I'd say some co-op games work well if they are paced well - when you circle through levels where you can idly chat, levels where you have to intellectually coop

I'd say some co-op games work well if they are paced well - when you circle through levels where you can idly chat, levels where you have to intellectually cooperate (solve puzzles together and such), and something more dynamic (shooters/action levels/fighting bosses) that lets your mind switch back to the game entirely. Also, tabletop games somehow create more intimate experience, IMO.