I want a co-op system in AA2, and a more in-depth challenge mode

[Riddlers Revenge]

BEWARE, I HAVE STOLEN CHINA'S WALL!

OK, so a couple weeks ago I was watching Gametrailers TV on Spike. They were interviewing Cliff B from Epic Games. He was talking about their new game that I don't remember what it was called. But when asked about the multiplayer, he said he wasn't confirming anything such as a versus mode or co-op mode, but he said that these days a game can't just ship with a single-player story only.

So that got me thinking about good games that were single-player story mode only. I thought of massive RPGs such as Oblivion or Fallout 3. Then I realized that those don't count, because they are massive RPGs. Then I thought about Arkham Asylum. As much as I enjoyed this game, I didn't find myself playing it regularly. After a while, I began to think that this was due to no multiplayer at all. I mean, Challenge Mode is fun but it is merely cutting pieces out of campaign and adding minor objectives. They were fun, but they did not change the game immensely.

So for the past couple of days I have been thinking about how multiplayer could be placed into Arkham 2. At first I was trying to create a feasible versus mode in my mind. I now realize that my mind is not capable of brainstorming something like that. I did come up with some co-op modes, and how they could be used.

I've lurked here for the past week or so, and I've noticed that many of you seem to despise the thought of including any of the Bat-Family except Oracle. But for co-op to happen, there would have to be Bat allies, and they would have to be playable. If any of you hate the idea of that so much you no longer consider my idea valid, then you may stop reading here if you wish. But I may change your opinion on that.

Now let's go through Arkham's story mode and take all the parts where co-op wouldn't be possible, or it wouldn't work very well. The first one would probably be boss-fights. These are the hardest to work co-op into. Fighting Giant Ivy, Scarecrow's World, and Titan Joker would be, very different if you had a partner. Another thing is vent crawling. Although it would have to be a you go first type of thing, and then of course there could be a "Oh wrong way, turn around type thing." But I think these would be minor, realistic flaws in using ventilation shafts as your primary source of transportation. If you can think of any other story mode moments where co-op would not work, please share.

Now, I'm not saying that you would need a co-op partner to complete anything. And by this I'm not saying that you would have a bad AI Robin following you around and getting in your way. This isn't Sonic the Hedgehog, and Tails won't be following you everywhere.

Another thing I think would be cool would be if each character played different. You could play to each ally's strength. I guess now would be a good time to give my ideas on who should be the four playable heroes. Batman obviously, then Tim Drake as Robin, Dick Grayson as Nightwing, and Stephanie Brown as Batgirl. Now I know your probably thinking a scenario in which a vent grate is kicked out of the wall, thugs look up and see Batman pop out, followed by three ducklings. This is not the image I'm trying to create.

Anyway, back to the idea that they should all play different. Batman is one of the greatest martial artists in the DC universe. So he should definitely be the best freeflow fighter. This would mean giving Batman the most damage, and all the cool freeflow moves.

In the comics, Bruce Wayne has said that he thinks Tim Drake might be smarter than him. With that being said, I think that Batman should relinquish that gadget that short-circuited the WayneTech boxes (I forgot what it's called) to Robin. Also, Robin wields an extendable bo-staff. This could make freeflow combat interesting for him. I suppose he could extend his staff after a 7-Hit combo, and then use it more as a disarming/leg sweeping device rather than blunt head trauma. Robin also carries a grapple and batarangs. But he might not carry a line launcher or explosive gel.

My personal favorite, Nightwing, is regarded as the greatest acrobat in the DC universe. This said, he should probably be faster than the rest of them, but his suit sacrifices protection for mobility. That means that the user would have to evade more and throw quick strikes in here and there. For his gadgets, he uses a variation of the batarang called wing-dings. He also carries a stun gun (imagine the possibilities) and a type of tear gas pellet that makes the victim regurgitate his last meal (also awesome). He also carries a grapple, and dual Escrima sticks as his primary weapon. Once again maybe break these out after a 7-Hit combo. No cape means no gliding though.

Batgirl is a lesser known character, but she is a cool one. Her suit is very different, it doesn't have the gliding ability that Batman and Robin have. She carries batarangs, smoke screens, and a grapple. She probably would be the weakest freeflow fighter, but really good at being stealthy and unseen. I'm having trouble finding the right description, so I'll move on.

With these four characters all being playable, I think that they should be in the story mode. I still think that Batman should be the main focus of the game. I think you should be playing as him 75% of the time, and the rest of the time is divided between the three allies. Also, just like you can roam Arkham Island after you've completed the game, you can roam Gotham as any character, thus being able to go to places you couldn't go to as Batman.

I think that the whole story mode should be made co-op playable, but not rely on it. So if you want to play by yourself, you can do so without making it any less of an experience. Slightly alter cutscenes or other scripted moments for single and co-op. And don't think I'm forgetting offline console players. If I have my way, splitscreen would an option as well.

How would gameplay be affected you might ask? Imagine doing predator stages where you have Batman working one side of the room, and Robin the other. The thugs would be all like "How many of you are there?" Sounds epic to me. Freeflow combat stages would be harder, because you could ruin each other's combos. But if you communicated, you could move enemies into each other's path for a quick kick. One idea I had was "back-to-back." This is a defensive position in which two players went, back-to-back.

To sum up my story mode co-op hopes: Most of the game is moving from point A to point B. This could easily be done co-op style. Combat and predator would be harder, but could be accomplished.

I will type out my ideas for a new and improved challenge mode tomorrow. My fingers are tired and I'm pissed that the Celtics just lost.