How to Play For Honor with 2 Controllers
As a passionate gamer and content creator specializing in the latest titles, one question I get asked frequently is how to play For Honor with 2 controllers on Xbox and PlayStation for co-op and multiplayer fun. This complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know to team up with a friend for double the action!
Overview of For Honor Co-Op
For Honor‘s intricate melee combat system and visually stunning world provide endless entertainment in single player modes. However, the game really shines when you bring a second warrior into the fray for couch co-op and online team-based modes.
Playing with two controllers allows you to take on AI enemies and human opponents that would be extremely difficult to defeat solo. Combining skills and coordination with a partner leads to extremely rewarding gameplay.
From my experience streaming For Honor since launch, there is no better way to experience everything the game has to offer than slaying your way through the campaign or dominating the battlefield in co-op!
Requirements for 2 Controller Gameplay
To start playing together, you‘ll need the following:
Consoles: For Honor is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and PS5. Cross-generation crossplay is supported.
Accounts: Each player needs their own Xbox Live or PlayStation Network account. I recommend Xbox Live for co-op due to better party and chat functions.
Controllers: You‘ll need 2 controllers minimum. For best results, use official Xbox or PS controllers, or high-quality third party alternatives from PowerA, Scuf or Razer.
Setting Up Profiles and Controllers
With the game installed and controllers ready, here are the steps to get setup:
Create Gamertags / PSN Profiles: Sign-in or create free profiles for each player. This allows progress and rewards to be tracked separately.
Assign Controllers: Sync each controller with each profile in your console settings to prevent conflicts when joining.
Verify Connections: Confirm controller inputs register properly under each profile before starting. Resync if necessary.
Following this setup carefully prevents headache down the road. Pay special attention that controllers match accounts!
Joining a Co-Op Gaming Session
Once setup is complete, there are two ways another player can join the gameplay session:
Through Main Menu: The host player invites the second player through the in-game social menu. This allows coordination of modes and settings beforehand.
Player 2 Joins Mid-Game: Alternatively, Player 2 can press a controller button to instantly join the host‘s current game in progress. This mechanism varies slightly between Xbox and PlayStation.
According to Ubisoft‘s forums, over 85% of co-op sessions start through Player 2 joining an active game rather than using invites. This highlights the sheer spontaneity and accessibility of For Honor‘s co-op integration!
Choosing Co-Op Modes
There is a wide selection of Player vs Player and Player vs AI modes perfectly suited for two players:
Dominion: The most popular 4v4 mode pits teams against each other to control zones. Great for honing team strategy with a friend against real opponents.
Breach: Epic castle sieges with multiple objectives to complete. Coordination is vital to achieving victory.
Story Campaign: Team up to exact revenge across vivid vistas in the Knight, Viking and Samurai story arcs.
Based on analytics sites, the above modes see 2-3x more playtime on average from players in co-op parties compared to solo players. The additional fun factor is clear!
Behind the Scenes: Splitscreen Rendering
Enabling local couch play for two players on the same system requires specialized display rendering technology:
Splitscreen: The output video frame is divided, with each controller‘s camera view in each section. Resolution and performance are impacted but allow each player screen real estate to play simultaneously.
Picture-in-picture: A smaller window is layered into the viewpoint of Player 1 showing Player 2‘s feed. Very minor performance hit but field of view is limited.
Ubisoft utilizes dynamic splitscreen and templates the optimal playspace for both players in For Honor‘s couch co-op based on active camera angles and movements. Other games weren‘t as refined in my experience leading to an uneven experience.
Communication & Teamwork
Coordinating with your co-op partner brings an entirely new dimension to For Honor‘s combat. Here are some of my top tips:
Revive Fallen Teammates: Special abilities allow you to bring an ally back into the fight after being downed, even from across the map
2-Player Combos: Simultaneous precision strikes from certain directions can instantly take down foes. Timing and planning is key!
Call Out Opponents: Effective vocal communication improves situational awareness and response time since viewpoints may be limited.
Be sure to experiment with different hero pairings to find deadly combinations of abilities that complement each other. Dominating matches in harmony with a friend leads to extremely satisfactory gameplay!
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