It’s that time of the year again. Valentine’s Day; a time of desolate pain, suffering and discounted chocolates.
…It’s also a time of ardent love and affection, but that’s neither here nor there. It may be easy to tell which definition I believe. Nonetheless, I still wish to offer a little something for everyone this Valentine’s Day season. It doesn’t matter if you already have a partner, if have a hankering to really test your relationship, or if you’re still searching for that special someone; there’s a game here for everyone!
Stardew Valley
If you’re looking for a nice, calming multiplayer experience with your significant other, there are few better options than Stardew Valley, a game where you (and potentially another) turn a dying farm into a lushious paradise. Growing crops, mining, fishing, and chatting with the locals are all relaxing tasks couples can accomplish together, and over a long period of time, no less. Players can also romance certain townsfolk, which is probably a terrible idea while you’re sitting right next to your significant other.
Luckily, the game supports online co-op as well.
Overcooked
Overcooked is a dangerous game; probably the most dangerous one on this list. Communication is key in a relationship, and Overcooked really tests that, forcing couples (acting as chefs) to bob-and-weave through increasingly treacherous kitchens in an inevitably vain attempt to appease famished customers. Completing orders on time and keeping the kitchen running (especially while it’s on fire) permits only the best, most coordinated groups. And even then, no matter what, there will be screaming. There will be conflict. There will be someone sleeping on the couch that night.
Don’t let it be you, my friend.
Hatoful Boyfriend
Fun fact; “hato” means “heart” in Japanese. Incidentally, “hato” also means “pigeon.”
…Alright, look, I know what you’re thinking, and I’m not any happier about it than you are. Yes, Hatoful Boyfriend is a dating simulator about birds. Pigeons, specifically, but there are more pressing matters to worry about, such as;
Why does this exist?
Who is this for?
And why is it unironically good?
Like, this game about dating actual pigeons is much more interesting and emotional than it has any right to be. There’s some serious lore here that attempts to explain some burning questions any sane person would have, like why they’re the only human in a school full of pigeons. Also, apparently, there are even government conspiracies to unravel. In a game about dating photorealistic pigeons.
If you’re ready to test your mettle against the most fowl of lovers, all while taking on the schemes of a bird government, then this is the experience for you. Just don’t let anyone see you playing it. Explaining it to a passerby will be even more difficult than you think.
Trust me.
