Playing with a partner
Games for Couples
Games that genuinely work for two people, including mixed-skill couples and someone playing for the first time.
Recommended games.
Chosen for this specific way to play.
01PC / ps4 / PS5 / xbox one / Xbox Series / switch
Moving Out 2
A chaotic cooperative moving game about carrying furniture through obstacle-filled levels, now with local and cross-play online co-op.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
02PC / mac / linux / ps4 / xbox one / switch / switch 2
Stardew Valley
A farming and life simulation RPG with optional multiplayer, persistent shared farms and platform-specific player limits.
- Build and improve a shared farm at your own pace.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- Low mechanical pressure makes it welcoming for mixed-experience pairs.
03A gentle puzzle platformer about two connected yarn characters navigating environments through movement and cooperation.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
04PC / mac / PS5 / Xbox Series
Baldur's Gate 3
A story-driven party RPG with online multiplayer, split-screen co-op and full cross-play.
- Make dialogue and story choices together.
- Turn-based party tactics leave room to plan each move together.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
05PC / ps4 / PS5 / xbox one / Xbox Series / switch
It Takes Two
A co-op-only action-adventure built around two players solving varied platforming, puzzle and action challenges together.
- Cooperative puzzles make both players part of each solution.
- Different abilities give each player a distinct role.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
06A two-player online puzzle adventure where separated partners must communicate incomplete information to escape a mysterious castle.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingThe controls ask more from new players.
07A light-hearted physics puzzle-platformer where players wobble through open-ended levels, manipulating objects and solving traversal problems.
- Low mechanical pressure makes it welcoming for mixed-experience pairs.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
08PC / mac / linux / Xbox Series / PS5 / switch / mobile
Minecraft
A sandbox building and survival game whose multiplayer behavior differs materially between Java and Bedrock editions.
- Build shared projects in an open-ended world.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- Low mechanical pressure makes it welcoming for mixed-experience pairs.
Worth knowingExpect a little setup before everyone is playing.
09A two-character action-horror campaign built around cooperative combat, shared resources and weapon upgrades.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
010A colorful fantasy puzzle platformer where up to four players combine distinct character abilities to cross inventive levels.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
011PC / PS5 / Xbox Series / switch 2
Split Fiction
A co-op-only action-adventure for two players that alternates between sci-fi and fantasy worlds.
- Different abilities give each player a distinct role.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
012PC / xbox one / Xbox Series
Party Animals
A physics-based multiplayer party brawler where players fight, cooperate and compete in chaotic objective-driven arenas.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
013A slapstick physics brawler where gelatinous fighters grapple, punch and throw each other from hazardous arenas.
- Low mechanical pressure makes it welcoming for mixed-experience pairs.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
014A social mini-golf game with simultaneous online play, themed courses and optional chaotic modifiers.
- Low mechanical pressure makes it welcoming for mixed-experience pairs.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
015One player defuses a procedural bomb while teammates use a separate manual and communicate what to do.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
016A competitive party platformer where players build a shared obstacle course while trying to be the ones who finish it.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
017A relaxing first-person simulation about methodically cleaning detailed environments alone or with online friends.
- Low mechanical pressure makes it welcoming for mixed-experience pairs.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
018PC
PlateUp!
A restaurant management roguelite with local and online cooperative cooking.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
019A minimalist roguelite about surviving escalating enemy swarms while combining automatic weapons into overwhelming builds.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
020A collection of classic science-fiction shooters offering multiple campaigns, cooperative play and competitive multiplayer.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
021PC / ps4 / xbox one
A Way Out
A co-op-only cinematic action-adventure about two prisoners whose stories and gameplay are designed around two players.
- Low mechanical pressure makes it welcoming for mixed-experience pairs.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
022PC
Terraria
A 2D sandbox adventure focused on exploration, combat, crafting and building.
- Build shared projects in an open-ended world.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
023A cooperative survival crafting game set in a research facility overrun by paranormal threats and hostile forces.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingThe controls ask more from new players.
024A cooperative looter shooter combining character skill trees, a long campaign and an enormous stream of randomized weapons.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
025A cooperative looter shooter with fluid gunplay, distinct character builds and a campaign spanning several planets.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
026A mining sandbox adventure where players build an underground base, farm, craft, explore and defeat bosses.
- Build and improve a shared farm at your own pace.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
027A first-person zombie action RPG with detailed melee combat, character builds and three-player online cooperative play.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
028An accessible open-world racing game set in Britain with dynamic seasons, hundreds of cars and seamless social events.
- Low mechanical pressure makes it welcoming for mixed-experience pairs.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
029An accessible open-world racing game with hundreds of cars, varied events and seamless social play.
- Low mechanical pressure makes it welcoming for mixed-experience pairs.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
030A four-player cooperative zombie FPS built around dynamic hordes, tightly paced campaigns and complementary teamwork.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
031A cooperative zombie FPS built around four-survivor campaigns, dynamic hordes and complementary teamwork.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
032PC / mac / linux
Portal 2
A first-person puzzle game with a separate two-player cooperative campaign built around coordinated portal mechanics.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
033PC / ps4 / PS5 / xbox one / Xbox Series / switch
Rocket League
A competitive vehicle-soccer game where teams use boost, aerial control and positioning to score goals in short matches.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
034A colorful multiplayer obstacle-course party game built around short elimination rounds and physical comedy.
- Low mechanical pressure makes it welcoming for mixed-experience pairs.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
035PC / ps4 / xbox one / switch
Overcooked! 2
A chaotic cooking game supporting local and online cooperative play for up to four players.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
036PC
PAYDAY 2
A four-player cooperative heist shooter with stealth and loud approaches, varied objectives and extensive build customization.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
037A four-player cooperative action game blending brutal melee combat and gunplay against overwhelming science-fiction hordes.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
038A four-player cooperative action game focused on visceral first-person melee combat against dense enemy hordes.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
039A cooperative third-person zombie shooter built around enormous swarms, class roles and globe-spanning campaign episodes.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
040An online action RPG about building a character, clearing dungeons and collecting increasingly powerful equipment in a dark open world.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
041A party-based fantasy RPG with systemic exploration, consequential choices and tactical turn-based combat for up to four players.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingThe controls ask more from new players.
042An open-world zombie action RPG centered on parkour, melee combat, exploration and cooperative story play.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
043PC
Grounded
A backyard survival adventure about crafting gear, building bases and battling insects at miniature scale.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
044A hunting action RPG about tracking large monsters, mastering distinct weapons and crafting equipment from their parts.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
045An open-world tactical shooter about dismantling a cartel through reconnaissance, stealth and coordinated combat.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
046PC
PEAK
A cooperative climbing adventure about surviving a dangerous ascent on a mysterious island.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
047A cooperative wave-survival shooter about class synergy, weapon upgrades and fighting increasingly dangerous mutant hordes.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
048An open-world zombie action game combining first-person parkour, survival combat, crafting and a cooperative campaign.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
049A cooperative survival action RPG about exploring a ruined fantasy world, crafting equipment and building elaborate bases.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
050A vast procedural space sandbox about exploring planets, upgrading equipment, building bases and travelling together.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
051PC
Palworld
An open-world survival game combining creature collection, combat, crafting, base building and production work.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
052A first-person factory-building game about automating production chains across a large alien world.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingThe controls ask more from new players.
053PC
V Rising
A vampire survival action RPG about gathering resources, building a castle and defeating bosses to unlock new powers.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
054PC / Xbox Series / PS5 / switch 2
Valheim
A cooperative Viking survival game centered on exploration, building, crafting and bosses.
- Build shared projects in an open-ended world.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
055PC
Raft
An ocean survival adventure where players scavenge debris, expand a raft and explore story islands together.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
056A fast cooperative roguelike shooter where escalating enemy pressure meets powerful randomized item combinations.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
057PC / Xbox Series / PS5
Sea of Thieves
An online pirate adventure built around sailing, exploration, treasure hunting, PvE and PvP.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
058PC
Cuphead
A hand-drawn run-and-gun game built around precise platforming, pattern-heavy boss fights and two-player local co-op.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
059PC
Factorio
A deep automation game about designing factories, managing logistics and scaling production from raw ore to rockets.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
060A challenging cooperative action RPG combining third-person gunplay, boss fights and procedurally assembled worlds.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
061A first-person survival horror game about building shelter, exploring a hostile peninsula and uncovering what happened there.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
062PC / xbox one / Xbox Series / ps4 / PS5
Deep Rock Galactic
A 1–4 player cooperative FPS about dwarven miners completing missions in procedurally generated destructible caves.
- Distinct classes reward teammates who combine their strengths.
- Work through clear mission objectives as a team.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
063PC / PS5 / Xbox Series
Phasmophobia
A four-player online cooperative psychological horror game about identifying ghosts using investigation equipment and teamwork.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
064A methodical tactical FPS about planning and executing high-risk police operations with careful team coordination.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
065A challenging cooperative action RPG combining third-person gunplay, character builds and procedurally assembled worlds.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
066A first-person survival horror game about building shelter, exploring caves and surviving a hostile island.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
067PC
Warframe
A free cooperative online action game built around fluid movement, shooting, melee combat and deep equipment builds.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
068A dinosaur survival sandbox about taming creatures, building fortified bases and progressing through dangerous worlds.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
069A cooperative wilderness survival sandbox about gathering resources, crafting, fighting and surviving seasonal threats.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
070A detailed isometric zombie survival sandbox focused on scavenging, long-term preparation and inevitable risk.
- Scavenging gives the group a risky objective on every run.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
071A cinematic western action adventure with a richly simulated open world, a long story campaign and a separate online mode.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
072A co-op horror game about scavenging dangerous abandoned moons to meet a company quota.
- Scavenging gives the group a risky objective on every run.
- Each run turns a shared quota into a clear group goal.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
073An asymmetric horror game where one killer hunts four survivors repairing objectives and attempting escape.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Especially well suited to playing with partner.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
074A definitive edition of the classic historical real-time strategy game with extensive campaigns and competitive multiplayer.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
075PC
R.E.P.O.
An online co-op horror game about extracting physics-based valuables while avoiding monsters.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
076A competitive 2D fighting game with modern accessibility options, precise neutral play and deep character mastery.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
077A historical real-time strategy game about growing settlements, advancing through ages and commanding armies.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
078PC
GTFO
A demanding four-player cooperative horror shooter where stealth, scarce resources and precise coordination are essential.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
079A turn-based 4X strategy game about building a civilization through exploration, research, diplomacy and war.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingThe controls ask more from new players.
080PC
TEKKEN 8
A 3D fighting game centered on close-range movement, character-specific combos and aggressive competitive play.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
081An open-world crime management simulation with optional online co-op.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
082A character-driven grand strategy game about guiding a medieval dynasty through politics, relationships, intrigue and war.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingThe controls ask more from new players.
083An open-world action RPG built around exploration, demanding combat, flexible character builds and imposing boss fights.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
084A science-fiction grand strategy game about exploring a procedural galaxy, developing an empire and meeting alien civilizations.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingThe controls ask more from new players.
085PC / PS5 / Xbox Series
Helldivers 2
An online squad shooter for up to four players focused on cooperative missions, friendly fire and a shared galactic war.
- Work through clear mission objectives as a team.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
086A demanding action RPG with stance-based combat, deep character builds, abundant loot and online cooperative expeditions.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
087A free online action RPG known for intricate character builds, a vast passive tree, item crafting and extensive endgame systems.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
088An online action RPG with deliberate combat, flexible character builds, item-driven progression and a demanding endgame.
- Gathering and crafting create practical jobs to share.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
089A fantasy strategy game combining turn-based empire management with massive real-time tactical battles.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
090A detailed World War II grand strategy game about national planning, production, logistics, diplomacy and military operations.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
091A free-to-play tactical FPS combining large-scale warfare with an extraction mode built around squads, loot and objectives.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
092A hardcore PvPvE extraction shooter about hunting monsters and rival players, claiming a bounty, and escaping alive with what you earned.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
093A 4–8-player online and local party game mixing a competitive board mode with destructive minigames.
- Different experience levels can still contribute meaningfully together.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
094A hardcore extraction FPS where players raid, fight, loot and attempt to extract with their gear.
- A strong fit for 2 players.
- Works well with two players.
- Chosen with mixed-skill pairs in mind.
Worth knowingCan get intense when the group is under pressure.
How we choose
Selection criteria
Support is only the start. The list also considers whether each game is a good experience for this exact intent.
- Excellent with two players
- Low teaching and setup friction
- Strong mixed-skill suitability
Need something more specific?
Tell us the whole setup.
Add your exact group, platforms, session length and mood.