Not to mention, when you play games with your special someone, you get to learn more about who they are. In particular, what they’re like when they’re losing, stressed, and/or angry. Besides, with the pandemic going on, your date night options for Valentine’s Day are a bit limited. With that said, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best co-op games for couples to play this Valentine’s Day.
Overcooked!
This frantic co-op cooking simulator pairs players with each other as they try to rotate through multiple stations and complete a specific set of meals on a timer. It’s definitely not for beginners and not for the faint of heart, but it’s the perfect way for couples to try and find out how they can work better together. Besides, there’s this certain of accomplishment from completing each level knowing that the two of you have the necessary level of communication required to collaborate and coordinate effectively. The best part is that up to four players can play together at the same time. Now, who’s up for a double date video game night? The latest Overcooked title, Overcooked! All You Can Eat, round up all the content from the first two games, Overcooked! and Overcooked! 2, and adds a couple of new content with support for next-gen features on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X.
Mario Party
With as many as 11 installments since 1998’s Mario Party on the N64, the Mario Party franchise is arguably an entity on its own. Although subsequent installments are no longer as charming as the original, the series remains a go-to title for families and couples who want to play something together and can’t decide just yet. Filled with a bunch of mini-games, Mario Party is a great way to start your date night. At the same time, you can also just stick to it and find the two of you surprisingly entertained by the smorgasbord of mini-games at your disposal. The latest Mario Party, Super Mario Party, is available on the Nintendo Switch.
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Warning. This game isn’t for all couples. A space-based video game, Lovers in a Dangerous Space boasts adorable graphics that belie the punishing difficulty. Essentially, the plot revolves around the Anti-Love force that’s threatening the universe. It’s then up to you and your partner to take turns steering and defending the neon battleship as you battle bad guys, rescue space bunnies, and avoid rock formations so that the two of you don’t end up getting lost in space. We definitely recommend coming into the game blind. This way, the two of you can explore how the game works together. Besides, even if one of you were already familiar with the game, we highly doubt it’d help. The thing is, all stages in the game are randomized. Because of this, every area you go through will feature an entirely new maze layout. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is available on macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows PCs, as well as the Nintendo Switch, and the PlayStation 4.
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is the perfect basketball game for those who aren’t necessarily fans of the sport. Featuring arcade-style gameplay similar to the classic 90’s NBA JAM video game, Playgrounds uses cartoonish recreations of known basketball players as they do ridiculous stuff on the court, including but not limited to, dunking all the way from the three-point line. One good thing about the game is that it’s very easy to play and accessible. It’s perfect for couples where one hasn’t even watched a single game of basketball ever. NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is available on Microsoft Windows PCs, the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and the Xbox One.
Portal 2
One of the older games on our list, Portal 2 serves as the follow-up to the space-bending and ever-memed original title of Valve. The main difference between this one and the first title is that this one has a co-op. Mind you, the co-op gameplay wasn’t just slapped onto the game. Instead, the game was built to have co-op in mind. Well, at least, in a way. Because, while you can easily play through the game on your own, playing it with another person opens up an entirely new layer of challenge, fun, and hilarity. Can you just imagine how much you can bend the supposed rules of physics when you’ve got two pairs of portals at your disposal? Portal 2 is available on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux PCs, as well as the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine
What better way is there to find out if your partner is your “ride or die”, or so to speak, than have them steal something with you? Of course, you shouldn’t do that in real life. That’s illegal. But, in Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine, that’s basically what the game is all about. This heist game with pixelated graphics feels a lot like a Metal Gear Solid title but with the aesthetics of a Pac-Man game. And, even though you can play it alone, it’s the co-op gameplay that really cements it as a solid game for couples to play. Because each crook has a different special ability and stealth is essential, you and your partner will have to really communicate so you can get past the guards and alarm in each mission. Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine is available on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux PCs, as well as the Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Switch.
Until Dawn
Let’s face it. No matter how much you encourage someone to play with you, some just prefer to be a backseat gamer. If that’s the case with your partner, then the two of you might want to give Until Dawn a try. A single-player narrative-driven title, Until Dawn, puts players in charge of a group of friends who find themselves fighting for their lives while stuck on a remote mountain cabin. What makes the game unique is that there’s no way to fail in the game. Basically, the story of the game just goes on based on every decision that you make and you just have to make do with whatever the results are. Until Dawn is exclusive to the PlayStation 4.
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
If you thought getting non-gamers into a game was a struggle, just wait until you make them try out VR. Of course, the novelty of playing a VR title could be enough to get them to play it, but we’re not just here to talk about games for beginners and non-gamers. Instead, we’re here to talk about the best games for couples to play, and well, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes makes a strong case for the best VR couples game out there. The game’s premise is simple – all you need to do is to defuse a bomb. The catch? The one defusing a map is the one wearing the VR headset and to defuse it, the other person will have to guide the player by reading the manual for them. With multiple types of bombs and puzzles to complete, the game makes for a stressful but absurdly hilarious way for couples to bond with each other and strengthen their relationship. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is available to play on all major VR platforms. There is also a non-VR version available on other platforms. This includes Microsoft Windows PCs, the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, as well as iOS and Android devices.
Cuphead
Cuphead is a notoriously difficult game, especially when playing solo. The game’s bosses will overwhelm you with screen-filling projectile attacks and take no more than a couple of hits to take you down. Luckily, adding a second player to the mix helps even things a bit. Available to play with a partner, similar to arcade games of the past, playing Cuphead co-op lets you share the load with your special someone. More importantly, playing with another person lets the two of you revive each other from death just by rushing to their side.
Human: Fall Flat
Human: Fall Flat is the type of difficult game that makes for an enormous amount of laughs and hilarity when played drunk or with someone else, preferably both. The concept of the game is actually very straightforward. You’re given control of Bob, who you have to get across from one point to another. However, what should have been a very simple affair is made complicated by the fact that Bob’s limbs feel like they are made of rubber and the levels become increasingly difficult as you progress. So, you not only have to learn how physics works in the game, but you also have to memorize each level’s design. If it’s any consolation though, the game takes a “no-fail” approach. What we mean by this is that you can reach the end goal however you please. But, if you need help or get stuck for a long time, the game will help you out by dropping the occasional hint. While it is possible to play the game on your own, it’s a lot more fun to waste hours upon hours on each level with someone else via local co-op. Human: Fall Flat is available on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux PCs, as well as the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, and Android.
