Every day, video game technology reaches new heights. Games are becoming more life-like. Gameplay is also interactive and tactile. And ultimately, the lines between reality and our screens begin to blur.
But these fancy advances can come at a price. Games are becoming incredibly expensive to make, and also to buy. And the wait between releases can be painful, with some games in production stuck in development for decades to take advantage of all the new bells and whistles technology has to offer.
But an exciting new genre of game is here to save the day, with a string of critically acclaimed games releasing one after another to keep us entertained and protect our bank balances.
Welcome to the rise of friendslop.
What are friendslop games? And which ones should you play?
Friendslop is a new term for video games that look incredibly simple, are easy to learn, and focus heavily on social interaction between players. They have unconventional gameplay that blows up on social media, with many going on to sell millions of copies in record time, all on a sliver of a typical budget.
Whereas AAA games (like the forthcoming Grand Theft Auto VI) may take decades to develop, with production costs that soar into eye-watering territories, friendslop games are the opposite. They're made with a fraction of the budget, sold to consumers at very affordable prices, offer huge replayability, and have become a driving force across the entire gaming industry in recent times.
Now, some might initially think the term friendslop is a little offensive. And in truth, it kind of is. The word might make someone think these games are churned out with little quality control or thought.
But these games are, in my view, some of the most heartwarming and enjoyable experiences you can play, for a number of reasons.
Firstly, friendslop games never pretend to be anything other than what they are. There's no attempt at realism. No lengthy story you need to keep track of. Everything you hope to enjoy in the game is revealed in the trailer.
Almost always, the real objective of the game will be just you and your mates spending time together online. Laughing together. Problem-solving together. Even arguing together.
You’ll often control clumsy-looking characters that feel like they came directly from a children’s book. You’ll adventure through blocky levels that probably won’t make a lasting impression. And your movement will almost always be purposefully awkward.
And yet, they'll form some of the best memories you can have in front of a screen. And with a low price tag and availability across so many platforms, friendslop games are re-inviting so many players back into the gaming world.
So, what kind of games can you play in the genre? Here’s a look at some of the best Friendslop games that can easily take over your weekly game night.
Big Walk
Big Walk is the latest release that showcases the genre's strength and potential in full. From the creators of the hit Untitled Goose Game, this game may seem simplistic at first, but it's a clever guise for a charming adventure with friends that centres on teamwork.
You take control of adorable little ant-like creatures, with just two simple missions: talking and walking. Players get to travel an expansive open world chockful of puzzles that they need to solve with the help of their buddies, either by voice chat or text.
Big Walk has already captured the imagination of the gaming world, selling over 1 million copies within just one week of its launch. It can be as relaxing and exciting, or as hilarious or stressful a game as you see fit – it all depends on the company you keep!
PEAK
Since its release in 2025, the co-op climbing game PEAK has changed the face of co-operative gaming forever. Selling over 10 million copies, and counting, it is a simple-looking game that gives four players just about everything they need to make hilarious virtual memories together.
You play as a castaway scout who, after surviving a plane crash, must climb to the top to signal for help. Sounds easy, right? Well, the mountain you scale is chockful of dangers, where one wrong step could lead to a hilarious tragedy that could sabotage you and your group's chances of survival. Best of all, the map resets every day, offering incredible replay value and ensuring no two playthroughs are ever quite the same.
RV There Yet?
With over 4.5 million copies sold (and counting), RV There Yet? is a multiplayer experience that proves almost any idea can become a best-selling game. The premise is simple; you and three mates drive back from a relaxing holiday away. But when forced to take an alternative route, all sorts of chaos, confusion and danger ensue as you forge out a new path home.
The physics engine in this game is something to behold, as you try (by any means necessary) to keep both your RV and party intact. Gameplay will test not only your patience and focus, but also the mettle of your friendships, as you try to avoid being the reason for your group's demise.
Chained Together
Chained Together is a game that will almost certainly result in an argument (but in the possible way!) It's as silly as it looks and, on more than one occasion, will have you screaming in panic, then in laughter, and then probably reaching for the off switch.
Initially, the task seems simple. You and your friends must scale an endless parkour world out of Hell. But there's a catch. As the name suggests, players are chained together, meaning you must travel in perfect unison. One wrong step or wonky jump across the skyscraper environments is all it can take to drag your entire gang down to the bottom.
The spaghetti-like physics really sells the game, making you consider every single movement. With no way to hide blunders, playtime continues as long as your patience allows.
R.E.P.O.
R.E.P.O. is a game with all the ingredients of a fun multiplayer game, but with a healthy dose of horror for good measure. Just because. You and a team of mates control adorable little characters thrown into unnerving scenarios, tasked with retrieving high-value objects for a greedy boss, while also avoiding lurking threats in the background.
This game is where mechanics like proximity chat really shine, as your friends go off somewhere to explore to discover rare loot, but will slowly lose contact with you. Add in some funky physics, and the challenge of carefully guiding items back in good condition, and you've a game that never loses its charm or challenge, no matter how often you play it.
Among Us
Long before the term appeared, Among Us was (and still is) a pioneer in the friendslop genre. Released in 2018, the game remains incredibly easy to play, with simple mechanics and graphics, a short gameplay loop, coupled with that iconic multiplayer element of trusting no one but yourself.
Among Us not only continues to captivate millions of players, but with a spin-off game currently in development and a new animated TV show available on Paramount+, it remains the blueprint for countless other games in the multiplayer genre.
Dumb Ways to Build
With studios being able to realise their ideas quickly, the friendslop genre doesn't seem like it's slowing down anytime soon. Every day, new games are released that could go viral and become your next weekly game night addiction. There are just too many to flag right now.
But one to watch out for is Dumb Ways to Build. Set for release on September 10th, it looks like a colourful multiplayer game that tasks friends with completing dangerous challenges around a construction site. The description for the game says 'survival is optional’, so in true co-op fashion, expect your mates to help (and hinder you) every step of the way.
Take a deeper dive into RTÉ's games section here
