Most Relaxing Co-Op Games

Key Takeaways

• Multiplayer games can offer exciting, intense experiences with teamwork or thrills.
• Turn-based games like Castle Crashers provide accessible arcade gameplay for a lighthearted experience.
• Relaxing co-op titles like Risk Of Rain 2 offer bursts of action and atmospheric exploration.

Multiplayer games can offer memorable, action-packed experiences that encourage teamwork and/or hardcore strategy. Others offer frenetic and/or intense experiences that seek to thrill and excite, rather than provide an environment for players to enjoy each other’s company.

Certain cooperative experiences, however, allow players to relax. This typically combines accessible, intuitive gameplay mechanics and controls with a lighthearted tone and atmosphere.

1 Castle Crashers

Accessible Arcade Gameplay With Lightweight RPG Mechanics

Beat ’em ups in general can be relaxing experiences thanks to their accessible arcade gameplay, but modern adaptations of this genre tend to be more laid-back thanks to the removal of limited lives. Castle Crashers is particularly free and easy thanks to its accessible controls, lightweight RPG mechanics, and cartoon style.

The simplicity of Castle Crashers’ gameplay combined with its charming cartoon style and zany personality makes it a particularly lighthearted experience. This lightheartedness plays a pivotal role in making Castle Crashers a laid-back experience, despite its action-packed nature.

2 Risk Of Rain 2

Bursts Of Intense Action Interspersed By Quiet Exploration

Despite being an at-times challenging action roguelike, Risk Of Rain 2 is a surprisingly relaxing experience. In the game, players explore expansive open zones in search of loot, primarily passive upgrades, to create synergies and powerful builds. To progress to the next zone, players must find and activate a teleporter somewhere in the level.

Players can’t dawdle too long, however, as there’s a constantly ticking timer that gradually increases the difficulty of the run. This makes the experience somewhat less laid-back, but outside of the boss fights, Risk Of Rain 2 is a fairly undemanding title. Furthermore, the soundtrack is frequently tranquil, offering a relaxing soundscape between the action.

3 Deep Rock Galactic

Deeply Atmospheric Exploration Of Procedural Environments

Deep Rock Galactic is a first-person, run-based shooter that tasks players with delving into procedural caves in search of various valuable resources. Players are frequently beset by swarms of violent alien bugs, and while that can be stressful, it serves only to break up the laid-back exploration.

The gentle ambiance at play while exploring Deep Rock Galactic’s procedural caverns plays a large part in its relaxing tone, combined with the fact that the gameplay is relatively accessible. In co-op, this is even more so, as exploring the at-times mesmerizing caves with a friend is much less disquieting than it is alone.

4 For The King

Undemanding Strategy Gameplay With A Charming Fantasy Atmosphere

For The King is a turn-based strategy RPG with a roguelike structure. In the game, players explore a vast overworld, defeating enemies and delving into dangerous dungeons to complete various quests.

For The King gives players control of a party of three adventurers, making the maximum player count a relatively low three. Furthermore, duos will have control of an uneven number of characters. However, the turn-based nature of the game, combined with the charming, low-poly art style and calm fantasy soundtrack, make For The King an undemanding and relaxing experience to enjoy with one or two friends.

5 Terraria

A Relaxing Sandbox Experience

As is the case with most survival-craft games, Terraria is a relaxing sandbox experience that allows players to enjoy the game at their own pace. There’s plenty of exploration to be done, mostly revolving around mining valuable resources underground, but Terraria is at its most laid-back when players are exercising their imaginations.

There’s plenty of combat to be done in Terraria, and a variety of bosses to defeat, but the game is constantly encouraging players to get creative. Still, there remains the possibility of losing valuable items and there are certain challenges to overcome. However, the charming graphics, soothing music, and accessible gameplay keep Terraria from getting too stressful.

6 LEGO The Lord Of The Rings

A Delightfully Undemanding Retreading Of Familiar Territory

Many if not all LEGO games are tremendously relaxing experiences thanks to their expertly-crafted combination of accessible gameplay, focus on collectibles, and slapstick comedy. L EGO The Lord Of The Rings is particularly relaxing thanks to its cozy atmosphere and source material that will be familiar to many.

The lovable characters and memorable locations meld well with the game’s open world, allowing players to explore Middle-earth as they collect all manner of shiny objects. For fans of The Lord Of The Rings, this LEGO adaptation is particularly relaxing, thanks in large part to the power of potential nostalgia. However, the sheer accessibility of the game’s low stakes and undemanding gameplay are likely to make LEGO The Lord Of The Rings a laid-back experience for almost any player.