# Good two-player games **URL:** \ **Category:** Boardgames\ **Created:** [11 August 2020 13:54 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580 "2020-08-11T13:54:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TamiJo](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/tamijo/32/1929_2.png) [@TamiJo](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/TamiJo)\ **Post date:** [13 August 2020 12:41 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/41 "2020-08-13T12:41:36Z")
Oh god, what a game. I played it to death when I got it, and properly loved it. ---
**Author:** ![yashima](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/yashima/32/21481_2.png) [@yashima](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/yashima)\ **Post date:** [27 November 2021 09:41 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/42 "2021-11-27T09:41:10Z")
This morning I woke up to a message on my phone that said “We bought Patchwork for our trip and it didn’t work for us, can you recommend us cooperative 2 player games that travel well?” Yes, I can and yes, I did. Here’s what I answered (roughly): - Sprawlopolis (yes yes it is mostly a solo but if need arises it does play multiple people) - Regicide - Hardback (has a coop mode) - Codenames Duett - Aerion - SubTerra - Mysterium Park - Mass Transit I also added that most Roll&Writes are pretty non-confrontative and that in general 2 player games are often designed to be tight duels and therefore may not work for many people. But multiplayer games that work for 2 are fine f.e. Splendor. The best thing about the list is. Sprawlopolis is dead cheap. Regicide is free. They can test out some of it on BGA/online with me before and the last 4 I can loan them. (I cannot loan out my copy of Sprawlopolis ever) ---
**Author:** ![COMaestro](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/comaestro/32/1030_2.png) [@COMaestro](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/COMaestro)\ **Post date:** [27 November 2021 14:11 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/43 "2021-11-27T14:11:26Z")
> [@yashima](#): > > This morning I woke up to a message on my phone that said “We bought Patchwork for our trip and it didn’t work for us, can you recommend us cooperative 2 player games that travel well?” The correct response to this is, “I am sorry, you must not like board games if Patchwork doesn’t work for you. Better try some other activity for trips.” /s But yeah, most 2 player games are very duel-ish, and often not cooperative. **Fox in the Forest Duet** might be another option, if they like trick taking, though I have not played it, only it’s competitive predecessor. ---
**Author:** ![yashima](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/yashima/32/21481_2.png) [@yashima](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/yashima)\ **Post date:** [27 November 2021 14:20 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/44 "2021-11-27T14:20:27Z")
I gave away the competitive one (Fox in the Forest). I liked the idea a lot but didn’t work for me and my partner: btw R disliked our one game of Patchwork quite a lot and complained so much I distanced myself from ever owning one of the lovely special editions. (Despite that, I think Patchwork is very much overhyped. It’s a good game but not that good, ymmv.) I stumble across the same issue time and again with duel games. So I completely understood where my friend was coming from. Btw he enjoyed Patchwork but his partner did not. ---
**Author:** ![SteveB\_uk](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/steveb_uk/32/26030_2.png) [@SteveB\_uk](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/SteveB_uk)\ **Post date:** [27 November 2021 16:42 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/45 "2021-11-27T16:42:28Z")
I’m really undecided about **Fox In The Forest Duet**. It’s difficult to win - me and my partner made good moves throughout and only just did it. That can lead to “you are the one who messed it up” conflict in what’s supposed to be a co-op. (It IS a co-op, but not a relaxed one). Having said that, she LOVED the artwork in Duet, and trick-taking never gets old. I haven’t played the original yet. ---
**Author:** ![Phil](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/phil/32/1508_2.png) [@Phil](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Phil)\ **Post date:** [28 November 2021 08:10 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/46 "2021-11-28T08:10:25Z")
I liked the original FITF but didn’t enjoy Duet – my partner and I both found it kinda dull. I like Patchwork though, so TMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Phil](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/phil/32/1508_2.png) [@Phil](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Phil)\ **Post date:** [28 November 2021 08:51 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/47 "2021-11-28T08:51:50Z")
> [@yashima](#): > > > can you recommend us cooperative 2 player games that travel well? Other possibilities: - **The Lost Expedition** (challenging) - **The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine** - **Geometric Art** - **Space Hulk: Death Angel** (if they don’t mind the theme and the high difficulty) - **Solar Storm** (I’ve never played it, but it sounds a bit like a board-less sci-fi **Pandemic** in a smaller box) - **The Grizzled** (I’ve never played this either) Mind you, there’s a lot of bigger-box games that can be very compact if you don’t actually take the box. A flat board and a few zip-lock bags of components (ignoring any for 3+ players) can often be packed away _very_ easily in one’s luggage! **Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective** can be just the rules and whichever episode(s) you choose to bring, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![SteveB\_uk](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/steveb_uk/32/26030_2.png) [@SteveB\_uk](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/SteveB_uk)\ **Post date:** [28 November 2021 09:14 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/48 "2021-11-28T09:14:30Z")
My best two player game that never fails: **Santorini**. Others: **Chronicles of Crime 1400** has some great two player mechanics. It’s easy to understand, and the crime scenes need one person to say our loud what they’re seeing while the other takes notes. Needs a phone app, though. Parks Canvas Herbaceous Railroad ink Lost Cities Kanagawa ---
**Author:** ![RogerBW](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/rogerbw/32/3_2.png) [@RogerBW](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/RogerBW)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 12:12 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/49 "2023-05-17T12:12:11Z")
Paula Deming’s top ten two-player games: [![](https://discussion.tekeli.li/uploads/default/original/3X/f/4/f4a77c4a7624dbb5aaead83dc500915423b06cb5.jpeg "Paula's Top 10 Games for 2 Players!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW2gmCJDImM) Her constraint here is “specifically intended just for two players”. Main list: 1. That Time You Killed Me 2. Targi 3. Memoir '44 4. Jaipur 5. Warhammer Underworlds 6. Lost Cities 7. Space Hulk 8. Mythic Mischief 9. Undaunted: Normandy 10. Caper Europe Honourable Mentions: - Chai: Tea for 2 - Longhorn - Marrakech - Watergate ---
**Author:** ![RogerBW](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/rogerbw/32/3_2.png) [@RogerBW](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/RogerBW)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 12:18 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/50 "2023-05-17T12:18:34Z")
My personal top ten, with a slightly fuzzier constraint: “must be intended for two players more than it is for another player count”. So _Piepmatz_ is, with regret, out, but _Crokinole_ is in. And I’m not even going to put them in order, but these are all in my collection and staying there: - Crokinole - Targi - Star Realms (I think Frontiers is the best iteration) - Jaipur - Hanamikoji - Onitama - Air Land & Sea (not sure yet how I feel about SL&S) - Baseball Highlights 2045 - Ashes (Reborn) - Fungi/Morels ---
**Author:** ![Benkyo](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/benkyo/32/1026_2.png) [@Benkyo](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Benkyo)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 13:09 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/51 "2023-05-17T13:09:40Z")
My own top 10, in no particular order: Twilight Struggle Innovation Go Hive Mottainai Android: Netrunner Napoleon’s Triumph Space Hulk Blood Bowl Tash-Kalar ---
**Author:** ![Griffster77](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/griffster77/32/1048_2.png) [@Griffster77](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Griffster77)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 13:43 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/52 "2023-05-17T13:43:48Z")
Marrakech isn’t just two players? ---
**Author:** ![SteveB\_uk](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/steveb_uk/32/26030_2.png) [@SteveB\_uk](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/SteveB_uk)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 13:54 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/53 "2023-05-17T13:54:39Z")
> [@Benkyo](#): > > Android: Netrunner Damn, that’s such a good pick. Really surprised to see **Space Hulk** on Paula D’s list, because I didn’t know there was a 2014 edition and apparently even that’s out of print (in addition to the rest of them being out of print). ---
**Author:** ![yashima](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/yashima/32/21481_2.png) [@yashima](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/yashima)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 14:12 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/54 "2023-05-17T14:12:25Z")
1. Tash Kalar 2. Race for the Galaxy (never played at another count) 3. Wingspan Asia 4. 7 Wonders Duel 5. Codenames: Duet 6. Star Realms 7. Yinsh 8. Bohnanza Duel 9. Splendor (Marvel, actual Duel is supposedly good?) 10. Innovation (if only my partner would play with me) Honorable mentions: - A Feast for Odin - M:tG–it’s been a very long time, and yet… - Imperium: Classics - Unmatched (if only my partner would play with me I would own way more than 2 boxes) PS: as my list shows, I am not a fan o “real” two player only games. Most of the ones I have, are 2 player versions of other games or have other than 2 players listed on the box even if I ignore those player counts. The reason might be those are too competitive for my tastes. ---
**Author:** ![Captbnut](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/captbnut/32/21513_2.png) [@Captbnut](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Captbnut)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 14:36 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/55 "2023-05-17T14:36:42Z")
I don’t know how many this is but I currently play and enjoy… Cribbage Haggis Crokinole Carrom Innovation Race for the Galaxy (feels like I’m cheating) Lost Cities (I hate this game so much, but it’s so good) Not played in a while, but I’d still rate Twilight Struggle (personally burned out on it) Star Wars Rebellion ---
**Author:** ![Whistle\_Pig](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/whistle_pig/32/1052_2.png) [@Whistle\_Pig](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Whistle_Pig)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 17:51 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/56 "2023-05-17T17:51:45Z")
I’d better get a move on and play **That time you killed me** ---
**Author:** ![Benkyo](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/benkyo/32/1026_2.png) [@Benkyo](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Benkyo)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 20:49 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/57 "2023-05-17T20:49:15Z")
(Race for the Galaxy would have made my list if I thought it genuinely best at two players) ---
**Author:** ![lalunaverde](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/lalunaverde/32/28591_2.png) [@lalunaverde](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/lalunaverde)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2023 23:57 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/58 "2023-05-17T23:57:05Z")
Top 2 players only - not in order - Summoner Wars - Netrunner - Go - Power & Weakness (only known as ‘Macht & Ohnmacht’) - Napoleon’s Triumph - Agricola: All Creatures - Hive - Tak (although, I prefer playing with the 6x6 board nowadays) - Battlecon - War of the Ring (c’mon. It’s a 2 player only game!) ---
**Author:** ![RogerBW](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/rogerbw/32/3_2.png) [@RogerBW](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/RogerBW)\ **Post date:** [18 May 2023 09:33 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/59 "2023-05-18T09:33:03Z")
I played _Summoner Wars_ once back in the day and didn’t love it, though I suspect if I were getting into it now I’d go for that rather than _Ashes_. Need to sort out some _Netrunner_ tokens so that I can play with the Null Signal cards I got at Essen last year… ---
**Author:** ![COMaestro](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/comaestro/32/1030_2.png) [@COMaestro](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/COMaestro)\ **Post date:** [18 May 2023 15:08 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580/60 "2023-05-18T15:08:38Z")
She mentions in the video that she sorta cheats with a couple of them. Going by what I have played, my top 10 2-player only list would include: Jaipur Lost Cities Patchwork Royal Visit 7 Wonders Duel Codenames: Duet Hanamikoji Sobek: 2 Players (and to get to 10) Mr. Jack Caesar! Seize Rome in 20 Minutes! Santorini The last three have only been played once or twice, so I do not feel like I can justifiably give them a top 10 rating, but I only have so many 2-player only games. Then there’s Star Wars: Rebellion and Undaunted: Normandy, both of which I’m sure would be in the list, but they have not been played yet, so…yeah. Honorable mentions to Unmatched and X-Wing Miniatures Game. Both are mostly played 1-on-1, but are not actually limited to that player count. Definitely would make the top 10 otherwise, though. EDIT: LOL, I can’t count this morning, as I listed 11 games. [Previous page](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580.md?page=2) [Next page](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/good-two-player-games/1580.md?page=4)