3 PS5 Games for Couples, With a Plan for Your First Night

Choose by the kind of teamwork you enjoy

It Takes Two: consider it when both people want a story designed around two participants. Sackboy: A Big Adventure: consider it when jumping through a crafted world sounds appealing. Overcooked! All You Can Eat: consider it when dividing jobs under time pressure sounds fun. These fit suggestions are our editorial judgment, not measured difficulty ratings.

Before choosing, each finish this sentence: “Tonight I would enjoy ___, but I do not want ___.” If one answer is “a story, but no rushing” and the other is “something light, but no long setup,” use those limits to decide together rather than treating the most popular game as the automatic winner.

1. It Takes Two: commit to playing as a pair

The official It Takes Two page describes a two-player co-op adventure with local split-screen and online play. Its story follows a couple whose relationship is in trouble. For online Friend’s Pass play, one person owns the game; the FAQ says both need PlayStation Plus on PlayStation, and cross-generation play is supported but cross-platform play is not.

Our first-session suggestion: choose a stopping point together before launching, then let each person learn their controls without the other taking over. After a failed attempt, ask “another try, a hint, or a break?” If a relationship-conflict story is not what either person wants tonight, pick another setting. A romantic premise is not a reason to push through an uncomfortable evening.

2. Sackboy: A Big Adventure: share a platforming outing

The official Sackboy page lists one to four local players and optional online multiplayer. It is a 3D platforming adventure; the listed online mode requires PlayStation Plus. Check the store listing for your region and edition before buying, especially for language availability.

Our first-session suggestion: make reaching the next agreed stopping point your shared goal instead of collecting everything. If one person is quicker, ask whether the other wants directions before giving them. For example: “Would you like me to point out where I jumped, or would you rather try first?” Restarting together can be more useful than turning one partner into an audience. This is a suggested approach, not a claim about a particular assist mechanic.

3. Overcooked! All You Can Eat: divide the kitchen jobs

PlayStation’s local multiplayer guide lists this edition for two to four local players. It describes cooperative kitchen orders and an assist mode with slower timers and level skipping. Make sure you check All You Can Eat rather than assume another Overcooked edition has identical options.

Our first-session suggestion: start with a simple division such as ingredients versus assembly, then adjust after one attempt. Say “I need a plate” instead of “you are too slow.” If repeating a level stops being enjoyable, try the documented assist options or stop. Choose this when a busy shared task sounds appealing; if either person wants a quiet, unhurried evening, choose a different activity.

Set up the evening before buying another game

Confirm that you have access to the exact edition, sufficient storage and two working compatible controllers. Read its local-player listing separately from its online requirements. Downloading and updating can use the time you meant to spend playing, so check those before your planned start. These are preparation checks, not a promise of a particular installation time.

Use a small agreement: one introductory session, no obligation to finish a chapter, and either person can ask to stop. If you already own a suitable game, try that before purchasing another. A useful first-night outcome is learning whether you both enjoy the format, not earning a score.

Example plan: agree on the game and stopping point, take turns explaining one control you found useful, try one challenge together, then decide whether to continue. If skill levels differ, ask how much guidance is welcome; do not take someone’s controller without asking.

Local co-op, online play or no console?

Local co-op means you share a console; online play connects separate setups and can carry different account, subscription or ownership requirements. The It Takes Two FAQ explicitly distinguishes its offline couch mode from online requirements. Do not assume a Friend’s Pass is unrestricted free access to the whole game for both people.

If you are apart and do not want a console purchase, try our text and call games. If neither person wants a screen tonight, our games without props have complete rules and examples. Those alternatives have a different setup from PS5 multiplayer.