Boardgame to Tempt My Girlfriend With

[bigbadbob]

Can anyone recommend any boardgames that they think my girlfriend might enjoy, since she is not much of a gamer.

With the great invention of the Wii I have been able to get her hooked on video games, and now I want to move towards boardgames. Any suggestions?

[Cavalier]

Can anyone recommend any boardgames that they think my girlfriend might enjoy, since she is not much of a gamer.

With the great invention of the Wii I have been able to get her hooked on video games, and now I want to move towards boardgames. Any suggestions?
HeroScape.

[CupidsArt]

Can anyone recommend any boardgames that they think my girlfriend might enjoy, since she is not much of a gamer.

With the great invention of the Wii I have been able to get her hooked on video games, and now I want to move towards boardgames. Any suggestions?

1) Settlers of Cattan.

Easy to learn and a blast to play.


2) Killer Bunnies.

Not a Boardgame, but a cardgame. This is also an easy one to learn.


3) Apples to Apples.

This is also a Cardgame, and meant for larger groups. This is a fun family game and can also have you rolling on the floor with laughter sometimes, :D

Touchy-Feely + Helen Keller = ROFL

[netherspirit]

If she's not into Heroscape, you might try Carcassonne, Lost Cities, Balloon Cup, Odin's Ravens, Ticket to Ride. Also, knowing what kind of games you like might help me with some recommendations...

I think checking out BGG might help. www.boardgamegeek.com

There are some great Geeklists for games that are good for couples. Here are some links to some of them...
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/9900
That first one is probably the best place to start, after that check out these:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/8691
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/20312
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/19059
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/16912

[kenjib]

To second some of Netherspirit's recommendations I think that Carcassonne and Ticket to Ride are really great games to introduce to non-gamers. They are also favorites among many gamers as well.

[Uprising]

I would go with Busen Memo. It'll be a sure fire hit :up:

[netherspirit]

I would go with Busen Memo. It'll be a sure fire hit :up:

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight. :P

[Dreaded Gazebo]

Even as good as Carcassonne and Ticket to Ride are, I'd still take it nice and easy. Most females I know (my wife included) aren't big into strategy or complex rules, so anything with heavy amounts of either aren't going to go over well. While the two games mentioned are easy to learn they still may not necessarily appeal.

My first recommendation is Tsuro (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/16992). It's extremely easy to learn, very light on strategy, very limited in terms of decision making and looks darn pretty to boot. It works fine with two and while it might not be all that exciting for someone more strategically oriented I've found that my wife absolutely loves it.

Another game my wife really wants us to get is Amazing Labyrinth (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/1219). Again, like Tsuro it is very simple to learn and to play. It actually has a little more complexity to it than Tsuro but it's essentially solving mazes, something that most people are very familiar and comfortable with. The new versions might look like they are for kids if you see the box art but don't be fooled, the game is actually pretty decent.

Carcassonne is a good choice, I would recommend it long before Settlers of Catan and probably before Ticket to Ride as well... the puzzle aspect of it makes the game feel familiar and more comfortable to a new player. You can also cut out some of the more complex scoring rules if necessary. I would actually recommend Carcassonne: Hunters and Gatherers (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/4390) over the original as I think it is just a little bit easier to follow, especially when it comes to the end game scoring.

Another game that is similar to Carcassonne but far easier, possibly more ascetically pleasing (especially if you like maps) and designed for two players is Oceania (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/14017). I just discovered it myself and it really is quite good for as simple as it is. It's almost like a slightly more advanced Tsuro.

While I haven't introduced it to my wife yet (I don't actually own the game) you might want to look into Hollywood Blockbuster (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/904) for something a little more complex. The theme - trying to create the best films possible - has wide appeal and the caricatures on the new version are entertaining. It's easy to play and it almost gives you a feeling of shopping, which can certainly be a draw for some females ;)

Don't get me wrong, Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne and Settlers are all fantastic game. I still think they are best suited for someone who has never played board games but has some interest in them. For someone that has very little interest in board games I think there are better choices to help draw them in more gradually.

[NecroBlade]

Another game my wife really wants us to get is Amazing Labyrinth (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/1219).Awesome awesome game. Used to play it with the whole family. Was a little difficult for my little brother, but he got the hang of it and it's definitely fun. There's also a children's version in 3D.

[bigbadbob]

WOW thats some great stuff. Thanks alot guys!

Yeah, she doesn't buy into 'scape. I think she has a prejudice against it because she finds it "geeky" and whatnot. So I wanted to find a simple game with little strategy. You guys gave some execellent choices! I'm gonna peruse through them more and see if any of the 3 game shops in town have any of them (although none carry Heroscape, of course).

[kanegrundar]

The game that my non-gamer wife loves the most (other than the old stand-bys like Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit) is Zombies!!! Seriously. She doesn't even really care for horror or zombies either, but she really enjoys that game. She said that it was not only a good game to pit the players against each other (she likes to bury me under a sea of the undead), but it's easy and it's a different game every time. Not sure just how good the suggestion is, since it is oddball, but it works for my wife so it may work for others' girlfriends/wives.

[Oogie_Da_Bruce]

My GF's favorite games are Carcasonne (tiles) and Killer Bunnies (cards).
She will play a game of Ticket to Ride but not as often as the others.

Oh and wine..... a bottle of wine, cheese and crackers and she'll love game night!!!

[Sweetcurse]

Everyone love Apples to Apples. Also, it's cheap and easy to find at target and WM.

[kanegrundar]

Oh and wine..... a bottle of wine, cheese and crackers and she'll love game night!!!

Excellent suggestion. Even if she doesn't like wine, just make is feel more like a date, or even just something a bit more "nice" rather than something "geeky" you do with your friends and that should help the transition into boardgames.

[Tiberius]

I will third apples to apples, as my wife loves it and she as a rule hates most games.

[Dennys]

What about Fantasy Date?



Wait...erm... :oops:

[Obsidian3d]

I've heard that a lot of girls like RA when they get into it. It's kinda like shopping, bidding at auction and collecting stuff all in one go.

[Dreaded Gazebo]

I've heard that a lot of girls like RA when they get into it. It's kinda like shopping, bidding at auction and collecting stuff all in one go.

Ra is an amazing game, but I think to attract women you might be better off going with Hollywood Blockbuster. It's a somewhat similar style game but it is much more simple and I think the Hollywood/movie theme will draw someone in more than the tacked-on Egyptian theme.

Don't get me wrong, though, Ra is fantastic :) I'd just start with Hollywood Blockbuster.

[peterm]

Either Ticket to Ride or Lost Cities is a good bet.

You could also try Niagra, Robo Rally, or Nexus Ops if neither of those suits you.