Like any passion, gaming is a hobby you might want to share with your loved ones. The problem arises when you have no gamer friends to share a sweet co-op party with. Whether because they get easily bored sitting motionless or they don’t trust the gaming medium to deliver meaningful stories, many people have no interest whatsoever in video games.
Oftentimes, non-gamers also get deterred by complex titles far above their beginner level, ultimately refusing to give gaming another chance. Incidentally, punishing roguelike titles or niche retro classics aren’t your best bets to get rookie gamers going. So, what games can you recommend to hook them up on the spot? Let’s explore some gateway games that might make gamers out of your friends.
Rocket League
Some of your friends might be more of the jock than the nerdy type. Depending on their preferred, sport, you might interest them in top-selling franchises developed by EA Sports, such as Madden NFL, EA Sports FC, or NBA Live. If realism isn’t a deciding factor, and unapologetically chaotic fun is what you think can hit the mark among your group of friends, then Rocket League is another strong pick. This fast-paced arcade-style game combines the anarchy of a demolition derby with the strategic components of indoor soccer.
Up to eight players can jump at the wheel of a rocket-powered car to score gravity-defying goals – or come at rival vehicles at full speed to prevent the opposing team from securing the advantage. What’s more convincing for non-gamers, the game has been free to play for some time. Rocket League also enables cross-platform play, meaning you can join friendly matches and tournaments with your buddies across multiple devices.
Detroit: Become Human
Granted, Detroit: Become Human has no official co-op mode. That said, this narrative-driven adventure game is all about making the right decisions at the right time. And no one says such decisions cannot be collaborative. With its straightforward gameplay consisting of point-and-click investigation and timed events, this interactive story requires little preexisting gaming experience – nor any mastery of a keypad or controller, save for the ability to click on time.
Each decision affects the flow of the story, leading to many different outcomes. These branching narratives give this impactful game a gripping flavor, often meaning life or death for one of the three main android protagonists. With a captivating plot that explores very current topics about AI, this glimpse into the future showcases the storytelling depth the gaming medium can achieve.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a farming simulator suitable for players of all backgrounds. Your friends need not break the bank to acquire a gaming PC, as this chill game runs just fine on laptops built after 2010. A fresh update has enabled up to eight players to join a single game, making it easy to start a new co-op run. Once settled into your homestead, Stardew Valley opens up to endless possibilities, which include side quests that are easier to tackle alongside fellow farmers. Teamwork unlocks access to exciting locations like a tropical island or even a hidden desert casino much faster.
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Terraria
We wrap up with another indie game that continues to enjoy immense popularity decades after its release. Originally launched on PC, Terraria only has cross-play for PC and mobile gamers. If your friends do not want to buy an expensive next-gen console, this may be more of an encouragement than a hindrance. Besides, this action-adventure sandbox game is quite beginner-friendly. As an experienced player, you may easily teach your non-gamer friends the basics while guiding them around in multiplayer mode.
Meanwhile, new players can interact with the Guide for handy hints. Exploration is also paramount to figuring out the world around them, allowing for a sense of freedom even rookie gamers can relish. Tellingly, Terraria has sold over 44 million units worldwide. Frequent promotions on platforms like Steam make it even more enticing to delve into its hundreds of hours of content.
