Over the years,indie gameshave gone from being an underground, unappreciated genre, tointernationally recognized masterpieces– and even trend among gaming YouTubers – with many winning prestigious awards (including Game Of The Year). This shows that the gaming industry has evolved into a much more democratic place, giving gamers new, unique, and even experimental options.
Some of these Indie games thatfocus on Co-Ophave taken risky chances, either launching or starting out as mods and becoming their own game later on, and have become fun and interesting games that kickstarted a new genre or now represent it as a staple in the gaming world. Be it due to unique dynamics, mechanics, themes, or worlds, these games are sure to be a fun and (mostly) inexpensive play with friends for the next gaming night.
A cute, friendly, and truly hilarious platforming game,Last Train Outta Wormtown’ssuccessis due to its unusual mash-up. Play as the sandworm, trying to hunt down prey through vibrations. Or, play as the poor cowboy trying to desperately escape the worm-infested town. In this mixed co-op game, one player will play the shark (or, the worm) and the others are the prey, working together to build the train and start it.
While this game is very simple, its dynamic makes for a unique play. It evokes the old Marco Polo or Shark swimming pool games, all with a cowboy-versus-aliens type of esthetic and easy-to-learn controls.
This one is a classic for a reason. The developer claims to have beeninspired from an old Mafia-like gameand the movieThe Thing.After all, this game does give a similar vibe: Impostors have to collaborate (or act on their own, depending on the number of players) to keep their lives going and eliminate all the innocents while sabotaging the ship. The success of this game has been so enormous it’s also getting itsown animated series. This game has been a pioneer in multiplayer online social deduction games; no other game of this type has gotten this amount of international fame.
In the game, players are sorted into different roles, and they will have to survive based on their characteristics — no matter if they have good or bad intentions — all while trying to escape the final judgment, which will be decided through a majority player vote and/or voice discussion. Also, sinceAmong Usis a cross-platform game, this makes it even easier for friends on different devices to play together.
Can ghost games get even spookier?Phasmophobiashows that they indeed can, but not through the use of more advanced graphics or scarier monsters. This was the first game of its type to include ghost interaction by the players. The small detail of having to speak with a ghost might seem subtle, but it has opened up a new dynamic in horror games that had never been explored previously. While some games frequently use motion controls to help immerse their players,Phasmophobiahas introduced the concept of true horror game interaction, and done so in a way that can be expanded in the future by other games, too.
With agood array of different ghosts, players will become true expert ghost hunters and learn how to deal with, interact with, and sort out all types of paranormal infestations. Eerie and goosebump-worthy, this game also released a VR version for those players who want to take their chills a step further. Plus, this game has someseriously good modsto enhance anyone’s ghost-hunting experience.
A survival horror game filled withmany monsters and creatureshidden in the depths of labyrinth-like buildings where players are ordered to go and collect trinkets to sell… all for the sake of the company. Assemble a team of friends to manage the ship and determine landings, divide profits and necessary expenses, and to take over the role of shipmaster, for everyone’s sake.
Lethal Companywas the first game of its kind to introduce the idea of a survival horror game with a collect-and-sell extraction dynamic, more akin to an extraction shooter than a horror title, combining the two for a truly unique, fun, and customizable game (yes,there are mods available). In fact, this has inspired some spin-offs, likePilgrim, but none has reached the fame ofLethal Companyas of yet. Plus, this game has gottenplenty of interesting updatessince its launch.
While this is not the first game to follow the urban lore of the Backrooms dimension, theEarly Access titleEscape The Backroomshas been perhaps the most famous of them all. Equipped with basically nothing (except some courage), players will have to try and find their way out of a terrifying alternate dimension, filled with horrors, puzzles, and interesting level dynamics, all made to be unsettling.
Inspired by theconcept of liminal spaces, the idea of the Backrooms has been populating the internet for quite a while, similar to all the Creepypasta lore found in online forums. These have created a new genre of horror games dedicated to liminal spaces once this urban myth subject became involved in the games industry.Escape The Backroomsthoroughly encapsulates the concept, following much of the original internet lore, making for a truly unique, haunting, and unforgettable game that combines more traditional survival horror gameplay with co-op elements.
Endless Laughter And Gummy Dummies
Rubber Bandits
Rubber Bandits throws 1-4 players into a wild party brawler to steal, smash, and scavenge as much cash as you can! Prepare for hilarious physics-based combat with wacky weapons and a huge lineup of criminal characters. Dodge deadly traps, bash rival bandits, and race from the cops to commit the perfect heist - but don’t forget to bag the loot!Competitive Criminals: Play with friends or against other Bandits to emerge victorious! Join your partners in crime with local co-op or online to create the perfect criminal dream team. Battle across platforms with crossplay!Lawbreaking Levels: Defy the laws of physics and bust out your bandits from highly destructible levels in classic heist themes like The Bank, The Museum and The Dock and more!Chaotic Capers: Assert your status as Top Bandit across various zany game modes, including Pork Pursuit, Snack Attack, Brawl, Team Brawl, Heist , Carnage, Dodge Bomb, Bomb Panic and Arcade! Can you master them all, and become the ultimate Bandit?Felonious Fashion: Customize your criminal looks in one of many classic bandit disguises: from cowboy outlaw and cat burglar to rubber onesie and banana suit.Wicked Weaponry: Use everything at your disposal to win against your opponents and get the goods! Choose from 20 different weapons, from baguettes leaf blowers to rocket launchers! Use every weapon at your disposal to smash, zap or turn your enemies into giant ice cubes.
Rubber Banditsis the way to go for all the players looking for an endlessly fun and silly game. Featuring many gummy and bouncy customizable characters, with nonsensical and exhilarating clothing items, this game is loaded with mini-games where players will try to defeat each other or cooperate in teams to win (here are some tips).
Inspired by the popularity ofFall Guys,Rubber Banditsmanaged to ride on the wave of its fame all while creating a completely new type of game and dynamic, keeping the silly and lighthearted vibe and adding a gummy twist.Rubber Banditsinspired a new genre of party games, with games likeParty Animalsthat followed. Its style is characterized by the type of graphics (much likeOverwatchdid beforeValorantandFortnite) and the player dynamic. Instead of a race-like game likeFall Guys,Rubber Banditsbrought minigames typical of some Nintendo games likeMario Partyto theFall Guysconcept, fusing two great co-op genres together.
While this game is older than the others on the list, it deserves a place due to its endlessly-replayable nature. Perfect for a slower gaming evening and for players who like gameplay realism,Project Zomboidhas a good reputationamongRustfansfor being both challenging and realistic. The reason this game sets itself apart from any other survival games is for two reasons: The level of survival realism, and the use of simple graphics, different from most survival games of its kind, likeDying Light,which make use of more advanced graphics and a first-person perspective.
Withplenty of different modsavailable, this base-building game continues to be a fan-favorite in its genre, and led the way for many more games of its type during the years that followed. Dive into a world where players have to build, craft, store, drive, survive and conserve their resources (including electricity), all while trying to survive and fight back against the raging zombie apocalypse.
Highly complex and overflowing with crafting dynamics,Abiotic Factorhas won the hearts of manysurvival horror fansdue to its unique setting. Players will have to survive the depths of a gigantic research facility, filled with both monsters and secrets, including a mysterious alternate dimension. In a way, this game feels a bit like ifHalf-LifeandMinecrafthad a baby.
Throughout the campaign, players will have to learn how to expertly manage their resources, invent and craft items, avoid getting sick (a refrigerator can also help, but not for radiation), and find out how to deal with the creatures lurking around. Sticking together tosurvive the game’s many monstersis essential.
