The Mrs. and myself have had a rocky road when it comes to Co-op games. I remember in the beginning, way back in TimeSplitters 2 on the Ps2, there was a lot of yelling and blaming for deaths and restarts. But like any good team, we held it together, and in the end: victory. Many games have come and gone with us over the years, but none has stuck to us quite like TimeSplitters 2. It was fun, had an art style all its own and plenty of personality. If you haven’t played it or its sequel, Future Perfect, I highly recommend them. They should be pretty much free these days if you can find them used.
But this isn’t about TimeSplitters 2, or how innovative it was. This is about the Successor to the Lucha Family’s Co-op Crown: Borderlands. More importantly, however, is that Borderlands could very well be the game that gets your special someone into gaming with you.
But lets be honest. Fellas have a much harder time trying to convince their significant other to play games than the ladies do. So I will mainly be speaking to the men.
There is really only one way to play Borderlands, despite what you may have read about online multiplayer or the single (lonely) player campaign. That is the glorious experience of same couch, same T.V. Co-op greatness. When it comes to the co-op experience, this game doesn’t falter. If you are playing with your Lady (or guy), then this game has something for everyone.
For the gamer it has leveling, skill trees, and quest. For the Non-gamer it is pretty, full of personality and there are a bazillion guns, all that go boom.
For the gamer it has 4 classes to choose from, each with their own special skill for you to level up in all sorts of interesting ways. For the non-gamer (ladies) it has Lilith, the only female character and probably the main one your girl with gravitate to. She is also realistically proportionate so you won’t have to deal with looks of disgust about that.
Me...
My experience with the Mrs. in this game may be different than yours, but here it is nonetheless:
I knew something was different about this game from the start. The usual role of “Hang back and cover your ass” that I occupy was now taken over by her with the inevitable pick of Lilith as the Siren. That left the role of “Shoot first, ask no questions later, until you are reviving me for the 8th time in a single gun fight” to me, playing as Brick, this time instead of her. This was a major step outside of our gaming comfort zone.
There was a little bit of a learning curve, but nothing we couldn’t handle, having recently tackled Resident Evil 5 (a game I don’t recommend for 1st time Couple Co-op). Soon enough we were off helping the many citizens of Pandora with little down time. As the member of the team who loves leveling up and micro managing every last detail of our character, it was up to me (and you I am sure) to keep track of what quest was active and where we needed to go. Good news was that no matter how long I spent in the menu she didn’t have to wait and watch me obsess over which skill got that very special point I got once I leveled up. She was off to shoot anything she wanted.
...and the Mrs.
There were a few tense moments, and some throwbacks to our rookie Co-op days (An area later in the game was full of the most annoying enemy in the game and a source of much frustration). Once again, we were victorious. Another notch in our gaming belt.
But, we wanted more. If your girl doesn’t wanna play the game again, you can go through a 2nd play through with tougher enemies and start your track for those left over trophies. Mrs. Lucha, however, was having none of that. We started this together, we were gonna end it together. Next stop: Platinum Trophy.
First there was a pit stop at the 1st DLC: The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned. We found a new enemy to hate (Defilers) and more fun to be had.
With “Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot DLC” and the newly announced “The Secret Armory of General Knoxx” DLC, This is the game that seems to keep on giving. Do you wanna know the best part? After 40-50+ Hours of game play the game still manages to be something I feel a good number of games are missing. Something that games used to be before all this Trophy and Achievement business. Back when a little plumber breakin’ bricks was the greatest thing to a six year old.
Borderlands is just plain fun. It is more fun with a co-op partner sitting with you. Chuggin’ soda, and greasing up your 2nd community controller with potato chip hands. And it is its absolute best when that partner is that special Girl or Guy you want to share everything with.
While I can’t coach you on how to approach your loved one to pick up the controller in the 1st place, I can offer you the best game out there to keep the controller in their hands. So ditch your Wii Sports, and your Facebook games. Keep your cool, and sit back and enjoy Borderlands how it was meant to be played.
Games. Bringing couples together.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Cool article, I think playing games can bring couples together as much or even more than going to a movie – I like these co-ops…
This was a really informative. I will definitely have to check out the game I’ve heard good things but I was looking for a co-op to get into. I completely agree about it bringing couples together. I’m the fiance of a gamer and never was really into until them before but playing together is way better then watching. Love the article.
I was just going to rent this but after reading your article I think I’m gonna go spend my hard earn dollars on this game since it offers so much game play. I’ve been trying to find something to get my girlfriend to play. Right on man. I’ll let you know if she likes it.
Last game my girlfriend and I played hardcore was Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo. Before that: Lego Star Wars, and before that was Star Wars Battlefront 2. It’s been a while since something has peaked her interest…maybe Borderlands is it.
Nice review. I’m still only level 30 or so in this game and keep getting distracted by other games (MW2, MAG) but my wife enjoys watching me play borderlands. She loved Oblivion so when she gets into Borderlands, it will be a hit with her. The sad truth is….I only have one controller.
Anyhow, thanks for the review and keep them coming!
Wonderful article! Wonderful game! Wonderful man! Cant wait to pick up a controller and play the next DLC with you!
Great article! We started on Resident Evil 5 (he is a gamer, I am not) but I loved it so much and enjoyed playing with him SO much (after the arguing subsided) that he went out and bought boarderlands. Unfortunately I don’t love it as much as Resident Evil 5 but I’m wondering if it’s sorta like my love for him. There will never be anyone better than your first. =)
This was a great article!! I must say I laughed at MANY parts, especially about the arguing because I’m living it!
Oh and I also have a question, if you know of any other games that are for PS3, third person and co-op OFFLINE like REsident Evil 5 that are good for couples, let me know! I’d love to surprise him and have itwaiting for us to play after we conquer Boarderlands.
On a side note, it’s sooo refreshing to see a male NOT suggesting Little Big Planet to females. I hated that game. lol =)
The new (and old) Army of Two games are pretty solid, but require serious co-op. Resistance was a blast co-op, but its first person. We also had a lot of fun playing Lord of the Rings: Conquest. You can get it on the cheap now, and its a blast.
I also recommend games that you would not normally play on your own, like maybe Fairytale Fights.
The game is blah on its own, but multiplayer games, especially co-ops, are fun based on who you are playing with.