In the age of COVID-19, co-op gaming has become more popular than ever. For some, gaming might be one of the only safe things to do with friends. As a result of social isolation caused by the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 have seen a huge rise in the demand for co-op gaming. Gamers only have to look toward titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons or It Takes Two to see how important co-op games (or at least co-op options) have become.
There are some exceptions, but as a general rule co-op games require that two or more people know each other in real life (or connect online) to play. By contrast, multiplayer games with matchmaking like Fortnite are much less personal. Because of this difference, co-op games can have a much smaller audience, and games that require co-op such as It Takes Two or Operation: Tango are few and far between. It can be challenging to find a good co-op game to play with friends, family, or a significant other, but a couple of the free offerings through PlayStation Plus this month might help.
PS Plus Games for December 2021
PlayStation Plus is a great way to get a small selection of free games each month, giving players the opportunity to try things they might not have wanted at full price. PS Plus offers a wide variety of genres throughout the year, so while there are always some people who won't be happy with a particular month, chances are they'll like something else down the line. The service started out incredibly strong at the beginning of 2021 and has weakened throughout the year, but December is finishing the year off with a bang.
This month, PlayStation is offering Godfall: Challenger Edition, LEGO DC Super-Villains, and Mortal Shell for PS Plus subscribers. Out of the three, both Godfall and DC Super-Villains have co-op options. It's not required, so gamers who would rather play by themselves can, but it's a great opportunity for PS Plus subscribers looking for more cooperative experiences. LEGO DC Super-Villains is also family friendly, which is a huge plus for some.
Despite co-op games becoming more popular as of late, there haven't been a ton of co-op games made available through PS Plus. There have been a lot of multiplayer offerings, which usually do have co-op options available, but the most notable games that have a co-op focus are Operation: Tango and Overcooked! All You Can Eat. Godfall and LEGO DC Super-Villains can be added to the list this month, and they are a great way to finish off the year.
Godfall: Challenger Edition's Co-Op
There's been some controversy in the PlayStation community about Godfall: Challenger Edition given the Challenger Edition, which is new for PS Plus, severely limits how much players can do in the game. Rather than making the full game available, the Challenger Edition only includes the "Lightbringer," "Dreamstones," and "Ascended Tower of Trials" campaigns, none of which are the main crux of the game.
What makes this even stranger is that the trials included are endgame content, meaning gamers playing the Challenger Edition are instantly given massive gear and level upgrades so they can complete the challenges. Many subscribers feel like they're getting a Godfall trial version instead of the full game, and some are concerned that Godfall is starting a trend of PS Plus offering incomplete games. The good news is that the Challenger Edition still has co-op.
Because Godfall: Challenger Edition doesn't include story missions or much in the way of single-player progression, co-op is probably the best way to enjoy it. Godfall's co-op allows for up to three players to team up online and face various challenges together. There's no multiplayer element to Godfall, so all players have to worry about is in-game enemies. Still, with the only missions available being from the endgame, it could be a challenge for players new to Godfall - having an extra set of hands or two might make a huge difference.
LEGO DC Super-Villains' Co-Op
While they may not be the most challenging titles out there, LEGO video games can be a lot of fun to play in co-op mode. With a friend they're much more fun because of built-in collaborative elements. The comical retellings of classics like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and stories from the Marvel and DC universes are also a lot more entertaining when there's someone to laugh with.
In LEGO games, there are usually multiple characters present on the journey even if only one character is being used by the player. Some tasks require teamwork, with can be accomplished with an NPC but is more entertaining with a friend. LEGO DC Super-Villains only allows up to two players, so it isn't great for larger groups. For families, friends, and couples gathered together for the holidays, it's a great way to pass the time. LEGO games are also accessible for kids and casual gamers, so it's something the whole family can enjoy without having to spend a ton of time learning systems and mechanics.
In LEGO DC Super-Villains, people play as classic DC villains like Harley Quinn, the Joker, and other members of the Injustice League. In the absence of the Justice League, the super villains work to uncover the true motivations of hero wannabes calling themselves the Justice Syndicate. It strikes a good balance by giving the player someone to cheer for, but also letting them wreak havoc as their favorite characters, which every villain-based game should do. DC Super-Villains didn't get amazing reviews (nor did Godfall), but that doesn't mean it can't be a fun co-op experience to share with a friend.
With both Godfall and LEGO DC Super-Villains on the table for December, in addition to the Souls-like title Mortal Shell, there should be something for almost everyone to enjoy. For fans of co-op games, it's one of the strongest months of the year on PlayStation Plus.