Best Cooperative Games For Couples

Key Takeaways

• Escape Room Simulator
  allows long-distance friends and family to experience the thrill of escape rooms together, with challenging but not frustrating puzzles.
• Borderlands 2
  offers a cooperative gaming experience with a well-developed story, fleshed-out characters, and plenty of quests to enjoy.
• Phasmophobia
  provides a terrifying cooperative gaming experience for horror fans, perfect for casual gaming date nights.

The video game industry has always been a great way for friends and family members to spend some valuable time together – even more so since the invention of online gaming, which has allowed people living apart to continue to have fun together. Thankfully, there are hundreds of amazing co-op games that people can play with their friends and partners.

A few of these games are great for building relationships, and they make for amazing long-distance date-night ideas. They’re fun, they’re exciting, and a lot of them have a great storyline to follow. Without further ado, here are the best cooperative games for two players to enjoy.

Updated December 4, 2024, by Mara Cowley: Online games have become one of the most popular ways to enjoy the medium, as they can be played with friends or partners without making them leave the comfort of their own sofa or desk. Modern couples can now even make a date out of it by enjoying a two-player cooperative game, instead of meeting up to watch a movie or for dinner. This list already contained a multitude of titles across many genres, so there was already something for everyone, but there are still many more titles that may be overlooked by gamer couples. As such, this article has been updated to feature even more of the best co-op games for couples.

33 Moon Hunters

A Fantasy Roguelike With Hours Of Fun

• Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
• Release Date: March 10th, 2016
• Developers: Kitfox Games
• Genre: Roguelite, Fantasy

In the fantasy world of Issaria, the moon does not rise one night. As the source of power in the world, the balance of the world is affected, and it is up to the heroes to set it right. They will battle through monsters, explore the lands, and make choices that can help determine the ending.

The procedurally-generated world ensures that no two playthroughs feel the same, and roping a partner in only makes the game more fun. For couples looking for a drop-in drop-out game with some substance, they can’t go wrong with Moon Hunters.

32 Until Dawn

An Interactive Horror Movie

The Dark Pictures Anthology implemented a game mode known as ‘Movie Mod,’ in which players would pass a controller back and forth after each chapter so that two players in the same place could play the game together. Though this is not an official implementation in Until Dawn, players can still make the mode work by passing over the controller at the start of each chapter.

This way, two partners have sway over the outcome of the game. They can either work together to gain their desired outcome by carefully selecting choices or let the chips fall where they may and see what kind of ending it leads to.

31 Monster Prom

A Multiplayer Dating Sim

Dating sims are normally a single-player affair, placing an emphasis on characters and story that doesn’t really leave much room for a multiplayer implementation. But the developers at Beautiful Glitch showed everyone how it was meant to be done with Monster Prom.

In this game, players choose one of four monsters who are scrambling to find their perfect date for prom from one of the eligible characters available. They must choose their actions and words carefully, or they will be left to attend prom alone. Players have the option to help or hinder their partner and their romantic endeavors, adding a layer of hilarity and chaos to this clearly hilariously chaotic game.

30 A Way Out

Players Must Coordinate Their Efforts

For couples that are not looking for a cozy/cutesy game but something that packs more of a punch, A Way Out is the perfect title. Two prisoners, Leo and Vincent, are attempting a jailbreak and to escape the authorities so they can enjoy their freedom. But breaking out of prison is no small feat, so teamwork is essential to ensure their plans come to fruition.

What makes A Way Out special is that the game is specifically designed for two players — there is no single player option. The only way to play is local or online split screen, so even if the gamers are far apart, they will share a screen. There are plenty of times players will need to coordinate their efforts, such as one player distracting an NPC while the other grabs a set of keys, which makes it perfect for couples to flex just how harmonious their relationship is.

29 Diablo 4

Face Down The Legendary Lilith Together

Diablo returned bigger and better than before, with the stakes raised even higher from Diablo 3. The prophecy speaks of Lilith’s return, and thus, the Wanderer(s), aided by a few more companions, will suit and boot up to ensure her return is a short one.

Five classes return (Barbarian, Druid, Sorcerer, Rogue, and Necromancer), with the brand-new Spiritborn making its debut, to ensure both partners will find a class suiting their tastes and playstyle. Exciting combat and a thrilling story will ensure that couples have a game they can keep returning to for every date night.

28 Minecraft

Rewind With An Oldie But Goldie

There is likely not a gamer alive by now who hasn’t tried their hand at the blocky sandbox survival game that is Minecraft, a title that allows gamers to relax, unwind, and get lost. It opens the doors for all manners of play, from cultivating a farm, to building entire towns, to delving deep into the dungeons.

As such, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Minecraft, and it is even more fun when playing it with a special someone. The two players can team up to create structures, slay enemies, or forage for materials they need to craft whatever their heart desires. There are hours of fun to be had, and countless gaming dates that can be spent here. And with its low requirements, and the classic Minecraft available for free, there is no excuse not to try this title out for date night.

27 Castle Crashers

A Fast-Paced Hack And Slash Adventure

Gamers are likely used to 2D platformers that require them to save a Princess thanks to the Mario game series, but Castle Crashers offers its own refreshing take on this tired trope. Now, players are armed with weapons to hack and slash through their enemies, and since it’s too dangerous to go alone, they can even take someone with them.

The fun is only doubled with another player on the screen who is also trying to hack their way to victory through the hordes of enemies and big boss monsters, making it an ideal game for couples to enjoy together.

26 Left 4 Dead

Blast Through Hordes Of Undead While Working Together

For couples who love high-octane action and frantic gun gameplay, Left 4 Dead is the ideal game for them. They will assume the role of one of the four survivors who are attempting to escape the zombie-ridden city to safety, but there is an army’s worth of undead between them and their escape route.

Large crowds of zombies and special infected make this game more fun than a standard run-of-the-mill zombie game, which is sure to make for a fun date night. What’s more, there is Steam workshop support, so players can customize their game for even more unique fun.

25 Divinity: Original Sin 2

Dive Into An Original Fantasy World With A Loved One

Before Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian was known for Divinity, an RPG series with a unique world bursting with interesting lore, monsters, and NPCs. Original Sin 2 is a marked improvement on the original with improved graphics and a story that is sure to suck the players in and keep them gripped right until the unpredictable finale.

Though the party will normally consist of four, there is nothing stopping a couple from taking two NPCs with them or braving the world and its dangers with just the two of them. Whatever way they choose, the couple is sure to have fun, but the twist finale may just start a lovers’ spat.

24 Baldur’s Gate 3

Bring Swords And Sorcery To The Date Night With This RPG Epic

Even months after its release, Baldur’s Gate 3 is still a hot topic among gamers, especially following the addition of Honour Mode. It follows the story of a number of people infected by Mind Flayer tadpoles who set out on a quest to find a way to cleanse themselves of that infection.

As with past Larian Studios RPGs, players can play with up to three more players and embark on a quest of epic proportions together. It is the perfect game for fantasy-loving couples to enjoy together, and it can definitely occupy couples for much more than just one night.

23 Dead By Daylight

Work Together To Escape The Horror Trials Alive

This multiplayer horror game has withstood the test of time even as other titles in the genre crumbled, which is a testament to its devoted fanbase. Thanks to securing licenses to famous franchises such as Halloween, Scream, and Resident Evil, Dead by Daylight has garnered horror fans far and wide to come together to take the roles of either survivors or killers.

Couples could easily queue up together as survivors and enjoy the thrilling and tense gameplay of DBD as they do their best to evade pursuing killers. Team play for this game is a must, making it the perfect game to experience with someone players share a strong bond with.

22 The Dark Pictures Anthology

An Interactive Horror Movie Experience That Couples Can Influence

The Dark Pictures Anthology is a collection of horror games made by Supermassive Games that follow the same format as their flagship game Until Dawn. The entire first season of The Dark Pictures is now released, so couples can experience all four games without waiting for the next to arrive.

Cooperatively, players will control different characters through each scene, and each can make choices to influence the direction of the game, allowing couples to craft the story as both of them wish. If couples should ever meet up in real life, they can enjoy Movie Night mode, in which two players share one controller and take turns playing the game.

21 BattleBlock Theater

A Fun And Action-Packed Platformer

• Platforms: Xbox 360, PC
• Release Date: April 3rd, 2013
• Developers: The Behemoth, Big Timber Studio
• Genre: Platform

All the world’s a stage, and this is no more true than with the exhilarating platformer BattleBlock Theater. In this game, players must team up together and take on the mischievous technical felines in order to rescue Hatty Hattington.

The full story mode allows two players to work together on their rescue mission, making it the perfect drop in and out game for couples to enjoy. This game is bound to make couples laugh together and create some memories that won’t soon be forgotten.

20 Escape Simulator

Challenging And Fun Puzzles To Solve Together

Everybody knows escape rooms, those fun-day activities where family or friends put their heads together and try to solve a series of puzzles in order to escape from a room that follows themes such as Ancient Egypt, murder mystery, sci-fi, and many more. For people who don’t live in the same city, they can still experience this thrill with Escape Simulator.

Players craft an avatar with a limited but fun selection of character customization options and then load into the themed rooms in which they must discover clues, solve puzzles, and escape. The puzzles are challenging enough that players won’t breeze through but not too difficult that it would lead to a quarrel.

19 Borderlands 2

A Fun And Fast Paced Shooter Game

Often hailed as the best entry in the Borderlands series, Borderlands 2 is a fun run-and-gun shooter that sees players take control of one of four Vault Hunters, those who scour the fictional world of Pandora in search of Vaults that are rumored to hold great treasures.

For gaming couples who want to experience a cooperative game with more substance, Borderlands 2 is the perfect game for them. It has a good story, fleshed-out characters, a main plot, and side quests for them to dive into and enjoy.

18 Phasmophobia

A Terrifying Ghost Hunting Game Perfect For Horror Fans

Horror fans haven’t been forgotten about, and there are many cooperative games that will scare the holy living heck out of them. Phasmophobia is one such game, which revolves around a cast of blank characters who work as ghost hunters. They must infiltrate a chosen map, house, farmhouse, school, prison, and others with their ghost-hunting equipment to determine what sort of entity haunts the premise, but they should take care not to become its next victim.

This game is easy to drop in and drop out of for one or a few rounds, with no complex story or character arcs to follow, making it perfect for a casual gaming date night. And night certainly is the best time to play this terrifying cooperative game.

17 Don’t Starve Together

Players Must Work Together To Survive The Hunger Pangs

Most players are probably familiar with Don’t Starve, a survival game with a unique Tim Burton-esque art style that sees gamers struggling to survive out in the wilderness. They must craft, farm, and fight in order to stay alive for one more day.

Don’t Starve Together is much the same, only with the addition of cooperative play. Players can team up with their loved ones to pull them into this strange and cruel world, and both of them must work together so they don’t starve. It sounds simple enough, but this game will definitely provide a challenge.

16 Cuphead

For Couples Seeking An Aesthetically Pleasing Challenge

For couples who are looking for a game that packs more of a wallop, they should look no further than Cuphead. This tough run-and-gun platformer is done in the style of vintage cartoons with a charming, toon-like soundtrack to accompany it. The infamous difficulty of this game simmers beneath the innocent surface, ensnaring players into repeating tough bosses time and time again.

With a co-op mode, players can share their misery with their loved ones and experience the punishing gameplay together. But nothing is sweeter than the victory that comes from overcoming one of the game’s many challenges.

15 Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime

Requires Precise Team Work, Making It Perfect For Couples

Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime is a space-based shooter game. The forces of Anti-Love are threatening the known universe. To combat this, the player and up to three friends must work together to collectively navigate their psychedelic neon spaceship through the galaxy, encountering threats along the way. Each level layout is randomized, so players will explore new areas each time they play.

Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime is perfect for couples, not just because of the name. The player and their partner must communicate to navigate the shared controls of their ship. Each player must perform equally important duties, like controlling the turrets or the ship’s shields or being in charge of the GPS systems. It can be easy to simply relinquish the controls to the other player, but in this game, that can get quite hectic. This game offers players a great way to develop teamwork and communication skills.

14 Heave Ho

Chaotic And Fun Co-Op Gameplay

Heave Ho is a platform-party game designed for up to four players. The sole aim of the game is to reach the end goal and for players to simply not fall to their deaths. Players can only control their own two arms as they grapple across great chasms and fling themselves into the great beyond.

Playing Heave Ho with a partner can be pure chaos. Players can grip onto each other, putting their full faith and trust in one another. Of course, this can lead to complete trolling and total carnage in what can be described as the ultimate Lion King/Mufasa betrayal. If they’re feeling brave, players can attempt to coordinate their momentum to try and swing their wobbling combined rope-like limbs across the map. Luckily, the respawn time is almost instantaneous.