In the 2010s, gaming began to see an influx of multiplayer modes tacked onto primarily single-player games, driven by a desire to extend their lifespan and counter the used game market. Many of these modes felt rushed and out of place, often overshadowed by dominant titles like Call of Duty.
While most of these additions were lackluster, some offered unique experiences that were fun, albeit fleeting. Here’s a look back at some of the more memorable, yet ultimately unnecessary, multiplayer modes from that era.
Assassin’s Creed Multiplayer
What Made It Interesting: Ubisoft surprised players by successfully integrating multiplayer into the Assassin’s Creed series. In this mode, players hunted each other within a bustling environment filled with NPCs, creating a tense game of cat and mouse. Successfully mimicking NPC behavior added layers of strategy, with points awarded for both kills and style.
Main Flaw: The mode suffered from a lack of focus, as some players approached it with a more chaotic mindset, disrupting the stealthy gameplay that others were aiming for. Overpowered abilities like the hidden gun further detracted from the intended experience, leading to frustrations.
BioShock 2
What Made It Interesting: Though some viewed BioShock 2 as unnecessary, its multiplayer component offered chaotic FPS action set against the atmospheric backdrop of Rapture. Unique plasmid abilities provided entertaining twists to traditional gameplay, and players could uncover more narrative elements as they progressed.
Main Flaw: The troublesome Games for Windows Live platform plagued the multiplayer experience with connectivity issues, leading many to abandon the mode before it could gain traction.
Mass Effect 3
What Made It Interesting: Mass Effect 3 introduced cooperative multiplayer missions that capitalized on the series’ strong shooting mechanics. Players could choose various alien races, adding a new layer of excitement to the familiar gameplay.
Main Flaw: The multiplayer was tied to the single-player campaign’s success, necessitating grinding to maximize ‘War Assets.’ This requirement alienated players who preferred to focus solely on the story, creating controversy amidst an already contentious game.
Singularity
What Made It Interesting: This unique FPS featured time-manipulation mechanics and allowed players to choose between TMD-equipped soldiers or mutated creatures. The novelty of asymmetric gameplay provided an entertaining twist.
Main Flaw: Despite its interesting concepts, the mode struggled to maintain interest. Once players explored the different characters, the novelty quickly wore off, making it hard to justify continued play.
Other Notable Mentions
- Splinter Cell: The Spies vs. Mercs mode, although starting in 2004, had its final iteration in the 2010s and remains fondly remembered for its asymmetric gameplay.
- Batman: Arkham Origins: This mode allowed players to control henchmen while Batman and Robin stealthily attempted to take them down, echoing the asymmetrical gameplay found in other titles.
- Max Payne 3: Featuring a cinematic multiplayer experience, this mode creatively utilized bullet time, affecting only players within the line of sight.
- Dead Space 2: Like Singularity, this mode pitted humans against Necromorphs but was short-lived as the next game opted for a co-op experience.
- Tomb Raider (2013): The combat mechanics of the reboot didn’t translate well into a 4v4 scavenging mode, resulting in a lackluster experience.
- Spec Ops: The Line: Its multiplayer felt disjointed from the game’s dark narrative, with standard military deathmatches that didn’t fit the story’s themes.
Bonus Entry by Staff Writer Morgan Park:
- Red Faction Guerrilla: This game’s open-world destruction mechanics made for a surprisingly enjoyable class-based multiplayer mode, featuring unique abilities for each player. Despite its potential, it struggled to maintain a player base post-launch.
These multiplayer modes, while often unnecessary, contributed to a diverse and evolving gaming landscape, reminding us of the experimental spirit that characterized that decade.