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Think of it like Dungeons and Dragons mixed with Risk. Gloomhaven ($102): A combat-oriented strategy game where you and a partner work together to clear dungeons, discover ruins, and plunder riches.Blokus Duo ($15): The goal of this incredibly simple game is to fit more oddly shaped blocks on the board than your opponent.As the game progresses, though, you and your opponent have to fight for tiles, set strategic traps, and keep your eye on the board. At a basic level, you compete to pick up tiles and score points. Azul ($24): This is an easy puzzle game, but it involves a lot of depth.If you want to keep things low-key with a puzzle game, here are some of the best to check out. They challenge your mind, are easy to jump into, and provide some of the depth you’d expect from a strategy board game. If you and your partner prefer something a little less competitive, a puzzle-based game may be the way to go. Sometimes, the intensity of a strategy game can be a little too much. Each game comes with multiple decks of cards with unique stories, so the adventure never gets old. The goal is to control people’s past lives and steer them toward a mission goal. TIME Stories ($40): This game allows you and a partner to go on time traveling adventures.It’s a history board game that’s similar to Risk (but also, not Risk), in which you use your power and influence to take over the world. Twilight Struggle: The Cold War ($40): If you like long, stressful board games, then Twilight Struggle is for you.The goal is to plan your army for war and take down your opponent. Stratego Original ($18): This is a light, history-based strategy game for two players (no, it isn’t Risk).While based on a weird idea, it’s a really in-depth game that’s worth a shot. Patchwork ($25): A quick (15 minute) board game in which the goal is to build an aesthetically pleasing quilt.If you’re ready to put your relationship on the line for a good bit of stress and fun, then these are the board games for you. When some people think of board games, it’s the cutthroat strategy games that first come to mind.

Now that you’ve considered how you and your partner’s preferences align with the three most important aspects of a board game, it’s time to pick the right one. A more accessible game also means you can skip hours of rulebook talk and get straight to gameplay. Learning Curve:Some people prefer games with a steeper learning curve, but there’s no shame in playing “easy” games if that’s what the two of you enjoy.If you have to travel to play games with your partner (or if you like to play on the go), consider buying something small and portable, like a card-based game. Portability: There’s no point in getting a giant board game if you’ll never use it.

If you and your partner aren’t into cutthroat games, then look for a short game that involves teamwork rather than player-versus-player competition.
