Game News 12 video games to play as a couple during the end-of-year holidays, a great gift to share
Published on December 24th, 2023 at 8:15 a.m
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End of year celebrations are often an opportunity to get together with loved ones. We often think about family, but it can also allow us to devote more time to our relationship than usual. While some decide to go away for the weekend, others prefer to stay at home in front of the screen and with the controller in their hand. For the latter, the JV editorial team has created a (non-exhaustive) list of twelve games that you can enjoy as a couple!
Selection details
All of the games featured in this list have one thing in common: they can be played locally cooperatively, whether via split-screen or not. Something that you can optimally enjoy as a couple.
Additionally, games with obvious local multiplayer are not mentioned in this selection. For example, Versus Fighting games (Smash Bros., Street Fighter); party games (Mario Party); or even sports games (EA Sports FC; Mario Kart…)
Luigi's Mansion 3: The Nintendo Switch exclusively for sharing between two people
Although Super Mario Bros. Wonder is an exceptional game that can be enjoyed alone or with the family. Luigi's Mansion 3 is more of a recommendation for anyone looking for a game for two people for the holidays. Like his big brothers, Luigi is tasked with saving his loved ones in a haunted house in this third episode. In this case, their resort hotel. All floors offer varied environments that fit well with the duvet/hot chocolate vibe of the holidays. At a certain point in the adventure, thanks to Gooigi, it is even possible to explore the floors and solve the puzzles in pairs.
- Only available on Nintendo Switch.
Buy Luigi's Mansion 3 for Nintendo Switch on Amazon
Children of Morta: the warm Diablo-esque one
Who says couples don't necessarily mean rose water universes: some are anchored in fantastical contexts and offer blood and fight while having fun as a couple. When it comes to hack'n'slash (cutting and editing), one title in particular can accompany your couple's sofa evenings: Children of Morta. The game features the Bergson family, who are responsible for fending off the corruption that is about to invade the world. The focus is on writing the characters who fall victim to their doubts. Many topics are also covered. Definitely something to do as a couple on vacation!
- Children of Morta is available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Buy Children of Morta on Nintendo Switch.
Baldur's Gate 3: The Game of the Year can also be played by two people!
Baldur's Gate 3 has many qualities. Otherwise he would never have been voted for the video game Oscars best title of 2023. This includes the multiplayer features since the game was awarded the trophy in this category. Baldur's Gate 3 is the best adaptation of the board games Dungeon and Dragons and offers true freedom: everyone can experience their own adventure, all decisions and actions of the player have consequences. Almost anything is possible, whether alone or with others. An adventure that will take many evenings due to its lifespan.
- Baldur's Gate 3 is available for PC, PS5, Mac and Xbox Series. However, please note: local split-screen multiplayer is not available on Xbox Series S.
Buy Baldur's Gate 3 on GOG
Overcooked 2: the fireproof couple… from the stove:
Overcooked is probably one of the most popular multiplayer titles in recent years. The first episode must have been a considerable success for Team17, the publisher, to order a second work from the developers of Ghost Town Game two years later. Alone or with four people on the same screen, players must coordinate to satisfy their restaurant's customers. A simple principle at first glance that quickly becomes more complex as the levels progress. Enough to perhaps bring out some people's bad sides when challenge comes knocking.
- Overcooked! 2 is available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Buy Overcooked! 2 on Nintendo Switch.
Haven: a couple's sweet and light adventure on an uninhabited planet
Less difficult than Diablo but more serious than Overcooked, the Haven game is intended for duos looking for frivolous and entertaining exploration. In a very colorful, cell-shaded universe, the two players will embody Yu and Kay. The pair find themselves on the Source, a seemingly uninhabited planet but one that holds many secrets. An adventure that therefore consists of recovering resources in order to survive. You have to feed yourself, but also improve your attacks for fights that require synchronization of both players. In short, Haven offers a light, sweet and colorful journey that you can naturally enjoy during the holidays.
- Haven is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch.
Buy Haven for Nintendo Switch.
Unravel Two: making out together
Unravel Two is the first game on this list where the majority of the gameplay consists of puzzles that need to be solved by two people. Developed by Coldwood Interactive, the title invites you to visit her home country of Sweden through the eyes of Yarny, a ball of yarn. The star of the first opus returns in an episode independent of the first: you don't have to play it to enjoy this new adventure. On the other hand, it is advisable to have two players to fully enjoy it, since two Yarnys (one red and one blue) are playable in this short and easily accessible game.
- Unravel Two is available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Buy Unravel Two for Nintendo Switch.
Degrees of separation: sufficient to blow hot and cold
Degrees of Separation exudes the same aura as the previous game on the list. It mixes platforms, but above all puzzles, with a rare artistic direction. Ember and Rime represent heat and cold, respectively, and must use their complementary powers to solve puzzles. The story was also written by industry veteran Chris Avellone (Fallout, Divinity: Original Sin 2, among others).
- Degrees of Separation is available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Buy Degrees of Separation on Nintendo Switch.
Borderlands 3: the strange FPS
The Borderlands series offers its own crazy universe. With Borderlands 3 it is possible to immerse yourself in these first-person shooter games with their biting humor. In fact, it natively offers local cooperative play. The multiplayer mode adds an extra flavor to the title, as certain characters have specializations that other players take advantage of.
- Borderlands 3 is available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Buy Borderlands 3
Portal 2: Joint brainstorming
With the Portal series, the Valve studio has signed a new video game saga with great success. The second episode uses the same principle as its predecessor: traversing a laboratory with a dimensional pistol. This second one offers more puzzles, has a longer lifespan and, most importantly, offers a two-player split-screen mode! Enough to enjoy together one of the most important video games of all time.
- The portal is only available on PC and Mac.
The Quarry: to tremble for two
Want to extend the Halloween experience two months later? Then The Quarry is the ideal game. Developed by Supermassive Game, the game is considered the new master of horror after Until Dawn and features local collaboration for up to eight players. Enough to fit the plot: Nine young counselors experience an unexpected nightmare night on their last day at summer camp…
- The Quarry is available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series and Xbox One.
Buy The Quarry
It Takes Two: THE game of the year 2021
If there's one game that immediately comes to mind when talking about partner games, it's It Takes Two. This is the latest game developed by Hazelight, a studio known for its many cooperative games (A Way Out, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons). A highlight of their formula, as the title brings with it the Game of the Year award at the Game Awards 2021. The quality of the title lies in its accessibility for those unfamiliar with video games by offering multiple ways to play. The main characters are a man and his wife who are on the verge of divorce and are turned into puppets by their daughter who must put aside their differences to find a human form.
- It Takes Two is available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Buy It Takes Two
Cuphead: for challenge lovers
Despite its release in 2017, Cuphead remains a title that ages well. This is thanks to his artistic direction, which was inspired by Disney's first animated films. Cuphead and Mugman, two men with cup heads, must collect souls for the devil after a dice game that ended badly. The player must pay his debts through multiple platforming levels and shoot 'em up sequences (all challenging). Despite being short, Cuphead remains popular because of its high level of difficulty. A challenge that you can enjoy alone or as a couple.
- Cuphead is available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Mac and Nintendo Switch.
Buy Cuphead
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