PS2 multi-player games recommendations

[der_kluge]

So, my wife and I were discussing things that we could do together. Normally, I'm a very introspective person. My hobbies are things I tend to do on my own - I read game books, I surf the net, I compose music, I play video games.

So, we were discussing what kinds of things we could do together. We have a few card game/board game type things, but I don't care for those so much. Some of those are more fun with more people. She doesn't like games like M:tG or anything like that. We've played Chez Geek, and that one is ok.

Anyway, that led us to console games. We'd played Gauntlet over at my sister's house, and she thought it was pretty fun. I didn't think it was a great game, but it's something we could do together. I want some recommendations on other games like that that I could get that she might enjoy. Here are the requirements (they are pretty stringent):

- PS2 only
- It has to be cooperative, no fighting games where I get to beat her up.
- No split screen. I suggested Tony Hawk, and she hates the split screen thing.
- It has to be simultaneous play. She doesn't want to wait for me to die before she can play again.

Any suggestions?

 

[trancejeremy]

The Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance Games (1 & 2) are sort of like a D&D version of Gauntlet.

So is D&D Heroes, but I'm not sure if that made it to the PS2.

 

[Arkhandus]

I haven't tried BGA 2 yet, but BGA 1 is wicked fun. I've played through it as the dwarf fighter and had a blast; even though it's fairly simple to play, it has all kinds of cool stuff anyway, and even the fighter has a few special moves he can gain through feats. Bull Rush is awesome. It's remarkably useful for dodging boss-attacks, closing with bosses, and getting out of reach after smacking them once or twice. And the type of weapon you wield in the game determines what attack combos you use; i.e. if you make a three-attack combo with a greataxe, you'll get a different effect than if you used a sword or spear. Polearms and I think axes or hammers do a cool little whirlwind-attack sort of strike with their third hit in a combo. And if you use a bow, one of the cheap archery feats lets you generate a targeting line when you lightly hold the fire button, so you can aim better.

Sorry, that's the only good PS2 multiplayer game I know of that fits your criteria. Haven't played many like that since getting my PS2 a few years ago.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

Try the Hunter - The Reckoning series. The original Hunter kicked ass, the Redeemer, not so much. They made a third only for PS2 that I didn't get to play, as my experience is with the Xbox.

 

[der_kluge]

My wife seemed to like the Gauntlet game, so she might like that BG game. I'll have to look for it. Any others?

 

[Guillaume]

How about the Sims ? Julie and I have the same problem as you Der_Kluge : we keep looking for cooperative PS2 multi-player games. They are a rarety. There was another one besides Baldur's Gate : the last James Bond title had a fully cooperative mode, IIRC.

 

[John Crichton]

You have to play a level or two before you can have a second player join in (just do it ahead of time or let her play and eat some snacks while she does it) but X-men Legends is a must play if you like the X-men at all.

And I've never played it multi but Champions of Norrath (and I assume its sequel) was really fun and heavily supported multiplayer. Hack-n-slashy goodness with all the action-RPG trappings of leveling + phat lewt (carrot on a stick).

 

[spider_minion]

You have to play a level or two before you can have a second player join in (just do it ahead of time or let her play and eat some snacks while she does it) but X-men Legends is a must play if you like the X-men at all.

And I've never played it multi but Champions of Norrath (and I assume its sequel) was really fun and heavily supported multiplayer. Hack-n-slashy goodness with all the action-RPG trappings of leveling + phat lewt (carrot on a stick).

I'd like to second the nomination of these two games. I personally like Champions of Norrath much more than the Dark Alliance games. Both of the games that John mentioned actually support up to four players - very fun!

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

I've played dozens upon dozens of console-style RPGs (Final Fantasy, Suikoden, Wild ARMs) with two or more players sitting around the screen, reading the dialogue (and improving it in between) and trading off with the controls. I've also found that those games seem to click for the ladies more than most, possibly because many have strong romantic elements. Final Fantasy 6 (available for Playstations in Final Fantasy anthology) had actual two-player controls, where you split the on-screen characters between two controllers. Good times.

For the most part, I reccomend the PS1-era games over the PS2 ones, as both play on your PS2 and the former seemed better written and designed. Final Fantasy 10, Wild ARMs 3, Suikoden 3 and the Shadow Hearts games are all solid PS2 offerings, though.

Sadly, for actual multiplayer games with two controllers, the PS2 isn't terribly well-off. The GameCube has a lot more selection in that respect, and isn't hugely expensive right now ($79 US, I believe).

Sports games, if you're interested in those at all, invariably have 2-player co-op modes.