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5 puzzle games that are secretly the best co-op games
Polygon has published a list recommending puzzle games that work particularly well as informal two-player experiences, aimed at couples or friends whose gaming tastes otherwise differ. The writer argues that logic-heavy puzzle titles, despite lacking any built-in multiplayer mode, let two people combine complementary reasoning skills (such as spatial thinking and mathematics) to solve challenges together, making them an unexpectedly effective substitute for traditional co-op games.
The list highlights several titles: Simogo's "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes", praised for its varied, non-linear logic puzzles suited to talking through with a partner; Lucas Pope's "Return of the Obra Dinn", a nautical mystery whose observation-based deduction naturally invites discussion; "What's the Password?", a mobile and PC game built around cracking four-digit codes from shifting clues; and "Chants of Sennaar", noted for minimising reliance on text so players with different reading speeds can participate equally.
– Article recommends puzzle games as accidental "co-op" experiences for couples – Featured titles: Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Return of the Obra Dinn, What's the Password?, Chants of Sennaar – Key trait: varied logic puzzles let two players contribute different skills – Text-light design (e.g. Chants of Sennaar) helps players of differing reading speeds
In short
- Polygon lists puzzle games that double as great two-player experiences
- Titles include Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Obra Dinn, What's the Password?
- Games work because players contribute different logic skills together
Explained simply
Many people want to game together but struggle to find titles that suit partners or friends with different gaming preferences. Traditional co-operative games are built specifically for multiplayer play, but puzzle games—logic-based challenges requiring reasoning and problem-solving—have typically been designed for solo players. Some puzzle titles, however, naturally encourage two players to collaborate by combining their different reasoning strengths rather than taking turns or competing.
The gaming publication Polygon has highlighted several puzzle games that work particularly well as informal shared experiences for couples or friends, including "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes", "Return of the Obra Dinn", "What's the Password?" and "Chants of Sennaar". These games were selected because their puzzle structures naturally invite discussion, allow players to contribute different skills such as spatial awareness or mathematical thinking, and in some cases minimise text to accommodate players with different reading speeds. None have built-in multiplayer modes, yet they function as collaborative experiences through their design.
This matters because it expands what people consider playable gaming experiences when two people want to spend time together. It suggests that co-operative play doesn't require official multiplayer features, but instead emerges from how a game's mechanics and design encourage discussion and shared problem-solving. For couples or friends with mismatched gaming interests, it points to an unexpected category of titles that can create meaningful shared moments.