I’m looking to set up a co-op video game night with my friends and I’m looking for suggestions for a cozy game we can all play together virtually. We all enjoy Stardew Valley but we’ve all played it and I’d like to start something new with them. Looking for ideas that would allow me to walk away from the computer if I need to take care of my kids but still allows my friends to continue playing.

Here’s some parameters to narrow down the list:

  • switch, Steam, or GOG availability
  • can walk away and not die without having to pause for my friends
  • preferably affordable
  • lower graphics requirements, we all have older hardware
  • game controller compatible
  • fun to play over multiple short sessions
  • either 2 player or up to 4 players

Thanks everyone in advance!

Edit: I’m so excited with all the suggestions! I realized I should put co-op in the title and add the number of players. Might be anywhere between 2 and 4. Even the single player suggestions I’ve been getting are so up my alley I’m excited to check them out. This was my first post on this platform and it’s been amazing thank you!

  • med@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    1 month ago

    Lovers in a dangerous space time has been suggested already, so I’ll just mention it as a second vote!

    Magicka and Magicka 2 are excellent, and hilarious. Might be a bit hectic later on, but early on both are pretty low stakes and paced slowly.

    My other recommendation is Octodad. You control independent limbs of an octopus, pretending to be a man. Multiplayer is couch co-op. Remote play would be tougher, but still very funny!

  • EnsignWashout@startrek.website
    0·
    2 months ago

    Ale and Tale Tavern is great co-op fun, and terribly cozy. It’s primarily fantasy themed overcooked, but with much chiller vibes.

    There’s optional adventurer stuff, but it is pretty light, there’s good accessibility settings, and the adventuring can be delayed until stronger gear is available or done cooperatively, making it much easier.

    Over time, you can upgrade your gear and decorate the tavern.

    If anything, the game’s flaw is just that it’s relatively short, for an economy simulation game.

    (6 to 8 hours with my group unlocked everything. We played past the end for maybe another two hours just for the chill vibes.)

  • JustAnotherLemming@lemmy.zip
    0·
    2 months ago

    Palia is free to play and keeps expanding their game. No problem if you just walk away, no player health meter, just focus to get extra XP from the things you are already doing. Fun for solo, duos or more. Has hunting creatures that are more challenging to track down, basic supply gathering via wood chopping and mining, crafting of all kinds of stuff, farming and ranching too! Crazy they still have it for free.

  • jacksilver@lemmy.world
    0·
    2 months ago

    Escape Academy or similar type of escape room/puzzle games might work.

    Slay the Spire 2 has a good co-op option. And technically any digital boardgame (ticket to ride for example) would meet your vibes.

    Maybe a little more intense, but Rayman Legends/Origins are pretty cozy.

    Any of the Lego games would probably work.

    Peak has an “easy” setting that just makes it a goofy teamwork based game.

  • ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.netEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Dome Keeper is a really fun up-to 4-player co-op game about digging for minerals beneath a dome and defending it from creatures on the surface who try to break in every so often.

    https://store.steampowered.com/app/1637320/Dome_Keeper/

    It’s mostly a chill game, but the defense of the dome can be exciting, though only one player needs to actually man the defenses, the rest can continue to mine below ground.

  • gl38@feddit.ukEnglish
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    2 months ago

    I recommend Heave-Ho even though it doesn’t meet your second point. Dying is so funny, I often found myself doing it on purpose for a laugh.

  • Taokan@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    2 months ago

    Go Go Town on steam came out recently, co-op available local or online, controller compatible, up to 4 players (aside: you didn’t tell us how many players needed, but stardew is 4 so I’m going to assume a 4 max isn’t a problem). Not sure on system requirements, might be a little heavier than stardew but it’s not all that graphically intense. Had a blast playing it local co-op with the kids.

    Gameplay loop is familiar: extract resources to grow your town, unlock higher tiered buildings, eventually automating most of the logistics such that it runs itself like a little town simulator. The game is very casual friendly and forgiving, for example, you can freely just pick up and move a building, no reconstruction or lost costs, you can’t really “die”, and if you need to step away, shops might run out of inventory and stop producing but they won’t death spiral or anything.

  • CultLeader4Hire@lemmy.world
    0·
    2 months ago

    Raft, but you will die if you walk away too long but there might be settings where this isn’t the case. I have no idea about the controller since I never tried to play that way.