The 10 best games for 2 players 

So this week I have not been well, so a few things were rushed on the video. mostly the audio, So apologies for that. Anyway, here is my list, hopefully you find some games on here you like the look of, or at least agree with my rationales. If not, let me know in the comments.

My man, I've fallen madly in reciprocated love in the last few weeks (for the first time in my 30 years) and have been scrambling to find good 2 player games. This could not have come at a better time. Thank you for the great videos as always!

I agree theres something a bit special with just two players. Race for the Galaxy was the first game that really made me think about player count and what count suits what game. I liked it at 3 and 4 but the first time I played it at 2 with the selecting two roles each rules was when I fell in love with it.

My favorite 2p games are 7 Wonders: Duel with both expansions, Five Tribes (I think it’s best at 2p), Targi, Akrotiri, and Hanamikoji.

My wife and I are currently in love with Everdell. We haven't tried the coop variation yet because enjoy going against each other! RIP Nigel

I believe that Unmatched is one of (if not the best) game for two players, great components (except for the board), great cards graphic design, but what’s more important great, thematic and fun gameplay for each fighter and their number keeps on growing. It’s pretty easy to explain the rules too and there is no need for long preparations before the game. As a disadvantage I’d say that some characters that you can play have 60% win rate over 40% win rate on some other characters, but it’s still pretty close and you can make a home rule on having a ban for let’s say 1 character from the one you can pick.

Really enjoyed the content here! One of my go to 2p games is Quarto. It's basically advanced tic tac toe, very thematic to 4s and is visually nice looking wood piece game. It's deceptively hard at first and yet every new player I show this to wants to go again and again

New to board gaming and feel so stupid not thinking of playing multiple characters each. Thanks for your great review.

This channel profoundly influenced my taste in board games. Took a break from watching these videos because I’ve already bought enough games. I got lucky to find this channel early on. Thanks for all you do.

Some nice suggestions I haven't tried. We used to not play games as 2 players because when we entered the hobby it seemed that either a game was for 2 players, or it usually was tacked on. Nowadays there are tons of good options.

"Alone" from Horrible Guild is also a great two player game if you enjoy survival (Horror) SciFi theme.

We do like Jaws, my son and I play head to head and he loves to play the shark! Thunderbirds, Pandemic Iberia and Robinson Crusoe are a lot of fun to play as co op 2 person. Just picked up Sleeping Gods, looking forward to playing it with my son so we can enjoy the story together.

The majority of my gaming hobby is also in two player games. My wife & I enjoy multiple games on this list, especially Santorini for all the reasons you specified! Really great video~

My favorite 2 player game is Roll for the Galaxy. It is fun with more than 2, but at 2 it is a head to head battle for who can get the best Developments first and win!

Another excellent list- would love to see your best 3p and 4p lists (my usual game group size) cheers!

Great list! I agree Santorini is definitely #1. A few that my wife and I like: Unmatched, MicroMacro, and Raptor, but my game group and I love Dice Throne as well.

Sorry for your loss. Delighted for this video, I keep buying two player games for my parents. This sorts out birthdays for a while!

Great list! I've always found Takenoko makes a fantasic two-player game (and at every other player count).

I played a lot of tabletop war games when I was younger. When I found X-Wing, I was hooked. I loved how critical movement and firing arcs are which were usually overlooked in older tabletop games. I'm a sucker for the IP, and the theme really shines. But it's a black hole for money.

I found that Santorini fell into the same gaming space as Hive aka a quick to start/easy to learn game that can be very deep and thinky. However, I enjoy Hive so much more. Another great video, keep up the good work!

Subastral / Akrotiri / Undaunted NA / Blitzkrieg! / Air Land and Sea / Trickshot / Battle Line / Trickerion Dueling Magicians - Then I personally like the 2p variant of Hansa, 5tribes, and Ankh

I can understand people playing the core set of Android: Netrunner, dealing with rules and card complexity, but with System Gateway, which is the best starter product for a card game, one's got to consider it as the best 2p game especially after discovering and building with FFG or NISEI cards

A two player game that really blew me away the first time I played, was Watergate. Mostly because it’s a tight/tense/experience and quite fast too. The theme didn’t initial grab me - but it’s done very well.

How is BattleCON not mentioned in the comments? That's my personal favorite board game. It simulates a 2D fighting video game. I've played it hundreds of times, maybe even thousands (it's about 30 minutes long) and still haven't explored all of the game yet. I own all of the sets, so I have about a hundred fighters. Each fighter has their own gimmicks and strategies, and varying levels of complexity, so some are easier to learn than others, but each have a deep level of mastery. There are also tons of variations and modes of play (ranging from 1-5 players, co-op, team battles, bosses, dungeon crawling, various kinds of stages, equipment and items, etc.) but those are icing on the cake.

Amen, some very great stuff there. I’d throw out ‘Race for the Galaxy’ - that double action selection system leads to some very powerful effects, the game plays at a clip and it mitigates the worst part of the game (once you get past the teach) - having to shuffle that deck multiple times in an explore heavy game!

I really love Summoner Wars for a 2p game. All factions have a unique playstyle. It is easy to learn, yet hard to master. The game feels well thought out and balanced. Of course it's for people who like card games and a bit of fantasy.

Santorini is a big hit in my house and whenever I hear someone say they are not a fan I ask if they are playing with the god powers. Often we draw them at random. Jaws comes out from time to time bit living on Long Island with a rash of shark "attacks" this summer, really nibbles, it has gotten more play recently. It helps to have the soundtrack playing in the background. The one undisputed king of two player games though has to go to... CROKINOLE!

Seven Wonders Duel and It's a Wonderful World are my favourite games for 2 players

Tainted Grail is also great at two players when it was a little slow and unwieldy at 4. Also, and I hate to disagree with the patrons, but sherlock Holmes consulting detective is hella messy. The first couple of mysteries were really fun but after those they get opaque and rely too much on moon logic. But yes, lovely to have this video. I play games with my wife and so I rely on them a load. We did clank legacy at the start of the pandemic, then gloomhaven Jaws of the lion, then some arkham horror tcg, then sherlock Holmes (urg) then aeons end and now tainted grail.

Very interesting, thank you!

Naga Raja is also such an amazing 2 player game!

I’d be interested to know your thoughts on Narcos By Cmon games. I am brushing up on the rules so I can play a 2 player game of it soon. It’s a hidden movement game of sorts - the twist is Patrón hardly moves but is forced to give clues about the location of his secret hideout whenever he instructs his henchmen (Sicarios) to do his bidding. Looks very interesting…

Kia Ora from Kirikiriroa! Was just googling for some good 2 player board games and this video was recommended. I happen to own a few of the games you listed, so thought ka pai - somebody else thought these games were good too 😁 When I get the opportunity, I'll definitely grab Santorini as it looks like a great fit for the types of people I play with, and I seem to like the kind of games you do. Thanks for the recommendations. Subbed.

Great to see you continue to introduce people around the world to Māori counting. I came for the games and left seeing a bit of someone else's culture. Thank you.

I mostly play coops 2 player these days - Spirit Island being a favourite or Arkham LCG. Another game would be A Feast for Odin which is very solitaire but it's nice to have someone else along for the ride. I played a fair bit of Sentinels of the Multiverse 2 player 2 characters each which does keep you more involved other games I tend to just play one character with 2.

Battle Lore, Polis, Carpe Dium, Senet

Sorry for your loss, hugs from here 😔 Gotta agree with some like Santorini and Rebellion! We have to play Santorini on BGA together one day =)

I fully agree with you on TWOM shining at multiplayer, very much for sharing the stories, the moral dilemmas, the dark humour, the experience etc. For me the narrative is the heart of the game, not the mechanics, and what makes it so special (to the point it's not a game I'd feel comfortable tabling in the current situation). I've played at 5, and did notice one of the players zoning out, so yes I'd agree that it's pretty much the upper limit... though I could imagine a larger classroom group of ~ 16 year olds going through some accelerated scenarios as being a more innovative form of learning.

The "Fury of Dracula" is in a category all its own.

Great list. I'll add Santorini to my wishlist, it sounds simple enough my son would enjoy it (either now or in a few years, he's only 5.5yo, but he does enjoy canvas and even enjoys about 3/4 of architects of the west kingdom for about 30 minutes ;-)

Wow, I did not expect your #1, but I heartily agree! Amazing game. I don't see myself ever tiring of it.

My son (10) likes cooperative games, so we play forbidden desert, the Game, and fire of eidolon. I play outfoxed with my daughter (6) now, and sometimes my son will hop in. With the big boys and gals, we’ll play Marvel Champions, Hero Realms, pauper MtG, 7 Wonders Duel, Lost Cities, and I always love me a game of Terraforming Mars, either version. Very sorry for your loss, btw. I actually have Netrunner and have never played it. Been sitting in the shelf for around 5 years now. I’m sure I would enjoy it, but most of my buddies stick to MtG and Warhammer 🤦🏻‍♂️. What I wouldn’t give for them to branch out into different/board games!

As for the war games that you have on your list, they are truly great games!

Tanhks for the list :) I really love Targi. A great 2-player game

I been thinking in getting this war of mine, but I don't know what how long a session would take. My freetime got a little crowded lately 🙁

great video!

I play a lot of Hive on BGA. Also, Race for the Galaxy is superb at 2 players, with the 2-player rules being used.

Great list! I love Twilight Struggle too but have to be in the mood for a 4 hour tense-fest! Others that I think are fantastic are: Inis Cyclades +/- Hades Expansion Brass Lancashire Space Empires 4x A War of Whispers Castles of Burgundy Viticulture EE Tuscany Tigris & Euphrates Summoner Wars Race for the Galaxy Ra Battle Line

If Grand Austria Hotel isn't on this list I don't know what to say :)

have you tried Capers:europe? Watergate is a good, plays fast and has a real tension. ( i love twilight struggle but only play it on the app now)

Whirling Witchcraft is a very mean back-and-forth game at 2 players compared to the chaos when you go 3-5. Don’t think I’ve played a game that felt so different at different player counts.

Have you tried the Netrunner new base set, by NISEI, called System Gateway? It's like the best time to actually get into the game, imho

We have played all the Pandemic legacies with two people and four characters. I think I will try your recommendation and do the same with Mansions of Madness-will probably add to the tension and we could get around faster. Thanks for the video.

Would definitely recommend Sekigahara! Have you tried it before? 😁

Thanks for all you do

A few musings: Netrunner can be played online, and is great that way at a table with a couple laptops, I'd link it but RU-vid will delete my comment then. I really should give Spirit Island another go - my wife loves it - but I'm not a fan of fire fighting games, even gave away my Flash Point copy to my nephews. We have Hunt for the Ring, which is a hidden movement game better at 2 than as a large group, but we find that it's too easy for the Ringbearers, so we need to play with the suggestion to have less Fellowship tokens for them. War of the Ring and Rebellion are so epic, but I just purchased Battle of the Five Armies so hopefully we can get a game done in an afternoon rather than it being a whole day affair for us (we're slow our first few games through). I love Santorini but my wife wasn't a fan, so gifted that to the nephews as well. I like the comment that suggests Roll for the Galaxy - although a friend owns it so unlikely we'll purchase it. We're playing Everdell base mostly these days, either on table or online. Although we're working Dune in, and still have to get Argent to the table! Love your content! I love it so much most of my collection are games you've recommended that friends don't own yet! Edit: Would love to see you tackle the Hasbro The Queen's Gambit on the Phantom Menace end battle if you could ever find a copy! That would be an epic 2 player game!

Not gonna lie the moment you said Fire Fighting coop I instantly regretted not buying Flashpoint yesterday at a local shop. Then I was surprised you said Pandemic and Arkham which I already own so it worked out. Played Arkham instead haha.

Yay, Jaws. I wish I got to play it more. I like the first part of the game better.

Brilliant!

Sorry to hear about your friend

Thx boss!!!

Carcassonne didn’t even get an honorable mention? Dang.

I wondered what the words are above the numbers until I realized they are the Maori words for 10 to 1. (I speak Tahitian,)

Raptor is a great 2p game

1. Twilight Struggle 2. Fields of Arle 3. Colonial Twilight 4. Blitz Bowl Season 2 5. X-Odus 6. Targi 7. Hive 8. Star Realms 9. Legendary Encounters Aliens 10.1066 Tears to many mothers 5.

I think my favorite two player games would have to be Hive (Pocket), Onitama, Santorini, Targi, Android: Netrunner, Gloomhaven, The Captain is Dead, and Spirit Island.

Flash Point: Fire Rescue is a nice firefighting game ☺️

Can’t believe you called them “firefighting co-op” games and didn’t show Flashpoint, where you actually fight fires. :)

Great video! Kingdomino IMO is best with the 2P mode where all the tiles are used and players make a 7 × 7 grid.

Nigel was a co-worker. He will be missed. :(

Sorry about Nigel’s passing

I think Spirit Island takes my top two-player spot, one spirit each. Android Netrunner would be a close second though, or maybe Gloomhaven. Sorry for your loss. :(

Imperium classic / legends/ horizons should be on this list

I'm sorry for your loss.

No spirit island? But its the best 2 player game! And also the best 3,4 and 1 player game 😀😀

Try Caper!

Shadowrift 2e.

Hello nate What is the video title where you're wife actually gave her list of top best board games?

Fun fact. During the Kickstarter for this war of mine awaken realms held a character concept competition for a free copy of the game. Mine was the winning entry of a 'homeless person' 😁

Red rising is super

Oh man, use the proper sized sleeves for your Star Wars Rebellion :D

Shama lama ding dong

I suggest these game instead: targi, 7 wonders duel, wir sind das volk (better than twilight struggle for me), Arkham horror LCG, race for the galaxy, everdell (cause otherwise becomes too long), wingspan

FWIW I'm not a fan of Santorini, but then I grew to dislike Chess from it becoming more like study than a game, so that's very much a personal thing. However I do agree that higher player counts are problematic, mostly for kingmaking issues. For 3+ players, The Estates handles that a little better, albeit doesn't eliminate the problem.

Santorini is the best game ever

my family is affected by Cancer too 😢 the chemo either kills or take away mobility / quality of life 😢

and of course, chess

Like, like, like!

I know that this will be very uninspiring, boring and repetitive but..... Gloomhaven. One of the best games ever, and truly shines with 2 players as a sweet spot between 3 players (possible, too long and messy) and Solo (please no!).

Wait, where's Chess?!