My partner expressed an interest in finding a game for both of us to play. She doesn’t play many games, and I generally prefer single player games so I find myself at a loss for what’s out there that we might like. Hoping the community here can help!
We have played some retro platformers together. Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, that kind of thing. And I know she plays puzzle match games on her phone. Which isn’t a lot to go on.
It needs to be a multiplayer PC game that runs on Linux/Proton (if unsure, please suggest your game anyway. It probably does). One machine is a mid-range PC from about 5 years ago. So probably no recent AAA games with high system requirements.
I’m thinking:
- Easy to pick up and play and can offer a satisfying play experience with short play times.
- Cooperative play would be a plus.
- Being able to play with just two people (not forced to play with random people online).
My particularities:
- I won’t play a game that requires creating/signing in to an account to play it at all. I can tolerate that requirement for multiplayer play, but I’d rather it just use a Steam account.
- I’d prefer if it didn’t install a launcher.
- I’d like it to either have a built in server and/or be selfhostable.
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Farm Together 2 is AWESOME
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2418520/Farm_Together_2/
The graphics are nice but don’t make the game stand out which is a minor shame since this is by far my favorite “build a farm” type game.
Splitscreen co-op and multiplayer is a blast and the game flow is very chill but rewarding.
Maybe. I like a farming sims but I think it might be a hard sell. Though the cute graphics might help. How in the going in to town portion of the game? Does it have RPG elements? While I like that kind of thing, I don’t think she will.
Not really though I get how the game seems like it might be like that, in fact what I like about Farm Together 1 and 2 is that they are very focused on the actual moment to moment process of a running an arcadey farm. It is almost like a realtime boardgame or simple economy simulator, which makes the core gameplay loop immediately salient to anybody. You can pick up a controller, jump in and start helping out on the farm, it is a very simple, relaxed and rewarding gameplay loop and it makes the perfect co-op game because of it. There aren’t long cutscenes and lots of stuff and context you have to explain, it is a pick up and play experience.
It isn’t a shallow game either, while the game by no means “hard” in the sense that there aren’t really fail states, figuring out how to create an economy with your farm is a really interesting challenge and the wide variety of unlocks encourage and reward strategizing. The graphics are deceptive, there is a genuine engine building game at the heart of Farm Together 2.
Another vote for It Takes Two
Stardew valley? Farming co op game has a LAN mode so you can play together. You can do a casual playthrough to learn or try to min max like my wife does.
Haven’t played that in years but a game I enjoy! I wasn’t aware it had co-op, but I think that’s going to be too slow and involved for her tastes though. But the suggestion is still appreciated.
Kingdom: Two Crowns is great fun in co-op.
I’m not sure I could convince her to play a tower defense style game. But it looks like MY kind of game, so thanks for the recommendation!
It’s actually a mediaeval economy simulator
I don’t really think I’d call it a tower defense game tbh.
Me and my husband play this on emulator
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It takes two
split fiction
These two were the top two favs of my wife and I last year. Played it takes two on our steam decks, and split fiction on our PCs. One of them is older and handled it great. Both pcs run linux.
Hmm. Interesting options! I’m not sure if she’d enjoy these types of games. But I can show her the trailer at least. Thanks for the recommendation!
I wish they weren’t EA games. Split Fiction at least doesn’t require an EA account so I’ll show her that one.
It Takes Two felt a bit easier/beginner friendly (and I liked the story better), but I would also recommended both of them.
I’d like to add their first game A Way Out. My partner and I had a blast playing it.
oooOoooo I haven’t heard of that one, I’m gonna take a look, thanks!
A Way Out is still my favorite, probably just prefer more grounded games.
Different vibe and very slow. The newer games are more fun in my opinion.
Agree with It Takes Two.
The platforming can be frustrating in parts, but as she’s played Mario and donkey kong, then it should be fine.
I mean the other obvious option are the various Lego games.
Lego Harry Potter etc.
Or as others have said: Overcooked
From the top of my head I can think two:
- Battle block theater is a platformer puzzle game and really fun to play in local coop, and it runs on almost anything.
- Sonic All stars racing is a really fun Mario kart like racing game with local multiplayer.
Not sure about Linux support though, so check it out first, but both are relatively old titles so I think they have a good chance to run.
Valheim and Raft are both fun with two people. Raft’s a bit janky but more relaxed. Valheim can be relaxing or as hard as you want to make it (there are world settings you can change and plenty of mods), and although it’s technically still in early access there’s a ton of content.
Bokura, 2d puzzle platformer played with 2 players
Minor gameplay spoilers
Both players are seeing a completely different world. Different art, different puzzle elements. It is about communicating exactly what is happening, and puzzle solving.
It requires Steam, both players need to own the game, and two separate devices to play on (one for each player). Iirc networking goes through Steam, no way to selfhost.
I haven’t seen anyone say Enshrouded yet. Im hosting a server on wine/linux for my group. Its like Valheim but with more direction like a quest log and lore and etc. Lots of good reccs on the thread already too.
One I haven’t seen yet is Unrailed. It’s a little bit of the chaos of overcooked, but not quite as stressful.
That looks like a lot of fun! Not sure if she’ll like the builder element but it looks simple enough.
It Takes Two, or Split Fiction, by the same developers. Both are fantastic games, designed around couch co-op.
Overcooked
Super mario 3d world
Limbo
Inside
Overcooked: Looks cute, frantic, and fun!
Super mario 3d world: Feeling meh about it.
Limbo: Single player. But looks like something I might like.
INSIDE: Also single player. But somerhingt we both might like.
Yeah I should’ve mentioned my last 2 are single player. We took turns after each death and it was super enjoyable. Using the controller and navigating is only half the battle with those two games. The other half is just brainstorming and planning a solution to the puzzle.
Portal 2 has great puzzles for two players, but the timing can be frustrating
Portal 2 was my first thought as well. It can also work as a good litmus test for how they will respond to FPS controls. You can try kb/m or controller and see what feels natural. My partner (we found playing left4dead after portal) is an inverted controller person. Which was wild to me considering they worked in a heavy clerical field and really took to building keyboard with me. Yet, no kb/m for gaming. After that switch , they were able to enjoy co-op 1st person stuff a lot easier.
After portal we played borderlands 2 together. It’s low pressure most of the time and can be a background activity while you talk and hang out. The story is kinda cheesy but it’s fun to share the inside jokes with someone and bonded us in an unexpected way.
Hopefully those work for you!
Edit: it takes two and split fiction are really fantastic coop experiences as well. But, it take two should probably have a small warning for emotional content. Split fiction is a ton of fun but does get kinda difficult for less seasoned players. I found it endearing helping through those sections, but it could be harder for others. There are some moments that we both audibly wowed at though! That made the difficulty worth it.
