Network strategy games. The best co-op games to play together

website / XGO

Top best strategies that you can play online or online with friends and random opponents, a description of how to play


Strategy games are games in which you can feel like a king, ruler and even God. They do not differ in the dynamics of the gameplay (as in shooters), but they force the player to reason logically, develop tactics, and make various decisions. Victory in them depends on the user's ability to anticipate the opponent's future actions, coordinate the actions of his army and calculate his forces.

At other times, strategies are not only battles between thousands of troops. Behind the entertainment lies a complex economic system, the development of which will also bring you victory in the game. And sometimes there are no fights at all - some developers release exclusively economic strategies based on some business (or in other areas).

In any case, strategies can keep you at the screen for a long time. In this article, we have presented the TOP of the best PC strategies of all time, in which you will find decent games. They can be played with friends, teaming up against the AI, alone or against other users. For convenience, the strategies are presented in the form of a list that describes their main advantages.

Of course, you can also express your opinion in the comments on the article, and those who do not have time to download strategies on a PC can see a list of the best rated browser-based online strategies that you can start playing right now.

Warcraft III - online

Released: 03.06.2002

Genre: real-time strategy with RPG elements

The essence of the game lies in the uniform construction of the base, pumping heroes and hiring an army. For each game stage and situation, different actions are prioritized, of which there are an inexorable multitude, which in itself led to the incredible success of the game among gamers. It is worth noting that for different races there are different priorities, which creates a kind of abstract balance.

Of course, the game achieved success primarily because the history of Warcraft is quite old, and the first game in the series was released back in 1994 on DOS, which allowed it to win crowds of fans at the dawn of the gaming industry. The whole Warcraft series has a deep and thoughtful history, on which the plot of Warcraft III is based, although it is not important here, it is necessary for the full perception of the game.

For the most part, the game received recognition for a good balance of races and atypical, for those years, gameplay, which marked the beginning of a new era of strategies.

  • Balanced system of pumping heroes;
  • Balanced system of economy;
  • Interesting solo company;
  • Balan races;
  • Can be played online;
  • Graphics are outdated.

Warcraft can be played online on servers: tangle, garena, iCCup.

Heroes of Might and Magic III - online

Released: 28.02.1999

Genre: Turn-based strategy with RPG elements

Although the series of "heroes" is quite old, it has not acquired a noble plot. First of all, in the games of the series, the gameplay and the gaming component are valued, and the plot is completely unimportant.

The gameplay itself boils down to the fact that the player needs to destroy all rivals on the map. Initially, the player in submission has an undeveloped castle and one hero. The castle is gradually pumped through the construction of new buildings, which opens up access to the hiring of new creatures. The hero can be pumped in battle, or by distributing gold from chests to your troops. To win, it is enough to destroy all the enemy heroes and capture all the castles.

In total, there are 9 races in the game (specifically in the third part), including:

  • Castle - people;
  • Stronghold - elves;
  • The tower is the residence of magicians;
  • The fortress is a swamp;
  • Citadel - barbarians;
  • Inferno - demons;
  • Necropolis - undead;
  • Dungeon - command underground creatures;
  • Pairing - command the elements of the elements.

Each race has its own focus, advantages, special skills. For example, a necropolis can raise the dead, infernos can turn their defeated fighters into demons, and so on.

Among the players, only the 3rd and 5th parts of the game are in demand, while the rest either do not live up to the gameplay, or have too good graphics, from which the eyes flow. We are talking about excessive detailing of the 6th and 7th parts of the game, which played a disservice. The fourth part was not to the taste of the players because of the creepy models and textures.

It is the third part of the heroes that is considered the genius of the series, so major tournaments are still held on it and there is a significant gaming community. The problem of the network game in heroes 3 is the duration of the matches, because individual games lasted up to a month of real time.

If you'd like to try your hand at online play, we recommend visiting the heroesworld portal for all the useful information.

  • Expanded economy system;
  • Developed leveling of heroes;
  • Balance of game needs (in pumping, building, hiring creatures, etc.)
  • Can be played online
  • Balanced combat;
  • The presence of an unofficial team that constantly refines the game.

Civilization Series

Released: 1991-2016

Genre: global turn-based strategy

Initially, the game captured the minds of the players with its interesting gameplay, which boils down to balancing the army, economy and development (and later culture) of the nation. The game also has a certain historicity, because all nations actually existed.

To win this game, you need to skillfully create cities, build trade networks between them, make alliances and betray allies, create an army balance that matches your economic development and competently develop technologies.

A simple example: if you only invest in the army, then there may come a time when your soldiers will fight with sticks, and the enemy will already have tanks. You can also invest only in development, but then ordinary barbarians can destroy your civilization, and you will not have time to develop.

It is because of the diversity of the gameplay and the variability of development that many call Civilization the best strategy of all time.

At the moment, a network game with random participants is available on Steam, allowing you to test your strength and skills.

  • Unique economy system;
  • Unique research system;
  • Balance of nations and play styles;
  • Advanced multiplayer;
  • Expanded political system.

In 2016, the continuation of the legendary line was released, Civilization 6 became the best turn-based strategy of the year on PC.

XCOM Series

Released: 1993-2016

Genre: step-by-step strategy

The famous strategy to protect the earth from the invasion of alien invaders. You are a special detachment of professionals, the only bulwark of humanity in the struggle for survival. Learn the technology of the aliens, take them into service and destroy the enemies!

The gameplay of the game is tied to the tactical and economic component. Tactical includes battles with opponents, sorties to the place of landing or fall of alien ships, development of fighters, choosing the right perks for them, and so on. Economic - development of the base, the right choice of technology, additional rooms, waste of resources and other things. Also, after the battle, the player receives trophies from the dead, which can then be sold on the black market or used independently in battle.

Many consider XCOM to be one of the best strategy games on PC.

  • An interesting leveling system for fighters;
  • Various game cards;
  • Many battle strategies;
  • An interesting system of research, base pumping;
  • Extraordinary endings.

Command & Conquer: Red Alert

Released: 1996-2008

Genre: real time strategy

The so-called "cranberry" strategy. For reference, cranberries are considered an unrealistic presentation of the inhabitants and ideology of the USSR, including its territory after the collapse. The game is built on this non-existent ideology. The action takes place in a parallel universe where there was no World War II, so all nations, including the USSR, were able to develop and become incredibly strong.

Later, a time machine was invented, allowing you to change the course of history. So, for example, the third part of the game takes place when the Russians decide to kill Albert Einstein in the past. Sending to the past was successful, the USSR captured almost all of Europe, but the war did not end - it was only the beginning.

The gameplay is standard for games of this genre, namely, you need to develop your base, hire soldiers, equipment for the complete destruction of opponents on the map.

  • Fascinating plot;
  • balance of nations;
  • Unique combat units;

Space Rangers

Released: 23.12.2002

Genre:"epic game" with elements of RPG, turn-based strategy, arcade, text quest.

A game about war in intergalactic space between intelligent races. Almost all races can be played by the player, except for Kleesans and Dominators - hostile semi-sentient races that receive orders from the main ships that control their behavior. The whole plot of the game tells about the war of the peaceful races of the commonwealth against the above invaders.

The main advantage of the game is the gameplay. As you may have noticed, the game does not have a dedicated genre, since it is absolutely difficult to attribute it to any genre. But often the game is singled out as the best strategy, because most of the time players spend driving their spaceship in separate systems. There are also arcade elements in the game, namely, in flights between systems, you can stumble upon hostile nodes, where the game turns into a real-time battle.

RPG elements are manifested in pumping your captain's skills, playing the role of a good ranger or an evil smuggler pirate. Elements of a text quest appear in some tasks that NPCs give to the player, or, for example, during visits to prison institutions, where the player balances between getting free as soon as possible and not dying at the hands of fellow inmates. In the latest versions of the game, there are also robot battles on planets driven in real-time strategy mode.

As you can see, the potential of the game is incredibly high, and it can rightfully be called one of the best RPGs of all time, not only due to the unique gameplay, but also nice graphics, random generation of maps, planets, tasks and other things, which allows you to start the game again and again .

  • A unique game world that is randomly generated in each new game;
  • Developed system of playing role;
  • Good mix of many genres;
  • Fascinating text tasks;
  • Nice graphics.

Stronghold: Crusader

Released: 2002-2014

Genre: real time strategy

A classic strategy game in which you act as the ruler of a small town. Your task is to equally develop military and economic power. In gaming companies, you can play both the role of the cruel Arab ruler Saladin and the role of King of England Richard the Lionheart.

The gameplay, as mentioned earlier, lies in the equal development of the army and the economy. Due to the unusual gameplay, the game received recognition. Among the features of the game stand out, such as:

  • Your servants need to build personal homes that condition maximum amount armies;
  • It is necessary to develop the food industry, because your entire military machine may die simply because of hunger. It also creates the possibility of a long siege of castles, forcing the enemy to rot from hunger;
  • Almost all fighters cannot be hired just like that - for them it is necessary to create weapons, armor, and for this it is necessary to collect resources.

If you play against the computer, you will notice that it creates monotonous castles, which, however, are not so easy to break through if the enemy is one of the strongest. Still, this is one of the downsides, which can quickly discourage the desire to play. The main potential of the game is revealed on multiplayer maps that can be played online using hamachi or tangle. It is also worth noting that the unequivocal minus is the binding of the player to the starting point - it is impossible to build buildings near the enemy's castle.

  • Unique production and economic system;
  • Advanced building options;
  • Not a bad company;
  • You can play online with friends.

King's bounty

Released: 2008-2014

Genre: role-playing strategy in real time with turn-based battles

The unusual combination of the genre makes the game interesting enough for beginners, and the beautiful graphics without excessive detail are pleasing to the eye. It is worth noting that in the latter parts of the game there is an option to turn on the 3D game mode, which must be played with the appropriate glasses.

The player can choose between three classes: warrior, paladin and mage. Each of them fights in their own way. For example, a warrior has an increased number of creatures, a mage attacks opponents with spells, and a paladin is something in between.

The game takes place in a fictional fantasy world inhabited by fairly canonical magical creatures such as vampires, demons, elves. The player acts as a treasure hunter, on whose shoulders lies the fate of saving the world. To begin with, he has to become a great hero, recruit an army of mystical creatures in order to fight evil henchmen.

The gameplay looks something like this: you walk around the world map in real time, and when you stumble upon enemy units, a turn-based battle mode starts, where the hero can use a book of magic, spirits. Looks like a classic turn-based battle. When you walk around the map, you can communicate with the characters that inhabit the world, complete tasks for them, receive rewards, hire troops, buy items, and so on.

  • Interesting character leveling system;
  • Many artifacts and unique creatures;
  • Interesting combat system;
  • Not boring quests;
  • Nice cartoon graphics;
  • Many games in the series are made in the same style.

StarCraft II - online

Released: 26.06.2010

Genre: real time strategy

No less exciting game from the creators of Warcraft - Blizzard. The plot of the game tells about the battle of three space races: zerg, protoss and terrans. Unlike Warcraft, the game came out more dynamic and there are no heroes in it, which completely changes the priorities in battles.

StarCraft also has a rich storyline, however it is presented to the players during story cutscenes, making you an observer rather than a maker of the story.

Each playable race has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, protos units have a lot of additional abilities that need to be used at the right time, otherwise the army will be quite weak. Considering that the game itself is very fast, to be successful in the game you need to have the skills of fast playing and thinking.

StarCraft can rightly be called the best PC strategy game of all time.

The game can be played online through the Blizzard Game Downloader.

  • Race balance;
  • Balanced economy;
  • Fast paced game;
  • Can be played online;
  • Regular tournaments from official developers.

Warhammer 40.000 series

Released: 1999 - 2009

Genre: real time strategy

Warhammer is a fairly popular game not only in computer form, but also in card form. The history of the game appeared long before the development of the computer sphere (in 1983) in America, which led to the success of the series.

The history of the world tells of bloody wars for control of the galaxy, grandiose betrayals and ascensions, and more. Games in this series are not tied only to the strategy genre, because there are both CCG and action offshoots.

The most famous for the wide inhabitants of the game series: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, tells about the war for the control of one selected planet between the game races. The player chooses one of the sides in the war, which has unique units and battle tactics. In the future, your task will be to seize control of the entire planet. Some games in the series divide the gameplay into two stages: global turn-based control and real-time strategy. The first mode is just the choice of the point of attack, and the second is the actual battle. In battle, you need to rebuild your base, capture key points that bring one of the two resources - influence, strengthen them and attack enemy bases. It is worth noting that the main task of the game is to destroy all enemy buildings.

Almost all Wahe strategies can be played through Hamachi.

  • Deep history;
  • Race balance;
  • Each race has its own, unique features;
  • An interesting system for improving units;
  • Interesting company.

Company of Heroes

Released: 2006-2009

Genre: real time strategy

The game's plot follows films such as Saving Private Ryan, A Bridge Too Far, and the television series Band of Brothers. Actions take place during the Great Patriotic War.

The gameplay is a classic RTS with wargame elements. Many note that the game resembles the Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War series due to the fact that the player can independently choose the weapons with which his platoons will fight. Also, the troops have a scale of combat morale, which affects the effectiveness of the soldiers. For example, if a platoon comes under machine gun fire, then its morale drops sharply, which reduces the speed of firing and running. In addition, upon the death of a member of the squad who held any weapon, it does not disappear, but remains lying on the ground, where it can be picked up. The next feature of the game is the squad ranking system, which with each increased level of fighters allows you to improve their characteristics, which creates a kind of convention that the squads are not just meat.

The elements of the wargame are also the fact that the player himself can install defensive structures that increase the effectiveness of the fighters. All ditches, sandbags, etc. can be occupied by your fighters to increase their effectiveness. Since the game can maintain a small limit, and the speed of combat is quite low, the result is an entertaining combat simulator. Of course, this game is not singled out as the absolutely best strategy, but it deserves to be at least a nominee.

  • Interesting game missions;
  • Unusual gameplay;
  • It creates a feeling of real battles;

Series Cossacks

Released: 2001-2016

Genre: economic strategy

The game stands out for its gameplay, which is based on the balance of economic and military power. The correct construction of the economy has a key role in the game, because even if you skillfully use military forces, skillfully withdraw them, divide them into groups, opening the horizon for a volley of cannons, then sooner or later, with a weak economy, you will lose to a player who is more rested on economic component. Firstly, a player with a strong economy can simply spam units - he does not need to think about their safety, because there are always resources. Secondly, the ability of ranged units to attack is tied to the availability of resources such as coal and iron. If there is no coal or iron, the fighters cannot shoot. Also, food plays an important role, which is a constantly consumed resource. Therefore, if your population is growing, then the food infrastructure should grow accordingly.

The game also stands out in that each player can hire a huge number of troops, which allows you to apply diverse game strategies. Among the types of troops you can find: cavalry, melee units, ranged units, artillery. In addition, the game has a technical development that allows you to hire stronger and more technologically advanced troops.

Many players are betting that the third part of the series will be the best strategy of 2016!

  • The dependence of military power on the economy;
  • Many battle strategies;
  • The need to balance the economy and military power.

Anno 1404

Released: 2009-2010

Genre: economic strategy

The plot is tied to a parallel reality, which, however, repeats real historical prototypes, such as the Crusades, the dawn of early forms of capitalism, and so on.

The gameplay is tied to economic warfare and the development of colonies and settlements. You, as an effective ruler, need to correctly calculate the distribution of resources for the development of cities, conduct diplomatic relations. The combat component of the game is divided into sea and land battles, however, the ability to wage war is not immediately open, but subsequently acts as one of the elements that help to defeat opponents.

All states are divided into two types: European and Eastern. A European country cannot fully develop without spices and quartz, produced only in the east, which by itself determines the need for active trade, which is also one of the main ways to earn gold. One of the key tasks in urban planning is the construction of large cultural elements, such as cathedrals or mosques.

  • Developed economy;
  • Interesting urban development process;
  • Advanced diplomacy system.

Total War series

Released: 2000-2015

Genre: global strategy

Some semblance of a historical strategy. Actions take place on the global map of the world in different periods of time - it all depends on the part of the game. The player can choose any of the presented countries and subsequently capture the entire map, depending on the established victory conditions.

But not for the plot and the historical component, this game is distinguished as the best strategy on the PC, but for the gameplay. It is built on the turn-based movement of armies, the development and capture of cities in various countries. The battles take place in real time, where the player acts as a commander, places his troops on the map and directs the battle itself. There is also a politics mode where the player makes alliances, declares wars, exchanges resources, and so on.

  • Interesting system of politics;
  • Interesting intra-game battles in real time;
  • Developed system of internal events (crusades, jihads, etc.);
  • An advanced system for improving cities, depending on their location.

Disciples

Released: 1999-2010

Genre: turn-based strategy with RPG elements

The action of the game takes place in the cruel fantasy world of Nevendaar, where dark forces are craving to wake up every now and then. Companies for all nations are available to the player for passing. It turns out that the player himself weaves the whole story. In total, five nations are available in the game, including:

  • Hordes of the undead - servants of the ancient goddess of death Mortis;
  • Empire - a race of people under the auspices of the supreme angels;
  • The Legions of the Damned are Bethrezen's demonic minions;
  • Elven Alliance - a united army of elves led by Queen Ellumiel;
  • The mountain clans are a harsh undermountain people ruled by a high king.

The gameplay is classic strategy. The player's task is to intelligently scout the territory, pump the army. Oh yes, unlike other strategies, here you can only hire lower-level minions, who later need to be upgraded, gaining experience in battle. In general, the combat system in Disciples is unique, which has led to the success of the game. Initially, the player starts with one capital and one hero. The capital is a unique city guarded by a very strong creature, so it is almost impossible to break through the capital from the very beginning. The war is fought for the sources of magic - one of the resources and separate outposts that allow you to hire troops away from the capital.

  • Unique system for pumping creatures;
  • The races are not alike;
  • Race balance;
  • An interesting system of applying magic;

Age of Empires series

Released: 1997-2007

Genre: real time strategy

A fairly old game that can also claim to be the best strategy game on PC of all time. The main advantage of this game is custom tournaments with large prize pools, reaching up to 100 thousand dollars. The reason for such amounts for such an old game is its fans from wealthy countries who can afford to spend such amounts on organizing tournaments.

The very same gameplay of the game comes down to a balance between technology, economy and the army. Each nation in battle can move between 5 eras:

  • Age of Research;
  • The era of colonization;
  • The era of fortresses;
  • Industrial Age;
  • Age of Empire.

Each era opens up new research, types of troops and buildings. If you switch between eras early without spending money on the army, then most likely you will be crushed by “homeless people”, and if you focus only on hiring troops, then most likely the enemy will crush you with a more high-tech limit.

Many players argue that in order to play AOE effectively, you just need to be able to move your troops away from volleys of siege guns and archers, which leads to low losses of the army and increased economic development, by reducing the consumption of resources to maintain the combat limit.

Play AOE online with friends or random players via Steam, Tanggle or Hamachi.

  • The need for skillful balancing of all game aspects (economy, troops, research, construction);
  • Balance of all races (in the latest version);
  • Tournaments with a large prize fund;
  • Average game speed.

Age of Mythology

Released: 01.12.2002

Genre: Real time strategy

The age of mythology is somewhat similar to the game described above, but still has other roots and features that allow you to build a more interesting game.

A key feature of the game is the replacement of eras with the worship of gods, granting special powers and new mythical creatures with special characteristics and skills, such as fiery or poisonous breathing, freezing a key unit, and so on.

Unlike AOE, where the player has only a human and siege limit, AOM also has a mythical limit, consisting of mythical creatures such as giants, dryads, rocs and others. AOM does not have such significant prize pools as AOE, but it also has its own community, among which relatively regular tournaments are held.

You can play AOM online through Steam, Tanggle or Hamachi.

  • It is necessary to correctly balance all game aspects (economy, troops, research, construction);
  • Balance of all races and deities;
  • Can be played online;
  • Average game speed.

Settlers 7

Released: 23.03.2010

Genre: RTS, city builder

Simulator of building cities, which subsequently create a vast kingdom. The main task of the game is to correctly place buildings, create transport links between them. The player can develop his kingdom in three areas, including:

  • military production;
  • Scientific approach;
  • Trading perspective.

Each development path will eventually lead the player to victory. For example, if you choose the military path, then the focus of your development will be the army, which will subsequently try to crush the enemies. The scientific path will help you defeat your opponents with technology, while the trade path will help you capture the best trade routes on the entire map, which will give you an edge over your opponents. Each of the development paths includes unique units.

Critics point out good artificial intelligence, but a weak storyline.

  • Good artificial intelligence;
  • Expanded city building capability;
  • Equality of development paths (economy, military development and technology).
  • Codex of Victory is a strategy game about interplanetary battles. Adhering to humanity or an extraterrestrial race, try to win the bloody war. The former specialize in military jeeps, helicopters and soldiers, while the latter have achieved excellence in the development of robots and lasers. Codex of Victory can be played online with a friend;
  • Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach is an online strategy that offers to plunge into the internecine struggle between mankind and space wolves. unit improvements, a huge game location for tactical maneuvers, etc. To gain the upper hand, you need to assemble an invincible army and destroy your opponent;
  • Emergency is an extraordinary strategy about city services. According to the story, you will be reincarnated as a fearless guardsman, whose task is to save the city from chaos. Put out fires, break up rallies, look for criminals, prevent robberies, etc. When you get bored of acting alone, try playing with friends. By separating responsibilities, you can easily cope with the tasks;
  • The Pirate: Caribbean Hunt is a chic strategy game with a marine theme. Depending on your skills, you can assemble an invincible fleet and go to war or do cargo transportation, treasure hunting, etc. Try playing with friends online, it's easier to collect start-up capital and establish a colony on the island you like. You are waiting for entertainment, taverns, beer, boarding, robbery and much more;
  • Assault Squad 2: Men Of War Origins: Thanks to updated mechanics, you will see the game from a completely different perspective. New missions, unique camouflage techniques, global battles, etc. Now, before you go into battle, you have to think about reconnaissance, terrain and ballistics.

What attracts strategies

To start playing online strategy games with friends, just visit the RBK Games platform. After registration, you will be transported to the world of chaos, destruction and bloody wars. Realistic graphics, huge opportunities and various units are waiting for you. For a tactical maneuver to work, you must not only believe in it, but create a situation that will lead to the desired ending. Improvise, fight to the last drop of blood and never give up!

Invite your friends and enjoy the best co-op games on PC.

No one and nothing - except a friend - compares to a good blaster who also has a good blaster, then you have a total of two blasters and can blast twice as many. That's the beauty of our favorite co-op games, be it online or online multiplayer. In recent years, the ranks of the best co-op games, such as the time-tested Left 4 Dead and Arma 3, have been replenished with new RPGs, shooters and frantic cooking simulations.

This is our latest collection of the best co-op games to play together. Some can brighten up your day, while others can brighten entire months.

Dropped off the main list

Vermintide borrowed a lot from another game on this list, and to be more precise, it's Left 4 Dead in the guise of Warhammer. Still, it focuses on smoother, more original hand-to-hand combat, and amazing special effects that make the game a worthy choice for friends when they want to crush a couple of ratlings.

This game is especially attractive to fans of the Warhammer Fantasy universe, which is well known in the gaming world. The main actions in the game will be: picking up dropped items and equipment that can be upgraded. So in the circle of friends, completing missions again and again guarantees you a good time.

Warning - don't play Kalimba with a new friend. Although the game looks like a light-hearted puzzle game, it is actually a powerful tool for pushing the limits of human tolerance. Each player has two colored totems. Solving the colored puzzles will not be difficult, but it will be much more difficult to coordinate the actions for the jump, especially if you rely on your partner.

Despite the difficulties, it's amazing how intuitive Kalimba feels: watching someone else play is more exciting than picking up a gamepad (for simplicity, it's better to use it). It is hard, but no problem can be solved alone, and any victory is shared.

Magicka 2 is good in every way, just like the original. Magicka 2 has fixed bugs, improved graphics, and added a few modes to our favorite co-op. The only thing I didn't like was the casting system. Apparently due to a lot of negative feedback, the developers added new elements of spells and casting mechanics to be more in line with the original. In the sequel, even the most hardcore sorcerers will be able to enjoy brilliant magical battles with friends.

If Payday 2 is a mix of good action movies, then Monaco is 100% distilled from Ocean's Eleven. In Monaco, you need to pull off superb heists, hence the excitement and tension, which in itself is the perfect combination for a good time with friends. This game is full of all sorts of details, plans, and there is something so beautiful when you cut off the electricity while your partner distracts the guard.

A great RPG from Runic that managed to put me off Diablo III. It had more Diablo than Diablo itself, and this crazy dungeon crawl is even harder and more rewarding if you get in there with someone. In Diablo III, the maximum number of players is four, and in Torchlight, you can gather as many as six. Too much? In a game where monsters explode and leave fountains of gold, "too much" isn't the right word.

The three-character puzzle game Trine came out of nowhere, just in 2009, when indie games were on the rise. The success of Trine spawned two more sequels. While Trine 3 has been more of a disappointment this year, Trine 2 takes the best of the original, smooths it out, improves it, and does it all so much better. With the addition of online co-op, you can give control of the other two characters to your friends. As a gift, you are given a colorful picture and light, almost relaxing, puzzles.

is the first game in the series to deviate from the usual historical setting. The creativity accumulated over decades spills over from the updated Warhammer animation and a wide range of classes: from gnomes who avenge insults by unleashing wars, to vampire counts who replenish their armies with the living dead. The story campaign also looks fresh, where the player will be pleased with the updated RPG mechanics with quests and the selection of equipment for the heroes.

After Rome 2, Creative Assembly has significantly improved the engine and the level of artificial intelligence of opponents, thanks to which Warhammer can be called one of the series. And, as before, the campaign mode can be played with a friend. Do you dare to unite greenskins and dwarves, two sworn enemies? You can also install a mod and play with a friend for the same faction. There is no better cooperative strategy.

Year of issue: 2016 | Developer: Ghost Town Games | Buy

Overcooked is the natural embodiment of chaos. This is one of those cooperative games in which you need to join forces for the sake of winning, even if after the end of the game you don’t even want to say anything, but don’t even want to see your partner again. But if you manage to catch the general rhythm and become part of a team that copes with icy rivers, earthquakes in the kitchen, and even pirate ships that suddenly appeared, then you will get indescribable pleasure.

Everything here is like in a real kitchen - one cuts onions, the second monitors the stove, and the third (the one that is better not to let food in) washes the dishes, running out of the kitchen from time to time. Overcooked was originally designed for multiplayer (it's not so fun to play it alone), but, alas, the game only supports LAN connection. But if you convince your friends to enter the game, then this will be one of the most unforgettable co-ops.

Year of issue: 2016 | Developer: Ubisoft Massive | Buy

In the year since its release, The Division has evolved from an endless co-op shooter with cover to a co-op shooter with a very clear end goal. Yes, long quests and chasing after upgraded equipment are not for everyone, but if you and your friends love shooters with character upgrades, then The Division is definitely worth paying attention to.

Walking through post-apocalyptic Manhattan, regular skirmishes with bots and a set of non-standard missions will help each member of your team to show their skills. The firefights look very spectacular, and therefore a coordinated attack with grenade throws, deceptive maneuvers and covering fire, even for the hundredth time, will bring the same emotions as the first.

If your team wants to level up, you can always find quests for any level in each of the five locations. On the Tier 2 location you will find raids and short missions where you need to show a well-coordinated team spirit. If you are not so much interested in gunfights as quests with a bias in psychology, then choose the Dark Zone location, which may not show your friends from the best side. If everyone has updates installed, then we recommend testing your strengths in the Underground, Survival and the upcoming Last Stand modes, where you can play both together and against each other, collecting weapons and equipment along the way.

Year of issue: 2011 | Developer: Overkill, Starbreeze | Buy

Trying to pull off a complex heist in several stages in a team with not the most efficient bots in Payday 2 single player is not always fun, and sometimes boring. But here comes the co-op mode. Together with a friend, any robbery turns into a mixture of Ocean's 11 and The Expendables.

And better than a secret robbery can only be a sudden change of plans, as a result of which an alarm sounds and you have to fight your way to the exit. And if the mistakes of bots are sometimes frankly infuriating, then the mistakes of friends make the game much more interesting.

Year of issue: 2012 | Developer: Gearbox | Buy

With endless fun and gun extravaganza, Borderlands 2 is one of the few games on this list that boasts a great single-player experience. You will have a lot of fun while exploring the planet Pandora, shooting goons from a car, endlessly replenishing your ammo, as if you are trying to stock up before a gun party.

All this will be many times more fun if you have a bunch of friends next to you. Each character takes their place in the team, for example, in more difficult levels, you will simply need to have a tank, a silent assassin and a medic in your team.

It's also worth noting that the durability of the creature and the value of the reward for killing them is directly related to the number of players in your team, so if you really want hard, furious action, you just need to find more friends.

Year of issue: 2014 | Developer: DrinkBox Studios | Buy

Guacamelee is a vibrant mix of Metroids and Castlevanias styles, with plenty of witty references and catchy carnival masks. The 2D rendering is amazing, as is the exploration and combat system. And it differs from the classic games from the Metroid and Castlevania series with support for up to four players.

You can only play on the local network, so if you manage to lure your friends, they are unlikely to come off the screen until they explore every corner in Guacamelee.

Release: 2018 | Developer: Capcom | Buy

All parts of Monster Hunter can be played solo or with strangers from the network, but in co-op (with a friend), the game reveals its potential. There are bunches of combos here, like in all Capcom action games, almost like in Devil May Cry, but more risky and conscious, they make you study the attacks of these huge creatures.

More difficult monsters force you to cooperate and be constantly on the lookout, and fights go much better when you and your partner specialize in different types of weapons. And grinding rare drops and monster parts will be much more fun with a couple of friends in the discord.

Release: 2018 | Developer: Fatshark | Buy

This sequel to Vermintide definitely expands on the Left 4 Dead formula, adding an entirely new group of enemies, in addition to the Skaven, and a much cleaner leveling and loot system. The game feels good and moderately tough when you slam a huge club into the face of a ratman. The build system is simple and is divided into five types of characters. If you like Left 4 Dead but have already played it, Vermintide 2 will grab your attention and is perfect for a couple of dozen hours of carnage.

Release: 2018 | Developer: rare | Buy

Project Rare is a fun co-op sandbox, but really a lot of fun when played with friends. Sea of ​​Thieves is a great open world game with absolutely no demands - come on board with your friends, choose a direction and just enjoy the boat ride while drinking grog, playing musical instruments and shooting each other with cannons. Or just chat with each other for an hour against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset.

For fun and profit, you can stalk other teams and engage in ship-to-ship combat, look for lost treasures, or take over the skeleton fort, but it's just fine to chat with friends in a chat room with beautiful waves and the sudden Kraken.

Year of issue: 2017 | Developer: Bungie | Buy

In addition to the loot boxes, Destiny 2 features a good Halo-style campaign, a ton of fun side quests, an increasing number of strike strikes, and two six-man raids.

Destiny 2 includes dozens of hours of co-op, from silly entertainment to serious final battles. There's enough fun to be had from all of this before the Eververse starts bothering you.

Release: 2018 | Developer: Ghost Town Games | Buy

Overcooked is the embodiment of chaos. The kind of co-op where you have to help each other to win, but most likely you won't even talk at the end of the day. Overcooked 2 keeps the same idea of ​​ruining relationships, but before you hate each other, you'll really enjoy playing together. The sequel adds new maps and a new difficulty. You can play online or locally. Now you can make sushi and teleportation has been added. Just like in your usual kitchen, really.

Year of issue: 2017 | Developer: Larian Studios | Buy

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a sprawling, inventive adventure and one of the best RPGs ever made. Play one of the best RPGs with up to three friends in online co-op. Players rule the chaos in this world, and that means one friend can ditch a guard or reveal his second undead identity at the most inopportune times, but that's exactly what makes OS2 so great to play with friends.

You no longer have to deal with the loyal group of characters you form over time. You are dealing with three stubborn people who are trying to achieve different goals. It's a beautiful mess in one of the most lush, immersive RPG worlds out there. And once you've completed your playthrough, Game Master mode lets you create new campaigns from scratch with the help of an extensive D&D-style toolkit.

Release: 2017 | Developer: The Creative Assembly | Buy

Total War: Warhammer was the first project in which the company moved away from the historical theme and it worked. 10 years of Warhammer creativity flows here, both in animation and versatile factions. In Warhammer 2, Creative Assembly tried the problems of the series that have been present for many years: the gameplay ceases to hold at the time of the expansion of the empire and dominance on the world map.

What has remained unchanged is launching an epic campaign with a friend, taking on two friendly factions against the rest of the world. Sharing control of a huge army is truly a breakthrough: one of you can take care of local command and deployment of troops, while the other will make tactical cavalry raids. Well, or what is there in Warhammer, lizard-like people, huge bats and so on. If you have Warhammer 1, you will be able to combine these games into a global campaign.

Year of issue: 2013 | Developer: Digital Extremes | Play

Warframe can get boring quickly, as the main gameplay in it is to complete randomly generated levels in an attempt to level up the character. And so time after time. Some missions are inconvenient to complete alone, and playing online with strangers is not suitable for everyone, especially beginners. But Warframe is transformed if you call your friend into it, turning into a fun virtual shooting range where you can shoot hordes of enemies together with a friend.

And if the game hooks you, then you can spend more than one day, understanding all the intricacies. You can sit until the morning reading on the forums the strategies for upgrading things and the features of crafting. But it can also be played with friends who have just launched it - it is not necessary to play it at the same time. You can mind your own business and cross paths on the Grineer ship from time to time.

Year of issue: 2017 | Developer: Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. | Buy

Cuphead doesn't get easier just because a friend can have your back in co-op. The addition of a second player overwhelms an already crammed with colorful animations world and complicates this arcade side-scroller, so that multiplayer is an option only for reinforced concrete best friends.

But in the same way that your brain and hands merge into perfect power after many failures, and the gradual recognition of patterns takes root at the level of pure instincts, the interaction between two people turns into telepathy. Friendly telepathy in order to complete a cartoon game.

Year of issue: 2016 | Developer: Klei | Buy

For a couple of years, Klei refused to introduce co-op into its gothic survival masterpiece, arguing that the co-op mode would spoil the unique atmosphere, entirely consisting of a sense of loneliness and independent exploration of the world. As it turned out, the developers were worried in vain, because the notorious atmosphere in the company of friends is felt even brighter. At the moment when cyclops-deer break into your camp, destroying half of the stocks for the winter, you understand that it is better to deal with this in a cooperative.

Klei is renowned for its attention to detail and balance in games, which is why Together's three main modes (Survival, Wilderness and Endless) strike the perfect balance of item spawns and character skills. The most interesting is the Endless mode. Chatting with a friend on Discord or Skype while trying to pool resources to survive the oncoming harsh winter - isn't that great? And remember: Happiness is a refrigerator full of frog legs.

Year of issue: 2015 | Developer: Asteroid Base | Buy

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (or LIADS) is truly an achievement in local multiplayer design. We've seen a resurgence of local multiplayer in PC games lately, but few have the style, color, and originality of LIADS.

LIADS also promotes intra-team conflict in places where other co-op games don't. With so many stations and only two crew members, defeat comes from communication blunders rather than lack of skill. The game, of course, is good, but still annoying that there is no possibility of online co-op. Despite this, it feels like the game is geared towards co-op co-op, plus there are plenty of options for co-op.

Year of issue: 2015 | Developer: RuneStorm | Buy

A strange and grotesque co-op game with a brilliant idea: you and your friends will play as space cleaners, forced to clean up all the chaos that the brave space marines from other games leave behind. Grab a bucket of rag and get ready to clean walls of blood, burn limbs, collect shell casings and repair pipes with welding. Yes, it's a dirty job, but it's a messy job in space and in the company of friends, and, oddly enough, it's enough to have fun for a few evenings.

The highlight of Viscera Cleanup Detail lies in its physics, which sometimes throws out interesting surprises. For example, if you're carrying a bucket of bloody water and you collide with another player, all the water will spill in the blink of an eye, creating even more work. Be prepared for unkind comments if you forget the dynamite in the stove; and, of course, nothing compares to seeing your friend being slammed down by a malfunctioning elevator, even if that means another half hour of cleaning.

But the fun doesn't end there: every corpse has name tags hanging on it, and this is where most of the game's Easter eggs can be found. You can also find out what happens if you press all the buttons on a device that looks like dynamite (spoiler: this is dynamite), and ruin the final cleanliness rating on the level by trying to feed the alien octopus a chair, which will lead to a copious green burp on the ceiling, walls and your friends. This is a real gem of the gaming industry. And if you have a group of friends open to new ideas, then it's time to give the game a try.

Year of issue: 2013 | Developer: TT Games | Buy

There are a lot of good Lego games on the market that you can recommend to connoisseurs of this style: for example, Star Wars: The Complete Saga, Lego Batman 2 or Harry Potter, but Marvel games are superior to all others. They are not tied to specific film adaptations, and therefore you can see a team of Spider-Man, Captain America, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men in them (this is not even expected in modern comics).

The levels here are interesting and inventive - you will visit Doctor Doom's castle, Stark Tower, Asgard and other locations. In essence, this is a great tour of the Marvel Universe, created with a lot of love for the characters, as shown by their animation and voice acting. In addition, here you can explore Manhattan or jump off a S.H.I.E.L.D. aircraft carrier. This part is much more interesting than the sequel, which focuses on the adventures of the Avengers.

Year of issue: 2014 | Developer: Ubisoft | Buy

The main feature of Far Cry is waiting. Penetrating unnoticed to the outpost creates tension. Remove a couple of guards - creates even more tension. Eventually, someone notices you, raises the alarm, and all hell breaks loose.

In the company of a friend, all these outings will be much more interesting. You can always see from the outlines what your partner is doing in such a risky way. When it's time to go out in the open, Far Cry 4's sheer variety of "toys" will create havoc that you'll dive into with great pleasure. Why sneak around in the shadows when you can drop grenades from a helicopter while your friend blows down the main gate while riding a war elephant?

Year of issue: January 1999 | Developer: Sven Co-op Team | Play

It was conceived as a cooperative Half-Life, but the mood strongly resembles the Interdimensional Cable series from the Rick and Morty series. We go to a random server and find ourselves in the color world of Teletubbies. We go to another one - and here we are waiting for a parody of the Mega Man series, a secret military base or the Egyptian pyramids, where you have to fight off Anubis himself with grenades.

Download the quirky map pack, connect with your friends and dive into a retro shooter full of funny and awkward moments. If you play with the right people, then you will have hours of fun in a hilarious show with monsters, scientists and soldiers from Half-Life.

Year of issue: 2016 | Developer: Chucklefish | Buy

Exploration, mining, crafting and adventure in the vast 2D Starbound galaxy can keep you busy for hours. The passage of story quests, the creation of colonies on other planets, the pumping of the arsenal, the ship and your abilities are implemented here in a very interesting way. And all this is multiplied by two if your friends are connected to the game.

You can easily invite friends to the cooperative mode to work on joint projects: destroy a couple of monsters or just walk around the spaceship. It is also allowed to complete story quests, as well as fight bosses, which are extremely difficult to defeat alone. The game has a funny chat - everything written is displayed in bubbles above the heads of the characters. An excellent solution that only complements the wonderful atmosphere.

Year of issue: 2016 | Developer: Playground Games | Buy

Amplitude Studios made a name for itself with Endless Space and Endless Legend, but their most creative and original project was their beautiful (if weird) game Dungeon of the Endless. A couple of fragile heroes and resources fall under your control, the main task is to save the crystal during the periodic attack of opponents. Everything here looks painfully familiar, but small differences will still surprise you. Time moves only when the doors to the dungeon are opened. To complete the level, you need to find a crystal and make a crazy dash to the exit, through the creatures swarming everywhere.

If you play alone, then it's more of a tactical game, with the ability to pause during the battle and think over a further strategy. Co-op removes this option and makes the game more intense. To survive on later difficult levels, you need to have a large supply of resources, a clear understanding of where who should be, and which towers to build. It's so easy to get confused or run away, but that's the whole point of the game.

The roguelike genre, plus tower defense, plus co-op and RPG, it may seem that these are incompatible things, but they still fit together.

Year of issue: 2015 | Developer: Tripwire Interactive | Buy

The original Killing Floor is to be commended and of course it makes sense to recommend Killing Floor 2 as it is a major step forward, you will find more players and new levels here, plus all sorts of bonuses are added to early access members. Killing Floor 2 is a big game, even in this unfinished state. This is an FPS where you and the other 5 players must endure a series of attacks. During the defense, you have to shoot and beat some very restless test subjects.

Survival is sometimes very difficult (especially on difficult modes), and do not forget that teamwork is vital. It's good that the Tripwire guns are made here at their best: recoil and accuracy of fire.

Year of issue: 2015 | Developer: Steel Crate Games | Buy

What I love most about this game is the paperwork. Stop, stop! Come back! KTNB is a game based on a scene found in every action movie where the hero has to defuse a bomb and some nerd on the phone asks him "what do you see?"

KTNB made a splash with the Oculus Rift, but you don't need experimental VR hardware to enjoy the game. The minesweeper can take a laptop from one side of the couch, while the advisers open their demining instructions on the other side. Communication is the most important thing in this game, and any number of players can give advice, making KTNB a terribly team game.

Year of issue: 2015 | Developer: Rockstar North | Buy

GTA has a lot to offer, but co-op heists are probably the best thing Rockstar has to offer in an open world game. Four players team up to overcome a series of story missions in which each hero fulfills his role by participating in a big heist. There will be everything from stealing a vehicle as part of the preparation for a robbery, to killing and other interrelated tasks.

Missions cleverly make everyone feel like they are playing a key role in all these troubles on the way to fabulous wealth.

When all four players reach the end of each heist, escaping the cops in dramatic fashion, you'll have a lot more fun than the game's main storyline. If only Rockstar would do more missions like this. They would pay off in full.

Year of issue: 2011 | Developer: valve | Buy

There is no doubt that Portal 2 received a very raw co-op company. As two test robots Atlas and P-Body, you and a friend must explore the darker, more dangerous side of the GLaDOS programs, as they are too dangerous for human test subjects. The 3D spatial thinking that makes the Portal series so immersive will work even better when you're not alone in thinking about solving problems.

Co-op in the game is great if neither of you knows the answer: if your partner has to wait patiently every time you solve a puzzle, you feel like an idiot; if not, they will rush you, which makes the game really cool. True, it is very difficult, several years after the release of the game, to find newcomers. Luckily, Valve's team of map editors have created a complete set of great new maps to play in pairs.

Release: 2018 | Developer: DrinkBox Studios | Buy

For starters, Guacamelee 2 has been on this list for years, for its Metroid-esque spirit and co-op support. The sequel supports up to four players, allowing you to travel together and have a lot of fun, bright combos in the classic beat-em-up. A more recent game than the slow and atmospheric Hollow Knight, which is why co-op fits in so well here. Silly, hypertrophied (in terms of characters) and with really perky fights. You can also now play as a chicken.

Year of issue: 2014 | Developer: Larian Studios | Buy

It may have been surpassed by Original Sin 2, but it's still one of the best: a deep, rewarding RPG that you can play with a friend.

Divinity: Original Sin stands out for several reasons. First, it's a return to the classic RPG form. Secondly, you can explore this deep world and ridiculously funny texts together with a friend, this opportunity appeared for the first time in the game, and is a hit with gamers.

The Enhanced Edition has completely overhauled the voice acting, art, and trophies. There are also new modes for fans of brutal combat, or those who want to explore the history of the world.

The massive, 100-hour RPG can be played with friends on a drop-in/drop-out basis, but the most dedicated of you should understand that you will have obligations to your game partner. These are huge consequences, so it's better to take your best friends as a partner in order to experience a story with them that you will not find anywhere else.

Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator

Year of issue: 2011 | Developer: Thomas Robertson | Buy

Let's get one thing clear right away: Artemis is not a Star Trek game. There are a number of legal reasons for this. Deal? Deal. Definitely not based on Star Trek.

So, Artemis is one of the best Star Trek games out there. It is presented as a "simulator of the captain's bridge on a spaceship", and its highlight lies in the fact that each player has his own control scheme with different data. Players (captain, gunners, helmsmen, engineers, operators and scientists) see only the screen in front of them, so, say, the engineer will not be able to help the gunners or sit at the helm. But he can distribute energy among the engines.

At the center of everything is the captain, who, oddly enough, does not have any screens in front of his eyes: he just yells at his subordinates to do what is required. In last year's version 2.0, we saw a lot of innovations affecting control schemes and the general drawing style. If you played only the first version of Artemis, then we recommend gathering a company and playing a fresh upgrade on the local network.

It's incredible how quickly you adjust to the military system of orders and responses ("Helmsman, set course for Deep Space 1 station, maintain half pulse." "Half pulse to DS1 station, that's right, Captain"). And this is not because you got used to the role, but because here you need to formulate commands clearly and concisely, otherwise you will all die. Well, maybe a little because you got used to the role.

Year of issue: 2013 | Developer: Bohemia Interactive | Buy

The ability to play with two or three will not surprise anyone, but the Arma engine supports dozens of players at the same time. There's actually a lot to see here, one plays a pilot, takes you and ten other people to a war zone, leaves there to link up with twenty other people for an assault. Arma 3 doesn't have strict co-op play, but I included it in the list because it becomes truly unforgettable when everyone is on the same side against the overwhelming number of enemy AI.

As you dive into Arma 3, don't forget to check out the Zeus multiplayer mode. One player, in the role of Zeus, leads the game as a D&D-style dungeon master, breeding equipment and enemies. Once you anger Zeus, he will immediately send lightning strikes at you. This is one of the fantastic missions for the co-op, which should not be missed in any case.

Year of issue: 2013 | Developer: Mossmouth | Buy

This is one of the best games for PC. Isn't there a reason to download it? Not? Most see Spelunky as just a single player game, but all the fun is in the multiplayer. There are so many things that can go wrong here - an accidentally dropped rock, bomb, vase (or any other object) can send your friend diving into sharp spikes, but this is only a small part of the potential of a cooperative game. Remember, when you play the game together, don't underestimate the power of magic.

In two pairs of hands it is easier to carry important items around the level. The dead player can be resurrected at the next level, which makes the passage of Spelunky many times easier. You can even create cunning plans - one distracts the merchant, and the second drops bombs on him. In most cases, of course, everything goes down the drain, but isn't that why we sit down to play Spelunky?

Year of issue: 2009 | Developer: valve | Buy

The fanatically balanced, well-written Left 4 Dead 2 shooter is built around the struggle of four surviving members of the same team. As soon as an incredible number of zombie monsters are sent to the team, the team needs to clearly coordinate their actions, and be ready at any time to save a comrade at the last second, so that later such a story can be safely retold.

Valve also deserves credit for how long they've been supporting L4D2, adding level editors, Steam Workshop support, porting maps and characters from Left 4 Dead 1, and continuing to offer "mutations," frequently changing game modes that offer something new for the seasoned. players.

The vibrant community of Left 4 Dead 2 modders is also a huge part of why this game is so highly regarded, as they have produced new campaigns such as . This kept the fun of L4D2 even after the base companies were completely obsolete. Plus, you'll be able to play as a Velociraptor, which certainly guarantees our highest score.


Good day, dear readers!
So it's time to draw a line under the next material from the series "TOP-10: your choice", the theme of which was the best strategies. If anyone missed the beginning, we recall that the choice of dozens was made exclusively by our users, who first offered their options on the forum, and then voted for the best. Our task now is to talk about the results in this material and, in fact, show them in the video attached to the article. What will we do.
So, we meet - the best strategies according to our users!

Just a few years ago, the industry experienced a real deluge of games with the eternal theme of the "Second World War". It’s even scary to think how many projects were produced, and are still being produced, with the same Third Reichs, the endless Battles of Kursk and the triumph of the Red Army. Standing out from this crowd is difficult, but nothing is impossible.

Relic Entertainment once again proved that it can compete with the giants of the strategic craft. And the secret is very simple - add Spielberg's intensity of battles, complete the game with wow-effects, destructibility and stuff all Hollywood grace with excellent balance and tactical tricks. Voila!

Company of Heroes does not fall into infantilism, offering to plan the soldiers in the barracks, stuff the bins with barrels of fuel and ammunition - everything looks much more serious than in any forced labor. And then we take the army knocked together on the ground and go to crush the fascist reptile with our boots, giving orders to each unit and occupying strategically important points in the cities. It sounds simple, but how many goals were killed in all these virtual battles - do not count. That's why it's attractive Company of Heroes.

"Age of Empires"- a name familiar to many strategists. If your gaming path dates back to the mid-90s, then you know that without Age of Empires it's hard to imagine an RTS sky. Without exaggeration, the first two games in the series were truly ingenious and amazing in every aspect. Countless players have spent their time recruiting enemy mounts for priestly forces, hunting deer, picking berries from fruit trees, cutting woods, and mining for gold.

At one point, when tons of resources accumulated in the bins of civilization, the leader had the opportunity to step into a new century that would elevate his country above others. Stone tools were replaced by copper ones, cavalry were overgrown with armor, new combat units hatched, and the number of workers grew exponentially. Leading this whole celebration of life was so interesting that ten-hour marathons for - that's right, seeds.

Age of Empires 3 did not become a big breakthrough for the entire series and, by and large, did not surpass its predecessors. Don't tell the fans AoE were disappointed, but little has changed since the second part. A nostalgic tear, of course, rolled down her cheek, overgrown with bristles over the years, but she failed to become a new standard for the strategic genre.

Nevertheless, we salute the now dead Ensemble Studios. She deserved them.

Massive Entertainment earned a reputation for paying sane strategists, snorting at the sight of tank rushes, back in the old ground control. AT world in conflict she did not change her principles and created, one might say, an ideal tactical component and a grand master balance of troops - infantry, aviation, heavy ground equipment and support units.

No bases, no building - just a limited number of points with which to call for backup. Each combat unit in world in conflict must be valued, protected and not thrown into senseless attacks. Each move and decision here needs to be weighed and only then to try to go on the attack, bringing down a blow on the fortified positions of the enemy both from the air and from the ground.

The paranoid wars between the "Soviets" and the homeland of freedom and democracy of the United States may seem a little hackneyed, too "noble", but multiplayer world in conflict for sixteen commanders more than atones for all the hackneyed plot moves. The joint command of the army and the ranking system are made here at such a level that at some point you begin to feel some resemblance to multiplayer action games like . Meanwhile, a good compliment, if you remember that we have a serious strategy here.

Slow, slow turn-based strategy will never die. So write it down. This unwritten rule proves every time "Civilization", which comes out every four years, but always gathers millions of managers and rulers under its banners. And then! Everyone wants to feel like the ruler of the world for at least half an hour a day and lead their country to world domination.

Religion, travel through the tree of inventions and the birth of geniuses who will lead civilization forward - all aspects play an important role in Civilization 4. If digging in all these menus bothers you, then you can always unwind by making an alliance with brothers in mind or attacking negligent neighbors, wanting to take resources from them. And then - new technologies, a new era and new horizons to strengthen the position of a superpower. And it would seem that only half an hour ago, prehistoric people were running around the screen and did nothing but fight each other.

This year, "Civilization" will rise again and, without a doubt, will take its personal throne on the strategic Olympus. Firaxis Games does not disappoint.

Wouldn't be starcraft– Strategies today would look completely different. No jokes. Blizzard Entertainment moved the entire RTS genre forward. Although on the one hand, the recipe starcraft well, very simple - create several races, stuff resources into the game, dilute everything with the construction of bases and various landscapes. Stretch the plot into three separate companies and go ahead - trade boxes with the game for 60 bucks a piece.

At first glance, a trifling matter, but here's the bad luck - before Blizzard Entertainment no one was able to work out the balance of each race well, supply the game with a decent plot (a rarity to this day, ask certified strategists PG!) and divine multiplayer. .net has become a home for millions of people, and for some it still is after twelve years. No wonder the output Starcraft 2 they are waiting for the coming of Jesus - after him, the end of the world is not terrible.

In a word, an icon for all fans of good strategic fun. Neither add nor subtract.

Another step lady on the list! Series total war since the days of the samurai war, it has snatched a solid part of the audience from its venerable rivals. AT Rome: Total War the merits of the shogunate and the Sengoku period of Japanese history have been squared. And even in a cube!

All the fundamental parts have grown both in breadth and up. Army management on the global map has become more meaningful. Diplomatic relations now made much more sense to develop, building alliances and preparing conspiracies. Spies and assassins roaming the European map helped in this excellent way - it was easy to kill one of the important members of the ruling family and demoralize the troops. How much room for imagination! And how pleasant it was to besiege cities, going behind enemy lines and breaking his army ranks with one cavalry charge - and words can not convey.

Rome: Total War gave everything that fans of turn-based and thoughtful strategies have been wanting for so long, combining a slow and measured exchange of moves and dashing RTS battles, not without tactical manners and military tricks. Creative Assembly eternal gratitude to you for this!

Any fan Command & Conquer agree - Red Alert 3 well, it doesn’t pull on the title of “great and terrible” in any way and will easily lose the battle to its predecessors. There is a lack of strategic depth, arcadeness creeps out and bristles from all places, and the best tactic is throwing caps. In short, the claims can be listed for a very long time.

Nevertheless, the degree of madness in the new part, which has always been famous for its both idiotic and very serious plots, has not dropped. The war between the descendants of Soviet leaders and allies was diversified by naval battles. The balancing of the characteristics of the units, although not ideal, but anyone could understand the operation of the strategic mechanism in a few minutes Red Alert 3. Still not degradation, of course, but not a revolution for a long time. That did not prevent, however, the game to take fourth place.

Bury the series Command & Conquer too early. We don’t argue, having received a slap in the face and cracks, it is unlikely that it indicates a good life C&C, however, nothing prevents us from dreaming that someday "She" will return.

Ha! The third "Heroes" - how could it be without them. Many have hung out for days at this fantasy splendor. They rebuilt castles, recruited an army and set off to travel through huge levels, smashing monsters blocking the path and collecting chests and resources. And if a whole company of friends gathered at one computer, then that’s all - you had to calculate every step of your horse, fill your pockets with experience, recruit new heroes in the tavern and pump faster than your rivals. Why, there are still a lot of people playing today. This is true immortality!

For "heroic" creators from New World Computing Unfortunately, things didn't work out so well. It existed in the development arena for almost twenty years, and then at one point declared itself bankrupt and very quickly disappeared from the radar. But her business is alive and well!

He continues his life path, despite the death of his fathers and mothers. Yes, the last "large-scale" release in the series is dated 2007. But Ubisoft not one of those companies that throw old series into the dustbin of history. Who knows, maybe the French will announce something this summer. Cross your fingers.

Very unexpected! Second project Relic Entertainment, who got into the top, managed to climb almost to the top. It must be said that it is deserved - Dawn of War did not reinvent the genre, but was able to fill the unfunny strategic current with adrenaline and action. And also the Imperium, Orcs, Eldar and Chaos!

For the faithful servants of the 40,000 universe, and the battle cry of the Space Marines would be enough to kiss the game to death. Relic Entertainment could have screwed up. However, the holy principles of development and the desire to sculpt an excellent RTS still outweighed the pernicious desire for profit. All the hallmarks of the strategic genre are present - several races, building a base, buying upgrades and being attentive to the strengths and weaknesses of each side of the conflict. Filigree!

Warhammer 40,000 has made adjustments and big changes to this system. Some people liked them, some not so much, but the main thing is that Dawn of War is alive, does not complain of health and someday will definitely acquire a third part.

Blizzard Entertainment. Well, what can I say? She is a recognized leader, the main custodian of the PC traditions and the initiator of great achievements in the strategic arena. Both technological and financial. Blizzard certainly doesn't complain about sales of PC games.

Commemorated for the entire franchise war craft the beginning of a new era. Two new races have been added to the universe, diversifying the heroic life through role-playing elements, artifacts and magic spells that can and should be cast on the heads of enemies. The construction of the base, the collection of resources - the traditional elements have not gone away. But the field of their application has expanded. And last but not least, due to the weighty multiplayer mode - the god-like Battle.net did not disappoint here either, erecting Warcraft 3 to the rank of legendary games. Regular result.

Congratulations Warcraft 3. The Golden Cup has already been sent by diplomatic mail to the lair Blizzard Entertainment!

Well, that's all for today in terms of texts, but there is still excellent video material ahead, which you will find just below. We just have to say thank you for your participation and say goodbye until May 1st. Was with you today Eugene "Mumby" Molodov.

In addition, we remind you that right at this moment the first stage of preparing the next material from the TOP-10: Your Choice cycle has started, in which you can take part. The theme was games that piss you off.

Tramps, hello! Below is a selection of the best cooperative games for both two and several players. If you have suggestions for other games, write in the comments.

Diablo Series

Release date: 1996-2012

A trilogy of action/RPG games made in the style of dark fantasy and telling about the confrontation of people (descendants of the Nephalem) with the embodiments of evil, the main of which is the Lord of Terror - Diablo. The series is distinguished by the presence of several characters with their own unique abilities, a huge number of monsters that respawn every time you start the game, as well as randomly generated locations. The possibility of cooperative passage should also be added to the advantages of these games. The game on our site is included in the tops:,

The series is currently Blizzard Entertainment's most successful franchise campaign. The release of each part was a real event for the gaming community. The series consists of three main games: Diablo (1996), Diablo II (2000) and Diablo III (2012). Each of the games was also supplied with an add-on that added additional levels and features to the game. In the third part there is a cooperative passage and multiplayer, which allows you to play the game together.

Half Life 1 and 2

Release date: the first - 1998, the second - 2004

A series of sci-fi first-person shooters that tell us the story of theoretical physicist Gordon Freeman, and part-time the only one who can save the Earth from aliens. The games in the series are almost an icon of the genre, largely due to the exciting gameplay, thoughtful level design and unusual plot presentation. In addition, the engine of the second part of the game Source (of course, significantly improved) even today is actively used by game developers to create their projects.

Despite the fact that every game in the Half-Life series is a single player game, since a certain time, Valve has been giving out a modification for cooperative play absolutely free of charge. In fact, the game becomes refocused on two players, gets new puzzles and a number of cooperative features.

Serious Sam Series

Release date: 2001-2011

Genre: First person shooter

A series of first-person shooters that stand out from many similar games with hurricane gameplay, when the player needs to shoot back from a huge number of opponents using an equally huge arsenal of weapons. The total number of enemies per game can reach several thousand! Battles are cleverly diluted with simple puzzles and searching for keys, as well as jumping on platforms, dodging spikes, etc.

Another feature of this series is the possibility of cooperative passage of levels. The players liked the opportunity, together with a partner, to smash various monsters to shreds. It's also worth adding a bit of absurd humor and original storytelling style here, and it becomes immediately clear why Serious Sam is very popular among players even today.

Garry's Mod

Release date: 2004

Genre: first person shooter,

A kind of physical "sandbox" that allows you to manipulate various objects on your own or together with friends and arrange experiments with the physics of the Source game engine. With this modification, you can, for example, connect, copy, resize or texture, and perform other kinds of actions with a variety of game objects based on the Source engine. In addition, in addition to the sandbox mode, there are several fun online game modes in the modification.

It is worth noting that for the modification to work, players will need any game on the Source engine. In this case, the objects and characters of Half-Life 2 will immediately become available to the player, because. they are included in the main distribution of the engine. Other games will allow you to use your content in the sandbox.

Samurai Warriors 2

Release date: 2006

Genre: third person action,

The second part of the famous hack'n'slash series, which has added several new characters, as well as a number of new features. The game begins with a choice of sides fighting for control of Japan. After choosing from the sides, the player is invited to choose a character (initially 26 pieces are available, the rest open as you progress), each of which has its own characteristics of combat. In addition to the standard campaign, the game has a survival mode, as well as the ability to play together.

The lion's share of the time we will rush to different ends of the map, destroying ordinary opponents and officers in batches. For defeating enemies, we get gold and experience. The first is used to buy equipment and some abilities, the second is used to improve their characteristics. Upgraded characters make more powerful combos and can use super attacks more often.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Release date: 2007

Genre: first person shooter,

A first-person shooter dedicated, as you might guess, to modern warfare. The game is distinguished by high-quality, verified gameplay, excellent plot and its competent presentation. The first game in the Modern Warfare sub-series in which the developers decided to move away from World War II for the first time. The project was highly appreciated by both critics and players. An excellent multiplayer mode played an important role in this.

In multiplayer, players have several modes available, in particular: Free play (every man for himself), Team battle, Championship (capture flags), Headquarters (capture and hold headquarters), Sabotage (planting a bomb and protecting your base from it), Find and destroy (the same, only one team must plant the bomb, the second must prevent this). In subsequent parts of the sub-series, modes for cooperative play were also implemented.

Gears of War series

Release date: 2006-2016

A series of third-person shooters in which the main game feature is the use of cover by the player, as well as the competent combination of tactical movement through the level with shooting. An impressive arsenal of weapons is available to players, including a standard assault rifle with a built-in chainsaw for close-range attacks. The gameplay is very dynamic, in addition, the games in the series have the possibility of cooperative passage of the story campaign. In addition to co-op, the games offer a number of competitive multiplayer modes.

The games of the series have been awarded a number of awards, including as the best game projects of the year, as well as for their graphic design. Players appreciate the franchise for its hardcore, action, and the ability to play together with friends. The first part sold over three million copies in ten weeks and became the fastest selling game of 2006 and the second most played on Xbox Live during 2007.

Kane & Lynch: Dead Men

Release date: 2007

Genre: third person shooter,

Action from a third person, which is based on the interaction of two completely different characters. The game is focused primarily on cooperative play, and when playing solo, your partner will be controlled by artificial intelligence. The game focuses heavily on story and gunplay, in which the player can take cover behind various objects and shoot blindly. The levels are quite linear, but it is not uncommon to find the possibility of a tactical bypass.

The features of the game also include the ability to exchange weapons with allies, as well as the fact that the player almost never has to look for ammunition, since a partner can always give out a small portion of the necessary ammunition. In addition, in addition to the story campaign, the game also has an online mode where players need to steal as much money from the bank as possible.

left for dead

Release date: the first - 2008, the second - 2009

Genre: First-person shooter, survival horror

A cooperative first-person shooter with elements of survival horror in which the player, in the company of three more of his friends, has to go through various levels filled with a huge amount of all kinds of "dead things". If the player runs alone, then AI will play for the rest of the characters. The main feature of the game is the presence of the so-called "director", which adjusts the gameplay depending on the actions of the players, so that each passage will be unique.

The project has received many positive reviews, as well as a number of significant awards, largely due to its unique gameplay, with an emphasis on team action, as well as a dark atmosphere of horror and despair. On November 17, 2009, the second part was released, to which the maps and campaigns of the first part were subsequently added. It is worth noting that a lot of people still play the game.

Resident Evil 5 and 6

Release date: 1996-2017

Genre: third person shooter, zombies,

Two parts of the famous game series, made in the genre of third-person shooters, in which the player in the company of a partner (controlled by a second player or artificial intelligence) goes through all sorts of missions filled with various mutants and zombies. The games are broken up into small chapters, often with a mandatory boss at the end. Between chapters, the player can purchase equipment or improve existing ones.

The main difference between the sixth part and the fifth is that there are as many as four story campaigns whose events take place in parallel with each other and often intersect at key points. Moreover, each of the campaigns is slightly different in terms of gameplay. So, the campaign for Leon and Helena is more like the classic Resident Evil, and the campaign for Chris and Pierce is reminiscent of the fifth part of the franchise.

Kiling Floor 1 and 2

Release date: P first - 2005, second - 2015

Genre: First person shooter zombie

A dilogy of games in the genre of a cooperative first-person shooter with elements of survival horror, in which six people on one of the maps must destroy many mutants, and then defeat a powerful boss at the end. Depending on the game settings, the boss appears after the 4th, 7th, or 10th wave of monsters. Between waves, players can purchase weapons and equipment from the shop (money is earned by killing mutants). There is also a small RPG element here. In particular, for the experience gained in battles, you can improve the character's perks.

Both parts of the game were warmly received by the gaming community. Many noted the similarity of this project with the Left 4 Dead game, but at the same time they focused on the fact that the Killing Floor franchise is not without its own uniqueness and is definitely capable of leaving positive impressions.

Trine 1-3

Release date: 2009-2015

A trilogy that combines genres such as 2D fantasy platformer, RPG and puzzle. The main feature of the games in the series is the ability to pass levels immediately for three different characters, switching between them at the right time. Each of the characters has their own unique skills that the player will need at different stages of the levels.

Locations are built in such a way that sooner or later the player has to take control of one or another character. So, for example, a knight can fight opponents and use a shield to protect the team from enemy projectiles. The thief uses a bow and arrows, as well as a grappling hook. The magician has the ability to create objects and move them in space. Also, the games of the series include co-op for 3 people and special levels for co-op.

Borderlands 1 and 2

Release date: the first - 2009, the second - 2012

Two parts of a cooperative first-person shooter with RPG elements, in which 1 or 2 players go through the story campaign, completing the main and secondary tasks of the NPC. The game has several playable characters with their own unique skills, a lot of quests (which is more typical for MMORPGs) and a lot of all kinds of loot (weapons, upgrade modules, etc.).

An interesting feature is implemented in the game - procedurally generated weapons and items that can receive improved firepower or, for example, effects such as setting an enemy on fire. The same system is used when creating special enemies that players encounter along the way. It is also worth noting the unique hand-drawn style, which has become a kind of hallmark of the series.

Lost Planet 2 and 3

Release date: 2006-2013

Genre: Third person shooter about aliens

Two parts of the famous third-person shooter, which partly copy the gameplay of the first game in the series. In particular, we have mechanized armor, extreme terrain and huge boss fights. There is also an RPG element here. The main difference between the second and third parts of the series is the presence of a cooperative, thanks to which players up to four people can go through the story campaign.

In addition to the story campaign and co-op, the games in the series have several multiplayer modes, in which there is also a deeper character customization, including the presence of a wide selection of face models, legs, torso, etc. In general, the projects received mostly positive reviews, in which players noted excellent multiplayer content and original monster designs.

Magicka 1 and 2

Release date: the first - 2011, the second - 2015

Genre: Arcade, fantasy, magic

Fun action-adventures focused on co-op. In both parts of the series, the player in the role of one of the wizards in the company of his friends (up to 4 players) must go through all kinds of levels in order to stop the "Dark Evil". The series impresses with a huge number of all kinds of magical combinations, as well as absurd situations that arise as it progresses. The degree of absurdity is also increased by the fact that friendly fire is always on here and with some especially massive spell you can accidentally fry your comrades. Such errors will often occur to you, moreover, the game expects and requires them from you!

In general, the whole point of the series is in a fun cooperative, which is equipped with a huge amount of humor. The games also have references to everything you can think of, various secrets and artifacts, as well as a flexible spell system based on combining various elements (which often gives unpredictable, and sometimes even funny results).

Terraria

Release date: 2011

Genre: Arcade, Adventure, RPG, Sandbox,

Adventure indie sandbox where the player can explore the world, extract resources, create various objects and structures, fight monsters, all in a huge randomly generated 2D location. At the same time, the location has a clear zoning, and some types of monsters or resources can only be found in a certain zone. The variety of items, equipment and enemies in the game is very large, in particular, the number of items alone here exceeds 2000!

With one of the patches, co-op was added to the game, as well as "expert mode". In the cooperative mode, several people can now explore the world at once, and the "expert mode" greatly complicates the game, in particular, the mobs become stronger, and the drop-down loot is much less than in normal modes.

Portal 2

Release date: 2011

Genre: First person puzzle

The second part of the famous "portal" puzzle with a first-person view, which develops and improves the gameplay of the first part. The gameplay here is also built around a special device that allows you to create portals in space and instantly move to the right place. In addition to moving the player directly, the portal gun also helps move various objects (for example, companion cubes or turrets). The game is included in the top games with

Among the many gameplay innovations in Portal 2, it is worth noting the presence of a cooperative mode that allows you to complete levels in the company of another player. In this case, each of the players can use both their own portals and the portals of a partner (although there is no connection between all four portals in the game). Most co-op puzzles also rely on players interacting with different elements (often via portals), but co-op is much more complex than solo.

Lord of the Rings: War in the North

Release date: 2011

Genre: RPG, third-person action

An action role-playing game with up to three-player co-op inspired by the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, in which players take on the role of one of several heroes and travel to various locations in the world of Middle-earth. The project does not repeat the hackneyed plots of the original trilogy, but covers events that unfold parallel to the main plot of the books, thereby expanding the LotR universe.

There are three characters in the game, each of which has its own abilities and will be much better than the others in some ways (for example, the elf specializes in healing the team and raising morale, and the dwarf is good for frontal attacks and withstanding a lot of damage). On their way, the heroes will meet many different monsters, and at the end of each level they will have a boss battle, after which they can get useful loot and upgrade their character.

Dead Island and Dead Island Riptide

Release date: the first - 2011, the second - 2013

Genre: First person shooter with RPG elements, zombies, open world

A first-person survival horror action game with role-playing elements, a huge open world and an emphasis on a cooperative storyline campaign. The heroes of the game are tourists who, by chance, found themselves right in the center of a local zombie apocalypse. Now the player in the role of one of the characters, having gathered a company of up to three of his friends, will have to find out the cause of the pandemic, and then escape from one, and then from another infected island.

The basis of the gameplay here is the exploration of the island, the battle with the infected, as well as the completion of main and secondary quests. In the process of passing, players gain experience that can be spent on pumping their character, and also find supplies and weapons. The latter breaks as you use it, so you will have to constantly look for the best weapon (or repair and / or improve the existing one).

Overcooked 1 and 2

Release date: the first - 2012, the second - 2018

Genre: indie

A cooperative arcade game designed for passing levels in a company of up to four people behind one screen, in which the best chefs from all over the world must save the world from the ever-hungry monster (in the first part of the game) and the Walking Bread (in the second). The project features funny cartoon graphics and original gameplay.

Each level here is a unique location (a cafe, a pirate ship, an active volcano, ice blocks, etc.), where players create culinary masterpieces and feed visitors for a while. At the same time, something at the level constantly interferes with the fulfillment of tasks. So, for example, because of the pitching on the ship, players will constantly have to chase the plates going back and forth, and on ice blocks it is very difficult to stand on your own feet.

Torchlight II

Release date: 2012

Genre: 3rd person RPG, indie,

Action-RPG in the world of steampunk, where the player in the face of one of the four characters must go through levels, fight monsters, collect loot and upgrade your character. In some ways, the game resembles the famous Diablo, however, with its own unique features. So, in particular, there are familiars in the game, there is the possibility of catching fish, and in general there are some gameplay "chips" that are more suitable for the MMORPG genre.

There is also the possibility of cooperative passage (for the lack of which many scolded the first part of the game). The cooperative supports the game for up to six people, while the number of opponents thrown against them directly depends on the number of players. The multiplayer game itself remains the same as the single-player game without any special innovations.

Dead Space 3

Release date: 2013

Genre: third person shooter, survival horror,

A third-person sci-fi survival horror that is the final game in the Dead Space trilogy. Compared to the previous parts of the franchise, the gameplay has undergone significant changes. So, for example, our character can squat and hide behind shelters, and not only necromorphs, but also fanatical soldiers act as opponents, in connection with which battles can take place on three sides at once. Another feature of the gameplay is the possibility of a cooperative passage of the game for two people.

Interestingly, the cooperative version of the game has some differences from the single player. For example, some side quests can only be obtained in co-op. In addition, each of the players can from time to time experience hallucinations that are invisible to their partner, and begin to react to them (for example, shoot in different directions at non-existent enemies, hitting their friend).

Don't Starve

Release date: 2013

Genre: Indie, survival horror, sandbox, roguelike

An exciting action-adventure sandbox with elements of the roguelike and survival genres, the world of which is randomly generated with each new game. Before starting a new game, the player can choose a character for himself, as well as change a number of settings, after which he appears in a random place and begins to survive, trying to figure out what is happening along the way. One of the features of the game is that there is no training here - take it and master everything yourself.

In April 2016, a multiplayer version of the game was released, in which all previously released content was sewn in, as well as a number of innovations were added. So, for example, now the character does not die, but becomes a ghost with its own abilities and skills. In addition, in survival mode, it is possible to resurrect each other. In addition, the multiplayer game can take place both cooperatively and with the possibility of PVP.

Payday 2

Release date: 2013

Genre: First person shooter, bandits

Co-op bank robbery simulator, made in the genre of first-person shooter. At the beginning of the battle, the owner of the game room chooses a contract and its difficulty, after which a team of four goes on missions. The tasks in the game are very diverse - it can be a robbery of a bank or a jewelry store, or maybe the protection of a drug laboratory. In addition to the main tasks in the game, there are random events that greatly diversify the gameplay.

The game is focused exclusively on team actions. This is especially well revealed in the division of characters into classes, each of which will be very useful during the passage. In general, competent pumping plays a very important role here. And it is much more interesting to play with a pumped and well-played team than with random players who sometimes may not behave too adequately.

Saints Row IV

Release date: 2013

Genre: third person shooter, mafia,

A third-person action-adventure open-world game in which the player controls the leader of the Third Street Saints gang and becomes the President of the United States in the process! The game is an example of a purely entertainment product that does not claim to be realism or a well-thought-out plot, but claims to be the most diverse, fun and sometimes even absurd gameplay. On our site, the game is included in the top games with.

The game is distinguished by an abundance of humor, hurricane gameplay (most of which is made possible thanks to the superpowers of the protagonist), as well as the incredible convenience of all game mechanics. Of the pluses, it is also worth noting the presence of a cooperative, which was added to Saints Row 4 with one of the add-ons. In it, the protagonist's associates from the main story go to hell to free their boss from a forced marriage to the daughter of Satan.

Arma 3

Release date: 2013

Genre: First person shooter, open world

Tactical first-person shooter with RPG elements. In essence, this is a hardcore military simulator, where parameters such as gravity or wind will affect your shots, and the position of the body or the fatigue of the character will positively or negatively affect the accuracy of shooting. For the first time in the series, the ability to dive under water, secretly infiltrating enemy bases or destroying surface ships by planting a mine, appeared. Another innovation is the presence of drones, drones, allowing you to discreetly find out the location of the enemy.

The network game and co-op are implemented in the game, however, not all missions are available for the co-op, which, however, is solved with the help of the steam workshop, where a fruitful fan community has released a huge number of modifications, including those for the co-op. For cooperative passage, you can unite both together and in small groups.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes

Release date: 2013

Genre: Third person action, RPG

One of the many games in the Lego series, made in the action-adventure genre and tells about the adventures of the superheroes of the Marvel universe. The game is a prequel to Lego Marvel's Avengers, but has an original plot in which Nick Fury convenes a team of superhumans. In general, the gameplay is not very different from other games under the logo of the famous designer. We alone or in the company of a partner run through the levels, fight enemies and solve simple puzzles, collecting Lego pieces along the way, which fall out of almost any object.

Unlike other Lego games, the gameplay has become more dynamic, and we have a whole Manhattan open for exploration, in which we can steal cars (like in some GTA), help NPCs and destroy almost everything around. Naturally, doing this in the company of your friend is much more interesting and fun.

Insurgency

Release date: 2014

Genre: first person shooter,

Realistic multiplayer tactical first-person shooter with an emphasis on team action, dedicated to the Iraq War. At the center of events are US private military companies and Iraqi rebels, between whom hostilities take place. The teams in the game are divided into combat squads, where each of the players has his own clearly delineated specialization and, accordingly, the game task. For the sake of realism, there are no interface elements on the screen, and the death of the player occurs after 1-2 hits.

The game literally forces allies to work together, because otherwise you will simply be destroyed by a more competent and tactically savvy enemy. When you enter this game after some CS or Battlefield, you literally understand that you are just a burden and have never played real shooters. The game will require you to have direct hands, a good reaction and the ability to work well in a team.

Divinity: Original Sin

Release date: 2014

Genre: third person RPG,

Turn-based RPG based on the game mechanics of classic RPGs. So, for example, we have two characters, which, as they progress, other game characters will join, who also build certain relationships among themselves: they can have sympathy, antipathy, love, etc. There are action points in battles, and interaction bonuses between characters, backstabs, etc. have a significant impact on combat. There is also a cooperative mode here, in which 2 players can play the storyline (and 4 players can play in multiplayer).

The game has a deep interaction with the world. So, for example, almost all items can be transferred here or try to combine with each other. In addition, various elements can interact with each other here, for example, a wet enemy will receive less damage from fire). In general, the project turned out to be very deep and will certainly appeal to all fans of the genre.

Destiny

Release date: 2014

Genre: First person shooter, RPG

A futuristic online first-person shooter that also includes MMO elements. The story campaign in the game is a kind of preparation for the player to high-level multiplayer content, in which Destiny is revealed in all its glory. And even the joint passage of the initial stages is tied to the level of the players, i.e. you will not be able to get into a team with players much stronger or weaker than you.

The game has three classes of characters, and each of the characters also has a special ghost robot that constantly accompanies us and helps in every possible way. The gameplay is focused on playing together, because, like in many MMOs, an independent game here is uninteresting and ineffective. In multiplayer, there are several modes, as well as random events periodically appear on the maps, in which we, with due luck, can participate.

Dungeon of the Endless

Release date: 2014

Genre: RPG, indie, tower defense

An exciting roguelike game with elements from genres such as tactics, strategy, RPG and tower defense. The plot of the game is simple, we crash over the planet on a prison ship, which now needs to be explored, choosing a couple of characters for ourselves and using them to make our way up from the dungeon into which the spaceship landed. The locations here are divided into rooms in which both monsters and something valuable can appear. Moreover, monsters are guaranteed to appear in the rooms already passed, which will head towards the crystal sticking out of the wreckage of the ship (its destruction entails a loss), so the player will have to worry about defense.

The game also has a great co-op, in which you already have to not only micromanage, but also coordinate with a partner (or partners up to 4 players). Those. in battles, you have to agree on who is responsible for what, divide resources in half and decide who and what will build now.

Miscreated

Release date: 2014

Genre: MMO, first and third person shooter, survival, zombies

First/third-person action with sandbox elements and survival horror, positioning itself as a global rethinking of DayZ with its own unique features. In general, everything is pretty standard for the genre - we have a huge location in which we appear with almost no means of subsistence. Around the despondency and devastation caused by the apocalypse, but we must simply survive by getting food, drink, uniforms, weapons, etc.

The game has the possibility of co-op. Surviving with a friend is much more interesting, given that the game world is extremely aggressive. Zombies can appear quite unexpectedly, and aggressive other players cause a lot of trouble. The game is in the open test stage, but it's good that the developers are constantly improving the game and adding a lot of new content to it.

Depth

Release date: 2014

Genre: First person shooter

A multiplayer action game in which the player can take control of a huge shark or diver. Obviously, in both cases, the gameplay will be different. So, for example, a shark relies on its own strength and stealth (there is even the possibility of improving skills), and a diver, whose task is to extract treasure from the depths, can acquire weapons and equipment in order to better resist a predator.

There can be up to four divers and two sharks in one round. In the arsenal of scuba divers, there are all kinds of mines, grenades, underwater pistols, a knife, harpoons, tracking systems, turrets, etc. It would seem that with such an arsenal, sharks are in a deliberately losing situation. But no matter how! The game developers have done a good job on the balance of the parties, so each fight between humans and a predator will be unique and unpredictable.

HELLDIVERS

Release date: 2015

Genre: Top-down shooter

An arcade isometric shooter with a focus on co-op, in which four brave Space Marines must save the planet from hordes of alien bugs. Teamwork is the key to success in this game, which is hinted at by the dynamism of the battle and the firepower of the opponents. You can win here only with a full-fledged team and competently using the skills of your characters. In addition, it is in the co-op that the real fun begins.

In general, everything here is done at a high level. Driving an armored vehicle into the midst of enemies and making a mess there is an incomparable pleasure. The game has a lot of bugs and robots, a competent mixture of dynamics and stealth, as well as excellent humor and high-quality graphics.

Grand Theft Auto V and online

Release date: 2015

Genre: third person shooter, open world,

Mega-popular third-person action game with sandbox elements, three playable characters and huge gameplay possibilities. The biggest and most ambitious project of Rockstar, which everyone unanimously dubbed a hit of all time! The game world is simply huge, the possibilities available to the player are even more, an excellent storyline and many missions (including side missions) are just a small fraction of everything that the project has to offer.

Even more opportunities can be offered to players in the GTA Online multiplayer mode, in which you can explore the world alone or with friends, complete special cooperative missions (including robbing banks), take part in all sorts of competitions and third-party entertainment, or simply repair total chaos . The main goal of the online mode is to earn money, which can be immediately spent on the purchase of movable and immovable property.

Portal Knights

Release date: 2016

Genre: Third Person Action, Open World, Sandbox, RPG

A 3D RPG with an endless procedurally generated world, three character classes, crafting, lots of enemies and the ability to build your own fortresses. Each of the worlds that we can enter through portals has its own unique landscape, as well as creatures and crafting materials. There are also caves and dungeons available for exploration in the game.

Fights take place in the third person. Here the player can use both weapons and powerful spells. There are fights with epic bosses, and random events, and much more. The pluses of the project should also include the presence of a cooperative of up to four people, which allows you to explore dungeons, build buildings and fight opponents together.

Tom Clancy's The Division

Release date: 2016

Genre: Third person shooter, post-apocalyptic

A third-person co-op action game set in the near future in New York City. The player finds himself in the center of a viral epidemic, while the elimination of its consequences will directly depend on the actions of all participants in the game. The project is built in such a way that your team will be matched with the most suitable teammates according to the style of your game, and the total group size can be up to four people.

As you progress through the game, the player will find himself in the so-called "dark zone", which, in fact, is a PVP and PVE zone. In it, players can either fight against each other or try to stick together, fighting with stronger and more resilient NPCs. Here, players must find various in-game items, and then evacuate them using a helicopter.

Dead by Daylight

Release date: 2016

Genre: third person action, horror,

A first/third-person cooperative survival horror in which a group of up to four survivors must escape a maniac-killer by completing various tasks on the map (turning on and repairing generators, etc.). All characters here are controlled by real players, while both survivors and killers have their own unique gameplay and play style.

During the game, all characters can be upgraded. In addition, between game sessions, you can purchase various items that can help in survival (or vice versa in killing survivors). In general, the game offers a fairly diverse gameplay, and if for the killer the variability of passing is limited only by the skills of one or another character, then for the survivors, players can choose whether to act together or try to survive on their own.

Battlefield 1

Release date: 2016

Genre: first person shooter,

Online first-person shooter based on the events of the First World War. And although the game has a single player campaign, the main emphasis here is still placed on multiplayer. The player can choose from four classes, each with its own set of skills, abilities and weapons. Map battles can include up to 64 players. The game has various locations and a variety of equipment that you can use.

In general, the gameplay is largely traditional for the series, but the developers tried to make everything much more interesting, bigger, cooler, which, by the way, they did. The game captivates from the first minutes, largely due to the gameplay perfected to the smallest detail and incredibly beautiful graphics, for which the project received a number of prestigious awards. I am also glad that the developers with an enviable frequency release large-scale DLC.

TheHunter: Call of the Wild

Release date: 2017

Genre: First Person Shooter, Hunting Simulator, Adventure

A hunting simulator with a first-person view, in which literally everything is wonderful: a huge open world, a wide variety of all kinds of game, colorful graphics and even a cooperative mode for hunting together. Of the minuses, it is worth noting the not very high-quality optimization of the game, which the developers, hopefully, will fix in subsequent patches.

The first thing I want to note here is the locations that amaze with their beauties. And although this project is about hunting, there is something to do in the game besides killing animals. So, for example, here you can collect horns, find notes, take pictures of local beauties, etc. The game is leisurely and meditative, so the project is very amateurish, but this is more likely not a minus, but its feature. Playing with a partner is a little more fun, so co-op is highly recommended, especially if you are taking on this genre for the first time.

PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS

Release date: 2017

Genre: Third person shooter, adventure

A multiplayer survival simulator in which the player and 99 other people land at various points on a large island and begin to survive, finding supplies and weapons along the way, and destroying other players. The essence of the game is to be the last survivor on the island. You can play as a solo, duo, or in a squad of up to 3-4 people.

The game as a whole is very dynamic, besides, at a certain moment it spurs the players to action by the appearance of the so-called white, blue and red zones. The white zone is safe, in the blue zone - players gradually lose health, and the red zone is subjected to massive shelling. The white and blue circles shrink after a certain amount of time, forcing players to move towards the center while fighting each other.

Alien Swarm: Reactive Drop

Release date: 2017

Genre: third person shooter, arcade,

An arcade co-op shooter in an isometric view, in which there is both the original game and a custom modification with a bunch of changes. The plot is simple - to save the planet, a detachment of elite fighters is going, the character of which we control. In the original game, the squad consisted of four people, in turn, the modification expanded it to eight. It is worth noting that this add-on is no longer focused on the story campaign, which is perfectly played by four, but on additional modes that are somewhat reminiscent of “mutations” from the Left 4 Dead game.

The essence of the main game still lies in the extermination of hordes of aliens in the spirit of the good old Alien Shooter, but again, in the company of your friends, which adds more dynamics to the game and a number of unique cooperative features.

Nine Parches

Release date: 2017

Genre: Arcade

A co-op arcade game set in the Trine universe about half-educated runaway magicians who want to find nine lost manuscripts. The game is based on the study, creation and combination of various spells with incredible and sometimes very unexpected effects. As a result - a lot of accidents on the way of the fugitives.

The gameplay of the project combines elements of action and RPG - mages fight with staves and spells, collect magic trophies and upgrade in one of several development paths of the player's choice. Each enemy is painted in a certain color, which reflects his vulnerability to one of the elements (fire, ice, etc.). Also in the game there are bosses to which you need to choose your tactics, distributing certain roles between the players.

Monster Hunter World

Release date: 2018

Genre: RPG, third-person action

The fifth part of the famous series of games Monster Hunter, made in the Action / RPG genre from a third person and tailored for co-op up to four people. The task of the players is to hunt down monsters in their habitat, destroy them, create more powerful items and hunt more serious monsters as hunters. The game has fourteen types of original weapons with their own unique attacks and properties, many monsters, pet helpers and much more.

As in previous games in the series, the player takes on the role of the Hunter, but now players need to act as a team. The characters have no skills, they are determined depending on the equipment. In particular, the weapon in the game determines the style of combat and the role of the player in the team, and the armor gives various skills that you can and should also select according to your style of play. All this (as well as various drinks, traps, etc.) players need to craft from resources obtained from monsters and found at the location.

Deep Rock Galactic

Release date: 2018

Genre: First person shooter

Co-op sci-fi first-person shooter about cool space gnomes. The game features a procedurally generated environment and hordes of alien creatures that the player will have to fight in the company of three more friends in order to extract various minerals.

The essence of the game comes down to the following: the four gnomes take an order from an intergalactic mining company and go to the right asteroid in order to extract minerals. Dwarves have a division into specializations with their own unique role in the squad and their own leveling tree: scout, shooter, engineer and driller. Each mission is unique in its own way. randomly generated, including monsters, their numbers and all sorts of "accidents" on the map in the form of earthquakes, splitting floors, etc.

Similar posts