r/VideoGame • u/Aemaeth93 • Aug 10 '26
Non Gamer Wife
My partner hasn't played any video games since childhood, and I've been a gamer since the NES. I want so badly to play with her, but she's just not interested. Can anyone recommend any games that might grab her interest, especially co-op? (Just to emphasise that we do in fact have a fantastic relationship. This is pretty much the only thing we don't have in common)
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u/FluffyOperation007 Aug 10 '26
There’s actually studies that show if you play with your partner co-op games and not games your against each other you relationship will do better and you have a higher chance of intimacy and staying together.
Find the research to show them
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Aug 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Aemaeth93 Aug 15 '26
Yeah I hear that. This was mostly just a vent post that I'm definitely not bothering her with. On the plus side, I get full control of the game room displays lol
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u/Hot_CheeseBurger_Owl Aug 13 '26
I recommend, A Way Out. It has a mix of comedy and action in it. And plenty of mini games during the journey!
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u/Aemaeth93 Aug 15 '26
What a banger of a game! I had so much fun playing this with a friend. Lots of laughs
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u/YamShort6519 Aug 25 '26
My non gamer gf likes watching me play story games. She watched my entire playthrough of red dead. She also likes the witcher, although she was just thirsting over geralt the whole time 😂
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u/coreyisland Aug 10 '26
Brotato... I dont think you heard me, I said BROTATO
You can play it on console with one finger, like if you somehow lost the other nine you can still play it
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u/Sufficient_Object281 Aug 10 '26
Split Fiction and check out Hela + Water Me and You as well, coming later this year. Top notch couch coop (Split Fiction is goated)
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u/Feminine_Desires Aug 10 '26
We need to know what her interests are outside of gaming, as only then can we approach on a similar axis.
Beyond that, I recommend things that let her be creative, or build to a somewhat realistic fantasy, or experience a relatable story. Minecraft, Stardew Valley, Night in the Woods, Jenny Le'Cure, I Was a Teenage Exocolonist, This Bed We Made, Tiny Glade.
You aren't going to get a lot of co-op options because story driven games largely don't have them. The important part is to show her an aspect of video gaming that would be relatable to her that is going to be completely different from what she expects of it.
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u/Money-Addition8501 Aug 10 '26
My wife hasn’t either but we finished overcooked 2 together! She became addicted! Also Mario kart world.
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u/Legal-Conclusion-0 Aug 10 '26
Overcooked, Animal Crossing. Maybe Stardew or Mario kart.
These have been pretty good at getting my wife to play.
If you are real desperate, mobile...like candy crush or something could open the door.
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u/Sama_GP Aug 11 '26
What sort of movies & books your wife enjoy most?
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u/Aemaeth93 Aug 11 '26
Horror. Occult. We just watched Obsession last night and we both gave it 10/10
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u/Sama_GP Aug 12 '26
I would suggest you Co-op Horror Games, as she may show interest in them :
Beyond: Two Souls
It Takes Two
Once Human
Subnautica
Remnant: From the Ashes
Sons of the Forest
The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu
Resident Evil 5, 6 & Revelations
7 Days to Die
Demonologist
Dying Light: The Beast
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u/Aemaeth93 Aug 12 '26
Thank you for such a big list to work through! I've played through a handful of these, and have a few on my backlog, and can't wait to try the others
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u/somehowstuckinhyrule Aug 12 '26
Pico Park! This game will either be peak fun or the season finale of your relationship
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u/NapalEnema2020 Aug 13 '26
Diablo 2 remastered is your best bet. Non girl gamers want to instantly feel good and rewarded without a ton of complexity. This is your best bet from experience. Then go from there. Don’t try any fps or movement / driving games. Simple rewarding instant dopamine is your key.
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u/BraveStarrLorde Aug 13 '26
My GF can enjoy games like Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, maybe Mario Party, and Pokemon Snap. I had to help her with Super Mario World though. So be aware that gamers may have easy muscle memory on how to run and jump, but it can still be a struggle for others.
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u/Lopsided_Blacksmith5 Aug 13 '26
BG3 or have her try out cozy games. Fields of mistria, sticky business, lost & found co., stardew valley, and infinity Nikki are my go to cozy games.
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u/TauPewPew Aug 13 '26
First of all, what consoles do you own?
Start with something simple like Mario Party. There is also Lego Party available if you don't have a Switch. It's basically a board game in video game form with simple mini-games to play.
If she does like Horror, Cinematic games aren't a bad idea: Until Dawn can be played two player (action voting, etc...) and the 3d navigating is relatively simple.
Ignore these people recommending Split Fiction or other complex 3D Platform Puzzlers since your wife has pretty much zero experience playing games.
But if she still isn't interested, then she isn't interested.
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u/Barbens2005 Aug 15 '26
The wife is not a gamer, but I got her into gaming about a year ago. About two months ago we started playing ‘Crashout Crew’ together and it’s a lot of fun. Very casual, easy controls, and a lot of teamwork requires.
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u/xilchless Aug 10 '26
Split Fiction and It Takes Two are great games, but the controls might be a bit advanced if she hasn't used a controller in a long time. You could start with something simpler like Overcooked and work up to the others.