It’s here
That’s right, it’s that time again when the the Hallmark corporation commands us to show our affection to that special someone with expensive gifts and lavish dinner dates. This Valentine’s Day, why not try something different and break out some classic (and not so classic) tabletop games! Just for you, we’ve compiled a list of 9 games to play on this wretched lovin’ holiday.
Games for Couples
Some of these games will test your compatibility with your partner. (So if you’re into Dr. Phil, “I feel” statements, or team-building exercises, these will be right up your alley.) Others just have a great love theme and can set the mood for any Valentine’s evening. Either way, these are all great for 2 players. (If you are flying solo, we’ve got some other games for you further down, just keep scrolling.)
1 ) Codenames Duet – Similar to its predecessor “Codenames”, this game has the couple working together to try to reveal the spies while avoiding the assassin. How does it work? There are a bunch of words on a table, and there’s a pattern. The pattern is key to showing which people you want revealed or which people you want to avoid. One partner gives one word clues while the other partner tries to guess which words match the clue to reveal the correct people. This is a great game to test each other’s compatibility and communication skills.
2) Inoka – This is a bit of a humble brag, but our newest game “Inoka” can be a fun and challenging mind game, especially for couples who know each other well. If you know rock, paper, scissors, then you are halfway there. Add tie breakers and strengths to different actions and there’s a whole new layer of mind-reading. Best part, it’s a small game you can leave out on your coffee table or stash in your bag, and it plays in a quick 5-10 minutes.
3) Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra – This is a great two-player game, period. If you don’t have a significant other, just grab your bestie and play this game. We love tile laying and pattern-making games. It’s an easy one to play, and beautiful to look at too.
Games for Double the Couple
If you’re in a relationship and also have friends who are in relationships, this section is for you! These games cover good double date night games, especially if you have two sets of #extra competitive couples. Let the Hunger Couple Games begin!
4) Love Letter – We chose this game mainly because of the theme and the name, “Love Letter.” If you’ve ever watched the Bachelorette, you’ll understand the premise. The players are suitors trying to deliver their love letters to Princess Annette through various messengers. There are 16 cards in the deck. Each card is a messenger who has a special power. By guessing the other player’s messenger, you reveal their source and that source is eliminated. At the end of the game, all remaining players reveal their cards and whoever has the highest ranked messenger wins.
5) Codenames – Instead of the co-op play of “Codenames Duet”, couples face-off against each other to reveal blue versus red agents while avoiding the assassin! Whoever can detect their agents first wins. This can get pretty competitive, especially if communication between the sets of love birds are in sync. For young couples, it can be a good test to see each other’s affinity towards competitiveness. If a couple is not in sync, then this game may not be as fun and can get really frustrating.
6) Taboo – This is a classic, party game. Players give their partners clues while avoiding the list of forbidden (or “taboo”) words. The goal is to make your partner say a phrase or word. Wordy, creative games are a lot of fun and simple to play. Again, this game depends on how well partners know each other, and of course, whether partners remember not to use the forbidden words!
7) Pictionary – Maybe you are more visual than verbal. If so, this game is for you. “Pictionary” is very similar to “Taboo” since the players are trying to get their partners to say a specific word or phrase. The difference is that the clues are drawn. As you can imagine, it’s a tough game if you’re not naturally artistic or good at drawing. You’re also under some time pressure, so drawing quickly and accurately, while also trying to beat your frenemy couple can get pretty intense.
Games for the Lone Wolf
If you’re flying solo, you’ve come to the right place. You have no patience for romantics. You’re just HERE. TO. GAME. and we get it. Here’s our recommendations for some solo games or if your partner isn’t into gaming.
8) Tiny Epic Galaxies – This is the third in Gamelyn Games’ “Tiny Epic” series, and it’s got three main things going for it. One, it’s space-themed, which in our opinion is always a plus. Two, it’s got a fistful of custom dice, which makes for plenty of action and excitement. Three, and most important for this blog post, it has an excellent solo mode. Colonize planets, gather resources, and fend off the forces of the Rogue Galaxy. The solo experience is just as much fun as the 2-5 player version, which is a testament to designer Scott Almes.
9) Palm Island – If you find yourself all alone on a cold, snowy Valentine’s evening, you can escape to a tropical paradise with Jon Mietling’s “Palm Island”. Collect logs, rocks, and fish, then trade them in for upgrades on your hut or the temple, scoring victory points along the way. A unique feature of this game is its minimal footprint – the game is just a deck of cards that you hold in your hand, turning cards sideways or flipping them over depending on which actions you take. This makes it perfect for playing on your couch while you binge-watch Star Trek: Voyager (the official syndicated TV show of XYZ Game Labs).
