Simple co-op game for two playable through the internet

[Ivo]

Hi,

I'm aware we have more than one thread on the topic, and we even have some good suggestions for some simpler or non-twitchy games that can be enjoyed by a gamer with a non-frequent gamer co-op partner not feeling inadequate. The person I have in mind for this had more trouble than I imagined navigating the IMO simple platforming of Braid (but maybe Braid is trickier than I think).
I specifically want suggestions that are welcoming AND can be played over the internet so that I can co-op remotely. I haven't tried Trine and I'm not sure it would work like that (or how hard it is).

Any suggestions?

Ivo.

[J T]

Portal 2 has a really amazing 2-player co-op experience. I would suggest having your friend play through the co-op campaign to first learn the mechanics of the game, then play with you in the co-op. It's a great game for buddy teamwork.

If you're interested in telling stories, you might also check out the unusual Sleep Is Death. It's an adventure game for two people where one person is the storyteller for the other (the storyteller role requires a bit more prep work):
http://sleepisdeath.net/

Borderlands is a good co-op game for chumming around and shooting stuff up. It can be played pretty laid back.

Magicka is a fantastic experience in co-op, but it involves a lot of accidentally blowing each other up, which will either be very funny or completely aggravating. You can always heal the other person, but it is a challenging game even with heal spells.

I'd also recommend some co-op Minecraft if you both feel like building a fort together.

[Ivo]

Thanks JT.

All the ones I'm more familiar in JT's suggestions seem like they would be a bit tricky for a non-regular gamer that isn't willing to put the time to get used to the controls.

Sleepisdeath looks promising.

The sort of stuff I'm thinking is on the level of controller complexity of something like Space Channel 5 or Bubble Bobble starting levels (i.e. one input at a time, and hopefully not in too fast succession), which is why I think Trine will be a no go.

Perhaps something turn-based? Those tend to be either not co-op multiplayer or single player though.

Keyboard+mouse I think would be ok if the keyboard use was not frequent (maybe Torchlight on easiest mode?), but I think first person games like Portal 2 and Borderlands would be harder to control than Braid was (which was a bit of a failure - I had to navigate the platforming to have the person experience the puzzles, which wasn't elegant).

Magicka I'm 99% sure would be totally aggravating

Ivo.

[brandman]

Whenever you get someone that is a non gamer, don't let them play first person anything. Mouse and Keyboard, two analog sticks, whatever, they won't be able to grasp unless they play on their own for a while. The closer you can get a game to the atari-nes level of control with today's difficulty, the better chances you'll get.

As for any co op games like that... I don't have a clue.

[J T]

You might want to check out the online version of board games like Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride. They are more competitive than they are co-operative, but they're just as easy to learn as board games.

You Don't Know Jack is also fun, but is only local multiplayer.

You also might consider the Lego games.
There's also a co-op aspect to Viva Pinata.

[Ivo]

I just looked up Trine and the 1st is only local co-op, Trine 2 does have online co-op. I played a bit of Trine 1 and I have two things to say: great single player experience so far, nice physics-based game and puzzles (I wonder if it will become repetitive though) 2. too tricky for the purpose of this thread.

Viva Pinata: I must be several years late on this, but I just watched and that game is a bit violent... There are these cute animal-behaving pinatas and you whack them until they burst, other than that looks very Harvest Moon.
EDIT: darn, the sequel (that has the online co-op) is not available on Windows :/

EDIT2: I think Frozen Synapse will appeal. The un-expanded Frozen Synapse game does not have online 2vsAI co-op, only the "Red" expansion has that...

Ivo.

[J T]

Have you considered a fighter like Street Fighter 4? If you both just mash buttons, it doesn't need to be complicated to be fun.

I think Puzzle Quest has an online multiplayer component too. That game has casual appeal and is lots of fun.

[Anapan]

What about playing console co-op games via Kaillera.
Here's a list of classics @ Co-Optimus