“Multiplayer” does not yet tell you what kind of evening you'll have. You might share a screen, use two consoles in the same room or meet online. You might compete for a few minutes or continue a story you want to return to together. Before choosing the title, decide which of these situations you're organising.
How you react to mistakes matters too. Two players might prefer helping each other, a group might enjoy getting in one another's way, and a beginner might want to try without feeling responsible for someone else's result. The examples mentioned are intended to help compare these experiences, not to indicate that the games are available in the uplay catalogue.
What do you need?
- Friends arrive and leave at different times
- Choose self-contained sessions, such as races, that let you take turns without interrupting a story.
- There are two of you, and you want to continue an adventure together
- Consider a co-op game designed for two, such as It Takes Two, and agree on when to meet up.
- You're playing on the same console
- Check the number of local players and the controllers required for that mode.
- You're playing remotely on different platforms
- Check the exact combination of versions, any cross-play support and the online service requirements.
On the sofa: the screen and controllers matter
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe lists support for up to four players on a single console and distinguishes this mode from local wireless and online play. The relevant figure for an evening at home is the one for a shared screen: don't use the online maximum to work out how many people can play at the same time in your living room.
Before meeting up, check which controllers you have and how they are used in the chosen game. Also consider how clearly participants can see the screen from where they are sitting. These details make more of a difference to the evening than a very long list of tracks: if someone struggles to see their portion of the screen or use the controls, the amount of content available won't solve the problem.
A quick contest: when a race is the right format
A race works well when you want an activity you can start again with different people. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe also offers steering assistance, designed to help learners stay on the track. The availability of this assist is a practical reason to consider it for players with different levels of experience, but it is no guarantee that every skill gap will disappear or that everyone will be equally competitive.
In a mixed-ability group, agree beforehand on how to take turns and how much importance to give the result. If the aim is to spend time together, the experienced player can help explain the controls and routes without directing every decision. If the group enjoys testing their skills seriously, focusing on competition is fine. Problems arise when someone expects a light-hearted session while others scrutinise every mistake as a measure of performance.
A two-player campaign: enjoyment depends on playing regularly
It Takes Two is designed for two players and offers local or online co-op. Cody and May tackle an adventure together in which the abilities and situations change along the way. I'd consider it when both players want to take an active part and are willing to communicate. Don't buy it on the assumption that the second controller is just a front-row seat.
The flip side of a shared experience is the need to meet up again. If one person wants to make progress every evening and the other only plays occasionally, an adventure you continue together can become difficult to organise. In that case, I'd choose more self-contained sessions. Before you start, also agree on how to ask for help: suggesting an option is different from taking over while the other person is still learning.
Online: a copy, an invitation and a service are different things
The Pass amici for It Takes Two lets you invite another person using the associated download. It is useful to distinguish this access from ownership of a second full copy. EA's support documentation sets out the terms and requirements, including those for online play on consoles: reading “play with a friend” is not enough to conclude that every subscription or account is already included.
Before buying, compare the versions you will actually use. Cross-play means connecting across supported platforms, but the term is not a universal promise for every edition and mode. The available options may be updated: check the current support information, then install the necessary content ahead of the evening. Keeping the get-together from turning into a series of sign-ups is an organisational choice, not a minor detail.
Co-op does not automatically mean relaxing
When success is shared, one person's mistakes can affect the other too. For some pairs of players, this creates a sense of connection; for others, pressure. Choose co-op because you enjoy coordinating and talking, not because you think it eliminates all frustration. If you're looking for a quiet evening, also consider how much the game requires quick reactions, spatial awareness and repeated attempts at a challenge.
A video of uninterrupted gameplay or a demo, when available, can be more useful than a trailer. Watch what each participant does, how long they have to wait and what happens when they make a mistake. You don't need to anticipate every difficulty: you just need to recognise whether the activity interests you both. The best game for a pair of players is one that gives both people a role they genuinely want to take on.
Questions before buying
Does local multiplayer always mean the same console?
Not necessarily. It can also mean several devices connected in the same room. Look specifically for the number of players supported on a single console in the mode you're interested in.
Does Pass amici remove all the requirements for online play?
No. It is a way to access the game with another player. You still need to check the platforms, downloads, accounts and online requirements for the versions you are using.
Is a co-op game a good first experience for someone who doesn't play video games?
It can be if they are interested in the activities involved and their partner gives them time to learn. Cooperation does not remove the need to assess the controls and how difficult the actions are to perform.
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