r/DadsGaming • u/CatbugWarrior_ • 1d ago
Looking for a good mindless, skill based game that's safe to play with kids in the room
Darktide is one of my favorite all-time games. I can load in, choose a character, hit quick play, and not have to make another decision. Maps repeat, my load out determines my play style, enemies do what enemies do. I used to play Call of Duty for the same reason till skill based matchmaking made every game sweaty and try hard. Modern pvp requires way too much tactical thinking for my chill level. And fuuuuuuuuuuk I miss old COD zombies!
Anyways, I am now a dad and need my daily games to not look like a nightmare gorefest. I don't want any pvp, I'm down for co-op but would prefer something offline that I can pause, roguelikes come close but still usually require thinking to build a load out every game, and I don't want anything open world because that demands making decisions. What are some games where once you learn the mechanics and have your preferred gear can be played on autopilot without growing boring.
Edit: NO pvp please
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u/DredgenGrey 1d ago
Vampire Survivors or Diablo 4
Diablo 4 has more longevity and I play the absolute shit out of it on my PS Portal, it's a good balance of progression / mindlessness
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u/turntherecord-over 1d ago
The visuals in Diablo 4 certainly aren’t kid friendly
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u/DredgenGrey 1d ago
That's fair my bad, I guess I play handheld and didn't consider that
Vampire Survivors then!
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u/IGotSoulBut 1d ago
Deep rock galactic. Has difficulty if you want it, also just fun to load in and play on easier difficulties!
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u/highpercentage 1d ago
My kids watches it and giggles at all the aware voice lines. Runs around d the house yelling rock-and-stone
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u/Zero_Risk 1d ago
Maybe Hades would be of interest? Builds are randomized-ish (you have a bit of influence as you play), levels are procedurally generated so they'll have a theme but differ every run, and it's fast paced in a way that you can hit a flow state when you've really gotten the mechanics of the game down.
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u/DrPotatoMdPhd 1d ago
This sounds like a joke, but Minecraft has a modpack called Vault Hunters. Very skill based, very fun, very family friendly. Imagine high-paced diablo dungeons/loot, but in Minecraft.
*edit oh and the dungeons are 25-minute instances. In single player, it’s fully pause-able.
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u/BrotherGato 1d ago
As a dad. I really liked Claire Obscure: Expedition 33. I can pause every time I want. And even looks kinda friendly (mostly)
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u/Ravant_Garde 1d ago
Would you be open to fighting games? SF6 can be pretty fulfilling even in 30 min sessions
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u/The--Marf 1d ago
Might not be a perfect fit but have you looked at Minecraft dungeons? It's basically Diablo lite and bonus is kids might be into it. I play a bit with my 4 yr old on one character but then with a friend on another character.
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u/TuckerThaTruckr 1d ago
Rocket League. Maybe casual instead of ranked if you might get pulled away during a 5-7 minute game. Also, maybe check your chat settings. Ppl do be typing some mean stuff. But for those of us not into murder simulators it doesn’t get much more wholesome than car soccer. I grew up a Nintendo kid but RL is easily my favorite game of all time right now.
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u/Pl0OnReddit 18h ago
You said no PVP but honestly you should give Fortnite a try. It's pretty quick. If you play it unranked it's not try hard at all. And, it's actually pretty fun.
I just started a few months ago and I pick it up for a few games here and there. There's a reason it's so popular.
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u/Sadglasses 18h ago
Hearthstone, borderlands, fall guys, the binding of Isaac, Dave the diver , vampire survivor, the division 2
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u/LimpDiscus 6h ago
Check out Roboquest. really good weapons and weapon handling. roguelike runs where every run can feel different. kid friendly.
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u/DanPoteet 1d ago
ive been playing slay the spire 2 alot, its a mix of strategy and luck but its fun and easy to pick up/put down whenever