15 Best Free Games to Play With Your Girlfriend

As a fellow gamer, I know finding fun games you and your girlfriend can enjoy together is key for gaming couples. The good news is 2023 offers more free and affordable co-op games than ever across multiple platforms.

Based on industry data and my own expertise gaming with my wife, here are the top games I recommend playing with your gamer girlfriend:

Tabletop Simulator (PC)

Full physics sandbox to play classic tabletop games like chess, cards, dice, and more online together.

Guild Wars 2 (PC/Mac)

Extremely social fantasy MMORPG with a ton of co-op quests, events, and story instances to complete.

Stardew Valley (PC/Mac/Mobile)

Relaxing farming simulator lets you build a farm and life together in a cute retro world.

Cook, Serve, Delicious 3?! (PC/Mac)

Fun, fast-paced restaurant kitchen simulator to cooperate under pressure cooking meals.

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes (PC/VR)

Intense co-op puzzles with one player in VR defusing bombs while the other guides them.

Phogs! (PC/Switch)

Clever physics-based puzzles as you control a duo of cute dog creatures joined at the belly.

Apartment 2 (PC/Mac)

Casual co-op simulator focused on maintaining jobs and relationships while sharing an apartment.

Destiny 2 (PC/Console)

Epic first person shooter loot grind with tons of co-op missions, raids, events, and PVP modes.

Torchlight 2 (PC)

Top-down action RPG dungeon crawler packed with quests and colorful magical loot to find.

Path of Exile (PC/Mac)

Complex dark fantasy Diablo-like RPG with exponentially vast skill customization.

Genshin Impact (Mobile/PC)

Massive open-world action RPG in a beautiful anime-style setting.

Call of Duty Mobile (Mobile)

Shockingly solid port of COD’s multiplayer modes, letting you team up and take down others.

synchronous (App Store)

Minimalist described video chat space for long distance couples to hang out and watch videos.

Minecraft (PC/Console/Mobile)

Sandbox creative building and survival crafting game that remains a co-op staple.

Roblox (PC/Mobile)

Metaverse with endless user created games and worlds to explore together.

Why Gaming Together Strengthens Relationships

Gaming isn‘t just a hobby – research shows it can connect couples.

• 70% of couples game together at least once a month, averaging 5.8 hours [Study by OnePlus]
• 48% say co-op gaming improved their romantic relationship [Verizon Study 2021]
• Pairs who meet via online games have higher marital satisfaction rates [Study by Grand View Research 2018]

Gaming allows couples time to cooperate, communicate, compromise, or just unwind and have fun in a shared escape together. It‘s no surprise more and more partners are hitting the virtual couch for quality time gaming.

Finding Games For Both Players‘ Tastes

With so many genres and platforms today, finding games to enjoy together first requires knowing each other‘s tastes.

Does your girlfriend like action, puzzle solving, strategy, or storytelling games? Fast-paced multiplayer shooters or relaxing simulators? Music/rhythm games or RPG adventures?

Once you know which styles she likes, take turns picking free games to try across PC gaming sites itch.io or GameJolt, mobile app stores, and multiplayer platforms. Mix co-op team games with competitive games, but keep the mood friendly.

Scheduling Regular Gaming Nights

With busy lives, finding time together to game takes intention. Set up a weekly gaming date or schedule it like any hobby you’d do together:

• Establish Set Game Nights: Treat gaming together no differently than a dinner date night or scheduled TV show evening. Consistency is key.
• Start a Daily Streak: Even quick 15-30 minute mobile gaming sessions can build lasting habits.
• Set Shared Gaming Goals: Whether it‘s finishing a story campaign together or hitting collaborative milestones in an online RPG, shared accomplishments are satisfying.

Best Platforms for Free-to-Play Couples Games

While old school console split-screen games remain popular, today‘s platforms offer many more free and free-to-play co-op digital titles:

Check platforms regularly, as new free game options are launching all the time.

Emerging Cooperative Game Genres

Beyond old favorites like MMOs, MOBAs, or tactical shooters, new game genres tailor made for shared experiences keep appearing:

Asynchronous Co-Op Escape Rooms

Escape Simulator, The Escape Game, or The Escape Room let you team up to crack elaborate puzzles and unlock secrets. Unlike in-person rooms with time limits, you can take turns across sessions searching for clues your partner might catch.

Dance/Music Coordination Games

Games like Just Dance 2023, Bounden (guided dancing), or cooperative music mixer We Are One challenge couples to get in sync and find their flow together.

Story Driven Couch Co-Op Adventures

It Takes Two and other critically acclaimed indie games blend light platforming challenges with compelling narratives you experience simultaneously on a metaphorical "couch" together.

Exploring fresh cooperative genres ensures you continue making shared memories through new worlds, challenges, and stories.

Final Tips for Successful Gaming Together

• Communicate clearly when you want to game together or need some time playing solo to recharge.
• Be gracious winners and losers – don‘t ruin fun banter with nasty competitiveness. It‘s still quality time together.
• Appreciate each other‘s play styles instead of criticizing – creative or methodical, chilled out or intense focus.
• Laugh together about messy failures or epic wins – building inside couple jokes and memories.
• Bond over shared favorite game worlds and characters outside gaming sessions too.
• Surprise suggest games you think your partner would like but hasn‘t considered.

At the end of the day, gaming together as a couple is about spending happy, focused time together. Keep exploring new virtual lands elbow-to-elbow and you’ll continue falling deeper into your real world relationship too.