CO-OP Shmups; a taboo thing?

[Taylor]

My favourite coop moment is when someone dies next to you and you instantly collect their power up spew by accident leaving them with a peashooter. I think power-up stealing is proof enough that none of these games are really meant to be played two player, because this happens all the time and player-specific tags is hardly a innovative concept.

The main problem with bullet hell is 99% of bullets are aimed in some way and 99% are smoke and mirrors, so in coop one player now has to dodge through impossible patterns you're not actually supposed to dodge through.

It would be nice if there was some coop incentives, though. Truth is a lot of people try and play these coop, and while they might have a fun time with the screen constantly filled with bombs and bouncing "max power" collectables, clearly that is not intended.

[louisg]

I am sure that working on a Ikaruga co-op game would be a really enjoyable video game experience.

No.
Think about it.
The keyword here is "backfire".

No, it is. Well, I think I might have played it coop on easy without the suicide bullets. But, all kinds of strategies open up. It's at least great for survival play with a less-experienced friend-- it becomes kind of like an escort mission

And yeah, Dangun is great 2p!

[guigui]

I am sure that working on a Ikaruga co-op game would be a really enjoyable video game experience.

No.
Think about it.
The keyword here is "backfire".

Well, this is part of the challenge. Kill while in the opposite color or point blank in order to absorb almost everything. I remain sure this should be fun and interesting.

If you are indeed right, bah, just play easy !

[xris]

I've played just about all of my console shmups with friends. It's really allot of fun, even if they aren't interested in doing well. That being said, it usually turns into a credit feeding nightmare, even for me. Having someone else on screen is pretty hectic. A really good point has been brought up, that having a second player on screen really screws up all of the bullet patterns that you are used to. So, I just except that we are playing for fun, and let my friends get the rush of tearing through the game to the end. They always are happy to play through any thing new that I get my hands on, and really get a kick of playing on a big crt that's tate. Good times for all. But, I would really, really like to play with some one that knows what they are doing for once. I'm a big fan of Battletoads 2P Giga Wing clear video, awesome shit, allot of fun to watch.
edit: spell check like a champ x2, apparently I can't spell big today.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Raiden III in co-op is awesome (and I don't mean credit feeding). A bit out of control, but awesome all the same.

[chempop]

Playing competitively, going for scores + Stealing Powerups can be great fun.

I agree, also circling around the other players ship to try and confuse them is my evil little strategy

Since my friends aren't that great though it becomes a matter of how far we can get on my single credit while they credit feed.

[Demetori]

My favourite coop moment is when someone dies next to you and you instantly collect their power up spew by accident leaving them with a peashooter.

This. Maybe a little less of an accident on my part.

[Ed Oscuro]

No shouts out to Change Air Blade here, huh.

Well, from the multiplayer videos I saw, just as well.

It's pretty nice in single though.

[mjclark]

Well, based on the recommendations of this thread I've just played 2-player Twinkle Star Sprites (which I've previously avoided due to it's astonishingly high twinkleness quotient) and it is indeed tons of fun.
It made me remember that Geometry Wars Galaxies on DS has some 2-player modes. In the best one, one player fires projectiles off his console onto the screen of the other player who then has to survive and score from them. Marvellous

[Platypus Stan]

Pink Sweets co-op is good times. If both players are competent, you can get a pretty steady shield charge/special weapon rhythm going.