Really, really great multiplayer

nlawalker

I have recently been reminiscing about Onslaught mode from Unreal Tournament 2004. For those that haven't played it, Onslaught has large-ish teams (up to 16 I think) playing a game of capture-the-base on big, mostly outdoor maps. The maps were symmetrical and included a number of control points - the points were linked in a network, and by taking over points moving away from your base, you eventually "connect the dots" from your base to your enemy's base using your team color, and you can then attack it and destroy it to win. Most maps had a number of vehicles, of which there was a great variety.

As far as I could tell, it never drew a really huge audience even at its peak, and its popularity dropped off pretty quickly - I think most people stuck with DM/Capture the Flag. But when I could get into a mostly-full game, I remember it as being pretty much everything I was looking for in multiplayer - skill and map knowledge were powerful, but unlike most multiplayer games (FPS, specifically), they weren't the most powerful weapon, at least not for me. I always found that creativity ruled the day, especially with the vehicles, and as a side effect, games were often engaging and hilarious: carjacking vehicles, pushing people over cliffs, sneaking up on people, etc. Even if lots of people were just dicking around, actively trying to help your team really felt useful and gratifying as you fought for control of the map.

Anyways... I miss Onslaught. It was fast, hilarious, provided great motivation for working as team, had awesome weapons/vehicles/maps, great balance, and was just an all-around blast. Even when I was getting killed over and over, it was rarely frustrating or overwhelming.

Where can I find something in this spirit nowadays? It doesn't have to be FPS or even necessarily team-based, but I want something where the unpredictibility of people really makes the game, in more ways than "that guy is really good with the sniper rifle." I've been avoiding most multiplayer for a long time because (a) The maturity of the average XBox Live member, (b) I don't have tons of time to invest in a game anymore, and (c) I've found that unless you get in on the ground floor with a game, its hard to catch up. I got in on the ground floor with TF2 and am now mostly burned out with it, which is ok with me - I got many great hours out of it. I haven't picked up L4D, and although I've heard good things, it seems kind of limited in scope. Playing Rock Band 2 with strangers is ok but is pretty shallow in my opinion; I have just as much fun playing it alone (and of course, way more with friends in person). I haven't played UT3 Warfare, but my understanding is that the online community is nonexistant.

I've got a 360 and a PC, but don't let that limit the conversation - I'm curious about not just what I can get my hands on, but the state of multiplayer gaming in general.

Also, please feel free to share your own funny multiplayer stories.

Oh, and why did no one ever seem to play Bombing Run? Soccer with guns! It was massively tense and scoring a goal felt great.

Djiem

You have reservations, but seriously, do pick up L4D (for PC, of course). With good friends, it is awesome (I say good friends because I enjoy the co-op part of the game and I don't know the exploits and glitches, I've kept myself from reading them on purpose so I can still enjoy the game fully).
Also, I'd say that for the 360, N+ and Castle Crashers are good co-op multiplayer games, especially offline in my opinion. Online, I enjoy Uno (it's a classic, come on), Carcassone and Catan (if you don't have the board games). All of these are XBL games so they're less expensive than the regular retail title too.
As for Capture The Flag games, you might want to keep an eye out for Fat Princess on PS3. I can't say it's great because it's not out yet, but it looks very interesting and could indeed be great.

EDIT: Oh, how could I forget Bomberman? There's a version available on Live, another on WiiWare, and both are excellent (though I like the WiiWare one best, and it also has 8-player offline support with 4 wiimotes and 4 GCN controllers. How more cool can it get?)

Hylianbunny

N+ is great multiplayer. (Even if I am still looking for someone to help me finish the co-op. )

Cronus

What about UT3? A bunch of people recently bought it in the Steam thread. The new huge patch seems to be bringing a lot of new players and will probably bring old players back. The new modding support will surely help things.

I would also agree and say Left 4 Dead. Left 4 Dead is awesome, however only works well when you play with friends. Jumping on with random people gives you a 90% of having a bad time.

Vehem

While Castle Crashers is a great game, I do not think it is exactly what you are looking for.

Left 4 Dead, however, is. It differs greatly from other FPS for two simple reasons:

1. Co-op is prominent
2. Vs (aka team deathmatch) is not "balanced".

Survivors play most like an FPS, but you have to have tight team work to win. Infected are weak by comparison, but its about points, not kills.

I view L4D like a multiplayer rogue-like. How many hilarious ways can I die? Will we make it through the exit, or will a monsterous tank break through the wall and send you flying off a building (leaving your team at a great disadvantage).

Definitely worth at least a try.

nlawalker

Hm. I've really been on the fence with L4D but the only thing is that I don't have any friends that play games! I love my friends dearly but none of them play anything. For TF2 I stuck to playing with PAers and that worked pretty well. I hear good things about the Armadeaddon chat.

I think I'll just pull the trigger and pick it up.

EDIT:

//How many hilarious ways can I die? Will we make it through the exit, or will a monsterous tank break through the wall and send you flying off a building (leaving your team at a great disadvantage).

Sold.

Vehem

nlawalker wrote: »

Hm. I've really been on the fence with L4D but the only thing is that I don't have any friends that play games!

Sold.

You have lots of friends that play games!

http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=81009

Just remember to get it for PC .

Echo

nlawalker wrote: »

//How many hilarious ways can I die? Will we make it through the exit, or will a monsterous tank break through the wall and send you flying off a building (leaving your team at a great disadvantage).

As illustrated

emnmnme

I'll say the lack of co-op in Metal Slug 7 is a terrible omission. Also, I was surprised to hear Golden Axe: Beast Rider had no co-op.

FreddyD

World in Conflict is am RTS that is somewhat reminiscent to Onslaught in UT2k4, in that it is fast, heavily team focused, and action packed. It also features drop in / drop out 8 v 8 multiplayer.

If you prefer FPS games then be sure to check out Legends. I played it at PAX and it is basically a free version of Tribes.