I should also mention, if you've been reading the Edge column by the developer creating a new game that's been running for the last however long, this is that game.

Google have bought them out now though haven’t they?

Unexpectedly, I'm in for this.  Was having a drunken chat with my bestie matey recently, who I don't see that often these days, and we decided to do some more co-op stuff online.  I think we've only played A Way Out in the past ten years (and one ridiculous session of Mudrunner), which needs rectifying.  I suggested this after Jon's post and he's well up for it.  So yep, day one.

Moot_Geeza wrote:

Unexpectedly, I'm in for this.  Was having a drunken chat with my bestie matey recently, who I don't see that often these days, and we decided to do some more co-op stuff online.  I think we've only played A Way Out in the past ten years (and one ridiculous session of Mudrunner), which needs rectifying.  I suggested this after Jon's post and he's well up for it.  So yep, day one.

Interesting to see how well it works as a co-op game. It's basically throwing another character into a Metroid game, and I don't know how much actual working together it will involve. But I guess it should be a laugh all the same.

It's fairly typical Metroid size, I'd say. It feels quite open, but progress is actually quite linear. I would think about 12 hours for a leisurely first play through, but I guess co-op could speed things up.

No local co-op, online only, and yeah you both need a copy of the game.

I think it's got Game Pass written all over it.

I have this.

Moot_Geeza wrote:

I have this.

Would you be up for tacking it co-op, if I similarly indulged??

Played for 45mins or so. Metroid crossed with Ratchet & Clank seems like a good description.

Yep, I played a fair bit yesterday, and am fairly sure I'm near the end. I stand by my "at its best when you're exploring" comment.  There are some insane bits of platforming later on in the game.  Some are optional such as...
...whilst others are unfortunately compulsory. 

It's an interesting game in that I don't particularly enjoy the combat, the comedy is sometimes grating and the platform stuff is at times infuriating, and yet I'm still enjoying it a lot.

I think the world itself, and the loving way in which it's been assembled, goes an extraordinarily long way to making up for any issues. It's a fun place to play around in.

A couple of bits of advice for anyone starting out...

- Do the science experiments.
- Muck about with the weird stuff you find - most things work on most creatures - even bosses.
- Make sure you have a full inventory of said stuff whenever possible.
- Yeah, the gun is rubbish. But most areas seem to have been actively designed with cheesing in mind. Embrace it.
- There are some areas you just can't reach until later. Though it's surprising how many things you can find work-arounds for if you really want to.
- Don't be afraid to get lost.
- Cut the grass if you're looking for goo.

JonB wrote:

I found the platforming pretty comfortable for a first person game. It really helps to upgrade the jumps asap, I think, preferably twice. Once you can triple jump it's easy enough to correct any misjudgements in mid-air.

I also think it's a game that just wants you to throw yourself into things without much care, and it doesn't penalise you harshly for doing that. I was always chucking myself off ledges and trying to make huge leaps, and I don't think I died a great deal throughout the whole game.

It's an adventure that encourages you to be adventurous, and rewards you for it.

Yeah, you’re right - most of the time the platforming is pretty good fun. I’m just sulking with it because I stopped last night after repeatedly meeting a lava filled doom due to my inability to jump correctly...

(Whereas the previous hour had been spent gleefully hurling myself into the abyss, and correcting at the last moment...)

Did the bit I was moaning about first time last night, then quickly went on to finish the game

Then spent the rest of the night happily bouncing around and exploring stuff, until far too late in the evening...

I’m very tempted as it’s £25 but I’ve got too much to play.

I'm in for that if kerno ain't!