by We live in unique times. We are on the verge of reopening. Yet, most sporting arenas are still closed. Museums are closed. Most theatres are closed. We’re spending a lot more time indoors at home. What better way to spend time with your quarantine bubble than playing board games! Here are some investment-grade list of board games for couples during “quarantine”.
Contents
Board Games Have Come a Long Way
I know what you’re thinking: Board Games… Really?
Yes, but let me explain!
Board games have come a lonnng way since Monopoly and Scrabble.
Monopoly? More like monotonous! Roll the dice and buy a property? Continue for 2 hours only to finally flip the board in frustration? How boring!
I’m not sure how exactly it happened or when. But board games have gotten a lot more challenging, thought-provoking, and flat out more fun.
My hypothesis is that board games started to take off with Settlers of Catan.
Even though it was released in 1995, it didn’t hit its [Google Search] peak of popularity until December 2009.
I still remember being introduced to the game at my friend’s house in either 2010 or 2011. It was unique. It was interactive. It was not monotonous like Monopoly or Scrabble. Most importantly, it was FUN!
The board game industry has continued to grow since 2010. The search term “bgg” which directs people to the popular blog BoardGameGeek.com has seen tremendous growth.
Psychological Benefits of Board Games
Board games provide several psychological benefits.
They’re relaxing
What better way to lower your blood pressure after a long day at work than to unwind with a relaxing board game?
Some games have beautiful artwork that you can look at and admire for hours.
Some games have high quality components that feel great in your hands.
The visceral nature of board games just provides a little something extra that video games don’t.
Board games are social if you play with other people.
When you’re playing, you’d be surprised at how often you’ll share a laugh with your partner. Maybe you’ll playfully tease them for going too slow (like my fiancé teases me). Maybe you’ll talk about your day in between turns or in between games. Whatever the case may be, the social interaction required with board games just makes it that much more enjoyable.
They’re challenging
Put away your copy of Monopoly. Keep it in the attic.
Days of rolling dice and having luck mostly decide whether or not you land on Boardwalk and win are over!
Today’s games are a lot more challenging. Experienced players will easily defeat novice players.
What that means is that strategy and skill are much bigger factors than luck.
You may have to strategize to determine which of numerous different moves would give you an advantage over your opponent.
The best games are thinky but not overly thinky. Flashing your cunning and firing up those neurons will keep your brain in tip-top shape.
Financial Benefits of Board Games
This wouldn’t be Wall Street Fat Cat if we didn’t talk about the financial aspect of board games.
One way to think about board games is to think of them in terms of price per time of enjoyment.
Let’s say going to a basketball game costs $200 for two seats. The experience lasts 3 hours. That means your price of enjoyment is $200 divided by 3 hours = $66.66 per hour.
On the other hand, let’s say a board game costs $40. You end up playing the board game over 10 hours. Then your price of enjoyment is $4 per hour, significantly less than the cost of a basketball game.
I’m not saying that you should never go to a basketball game ever again. That experience will provide you a different experience and entirely different set of memories.
What I’m saying is that board games can provide quite a high amount of value in terms of entertainment per dollar.
Board Games For Couples
Here is my list of recommended board games for couples during quarantine.
Though these games play great with 2 players, most of these games can be played with more players, which will be perfect for those bigger game night gatherings later!
I’ve included the Board Game Geek (BGG) Rating (Out of 10) and the Complexity Rating (Out of 5, where 5 is extremely complex). For your reference, Chess has a complexity rating of 3.7!
#6: Monopoly Deal
- BGG Rating: 6.3
- Complexity: 1.33
- Current cost on Amazon: $7.99
- Players: 2 – 5
Monopoly Deal is a card game where the first person to build 3 sets of properties wins. It is fast paced and much more fun and exciting than the original Monopoly board game.
Pros:
- It’s very easy to learn and master.
- It is extremely affordable and portable which may be good for travel someday (I miss those days).
Cons:
- The game isn’t void of strategy, but luck certainly plays a bigger factor than one would like.
- The game is just a deck of cards and the art isn’t spectacular.
#5: Guillotine
- BGG Rating: 6.5
- Complexity: 1.27
- Current cost on Amazon: $13.78
- Players: 2 – 5
Guillotine is a card game set during the period of the French Revolution. The objective is to chop off as many heads and collect as many points over the course of 3 days.
Pros:
- Very unique and funny theme.
- Quick to learn and master.
- Fun!
Cons:
- Some cards are extremely frustrating. We had to remove some of them to keep the peace in our relationship!
- You’ll want to move onto bigger and better games.
#4: Splendor
- BGG Rating: 7.5
- Complexity: 1.8
- Current cost on Amazon: $35.97
- Players: 2 – 4
Splendor was my first “real” “adult” board game that I purchased during these COVID lockdowns. The goal of the game is to collect gems and use them to purchase cards that can provide you an engine for producing more gems. You collect points by purchasing cards or attracting the attention of a noble.
Pros:
- This is a very straightforward engine-building game.
- The gems have a satisfying amount of heft, similar to solid poker chips.
Cons:
- The box is much too big for its contents. Like 80% too big.
- The pace of the game follows an exponential curve. It is extremely slow at the beginning, gets really intense towards the end, then ends rather abruptly.
#3: Carcassonne
- BGG Rating: 7.4
- Complexity: 1.91
- Current cost on Amazon: $31.49
- Players: 2 – 5
Inspired by the French City of the same name, Carcassonne is a game where you connect tiles to build cities, roads, and monasteries.
Pros:
- Fun, relaxing, easy to learn, but still challenging.
- Satisfying because you feel like you’re completing a puzzle.
- Provides a nice break from engine-building, resource collecting games.
Cons:
- The box is also much too big for its contents.
- Every game is different but kinda the same.
#2: Parks
- BGG Rating: 7.9
- Complexity: 2.18
- Current cost on Amazon: $56.99
- Players: 1 – 5
Parks is a game where you get to visit national parks over four seasons, take pictures, and collect memories.
Pros:
- Parks is easily the most beautiful game on this list. It includes artwork from the Fifty-Nine Parks series.
- The components fit perfectly in the box thanks to its included Game Trayz.
- High quality cards, boards, and components.
- While still competitive, it still manages to be relaxing when you’re looking at such an aesthetically pleasing game.
Cons:
While it is the highest quality production on this list, it also is the most expensive.
#1: 7 Wonders Duel
- BGG Rating: 8.1
- Complexity: 2.23
- Current cost on Amazon: $27.97
- Players: 2 only
7 Wonders Duel is a card drafting game in which players collect resources. Players win by having the most advanced science program, flexing their military might, or collecting the most points for a civil victory.
Pros:
- Extremely fun and competitive.
- With three different ways to win, every game requires a different strategy
- Your strategy will need to adjust depending on what your opponent is doing. It is a constant tug-of-war
- Small box fits the components perfectly!
Cons:
The rules can be daunting at first, but you’ll get the hang of it after the first 2 or 3 plays.
Putting It All Together
Board Games are a low cost way to stimulate your mind, challenge yourself, unwind after a long day’s work, and release endorphins, all from the comfort of your own home!
Board games provide tremendous replay value. That means they can provide great economic value when analyzing the price per unit hour of entertainment.
My current list of recommended board games for couples during quarantine is as follows:
- 7 Wonders Duel
- Parks
- Carcassonne
- Splendor
- Guillotine
- Monopoly Deal
Let me know your thoughts below! What are some of your favorite board games that you’ve been playing during this pandemic?
