Off the Shelf Media

Whether you’re gaming from the couch, separate rooms, or separate households, videogames offer a great option for a cozy night in on date night. 

Scouring the internet, most sites will suggest the same few titles over and over again. And while these games, such as A Way Out, Split Fiction, It Takes Two, or even Unravel Two, are on these lists for good reason, it doesn’t offer any new ideas if you and your significant other have already completed your playthrough! 

Of course, these titles are on our honorable mentions list, but if you’ve already given them a go, here are a few additional games to consider on your next date night. 

So, without further ado, here is our (tested and approved) list of the top 7 co-op games for couples (in no particular order). 

Untitled Goose Game

When I first took up gaming as a hobby again after a brief hiatus during college, the Untitled Goose Game was one of the first titles I picked up. 

Its cute, quirky style was enough to grab my attention, and the obvious humor from watching the trailer convinced me to buy it. 

The game is described as “a slapstick-stealth-sandbox, where you are a goose let loose on an unsuspecting village.” It’s a pretty apt description. 

At first, I attempted the game in single-player mode. Admittedly, I was not getting very far on my own. So, I enlisted some help and found much greater success and had more fun playing in co-op mode. 

Essentially, each task is a puzzle to be solved and a maze to be completed. Not only are two heads better than one, but two geese will wreak a lot more havoc than one, which really adds to the overall experience of the game. 

Plus, the game itself will only take a few hours to complete, especially with two players. All in all, it’s a great date night game for a couple that likes to laugh and not take things too seriously. 

To that point, it also has a dedicated honk button, which is quite hilarious until both partners are doing little but honking back and forth at each other for minutes on end. Still, it’s an easy breezy game to tackle together, even for the untraditional gamer. 

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition 

For the majority of couples, especially when one person is only a casual gamer, this title is a much harder sell. Hear me out. 

Personally, I don’t love strategy games. It’s simply not my cup of tea. However, if there is one strategy game I do enjoy, it’s Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. 

The replayability of Age of Empires is truly where this one shines. Of course, there is a story mode if you want, but it’s a much better game when played with a partner.

Play it once. Or play it a million times. Mix and match your map, your team, or your country of choice. Compete against the computer or each other. It’s really a game that matches whatever appetite you have. 

Teamwork and communication are key, however, when playing on the same side. Chat through each player’s strengths and weaknesses and contribute as a team toward a common goal or risk being swallowed up by your opponents. 

Though be warned, the quickest way for date night to turn into a fight is by stealing someone else’s Relic. You each will get one, no need to be greedy! 

Stardew Valley

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times. Stardew Valley is a perfect game. 

In my review, I rave about the gameplay and features in single-player, but it is an equally incredible game when playing with others. 

By far, Stardew Valley is my favorite game on this list. It is also the biggest time investment on this list, but that investment will be very much by choice, trust me. 

Though you can play Stardew Valley for as little as roughly 20 minutes per in-game day (it saves when you sleep), I would guess that you’ll be having so much fun that you play for hours upon hours. 

With your partner, pick a location for your brand new, joint farm and get to work. When playing alone, Stardew Valley is certainly a grind, but a fun one. When playing with others, it becomes a much more manageable task. The hardest decision than becomes what to do with your earnings. 

If you aren’t the type that enjoys combat, have your partner venture into the mines for resources. Or, if you’re feeling up to it, tackle the mines together for double the progress. Have one person be assigned to caring for the farm animals while the other tends to the crops. 

Split up the work in whatever fashion suits you, but don’t forget to both hit the Saloon on Friday nights to share a drink with the town. 

Overcooked 2!

Though I said at the top of the article that we would try to avoid popular duplicates, I had to include Overcooked 2!. If I’m being honest, I found my way to this game from other lists exactly like this one. 

This game, in my opinion, is best played next to your partner on the couch, where you can yell at each other face-to-face. And I’m only partially kidding. 

Overcooked 2! is a fast-paced, collaborative cooking game. When played between two people, everyone will need to be on their A-game to successfully accomplish the challenges and tasks at hand. 

Much like in a real partnership, divvy up the work, play to your strengths, and get it done. And, if you can help it, make a relatively small mess as you go! 

The Headliners 

The Headliners is technically a horror game, but not really. 

The premise: you’re a team of journalists in a city being run rampant by monsters, aliens, and the like. The more carnage you capture, the more payment you receive – even if the carnage is at the expense of your fellow journalist. 

Expect to get a few jump scares and run for your life back to the news helicopter after you’ve used up all of your film. The braver of the two of you might need to occasionally serve as bait to ensure you get the craziest photo possible. Just don’t get caught. And if you do, make sure to capture the moment in film. 

If you’re a couple that enjoys some friendly competition, this is a perfect option to see who can secure the better photo. 

At the time of writing this, I believe the game is only available on Steam, though I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes sooner rather than later. 

Valheim

If you’re a fan of Minecraft, you’ll be a fan of Valheim. It’s essentially the same when it comes to the basics, with a bit of a Viking flair. Mine materials, explore different biomes, engage in combat as needed, and build amazing forts.

Similar to Stardew Valley, what makes Valheim great in multiplayer is that you can split up the tasks to fit your style. If you hate games with combat but love to decorate, send your partner out to collect supplies. Even if you both are so-so with combat, go together to have each other’s backs while you explore the map.  

Unlike a few of the other suggestions, this game also has a basic story to follow and offers rewards for defeating bosses and progressing said story. However, if you truly don’t want to play it that way, you really don’t have it. 

Come and go as you please in the game and pick and choose your playstyle. 

Sea of Thieves

Finally, we arrive at Sea of Thieves. This game has been around for a while, and it does regularly get updates, so it’s glitch-free, mostly. 

If you’re a casual gamer or want to come and go in a game as you please, Sea of Thieves is a great option. 

Each time you load, you’re essentially starting fresh. You’ll always have the same standard weapons, so you need not worry about losing progress or being underpowered when playing with others. Though your options are limited, that’s part of what makes it so fun. Every player is equal. 

As the name suggests, you’re a pirate exploring the vast ocean for treasures of all kinds. If you have a freer playstyle, simply stock up your boat at the dock and venture off in any direction. If you are mission or story-driven, there are options to play there as well. 

It’s a great entry-level game for any type of gamer, which is what makes it fun to play as a couple. It doesn’t matter if one person spends 40 hours a week playing while the other plays every 4 months. Any kind of gamer can find a way to have fun with Sea of Thieves. 

Showing an interest in your partner’s interests has always been a piece of dating advice. Of course, for some couples, that interest is gaming. 

What is your go-to game for date night? If you’d like to see us stream these titles or other games on Twitch or our YouTube channel, leave us a comment!