Quick-Start Multiplayer Games for Virtual Game Night
March 24, 2022 7:32 AM Subscribe
One of the players can't make the usual D&D session and I'm not feeling up to prepping something. I'd like some alternative (non-TTRPG) games for the group!
A few details: we generally play D&D over Discord audio with occasional use of a virtual tabletop. As the DM, I've run other rules-light tabletop RPGs for the remaining players, but I'm not in the mood to prep. So please, no recommendations of other TTRPGs: I know there are games that don't require much (or any) prep, but I'm not super comfy with full-on improv to keep the game/story in motion. I'm hoping, then, the hive-mind has some possible board/party games or the like that will fill the void.
It'll be four of us, with ages ranging from mid-twenties to late thirties.
I'd love to hear about games that we can play that meet the following criteria:
- Multiplayer so that everyone has the same role (so no Guide/GM/DM)
- Playable online/remotely, ideally in a browser (so no online console or PC gaming)
- Free (this might be a massive hitch)
- Easy to pick up and play (many of us are adults who carve out two hours and no more, so it'd be great to be going within a few minutes)
One of the possibilities on the table is Gartic Phone/Skribbl.io. I'm all ears for other options!
Thanks in advance.
A few details: we generally play D&D over Discord audio with occasional use of a virtual tabletop. As the DM, I've run other rules-light tabletop RPGs for the remaining players, but I'm not in the mood to prep. So please, no recommendations of other TTRPGs: I know there are games that don't require much (or any) prep, but I'm not super comfy with full-on improv to keep the game/story in motion. I'm hoping, then, the hive-mind has some possible board/party games or the like that will fill the void.
It'll be four of us, with ages ranging from mid-twenties to late thirties.
I'd love to hear about games that we can play that meet the following criteria:
- Multiplayer so that everyone has the same role (so no Guide/GM/DM)
- Playable online/remotely, ideally in a browser (so no online console or PC gaming)
- Free (this might be a massive hitch)
- Easy to pick up and play (many of us are adults who carve out two hours and no more, so it'd be great to be going within a few minutes)
One of the possibilities on the table is Gartic Phone/Skribbl.io. I'm all ears for other options!
Thanks in advance.
I haven't ever used the service, but know people who recommend Board Game Arena, which is online and free and has many very good table top games you've probably heard of available. (though when you click down to see all the games available, the game names start to look to me like a web startup name generator...)
posted by msbrauer at 8:25 AM on March 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by msbrauer at 8:25 AM on March 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Just noticed that it looks like some of the best games are only available on Board Game Arena if you're a premium member. Sorry if I got anyone's hopes up.
posted by msbrauer at 8:30 AM on March 24, 2022
posted by msbrauer at 8:30 AM on March 24, 2022
Codenames
One Word (This is the online version of Just One)
Yucata.de (Similar to BoardGameArena)
posted by shesbookish at 8:38 AM on March 24, 2022
One Word (This is the online version of Just One)
Yucata.de (Similar to BoardGameArena)
posted by shesbookish at 8:38 AM on March 24, 2022
Wavelength is great for this. Very simple concept and rules, and while it's nominally a team game with scorekeeping it works well as a party game with people dropping in and out. I last played before the official phone app came out, using Discord and this free site, but the actual app is probably better. The game itself is barely a game, but with the right group it's a fantastic way to generate funny, impassioned arguments about entirely trivial opinions.
posted by metaBugs at 9:32 AM on March 24, 2022
posted by metaBugs at 9:32 AM on March 24, 2022
I'm not 100% sure how it translates to virtual, but I recently played Tiny Epic Defenders, and it was perfect for 4 people. Some strategy, some fighting, etc. Looking at their website, there are a lot of options for that and other games. Highly recommended. High re-playability and fun for 1-4 people.
posted by hydra77 at 9:51 AM on March 24, 2022
posted by hydra77 at 9:51 AM on March 24, 2022
Board Game Arena is great - as msbraur mentioned, some games require a paid account, but only for the "host" not for all the players. If free is only a hangup for some people, might still work?
posted by february at 11:04 AM on March 24, 2022
posted by february at 11:04 AM on March 24, 2022
I'm not sure about the cost, but my improv group occasionally plays Jackbox games over discord. There are assortment of game types (trivia, clever responses, drawing, etc.). If there is a cost, it was only born by a single person.
posted by mmascolino at 1:39 PM on March 24, 2022
posted by mmascolino at 1:39 PM on March 24, 2022
The best over-zoom (or similar) video games I’ve played with little setup and lots of fun have been Jackbox games (they cost money but only one person needs to own a party pack for everyone to be able to play in their browser), Among Us (free on iPhones, not very expensive on other platforms), and Gartic Phone, which is like this very silly combination of Pictionary and Telephone played thru the browser.
posted by sleeping bear at 8:46 PM on March 24, 2022
posted by sleeping bear at 8:46 PM on March 24, 2022
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