Looking for a chill night with your significant other? Look no further! I’ve compiled a list of board games that I think are perfect for playing in pairs, ranging from competitive to cooperative. In no particular order here are five of my recommendations for a chill game night at home this Valentine’s day.

The Initiative

The Initiative is a cooperative board game for those that like a mystery. It is a unique board game that combines elements of strategy, deduction, and storytelling. It is set in the 1990s and follows a group of teenagers who discover a mysterious board game called "The Key." As they play the game, they unravel a narrative that involves secret organizations, conspiracies, and various challenges.

Players take on the roles of these teenagers and work together to solve puzzles, uncover hidden information, and progress through a campaign-style storyline. The game features a blend of traditional board game mechanics, such as dice rolling and card management, along with a narrative-driven approach that unfolds as players advance through the different levels of the game.

The Initiative was originally released in 2021 so it’s not as readily available as some of the other games on the list, but you can still order it off of Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Villainous

Villainous gets into the competitive side while still not feeling entirely like you’re fighting each other. Villainous is a strategy board game that allows players to step into the shoes of iconic Disney villains. Each player selects a Disney villain character, each with its own unique deck of cards and objectives. The game is asymmetrical, meaning that each villain has a different playstyle, goals, and abilities.

Villainous is a game that has a ton of content because of all the expansion boxes so there’s infinite play throughs of this game. You can find Villainous at practically any local retailer like Target, Barnes & Noble, or Walmart.

Dice Throne

For the couples not afraid to get competitive, Dice Throne is a fast-paced and accessible game that I feel works best at the 2-player setting. It is a competitive yahtzee-style dice chucker battle game. The game is set in a fantasy world, and each player takes on the role of a unique hero or heroine with special abilities and powers. The central mechanic of the game involves rolling custom dice to attack opponents, defend against attacks, and activate special abilities.

Another game with a ton of content ranging from the original content to Marvel and now X-Men. There is even a cooperative game called Dice Throne Adventures. You can find Dice Throne online at their website, or select retailers.

Funko’s Disney Animated

Getting back to the cooperative games, in Funko’s Disney Animated you and your partner can step into the enchanting world of Disney Animation Studios in this lively and cooperative board game! As a team, channel the creativity and teamwork of the iconic Walt Disney Animation Studios to produce five timeless Disney films. Your mission is to overcome the mischief caused by infamous Disney villains who aim to disrupt your movie-making magic.

You can find Funko Animated at select retailers or the Funko website.

Stardew Valley - The Board Game

Last but not least, the coziest, yet the most challenging, Stardew Valley: The Board Game. Experience the charm of Stardew Valley through the board game's art and components. The game includes custom tokens, character boards, cards, and other elements that capture the spirit of the video game. Players work together to restore the run-down Pelican Town to its former glory, collaborating to achieve community goals and build a thriving farm.

Stardew Valley is probably the most difficult on the list to find, that being said you can still find it on various online retailers like Amazon or eBay, though you may have to pay a premium. If you have one near you, I would ask a local board game shop.