Games alone or online feel very different from games played together in the same room. Even if they're the game.

Man do I ever lament the decline of 'couch co-op' games. Even to this day it's so nice to be able to go over to a friends house, crack open a beer and play together.

I've had a hell of a time finding good co-op games over the years too.

Streets of Rogue was really fun for couch co-op, especially given the comical consequences of accidental explosions or poisoning air ducts with the wrong chemical. There's a character for every playstyle too.

Sequel is coming out "soon". Definitely my most anticipated upcoming release.

Yeah but then how do you get the other kid to pay for a new console and $80 video game when they can just play at their neighbors house?

Who could have ever foreseen the rampant hollowing out of the holistic life in the service of making a few people richer....

(speculating) Multiplayer games with friends still provide a lot of the same healthy cooperation/conflict that play creates. But yeah I doubt it can be considered a whole substitute.