[kevinventullo]

FWIW there is a new-ish kind of intermediate genre between classic LAN/ranked multiplayer and single player, which is the whole “survival” genre. Generally speaking, they can be played as single player games, but also allow for small-scale co-op, synchronously or asynchronously. So even if you and a buddy have different schedules, you can make progress separately but still occasionally play together.

Valheim, Grounded, Ark, Satisfactory are a few among many others.

[HK-NC]

The tree punching genre hasn't satisfied either of those things for me.

[mvdtnz]

Nothing sucks the fun out of survival games like your friend who has way more time progressing the game far too much while you're absent.