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So this may seem a little odd but I'm looking for a game that can be enjoyed by player and spectator alike.

So some explanation: this summer as a last hurrah before everyone ships off after graduating, a friend and I decided to play a long game together. My brother and I did this with Tales of Vesperia, which was a fun, light-hearted story if not a little silly and predictable.

Basically I'm looking for something cinematic and story focussed like an RPG. Quirky, funny games would be ideal like Deadly Premonition or Persona 4 for example. I find JRPG's seem to be perfect for this sort of thing from the Final Fantasies to the Tales Series to the Shin Megami games. Basically we're doing something along the lines of a "Let's Play", or Giantbomb "Endurance Run", or even a MST3K videogame edition. I'd liken the idea to watching a long serial show with someone, every few days during the summer we'll get together and enjoy some good ole fashioned story telling.

So what games do you think would be good fits?

Available sytems are: PC, NES, SNES, GB, GBA, DS, PS1, PS2, N64, Gamecube, Wii, Xbox360. Of course bonus points if the game actually has co-op but isn't necessary, an entertaining narrative is the most important part.

Thanks for reading!

Me and a buddy do this alot, it really depends on the type of friend you have, we usually take turns playing Battlefield Bad Company 2 and have alot of fun watching eachother die. Its also nice to have a witness to the crazy things that can happen in that game (sniping a helicopter pilot with a solid slug then proceeding to knife everyone who jumps outs).

We have both played and spectated each others Mass Effect, Fallout New Vegas, and Skyrim playthroughs as well. Mass Effect might be a good spectator type game, same with Dragon Age. Of course Fallout is always fun to watch with a friend, but mostly comes down to killing everyone in town a few times.

I will say that we bought deadly premonition and absolutely hated it, in fact the only thing we liked about it was laughing at alot of the parts like at the beginning when your car goes over the hill and sounds like its speeding up instead of slowing down.

While something like Battlefield is fun that's more for a "wow did that just happen!" sort of thing and less of following a story. Fallout and Skyrim are not bad choices but a little too open ended I'm afraid and we both have played them to death so there's little left to explore.

Mass Effect 3 is a good one, though again unfortunatley it is very fresh in our heads. But it's a good example of a narrative to follow, plus the dialogue choices add interactivity that both of us can partake in. Though I'm not sure if it's ripe for commentary and more of just a straightforward watch the story progress, also a tad bit too serious I'd say. Nonetheless it's a great sugesstion; the only thing holding it back is that we've only very recently played through it.

I feel like Deadly Premonition is in the category of "so bad it's good". Like those terrible B-movies that are fun to dissect with friends. Also it's influenced by Twin Peaks, can't go wrong with some Twin Peaks!

Well if both of you have a reasonable good computer I would recommend giving Space Marine a whirl, hte game can be great fun, Particulary if you get Exterminatus.

Other than that you can always pick games like company of heros1 for some 1vs1 or maybe Half life?

Sims and SimCity 4 for me. Playing while having your friend screw you up and egg you on is surprisingly fun.

Dragon age origins may be right up your alley, even if you guys run through the missions in the beginning of the game for each race/class it will give you a good amount of story but not in a drawn out way. Can probably spend around an hour on each so wont be to drawn out, and each storyline is different enough to keep you guys entertained. Also gain some background knowledge on the world in dragon age in case you guys decide to do a complete play through.

My buddy watched me play through parts of metro 2033 and he enjoyed spectating that, always fun to sneak around and shoot people with pneumatic guns.

The walking dead is also a great game to spectate, and the spectator can chime in on important decisions, I actually think it may be your best bet as its fun but not overly long and has some serious decision making.

EDIT: I almost forgot the witcher 2! Great game, RPG, three discs though so will probably take you awhile. Will definitely be a good game if your looking for a RPG. Great cinematics and story.

Two Worlds 2 while not a very good game was really fun to play in co op with a buddy of mine, up to 8 people can play the co op missions I think, but then again once your done theres not a lot of replay value. Halo Reach was also a nice co op game but has zero RPG elements to it, but if you like halo at all its a nice stand alone halo game.

LA niore is rather fun with two people. I would also recommend the walking dead too.

Trondheim wrote:Well if both of you have a reasonable good computer I would recommend giving Space Marine a whirl, hte game can be great fun, Particulary if you get Exterminatus.

Other than that you can always pick games like company of heros1 for some 1vs1 or maybe Half life?

Space Marine is a good one it even has co-op if I'm not mistaken unfortunatley it's probably rather short as most action games are, I can't imagine the story lasting more than a few sittings. Have to think about the other two, they don't seem very story centered.

BlapBlapBlap wrote:Sims and SimCity 4 for me. Playing while having your friend screw you up and egg you on is surprisingly fun.

While I'm sure its great multiplayer fun, not much of a story to games like these I'd imagine.

Rotgut wrote:Dragon age origins may be right up your alley, even if you guys run through the missions in the beginning of the game for each race/class it will give you a good amount of story but not in a drawn out way. Can probably spend around an hour on each so wont be to drawn out, and each storyline is different enough to keep you guys entertained. Also gain some background knowledge on the world in dragon age in case you guys decide to do a complete play through.

My buddy watched me play through parts of metro 2033 and he enjoyed spectating that, always fun to sneak around and shoot people with pneumatic guns.

The walking dead is also a great game to spectate, and the spectator can chime in on important decisions, I actually think it may be your best bet as its fun but not overly long and has some serious decision making.

EDIT: I almost forgot the witcher 2! Great game, RPG, three discs though so will probably take you awhile. Will definitely be a good game if your looking for a RPG. Great cinematics and story.

Two Worlds 2 while not a very good game was really fun to play in co op with a buddy of mine, up to 8 people can play the co op missions I think, but then again once your done theres not a lot of replay value. Halo Reach was also a nice co op game but has zero RPG elements to it, but if you like halo at all its a nice stand alone halo game.

Dragon Age is a great choice, only things is we've both played through that rather recently, and to be honest I wasn't too fond of it...but regardless that's a good example of what we're looking for. Metro 2033 is an interesting suggesstion, but it was rather short as I remember it, of course Last Light just came out so there's that. While I already have played the Walking Dead I agree that would be a good one, and it's very much like watching a good tv show. It would be fun to see my friend's choices/reactions, so while also a bit on the short side it's def on the list.

Witcher 2 is an excellent choice: strong narrative, lengthy, neither of us have played it but really want to, also on the list fo sho. I really don't know much about Two Worlds 2, will have to look into it. As far as Reach is concerned I think my friend owns it but never actually played it...if it's anything like doing Halo 1Co-Op it's also on the list, short FPS length aside.

nomotog wrote:LA niore is rather fun with two people. I would also recommend the walking dead too.

LA Noire sounds like a really good fit for this activity, both of us get to chime in on choices and combine our investigative powers!

Thanks for all the sugesstions so far guys!

If it helps at all some of the stuff that I have been thinking of are a lot of the "classics". My friend is woefully uneducated on ye olde games, so a lot of the stuff I've come up with are mostly PS1 and PS2 games. So like the Final Fantasies, Metal Gear Solid, The Resident Evil series, Silent Hill, etc. I haven't thought too much about more modern games, perhaps I should broaden my view.

If you want to share a video game history lesson so to speak there is always diablo on ps1, its split screen co op and pretty amazing. There's also the baldurs gate games that are split screen on the ps2.

You could go really old school and find a copy of true lies for the Sega genesis, not co op but I spent many many hours playing that game.

I keep thinking of new games each time I come back, how about portal 2, and left 4 dead 1 and 2 for co op and Bioshock for spectating? Could also go with dead space, had my buddy watch the first one and it was fun, and if you play through to the third you can do co op.

I feel like Diablo and Baldur's Gate haven't aged particularly well, but would otherwise be good candidates if they didn't feel so clunky nowadays.

No idea what True Lies is, but we don't have a Genesis anyway so I doubt that's possble.

Left 4 Dead isn't very story driven it's more like setting up a match so-to-speak. Portal 2 isn't a bad choice neither is Bioshock but we've played them both. I like the idea of Dead Space, new to both of us and I think horror games could work well for this, though if I had to pick I think a funny quirky game might be better.

Hmmm...

You could buy Pain. IIRC it's a PSN download for sure, and is probably on other platforms. Essentially, you fire a gentleman from a catapult and hurt him and everyone else. It's great fun to watch.

Borderlands 2 - pure co-op win.

I did not see PS3 on your list, but Ni No Kuni is good fun and even after I finished it I still enjoy watching my lady play it.

I'd go with Batman: Arkham Whatever.
Both have nice story (although in the second one Bats is way to gullible), the fights look fantastic and while you spectate you can really enjoy all the appendages painfully twisted for the justice!

The Metal Gear Solid games have hours of cutscenes in them, which makes watching them sometimes more interesting than playing them.

BlapBlapBlap wrote:Hmmm...

You could buy Pain. IIRC it's a PSN download for sure, and is probably on other platforms. Essentially, you fire a gentleman from a catapult and hurt him and everyone else. It's great fun to watch.

Well between the two us we don't own a PS3, also that doesn't seem like it'll be engaging enough to last a good chunk of the summer, but thanks for replying nonetheless!

kirsanth wrote:Borderlands 2 - pure co-op win.

I did not see PS3 on your list, but Ni No Kuni is good fun and even after I finished it I still enjoy watching my lady play it.

I'm sure I'll be called crazy for this but I really don't like Borderlands. My same friend and I did this with Bordlerands 1, I have to say I didn't really enjoy it. Ni No Kuni would be excellent alas we don't have a PS3 :(

Macok wrote:I'd go with Batman: Arkham Whatever.
Both have nice story (although in the second one Bats is way to gullible), the fights look fantastic and while you spectate you can really enjoy all the appendages painfully twisted for the justice!

I've always been telling my friend to go get an Arkham game, this is a nice fit, thanks for the sugesstion!

H.B.M.C. wrote:The Metal Gear Solid games have hours of cutscenes in them, which makes watching them sometimes more interesting than playing them.

Yeah MGS is perfect for this sort of thing. Lots of story and narrative to take in. Plety of humour and "WTF?" moments to keep us amused. And as with all stealth games that permament aura of tension caused by the risk of being cuaght makes for good nail-biting viewing. Plus, my friend rarely plays Japanese games so it'd be fun to watch his brain try to wrap itself around something so weirdly Japanese, same reason Persona and Deadly Premonition are candidates.

Hmm I think I should shoot him an email or show him this topic (he's a dakkanaught actually) and see what more input I can get. Once again thanks for the replies fellas!

While I usually stay away from japanese made games I would say Dead Rising 2 might be fun for co op.

Storyline is pretty good and its a great time in co op, slaughtering thousands of zombies is always fun with a friend. You could also go with the arcade versions (I believe case zero is only like 5 bucks but no co op).

Kerbal space program. Always fun watching a rocket blow up...

One of my best friends and I do this every chance we get, as a continuation from our college days. I especially love doing the "colorful" narration during Elder Scrolls play throughs.

 asimo77 wrote:

kirsanth wrote:Borderlands 2 - pure co-op win.

I did not see PS3 on your list, but Ni No Kuni is good fun and even after I finished it I still enjoy watching my lady play it.

I'm sure I'll be called crazy for this but I really don't like Borderlands. My same friend and I did this with Bordlerands 1, I have to say I didn't really enjoy it. Ni No Kuni would be excellent alas we don't have a PS3 :(

You could also try Deus Ex: Human Revolution. It seems like it fits your criteria.

Just Cause 2

Seriously.

Watch a guy play and just try to not make constant action movie quotes

 Macok wrote:
You could also try Deus Ex: Human Revolution. It seems like it fits your criteria.

I'd second this and add "Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings."

Hotseat Heroes of Might and Magic 3.

lots of fun, especially if you are opponents rather than together

Sorry I haven't responded to you guys sooner, was busy with work, life, and junk then ninjas kidnapped my dog...AGAIN! Unbelievable those guys...

@ Rotgut Dead Rising 2 seems like an excellent choice. I'm sure it's funny, the story absurd, and actually mulitplayer!

@ Doctadeth Never heard of Kerbal Space Program, will research. Also Heroes 3 ftw! We're both huge Heroes fans played just about all them together. Would be a great choice if we hadn't already spent countless hours on the games. That being said perhaps delving deeper in the Might and Magic series could be interesting. We both were big fans of 6 and may be worth revisting it.

@ kirsanth and Mr Moustaffa, While fun and silly games, I think something more linear, and perhaps episodic would work. Like every few days during the summer getting a little farther in a long story, sort of like a serial drama. Open world stuff, free-formness, and objectivelessness might stray into just ambling about aimlessly.

@ Macok Great choice but we have both played through it, however Deus Ex 1 would be a good choice. It's also one of many gaming classics my friend has never played.

@ deathholydeath We both loved the first game and with both of us getting new computers rather soon this is high on the list. The only "flaw" I could see is it's rather grim and serious, but that's a small thing compared to the rest it offers.

As always thanks for all the sugesstions. I really should get in contact with him now that his finals are over and narrow this down a bit!

 asimo77 wrote:
Deus Ex 1 would be a good choice.

Deus Ex is a great choice.... IF you can finish it
This, along with System Shock 2 (to a lesser degree) are the two games I simply adore yet have problem finishing when I finally sit to get to them. I do not have this problem with Thief for example.
Not getting bored or anything, I still enjoy the experience but at one random time I usually stop playing.

Maybe I do not have the time or maybe I'm too easily distr...ooo something shiny!

Deus Ex is ALWAYS a great choice.

"What do you want for dinner, honey?"
"Deus Ex."

"I wonder why the Koreans haven't attacked yet?"
"Deus Ex."

"Take me to your leader!"
"Deus Ex."

See, it's always a good answer. That said - those unfamiliar with the series and/or those who haven't been gaming for at least 10 years should start with Human Revolution, the original is now looking rather dated in comparison.

Entertaining narrative; and/or some ridiculousness?

If yes to both...try out the "InJustice: Gods Among Us" story mode.
It has some rather natural stopping/swapping points when you go from one character's story "arc" to the next, and some of the poorly rendered cutscenes done using the in game engine are absolutely hilarious.

Mortal Kombat is similar, but about twice as long.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Mortal Kombat is similar, but about twice as long.

Oh gods, yes. A thousand times this - the story mode for Mortal Kombat (the recent "gritty reboot") is cringeworthy and hilarious. I highly suggest being stoned drunk whilst playing through it.

Also, if you liked Portal and are up for a variation try Quantum Conundrum.

We played it like that.