Netflix and chill has its limits, from my own experience it equates to about 40 minutes of flicking through all the movies, TV series and documentaries we’ve either already seen or simple don’t care enough about to have watched the last 400 times we skipped past them. This is then followed by a 5 minute argument about which of us is the most indecisive, to which one of us would respond by putting on one of their favourite films to show how decisive we can be under pressure and the other would silently sulk for the next 30 minutes.

So why not change things up a bit? Why not get those good old juices pumping and get busy with your hands by playing a video game with your partner this Valentine’s day? Whether your partner is an avid, casual or a complete non-gamer here’s 7 games you could play together to avoid the obligatory Valentine’s Day set of rom-coms (If you’re single then I guess you could just play For Honor or something?).

Portal 2 (PC/PS3/Xbox 360)

Working out puzzles is sexy, I think that’s something that’s universally recognised as an acceptable train of thought, right?

Portal 2 with its split screen cooperative experience is a great game to sit down with your better half and play, the simple concept but fantastic level design makes it both accessible and engaging for all skill levels and will absolutely guarantee a well spent Valentine’s date.

Telltale: The Walking Dead Series (PC/PS3/PS4/Xbox 360/Xbox One/Android/iOS)

Although not strictly a cooperative or even multiplayer game, Telltale game series are pretty much a measure to check the moral compass of the person that wants to occupy your personal space. The multiple decisions that have to be made throughout Telltale’s signature point and click adventures can be a very effective vetting process for a blossoming relationship. Although you could play a number of the series that Telltale have released, The Walking Dead series stands above the rest, and if they mistreat Clementine in any form throughout the experience then we’ve just saved you from a future failed marriage… you’re welcome.

Overcooked (PC/PS4/Xbox One)

Don’t overlook Overcooked, I did so the first few times I spotted it and you’d be slightly forgiven for doing the same. This game offers a very satisfying and solid cooperative experience, with teamwork and communication being the absolute essence of how to succeed.

After playing this with your partner you could translate those cooking and teamwork skills into the real world and open a bakery together, this will result in the eventual crushing realisation that working and living together can only be sustained by the growing hate that now festers between you both, and may very well end up with one of you standing over the bloodied stab riddled corpse of the one you formerly used to call ‘Pudding’. It’s very much a slippery slope… so we suggest just play Overcooked together and things should pan out fine (pan intended, double pun more intended).

Rayman Legends (PC/PS3/Ps4/Xbox 360/Xbox One/Wii U/Switch) 

Rayman Legends is an absolute blast, one of the tightest and most satisfying platformers released in the past few years, this game will see you and your partner smashing through a diverse range of levels together. Although it may not get those hormones flowing in the same way a sensual massage would, Rayman Legends does have a great musical rendition of ‘Black Betty’ with bags of charm and will leave you both with a wry little smile on your faces… then you can have that sensual massage.

7 Days to Die (PC/PS4/Xbox One)

7 days to die is a bit of a contentious entry to our list, the game isn’t the most accessible to get fully immersed. But if you and your partner divvy up roles and make a solid plan, 7 days to die will see you both crafting and scavenging your way through the Zombie apocalypse together. Build your dream home together, fill it with furniture and pepper it with love and then wait for the horde to come to tear down the symbol of your undying bond and devour the one you love. Happy days!

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (PC/PS4/Xbox One)

Take advantage of a cheap date, as Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is free on Xbox Games with Gold this February. Offering an easy to understand but challenging cooperative experience, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime will see you both floating around in your spaceship, navigating tight angles and blasting the hell out of some aliens. You’ll need to run around the inside the ship and coordinate whose driving and whose shooting which may result in some arguments but mostly good times, just be warned about the games unexpected difficulty spikes.

Castle Crashers (PC/PS3/Xbox 360/Xbox One)

Castle Crashers is so good, if you haven’t played it before single or not, get this game invite some friends over and you’ll have a great time. A traditional beat-em-up, Castle Crashers tickles that old nostalgia bone for anyone old enough to remember The Simpsons arcade game, Streets of Rage and Golden Axe. The game also incorporates light RPG elements and a satisfying loot system and is a solid choice for you both, also **MINOR SPOILER WARNING** the end of the game you have to fight your cooperative companions to determine who saves the princess, a great opportunity to show some chivalry and let your non-gamer partner win and be the hero of this story.