One of the hardest things for a developer to do is create a four-player co-op game. If a team does it right, it can be magical experience with an exceptionally long tail. The “Left 4 Dead” and “Tom Clancy’s The Division” franchises springs to mind, but if it doesn’t catch on, it can be a brutal black eye for a developer.
“Redfall,” “Anthem” and “Marvel’s Avengers” are a testament to how a co-op game with the best intentions and plenty of talent can go awry. That’s why it was important for Rocksteady and Warner Bros. Games to get its latest project right. That’s one of the reasons it was delayed after fan feedback. “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” is one of the more anticipated mainstream games of the year and it also leads my list of what to play this weekend.
“Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” — Building on the popularity of the past two DC movies, this video game entry features Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and King Shark as reluctant members of Task Force X. Recruited by Amanda Waller, an official with the Department of Homeland Security, the foursome are shipped off to Metropolis after Brainiac has taken over. The villain has brainwashed members of the Justice League and killed scores of citizens.
After infiltrating the city, the Suicide Squad has to defeat the superheroes and save Metropolis or Waller will blow up the bombs planted in their skulls. Rocksteady does a decent job of making each member feel distinct with their own method of traversal and special combat abilities. It’s a totally different game from the developer’s legendary “Arkham” series and they take chances in an attempt to create a fun co-op experience.
The writing is sharp and the campaign is a riot, capturing the vibe of the films. All of that helps create an experience that’s entertaining and light on its feet and should be fun with friends.
Play time: This is a game that you can finish over the weekend, according to reports. It’s about 10 hours to finish the main campaign and a few more hours if you’re a completionist.
“Persona 3 Reload” — “Persona 5” spawned a legion of new fans of the Japanese role-playing game series. That has led many to look for similar experiences from past entries, but the problem with that is they may not hold up as well. That’s where this remake comes in.
Just like Capcom does with “Resident Evil,” “Persona 3 Reload” is designed to bring a previous chapter to a new audience all while updating the visuals and upgrading some of the key mechanics. If you’re a fan of the strategic combat depth and the social aspects of the other entries, this game will scratch that itch and engross you in its world.
Play time: This is a long project and you won’t finish it over the weekend. The game will likely take players at least 70 hours to complete, according to reports. It’s a must-play for those who have Xbox Game Pass.
“Death Stranding: Directors Cut” — With the announcement of “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach,” it’s a good time to revisit director Hideo Kojima’s oddly mesmerizing adventure. Lucky for fans, they can now take “Death Stranding” with them on via the iPhone 15 Pro.
It’s a title that definitely needs a controller to play so buy a Backbone or connect to an Xbox controller. Whatever the case, it’s a game that looks nearly as good on the portable device as it does on console. As Sam Porter Bridges, players have to reconnect America after an apocalyptic event destroys the country’s infrastructure separating cities.
The game is all about building connections via footpaths, roads, zip lines and other modes of transportation. Despite a convoluted narrative, the heart of the campaign is fascinating and one well worth experience before jumping into the sequel, which is coming out in 2025 on PlayStation 5.
Play time: The game will take you at least 40 hours so don’t expect to complete it over the weekend. With the game being on the iPhone, you can nibble at it though a game this grand and breathtaking should be played on the Mac.
“Words in Progress” — If you’re looking for an alternative to “Words with Friends,” you can try checking out this recent release on Apple Arcade. Players compete to score points by combining letter tiles to form words. The longer the better, but it takes some luck and planning to get the highest points available. It’s a project that will definitely test your vocabulary.
Play time: This is a pick-up-and-play game and it’s best when you have some free time. It shines when you play against online competition.
