Co-op: A good idea?

I know it's been discussed before, but what do you think of Co-op in a console Zelda game? Do you think the co-op dungeons should be required? How would it work?.

My idea

-Co-op elements can be found in all dungeons

-If you don't have a second player, there will be some means of controlling the other character (in dungeons), and the AI would control them in the overworld.

-Player 2 should be given his/her own full set of skills

-Enemis in dungeons should be more plentiful

What do you all think?

As long as the 2nd player isn't necessarily a character.
Like in Super Mario Galaxy, Player 2 picked up Star Bits. Maybe player 2 could be a small fairy that glows wherever there's a large amount of rupees. And maybe it could help for giving information on enemies. I sure as heck wouldn't want it to be an aiming tool though.

I'd approve of this if it would work similar to the Earth & Wind Temple from Wind Waker.

Having co-op elements in all dungeon could end up tiresome and irritating I believe. Makar for example could become a hassle imo. Having 2, 3 dungeons doing this spread out would add a nice variation. The possibility of a second player controller this second character only adds for more interesting gameplay.

Seperate sets and skills for the second player is a must then of course, giving each character it's unique abilities fitting the temple. Plentiful enemies sure, but I prefer slightly more enemies, but stronger.

From an old thread:

Originally Posted by Otuz

-When starting the online-play, one player must load an already existing save file or start a new game. He then decides if it's a friends only game or a public game. Other player(s) then join the game, with a random search or with a friend-code.
(Note: I'm using only two players in my example, there could be more.)

-The secondary player is a 'henchman'. The main difference with the main player is that he can't affect the plot, because he can't 'launch' cutscenes or advance plot-related dialoque. If he talks to a person with plot-dialoque, it is replaced with some other dialoque.

-Pausing the game can't be done in the same way as in single player. In cutscenes, the 'henchman' sees the same cutscene too, so no problem there. But pausing the whole game to change items would soon become annoying to the other player, so menu screens don't pause the game. This creates some need for co-op, as the other player can guard the other one while he changes his items.
An 'universal' pause could be possible too, with both players pressing the pause button.

-When they enter an area, the 'henchman' spawns next to the main character. Then they can go to 'beat' the area as they like. However, the secondary player can't move between areas, so he has to wait until the main player does it.
Villages, dungeons and the like should be divided into 'sub-areas'. So both players can enter different houses/other rooms in a dungeon, without having to be together all the time.

-The secondary player could have the same base amount of hearts as the main one, and heart pieces should benefit them both. Items should be divided amongst the players by themselves, creating some need for tactical thinking. (And of course, situations of extreme greed and bickering amongst the players.)

-Monsters would be increased in number with the amount of players. The combat AI would be adjusted so that they attack both players equally.

-Dungeon mechanics and puzzles would be altered to create some puzzles that can only be solved with a certain number of participants.

-When they decide to quit, the main player saves the game (or doesn't, it's his choice). The game can be then loaded again, continuing from the spot they quitted.

Some problems:

-Player griefing can be minimized with an option to turn 'friendly fire' off, but there could still be a lot of chances to annoy and harm other players. Which is fun with friends (to some extent) but can be a real pain in the ass with random 13-year old internet newbs.

-Currently Wii lacks any communication add-ons. In-game text messages aren't enough for an epic adventure game. A headset or a wireless keyboard is necessary.

^
It would be cool if the second player could play a greater role in the story if the story was built upon co-op gameplay. If its just a regular old zelda story with link by himself and the option to have the "henchman", then the story should be unaffected by the henchman.

I disagree. In Galaxy, the co-op was just right. If you had a casualgamer friend over, you could introduce him into the game, and help him.

I'd like a co-op in Galaxy. The people who prefer single player can have the full experience, while the co-op didn't feel necessary to finish the game, but it still felt good.

I am against the whole co-op thing. i've played a few co-op games with friends and siblings, and I'm always telling them to "hurry up!" or "get outta there, you're gonna die!" Grr... not fun at all. A Zelda like that would be brutal.

It would be good if you were playing with someone who knew how to play zelda.

no

Zelda should not be a co-op adventure or have anything which you need co-op for. This is why I think the co-op from Galaxy (or something similar to it) should be used. The game does not in any way shape or form need it, but it makes a good complement to the game, and you can show a Zelda newbie how to play while helping him/her.

I'd approve of this if it would work similar to the Earth & Wind Temple from Wind Waker

Yeah. That'd work. As long as the second character doesn't stay around for the entire game. One per dungeon, every other dungeon. I'd like that

It would have been interesting if Twilight Princess was set up in a different option from one player so that one person played Midna and the other played Link. You know, co-operating when Link is in the form of a wolf.

Sort of like Mario Galaxy, where one person can make it a co-operative game when they turn the Wii remote on.

Just an opinion really.

Originally Posted by Passepartout

It would be cool if the second player could play a greater role in the story if the story was built upon co-op gameplay. If its just a regular old zelda story with link by himself and the option to have the "henchman", then the story should be unaffected by the henchman.

Well, I mostly thought that there should be a solid single player game, with no trace of a co-op in it. As in, you don't have to have a second player to complete the game.
This way, if you add a co-op mode, you can still use the same story without really changing it if the secondary player (or players) is a 'henchman'.
If the secondary player would be a full player character, you'd have to change the game by a large margin.


And personally I thought the Galaxy's co-op mode a cheap gimmick, not real co-op. But. . . it's just me, heh.

Cooperative a good idea? absoleutly but mayhap, after you copmplete the main game you unlock the cooperaitve feature to complete quests that come after the game. That feature could also be used after the ame just to play. Or if i had features Of OOT, such as riding epona 'round the ranch course you could both (the players) do that in a competiion as a race, or alternatively as a timed race p1 goes first, then p2. sound good?

Full 3D Four Swords=TOTAL WIN.
Seriously though, this would rock for multiplayer but still make a great single player gimmick. Imagine shooting Ganon from four different directions with Light Arrows simultaneously, a truly epic ending for a game boss.
Cheers.

Originally Posted by Otuz

And personally I thought the Galaxy's co-op mode a cheap gimmick, not real co-op. But. . . it's just me, heh.

Games like Zelda and Mario are amazing sing;e-player experiences, and giving a second player a large part would hurt it. That's why I disagree with you. Galaxy's co-op was the perfect way to introduce someone to Galaxy while helping them.

i totaly agree w/ you man. they should have co-op.

Leave co-op to Four Swords.

Originally Posted by BlueLink7

It would be good if you were playing with someone who knew how to play zelda.

Maybe, but I don't have anyone within an hour of my house like that. It's sad.

Originally Posted by Maru Nui

Full 3D Four Swords=TOTAL WIN.
Seriously though, this would rock for multiplayer but still make a great single player gimmick. Imagine shooting Ganon from four different directions with Light Arrows simultaneously, a truly epic ending for a game boss.
Cheers.

Hehe... now I want a co-op game! it would make boss battles SO epic Imagine the EXPLOSIONS that could be created! Two-4 bombs in one big explosion... beautiful.