When a friend invited me to play a new game called REPO earlier this year, I initially dismissed it as a potential waste of money, assuming it would mirror the experience of Lethal Company. The surprise-hit co-op survival horror game, scheduled for release in 2024, sends players into unsettling abandoned structures where they must collect trash while evading monsters. Although Lethal Company garnered tremendous popularity, its eerie atmosphere proved too frightening for me. However, my friends insisted that REPO offered a different experience—one filled with humor and quirky robot avatars—and they were correct.
As the year progressed, REPO emerged as one of my favorite titles and was recognized as one of the leading co-op games of 2025, alongside fellow indie sensation Peak. Both games have become prominent representatives of a burgeoning genre referred to as “friend slop,” a term that describes indie co-op games that shine brightest when played with friends and prioritize humor.
“Friend slop” typically encompasses titles that are primarily PC games, priced under $20, and feature elements such as proximity voice chat and whimsical game physics, often set within the survival horror genre. Notably, these games do not always evoke fear; lighter variations, like Peak, encourage players to scale perilous mountains alongside friends, focusing more on laughter than survival.
This genre includes a variety of unique titles. In Guilty as Sock!, players engage in mock court trials as sock puppets, while Lockdown Protocol draws inspiration from Among Us, tasking one player with sabotaging their friends as they complete chores in a desolate base. Another standout, Mage Arena, priced at just $2.99, pits friends against one another in magical duels where spells are shouted aloud.
The formula for these friend slop games remains consistent: players collaborate to achieve a goal, yet the stakes for failure are typically low. The humor often lies in the mishaps that occur along the way. In Peak, for instance, I have yet to complete a run successfully, but the joy of watching friends stumble, get chased by a scoutmaster, or consume poisonous food keeps me coming back for more.
In this context, humor takes precedence over winning. Players seeking a deep narrative may find themselves disappointed, as the charm of friend slop games often diminishes when played solo. REPO, for example, loses its comedic flair without friends to share in the chaos of clumsily shattering vases or failing to evade monsters.
This lack of substance has led to criticism of the genre, suggesting that titles like REPO and Peak cater primarily to moments designed for virality and lack depth, particularly in solo play. This criticism, while valid, fails to recognize the essence of “friend slop” and the reasons behind its rising popularity in 2025.
In comparison, Elden Ring Nightreign also found its footing as one of 2025’s most prominent co-op titles, offering a vastly different experience. It demands concentration and strategy, contrasting sharply with the relaxed, humor-driven gameplay of titles like REPO and Peak. The latter games are designed to be more accessible, requiring less investment in both time and finances, making them appealing to a broader audience.
The accessibility of friend slop games becomes increasingly significant in a year marked by soaring game prices and the rising costs of gaming hardware. As gaming has grown more expensive, these low-priced titles provide a refuge, ensuring that players can enjoy gaming experiences without breaking the bank. Even those with modest PCs can dive into these games, further enhancing their appeal in a competitive market.
Paige Wilson, community manager at Peak publisher Aggro Crab, shared insights on the genre’s perception, stating, “We actually think friend slop is a fire term. Sure, it started with the intention of [having] a negative connotation, but I think we always saw the term as funny and actually pretty accurate. It describes a low-cost game that you and your friends can pick up whenever, have some fun, hang out, and expect a bit of jank. I think some people might not view it as this, but we do!”
Ultimately, friend slop transcends the classification of games to emphasize the social experience they provide. If this approach qualifies as “slop,” many players, myself included, will embrace the term proudly. As the landscape of gaming continues to evolve, friend slop games serve as a reminder that sometimes, laughter and camaraderie hold as much significance as narrative depth or complex gameplay.
