I’m lucky enough to have a partner who might love video games even more than I do, so we’re constantly on the hunt for games to play together. Every couple has their go-to activities, and for us, gaming tops the list.
Since I’m usually the one in charge of finding what to play next, I’ve come to see myself as a bit of an expert on the subject. Below is a list of ten standout titles that are especially fun to play with your significant other.
1 A Way Out, It Takes Two, and Split Fiction
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Practically made for couples, A Way Out, It Takes Two, and Split Fiction all come from Hazelight Studios, and each one follows a similar blueprint. These are cinematic, story-driven co-op campaigns that push the boundaries of what cooperative gaming can be. «Collaboration!» as the Book of Love, Dr. Hakim, would say.
It’s not controversial to call these some of the best co-op games on the market. Hazelight Studios is in a league of its own when it comes to crafting games designed specifically for two players. If you haven’t tried them yet, grab your +1 and get to it.
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Split Fiction
Action Adventure Sci-Fi Fantasy Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 90/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released March 6, 2025 ESRB T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Language, Violence Developer(s) Hazelight Studios Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
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2 Overcooked! 2
Overcooked! 2 has become a popular pick for couples, thanks to its quick-session format, broad platform availability, and support for both online and couch co-op. It’s a co-op-first experience that thrives on teamwork. The premise is simple: you and your partner work in tandem in a kitchen to cook and serve a variety of dishes—but it’s executed brilliantly. Each level introduces new twists and challenges you’ll have to tackle together.
Despite its whimsical art style, Overcooked! 2 is no cakewalk. If you want to earn (or 4 in New Game+), you’ll need a solid strategy and clear communication. Things can get hectic fast, but as long as you keep your cool and don’t take things too seriously, the chaos becomes a surprisingly fun way to strengthen your relationship—one order at a time.
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Overcooked 2
Simulation Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 82/100 Critics Rec: 87% Released August 7, 2018 ESRB E for Everyone Developer(s) Team17, Ghost Town Games Publisher(s) Team17
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3 Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is an ideal escape from the stresses of everyday life—and it’s even better with a close friend. That’s where your significant other comes in. Together you can inherit a farm, each with your own house to customize however you like.
The best part of co-op in Stardew Valley is that while you can share goals and resources, you’re still free to do your own thing. If your partner wants to fish or socialize with the locals, they can, while you tend to crops or explore the mines. If you’re more efficiency-minded, you can plan your schedules and divvy up tasks to maximize progress. Or you can take it slow and soak in the peaceful pace. It’s entirely up to the two of you.
Funnily enough, Stardew Valley even lets you roleplay as a couple. You can get married and start a family right there on your farm. And if you’re not at that point in your relationship yet—hey, maybe it’ll give you some insight into how they’d be as a parent.
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Stardew Valley
RPG Simulation Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 90/100 Critics Rec: 99% Released February 26, 2016 ESRB E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco) Developer(s) ConcernedApe Publisher(s) ConcernedApe
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4 Escape Simulator
If you and your partner enjoy solving puzzles together, or better yet, love a good escape room, look no further than Escape Simulator. It offers a wide range of interactive escape rooms, each packed with unique challenges that are bound to leave you stumped (in a good way). And if you manage to get through all the official rooms, don’t worry: there’s a massive library of community-made levels available via Steam Workshop.
Every room supports online co-op, so you and your significant other can team up and test how quickly you can crack the clues. The game really encourages communication, and when you finally solve a tricky puzzle, it’s genuinely fulfilling. For more competitive couples, there’s even a versus mode—perfect for settling who has the biggest brain once and for all.
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Escape Simulator
Puzzle Adventure Simulation Indie Games Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Critics Rec: 100% Released October 19, 2021 ESRB t Engine unity
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5 Pizza Possum
Pizza Possum is a cute and chaotic arcade-style hide-and-seek game where Player 1 plays as a possum and Player 2 is their raccoon sidekick. Together, you’ll sneak through a colorful village, stealing as much food as possible without getting caught by patrolling guard dogs.
It’s a silly concept, but one that leads to a ton of laughs as you and your partner join forces to distract guards, pull off food heists, and rescue each other when things go south.
Pizza Possum is short and sweet; you can easily finish it in a single evening. It’s easy to pick up and fun for players of all skill levels.
6 Spiritfarer
Labeled a cozy management game, Spiritfarer will tug on your heartstrings and almost certainly make at least one of you tear up. You travel far and wide on your ferry, befriending and caring for spirits before eventually helping them pass into the afterlife. It’s a beautiful journey to share with a partner, and there’s plenty to do along the way, including farming, mining, fishing, harvesting, cooking, crafting, and managing your boat.
One player takes on the role of Stella, the heroine and ferrymaster, while the other plays as her cat companion, Daffodil. Stella is the only one who can speak with spirits, while Daffodil has slightly better movement. With that in mind, you might want to discuss who plays who before setting sail.
Spiritfarer is virtually guaranteed to tap into your emotions, maybe even reveal a side of you your partner doesn’t often get to see. Still, it’s a peaceful, low-pressure experience that’s great for non-gamers and seasoned players alike. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride together.
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Spiritfarer
Platformer Indie Games Simulation Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 87/100 Critics Rec: 92% Released August 18, 2020 ESRB T For Teen due to Language, Use of Tobacco, Violent References Developer(s) Thunder Lotus Games, Kowloon Nights, Canada Media Fund Publisher(s) Thunder Lotus Games
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7 Party Animals
Party Animals is a ridiculous, physics-based competitive brawler where you play as floppy, cartoonish animals who punch, kick, headbutt, and toss each other around. The main goal is usually to be the last one standing, but there are team modes where you work side by side to complete objectives, too.
While a lot of people hop into Party Animals for lawless free-for-all mayhem, it works just as well for couples. You and your significant other can queue up as a team and always be placed on the same side, tasked with yeeting your foes off the map or scoring goals in games like soccer or hockey. You can also host custom matches and pair up against bots or other players. Either way, it’s a chance to prove to the world that you’re a duo not to be messed with.
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Party Animals
Party Game Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 76/100 Critics Rec: 70% Released September 20, 2023 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence, Alcohol Reference Developer(s) Recreate Games Publisher(s) Source Technology
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8 The Dark Pictures Anthology
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The Dark Pictures Anthology games are standalone interactive horror stories, each inspired by different subgenres and classic tropes. When you play with a friend—or in this case, your significant other—you each take control of multiple characters from the main cast.
There isn’t much traditional gameplay, which makes the series an excellent option for inexperienced gamers. It’s more like watching a movie unfold, but with one key difference: your choices shape the story. You’ll be responsible for the decisions made by your assigned characters, and their survival depends on you. Play it right, and everyone lives. Slip up, and you could lose them all.
This anthology series delivers a unique combination of storytelling and co-op tension, and the games are particularly entertaining with a partner. Debating which choices to make can lead to some intense (and often hilarious) situations. There’s also the added benefit of scary games being a great excuse to cuddle up!
Games like Man of Medan have a co-op mode that works online, but no single player. There is a local couch multiplayer co-op mode, where players essentially vote on actions, or you can just play by shouting at the TV to influence your partner.
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The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan
Survival Horror Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 71/100 Critics Rec: 45% Released August 30, 2019 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Supermassive Games Publisher(s) Bandai Namco Entertainment
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9 Fortnite
While it’s most famous for its battle royale mode, Fortnite has evolved into what Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney calls «the everything game.» You can still grab your partner and jump into duos, but that’s just the beginning.
Among the official game modes, there’s LEGO Fortnite, which blends Fortnite gameplay, LEGO building, and survival crafting. There’s also Rocket Racing, an arcade-style racer, and Festival, a rhythm game reminiscent of Rock Band. If that’s not enough, Creative provides a never-ending stream of Epic-made and community-built experiences, ranging from fashion shows and chill social hubs to horror games and death runs.
If you and your significant other can’t find something to enjoy in all that Fortnite has to offer, it might just be a lost cause.
Fortnite also lacks split screen, but it’s available on just about everything!
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Fortnite
Survival Battle Royale Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 84/100 Critics Rec: 94% Released September 26, 2017 ESRB T for Teen — Violence Developer(s) Epic Games Publisher(s) Epic Games
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10 Castle Crashers
A classic 2D hack-and-slash adventure, Castle Crashers is a timeless co-op experience with an unexpected amount of depth and replay value. There are dozens of characters, weapons, and animal orbs to unlock, plus countless build combinations. Even after you finish the game, there’s more to explore, like the Back Off Barbarian mini-game.
One quick heads-up: the storyline in Castle Crashers involves playing as knights on a mission to rescue kidnapped princesses. After defeating a boss and freeing a princess, you and your teammates battle it out to see who gets to kiss her. So if your significant other tends to get a little jealous, maybe let them win…and avoid the death stare.
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Castle Crashers Remastered
Action Beat 'Em Up Hack and Slash Adventure Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 78/100 Critics Rec: 72% Released September 9, 2015 ESRB T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor Developer(s) The Behemoth Publisher(s) The Behemoth
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Playing games with your partner can be one of the most rewarding ways to spend time together. They get you both actively involved, promote teamwork through shared goals, and lead to unforgettable moments. Each of these games listed above offers an experience exceptionally well-suited for couples.
