Browser games for couples and friends: an MMO you can play together online

When you want to play together — with a partner, or a friend in another city — searching usually turns up two options: short mini-games that last five minutes, or big games that you both have to download and buy. There’s a third way: an MMORPG in your browser. It’s a shared world where you grow together for weeks, and you can start in a minute, each on your own device.

Below, using Zarhold as the example: what to do as a pair in an MMORPG, and how to make it fun for both of you even if one has played for ages and the other has just arrived.

What to expect from a browser game for two

A good game for a long-distance pair answers a few simple questions:

1. No download and free for both? If one of you has to buy the game or install it on a weak laptop, the evening may never start.
2. Each on your own device? A browser MMORPG is an online game: one of you can be on a computer and the other on a phone. What you can’t do is play it together on one computer — each player has their own account.
3. Is there something to do together, not just side by side? Shared fights, a common goal, swapping items.
4. Does a level gap get in the way? If one of you races ahead, the other shouldn’t be left behind forever.
5. Can you compete too? Sometimes you don’t want to help each other — you want to find out who’s stronger.

What to do as a pair in Zarhold

Dungeons for two

Zarhold’s dungeons are run by three — a tank, a healer and a damage dealer. There are two of you? No problem: form a group, queue up, and the empty slot is filled by a resident of the world in the right role. The first dungeon opens at level 10.

The best tip for a pair is to split the roles. One takes a tank (Barbarian, Lightbringer, Revenant or Druid), the other a healer (Priest, Lightbringer, Stormbringer or Druid). Then you’re the heart of the group, and the game adds the damage dealer. More on roles in “Which class to choose”.

Raids and world bosses

Raids and world bosses are run by five. You can still go as two: the three free slots are filled by residents of the world. Once you get the taste for it, call in friends or your guild. How it works is covered in “MMORPG dungeons and raids”.

Live combat: you move at the same time

In group combat you act at the same time: each of you has your own hand of cards, and the group gets a minute per turn. You can agree in chat — “I’ll hold the boss, you heal and finish it off” — and watch the plan work. Combat is card-based and turn-based, so there’s no rush and no need for fast reflexes.

2v2 arena — the two of you against everyone

Invite your partner to a group and head to the 2v2 team arena: a group is always on the same side. The game first spends up to 50 seconds looking for live opponents, and if there aren’t any, residents of the world fill the places. There’s also 3v3, 5v5 and a battleground if there are more of you. More in Card game PvP.

A duel: who’s stronger

Want to compete rather than help? Challenge each other to a duel: a live one-on-one fight with a minute per turn. You can challenge a hero of any level, and the score of your duels stays in both your histories forever. Stakes are optional. More in “MMORPG duels”.

Trading, gifts and a shared home

• Trading and mail: send your partner an item, gold or crafting materials.
• Professions as a pair: one gathers herbs and ore, the other turns them into potions and gear — the economy brings you together. More in “Which profession to choose”.
• Your own guild — you can create one for free at any level, and a guild has a shared bank.
• Hero Chambers — a personal room with trophies. Friends and guildmates can drop by with the “Visit” button and once a day “Honor” the host. More in “Player housing in an MMORPG”.

If one of you has played for a while and the other is new

This is the most common situation for couples and friends. What helps:

• A friend code. If your partner hasn’t played yet, invite them with your code — then in group runs together (dungeons, raids, world bosses) each of you gets +20% experience until the newcomer has a level 60 hero. That’s “Bonds of Brotherhood” — details in “Invite a friend to an MMORPG”.
• A second hero. One account has 10 hero slots: the experienced player can start a new hero and grow alongside their partner from level 1.
• Duels and the arena don’t need matching levels: you can duel a hero of any level, and the arena has separate tables for heroes level 1–59 and level 60.

Getting started as a pair, in 5 minutes

1. Each of you opens zarhold.com/en on your own device and presses “Play”. You don’t even have to sign up — “Play without signing up” takes you straight to creating a hero (how it works).
2. Pick whatever races you like: factions don’t get in the way — you can group, join a guild and trade with heroes of any faction. What matters is agreeing on roles.
3. Add each other as friends and form a group.
4. Do your first quests side by side, and from level 10 — your first dungeon.

Playing as a pair FAQ

Can two people play on one computer?

No. Zarhold is an online game and each player has their own account. You need two devices: say, a computer and a phone, two laptops or two phones.

Can two people clear a dungeon?

Yes. A dungeon is built for three, but a resident of the world in the right role takes the third slot. You can also start raids for five as a pair — residents fill the rest.

Is it free for both of us?

Yes. Zarhold is free to play in your browser, with nothing to download. The Shop has optional purchases.

Will it work if one of us has never played an MMORPG?

Yes: combat is turn-based, you get a minute per turn, and the first quests teach the basics. A newcomer should read “What is an MMORPG?” and the beginner’s guide.

Can we play if one is on a phone and the other on a computer?

Yes. The game runs in the browser on a computer, tablet or phone, and your heroes and progress are stored on the server.

The bottom line

If you’re looking for something to play together online over a distance, a browser MMORPG isn’t just one evening — it’s a shared story: your own roles in the group, dungeons together, the 2v2 arena, duels for bragging rights and swapping trophies. Open Zarhold each on your own device — your first quests take a few minutes, and then a whole world for two is waiting. More ideas in “Play an MMORPG with friends in your browser”.