Sure, you could buy some co-op game for the PS3, Xbox 360, or (insert other generic console here), but c’mon! We both know the truth. We both know that what you really want is a game on a platform where you can tweak those graphics all the way to 11; a platform that holds no illusions about install times, patches, or updates. Staffers Mike "pheriannath" Katsufrakis and Jason "OrigamiPanther" Love are here to point you towards the best hardware and software on which to drop some holiday green.
Hardware:
High End Video Cards (between $300 and $500)
Serious PC gamers know which video card camp they fall into: AMD or Nvidia. If you’re going to drop some serious dough on a video card (and seriously, who DOESN’T want to do that?), you can pick your poison. As far as single-card solutions go (let’s not go down the dark path of SLI and Crossfire here), your best bets are going to be an Nvidia GTX580 ($500)
...or an AMD HD 6970 ($375). XFX has a really fantastic warranty, by the way.
Entry-Level Video Cards (between $100 and $200)
For a solid $130 (after rebates), you can grab yourself an nVidia GTX460, such as this lovely EVGA number
If you’re an AMD fan, the 6850 HD series is about as good as you can get as far as the bang-to-buck ratio is concerned, and $150 will net you a Sapphire variant
RAM (between $40 and $60)
If you had told me 10 years ago that I, for a measly $40, would eventually be able to purchase EIGHT GIGABYTES of RAM, I would have told you that you were a crazy person. Well, time makes fools of us all. Check it!
Processor (between $175 and $350)
Back in the day, the processor used to be the most dominant piece of hardware in your machine when it came to gaming performance. Eventually, video cards overtook its importance, but a solid multicore processor is a great investment for a serious gamer. Intel’s Core i7 ($315) line is a great way to boost your system’s ability.
If you don’t want to drop quite as much scratch, their i5 line ($189) is quite solid as well.
If you hate Intel, or if you think four cores are simply not enough, you can snag yourself an AMD Phenom II X6 ($223).
Peripherals:
Keyboard (between $50 and $150)
The Co-Optimus staff will know this piece of hardware all too well as our fearless leader, Nick “bapenguin” Puleo regularly assaults our eardrums by banging on his Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard during staff meetings. Those of us who have been PC gaming since a 4-color display was a luxury we could barely afford have an unhealthy fondness for mechanical keyboards, and Razer has been kind enough to create one to cater to the modern-day gamer. Bam! ($130)
You could also, and with good reason, decide to NOT spend $130 on a keyboard and go with something much more reasonable, such as this fine Microsoft Sidewinder X4. ($50)
Mouse (between $30 and $50)
For anyone playing a serious amount of PC games, your mouse may be the second most important piece of hardware behind your video card. For a solid price-to-performance ratio, we can recommend many of the mice in the Logitech G-Series ($50), but the G500 is our current favorite.
You might be wondering why I’m linking to a $20 mousepad here, but I’ll have to correct you. I am linking you to a $20 professional mousepad. Your pointing device will glide across this sucker as if you lubed up your desk with KY. I present to you the SteelSeries 4HD Professional Gaming Mouse Pad!
Games:
For the Adventure Seekers…
Trine 2 ($14.99)
The original Trine was a great return to the co-op platformers of yore – mixing puzzles and RPG elements with unique character abilities that really emphasized the need for teamwork. The sequel seems to promise more of that with some very nice improvements to boot, like online co-op (a needed feature) and a little tweaking of some of those character abilities. The game isn’t out just yet, but it has a release date of December 2011 with a distinct possibility that the magical adventure will continue as early as next Tuesday. Best of all, if you pre-order now, you get access to the beta and the first two levels of the game!
Magicka ($9.99)
With wizards, spells, and more nasty goblins than you can shake a staff at, Magicka is the kind of co-op romp to which more games should aspire. There is little that can describe the sheer craziness and fun that comes with tackling hordes of enemies while “accidentally” blowing up a friend with a misplaced lightning bolt. Developer Paradox has kept that fun – and the decidedly tongue-in-cheek humor – going strong through DLC packs that take you through the jungles of Vietnam and, soon, Lovecraft’s Cthulu mythos. So what are you waiting for? Get your robe on! Co-Optimus Review
For the Couch Co-Opers…
Hamilton’s Great Adventure ($9.99)
Those of you who may be looking for a puzzle platformer with a different kind of charm and adventure need look no further than Hamilton’s Great Adventure. Players assume control of Hamilton or his faithful bird, Sasha, as the titular hero recalls tales of his past deeds to his granddaughter. With over 60 regular levels and challenges to unlock, there’s plenty here to keep you and your puzzle partner, of any age, entertained.
Jamestown ($9.99)
Regular readers of the site will no doubt be familiar with this little PC gem. Set in an alternate history where the British settled the infamous colony of Jamestown not in the New World of America, but Mars, this ‘shmup has got it all: great gameplay, a beautiful musical score, and the kind of chaotic fun that only comes from narrowly defeating a fiendish boss. The recent Gunpowder, Treason, & Plot DLC adds four new ships for players to enjoy, and you can get everything, soundtrack included for just $15! Co-Optimus Review
For the Strategic Gamers…
Dawn of War II: Retribution ($14.95)
Developer Relic and publisher THQ have been the stewards of this long-standing tabletop IP from Games Workshop for the past few years. With the stand-alone expansion release of DoW II: Retribution, they’ve continued to improve upon the original RTS formula of the first game by keeping the co-op campaign even more focused on the upgradeable units that players control. If that’s not enough, the addictive Last Stand mode provides plenty of chances for you and your friends to purge heretics and xenos. Co-Optimus Review
Total War Shogun 2 ($29.99)
Do you dream of the days when honor was defined by a man’s topknot and his sword? Freud probably has something to say about your dreams (and your mother), but we say that you’d probably be a fan of Total War Shogun 2. Carve your way through feudal Japan with a friend to claim the title of shogun. Keep in mind, though, there can be only one! Co-Optimus Review
For the Fipsers (FPSers)…
Serious Sam 3: BFE ($39.99)
The future’s so bright, that everybody wears shades. At least that’s the case in Sam’s future, where he battles invading alien scumbags while chewing bubble- no, wait. Serious Sam don’t chew bubble gum; Serious Sam don’t care! After six years, developer Croteam has released the next game that’s actually a prequel to the first. In the great tradition of these games, there are plenty of crazy guns to collect and enemy hordes to take on with up to 16 of your friends. A number like that brings to mind some meme about “dawgs” liking something and adding more of something to that original something…
Portal 2 ($29.99)
Welcome back, you monsters. The research and experimenting never stops at Aperture Science in this sequel to the FPS physics-based puzzle smash of 2007 that had gamers everywhere debating the validity of cake’s existence [Ed. Note: it does; I ate some yesterday]. This time around, a separate co-op campaign has been added to let players enjoy thinking with twice the number of usual portals along with some very key robot fist-bumps and high-fives. Thanks to Steamworks and its integration with the PS3 system, you can even co-op with your friends who decided to get it for another platform! Co-Optimus Review
For All Gamers…
Dungeon Defenders ($14.99)
What do you get when you mix tower-defense with action RPGs and co-op? A pretty sweet game, that’s what! This title started off as an app on the iPhone and Android phones, and has grown into a full-blown title available for download on all major gaming platforms. The PC version, however, has a little more to offer with the most up-to-date patches and DLC to expand upon the already incredible fun. Co-Optimus Review
Terraria ($9.99)
Does the idea of Minecraft appeal to you, but it has just one too many dimensions for your liking? Well you’re in luck because Terraria offers much of the same creative world building in addition to some great platforming adventure and loot gathering. Bring along up to seven of your friends to build your own home base and partake in the exploration and escapades as a team! Co-Optimus Review