There exist games in this world that don’t need a multiplayer element. They’re perfect as single player experiences. The campaign covers every need, making such a supplement unnecessary. These games on this list fall into that category. They all work well, or will work well, on their own merits.
Yet, they’re games that would have benefitted from something more, had the time been put in. Each of these 10 games could have done something unique or special with a multiplayer option, and it’s disappointing that we didn’t get the opportunity to know there’s something more there.
Super Mario Maker
Let’s face facts. When the NX appears, there’s a good chance Nintendo could release updated ports of existing games on the new platform. It’s very possible Super Mario Maker will be one of those games. Maybe it’d be a good time for local cooperative multiplayer? The New Super Mario Bros. Wii games had cooperative multiplayer. Maybe it’d be possible to allow couch co-op for levels that use that theme? It’d certainly give people an excuse not to go with the original Super Mario Bros. palette, with its many costumes.
South Park: Fractured But Whole
This may sound like a stretch, but bear with me. I think South Park: The Fractured But Whole has room for online, PvP multiplayer. Here’s why. We get to create a custom character, choosing from multiple classes. We’ll even be able to multiclass. The kids of South Park are already divided. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could put together a custom party with our favorite characters and our avatar, search for an online fight, and face off against another player to see who’s gathered the best and strongest team? I mean, it worked in Fire Emblem Fates . It’d work here too.
Mafia III
2K Games has said Mafia III won’t offer us any multiplayer. We’re here to experience Lincoln Clay’s story, not write our own. But, this is a game that would have greatly benefited from an online experience. I would imagine it as being something like Grand Theft Auto Online , except with a heavier reliance on factions and more strategic elements. People could have banded together in different mafias, trying to maintain hold on an area and work their way up through the ranks of their chosen family.
Resident Evil VII
We don’t know much about Resident Evil VII yet, besides the fact that it exists, offers optional VR support, and seems pretty darn scary. Know what would be really cool, though? Some kind of optional, online multiplayer. Not the traditional sort, where we’d team up to fight zombies. Rather, something more atmospheric. Perhaps we’d connect with one other person and explore the same space. We’d be forced to split up and would never know if the unexpected noises we’re hearing are our companion or something more sinister. Perhaps we could even warn each other about things or come to the other player’s rescue? We’ll have to wait and see what Capcom has to say.
Horizon Zero Dawn
We don’t know how people will be able to interact with others in Horizon Zero Dawn . Guerilla Games has said they want to center in on Aloy’s story, so there won’t be multiplayer, but there will be a social element. This is a shame, because an optional multiplayer mode could have turned Horizon Zero Dawn into a Monster Hunter -like. The PlayStation 4 doesn’t have many of those, God Hunter and Sword Art Online aside. It’d have been wonderful to have a separate experience with a handful of quests that’d send customizable characters like Aloy out to attack the robotic dinosaurs walking the Earth. Guerilla could have sent out one or two new quests every month for a year, allowing people to bond as they beat beasts with skills they’d learned in the campaign. Oh, what could have been.
God of War
We already know the next God of War is another game that won’t have a multiplayer mode, even though God of War: Ascension did. And you know what? That’s a shame. Why? Because there could have been some genuinely interesting couch co-op potential here. Someone, perhaps a less skilled player, could have stepped in as Kratos’ son for specific missions outside of the main story. They’d have been able to have a limited moveset and aid in battle. Or, maybe hinder the fight. I mean, we’re going to be crazy excited about this game anyway, but it might have been fun to see what sorts of unexpected multiplayer could have come to this game.
Fallout 4
Here’s what we know about Fallout 4 . During the development process, Bethesda was actually working on a multiplayer mode. It ended up getting rid of it, because they felt it would be too distracting. People are actually putting together a Fallout: New Vegas multiplayer mod. Wouldn’t it be amazing if one of the last Fallout 4 add-ons was an optional multiplayer experience? People could invite one extra friend to join them on an adventure around the Commonwealth? Perhaps this would be a little too ambitious, especially since everything is already in place, but it’d be a pleasant dream. (Even better if player two could have been Dogmeat!)
Dishonored 2
Dishonored 2 is yet another upcoming game on this list that doesn’t have multiplayer. It’s unfortunately been confirmed. However, it’s the one situation where a lack of multiplayer makes the least sense. In this installment, both Corvo and his daughter, Emily, are playable. It seems like a cooperative multiplayer mode, where the two worked together to take out targets, would have been a perfect fit. I mean, they’re family. They share the same profession. It could have been an optional, totally separate mode where two could have worked together to complete an objective. Even a competitive mode, where the two players would try to take out a target first, would have worked! This one hurts. It really does.
Skyrim Remaster
Bethesda is doing amazing things with its games. Mods are coming to the console versions of Fallout 4 . We’re getting a The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Remaster for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. While this is a game with completed code and likely minor tweaks, think how amazing it would be if the company took a cue from the Tamriel Online mod by Siegfre and found some way to give the Dragonborn a “real” companion.
Red Dead Redemption 2
There are all kinds of Red Dead Redemption rumors. A map for Red Dead Redemption 2 has allegedly appeared online. There’ve even been rumblings about a remaster. What’s clear is that whatever Red Dead Redemption game Rockstar is working on needs online multiplayer. The original game had it. The company included an amazing cooperative and competitive experience with Grand Theft Auto V . Let’s see the developer top itself with whatever Red Dead Redemption project its working on. Give us posses. Let us enjoy an improved Free Roam again.
Though, most importantly, just announce the game already, Rockstar!