The wife has been making murmuring about being interested in what I am up to with my painting and collecting, but she would not really be up for the wargaming side of things as such - going 1 vs 1 in a battle that doesn't involve the toilet seat or washing up doesn't interest her. That being said, what are some co-operative based games I could test out on her? I know there's Silver Tower, which looks like it'd do pretty well... But what others are there about?
Well, if you are into telling stories as well no-one will prevent you from using AoS rules (or the Hinterland skirmish rules) and have the enemy controlled by either a player or a third person. Like playing D&D, telling a story and playing in a non-competitive way that intends the players to win.
Yeah, I think that is where Silver Tower would be good as it lets the heroes persist and gain stuff as they go. I'll have a poke around and see if there are any campaigns designed for co-op style play.
I also bought a Silver Tower box but I haven't played yet so I can't tell. But yes, that's what I think, too.
Mice and Mystics might be good for you http://www.plaidhatgames.com/games/mice-and-mystics I saw it first via "Table Top" on Youtube. That's a great show to help find more games to play.
Castle Ravenloft, legend of drizzt and wrath of ashardalon are D&D board games that are cooperative and a blast to play. No DM needed, the monsters have a built in movement and attack design. You can make them harder with the addition of monsters from any of those games, or any other D&D minis you get or dungeon command games.
Star Wars Imperial assault: has up to 6 players against a DM who controls the imperials. in a bit of an RPG skirmish.
Not all technically within your search parameters, but... Space Hulk is fun. The Red Dragon Inn is fun. Betrayal at House on the Hill is fun. Requires 3 players though I think. Warhammer Quest is fun. Blood Bowl is fun. Most of those you are pitted against each other though, but they're fun. Good stepping stones into Warhammer. If you can get her to play Shadowrun, that's a good time too. You'll need a group though.
I once did a cooperative game of Sky Galleons of Mars. Both of us had 3 ship squadrons of Martian Kites. The Germans had a big mesa with guns deployed at the top. (A big fort) There were Brit troops trying to slog their way up the mountain; Germans defending... The Brits and the Krauts were operated autonomously according to simple rules. At stake was an old Martian Temple/Holy Place atop the mesa that was being looted. The Martian Sky Captains were trying to subdue the fort, in order to land, and rescue the antiquities, before the Brits slogged their way to the top.
Howabout Super Dungeon Explorer? A few heroes going at it Gauntlet style which allows for a more "AI" feel of control.
Co-operative board games with miniatures seem to be all the rage nowadays, especially on Kickstarter. Last Night On Earth, Dead of Winter, Shadows of Brimstone, Kingdom Death and Shared Dreams, for example.