Game-Changing Collaborations: Unleashing Co-Op Potential in PlayStation's Top Series

Highlights

The Last of Us and Horizon series may finally offer co-op gameplay, exciting news for fans.

There is potential for co-op gameplay in the Astro Bot, Dark Cloud, and Gravity Rush series if new entries or remakes are developed. Adding co-op options to the inFAMOUS and Jak and Daxter series would greatly enhance the gameplay experience.

The Last of Us and the Horizon series are two popular game franchises that have yet to introduce co-op gameplay, despite being highly anticipated by fans. While The Last of Us has previously featured multiplayer, it has never included a co-op campaign, which many players believe would have been a logical addition to the game. However, there are reports that Naughty Dog, the developer of The Last of Us, is currently working on a multiplayer-focused title, which suggests that co-op gameplay may be introduced in the future.

Similarly, Guerrilla Games, the developer of the Horizon series, is also facing the same situation. It is unclear whether the upcoming third game in the series will incorporate multiplayer or if a separate project will be dedicated to it. Regardless, the inclusion of co-op gameplay is highly anticipated by fans of these franchises, and the possibility of it being introduced in the future is exciting news. As for other PlayStation series, it remains uncertain whether they will ever include co-op gameplay.

8 Astro Bot

Astro Bot currently stands as a small series in Sony's collection. The initial entry, Astro Bot Rescue Mission, was exclusively designed for PSVR. Following that, Astro Bot's Playroom emerged as a bundled launch game with the PS5 in 2020. These two titles deliver captivating platforming experiences and have garnered widespread acclaim.

One can speculate that Sony may revisit this charming robot once more, perhaps introducing a co-op feature that allows a friend to join players on the couch. While co-op in VR may seem unconventional, it is not entirely unprecedented.

7 Dark Cloud

Dark Cloud was a duo of games that were released in the early era of the PS2. These action RPGs provided players with a distinctive experience, incorporating a building simulation aspect into the gameplay. The final installment, Dark Cloud 2, came out in 2003 and built upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, restricting the number of playable characters to just two.

Max and Monica possessed their own special abilities; for instance, Max had the ability to pilot a robot named Steve. While the sequel missed the opportunity to include co-op gameplay, the potential remains for a future remake. Should Level-5 choose to revive this beloved series, the next installment could also focus on multiplayer gameplay.

6 The Getaway

The Getaway series was a collection of open-world games similar to Grand Theft Auto but with a distinct and refined gameplay element. It is evident that these games drew inspiration from UK gangster films and possibly Hollywood blockbusters like Heat. The final game, Gangs of London, released in 2006, served as a spiritual spinoff exclusively for the PSP.

Although there were plans for a third core game on PS2 in 2005, it ultimately got canceled. To create a new game, the Sony UK team could consider examining Grand Theft Auto 5’s online multiplayer mode for ideas on incorporating cooperative gameplay.

5 Gravity Rush

Gravity Rush initially launched as an exclusive title for PS Vita before being remastered for PS4. It later received a sequel on the PS4 in 2017. The series, centered around the protagonist Kat's ability to manipulate gravity, was relatively short-lived. Players could utilize gravity to hover in mid-air and unleash powerful flying kicks upon their foes.

While the possibility of incorporating cooperative gameplay with Kat's companion, Raven, existed in the sequel, it could potentially be explored in a third installment designed for the upcoming PS5 console. As long as Sony does not declare the series officially concluded, there remains hope for its continuation.

4 inFAMOUS

The inFAMOUS series, though not as influential as Batman Arkham Asylum and Marvel's Spider-Man, had its own unique superhero games. Consisting of three main games, each with DLC expansions and spinoffs, the series concluded with the release of inFAMOUS First Light in 2014.

Following this, Sucker Punch, the developer, moved on to create Ghost of Tsushima. It is likely that they are currently working on a sequel for that game. However, this doesn't mean that Sony couldn't assign the development of a successor to the inFAMOUS series to another studio. Imagine a multiplayer game like Destiny, but with the added ability for players to customize their own superpowers. This would result in an amazing co-op experience.

3 Jak And Daxter

The Jak and Daxter series has surprisingly never offered a co-op feature in its mainline games or spinoffs, unlike their Sony mascot counterparts, Ratchet and Clank. While spinoff games like Daxter and Jak X: Combat Racing introduced multiplayer modes, they were of the versus type rather than co-op.

It's now evident that allowing two players to independently control Jak and Daxter would have been a logical move. However, it has been quite some time since the franchise received any new attention, leading fans to lose hope. The most recent installment, titled Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier, was released for PSP and PS2 in 2009.

2 Tearaway

Tearaway initially launched as a PlayStation Vita exclusive, showcasing its distinct papier-mâché art style. Media Molecule, known for their work on the creatively-driven LittleBigPlanet series, demonstrated their familiarity with whimsical design approaches.

Interestingly, both Tearaway and LittleBigPlanet offer four-player cooperative gameplay, making it surprising that Tearaway lacked such features. Even the 2015 remake for the PlayStation 4 failed to introduce cooperative elements. One wonders whether Media Molecule will reexamine this series in the future to incorporate co-op gameplay, or if they will focus solely on their latest endeavor, Dreams.

1 Wild Arms

Wild Arms, an RPG series exclusive to Sony, has long been forgotten but originated during the era of the PS1. One distinctive aspect of these games was that they incorporated a Western theme while still maintaining the turn-based RPG gameplay. This is possibly why the series never ventured into cooperative multiplayer, as it would not align well with the turn-based mechanics.

To revitalize the series, Sony has the opportunity to collaborate with Media.Vision, the developer, and transform the franchise into an RPG shooter format. It has been quite some time since the last console or portable game release, with the most recent being Wild Arms XF in 2008. Although there was a recent mobile game called Wild Arms: Million Memories, it holds little relevance in this discussion.