Cooperative play wasn't always the most exciting prospect in games. Oftentimes, players simply played as different characters with similar move sets and a subtle color swap. Levels wouldn't even change to accommodate another player and instead have the same storyline. As with most games, the co-op experience has expanded in recent gaming generations. Today, co-op games have entered a renaissance thanks to Hazelight Games' amazing titles.
Since 2013, Hazelight Games has been coming out with exciting co-op-only titles that play around with the idea of two people working together to finish a game. While their library only has three entries so far, their past two releases have displayed the full capabilities of working as a team. As a result, co-op has become more of an exercise in understanding the other player as much as it is beating the game.
Their second game, A Way Out, tells the story of two inmates who work together to escape prison and later survive being on the run. The story is compelling and harkens back to classic escape films of the 1970s while introducing two characters with realistic motivations and emotions. The gameplay relies heavily on players working together and making split-second choices that could change how the story is told. In the end, the players subconsciously become a stronger team and, based on their choices, gain a chance to learn more about one another.
Hazelight's third game, It Takes Two, turns the idea of teamwork on its head and puts relationships as a whole under the microscope. The game tells the story about a couple beginning a divorce but are instead turned into their daughter's dolls and must embark on a quest to reverse the spell. The game puts a heavy focus on making sure that the players look out for one another, keeping them safe from danger when needed. Behind the curtain, the game acts as a metaphor for mending relationships and learning to care for one another. By its conclusion, the players could eventually grow closer, thanks to the gameplay constantly having the player think in terms of "we" instead of "I."
Hazelight Games understands that co-op games can be fun for a moment and quickly become tedious and repetitive. To counter this, their games remain unpredictable with choices or changes in gameplay style to keep players engaged. In an instant, It Takes Two can change from a flight simulator to a fighting game while having the players look out for each other in the process. It mirrors the unpredictability of life and fosters the practice of being there for one another.
As co-op and multiplayer games continue to evolve with competitive teams titles like Call of Duty: Warzone and party play titles like Mario Party, Hazelight continues to go against the grain. The developers know a game is only great if the players are entertained. By actively having its audience communicate with one another and problem solve, they learn to look out for one another. In doing so, great co-op games and even greater relationships emerge.