Last time on Co-Op Classics, we brought you two extreme games from 1987. The first was Xybots, an unusual third person shooter taking place in a series of mazelike, isometric view levels. The second, Xenophobe, was just as unusual, with three player co-op allowing each player their own section of the screen for maximum freedom. Today, we've got gameplay videos for these... er, excellent titles.
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I was quite impressed with Xybots, from the gameplay to the impressive graphics. The third person view on an isometric pespective was distinctive, and the twisting joysticks were quite effective and easy to master as far as navigation was concerned. The enemies are a bit repetitive, but the mazes were quite tricky to compensate, with all manner of shortcuts and hidden secrets. The RPG-like elements allowed upgrades between maze levels. Xybots is one of the most innovative games in the Co-Op Classics library.
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Xenophobe wasn't quite as enjoyable when looked at through modern eyes, but it's still a solid experience. Finding all the pop culture references embedded within was a highlight. Beaming a la Star Trek, an ET-headed alien, and even a playable character that looks like Daffy Duck join the Aliens-esque Xenophobes in a glorious mish-mash of fun. Tons of items, plenty of freedom to explore on a three-way split screen, and an ominous countdown make Xenophobe truly stand out from the crowd.