Summary

  • PC games offer diverse genres to suit your parents' interests, from farming sims to multiplayer puzzles.
  • Core Keeper is a collaborative sandbox game with multiple objectives, perfect for family game nights.
  • Introducing parents to Overcooked can make for a fun and slightly stressful family experience.

If you've ever tried explaining the games you play to your parents, it can either go really well or take a while to explain. Some games are easier to introduce someone to by default, while others have a significant learning curve. If your parents are taking an interest in the world of gaming, there's no limit to the games they can choose to play, but if you're aiming to ease them into this corner of the internet for the first time, these games are the best first step.

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When it comes to PC games in particular, the many genres make it easy for you to find something your parents might enjoy. From farming simulators to multiplayer puzzle games, your parents will find their gaming niche in no time.

10 Core Keeper

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Core Keeper

Survival Sandbox 5.0/10 Released August 27, 2024 Developer(s) Pugstorm Publisher(s) Fireshine Games Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One Powered by Expand Collapse

This game has adventure, creativity, and a compelling story, all in a single sandbox game. It's a multiplayer game you can play with up to eight people, so even if you have a bigger family, your game nights can still be full of fun. Whether your parents like to build, fight, or farm, there's plenty for them to do as you work to discover everything you can about the mysterious ancient Core at the heart of Core Keeper.

The best part about having so many different objectives is that you'll never run out of ways for your parents to meaningfully help you out if you're playing alongside them. It's a collaborative game, and it helps to have many moving parts at once.

9 House Flipper

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House Flipper

Simulation Released May 17, 2018 Platform(s) Android, iOS, PS4, Switch, Xbox One Developer Empyrean, Frozen District Publisher PlayWay S.A., Frozen District Powered by Expand Collapse

Outside a game, it's hard to enjoy actually having to flip a house, or thoroughly clean it, so putting the satisfaction of a job well done into its game form is something your parents are bound to enjoy. It's easier to sell a hard labor task like installing a sink when that task is made into a shiny goal to work towards without putting any physical strain on yourself. House Flipper also has enough advancement that there are days of gameplay in the base game.

Besides, even if your parents aren't in the profession of flipping houses, it's a fun experiment to see what it'd be like. This game has some of the easiest mechanics to learn, and your parents can design a house without having to live in it. It's a win-win.

8 PowerWash Simulator

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PowerWash Simulator

Simulation 10.0/10 Released May 19, 2021 Developer(s) FuturLab Publisher(s) FuturLab Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Platform(s) PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Metascore 84 Powered by Expand Collapse

This game is addicting right from the start, and all the expansions make it increasingly more interesting to play. When you play, it's easy to lose track of time with how satisfying cleaning all the different locations is. If your parents ever need to pass the time, introduce them to the PowerWash Simulator levels and watch their cleaning strategy at work on a gaming level.

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Plus, all the different tools and strategies behind just one level means your parents can play the game as many different ways as they want, especially if they want to replay a level, which is easy to do. Power-washing like you would neatly mow a lawn is only one strategy, after all.

7 Overcooked

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Overcooked

Simulation Released August 2, 2016 Developer(s) Ghost Town Games Publisher(s) Team17 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Overcooked Platform(s) PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Stadia Powered by Expand Collapse

If cleaning isn't your favorite experience to recreate in gaming, introducing your parents to either of the Overcooked games is an excellent addition to a family game night. While it can be slightly stressful at times if there are a lot of orders and even more customers, this game is definitely best as a family experience. Your parents may also have a kitchen strategy ready to go if they've cooked with each other before.

This game is high-pressure, there's no doubt about it, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it is incredibly fun, especially for new players. Whether that's the adrenaline or the pure enjoyment of having your own kitchen team to manage is up to you to figure out.

6 Guild Wars 2

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Guild Wars 2

MMORPG Released August 28, 2012 Developer(s) ArenaNet Publisher(s) NCSoft Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise Guild Wars Platform(s) PC Powered by Expand Collapse

As fun and nostalgic as the first Guild Wars is, the sequel holds so many more possibilities for a family to play together. Although you wouldn't think Guild Wars 2 has the potential for your parents to play and enjoy it, this game has everything from small quests to enormous dungeons and events, so you can easily guide your parents through it without having to worry about all the mechanics that a more experienced GW2 player has mastered.

The fun of this game comes from the hundreds of different ways you can play it, especially since it's extremely rare that everyone in your family picks the same class and race. The more different your tastes are, the more immersive the gameplay will be.

5 Raft

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Raft

Survival Released June 20, 2022 Developer(s) Redbeet Interactive Publisher(s) Axolot Games Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer Platform(s) PC Powered by Expand Collapse

Open-world games are nice, but the open ocean is even nicer. If you're a fan of exploring and building, you should introduce your parents to Raft, a game where collaboration is absolutely necessary for the success of the entire raft. One of the best dynamics for this game is between you and your parents by design, especially since you can figure out what they most love to do around the raft quickly.

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This is a sandbox game that doesn't feel quite so restrictive, since you can't actually see the borders of the game in any direction. Your parents will love the sheer amount there is to explore, even near the end of the game. It is the ocean, after all.

4 Stardew Valley

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Stardew Valley

RPG Simulation 9.4/10 Released February 26, 2016 Developer(s) ConcernedApe Publisher(s) ConcernedApe Multiplayer Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer Cross-Platform Play Stardew Valley does not currently support crossplay between different consoles and PC Number of Players 1-4 Platform(s) PC, Xbox One, Android, iOS, PS4, Switch Metascore 89 Powered by Expand Collapse

As farming simulators go, Stardew Valley is an elite choice. Even without mods, your parents will be able to farm for days while still enjoying the rest of the game to the best of their hearts' content. Even if they don't romance any of the villagers (with or without mods), that doesn't take away from the full-game experience that comes with having control over your own farm space.

Whatever crop your parents decide to grow the most of, whichever villager they're most fond of- and there's always a wrong answer, depending on who you ask- and however much they enjoy the combat aspect of the game is up to your family to discover.

3 Minecraft

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Minecraft

Sandbox Survival 10.0/10 Released November 18, 2011 Developer(s) Mojang Publisher(s) Mojang Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer Franchise Minecraft Number of Players 1-4 Platform(s) 3DS, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360 Metascore 93 Powered by Expand Collapse

If there's one sandbox your parents are bound to love, it's Minecraft. There's a reason this game has stayed so popular over the decade it's been around. Beating the game and defeating the Ender Dragon can be a family goal, sure, but creating the best build you can is much easier in a group. If your parents' first instinct is to start building their house as stylishly as they can, then the many building materials are for them.

If they're all about progress, though, the best you can do is match their energy. Teaching them how to beat the game and progress step by step is bound to be fun if you all work together. Use that family dynamic to beat the Ender Dragon as fast as possible!

2 Trine

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Trine

Platformer Puzzle Released July 3, 2009 Developer(s) Frozenbyte Publisher(s) Frozenbyte Multiplayer Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer Franchise Trine Platform(s) PC, PS3 Powered by Expand Collapse

This puzzle platformer game is one of the most charming, especially when you figure out where everyone works best in each level. Progressing through this world is made even better by the fact that you're all playing various wizards and rogues. All four of the Trine games rely heavily on teamwork, so you'll have to either have a productive and fun-loving family dynamic or a family that loves to troll each other.

It's not hard to love these games, especially when the backgrounds and level design are both so beautiful, and each puzzle isn't frustratingly difficult. If you're looking for a straightforward puzzle game that still has the complexity of a fantasy game, this is the series of games to start.

1 Portal (1 Or 2)

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Portal 2

Puzzle Platformer 10.0/10 Released April 18, 2011 Developer(s) Valve Publisher(s) Valve Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Portal Platform(s) PS3, Xbox 360, Switch, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

Both of these games are beyond iconic. This 3D puzzle game with amazing graphics and humor is a must-try for new gamers, and your parents shouldn't be an exception to this rule. This game shaped so many people's gaming experiences, especially their sense of humor. If it's the very first game your parents are introduced to, odds are they'll understand why you enjoy playing video games so much.

Even though the co-op mode is only two-player, you don't have to play the game with them for it to be fun. There's far more content in the single-player mode of both games and an amazing storyline that is sure to win your parents over.

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