Best Video Games for Couples on Steam (local Co-op games)

I think at some point we all run into the desire of playing video games but you can't because your lady wants you to spend with her. Well here are some games that you can play on Steam to get her interested in your hobby. You'll no longer have to sit staring into her eyes because you'll both be staring into the computer screens for hours together!

1.  Never Alone (Kisima Ignitchuna)

Never Alone is a very cute story about a little eskimo girl and a fox. One player plays as the girl and the other gets the cute fox. The artwork in the game is amazing and there are some intense moments, though you won't be punished for not being good at video games. The game will push you through sections that are too difficult for you.

2. Trine, Trine 2, and Trine 3

The Trine series focuses on working together with your characters unique abilities. There are 3 main characters to choose from. This is a side scroller, which means it will be easier for your lady to understand where to go (left or right). However some how I am sure she will get confused on the matter.

You will go through many short puzzles that aren't too difficult to solve. You can even lower the difficulty setting if she is having a lot of difficulty. The game has a good story and is extremely beautiful. This will help keep her interest while playing.

The biggest problem I had with playing was I was able to get through the puzzles really easily while my wife struggled to figure out how to jump on a platform that teetered without falling off of it.

You can play Trine and Trine 2 locally on a single computer. (This doesn't work very well on Mac or Linux). Steam Link coming out in November 2015. I would suggest picking up two steam controllers and streaming it to your T.V., if she isn't a fan of sitting at the desk with a keyboard and mouse.

3. Awesomenauts

If you like MOBA's but its a little too much for your wife, try getting her to start with Awesomenauts. Awesomenauts is a much simpler MOBA. Its 3v3, with maps that are normally only two lanes, and a buy system that is extremely simplified and quickly learned without having to spend hours on forums for just one character to figure out the best builds. I enjoy frequently playing with my wife against bots. However when it comes to playing online I am constantly frustrated by the poor matchmaking. I am all to often matched with players that have 1,000's of hours in the game when we only have 50 hours and are clearly  much lower skill level. There also doesn't seem to be good incentive for players to not quit a match when they get angry or feel like there is no hope to win anymore. And usually after a certain point of losing its impossible to make any sort of comeback.

4. Rocket League

If you like cars and you don't enjoy sports this game still might be for you. This game has got me craving a Twisted Metal with split screen to be made to play with my wife. The game has many different game modes to play, so if your wife doesn't enjoy the soccer mode she can easily get into the basketball or less bouncy hockey mode. The best part is if your wife isn't good at the game...it doesn't mean you will lose every time you play. It just takes one person with good shooting skills at the mid-level play to beable to enjoy and win the game. No need to do competitive. But they also do have 2v2 comp, or even a offline season you can play through together.

5. Brawhalla

This is a free game that will bring you back to your Super Smash Bros' days. You no longer will need to contemplate buying a Nintendo console to enjoy gaming with your spouse. This game is great for when you have another couple to play with, just get 4 xbox or steam controllers and Nintendo away at your computer. There is also a fun 2v2 competitive mode with a decent matchmaking system that will match you with players against your and your wife's combined skill level.

6. Sonic All-Star Racing Transformed

Mario Kart on Steam? Yes, Please! I actually find this game harder then Mario Kart games however its still extremely fun. I haven't tried any online play but you can do the whole single player "story" mode together. Its always fun to be able to progress and unlock things together with your lover. The game does seem to be visual hard for my wife to know where to drive/fly/boat at times. Having the car transforming to a plane can be a little confusing for the lady. Overall this has done a pretty good job getting my Mario Kart fix.

Overall I think everyone should get these games to try out if you are looking for some enjoyable gaming with your wife or girlfriend or maybe just with family members. Please leave your comments or questions below!

Shelter 2 - Advertised for $1.99

Steam has mistakenly listed Shelter 2 on Steam for $1.99. An artistic indie game about a family of wolves as they survive and journey across mass landscapes. However, when you click on the advertised links to get Shelter 2, you will find that it is only for the sound track, while the actual game runs for $14.99.

There is another confusion about the release date. On the store page under updates, there is a post about it being release on March 9th. However it is still listed as a Pre-purchase.

I'm sure Steam will get this taken care of shortly.

Free Steam Key: Dawn of War Master Collection

PC Gamer has kindly offered to give you another free game to add to you Steam Library. You don't have to like table top gaming to enjoy this game but it helps. Get Dawn of War: Master Collection for free. Just simply enter your email address! Get your free Steam key here before they are gone!

Free Steam Key: Receiver

Humble Bundle is doing it again with another free game! All you have to do is go to their store page and give them your email. Shortly later you will get "Receiver" sent to your Steam account!

Free Steam Game: Gun Monkeys

Head on over to Bundle Stars or PC Gamer to get your free game. The offer is only available for one week so tell all your friends. Follow this link to receive your free gift. This week I also received a second game in my inventory to send to a friend.

Steam Summer Sale 2014

The moment most of us have been waiting for has finally arrived! Steam Summer Sale has begun! June 19th-30th, Steam will be selling video games at outrageously low prices. This even includes pre-order games like Dead Rising 3 for 25% off.

Every 24 hours Steam releases a new group of nine games for sale. If you find a game you like you better buy it because its going to be gone after that 24 hour timer is up.

Steam also does Flash Sales that last for eight hours. However this is only four games at a time but generally a much better sale.  Steam also allows you to vote on the next batch of games for the next Flash sale. This also helps you to decide if you want to wait to buy a game from the current Flash Sale or wait for the next one. Voting on Flash Sales also helps you get trading cards which can be crafted into badges. The badges can increase your Steam profile level. (if that really matters to you) and also help you to win free games.

Steam is also doing a new team contest this year. By clicking on the Summer Adventure map image you will be able to get added to a team. If your team wins you will be able to get games for free from your wishlist. This is something that I look forward too. It also encourages the use of badges and trading cards.

Just a warning if you are new to Steam and their Summer Sale, I would suggest setting a budget before you end up spending $50 on games that your never going to play and $10 on only one game that you will play.

If nothing in this sale peaks your interest don't worry, because Steam will do another sale around Christmas.

Free Steam Game: Pid

You want add another game to the list of games you already have on Steam. Then head on over to PC Gamer by following this link Free Steam Game: Pid. All you have to do is click that you want the game and they will give you a steam key. If you already have the game you can give it to one of your friends. They only have 100,000 copies to give away so act fast. You have to claim your game by 17:00 GMT on June 18th, 2014. They did this exact give away about a month ago maybe they never gave away all their copies from last time...

Gaming on a Budget

So your working 40+ hours a week and putting all your money into rent, utility bills and that girl of yours, thats about $1,500 a month leaving your pocket. At times you just need to get away and play some video games, but with that kind of money going out the window how are you supposed to afford playing video games? Here are the "The Three Keys to Gaming on a Budget".

1. PC Versus Console Gaming
The biggest money saver you can is switch from buying game counsels to buying a desktop computer. The next time you are tempted to buy the Xbox One for $500 go out and buy or build a PC instead. A PC will cost you anywhere from $600-1000 for a decent machine that will run just as good or better then an Xbox. An Xbox will cost you $500 plus $50 if you want a second controller, another $5 a Month for Xbox Live, then there is the $35-60 games.

Also computers can do more then just play video games compared to an Xbox, for the same price you pay in a year, you can build a gaming desktop computer and buy 10+ games for less money.

The other bonus to PC gaming is when the next new counsel comes out, and they are wanting $700 for it. All you have to do is spend $200-500 to upgrade your machine to be even more powerful then that $600 Xbox.

2. Wait for Steam Sales
The best thing about gaming on a PC, rather then superior graphics and free internet connection, is great game prices. Every summer and winter, Steam does huge sales on a lot of their games. You know that game you really wanted that cost $60 even though its about one year old, well now its on sale for $10 through the Steam Summer Sale. Stinks to be your Xbox buddy who paid $60 for the same game you just paid $10 for. You actually don't always even have to wait for the Steam Summer and Winter sale, every week Steam puts a different game on sale. Worried you'll miss it, just add it to your wish list and steam will email you when the game is on sale.

Steam frequently allows you to play different games for free over the weekend. This will help you to know if you even want to buy the game. Some of those games you could even beat within the weekend and still get the achievements for it as if you owned the game.


Steam even gives games away for free at times. Last winter sale, Steam gave away L4D2 (Left for Dead 2) and in May they gave away Arma Cold Assault for free.

3. Humble Bundle
So you haven't done a lot of good in your life and your looking to redeem your evil deeds? Lucky for you Humble Bundle has been kind enough to allow you to give money to charity but not only that they will give you video games in return and not only that you don't even have to spend more then $1.

Humble Bundle releases bundles of games generally allow you to get 3-5 games for $1 or spend the average of donations to get 2-4 more and generally better games. They also have a weekly bundle and a video game store. In the store you might not be getting a discount but you will be giving 10% of your money to charity.

Not all the bundles are worth much money but when you do come across a golden gem, don't hesitate to pay the $1-10 for the bundle. You may not want all the games but generally at least two of the games you will be playing.

Results
Your budget one year later:

Console                                          Verses                                    PC

 $400-600                                      Hardware                                $600-1000

$60                                              Internet                                    Free   

$300+                                    Ten Good Games                            $50+

 $600 (lose old games and save files)            Upgrade               $100-500 (keep all games)

This is not a discussion about which is better, this is a discussion about gaming on a budget. Which is more financially cheaper overall.

Get Arma Free on Steam Game

Bohemia Interactive is celebrating 15 years by giving you up to 80% off on most of their games through Steam. That includes Arma II for as little as $2.59. They are also giving away Arma Cold War Assault for free. To get the free game to register on your Steam account you must click "Install Game". Shortly after a window will pop-up stating that it has been registered with your account.