|
Converting my fiance into a gaming addict.
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
For a few years, my friends and I have played board games off and on. It started with Axis and Allies, Bang!, Shadows Over Camelot as well as a couple Euros have gone ok. The gaming bug has spread and I thought it would be a fun and new activity for my fiance and I. So I went on a huge game buying spree. After this she shyed away from the games, but I have been acquiring ones that I thought she would like and so far I've had success for the most part.
After the first game listed below, I looked for games that are simple to explain (though not all of them are) and games that we could play one on one.
So the list is also in the order that I introduced the games to her over the past two months.
The conversion isn't complete but it has begun.
PS. The couples games seem to work the best for converting her. I'll have to continue those nights rather than just including her in the game nights with mostly guys.
Grading for Each of us:
 = Love It!
 = Like It
 Neutral
 = Don't Like It
 = Hate It!
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
Normally this wouldn't be my first game for someone, but I just got it for Christmas and needed some bodies to play with. Other than Uno, Monopoly, and Scrabble; this was our first game.
It was well-received but most of that was due to showing her the Puerto Rico video from Board Games with Scott. His explanation was fantastic and allowed me to easily fill in the gaps on the game's details. She asked to play again after the first one (Woot!)
Score: 1-0-0 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
We've played this game a lot. She hasn't beaten me yet, but she's getting better and better. Over the holidays her father loved this game. Unfortunately, she lost every "set of 3" matches. She did have some individual wins though. This is a game that I can go back to almost any night.
Score: 2-0-0 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
This went over well. A few weeks later she suggested it when I convinced her to play another game. We've played it 3 times to date. Easy rules, easy gameplay. This one is a can't-miss unless someone wants more decisions.
Score: 3-0-0 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
Neither one of us is big into space themes, but we gave this one a try because it is one of my favorites (despite theme). This one went ok, but we only played it once because too many people showed up to the game night to replay it. I think this is a game that you want to play a few times because every game feels somewhat different. This one didn't thrill her, but I think it is a wait-and-see game for her. Since this is one of my favorites, I'm sure we'll try it again.
Score: 3-0-1 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
5.
Board Game: Bang!
[Average Rating:6.76 Overall Rank:464]
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
We have a good group of people who like this game. Her first time playing this game was with a full 7 players. She enjoys this one... especially when she kills me in the second round. Unfortunately, she was the sheriff and didn't pick up on the fact that I didn't retaliate (as Deputy). ha ha. Another time, we played this with my parents recently and she almost won as the renegade. This one is definitely a keeper for us.
Score: 4-0-1 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
She was a little lost in her first playing of this one, but not too much. It was probably our poor explanation more than anything else. Unfortunately she was the Traitor in a group of 7 players, which is harder for first-time players. I suspect that the next playing of this game will go over better, but for now it has a "take-it or leave-it" feeling.
Score: 4-0-2 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
This one just flopped. The theme wasn't her thing. Additionally, I was new to it as well. After this game, I really had to do well with my next set of games.
Score: 4-1-2 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
Needing to do well with the next game choice, I went to the Carcassonne series. This was well received and kept the doors open to future games (whew!). We've still only played it once, but it is one that we'll go back to playing.
Score: 5-1-2 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
She beat me both times that we've played this one. It's quick and easy to learn but has a lot of choices. This one was perfect for us. Plus, she has liked every game in which she's beaten me. hmmm.
Score: 6-1-2
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
This game was an instant hit with my friend's girlfriend so when we were all together we played Dominion. It went over well, though not as well as it did with my friend's girlfriend. We played a few rounds. I feel like I can easily pull this one out again.
Score: 7-1-2 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
Once again we had two couples. This went over well and we played on the easiest level and won! Two of us had played before and tried not to dictate too much. It worked. This game can easily come back to the table.
Score: 8-1-2 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
My fiance was laughing at the cards. This game went over well because of its theme. Additionally, it allows you to use action cards to screw people over (mostly the person to your left). I was to her left and she definitely screwed me over in this game (to her enjoyment). This one will make it back to the table.
Score: 9-1-2 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
My fiance liked this game a lot, and beat me in the second game. It seems like it can be a good competitive game for us. The shortness of the game will allow it to get to the table more often than some other games. Even though I prefer themed games, I still enjoy this game. So this one is a winner as well.
Score: 10-1-2 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
We had another couples night and this went over well. The ladies took #1 and #2. My fiance loved this one. Of course winning the game helped. This one is probably one of her favorites now.
After this game night she mentioned that she really liked the couples game nights and suggested that we continue doing them. To me, that's a conversion. 
Score: 11-1-2 (Games Liked - Games Disliked - Needs another play to decide)
Me:
Her:
-
-
Patrick MacFarlane
United States
Boalsburg
Pennsylvania
-
Knowing that the original Ticket to Ride went over well, this once caused a lot more fighting for routes. It was well-received. I'd like to compare this one to the Switzerland expansion someday, but we'll see.
-
-
|
|
Posted Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:02 pm
)
