So, my group has recently tried Ignite the Depths demo, and now we’re looking for something else to scratch that itch.
Most of the time 2-4 of us will play at once.
In case you haven’t read the community name, it has to run on Linux, I don’t have Windows installed and another member plays on Steam Deck. Whether the game runs through proton or natively doesn’t really matter.
Our schedules don’t match too often, and we usually use it to play TTRPGs, which means we generally don’t play all at once, so a tens of hours long campaign would be hard to play without someone having to grind up or fall behind.
Suggested games don’t have play too similar to Ignite the Depths, we find the combat too simple, but we’re looking for RPG elements like classes we could choose before starting a run and level up on the way.
There was also not enough variety among the enemies and locations, bu Ignite the Depths devs will probably add them along the Early Access.
AFAIK we don’t have any more strong combat preferences regarding tempo and pace, so we’re fine with, for example, something closer to Dark Souls series.
We’ve tried playing with friendly fire on and off. Playing with it turned on was harder, but we enjoyed the additional communication challenge.
Any sort of in-game story end goal would be a huge advantage. It’d help a lot with bringing us back, and convincing me - the group’s rogue-like hater. BTW if you’d like a deck builder rogue-like with a really good story, try Chrono Ark.
And now, the personal preferences you can treat as a bonus:
Me
- progress even on the worst runs
- flashy combat, as long as everyone can see what happens; I know it’s hard to do in multiplayer
- low on progress-blocking grind
- core class gameplay doesn’t change depending on the loot - see Loop Hero, you can focus on certain aspects of the class, but no matter what you pick, necromancer will summon minions to fight and tank for him
Member 1
- low price, short on money for the next month or two, but we’d rather wait than waste our time on a mediocre Free to Play
- magic restricted to certain classes, low availability of elemental weapons and such (might conflict with Member 2’s preference)
Member 2
- loves magic, more = better (might conflict with Member 1’s preference)
Member 3
- likes dragons - they didn’t express it, but I know them well enough I included it
Other people have not specified any special preferences.
One game we’ve found interesting, but haven’t bought yet, is Elden Ring Nightreign. Seems to check most of the boxes. Still, more options to choose from would be nice.
I got it on a giveaway and it is dirt cheap, so maybe we’ll give it a go, but boy, that 60GB install size is definitely daunting. Thanks for suggestion
(I only use Linux so everything here runs on Linux via Proton)
Darktide is the current iteration of that game’s line, it’s in the Warhammer 40k universe (so Psyker instead of Wizard kind of theme).
It has a lot of flashy combat and depth to the combat systems. There’s a thing that looks like Jabba the Hut, leaves slime trails and has a breath weapon (spoilers, it’s slime)… it’s kind of like a Dragon.
However, while it works on the Steam Deck it isn’t a great experience and has a large install… but it is very hard to beat gameplay-wise.
Similarly, Helldivers 2 is an over the top Startship Troopers-esq PvE game. There’s no class mechanic, there’s a large amount of possible weapons and abilities (‘spells’, but artillery and air strikes) and a limited number of slots to put them in, so you work with your team to bring enough tools to handle everything. It is a bit better on the steam deck (played with keyboard/mouse on a TV @ 720p).
Risk of Rain 2 may be another one. It’s class based, co-op action roguelike. Each class has a defined set of abilities and acquiring loot is largely random has a series of mechanics to tame randomness and let you guide your build. The power scaling can get out of control over the course of a run and is very satisfying to pull off.
At core you’re racing against a clock that incrementally scales the hp/damage of everything while navigating around stages to open cheses and do various PoI mechanics in order to acquire loot. There is literally magic in the later expansions.
Note about expansions. Only the hosts needs to buy the expansions in order to unlock the in-game mechanics. The expansions also include extra characters and characters that you can unlock, only people who have purchased the expansion can select the new heroes.
The game has a cell shaded vibe that is very good on system resources and plays it well on the deck.
There’s a Risk of Rain Returns, a remake of Risk of Rain 1, which is a 2d pixel art side-scroller which has the same system of loot scaling mechanics but in 2D… it is an excellent game as well and it is ALSO multiplayer. Being 2d pixel art, it runs on basically anything. This game is mechanically more difficulty and unforgiving so only get into it if you really love the RoR2 gameplay systems and/or want a challenge.
And, as an oddball idea, look at Magicka 2. It’s a co-op game, but friendly fire is on because you can combine your spells in neat ways. The way you cast spells is very fun to learn but can require a lot of inputs so it may be harder to do on controller/Steam Deck.
It’s a less serious game, with humorous storyline. It takes a bit to learn the magic system but it’s worth it.
We have Vermintide 2 somewhere on the list, because 4 of us already own it and AFAIK never played.
I’ve got RoR 2, played it for a few hours and got bored. Don’t think coop will make it better.
I think we’ve already finished Magicka 2.
Still, thanks for recommendations.