New Co-Op Steam Game Is Blowing Up

A new co-op horror game on Steam called YAPYAP has drawn thousands of players shortly after launch, with many calling it the platform's next big friendslop title. Steam has seen a wave of new games in this subgenre lately, largely following the breakout success of titles like Lethal Company and R.E.P.O.

Most games in the friendslop genre share the same mindset: a low barrier to entry, simple physics-based mechanics, and a reliance on tension or horror to create chaotically funny moments. YAPYAP checks all of these boxes and leans into many familiar genre tropes. Still, judging by its player numbers and reviews, it is clearly striking a chord with co-op fans and doing something that sets it apart.

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By Leon Armstrong

YAPYAP Achieves Impressive Player Count on Steam

Released on February 3, YAPYAP wasted no time making an impact, quickly peaking at nearly 10,000 concurrent players on Steam. That surge did not come out of nowhere either, as the game had already built solid momentum ahead of launch, with almost 30,000 users following it on Steam. Even so, reaching such a large player count within hours of release is a remarkable achievement for a game of this size. That early traction is also translating into strong sales, as SteamDB data shows the $10 title currently sitting among the top ten bestsellers on Valve's storefront.

Steam Reviews Are Promising

Strong sales and high concurrent player numbers are not YAPYAP's only early wins. The game is also earning positive feedback from players, holding a Very Positive rating on Steam, with 85% of users recommending it at the time of writing. Many reviews highlight the fun factor, with one player calling it "insanely funny and fun with friends." Others point to its depth, praising the variety of hidden elements, unlockable spells, monsters, and potions scattered throughout the experience.

That said, the praise is not universal, and YAPYAP is not without its rough edges. While most players are happy with how the game looks and plays, several recurring criticisms have emerged. One common complaint is the lack of public lobbies, which makes it difficult for solo players to jump in with random teammates. On top of that, some users question the $10 price point, arguing that YAPYAP feels closer to an early-access Steam game than a fully priced release.

A limited-time promotion running until February 17 drops YAPYAP's price to $8.

YAPYAP Gameplay Explained

For those wondering what YAPYAP is all about, the easiest way to describe it is as a "reverse R.E.P.O." In R.E.P.O., teams carefully extract objects without damaging them, while YAPYAP flips that idea on its head by encouraging players to smash, break, and vandalize as much as possible. Players do this through physics-based grab-and-throw mechanics, paired with a unique spell-casting system that requires saying magic words out loud into the microphone.

Vandalism as a Core Mechanic

In YAPYAP, players take on the roles of magical minions summoned by a powerful magician. Their task is simple: infiltrate a rival's castle, wreck as much of it as possible, and escape in one piece once the job is done. Every object smashed, broken, or set on fire rewards players with chaos points, which are used to progress and unlock new items.

Voice-Activated Magic Spells

YAPYAP is one of those horror games that use players' microphones. Much of the destruction is powered by its voice-based spell system, which requires saying things out loud instead of pressing buttons. The microphone is also used during encounters with some enemies, as players are asked to read words hovering above them to trigger special interactions. This mechanic extends to puzzle-solving as well, with certain levers only responding to high-pitched voices and others requiring lower tones.

Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)

Hilarious Jumpscares

Developer Maison Bap describes YAPYAP as a co-op horror game with comical elements, putting it in the same league as titles like R.E.P.O., Lethal Company, and Content Warning. True to the friendslop horror formula, the game balances scares with humor, turning tense moments into laugh-out-loud chaos. This mix is heightened by a wide variety of enemy types, which keep tension high throughout each run and ensure that panic and comedy collide at every turn.

Expeditions in YAPYAP are time-sensitive. Once the timer hits zero, players are pursued by an invincible ghost capable of instantly killing them.

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