Lately, my husband and I have found ourselves immersed in the gaming world of Portal 2, which we hold as the quintessential couch co-op experience of our time. While Hazelight’s It Takes Two was a game-changer for the genre, Portal 2 has a special place in our hearts. Sure, there are other games that come to mind, but when I say co-op, I mean the kind that require you to really collaborate, enhancing the entire journey to completion. In our home, we’ve turned numerous games into team adventures.
Our escapades in co-op play took an interesting twist when we tried out The Quarry, a narrative-driven game featuring a star-studded cast. This game allows players to engage in local co-op by taking turns with the controller to navigate choices and avoid unexpected obstacles. However, we decided to play differently. We partnered up, deliberating over each decision, often pausing to dissect a clue or recall past dialogue. This approach led us to replay The Quarry a good three or four times, one of us commanding the controller, while the other whipped up dinner in the kitchen. We adopted a similar style with Overboard!, a game where you play as the villain trying to avoid getting caught—a format perfect for multiple playthroughs thanks to its varied objectives and pathways.
These narrative-rich, decision-heavy games have become our staple for cozy weeknights, and they’re an ideal choice when winter date nights come around. They also serve as a delightful way for us to introduce one another to new games we’ve been enjoying. Experiencing these stories together deepens our connection, much like how the ending of Firewatch once moved us to tears as we sat together on the couch.
So, while I eagerly await Hazelight’s next creation, Split Fiction, I’m equally thrilled for Expelled!—a forthcoming game set in the Overboard! universe. It’s bound to become another game we’ll explore together, spending countless hours in its world.
