Multiplayer games are usually dominated by combat-heavy games. Fortnite, Call of Duty and Halo, for example, all revolve around you shooting and killing people. This is a lot of fun, but murder is not a prerequisite for a chaotic game. Anarchy can occur in games with no combat at all.
Things that require delicate teamwork or time management often lead to real arguments, at least when the right (or wrong) group of friends get together. Here are some chaotic multiplayer games that don't include any kind of combat.
Chained together
Chained Together is a very appropriate title for this cooperative game, as each player in it is connected to a chain. Together you must climb through the depths of hell to reach the top or at least get as high as you can. Progression consists mostly of running and jumping on different platforms.
In these moments you must be in sync with the people you are chained to; otherwise you will all fall. So you depend on your partners, which means sabotage and guilt often occur when playing this game. And things regularly devolve into yelling at each other.
Keep talking and no one explodes
In Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, you try to defuse bombs with a friend. One of you has a bomb with several modules, each of which acts as a small puzzle. The way to solve each one is in the manual that the other player has in real life.
The player with the bomb must clearly explain the modules they are looking at, while the manual person must clearly explain how to solve the module. This often starts off calm enough, but once the timer starts ticking down, panic can set in and things can get a little chaotic.
Move out 2
Moving Out 2 puts you in the shoes of a group of movers. Just like in real life, the movers take items out of the houses and load them onto trucks, ready to be taken to their new homes. Unlike in real life, the physics in this game are really quirky, and there are surprising hazards that can stop your progress.
There is also a very strict time limit. This means you must work efficiently and show strong cohesion. Alternatively, you may panic and start throwing things in hopes of getting them to the truck faster. If you choose this method, things can quickly spiral out of control.
Content warning
In a world filled with content creators and influencers, opinions are everything, and that's what you're looking for in Content Warning. This is a multiplayer game where you have to go down into a dark underground area with your camera. Once down there, you have to shoot as many of the scary monsters as possible without dying.
Bring the images back up to the surface, upload them and take in the views. It's easier said than done. Running around trying to film monsters as they try to kill you and your friends can be tough. This is why chaos often occurs.
Autumn guys
Fall Guys is like an online game where you compete in all sorts of events, hoping not to be one of the people eliminated. These competitions vary; some have you racing raid-style tracks trying to reach the end fast enough to qualify, while others have you avoiding incoming obstacles as you try to stay on the platform.
Those are just a couple of the many different types of events in the game. Most of them revolve around a large group of people trying to survive, so things can get out of hand.
Ultimate Chicken Horse
Ultimate Chicken Horse is a competitive multiplayer platform game where the goal of each round is to reach the end. If all players reach the end, you can rejoice… but it won't mean anything. At least one person must fail for anyone to score.
This is where the various blocks and traps you can place into the game, as you are actually trying to make it hard enough for all your opponents to fail, but easy enough for you to succeed. The chance to place new things comes at the end of each round, so the screen is covered with more and more things as you play. Also, first place gets more points, which means moving quickly is a recommended strategy, and it only increases the level of chaos.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch
In Octodad, you control an octopus pretending to be a human male. Since he is not used to walking around on two legs, his body is difficult to control. But you have to keep it together enough to complete the various objectives you are given without revealing the fact that you are a sea creature with eight tentacles.
In single player it's pretty chaotic, but things get even wilder when you play the game co-op, as you each control different groups of tentacles. Working in a coordinated way is a tough task.
WarioWare: Move It!
WarioWare: Move It! is a party game where all players play quick mini-games. Each mini-game only lasts a few seconds, which means you get very little time to think. Therefore, you must act quickly even if it may lead to failure.
Adding to the chaos is that each mini-game is played using the Nintendo Switch's motion controls. This means you have to move your body as you desperately try to complete the mini-game in the required time.
Phasmaphobia
Nothing gets your stress level up and makes you panic like a very scary game. One multiplayer that fits the bill is Phasmaphobia. This is a horror title where you enter a haunted area and try to find out what ghost is there while trying not to get killed by it.
There is no one to fight back. You just need to do your research and avoid the paranormal creature. When the ghost finds you, or you feel it is nearby, panic can set in. At least you have some buddies on your side that you can communicate with, but they are also in danger. Hearing their screams through the walkie-talkie can make you panic more… or laugh, depending on the type of bond you share.
Overcooked
You and your friends run a kitchen in Overcooked. This means you have to prepare the food, cook it, plate everything and bring it to the counter. It all sounds very peaceful and cozy. However, there is nothing peaceful about it.
You only have a certain amount of time to place each order, and the more orders you place in the total time frame, the better your score. This time pressure can make people run around trying to prepare things as quickly as possible. In pandemonium, mistakes can be made and people can get angry. It's the most stressful fun you can ever have.
