PC game recommendation for my partner and I
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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!
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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.
Do you like puzzle games? I played Blue Prince with my wife and that was pretty fun. She's not much of a gamer, so I just drove and she took notes. We talked about decisions/speculated on puzzles together.
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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.
I heard puzzle games and am legally obligated to shill Petal Crash (and it's upcoming sequel). It's a great accessible entry point into versus puzzles, and tbh it's practically the only good thing to happen to the genre in a decade or so.
Can also check out Panel Attack as a FOSS clone of Panel de Pon, and FightCade for emulating all kinds of classics with netplay.
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Some obvious suggestions seem to be:
- Terraria
- Stardew Valley
Sorta requires another account... technically.. .Minecraft. IDK, maybe hytale would fill that niche. There's also some FOSS options like luanti that would be nearly indistinguishable.
- Left4Dead2
- Portal 2
- No Man's Sky
Some lesser known stuff:
- Core Keeper
- Dungeon Defenders
- RoboQuest
- Valheim
Category suggestion: Kart racing. There are no shortage of brands of that... sonic just came out with a new one and there's a couple really good sonic kart racers already out there that are on steam and console. Played a lot of sonic and all stars racing transformed with my wife and we had fun... it goes super cheap on sales and has remote play together so you'd only need one copy for both of you... https://isthereanydeal.com/game/sonic-and-all-stars-racing-transformed-collection/history/#price-chart:overview , mario kart, etc.
es-de is a really nice front end you can have in steam for couch coop emulation, I hear.
Terraria's also getting it's next major update in a week, so it's a great time to get into it.
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Lovers in a dangerous spacetime was a ton of fun! Very adorable, simple mechanics, plays on one screen, and not too hard. Also came out over 5 years ago so win win
Everyone who likes couch co-op should play this one. It's fantastic.
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Do you like puzzle games? I played Blue Prince with my wife and that was pretty fun. She's not much of a gamer, so I just drove and she took notes. We talked about decisions/speculated on puzzles together.
Kind of? I occasionally play them but never finish.
I did take a look at a trailer of the game and it might be something she'd like.
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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.
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Terraria's also getting it's next major update in a week, so it's a great time to get into it.
Yeah, we saw the announcement and prompted us to reinstall it for some coop play.
Looks like it goes on sale like... every month or two.
https://isthereanydeal.com/game/terraria/history/Grabbing it for a fiver is like a no brainer if you get into the style of game. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a sale when the patch comes out to promote it.
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Semi-casual games that run well on older PCs and linux? Plus no launchers? Let's see.
I got a few but there may be splitscreen ones in this list too. (If that's ok)Battleblock Theater
Biped (maybe?)
Cassette Beasts
Castle Crashers
Children of Morta
Don't Starve Together
Dinkum (If Australian Animal Crossing sounds interesting)
Factorio
A hat in time
Guacamelee
Human Fall Flat
Hyper Light Drifter
ibb & obb
KeyWe
Kingdom Two Crowns
Knights and Bikes
Like, all of the lego games (They're all similar mechanically, so pick one of the newer ones that look good)
Lovers in a dangerous spacetime
Magicka (I like the first one but the second one isn't bad)
Monaco
Moon Hunters
Necesse
Peak
Resident Evil 5/6 (Yes, really, its a great time in co-op)
Satisfactory
Secrets of Grindea
Split Fiction (This one may be graphically harder to run?)
Stardew Valley
Spiritfarer
Terraria
Trine games
Valheim (At least until mistlands)I'm kind of going off of semi-casual meaning not high intensity shooters or things that require crazy skills. Most of these are pretty easy to pick up and are generally forgiving. They shouldn't have launchers but if they added one in a later update, then dang.
That is quite the list! I know a handful of these but most are new to me. I haven't gone through it them yet but I wanted to be sure to say thanks for the effort you put in to your reply.
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Lovers in a dangerous spacetime was a ton of fun! Very adorable, simple mechanics, plays on one screen, and not too hard. Also came out over 5 years ago so win win
This looks great! I hadn't considered a local co-op but I think I've got a second controller kicking around somewhere and could make that work.
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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.
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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.
Seriously? How has no one suggested Untitled Goose Game or did I miss it? It is frigging hilarious and if you both like humor and fooling around as a mischievous goose, it is perfect! I played it with my 7 year old and we had tons of fun, plus the ending was the cherry on top!
Edit: also, similarly hilarious but a bit more stressful to play, Pizza Possum, my kid was and is nornally absolutely not into fast-paced gaming, but this one was an expection and is also hilarious to play together and it was a blast collecting all the gadgets. We still come back to both games regularly.
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That looks absolutely adorable and I think would be fun. I'll suggest it, thanks!
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Since you mentioned platformers, Rayman Origins might be worth a look. It's a 2D platformer from 2011 so it doesn't require a lot of power, levels take a few minutes to complete which makes it perfect for short sessions and it has local co-op (up to 4 players).
I tried it recently on my desktop (Pop!_OS, ubuntu based) and Steam Deck, played without issues on both of them.
Thanks! While I've heard of the franchise, I've never actually played a Rayman game before. But a local co-op platformer sounds good.
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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!
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Since she likes puzzles, the Trine game series could be nice! I think they added coop multiplayer starting with Trine 2.
If you both like hack 'n slash then Torchlight 2 is also great fun!
I think she'd enjoy that. And good to know there are several in the series so we can pick up the next ones if we end up enjoying it. Thanks!
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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.
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
