Board games have seen a huge rise in popularity over the last few years, and while they were once seen as an old fashioned and outdated means of fun and entertainment, there has been a huge boom in new games and exciting ideas that has made board games one of the most innovative and enjoyable forms of play and entertainment available. We have found that board games make for a great date night in and we have found the best board games for couples to play with each other.
The difficulty can be in the sheer number of games available, as there is no shortage of amazing games out there. This can make finding a game that’s right for you very difficult, and they are often fairly expensive. This makes it very important to ensure that a game is right for you before you buy it and that you are choosing the best games for date night.
When looking for a game suitable for couples, it’s also really important to make sure that the game works well for such a small number of players, as a lot of board games require larger groups of people to play to make the game fun.
There are a lot of great options for the best board games for couples however and a huge variety of games to choose from, many of which work perfectly for couples as well as slightly larger groups which gives you some flexibility and added value if you need to be able to accommodate more players.
Best Board Games for Couples
In this guide we’re going to look at some of the best games for couples that are available, to help you find the perfect game for your next board game party or cosy night in!
We’re also including a buyers guide below to help you to identify the key things to look for in a great board game, from the quality of the game itself, to the rules, complexity, intended age range and player numbers as well as the type of game and other important factors.
But without further ado let’s look at the games themselves and what they have to offer.
1. The Fox In The Forest
The fox in the forest is a great two player game that is incredibly fun and beautiful, depicting everything from majestic swans to magical forests and all kinds of fairy tale creatures.
This is a card game designed for two players, and lasts for around 30 minutes.
The game revolves around dealing out cards to each player, and the players competing for tricks, however it is a difficult game and requires some concentration, as winning too many tricks can also lead to your downfall.
The game consists of several suits of cards and also includes several magical characters and creatures that will affect your gameplay and the story of each player as the game unfolds and progresses.
The game is very well designed and is incredibly fun, and all the pieces are well made. The game includes 33 Cards, 17 Tokens, 2 Reference Cards and 1 Rulebook to help you learn the ropes and make sure everyone is playing properly.
Overall this is a great dedicated two player game that is easy to play and looks gorgeous, the only downside being that the game can’t accommodate more players.
Pros
- Intended for 2 players
- 30 minute game time
- Beautiful illustrations
- Ages 10 and above
- Portable
- Simple rules
Cons
- Small player count
2. Patchwork
Patchwork is a superb competitive puzzle game that incorporates elements of chance and strategy into a devious yet whole competition where ingenuity and decision making play a huge part in the outcome of the game.
The game itself is beautifully simple and despite its inventive design and rules, it’s easy to learn and very fun to play.
The game revolves around both players competing for scraps of material with which to use to make a patchwork quilt or blanket, and each player takes it in turns moving forward on their progress tracker and competing for the best scraps of blanket to add to their patchwork board.
There are many ways to win this game, by accruing buttons as quickly as possible, completing the perfect quilt or denying pieces to your opponent which makes this game incredibly fun and tactical despite its relative simplicity.
It also features a very cosy and beautiful design with excellent included pieces.
Games can last between 15 and 30 minutes and it is designed for two players exclusively which makes it very honed and balanced for couples to enjoy. The only downside is that it can’t be enjoyed by more people!
Pros
- Inventive rules
- Great illustration and design
- Designed for two players
- Quick playing time
- Strategic
Cons
- Can’t be used for more than 2 players
3. Arboretum
Arboretum is a gorgeous card game where players compete against each other to build the most majestic arboretum!
Players choose from several different species of tree and attempt to score points in a variety of ways by building their arboretum and attempting to combine species and deny cards to opponents in order to score and deny points.
It’s a very strategic game that has a little bit of a learning curve, but it’s not too hard to learn and is very rewarding with many different ways to win.
The game is suitable for ages 8 and up, and is very small and portable which is great for travelling, and while it can be enjoyed by couples it’s also able to be played by up to four players meaning more people can get in on the action if you have guests who are interested in discovering the fun this game can provide.
Games typically last 20 to 30 mins but this can be extended if more people are playing or if people are still learning the rules.
Overall this is a fantastic and versatile competitive game with a strategic ruleset, gorgeous illustrations and excellent design that can be as fun for two players as four.
Pros
- Gorgeous illustrations
- Fun strategic gameplay
- Ages 8 and above
- Easy to learn
- Small and portable
- 2 to 4 players
Cons
- Hard to master
4. Escape The Dark Castle
Escape the Dark Castle is a little different from most tabletop games and combines RPG elements to make a very atmospheric and fun roleplaying experience that is both challenging and strategic.
The beauty of this game is that it’s very simple to set up, and unlike many dungeon crawlers it has a great flow that doesn’t take too long or lose atmosphere.
The game is set up by choosing 15 cards at random and 1 boss card and stacking them to create a tower or ‘castle’ with the boss card placed at the bottom of the deck.
Each player chooses a character and then progresses by turning over each chapter card one at a time and dealing with the various scenarios that present themselves as you and your party attempt to flee the terrifying Dark Castle and its evil, scurrying denizens.
The journey is atmospheric and fun and requires cooperation as well as strategy, as players fight monsters, demented guards, witches, warlocks and crazed castle cooks. There are many different situations that occur and each character has its own strengths and weaknesses meaning you must work together in order to escape!
The bosses are challenging and difficult but despite all this the game is simple, immensely fun and can be finished in under 30 minutes if you play well.
Alternatively, if you or any of your friends die you lose, so tread carefully!
The game comes with a suitable retro 80’s inspired soundtrack and is a perfect entry into the roleplaying world for new players who want to dip their toe into the tabletop world.
There are also several excellent expansions for the game which add new mechanics, bosses and scenarios to add further challenges and to add more variety to your dungeons, meaning no two castles you escape will ever be quite the same.
Pros
- Extremely fun
- Simple rules
- Tons of expansions
- Fast setup
- 30 minute play time
- 1 to 4 players
Cons
- Not competitive
- Simple card art
5. Hive – A Game Crawling With Possibilities
Hive is an award winning game that is competitive and strategic as well as a lot of fun.
While some people find bugs gross, this game allows players to use beautiful representations of different insect species on tiles and attempt to surround their opponents queen in a display of strategy and maneuvering which mirrors the real and hostile world insects live in.
The game is simple and fast and requires very little setup, meaning you can focus on the fun of enjoying a game with your partner without worrying about spending ages setting it up.
The game is simple to learn but it is by no means easy and it is all about outwitting and outmaneuvering your partner which can be a lot of fun as long as neither of you are a sore loser!
The game is very replayable and has won many international game awards. It’s also small, portable and fast making it perfect for travelling, and it’s designed exclusively for two players making it perfect for couples to enjoy together.
The only downside is that the game can’t accommodate more players and it’s so simple that you may miss some of the beautiful illustrations and higher level design that some of the other games deliver.
Pros
- Simple to learn
- 2 player game
- Award winning design
- Small and portable
Cons
- Can’t accommodate more than 2 players
Best Board Games for Couples Buyer’s Guide
In this buyers guide we’re going to look at the key things to keep in mind when looking for a really fun board game.
The market is incredibly competitive and there are many high quality games available which can make deciding on a game very difficult, but looking at these defining factors will help you make the right decision for you.
If you have other questions you can also check out the FAQ below where we answer some of the most common questions about board games for couples.
Design
The design of the game is one of the most important and all encompassing aspects of a board game and affects everything from the aesthetic to the game and rule design and thematic elements of the game.
Games with a great overall design are usually very attractive and work well and look amazing when on display making your board games a conversation piece in your home.
There are many elements to this from whether you want a cooperative game, to a competitive game, card game or even a puzzle, and player counts come into this also as well as game length.
There are some famous designers who are well known for their intuitive game design and great aesthetics, so look out for these and major publishers to ensure you’re getting a quality game.
Quality
The quality of the game is very important and there are again many factors to consider here, from the quality of the print and illustrations to the physical aspects of the game and how well made it is.
Look for well printed cards and boards, well written rules and instructions as well as additional features such as tokens and other essentials as these are all giveaways to the quality of a game and the care taken in making it.
Rules
Another key aspect of finding a great board game is the type of game and the rules it uses. There are many types of games, from card games to true board games, puzzles and role playing games, which means there are a lot of rules to take advantage of.
What you choose is really down to your own personal preferences but there are some things to keep in mind.
If you’re interested in competitive games you may not be so interested in role playing games, but for cooperative games role playing games are perfect, so consider the type of experience you want to create and enjoy and use this to find rules that will deliver that experience.
Playtime
Another important thing to consider is how long your chosen game will last, as there is a lot of difference between the different types of game and while some last only 15 minutes, some can last 30 or even 45 mins or more.
This is important to pay attention to as not having the time to enjoy long games means that a shorter type of game may be better value for you, or you may want a longer game for more indulgent play during your free time.
Look at what suits you best and pick a game that will fit into your lifestyle and schedule.
Amount Of Players
Obviously when looking at games for couples, you’re wanting to look for games which are designed to be enjoyed by 2 players, however there are many games which can be enjoyed by 2 or more players.
Sometimes games which are designed to be played by just 2 players can be more enjoyable or polished for a 2 player experience, however the potential to add more players to the game makes the game great value and presents more possibilities for enjoying the game with different people and in different scenarios.
Portability
Some games are more easy to transport than others, and if you’re wanting to take your games away with you or bring them to parties the more portable games are going to be a better option for you so this is worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Most Fun Board Game?
It’s totally subjective, and it’s really a matter of taste. The best thing to do is try as many games as possible and try to keep an open mind as your preferences can change and playing the same game over and over can quickly become tiresome and make you want to try something different.
If you want something competitive, a traditional board game is a great choice, but for cooperative games, rpg board games can be great.
