Can You Play Garden Warfare 2 Campaign Co-op? Unlocking the Multiplayer Mayhem
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer is: no, you cannot play the main story campaign in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 in co-op mode. While the game offers a wealth of cooperative experiences, the solo campaign is designed for individual play. This means you’ll be battling the zany forces of Dr. Zomboss alone, experiencing the narrative and its unique challenges by yourself. However, don’t let this deter you from experiencing the chaotic fun Garden Warfare 2 provides with others. There are many other co-operative modes to delve into.
Exploring Garden Warfare 2’s Co-op Alternatives
While the core story campaign is single-player, Garden Warfare 2 shines in its robust multiplayer and cooperative offerings. If you are looking to team up with friends, there’s plenty to get stuck into beyond the main campaign. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
Graveyard and Garden Ops
One of the cornerstone co-op experiences is the classic Graveyard Ops for zombies and Garden Ops for plants. Here, you’ll team up with up to three other players to fight off waves of increasingly challenging AI enemies. Protect your base, use your abilities strategically, and communicate effectively to survive the onslaught. This mode offers endless replayability and is a fantastic way to enjoy the game with friends.
Multiplayer Portal with Private Matches
If you’re looking to play with a group of friends without dealing with random matchmaking, the multiplayer portal allows you to set up private matches. This enables you to team up with or against AI bots, allowing for a controlled co-op or competitive environment, tailoring the experience to your group’s preferences. This method provides the most flexibility in controlling the kind of match you play.
Local Split-Screen Co-op
For those who prefer playing together on the same couch, Garden Warfare 2 offers a fantastic split-screen mode for local two-player co-op. This allows you and a friend to team up and tackle the game side-by-side. It should be noted that the entire game, except for the campaign, is available in split-screen mode on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The split-screen feature is not available on PC.
Battle for Neighborville: A Similar Experience
It is worth mentioning that Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville (the sequel to Garden Warfare 2) also provides a unique co-op experience, and while similar in structure to GW2, the story campaign can be played in co-op mode. Unlike Garden Warfare 2, this title offers split-screen for co-op play of the whole game (including campaign) right out of the box. Therefore, if playing the campaign together is a priority, Battle for Neighborville may be more aligned with your co-op goals.
Understanding the Limitations
It’s crucial to understand the limitations of co-op in Garden Warfare 2. The solo campaign is designed to be a solitary experience, focusing on the story arc and challenges that unfold as you play by yourself. The co-op modes focus on other aspects of the game like wave-based survival and customizable battles, so while co-op is rich in other ways, it doesn’t include the narrative campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to co-op and multiplayer in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2, to ensure you have a clear understanding of how to play with others:
1. What modes can I play in split-screen co-op in Garden Warfare 2?
You can play almost all modes in split-screen co-op on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, including Graveyard Ops, Garden Ops, and most multiplayer modes. The campaign is the sole exception and cannot be played in split-screen.
2. How do I start a split-screen game?
To begin a split-screen game, the first player must locate the split-screen console within the Plants or Zombies home base in the Backyard Battleground. Then, the second player can join by pressing a button on their controller when prompted.
3. Is split-screen available on PC?
No, the split-screen feature is not available on PC. Local co-op is restricted to console platforms in Garden Warfare 2.
4. Can I play the campaign with friends online?
No, the main story campaign in Garden Warfare 2 is solo only. You can only explore that by yourself.
5. Can I play Graveyard and Garden Ops with friends online?
Yes, Graveyard Ops and Garden Ops can be played with friends online or through local split-screen.
6. Do I need an internet connection to play local co-op?
Yes, an internet connection is required for all modes in Garden Warfare 2, even for local split-screen and solo play.
7. Do I need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold to play local co-op?
No, you do not need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold for local play. You only need those for online multiplayer with other players.
8. Can I play against AI bots with friends?
Yes, through the multiplayer portal, you can set up private matches and team up with or against AI bots. This allows for a completely controlled gaming experience with your friends.
9. How many character classes are available in Garden Warfare 2?
There are 14 character classes in total, comprising the original 8 and 6 new classes. This leads to over 100 playable characters including variants.
10. Is there a story mode in Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville?
Yes, Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville has a full story campaign that can be played in co-op, unlike Garden Warfare 2.
11. Can you play the story mode in Battle for Neighborville in split-screen?
Yes, Battle for Neighborville offers split-screen co-op for the entire game, including the story campaign.
12. Is there any offline mode?
Yes, you can play all modes offline against AI bots.
13. Is Garden Ops in Garden Warfare 2?
Yes, Garden Ops is a mode in Garden Warfare 2, allowing you to fight waves of enemies and is available in offline and online modes.
14. Do you need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to play multiplayer online in Garden Warfare 2?
Yes, you need an Xbox Live Gold subscription for online multiplayer.
15. How many players can play in multiplayer on the Nintendo Switch?
You can join with up to three friends for split-screen couch co-op and play online with up to 24 players in online multiplayer matches.
Conclusion
While the campaign in Garden Warfare 2 is exclusively single-player, the game offers a diverse and engaging range of co-op experiences. From wave-based survival in Graveyard and Garden Ops to private matches with AI bots, there’s ample opportunity to enjoy the game with friends. Remember to use the split-screen option available on consoles for local co-op action. If you’re looking for a PvZ title that has a co-op campaign then Plants Vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville may be more to your preference. Ultimately, Garden Warfare 2 remains a fun-filled and action-packed shooter that’s best experienced with friends.