I see your perspective. I think the difference with me is that I don’t value the cultural moment very much and more so care if the game is good aside from hype. The main exception being multiplayer games. Those mostly are active when they’re new.

The thing is you don’t actually have to look at wiki entries or any media surrounding game hype really. I have virtually no spoilers on Elden ring and I still haven’t played it.

Highly reccomend guilty gear strive if you like 2p fighter type games. It probably doesnt qualify as a coop but it is an amazing game to play local

I think I’d like that if there was a single winner as well. Something like to win you need to complete two objectives, one public and one secret. So other players can still work against you but they dont know what you’re trying to do.