Valentine’s Day has always been more about celebrating love, devotion, and meaningful social connection than the contemporary romantic consumerism ritual it has come to be reimagined as today. This year, while you are making big plans for the “for him” or “for her” packages as you should, it is also worth considering activities that genuinely strengthen your relationship. One of those is video games.

Not just any games, but ones designed for two. According to a new study from Logitech G, a gaming hardware firm, couples who play video games together report higher relationship satisfaction than non-gaming partners. The research, conducted with independent firm Antenna Insights, surveyed over 1,500 Australians between the ages of 18 and 45 and found that partners who play video games together at least once a week recorded a net relationship satisfaction score of +47, compared with +24 among non-gaming partners.

Researchers attribute this to the active interaction gaming encourages, where couples solve problems, coordinate strategies, or compete in a low-stakes environment. These experiences can influence core relationship essentials like communication, collaboration, compromise, and patience. Below are seven such games that bring those qualities to life.

‘It Takes Two’ (Hazelight Games)

Few co-op games lay out relationship dynamics as well as It Takes Two. Built entirely around partnership, it follows a couple, Cody and May, working through the cracks in their marriage while navigating the gameplay mechanics. One moment you are solving puzzles, the next you are timing jumps or coordinating gadgets. What makes it special is how it fosters communication. You cannot brute-force your way through it alone. It turns cooperation into the main character, and couples are forced to complement each other’s abilities and tools in each level.

‘Overcooked 1 & 2’ (Ghost Town Games)

Overcooked 2 throws couples into absurd kitchens where the world never stops moving. Success depends on clear communication and quick coordination, but the real appeal is the constant humour despite the high-energy activities. Yes, it can spark playful arguments, but it also builds a kind of shorthand communication couples often carry into real life.

‘A Way Out’ (Hazelight Games)

Also by Hazelight Games, A Way Out is one of the most intense co-op concepts in recent memory. It is strictly two-player and follows two convicted felons planning and executing a jailbreak. The split-screen presentation keeps both perspectives visible at all times, which naturally forces awareness of what your partner is doing. It is cinematic and built around trust, timing, and joint decision-making with high shared stakes.

‘Portal 2 Co-op Mode’ (Valve)

A masterclass in teamwork, this co-op campaign strips away ego and replaces it with shared problem-solving, where each player literally creates portals that the other depends on. There is no rush, just intentional collaboration layered with humour that makes completing the puzzles together uniquely satisfying. Here, you’re practically solving a riddle neither of you could crack alone.

‘Unravel Two’ (Coldwood Interactive)

Aesthetically pleasing and emotionally resonant, Unravel Two follows two yarn figures tethered together and moving through environments inspired by real-world relationships and memories. The thread connecting them becomes mechanical, requiring support and occasional sacrifice that characterise a healthy relationship.

‘Cuphead’ (Studio MDHR)

Cuphead pairs vintage cartoon aesthetics with relentless boss battles that demand precision and coordination. Couples often cycle through frustration and laughter in equal measure. It is not about relaxing; it is about persistence together, with every victory having that collective feel and every defeat becoming a shared experience you build on.

‘Stardew Valley’ 

Developed by indie creator Eric Barone, Stardew Valley is a domestic kind of co-op that involves running a shared farm; dividing the responsibilities, managing time, and building something steadily together. Some couples focus on efficiency, others lean into the cosy routine. Either way, it encourages patience and creativity