I am lucky that my partner enjoys playing board games. If you also have a willing sweetheart, you might find that you can have a game night any night.
Some people are intimidated trying new games. Cooperative games are often a good way to start. Later, you can add in some good-spirited competitive games.
If you’re lucky, your significant other will get hooked and you will have a great new hobby to pursue together. I am so glad that my sweetie supports me and will travel with me to conventions. We had a great vacation sailing on the Dice Tower gaming cruise last year.
Here is a list of ten of my favorite games that would be a great way to introduce games to your significant other. Although many can be played with more than two players, I believe they work best for a couple.
Two-Player Games
Forbidden Desert (Cooperative) Work together to search the desert and find the aircraft parts needed to repair your plane. Hurry to finish before the shifting sands and lack of water lead to your doom. There are other variants of this game such as Forbidden Island that are also good choices.
Escape Room: The Game (Puzzle Solving) Escape rooms are all the rage across the country. You can get a similar experience in your own home with escape room games. The addition of physical keys that fit into a decoder makes this game stand out from the rest.
Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle (Cooperative Card Game) Each player picks a hero such as Harry or Hermione. Working together, you play cards to defeat the villains and save Hogwarts. New villain cards are added to subsequent game sessions as you progress through the books.
Sagrada (Dice Set Completion) Build a grid of dice to complete your stained-glass window. Complex rules determine what dice can be placed in each spot. Beautiful dice and colorful boards add to the appeal of this game.
Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game (Cooperative Deduction) Can you stop the murderer? Work together to investigate a crime using evidence and resources. A unique feature of this game is the ability to access a database of information on the internet during gameplay.
Pandemic Legacy (Cooperative) Save the Earth! Your job is to travel the world working together to stop a pandemic from spreading. The Legacy version of this game adds small rules changes and new resources each time you play. Opening the sealed boxes to see what is in store is the highlight of this game.
Photosynthesis (Abstract Strategy) Grow your trees while competing in the forest for the most light. It’s a unique strategy game with beautiful artwork and a lovely feel.
Lost Cities (Card series) Play your cards on stacks to accumulate the most points. Rounds are quick but strategic in this light, portable game.
Carcassonne (Tile Laying) Pick a tile, lay a tile! Players earn points by completing roads and defining areas in the countryside in this simple, quick game.
Small World (Area Control) Colonize the world with your races of people. But resources are scarce. Don’t stretch yourself too thin or other players may conquer you.
Click here to see all of the games I recommend for your board game collection.
Bitzy the Bard
“Life is an adventure story and you are the star. Choose to play a hero!”
