How Difficult Is Co-Op?

[roosta_141]

I enjoy playing couch co-op games with my partner, and would love to add this one to the collection. 
 

Realistically, what sort of time and difficulty are we looking at for this?

[Platinum_Vice]

Bump

[Danny_Johansen]

The majority of the missions are the same or easier compared to single player because it is possible to split tasks between 2 people or player 1 can solo it entirely. All the difficulty is in the "No death" missions because both player require good execution. They are exponentially more difficult based on both players skill level. If both are good then they end up roughly the same but if 1 or both players isn't then it can take many tries. Of course shareplay does play a big role in this since with lag it becomes much harder. With a good partner and stable connection it is a 6-7/10 and 100 hours to complete it. The game is more daunting than it truly is.

[ExistentialSolid]

On 6/10/2021 at 8:03 PM, roosta_141 said:

I enjoy playing couch co-op games with my partner, and would love to add this one to the collection. 
 

Realistically, what sort of time and difficulty are we looking at for this?

I spent around 40 hours on the game's Solo component and well over 200 hours on the Co-op component (completing each level's missions twice via shareplay). The solo mode is significantly easier than the co-op, but it should do a good job preparing you and your partner for the difficulties you'll face in co-op should you decide to complete solo first.

Co-op mode features two especially difficult mission types: clone count missions and "no death" missions. Some of the clone count missions, which involve amassing a large number of clones before finishing the level, are absolutely insane requiring you to skip specific powerups to have any chance at completion (I'll link an example (not mine): Clonebeam). The no death missions, like the clone count missions, require coordinated efforts from both players to stay alive except you'll have to restart the entire level if you or your partner make a single mistake (here's one of the hardest ones (also not mine): Districts).

With shareplay lag, these missions are even more hellish to complete since Badland demands serious precision throughout most of the experience. Mistiming traps, bumping into each other, and not having enough time to react are all things you're going to have to deal with over the lag that shareplay may or may not force upon you. The stronger you and your partner's shareplay connection, the less frustration you'll have to deal with later on. I know you mentioned that you have a couch co-op partner, but, since the majority of players will have to use shareplay, I felt it was important to include them in the equation.  

As someone that experienced significant lag across intercontinental shareplay connections, this was one of the clearest instances of "10/10 difficulty" I've ever experienced with several missions requiring over 10 hours of practice to clear. However, if you've got a reliable couch co-op partner, you shouldn't have to deal with lag at all which should make most of the missions significantly less frustrating. Even without lag though, I wouldn't rate the game's difficulty any less than a 9/10. I know this thread is getting old, but good luck if you ever decide to play it!

Edited April 19, 2022 by ExistentialSolid

[Smashero]

On 12/5/2021 at 6:46 AM, ExistentialSolid said:

...cut...

Pardon for Necro, but I have just a tiny question: by playing it in local coop or via online shareplay do both Players earn trophies?

Edited January 21, 2022 by Smashero

[Arcesius]

On 1/21/2022 at 3:15 PM, Smashero said:

Pardon for Necro, but I have just a tiny question: by playing it in local coop or via online shareplay do both Players earn trophies?

 

If you use shareplay, only the host earns trophies (and makes progress). In local coop, both players can earn trophies. 

 

EDIT: I was actually wrong. The local account I've been using to play in coop has not been earning any trophies at all. It seems like only the first player can earn trophies, be it using shareplay or playing in local coop. 

Edited January 23, 2022 by Arcesius

[ExistentialSolid]

On 1/21/2022 at 9:15 AM, Smashero said:

Pardon for Necro, but I have just a tiny question: by playing it in local coop or via online shareplay do both Players earn trophies?

If you are playing online via shareplay, only the hosting player is able to earn trophies or retain any of the progress made towards those trophies. Because of this, most players will have to complete each of the co-op missions twice: once while hosting a shareplay session, and once more with their partner hosting a shareplay session so that they can make progress too. What me and my partner used to do was complete all the missions for level X on one account and, while the level was still fresh in my minds, switch shareplay hosts and complete the same level on the other account.

EDIT: If you are playing in local co-op, only the host will earn trophies. You're still going to have to complete each mission twice (once with each player hosting) if you want each of the game's trophies on you and your partner's accounts. Thankfully, you won't have to deal with shareplay lag if you go this route which should make earning the trophies on both accounts much easier.  

Edited February 5, 2022 by ExistentialSolid

[trophynerd122]

It is not too bad honestly, provided you have an as great coop buddy as I did @Eqill5.