Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and love is in the air… or maybe it’s just your favorite game soundtrack setting the mood. Whether you’re a competitive duo or a team that loves to strategize together, there’s no better way to celebrate this special day than by bonding over great games.

At Exaud, we’re passionate about both relationships and gaming (a perfect match, if you ask us). That’s why we’ve asked three of our developers to share their favorite games to play with their partners. From co-op adventures to heartwarming stories, they’ve got some fantastic recommendations to help you and your Player 2 have a memorable Valentine’s Day.
 

Grab your controllers and let’s dive in!

I Commissioned Some Bees 

Daniel Paiva: “I am the kind of gamer that enjoys trying everything. If it is free, different or weird, I will probably try it. The Stanley Parable, Antichamber, 14 Minesweeper Variants, Rusty Lake, Parking Garage Rally Circuit, Nuts, Slider, Chop Goblins, The Looker, Hidden Folks, Été, Omnibus....I will play them all! (Correction: I would if I had about 35 hours per day). So, when I hear about a free game with bees and weird drawings, I am trying it.

And that is where it started, with “I commissioned some bees 0” (the free/demo version), a game where: someone commissioned some drawings with bees hidden in them, and you must find those bees. I finish it and buy a few more “bees”, for later, and later, Raquel joins me. We finished those and went on to “I commissioned some Cats”, “...Dogs”, “...Bunnys” and, to the competition, “A Castle Full of Cats” - which mixes “hidden object” with a “metroidvania” map, so it is different and weird (also it was actually made by cats, look it up).

This is a great game to play with your significant other (or anyone, really), even if they are not a “pro gamer”, because it is laid back and only requires patience and attention to detail, there are no timers or scores, just have fun!”

Two Point Hospital 

Gonçalo de Jesus: “Very few games can turn management simulation into a laugh-out-loud escapade for two, but Two Point Hospital does it with hilarious charm. There are many problems to solve in the hospital you build from the ground up, and two heads think better than one.

Whether you're planning the layout for a new department or figuring out who to fire to keep the budget in check, Two Point Hospital's delight and playfulness will guarantee a smile on your faces in any situation. One of the best takeaways from this game is how differently each person approaches the same issue, and it's a great exercise in communication and teamwork to get to the optimal solution. Bonus points if either of you work in healthcare! Just don't use any in-game logic in the real world—patients might not appreciate being treated for illnesses that don't exist!

For extra laughs, turn it into a drinking game: sip each time you place a bench, or add a plant for every new patient. Soon enough, your hospital might look more like a greenhouse! Overall, it's one of the most complete games if you're looking for a laugh and a good time, while your virtual Dr. House tackles a patient's Premature Mummification or Cubism.

So grab your partner and take a shot at managing a hospital. After all, nothing says 'I love you' like teaming up to cure a case of Cubism - and giggling all the way through.”

Disney Illusion Island

Francisco Leites: "For this Valentine's day I wholeheartedly recommend Disney Illusion Island: a co-op platformer with Metroidvania elements (i.e.: connected map, upgrades unlocking new areas, boss fights, many secrets, etc.), but forgoes combat. Instead, players have to complete platforming challenges to beat bosses.

With its charming visuals, sense of humour, and tight gameplay, combined with forgiving mechanics and difficulty tweaking options, it's probably one of the best introductory videogames I've had the pleasure to play. At the time, my wife Thays, had never really played video games, and we were looking for something fun to experience together, and so I suggested we give Disney Illusion Island a try. We started by picking our characters and, oddly enough, instead of picking the classic couple Mickey and Minnie, we deviated towards Donald and Goofy as they are our favorite characters. This turned out to be the best decision we could have made as our characters' upgrades revolved around dangerous, but hilarious, contraptions and food, which kept us laughing and eager to see what silly ability we’d unlock next.

Throughout the playthrough we hit some bumps, mainly due to her gaming ability, but the game allows players to take their time. More often than not, we ended up laughing at our failures, especially after boasting about our 'sick moves' and promptly falling to our deaths. Some of the most intense moments came when we were both down to 1HP, trying to navigate difficult terrain, only to fail spectacularly and burst into laughter again. With some patience and perseverance, we not only beat the game but even went on to 100% complete it!

Finally, to celebrate finishing our first game together, we bought LEGO keychains of both characters used in our playthrough, Goofy for her and Donald for me, that we still use to this day!"

We hope our recommendations have inspired you to pick up a controller and try something new this Valentine’s Day. After all, every great Player 1 needs their Player 2, and what better way to celebrate your love than by leveling up together? Grab your favorite game, some snacks, and let the fun begin. Happy Valentine’s Day!