Co-Optimus News Your prime source for Co-Op gaming! Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:50:16 -0500 https://www.co-optimus.com en-us https://www.co-optimus.com/images/cooplogo.pngCo-Optimushttps://www.co-optimus.com Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Skis Onto PlayStation 5Following an unfortunate last-minute delay, the PlayStation 5 version of Megaton Industries' Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders has finally arrived. That's good news since December is the perfect month for skiing, whether solo or with up to 8 online players via cross-play co-op. Maybe the mountain won't be so lonely after all!

The game features:

  • A breathtaking ride down snowy mountains!
  • Play co-op or competitive multiplayer!
  • Rack up points in Trick Mode, or express yourself in Free Style mode!
  • Multiplatform crossplay for up to 8 people!
  • Challenge yourself or relax and explore!
  • Unlock new equipment, outfits and tricks as you play!
  • Followup to their hit game Lonely Mountains: Downhill!

How does the PlayStation version measure up? The developer states:

The PS5 version includes a year’s worth of updates, including the Freestylers Update (which added Trick Mode and also the beloved Free Style mode, as seen in their previous game Lonely Mountains: Downhill!). The new "Highlanders" DLC will be available as an extra purchase. 

 

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders costs $24.99 on Xbox, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass. The "Highlands" DLC costs $7.99. Remember: there can be only one!


Read More]]> https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17817/lonely-mountains-snow-riders-skis-onto-playstation-5.html https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17817/lonely-mountains-snow-riders-skis-onto-playstation-5.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:00:03 -0500 Co-Optimus Absolum Will get a Big Update in Early 2026Absolum is one of the most popular new beat 'em ups of 2025 (right alongside MARVEL Cosmic Invasion), so it's no surprise that the game will continue to grow. Today, Dotemu announced that a version 1.1 update is in the works, as well as what the update will include. The only downside is that the update won't be released for a while yet, but there's plenty to look forward to!

Here's an abridged version of the Version 1.1 features list:

  • New Challenges: Our new Mystic Ordeals allow you to challenge yourself, as well as other Rebels around the world. After defeating the final foe, Rebels will find new pre-set ordeals, delivering an additional layer of challenge on top of a regular playthrough. In addition, you can customize your own challenge and share your unique code with the world.
  • An Evolving World: Rebels will now face corrupted regions, visible within Maugis’ map. These new corrupted regions will contain stronger enemies, and will provide daring Rebels with greater rewards along your journey. Rebels will also be able to alter the frequency of these corrupted lands through the new Mystic Ordeals - including corrupting the whole of the world should Rebels fancy the ultimate challenge.
  • Upgraded Mounts: Rebels will find new Elite mounts out in the world. Bigger, better, faster, stronger, and with new ways of dealing death to the Crimson Order. Elite mounts also come with upgraded attacks to help you power through the awaiting hordes.

Absolum

  • New Emotes: We know that you rebels are always looking for new ways to get to know each other and communicate in game. Our new in-game emotes come with their own slice of style, and some of them even now come with their own unique voice lines, as well. Rebels can select their emote pack when choosing their hero at the campfire, to facilitate a little more communication among our Rebel cells.
  • New Skins: You’ll also find each of our heroes now come with new skins which players can unlock through the sacred tree, or by completing challenges. Put a new stamp on your favorite hero with new designs available to unlock in game.

Those all sound like great additions. New emotes should really add to the co-op experience when playing matchmade games. This surely won't be the final update for Absolum. The developers have promised cross-play co-op, but that feature isn't listed in the version 1.1 announcement. We'd also love for 4-player co-op and an Xbox version to be announced. Maybe in the future?

The version 1.1 update will be released in early 2026. Absolum is now available on PlayStation, Switch, and Steam for $24.99. I haven't played enough of the game yet, but it has been super fun so far. Stay tuned for full co-op impressions!


Read More]]> https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17815/absolum-will-get-a-big-update-in-early-2026.html https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17815/absolum-will-get-a-big-update-in-early-2026.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 07:00:28 -0500 Co-Optimus Co-Op Monthly Round-Up for November 2025Yes, we are a bit late this time around. December snuck up on us hard. We are having too much fun playing all those games released in November. And of course enjoying the Awards season. You know: Complaining about our favourite game not winning and such. So let's leave it at that and point you as usual to the lists below. May you and your co-op partners find the games you are looking for there!

Top Stories Past 30 Days

Game Releases

Games Added


Read More]]> https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17814/co-op-monthly-round-up-for-november-2025.html https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17814/co-op-monthly-round-up-for-november-2025.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:05:56 -0500 Co-Optimus Entropy Survivors Gets a Hard ModeIt's unusual for bullet heaven games (à la Vampire Survivors) to feature online co-op. That's part of what makes Entropy Survivors, the "bullet heaven roguelike" from First Break Labs, so exciting. Not only does the game have 4-player online co-op, but it has just gotten a Hard mode in celebration of its first anniversary. Now a team of four can face extra-tough challenges together and unlock new skins for their trouble.

Official description:

Experience the budding friendship between amphibious armsmaster Froggie and sword-swinging mech GERM. Begin a cosmic quest to repel the alien forces of Entropy across technicolor planets beautifully rendered in Unreal Engine 5, including searing deserts, lush forests, and molten lava mountains. The call to save the universe spreads far and wide!

Entropy Survivors

 

  • Craft crazy builds around capable classes, each with their own distinct abilities. Experiment with classes to find a new favorite with each run!
    • Obliterate enemies with a trail of bombs from above as the Jet.
    • Deploy a speed-boosting smokescreen to confuse enemies and attack from the shadows as the Assassin.
    • Summon protective barriers to heal allies while knocking away enemies as the Paladin.
  • Venture out solo or in an unstoppable group of two to four intergalactic allies and take chaotic bullet heaven action online! Kick butt together in co-op, and then brawl it out with each other at the end of each level for the title of MVP.
  • Wild, wacky weapons add unhinged icing to this chaotic cake. Shoot weaponized bees at unwelcome invaders with The Stinger, hose 'em down with the Order's Flamecaster, pummel foes into submission with the high-tech Gyro Fists, and see what else awaits!

Entropy Survivors sells for $9.99 on Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5, and Steam. Starting on December 4, the Steam version will be on sale for 65% off as part of the Bullet Heaven Festival. Don't miss it!


Read More]]> https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17812/entropy-survivors-gets-a-hard-mode.html https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17812/entropy-survivors-gets-a-hard-mode.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 12:00:28 -0500 Co-Optimus Serpent's Gaze Announced for 2026, Steam Demo Now AvailableThe founders of Coffee Stain Studios, the team behind Goat Simulator, have a new studio called Feeble Minds. Their minds might not be as strong as yours or mine, but these guys do have an interesting game in the works. Serpent's Gaze is a cooperative Souls-like action RPG that's coming to PC in 2026. There's already a demo, so the game must be pretty far along.

Official description:

Serpent’s Gaze is a punishing 1-4 player co-op third-person action game where you fight tough enemies and relentless bosses, all while uncovering the secrets of an ancient desert.

  • SOULSLIKE COMBAT WITH A ROGUELIKE TWIST: Choose your favorite weapon and fight tough enemies in heavy, tactical combat, with a plethora of different upgrade possibilities. Fight your way through handcrafted levels, and face the bosses – as many times as you need.
  • PLAY AS A TEAM, OR FACE THE CHALLENGES ALONE: With support for up to 4 players, you can face the challenges of the world together with your teammates, or play at your own pace alone.
  • GATHER BLESSINGS AND CHOOSE YOUR PLAYSTYLE: As you progress through levels, you find upgrades along the way – blessings from strange deities, gifts from your patron and strange relics to utilize in your pilgrimage. Choose wisely and explore endless builds and strategies.

Serpent-s Gaze screenshot

  • GET CURSED BY THE GODS, AND ADAPT TO NEW CHALLENGES: The Curse system introduces random variables every run – everything from minibosses hunting you, to environmental hazards that keep new runs fresh and challenging. The Awareness system brings even more challenges, making each successful run progressively harder.
  • EXPLORE AN ANCIENT DESERT AND ITS MYSTERIES: Battle through imposing environments inhabited by different factions. The desert and ruins belong to the nomadic Majin, while the city with its cathedrals is inhabited by the proud Attar’Esh.
  • UNCOVER THE INTENT OF YOUR CREATOR: You are a scion – brought to life by the withering tree god Magnolia, with the sole purpose of vanquishing the opposing gods and usurpers who currently rule the lands. There is only one way to make the desert bloom again - violence.

The game has a bit of an Ascend: Hand of Kul look to it. Facing the roguelike challenges with friends should certainly make for a good time.

Serpent's Gaze is currently planned for a 2026 early access release on Steam. Try the demo now to see what the snake is shakin'!


Read More]]> https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17811/serpent-s-gaze-announced-for-2026-steam-demo-now-available.html https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17811/serpent-s-gaze-announced-for-2026-steam-demo-now-available.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:00:56 -0500 Co-Optimus Wendigo Blue Looks Like a Frosty Beat 'em Up For the Holiday SeasonDuring the cold winter months, sometimes you need a game to match the season. Wendigo Blue is a beat 'em that's currently in Steam Early Access, and it might just fit that bill. Indie developer EndlessFluff published the game early in 2025 and continues to develop new content for it. The game already features 4-player local co-op, so it's right up our alley.

Official description:

As members of the Vanguard, defend your home from invading gods in this action-packed brawler set in the world of Valdis Story.

Reina, Goddess of Death, has been shielding Erebus from invading gods for decades, but their numbers have become overwhelming, and foreign gods are slipping through her barrier, aided by traitorous cultists. Each god slain brings you closer to the dark truth behind the invasions.

Customize your character in each playthrough with over 80 unique items and skills. Go head-to-head with invading gods in intense boss battles alone, with a CPU partner, or up to 4 players in local co-op.

Wendigo Blue Steam screenshot

The description doesn't say much, but footage and screenshots look gorgeous! We do know that Wendigo Blue is a sequel or spin-off of Valdis Story: Abyssal City, a single-player Metroidvania platformer that debuted on Steam in 2013. That game is also pretty, but this one kicks things up several notches.

Wendigo Blue currently sells for $9.99 on Steam. We'll try to give it a shot and bring you more coverage soon!



Read More]]> https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17810/wendigo-blue-looks-like-a-frosty-beat-em-up-for-the-holiday-season.html https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17810/wendigo-blue-looks-like-a-frosty-beat-em-up-for-the-holiday-season.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:00:40 -0500 Co-Optimus MARVEL Cosmic Invasion Explodes Onto Consoles and PCTribute Games and DotEmu struck gold with TMNT: Shredder's Revenge, one of the most popular beat 'em ups in recent memory. After years of updates, the team has finally released their big follow-up: MARVEL Cosmic Invasion. The new brawler promises all the style and charm of Shredder's Revenge but with a fantastic lineup of Marvel heroes and villains. It's out now on all current-gen platforms.

Features:

  • 15 Playable Super Heroes: MARVEL Cosmic Invasion offers an incredible roster spanning the Marvel Universe’s iconic and under-the-radar favorites:
    • Captain America, She-Hulk, Rocket Racoon, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Storm, Phyla-Vell, Venom, Nova, Black Panther, Beta Ray Bill, Cosmic Ghost Rider, Silver Surfer, Phoenix, and Invincible Iron Man.
  • Innovative Tag-Team Battling: Choose two fighters to play as, using the Cosmic Swap fighting system, tagging between characters on the fly while discovering unique combos and delivering powerful special attacks.
  • 4 Player Local and Online Co-op: Battle the MARVEL Universe’s most menacing foes alone or with up to three friends in drop-in co-op, complete with adaptive difficulty that adjusts the challenge of fights based on your group size.
  • Dastardly Scheming Villains: Bash your way through Annihilus’ devious allies including Thanos, M.O.D.O.K, and Taskmaster among others as you fight to foil his unprecedented attack across the galaxy that threatens life as we know it.

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion screenshot

  • Stellar Upgrades: Unlock ower-ups and rewards by experimenting with different duos from the roster to make your favorite fighters even more formidable.
  • Campaign & Arcade Modes: Step into the world of MARVEL for a high-stakes adventure suited for players of all ages and skill levels in MARVEL Cosmic Invasion’s Campaign Mode, before taking on a steeper challenge with unlockable modifiers in Arcade Mode.
  • Iconic MARVEL Homages: Take in a fantastic array of tributes to classic MARVEL storylines and characters as you brawl through the streets of MARVEL’s most beloved worlds, from New York City and Wakanda all the way to the depths of the Negative Zone.
  • Marvelous Pixel Art: Tribute Games’ signature, stunning pixel art channels classic MARVEL designs while lush animation delivers a fresh new take on the arcade era aesthetic.
  • A Magnificent Original Soundtrack: Tee Lopes (TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge) brings the bangers across a soundtrack bursting with exhilarating energy that will make you feel like you can throw down with all the evil in an entire galaxy.

That's quite an uncanny array of playable heroes to play as on day one. I just hope Squirrel Girl and Ms. Marvel come along as DLC characters in the future!

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion costs $29.99 on Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4 and 5, Switch, Switch 2, and Steam. It's also available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, so the online player base is sure to be spectacular!


Read More]]> https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17809/marvel-cosmic-invasion-explodes-onto-consoles-and-pc.html https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17809/marvel-cosmic-invasion-explodes-onto-consoles-and-pc.html Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:30:37 -0500 Co-Optimus Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders for PlayStation 5 DelayedLonely Mountains: Snow Riders is a really cool skiing game from Megaton Industries that arrived on Xbox, Game Pass, and Steam at the beginning of the year. A PlayStation 5 version was due to arrive this week, but unfortunately, Sony players will have to remain lonely for a little longer. The PlayStation version has been delayed at the last minute. When, oh when will Team Sony get to climb the lonely mountains?

The developer explains the delay:

‘We were very set on the December 3rd date, but unfortunately a last-minute bug has forced us to delay,’ said Megagon co-founder Daniel Helbig. ‘Me and the team are truly sorry for the disappointment. Rest assured, we are working hard on a fix, and are optimistic that the game will be released the following week.’

A week isn't that long a wait! Why, just recently I had to wait to play the Xbox version cooperatively because my co-op partner had not progressed far enough to unlock multiplayer yet. Darn it, game makers, just let us play together right out of the gate! Playing cooperatively is a lot of fun, though. See our original impressions article to learn how multiplayer works.

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders costs $24.99 on Xbox, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass. The PlayStation 5 version will hopefully arrive later this month. Be sure to read up on safe skiing practices, gamers!


Read More]]> https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17808/lonely-mountains-snow-riders-for-playstation-5-delayed.html https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17808/lonely-mountains-snow-riders-for-playstation-5-delayed.html Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:00:33 -0500 Co-Optimus Extra Life 2025 Game Day Begins!What could be a better way to spend a day than to spend it playing games and raising donations for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals? I can't think of anything. But what would make it even better would be your company in our Twitch chat, and, of course, DONATIONS!

We're joining thousands of other gamers in our favorite annual tradition, Extra Life Game Day. The Co-Optimus team has been participating in Extra Life for the past 14 years! We'll be playing a good 12 hours this year, so feel free to pop in and out throughout the day. We'd love to have you!


Read More]]> https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17807/extra-life-2025-game-day-begins.html https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17807/extra-life-2025-game-day-begins.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 08:30:00 -0500 Co-Optimus Extra Life 2025 Game Day is Nearly HereThis Saturday, November 8th, Co-Optimus will be joining thousands of other gamers during the Extra Life Game Day celebration. We'll be playing games and raising donations for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals all day. We welcome you to join our team, donate on our Extra Life page, or just hang out with us on Twitch!

Extra Life is a charity, originally created by gamers, that benefits Children's Miracle Network Hospitals throughout the US and Canada. When you donate on a participant's page, your donation goes to the hospital they chose to support. Those funds are then used by the hospital to treat patients, purchase supplies and equipment, or even pay for nearby lodging for family members.

Kids should be at home playing, out exploring the world, or learning at school, not stuck in a hospital bed. Let's raise donations to get these kids the best medical care they can get, then send them home as soon as they're ready. As a parent who's had two babies in the NICU, I know first-hand how relieving it is when it's finally time to go home.

We've been participating in this fundraising event for 14 years, and we always enjoy your company throughout the day. Stop by our Twitch channel to see what we're playing and chat with us. We'll be thanking all of our donors throughout the day, so if you make a donation, be sure to watch for your shoutout! We'll see you Saturday!


Read More]]> https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17806/extra-life-2025-game-day-is-nearly-here.html https://www.co-optimus.com/article/17806/extra-life-2025-game-day-is-nearly-here.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 12:01:51 -0500 Co-Optimus