Here are some of our favorite games on Steam to play online with friends when you just want have some good old-fashioned fun.
1. Party Animals
Party Animals is a blast whether you want to test your mettle against strangers or play with a group of friends. Play in various teamwork modes that usually have some kind of objective while beating up the competition.
The multiplayer modes usually don't have objectives, but feature plenty of environmental hazards, like a sinking submarine or a black hole.
Best part is, all the animals are extremely cute while punching the crap out of each other. Knock out the goose and throw it overboard!! Or Falcon Punch it while getting a dash run. The controls take a bit to get used to, but it's wroth it.
2. Overcooked 2
1-4 players
Easy controls let you concentrate on the main challenge: collaborating and communicating fast in a chaotic and silly environment. (I've written previously about my love of Overcooked and how it is reminiscent of my time working in an actual kitchen.)
There's great seasonal DLC (some of which is free), so it's a game you can keep coming back to as new levels are released.
I do recommend Overcooked 2 instead of its predecessor, which lacks standard online multiplayer capabilites (unless you use Steam Remote Play)
3. Portal 2
1-2 players
Portal 2's single player campaign is beloved by many, as is the online co-op mode. You don't need any prior knowledge of Portal to enjoy co-op, just the ability to use simple first-person camera controls.
Work with a friend to solve harder Portal puzzles together, or have fun "accidentally" causing each other's deaths in silly ways.
Succeeding at each level feels a bit like figuring out an escape room. While there are plenty of built-in stopping points, you might lose track of time and play for hours!
4. Jackbox Party Pack 3
2-8 players+
Jackbox games are like casual board games you play with friends, such as Cards Against Humanity, Telestrations, and charades.
They are especially great because, like a traditional board game, only 1 person in the group needs to own the actual game. Everyone else can easily hop in via web browser, tablet, or mobile.
The game was designed for playing with others in person. However, the host can stream it on Discord so that everyone can play together, even if they are far apart. Twitch has delays.
Most of the titles support up to 8 players, and also include "audience participation" if your group is larger, someone joins mid-game, etc.
While I recommend any of the six current Jackbox Party Packs, the third installment is the most popular, and includes these 5 titles:
- Quiplash 2 (3-8 players): The say-anything sequel. Play all new questions or make your own!
- Trivia Murder Party (1-8 players): A deadly quiz show where you match wits with a trivia-obsessed killer.
- Guesspionage (2-8 players): The brain-battering data-mining guessing game.
- Tee K.O. (3-8 players): The t-shirt slugfest where you battle your custom t-shirts to the death!
- Fakin’ It (3-6 players): One of your friends has something to hide in this sneaky game for tricksters.
(P.S. Another fun Jackbox game, Drawful 2 is free right now on Steam!)
5. Gang Beasts
1-4 players
"Gang Beasts is a silly multiplayer party game with surly gelatinous characters, brutal slapstick fight sequences, and absurd hazardous environments, set in the mean streets of Beef City."
This game is just as fun to watch as it is to play:
6. BattleBlock Theater
1-4 players
Up to 4 players can brawl in BattleBlock Theater's arena mode, but where the game really shines is in the hilarious story mode, which can be played co-op by 2 players. The voice acting alone makes this game worth it.
Honorable mentions also on Steam:
- Stick Fight
- Brawlhalla (free!)
- Screencheat
- Slap City
- Broforce
- Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
- Castle Crashers
- Earth Defense Force 5
- Drawful 2 (free right now!)
Know any other great silly/party games on Steam? Let me know on Twitter and I'll check them out!
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