It Takes Two

Why We Like It

It Takes Two won every Game of the Year award in 2021 for a reason — it's a technical and creative marvel that also happens to be the best two-player experience in gaming history. For parents looking for a way to connect with a teen who has drifted toward solo screen time, this is your best tool. The Friend's Pass means one purchase covers both of you, and the 10–12 hour runtime is genuinely paced to leave you both wanting more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Requires genuine real-time communication and coordination — naturally generates the kind of conversation parents want to have with their teens
• Wildly inventive mechanics that change completely every chapter, keeping both players constantly surprised and engaged
• Friend's Pass included — only one copy needed for two players, making it effectively $20/person

Cons

• Story deals with parental divorce in a way that could be emotionally loaded for some families — worth a heads-up before playing
• Strictly two-player only; can't be played solo or with more than one other person

Score Breakdown

Games evaluated on gameplay quality and depth, age-appropriateness and parent peace of mind, social and cognitive value, and value relative to cost.