Thanks for the recommendations! I am one of those people who never wins board games and I loved Pandemic. Problem is, my SO and some of my friends who are really into board games didn't enjoy it - probably because they couldn't be the one true winner? Haha. I'm excited to try out Scotland Yard, it looks like a good game to placate those egos.
I have played more games of Pandemic with the missus - easily 300, and probably a lot more - since it came three years ago. We get our morning coffee and play a game (about 30-40 minutes), we average at least two games a week. Here are some things to try with the SO to spice it up that really worked well for us.
First, get the expansion pack if you don't have it already. It takes a good game and makes it much better.
Second, play with your cards on the table
face up. It's a puzzle game at heart, better if both of you can see all the pieces of the puzzle together. The memory component adds nothing to the game IMO. Scrap it.
Third, play two roles each. Randomly draw your roles. As you get better play with both the virulent strain and the mutant strain simultaneously. It's a great challenge, and you will only win half the time so it feels good when you do.
Fourth, be mindful not to play for the other person. Give the other person ample time to come up with their move, and live with it if you don't agree. You learn the game by making mistakes.
Pandemic (
with the expansion) is by far the best puzzle game I have played. It's a perfect couples game (pay close attention here gaming guys) because it is
cooperative rather than
directly competitive. In my experience women really enjoy the cooperative games, they often want to play on the same side as their SO. I think it's a must have on any game shelf.