Games for the non-gamer

[Quasqueton]

I love games. All kinds of games. Any game. Not just RPGs. I just love playing games.

My wife is not as interested in games. She doesn't dislike games, she just isn't interested.

After playing a game of LotR Risk last night with my game group, I got really excited to play it some more. But it is a bit complicated and long for someone not really excited about games.

We've played many games of Battleship (it's easy and quick to pick up and put down), but I've grown bored with it. We play Candyland with our 3-year-old, but there's no thinking or challenge in it. (By the way, I must say that Candyland is really a well made game. Whoever came up with that game simple enough for children who can't read yet to understand and play, is a genius.)

What would you suggest as a good game for a couple to play, that is intricate enough to keep the attention of an avid and intense gamer, and simple and straight forward enough to not frustrate a non-gamer. It has to be something easy to set up and finished in less than 2 hours.

I'll appreciate any and all suggestions.

Quasqueton

 

[SteelDraco]

There are all kinds of two-player card games out there that might work for you. I've always enjoyed gin. Chess, checkers, and backgammon are all fun. Two-player board games are fairly rare, in my experience. They just don't tend to be the norm.

 

[Richards]

I'd throw in Kensington, Cathedral, and Othello, three other board games made for two players. With each it's easy to learn the basics, but takes a bit longer to master the strategies.

Johnathan

 

[Tolen Mar]

When it comes down to it, we play Scrabble and Rummikub a lot.

I'm actually in the same boat as you. My wife won't play 'those games' with me and my group, and my group has been difficult to pull together lately. However, I have the added problem of a six year old who wants to join in, so they cant be too complicated.

I just found a heavily discounted copy of "Vampire Hunter' at my local Kay's Merchandise. Its pretty simplistic and require an appropriate amount of lighting (little enough for the game light to work proper, but enough to be able to read things). It isnt too bad, really.

 

[random user]

Maybe ask what attributes she likes in games, and which she doesn't? That would help narrow down the list. Some examples are: exploration, building (ie improving something), bidding, competition, luck. etc etc.

 

[reanjr]

I love games. All kinds of games. Any game. Not just RPGs. I just love playing games.

My wife is not as interested in games. She doesn't dislike games, she just isn't interested.

After playing a game of LotR Risk last night with my game group, I got really excited to play it some more. But it is a bit complicated and long for someone not really excited about games.

We've played many games of Battleship (it's easy and quick to pick up and put down), but I've grown bored with it. We play Candyland with our 3-year-old, but there's no thinking or challenge in it. (By the way, I must say that Candyland is really a well made game. Whoever came up with that game simple enough for children who can't read yet to understand and play, is a genius.)

What would you suggest as a good game for a couple to play, that is intricate enough to keep the attention of an avid and intense gamer, and simple and straight forward enough to not frustrate a non-gamer. It has to be something easy to set up and finished in less than 2 hours.

I'll appreciate any and all suggestions.

Quasqueton

Card games are probably a good place to start. Unfortunately, they are also fairly personal choices (and often regional), so suggesting card games is difficult. Get Hoyle's book on card games. It has almost everything.

 

[Particle_Man]

Maybe a fantasy board game like Talisman?

 

[mojo1701]

A good game I enjoy (that works best with 4 players, and isn't too complicated) is called The Settlers of Catan. A friend of mine has it, and I'm looking for a copy, too.

 

[Crothian]

For some simple and occasionally silly games Cheap ass Games has some really good ones. Loony Labs is another company with some fun easy to learn games.

 

[Alan Shutko]

My wife and I both enjoy playing the Settler's of Catan and Starship Catan 2-player versions. Axis & Allies works pretty well as a two-player. Ditto the Illuminati non-CCG.

Recently, we've also played Dork Tower, Chez Geek, Munchkin and Torches & Pitchforks. All work better with more than two players, but work adequately with 2.