In This Household, Every Game Becomes a Co-Op Adventure

Lately, my husband and I have found ourselves engrossed in Portal 2—a game that many would agree stands as one of the best couch co-op experiences out there today. Even though Hazelight’s It Takes Two has also made significant waves in the co-op gaming scene, Portal 2 holds a special place in our hearts. Now, there are a few others I’d mention too, but when it comes to games where teamwork is absolutely key to either reaching the end or simply enhancing the enjoyment, we tend to transform a wide variety of games into co-op sessions in our household.

Our journey into this cooperative gaming style really took off with The Quarry. This interactive narrative, filled with a star-studded cast and numerous characters, offers a local co-op mode that’s all about passing the controller around for decision-making, trying to avoid obstacles like falling trees. We decided to skip the built-in co-op mode though; we tackled it as a team, discussing each choice, often pausing to mull over clues or recall previous dialogues. We’ve probably gone through The Quarry three or four times now, with one of us holding the controller and the other bustling in the kitchen, dinner prep underway. We took a similar approach with Overboard!, a brilliant twist on the classic whodunit where you play as the murderer looking to escape detection. This game, in particular, lends itself well to our playstyle since it’s designed to be played multiple times, each run unveiling new objectives and pathways.

These makeshift co-op games, often rich in narrative and brimming with decisions, have become our go-to choice for unwinding on weeknights. Starting a new game has even turned into a fun winter date night tradition. It’s a delightful way to introduce each other to the games we’ve been individually enjoying too. Sharing these game stories together also deepens our connection, much like how we were both moved by the emotional ending of Firewatch.

So, with anticipation, I’m eagerly looking forward to Hazelight’s upcoming title, Split Fiction. But I’m just as thrilled about Expelled!, another game set in the universe of Overboard! which promises to be a new favorite that I’ll undoubtedly explore with my partner for countless hours.