Best Online Co-Op Games For Long-Distance Couples

Key Takeaways

• Communication is key in long-distance relationships, with online gaming offering a way to bridge the gap and connect.
• Video games like Magicka 2 and Don’t Starve Together create opportunities for teamwork and shared experiences.
• Building, surviving, and exploring together in games like Divinity: Original Sin 2 can strengthen connections between couples.

Long-distance relationships have their own perks and unique challenges. Couples may struggle with the lack of physical intimacy, but there are other ways for couples to stay connected. Video game date nights are an amazing way for a gamer and their significant other to connect and grow closer together by completing puzzles and increasing their communication skills.

In fact, online video games and long-distance relationships go hand-in-hand, making the distance simply melt away thanks to communication mediums like Discord and remote play on modern platforms like the PS5, Xbox Series X, or Steam. Players can still feel as though they are sitting next to each other, even when miles apart. Here are some of the best games that are perfect for long-distance couples to play together.

Updated on November 6, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The best co-op games for long-distance couples cover a wide gamut of genres, themes, tones, and specializations. Depending on a duo’s preferences, they might prefer to go with a story-driven horror game over a gameplay-first action RPG. They might want romance to be part of the equation or prefer to avoid love stories entirely. Fortunately, the gaming industry has quite an impressive selection of multiplayer options that should be able to satisfy most needs.

19 Monster Hunter Rise

Play Together, Hunt Together

Capcom’s Monster Hunter is not specifically directed toward couples, but the franchise’s newest entries are generally great for online co-op. Along with just being fantastic all-around games, they come packed with so much content that they could keep people busy for months, if not longer. As the stories are inconsequential, the focus is solely on the gameplay loop, which ultimately boils down to “hunt monsters, harvest their parts, build better equipment, and hunt bigger monsters.” This formula has worked for decades, and Capcom has fine-tuned the opening hours to provide a pretty accessible introduction.

Monster Hunter Rise gets the nod due to being the most beginner-friendly project in the core series, with the village quests acting as a tutorial. That said, these missions are single-player only, which can be a bit frustrating if people are not on the same skill level. Still, the hub quests can be played in co-op, and they serve as the meat of the package. While a very long game in the grand scheme of things, MHR‘s quests are generally quite short, usually not requiring longer than 30 minutes; consequently, it is a good pick for short play sessions.

18 Magicka 2

Create Magic Together

Magicka 2 is set in a medieval fantasy world where the players are members of a group of wizards that have suffered great losses in past wars, and take on a quest to restore the balance in the world. Players will face numerous enemies each with their own weaknesses and strengths, which requires the players to come up with new approaches and play styles.

The game revolves around using elements to create deadly combinations of spells to use in the encounters they will have in their journey. Although it is not a relatively new game, it also features a humorous narrator which, when combined with the playful nature of the game, will surely make players have a good time. There is only the matter of learning how the spells work and the controls to get used to, that maybe would be the only thing to deter the players.

17 Don’t Starve Together

Survive, Build, & Thrive As A Team

Don’t Starve is a great isometric survival game with an eye-catching art style and an enticing sense of discovery. Klei’s original project is intended to be a single-player experience, which complements the harsh and isolating environment; however, the gameplay loop is also a seamless fit for multiplayer, which eventually arrived in the form of Don’t Starve Together. Built on the base project’s foundations, this expansion eliminates most of the story beats in favor of focusing heavily on group-based survival, crafting, and exploration. The appeal is largely the same: survive and discover.

Using permadeath as a source of constant tension, players must smartly work together as they gradually set up a base that can handle most of their fundamental needs, including things like food. Once they have a solid basis, Don’t Starve Together begins to emphasize exploration, encouraging players to head into the darkness to see what things (and entities) they might discover. Supporting up to 6 players in online co-op, DST is a great option for friends, family, and couples, although they should know the game can get quite stressful at times.

16 Divinity: Original Sin 2

Go On An Epic Adventure

To say the least, this game is as close as possible anyone can get to Dungeons and Dragons if they want to experience that with an online partner-in-crime. Offering true free will to players, those who play this game together will see each other’s parts that were not possible to see the daylight in the real world.

Did a partner bludgeon a goblin to death because it stole some bread just so it would not starve? Did they steal some old nanny’s only belongings just because they could? While playing this game, hold onto the railing because the most evil of one’s self tends to break free thanks to the possibilities the game provides. Just bear in mind that not all villains are pure evil, everybody has a secret “baddy” in them.

Baldur’s Gate 3
is also a great co-op option.

15 Dinkum

Build A Cute Town

Couples who either can not afford a Nintendo Switch or simply prefer PC games are more than welcome to have a relaxing holiday in Dinkum. A beautiful mix of Minecraft and Animal Crossing, Dinkum is the perfect game to play for couples who can’t get their hands on Animal Crossing.

The game features several occupations to progress including mining, fishing, and hunting, so players can do anything they want in their cute little town. There are visitors who frequent the island and may settle down for good if the player convinces them to do so.

14 Minecraft

That Game That Never Gets Old

Minecraft is an open-world sandbox game that allows players to build and explore a vast virtual world together. The game’s co-op mode enables couples to team up to gather resources, build structures, and embark on amazing adventures.

The creative, open-ended nature of this title encourages players to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve together. This makes it an excellent game for couples who want to work together and build something meaningful in the game world.

While not exactly the same as
Minecraft
,
Terraria
is an easy general recommendation for co-op.

13 Stardew Valley

Farming With A Partner

Stardew Valley is an indie darling that took the world by storm and still remains one of the most popular farming titles around. The game features a multiplayer mode allowing couples to share a farm, work together to tend to the crops, and explore the game world together.

The game’s peaceful atmosphere and slow pace make it a relaxing, enjoyable experience for couples who are looking to unwind and spend time together. Long-distance couples struggling to figure out the best way possible to spend time with their partners will be well-serviced by this title.

12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Beat ‘Em Up Teamwork Goodness

Beat ’em up games are not for everyone, and the genre can be intimidating to newcomers since many of its projects are quite difficult. Still, if a pair of players are looking for a colorful, charming, and polished title that can be completed within a few hours, they cannot do much better than Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. Inspired by beat ’em up masterpieces of the ’90s, the 2022 release succeeds in embracing the past without becoming it. The result is a throwback with quality-of-life modern tweaks that combine to create something timeless.

Shredder’s Revenge supports up to 6 players in co-op, and while the feature does not greatly alter the core gameplay loop, it does elevate the entire experience. For one, players can execute team-based combos that are always satisfying to pull off. Furthermore, the characters have plenty of tiny animations that highlight their camaraderie.

11 Overcooked 2

Take On The Challenges Of Running A Kitchen

Overcooked 2 is one of the most chaotic video games that couples can play, testing the strength of their relationship and pushing them to new limits time and time again. This fast-paced cooking simulator game challenges players to work together, preparing and serving meals in a variety of hectic environments.

Players need to communicate and coordinate their actions efficiently to nail the highest rank possible in the game’s numerous challenging levels. The erratic nature of the gameplay, coupled with its colorful visuals, make it a fun and exciting game for couples…when they’re not blaming each other for their mistakes, that is.

10 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Relaxing Life Sim

Animal Crossing: New Horizons needs no introduction. This simulation game allows players to create their own island paradise, decorate their homes, and interact with a cast of adorable animal characters.

Two players can choose to build one island, with couples enjoying the calm gameplay of this series as they beautify their island. While many players were annoyed that one Switch system could only house one island, this did make working together as couples simpler and more efficient. New Horizons has been complete for a long time by this point, and a few missing features aside, it is a fun and relaxing escape from reality.

9 Resident Evil 5

An Action-Horror Co-Op Romp

Capcom’s Resident Evil is unquestionably the most popular horror IP of all time, one that has crafted plenty of single-player classics over the decades. While not initially a focus, the series eventually took on co-op, specifically with the fifth main entry. Resident Evil 5 can be enjoyed as a traditional solo outing if that is what players want; however, the game was not only designed with co-op in mind but is also a lot more fun alongside another user. Along with couch co-op, the 2009 title still has online functionality, even if it can be a bit cumbersome to get started.

Now, RE5 is not exactly a great “couples” game. The campaign requires players to aid each other consistently, while also including periods where they need to do their own thing. The story is a bit of a mess, and someone’s mileage will depend on their tolerance for cheesiness. Still, RE5 can be quite fun in the right mood, and it is certainly a more enjoyable overall experience than its successor, Resident Evil 6, which also supports 2-player co-op.

8 PHOGS!

Two Halves Of One Whole

Put communication skills to the test in PHOGS where two players each play as one head of a conjoined elasticated sausage dog nicknamed Red and Blue. These doggos are hell-bent on causing chaos wherever they go as they complete platforming-puzzle levels in the three whimsical stages filled with eccentric characters.

Two heads are always better than one, as the two players must coordinate to solve puzzles. They can do this by utilizing their stretchy body to push buttons and open doors with their teeth. This can swiftly turn into a trolling nightmare as the players must move in tandem to accomplish tasks in this bright and cheery world and avoid flinging themselves off the edge of the world.

7 Garden Paws

Wholesome

What could be more comforting and calming than a farming simulator game? Seemingly an indie adorable fusion between Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, Garden Paws sees players take control of a furry friend as they inherit their grandparents’ farm. They get to work alongside the local residents to improve their farms and build their town to prosperity

Garden Paws is a wholesome cozy game to play with a long-distance partner, with dozens of activities, from exploring hidden caves to decorating their house together. There is no limit to the things players can accomplish, with hundreds of hours of gameplay and frequent content updates by the developers.

6 The Dark Pictures Anthology (Shared Story)

Different Perspectives

• 	The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan	The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope	The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes	The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me
  Platform(s)	PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One	PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One	PS5	PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One
  Released	2019-08-30	2020-10-30	2021-10-22	2022-11-18
  Developer(s)	Supermassive Games	Supermassive Games	Supermassive Games	Supermassive Games
  Genre(s)	Survival Horror	Survival Horror	Survival Horror	Horror

Although not as beloved as Until Dawn or The Quarry, SuperMassive’s The Dark Pictures Anthology has proven to be a reliable source for short but enjoyable horror stories. The games were seemingly designed to suit as many situations as possible, catering to solo players, online duos, or local groups in a way that makes all three feel important rather than just afterthoughts. Local co-op is called Movie Night Mode, which essentially casts players as different characters, requiring them to make decisions that can impact their friends.

When it comes to online co-op, The Dark Pictures Anthology has Shared Story, a mode specifically intended for two people who cannot see each other’s screens. Generally, each game presents its story from two perspectives: Theatrical and Curator’s Cuts. Solo players will need to run through the campaign twice to get the full picture; however, Shared Story puts one person through Theatrical while the other experiences Curator’s. The participants will need to decide how much they want to communicate and share; for example, they can decide to only talk when their playable characters are together on-screen.

All The Dark Pictures entries are great co-op games for couples, provided both people enjoy a touch of horror. To be clear, none of the entries are terrifying, but they are nevertheless part of the genre.

5 Portal 2

Fun Co-Op Mode For Puzzle Lovers

Portal 2 is a classic puzzle-platformer game with innovative physics mechanics and an exclusive two-player co-op campaign. The two players embark on their journey through the Aperture Science Facility as ATLAS and P-body, two quirky robots created by GLaDOS, the cynical and passive-aggressive A.I. narrator.

Equipped with their respective portal guns, the two players must work together to solve a series of puzzles, ranging in difficulty. Portal 2 is the perfect game to play with a significant other, as it can make or break relationships. These robots can send their partner flying into a portal to their death, only for them to respawn seconds later.

4 The Past Within

Escape Together

Escape room puzzle games are a niche steadily rising in popularity and a great genre to delve into with a partner. The Past Within is an intricately designed point-and-click puzzle game as two players must work together to investigate the mysteries surrounding Albert Vanderboom’s untimely demise.

One player must choose the Past, while the other picks the Future. Both perspectives have vastly different esthetics, so players should replay the game to get the complete experience. Co-op gameplay is mandatory, as both players must have a method of communicating to exchange information and solve their puzzles. The Past Within is an excellent co-op game to build communication skills and test bonds.

3 KeyWe

Cute 9 To 5

KeyWe is a hilarious co-op game that is the perfect blend of chaos, mischief, and teamwork, with remote play and online co-op fully supported. Two players get to control a pair of kiwi birds, namely Jeff and Debra, as two new postal hires. They attempt to keep a post office up and running by typing out telegram messages and delivering mail in a timely fashion.

Being flightless birds, these two small birds-of-a-feather must body-slam and flap their way around the Telepost’s different mail rooms, completing important tasks and mini-games. If players beat their target times, they will be awarded stamps to purchase cute cosmetics for their Kiwi character.

2 We Were Here Forever

The Ultimate Gaming Escape Room

Total Mayhem Games’ full We Were Here series is an easy recommendation for co-op sessions, especially if the players enjoy a few challenging puzzles. We Were Here is also free-to-play, making it a perfect PC game for couples on the fence about playing this type of project. While the original trilogy and Expeditions are great, We Were Here Forever is the franchise’s masterpiece and serves as the ultimate demonstration of Total Mayhem’s skills.

Although not devoid of one, storytelling is not the game’s priority or strength; no, its main selling point is puzzles. The game puts together an impressive collection of brainteasers that demand constant communication between the two players. We Were Here Forever is essentially a digital escape room, one that typically splits up its players and challenges them to guide each other through various challenges. The puzzles are well-designed, hard but fair, and incredibly satisfying to complete.

1 It Takes Two

The Best Couple Co-Op Game

It Takes Two shows how gaming can be an excellent medium for bringing people closer together. Two players take control of parents Cody and May, a married couple on the brink of getting divorced. An accidental magic spell from their daughter transforms them both into tiny dolls. The estranged pair must find a way back to revert to normal aided by a sentient book, all while relearning each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

The level of creativity woven into the fabric of It Takes Two is mind-blowing, serving for hours of entertainment as each stage features different mechanics to learn and master. Several platforming sections and even some boss fights require precise coordination and teamwork from both players. It Takes Two is the perfect game for long-distance couples on date night due to its strictly co-op-only gameplay.