Portal 2 pulled me back into gaming after taking some time away to finish a couple of degrees and start my career. I was early in the game one afternoon when my partner (now spouse) came home and heard Wheatley. Being a fan of Stephen Merchant, my partner watched and asked questions about the game. I explained that there was a co-op mode, but it might be better to try the main campaign first. A few months later, we both began the co-op mode and discovered an exceptional combination of complex and deep gameplay.
Complexity vs Depth
A few years later, I conducted research into students’ understanding of academic terminology. I attempted to better understand how students learn to master terms that each have a Cognitive Process Dimension and a Knowledge Dimension. This research was important because, if students cannot relate to these terms, they cannot demonstrate their abilities. My goal was to better understand how we could support students by clarifying how some terms relate to complexity of a task versus depth of knowledge. Thinking back on this project made me think more about how to introduce a non-gaming partner to video games based on their complexity and depth.
Some video games are more complex than others. I have played video games that only require using a stick. There are games that require a stick or pad and a few buttons. We have games that involve two sticks, a pad, buttons, bumpers, and triggers. Let’s not forget about back paddles and motion controls. Basically, there are games that can be played from beginning to end by just performing simple actions with few inputs. Then there are games that require complex, coordinated actions with several (possibly simultaneous) inputs.
Video games also vary in the depth of video game knowledge required to jump in. Some video games are basic enough to engage anyone at any level. They may not require knowledge of video game jargon or tropes. Other video games can be challenging if the player does not have much experience playing games to understand what the game is asking them to do. Features like maps, upgrades, and skill trees are additive to the gameplay. While gameplay mechanics are often introduced in tutorials, gameplay systems sometimes require assumed knowledge.
Simple Action and Basic Knowledge
Vampire Survivors is incredibly fun and extremely accessible. The game requires only one stick to move the character around the map and the attacks happen automatically. Nevertheless, there is phenomenal depth to this game. There are collectibles, stats, maps, and upgrades. However, the game tells you everything you need to know using basic icons. It takes no previous knowledge of video games to understand how to achieve objectives. If you are interested in seeing everything, there are secrets to explore, but the game can be played by anyone with any level of experience who can handle a single analog stick. It is also worth mentioning that Vampire Survivors‘ value proposition is quite insane. The full game and season pass can be purchased for less than 10 USD and kept us hooked for over 90 hours. For another great top-down experience, see Ultratron.
Simple Action with Deeper Knowledge
River City Girls 1 and 2 are straightforward side-scrolling beat-em-ups that also involve maps, stats, and side-quests. In the tradition of Double Dragon, players move up, down, left, and right. Most interactions only require a few buttons, making it fairly easy to become proficient. However, the River City Girls games have more depth than others in this genre. The games have maps with areas to be unlocked as the game progresses. There are side quests that are missable and optional. These games also feature items and special moves that can be used to customize the characters. These systems are not too difficult to learn but a new player would benefit from someone more experienced guiding them through these systems and explaining consequences for gameplay. For a similarly advanced 2D brawler with more platforming, try Gaucamelee! and its sequel.
Complex Action but Basic Knowledge
Gears of War and the sequels are the pinnacle of third-person cover-shooting. The action demands the use of both sticks, several buttons, as well as both sets of triggers and bumpers. These games require considerable coordination while you have to simultaneously think offensively and defensively. Gears of War games also feature a very special mechanic that adds a layer of complexity: Active Reload. This can be ignored, but the element of risk/reward adds further complexity to the action. Nonetheless, there are no systems in the game that require prior knowledge. The earlier Gears of War games mostly lead you from beginning to end without the need to jump between maps or menus. The later games add systems and maps but they are not sophisticated or integral to the basic gameplay. For some fairly involved and very fun 2D combat, check out Guns, Gore, and Cannoli and its sequel.
Complex Action on Top of Deep Knowledge
Borderlands and its various sequels, DLCs, and spin-offs feature colorful, fast-paced, and humorous first-person gameplay. As typical with first-person shooters, the Borderlands games require movement in almost 360 degrees and the use of multiple weapons and abilities. Furthermore, there are a variety of character classes, skill trees, weapon rarities, and modifiers that require significant background knowledge. For example, anyone with looter-shooter experience knows that blue is more rare than green, which is more rare than white. However, the games do not explain this. The side quests, maps, and fast travel systems are not particularly challenging if the player has seen these in other games. But for players newer to games, these systems could be overwhelming. For a 2D melee combat game with intricate systems, try out Castle Crashers.
Portal 2 Hits the Sweet Spot
Portal 2 really makes it very easy for someone with no video game experience to be challenged without being overly frustrated. Playing Portal 2 with a partner requires coordinated efforts, but nothing too taxing or twitchy. The game requires the player to use both analog sticks, a couple of buttons, and the triggers. You can get the bumpers and d-pad involved if you like, but it is not necessary. If you have experience with secret areas in games, Portal 2 invites you to look around and discover. Some environments have features that you can explore if you are curious, but they do not require additional skill or techniques.
What makes Portal 2 such an incredible co-op is the fact that the tutorial teaches the players to work together in a coordinated way. I had several times more experience than my partner, but we both had to be taught how to approach Portal 2. Portal and Portal 2 have single-player campaigns that require a unique style of thinking. Likewise, the Portal 2 co-op campaign asks both players to uniquely think, problem-solve, and cooperate. Portal 2 is incredible because the players have to learn together while they are learning to play together.
Learning about Others
Game preferences can say a lot about a person. When I ask my students about the games they play, it is really interesting to hear the reasons why. People choose to play twitch-based gameplay, deep strategy, unique worlds, or engrossing narratives. People choose to play together because some games (like Portal 2, A Way Out, and It Takes Two) require it. Some people play together for the social dimension. One the other hand, some people only play alone because it is a form of (hopefully) healthy escapism. The point is that the types of games people play can reveal aspects of their personality. My partner and I both like music and really loved Rayman Legends‘ use of music in platforming.
I have not addressed challenge in this piece because that is quite relative and down to the preference of the individual player. For example, my partner prefers to play Gears of War on Casual settings while I choose Hardcore. However, my partner will attempt to 100% games like Dandara, Death’s Door, Hollow Knight, and The Witness. I enjoy the challenge of defeating overwhelming numbers of loud, aggressive opponents but I do not like repeatedly trying the same section of a game. My partner likes taking on difficult bosses even if it takes several attempts over the course of many days.
If you would like to introduce a partner, friend, relative, or roommate to video games, I recommend looking at the list below. While you and I may have different opinions on complexity and depth, the list may help you to choose a good starting point based on the individual you are trying to play with.
Recommendations (*Series)
Simple Action and Basic Knowledge:
- Cuphead
- Death Squared
- Double Dragon*
- Escape Academy
- flOw
- Gauntlet
- Nex Machina
- Old Man’s Journey
- Rayman Legends
- RESOGUN
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game
- Shovel Knight
- Sky Force Anniversary
- Streets of Rage*
- Super Stardust
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cowabunga Collection
- Tesla vs Lovecraft
- Ultratron
- Unravel*
- Untitled Goose Game
- Vampire Survivors
Simple Action with Deeper Knowledge:
- Assault Android Cactus
- Full Metal Furies
- Gaucamelee!*
- River City Girls*
- Trine*
Complex Action but Basic Knowledge:
- A Way Out
- Army of Two*
- Call of Duty*
- Chariot
- Door Kickers: Action Squad
- Gears of War*
- Guns, Gore and Cannoli*
- Halo*
- It Takes Two
- Lara Croft and the* (pair of 2.5D games)
- Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
- Minecraft Dungeons
- Overcooked*
- PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate
- Portal*
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Complex Action on Top of Deep Knowledge:
- 9 Monkeys of Shaolin
- Alienation
- Borderlands*
- Broforce
- Castle Crashers
- Dead Nation
- HELLDIVERS
- LEGO*
- LittleBigPlanet*
- Stranger Things 3: The Game
- The Ascent
- Trigger Witch
