The current trend gaining rapid popularity in the gaming industry is known as “friendslop.” Games like Peak, RV There Yet?, and Meccha Chameleon have seen significant success in recent months due to their easy-to-understand gameplay, affordable pricing, and emphasis on multiplayer chaos.
Patrick Thornley, a player from Langley, B.C., describes friendslop games as cooperative experiences where players tackle mundane tasks together, often leading to humorous mishaps. These games prioritize fun and lightheartedness over serious competition.
A new release, Big Walk, follows the friendslop formula but adds a unique twist by combining emergent chaos with a meticulously designed world reminiscent of classic titles such as Myst and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It has garnered praise for showcasing the essence of friendship and shared exploration within a video game setting.
The term “friendslop” was coined in 2025 by a user named @wooosaaaahhhhh in reference to Lethal Company, a multiplayer horror game. It refers to games that are typically low- to mid-budget, feature simple visuals, and offer straightforward objectives, unlike high-budget titles like Call of Duty.
Many friendslop games include proximity chat, where players’ voices become fainter as they move apart, encouraging teamwork and close communication. These games focus on playful interactions and minimal consequences for mistakes, creating a casual and enjoyable gaming experience.
While success is not guaranteed in the friendslop genre, some titles have achieved viral popularity. For instance, Peak, developed by Aggro Crab, has sold over 10 million copies since June 2025. Similarly, Meccha Chameleon, created by a two-person team, reached 10 million sales within 16 days of its release.
Big Walk, developed by Melbourne’s House House, offers a fresh take on the friendslop concept by presenting players with a meticulously crafted landscape set in the Australian outback. The game challenges groups of players to solve puzzles collaboratively while exploring a static environment that encourages teamwork and creative problem-solving.
In Big Walk, players must communicate and coordinate effectively to overcome various challenges, with tasks ranging from simple to intricate. The game’s focus on cooperation and inventive communication methods sets it apart from procedurally generated friendslop games, providing a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
Although Big Walk’s static environment may limit its replay value, the game promises around 20 hours of immersive gameplay that exemplifies the best qualities of modern video game design and cooperative play. Available on Windows PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch 2, and Sony PlayStation 5, Big Walk stands out as a standout title in the friendslop genre.