“2025 Sees Co-Op Gaming Take a Goofy Turn with ‘Friend Slop'”

When a buddy invited me to dive into a new game called REPO earlier this year, I was skeptical about spending my cash—not because the game seemed bad, but because it reminded me too much of Lethal Company. This surprise hit from 2024 is a co-op survival horror experience where players navigate creepy, dilapidated environments, scavenging for items while dodging monsters. Lethal Company had a solid following among my friends, but its unsettling atmosphere was a bit too much for me. However, my friends insisted that REPO was a different beast, packed with humor that made it hard to feel scared, especially with its quirky robot avatars—and they were spot on.

REPO quickly became one of my go-to games and emerged as one of the standout co-op titles of 2025, alongside another indie gem, Peak. Over the past few months, these two games have come to symbolize a new niche known as “friend slop.”

This term typically describes indie co-op games that shine when played with friends and prioritize humor. They’re usually PC titles, priced under $20, feature proximity voice chat, boast wacky physics, and often fall within the survival horror genre. However, not all friend slop games are scary. Some, like Peak, offer a lighter experience where you and your pals attempt to conquer increasingly treacherous mountains together.

That’s just scratching the surface of the friend slop phenomenon. There’s also Guilty as Sock!, where you and your co-op crew engage in courtroom antics as sock puppets. Lockdown Protocol draws inspiration from Among Us, a precursor to the friend slop trend, where one player tries to sabotage their friends as they complete tasks in a lonely base. Mage Arena is one of the most affordable entries in the friend slop category this year, priced at just $2.99, and it stands out by having players shout spells at each other in magical duels.

Friend slop games generally follow a familiar pattern: you and your friends work together towards a goal, but the stakes for failure are low, often leading to even funnier moments when things go awry. Peak exemplifies this perfectly. I’ve yet to make it to the end of a run, but I keep coming back for more. Sure, winning is nice, but the real joy comes from watching friends miss a jump, eat toxic food, or get chased by the scoutmaster for sprinting ahead.

In the realm of friend slop, humor takes center stage. Winning is just a bonus. If you’re looking for a deep, intricate storyline, you might find yourself disappointed. These games also tend to lose their charm when played solo. REPO just doesn’t hit the same when there’s no one around to share a laugh after you clumsily break a vase.

This brings us to one of the main criticisms of the genre, which is part of why it’s been dubbed “slop” in the first place. While REPO and Peak have gained massive popularity this year, some argue they’re designed primarily for viral moments and lack depth, especially since they’re often less enjoyable when played alone.

That critique might hold some weight depending on your expectations, but it misses the essence of “friend slop” and overlooks why these games have resonated so well this year.

Elden Ring Nightreign also made waves as one of 2025’s top co-op games, and I’ve had a blast with it too. However, it offers a completely different experience compared to REPO or Peak, feeling drastically different despite being in the same broad co-op category. Nightreign demands focus, skill, and strategy, while REPO is more about keeping an eye out for monsters while casually picking up junk. Plus, it’s much more budget-friendly than Nightreign and doesn’t require any prior gaming knowledge.

This contrast highlights one of the greatest strengths of friend slop games. For all their perceived flaws, they are incredibly approachable. They don’t ask much from you—neither in terms of money nor time. You don’t even need a high-end gaming rig. These games provide a way for friends to hang out, have fun, and share laughs without breaking the bank. For many, including myself, that’s just as valuable as an epic narrative or intense boss battles.

This year, we’ve seen game prices skyrocket, and gaming hardware has become increasingly out of reach for many. Almost every aspect of the hobby has gotten pricier. Friend slop games offer a refreshing escape from that trend, with their low prices and minimal hardware requirements, making them accessible to a wide range of gamers, especially since they’re typically easy to pick up and play. The very qualities that led some to label these games as “slop” are also what have contributed to their surge in popularity in 2025.

A community manager from Peak shared a similar perspective, stating that they view the term “friend slop” as a fun and fitting description. It captures the essence of low-cost games that friends can enjoy together, expecting a bit of jank along the way.

In essence, friend slop is less about the games themselves and more about the camaraderie with those you play with. If that’s what “slop” means, then I’m all in on embracing the label too.