Fun and free multiplayer games for a newbie?
January 9, 2012 3:52 PM Subscribe
My girlfriend wants to play games for our long distance date night. Any free, low learning curve games that Mefites recommend?
She's not much of a gamer, so we need something that is simple, probably on the faster side, and not intimidating. Cooperative play is a nice touch too, but we can play against each other as long as it's still fun.
She's not much of a gamer, so we need something that is simple, probably on the faster side, and not intimidating. Cooperative play is a nice touch too, but we can play against each other as long as it's still fun.
Response by poster: @dgeiser: We are playing online, both PCs.
@jacalata: If only it were free.
@KP: I'm checking it out, but I'm hoping to segue her into games that are a little more substantial. That's not a bad place to start though...
@samsara: I didn't realize that there was free multiplayer MC. Definitely putting it on the short list.
Thanks all!
posted by nickgb at 4:12 PM on January 9, 2012
@jacalata: If only it were free.
@KP: I'm checking it out, but I'm hoping to segue her into games that are a little more substantial. That's not a bad place to start though...
@samsara: I didn't realize that there was free multiplayer MC. Definitely putting it on the short list.
Thanks all!
posted by nickgb at 4:12 PM on January 9, 2012
JHarris just wrote a MeFi post on an online boardgame system. That would certainly be slow and could be fun, since you'd talk with eachother about the rules, etc -- VASSAL doesn't do any scorekeeping or rules enforcement, just lets you both share the gameboard and move things. Might not be the easiest thing to get into, but there's certainly potential.
posted by Alterscape at 5:15 PM on January 9, 2012
posted by Alterscape at 5:15 PM on January 9, 2012
Response by poster: @adorap: Thank you, I searched for multiplayer and thus yours didn't turn up, but great suggestions there too!
@prefpara: Just about to try it out. Expect flame-mail if the awesome:enraging ratio drops too low :)
@alterscape: Vassal was in the back of my mind, but I've had limited experience and the setup process seemed a little more than Doanlowd-and-install, but I'll check out the games they have available again and see if it's worth the time.
posted by nickgb at 5:26 PM on January 9, 2012
@prefpara: Just about to try it out. Expect flame-mail if the awesome:enraging ratio drops too low :)
@alterscape: Vassal was in the back of my mind, but I've had limited experience and the setup process seemed a little more than Doanlowd-and-install, but I'll check out the games they have available again and see if it's worth the time.
posted by nickgb at 5:26 PM on January 9, 2012
Chess?
posted by leigh1 at 5:38 PM on January 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by leigh1 at 5:38 PM on January 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
There are oodles of free-to-play MMOs that might fit the bill--LOTRO leaps to mind. I realize the UI may be complicated to a complete beginner, but this genre of cooperative game has given birth to so many LDRs it seemed worth mentioning.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 5:56 PM on January 9, 2012
posted by Monsieur Caution at 5:56 PM on January 9, 2012
Settlers of Catan has a 2 player version called Rivals of Catan that is free and easy to learn.
posted by tryniti at 5:59 PM on January 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by tryniti at 5:59 PM on January 9, 2012 [1 favorite]
Mr. Narrative and I have been playing massive amounts of Glitch together, which is cute and straightforward and, for some, incredibly addictive.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 6:03 PM on January 9, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by Narrative Priorities at 6:03 PM on January 9, 2012 [2 favorites]
(If you do want to try Glitch, let me know via memail -- I can hook you up with a couple of invite codes)
posted by Narrative Priorities at 6:05 PM on January 9, 2012
posted by Narrative Priorities at 6:05 PM on January 9, 2012
One more for Chess and also look into Go. Neither one takes that long to learn but both will reward you for playing a lot. Plus they are the kind of games that are less immersive and will allow you to actually talk to one another at the same time. Best if you can keep from getting too competitive though.
posted by Bengston at 6:08 PM on January 9, 2012
posted by Bengston at 6:08 PM on January 9, 2012
Self & gf spent a lot of time on tetrisfriends (battle mode) when we were long-distance...
posted by dickasso at 7:38 PM on January 9, 2012
posted by dickasso at 7:38 PM on January 9, 2012
This may not exactly fit your criteria, but I did ask a very similar question not too long ago, so here you go. Hopefully you find something that works for you two!
posted by rachaelfaith at 5:44 AM on January 10, 2012
posted by rachaelfaith at 5:44 AM on January 10, 2012
Steam has a bunch of Free to Play Games.
Co-Optimus has a huge list of Co-Op PC Games.
If you can spare a few bucks Sol Survivor is great fun.
posted by dgeiser13 at 9:46 AM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Co-Optimus has a huge list of Co-Op PC Games.
If you can spare a few bucks Sol Survivor is great fun.
posted by dgeiser13 at 9:46 AM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
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posted by OnTheLastCastle at 3:56 PM on January 9, 2012