Let me help you find the right board game

[Asmor]

Looking for a good 2-player game to play with the misses? A deep strategy game that can last for hours? A quick filler to play while the DM sets up?

Let me know what you're looking for and I'll try and help you find it.

Here's my qualifications: Well, chances are I've got a bigger collection than you, and I've got a lot of experience playing with a variety of people IRL and online; I started a gaming club at my college, and I play a fair amount on BSW as well, so I've got exposure to a lot of different kinds of players who like a lot of different kinds of games.

That said, my board game exposure is still extremely limited in the grand scheme of things, so please if anyone has any suggestions for anyone else don't pipe up! This thread doesn't have to be just me giving suggestions, but that made for a better title than "Let everyone help each other find the right board game."

 

[Charwoman Gene]

2 Player games for me and my wife (who likes board games m,ore than me)

 

[Asmor]

Without any more info, I'll suggest Lost Cities. It seems to be the quintessential couples game, and always pops up any time anyone asks for a game to play with their S/O. I've only played it online against one person, so I can't comment much on it, but that one person is a housewife who's big into gaming and she says she plays it with her hubby a lot too.

If you want to get a bit more specific, I might be able to give you some more suggestions. For example, a lot of games which are popular with couples have relatively low intra-player interaction (especially in way which allow one player to screw the other over) because a lot of the time one of the people won't care for cutthroat play.

Just a couple other suggestions without any more info:

Ticket to Ride: I don't care for it as a 2 player, because it's just too big and it minimizes player interaction. That said, a lot of people like it as a 2 player game for just that reason. It's also nice because now you've got a great gateway game that's fast to teach and easy to play any time you've got a few more people over.

Aton: My fiancée picked this up for the Egyptian theme. She claims to like it but is never up for it, which is annoying because I love it. Lots of hard decisions, player interaction, and strategy. The first few games are likely to be quick because there's a few different ways your opponent can sneak in a win right under your nose until you learn to watch out for them.

 

[Timeboxer]

I don't play a lot of board games, but I'm interested in trying to find one that's cooperative rather than competitive -- i.e., one where the players all work together for some purpose.

Oh, one more -- I'm looking for something to fill in those days where everyone's all, "Oh, we don't want to play D&D because it takes too long." Something that can be done in maybe two hours and has significant strategy but doesn't feel old with repetitive play.

 

[Asmor]

I don't play a lot of board games, but I'm interested in trying to find one that's cooperative rather than competitive -- i.e., one where the players all work together for some purpose.

Arkham Horror, Shadows over Camelot and Lord of the Rings all spring to mind (Note that that's the 2000 Lord of the Rings designed by Reiner Knizia; unsurprisingly, there are several games called "Lord of the Rings").

I've never played any of them, but they all come highly recommended. I'd recommend choosing the one whose theme most appeals to you.

Oh, one more -- I'm looking for something to fill in those days where everyone's all, "Oh, we don't want to play D&D because it takes too long." Something that can be done in maybe two hours and has significant strategy but doesn't feel old with repetitive play.

I think Tigris & Euphrates might fit the bill. It's my favorite game, and considered by many to be Reiner Knizia's masterpiece (He's a very prolific game designer, in case you weren't aware. Comparable to Monte Cook in the RPG industry, perhaps).

Nexus Ops might be good too, if you're looking for something a bit lighter that's still got a fair amount of strategy.

Puerto Rico has been the top ranked game on Board Game Geek for a long, long time. Personally, I think it's a bit over rated, but it's still a great game.

Tannhäuser is a really cool game for 2 players. Ignore the fact that the box says 2-10 players, that's complete BS. It's designed as a 2 player game and playing it with more than 2 people is basically just playing the 2 player game, but making people share pieces.

Settlers of Catan might be good for you too, especially with the 5-6 player expansion. There's not a whole lot of games I can think of for 6 players that last that long and are terribly strategic. Doesn't mean they're not there, I just don't have much exposure to them.

Oh, Ticket to Ride might work too, though I could see that getting old if you play it a lot.

 

[el-remmen]

I can second the recommendation on the cooperative LotR game! And if you have five people one player gets to be Fatty Bolger!

I have been itching to try Shadows over Camelot.

 

[Agamon]

Your collection looks a lot like mine, Asmor...oh wait, it is mine. (bad linkie)

Anyhoo, just wondering if you've played the following games and what you think of them if you have:

Pandemic
Cuba
In the Year of the Dragon
Subbuteo
Brass
Koalition
Tribune

Going to a convention in a couple months and I haven't quite decided on what I want to play, so a 2nd opinion would be nice.

 

[Asmor]

Your collection looks a lot like mine, Asmor...oh wait, it is mine. (bad linkie)

Anyhoo, just wondering if you've played the following games and what you think of them if you have:

Pandemic
Cuba
In the Year of the Dragon
Subbuteo
Brass
Koalition
Tribune

Going to a convention in a couple months and I haven't quite decided on what I want to play, so a 2nd opinion would be nice.

Thanks, the link is fixed. Haven't played any of them, though I've heard good things about Pandemic.

 

[el-remmen]

Oh, Ticket to Ride might work too, though I could see that getting old if you play it a lot.

Ticket to Ride is a great game! I love that it is very simple and easy to teach even to people who are not "gamers," but there is actually a bit of strategy involved - plus I love games with quick turns.

 

[demonking1]

I here's a challenge for you; make a list of every H.P. Lovercraft mythos game.

Muhahahahahaha

Edit: Do you also know about card games