplayer game can be played comfortably from the couch on one screen. Overtown Games has created a chaotic and fun kitchen adventure for up to four players.
At first, preparing soups or burgers is simple, but the devil is in the details. If you don’t keep to the right order, you can cause chaos in the otherwise well-oiled kitchen. Obstacles such as trucks or moving surfaces complicate the whole thing in the 30 or so levels.
The highlights are absurdly funny boss fights in which the noble chefs have to save the world. Nobody should expect a realistic kitchen simulation. In “Overcooked” the focus is on having fun.
The concept was so successful that a sequel has now been published. In addition to new levels, this also supports online games between the numerous fans. The “All You Can Eat” edition contains the complete menu: parts 1 and 2 for PS5 and Xbox Series nicely polished. With the new crossplay function, players from different gaming platforms can play together.
Worth playing because: In the chaotic haute cuisine of “Overcooked” things get loud. However, don’t let the hectic exterior fool you. Without team agreement even the omelet chars.
“Overcooked 1- 2”, Overtown Games, Team 17, for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, USK from 6.
4.) Sea of Thieves
Those who get glassy-eyed from films like “Pirates of the Caribbean” or “The Red Corsair” should remember “Sea of Thieves”. In the cooperative pirate adventure from Rare, players in a colorful comic look can make the world’s seas unsafe as buccaneers. Exciting naval battles, boarding ships or gripping treasure hunts on land are the order of the day in the stormy pirate adventure.
At the beginning of the pirate career is the crew. The rudder or lookout must first be manned before you can go out to sea. The highlight: not only computer-controlled opponents make the area unsafe. Battles often ensue with other human pirate crews. In addition, there are orders to get hold of in shady outposts in order to find treasures or even track down witches.
The game doesn’t have a continuous story. All of them only have the goal of making plenty of loot and becoming a pirate legend in the end. Sea of Thieves is a phenomenon. When it was released in 2018, the criticism of the small scope of the game and many technical errors was great. The development studio has taken this to heart. Improvements have been made in many places.
In the meantime, the multiplayer game has become a full pirate adventure that has played its way into the hearts of around 25 million players. This makes it a good example of “Games as a Service”: games that are still being provided with content by the developers years after their release.
Worth playing because: With the multiplayer game children’s dreams come true. Sailing the seas with a selected crew, boarding ships and discovering the big wide world – life as a pirate has rarely been as much fun as it is here.
“Sea of Thieves”, Rare, Microsoft Studios, for Xbox One/Series, PC, USK from 12.
5.) Monster Hunter: World
In “Monster Hunter: World” everything is bigger: big monsters, huge swords and big spectacle. Japanese players have known the recipe for success from monster hunting and collecting equipment for around two decades thanks to numerous predecessors.
Only with the latest offshoot “World” did the series make its breakthrough in the West. With around 20 million games sold, “Monster Hunter: World” is one of the most successful action role-playing games of recent years.
The developers’ variety of ideas knows no bounds in the multiplayer game: awe-inspiring ice dragons, horned beasts hiding in the desert sand or floating jellyfish require team spirit and skill from the hunters.
Up to four players go together to kill or catch the monsters. Instead of simply hitting it, the hunters first have to read tracks and lay traps before confronting the huge monsters. Once it’s been killed, it can be looted. Shells and claws contain valuable raw materials that are processed into powerful weapons or armor. With the right equipment, the possibilities increase to dare even larger monsters.
The game world is huge and the monsters quickly become stubborn opponents. Anyone who dares to approach the really big monsters needs the perfect equipment and the right tactics. Thanks to many entry aids, even newcomers quickly become successful hunters. However, ambitious “Monster Hunter” should bring plenty of time and a dedicated team to explore the mysterious fantasy realm of “Monster Hunter: World” to the last corner.
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Worth playing because: Real teamwork is required when it comes to big dragons. Thanks to the huge scope of the game, monster hunters can keep the game busy for weeks.
“Monster Hunter: World”, Capcom, for PS4, Xbox One, PC, USK from 12.