It’s been fascinating to watch theconsole warsevolve over time. The video game industry has taken tremendous strides during the latest generation and it’s never been a better time to love video games.Microsoftentered the console race later than others, but theXbox Onehas turned into a powerful machine that’s able to hold its own against the competition.
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The Xbox One is amust-haveconsole. It’s been an interesting process to see which genres have been the most successful on the Xbox, but it’s become clear that there’s an emphasis on cooperative play. Accordingly, here are 5 underrated co-op games for Xbox, and 5 that are overrated.
10Underrated: Gears 5
TheGears of Warseries was one of the first big original intellectual properties that helped put the Xbox on the map. The franchise was a worthy showcase of what the console can handle as it throws players into a gritty war against gruesome aliens.
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The originalGears of Wargames hit diminishing returns after a while, butGears 5was developed as a triumphant return to form. Not only doesGears 5meet expectations, but it also provides one of the console’s most enjoyable co-op experiences.
9Overrated: Diablo III
Blizzard’sDiabloseries are some of the most notorious titles in the dungeon crawler RPG genre. The franchise has a lengthy legacy and dedicated fans, but this obsession with the series can also result in decisions that feel to meet expectations.
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There was simply too much pressure placed onDiablo IIIand the title launched to a very buggy and compromised experience.Diablo IIIhas slowly ironed out its wrinkles, but many fans have been burnt out by the changes that Blizzard has implemented and the direction that the series is headed.
8Underrated: Destiny 2
Destiny 2mashes together a lot of ideas, but the mix of diverse sensibilities manages to culminate into a massive, satisfying shooter. The originalDestinymade a strong impression on players and its sequel tries to add to that formula as the fate of Earth rests in the balance.Destiny 2has its share of kinks, but it’s turned into a smooth experience that becomes even better when players take advantage of the game’s co-op. Some players may have moved onto the next big thing, butDestiny 2still gets the job done and is a very impressive package.
7Overrated: Call Of Duty: Black Ops 4
TheCall of Dutyseries has been going strong for years now and while the franchise still has a dedicated audience,Black Ops 4is a title that doesn’t offer up much to new players.Black Ops 4is extremely similar toBlack Ops 3,which isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, but there are so many maps and other pieces of content that are reused from the past. Additionally, while the co-op and multiplayer is polished, the fact that the title offers no single player campaign is a serious deterrent.
6Underrated: Monster Hunter: World
TheMonster Hunterseries throws players into a vast open world that’s full of ferocious beasts that look impossible to defeat at a first glance.Monster Hunter: Worldturns up the player’s level of freedom and allows people to stalk their giant prey however they see fit. It’s takenCapcomsome time to figure out how to have theMonster Hunterseries make a bigger impact in America, butMonster Hunter: Worldhas perfected the formula. There’s more interest in the property than ever, which should only become more intense with the release of aMonster Hunterfeature film.
5Overrated: Overwatch
Overwatchhas helped revolutionize the shooter genre and has given competitive online play a serious boost of energy.Overwatchis a simple game, but it’s because of this that so many people have been able to jump on board and become legends at it.Overwatchis an easy and fast way to get the thrill of a co-op game, but its impact is starting to cool off. Other titles have come to the forefront and more people may jump ship due to the announcement ofOverwatch 2’sarrival.
4Underrated: Borderlands 3
There are all sorts of creative takes on the shooter genre that are vying for the audience’s attention. TheBorderlandsgames have done an impressive job to improve upon their predecessors, but are also careful to not burn out the gamer.Borderlands 3takes the game’s bonkers story to even crazier places and the co-op helps turn the chaotic shooter-action RPG hybrid into such a purely enjoyable experience. While some shooters have been out for a while and are losing their audience,Borderlands 3still features a thriving community.
3Overrated: Payday 2
So many titles in the shooter genre attempt to bring something unique to the style of games. Not every franchise succeeds in this regard, but if they can still deliver an enjoyable game then it’s easier to forgive the other concessions.Payday 2is a loud, chaotic game that gets a lot of mileage out of the tension and excitement of pulling off elaborate heists. Despite the game’s strengths and its continued support,Payday 2is nearly a decade old and it feels like it. It’s time for an upgrade.
2Underrated: Halo 5: Guardians
Much like with theGears of Warfranchise, theHalogames are incredibly important to theXbox’shistory. The first-person shooters are what made the console a hit and the games have spawned an expanded series of ten titles and counting.Halo 5: Guardianswas intended as a major return to form and one of the Xbox One’s most anticipated titles.Halo 5isn’t as polished as the other mainlineHalotitles and its campaign has its share of flaws. That being said, the co-op is such a treat and the addition of the Warzone Firefight maps is huge.
1Overrated: Wolfenstein: Youngblood
Wolfenstein: Youngbloodhas good intentions and it’s fun to see such a co-op intensive approach to the shooter franchise. The new characters work well enough, but the biggest deterrent toYoungbloodis that it feels incomplete in a lot of ways. The game reuses many assets fromNew Colossusand pairs it together with a threadbare plot and short campaign. Add to that a lack of variety when it comes to side missions & extra content andWolfenstein: Youngbloodfeels like a step backwards for the hyperbolized shooter.
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