Does asking for something similar to a game that’s not even out yet make me an impatient gamer? Maybe. Still, got a lot of suggestions the last time I asked for recommendations, so I’m back.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/53575849

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.

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. If you’re a Windows user and you’re not sure, check ProtonDB.

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.

    • Gutek8134@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      9 hours ago

      Wyldermyth - we’ve checked the demo, to quote my cooperator “Genshin [Impact] has more gameplay than this”, so nah

      Gloomhaven - might be hard to play rarely and with switching group members, but I do have it on Epic, maybe others too

      FTK - I’ve tried it a few years ago, felt like worse Gloomhaven

  • WolfLink@sh.itjust.works
    3·
    22 hours ago

    This seems kinda tough but here are some games that come to mind:

    Slay the Spire 2

    • 1-4 player co-op
    • main gameplay is turn-based tcg-like deck builder (in multiplayer, turns are simultaneous but teamwork works best when you slow down and don’t all go at once)
    • plot gets unlocked bit by bit mainly through achievements, which don’t always come from winning a run
    • Strong class identities, and this is built on in multiplayer. You form your build from cards and items drafted from random selections, but the pools of available cards and items are dependent on your class.

    Enter the Gungeon

    • 1-2 players
    • bullet hell roguelike dungeon crawler
    • main story requires wins or at least deep runs for progress most of the time
    • class selection defines your initial items, but your build can change a lot depending on what items you find
    • the late story is highly dependent on your character selection

    Sanctum / Sanctum 2

    • 1-4 players
    • FPS Tower Defense
    • there are classes which form the basis for your build crafting, although other build crafting choices you make can kinda override that
    • build crafting is a lot deeper in Sanctum 2 than Sanctum 1
    • Story is told in pieces level-by-level
    • its not a roguelite, but it’s a level-by-level game with lots of options for modifiers, which makes it playable in short sessions with a lot of replayability
    • Gutek8134@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      9 hours ago

      Does StS 2 have a good moment to finish that’s not 100% completion?

      I’ve got EtG on Epic, couldn’t win against the first boss for like 6 hours when I tried it some years ago, gave up

      Sanctum isn’t what we’re looking for, but I’ll put it on the list. I’ll try to convince the rest the next time I’ll have a tower defense itch.

      Thanks for recommendations.

      • WolfLink@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        7 hours ago

        Yeah EtG is HARD I personally have only made it to thr 3rd boss. My brother is really good at it and has told me what happens when you get to the end.

        StS 2 is still early access so it is not really finished yet. I’m not sure what a “good moment to finish” would be like, although even just beating the final boss for the first time is an achievement, but personally that’s not where I wanted to stop. My group kinda petered out after completing most of the unlocks, although we plan to come back on full release and/or when they add more significant content.

        • Gutek8134@lemmy.worldOP
          1·
          7 hours ago

          By good moment to finish I mean a planned conclusion of sorts, an achievable goal to strive for, which is why I like storylines so much. And no, 100% is not achievable for me. The only two games where I got all achievements are visual novels.
          I need a goal from the game to keep me playing once I try all the classes / playstyles that look interesting.

  • Neuromancer49@midwest.socialEnglish
    6·
    1 day ago

    Co-op optional, action RPG, text-based story, with minimal rogue-like aspects (but the best game ever made, is almost 10 years old and therefore qualifies for patient gaming, so it’s worth recommending) - Grim Dawn. Runs on Linux no problem. No dragons, though. Kronenbergian body horror OK?

    7 classes in base game (10 with dlc), pick 2 to make your character. Each class has ~5 major skills to choose from, you’ll use ~3 depending on your build. There’s nearly infinite ways to build each class combo, as a result. Skills include minion summoning, right click/auto attack, cooldown casting, channeling, and buffs.

    Itemization is super in-depth, ranging from “pick this item for bonus skill points” to “completely change how the skill works.” If you prefer the former, stick to legendary items and sets. If you prefer the latter, you can target farm “monster infrequents” with prefixes and suffixes.

    You can run your characters together or on their own. If you get a little (15 levels-ish) behind, that’s OK, you can just catch up by playing together.

    Late game has repeatable dungeons and grindable randomized realms. The purpose of these is to get more items for your other characters. Once you get your first character to level 100, there are tools to make the other ones easier.

    • Gutek8134@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      1 day ago

      Isn’t it the same genre of hack’n’slash as Diablo and Path of Exile?
      I’ve tried D3 and PoE1

      D3 - went barbarian, found some super healing set, used my first health potion against some big demon halfway(?) through the game, got bored and never finished it

      PoE - first time bounced off after two hours because random mobs kept three-shotting me (can’t remember when nor what class did I play), second time decided to follow a tank build from the internet, got stuck at some forest boss because neither of us could kill the other due to high regen, got bored and never looked back

      Also I was never the one to like grinding random items.
      I’ve actually finished Nioh (without DLC), though, so it’s not like I hate how the items worked there. I have the DLC, but the level gap between when I finished the main game and fought some teleporting lady was so high I’d have to do 20-ish parries in a row while being two-shot, so I went on to other games.

      • Neuromancer49@midwest.socialEnglish
        2·
        1 day ago

        Yep, somewhere between the 2. Plays more like Diablo, but more depth (while staying below the insanity of POE, thanks to a more defined itemization system). If you bounced off the other two, then GD may not be right for you. The base game goes on sale enough that it might be worth the a few bucks to wait.

        Grinding is optional, you can get the drop within 1/2 kills of a boss. If you want the perfect item, them you’ll have to farm.

        Level gap is nonexistent since the game does a good job of leveling the enemies, especially at higher difficulties. I’d say the game is 90% chill and kill enemies, and 10% cheek clenching when you actually get to a hard fight. Hardcore mode is optional, so death is more an obstacle than a consequence.

        People joke the “real game” is using GrimTools to build out a character in advance. You could spend a couple hours on specs.

    • Gutek8134@lemmy.worldOP
      5·
      1 day ago

      Huh, community search found nothing, and I set the instances to All. I’ll sub to remember the next time. Thanks.

  • MagnificentSteiner@lemmy.zipEnglish
    7·
    1 day ago

    Might be worth having a look at Heroes of Hammerwatch. I had a lot of fun with the first one and it’s usually pretty cheap on sale. Haven’t played the 2nd much and it has some mixed review so start with 1 first I’d say.

    • Gutek8134@lemmy.worldOP
      3·
      1 day ago

      People claim it to be grind heavy, so I’ll put it on the back of the list. Thanks for the suggestion.

  • Coelacanth@feddit.nuEnglish
    5·
    1 day ago

    Absolum maybe?

    Also… Chrono Ark mentioned, let’s go! Truly an underrated gem, must play for fans of roguelike deckbuilders in my opinion!

    • Gutek8134@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      1 day ago

      I see it has a demo, we’ll probably get to trying it one day. Too bad it’s only for 2 players at a time.

      Thanks for the recommendation.