6 Great Board Games for Just 2 Players

[@CortashGaming]

This list is great...but there's a problem....I need a second person.....

[@DeadmanWL]

I feel you bro #forever-alone

[@CortashGaming]

@@DeadmanWL lol

[@mattball8622]

Clearly, Dicebreaker need a video on single player board games :D

[@Stephen-Fox]

@@mattball8622 There are a lot of really lovely ones available, too.

[@mattball8622]

@@Stephen-Fox absolutely. I'd genuinely love to see that video!

[@cuchulainn1473]

"Convert your friends into boardgames"

[@AJSZodiac]

Always sounds like it means turn them psychically into a game.

[@satansbarman]

They tend to complain when I draw on them and they keep moving so all the cards and other bits fall off, it's a right pain

[@samtrue3]

Well Corazon can become a chair on command so you never know

[@TomLWaters]

Aren't there conversion guidelines out there somewhere, like spouse = 3 bonus dice, buddy = 2, coworker = 1. Conversion by standard guidelines would help to simplify all our relationships.

[@elijaaaah]

"A parent introducing their child to the big wide world of board gaming." I think I'd be the one introducing it to my mum 😂

[@KevinJennissen]

As a young parent, that would have been my response a few years ago, too. It's funny how perspectives change!

[@shinjial]

I really like Patchwork and 7 Wonders Duel for this.

[@Stephen-Fox]

I prefer Indian Summer to Patchwork these days, even at two (maybe it's the gorgeous animal illustrations?), but both of these are excellent picks.

[@Entenie]

I second this.

[@shinjial]

Gizensha Fox hey! Never seen Indian Summer before. I’ll check it out, thx! 😉

[@dicebreaker]

I have to say, Patchwork is lovely. It just missed out as I didn't have a copy at hand - Wheels

[@b0red0mness]

Patchwork is an awesome game!

[@jook2jook]

Exactly the video i wanted to help me and my partner to get in to some board games. Thanks Dicebreaker

[@theJMBgamer]

I'd recommend Hanamikoji, it's one of my favorite games of all time. It has simple rules, it's short, but there's so much depth and strategy to it

[@neilgilham4120]

JohnMichael Bell Couldn’t agree more!! In my Top 3 duel games!!!!

[@jernfuglen]

The people I know, who have played it also think it's a good game. For some reason it's not really for me.

[@frenchy1138]

A couple of great lightweight ones is throw in there are Patchwork - a Tetris-style pattern making game - and Odin's Ravens - a racing game with some light take that mechanics.

[@letters_from_paradise]

You drive to the Tash-Kalar in your Tash-Kar, to play Tash-Kalar with your Tash-Kards, but don't be too Brash-Kalar or you might lose your bet of Cash-Kalar. I'll see myself out.

[@CortashGaming]

HAHAHA!! XD

[@some_shiptoster]

Clean the damn lens. 😛

[@Tinyvalkyrie410]

Oh god those smudges are driving me crazy

[@styphonuk]

7 Wonders Duel is one of my favourite two player games.

[@nicka.9057]

It's me and my girlfriend's favorite too.

[@mattlowder]

this list has slapped my hams and I've never been happier. Consider my biscuit buttered.

[@bunnyshooz]

matthlowder my favorite comment, regardless of context. Thank you.

[@testoftetris]

Santorini recently dipped in price to around $15 and is one of the greatest 2 player games I've ever played. It's tremendously simple to learn, but blossoms into a rich tactical masterpiece after just a couple of times playing

[@ModernPlague]

Amazon has it currently listed at around $25----where is it available for around $15?

[@internet2055]

"Masterpiece" ....kid Nicholas you are writing with emotions, ....control your emotions THEN take a breath and type a comment.

[@b0red0mness]

Fugitive looks like a lot of fun! Lately my partner and I have been really enjoying The Duke which is a 2 player that's kinda like chess? Except not quite? I've had games last anywhere from 5 minutes to 3 hours. There's a bit of luck, a bit of strategy, and lots of replayability which is always best of all :)

[@Tennethums1]

- Air, Land & Sea. - Star Realms (or Ascension if you prefer a fantasy theme). - Battlelore. - Lord of the Rings Confrontation. - Guillotine. - Biblios - Castles of Mad King Ludwig - Space Base - Alien Frontiers - Star Wars; Rebellion - XWing Miniatures - KaChing While not all of these are necessarily marketed at just two player, they are games the gf and I love to play together.

[@oliviapettengill6341]

Tennethums1 Hero Realms is also a great fantasy version of star realms too

[@pleio5pilos148]

Sagrada is a great one as well. Surprised more people aren’t talking about it. After I taught my friends they requested it for every game night after. It’s a great two player and with the expansion it can go up to 6 players. There are also rules to play solo!

[@tharrigan497]

Jaipur looks awesome! We like Castles of Burgundy or Viticulture for 2 players. And splendor is always a go-to in our house!

[@dstruidor]

Wheels: Convert your friends into boardgames me: Wait, what! But I need human friends to play, cant play a boardgame with a boardgame.... Or can I

[@GoranTurda]

There are some good solo board games, if you into solo experience

[@Boizemannen]

2 player co-op. Is it possible to get a list of those kind of games?

[@guitarplayr8]

Most co-op games play well with 2 players. Pandemic (lots to choose from in there), Forbidden Desert, Forbidden Island, Flash Point Fire Rescue, Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle, Escape: The Curse of the Temple, Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective, Fog of Love, EXIT/Unlock games (sort of like an escape room in a box). And for something heavier: Grizzled, Gloomhaven, Mice and Mystics, Spirit Island

[@tylerowens]

One Deck Dungeon (and its expansion ODD:Forrest of Shadows) is another awesome 2p co-op board game, that for added bonus can be played single player as well.

[@ModernPlague]

Arkham Horror: The Card Game Robinson Crusoe: Cursed Island

[@MoriMemento117]

Aeon's End! It is such an elegant full co-op deck builder. Tons of depth, but so simple to get started - especially if you've played Dominion or Legendary previously. I cannot praise it enough! Not strictly 2-player, but does play slightly better at 2 than any other count.

[@3nertia]

This! Please do a video on this!

[@wncwaterfalls]

I love Star Realms. To me it is pretty much the perfect 2 player game, and there are ways to make it co-op, but competitive is so much fun

[@shelliupshaw3405]

One of my favorite 2 player cames. I love hero relams as well

[@timhutchinson8485]

Yes, Jaipur! Love that game.

[@talahar123]

Two games I'd like to recommend: 1) Tak. A Beautiful Game. It was first mentioned in one of the books by Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear. It's a more abstract strategy tile laying game. SImple to learn, hard to master. The other, The Duke, by Catalyst Game Labs, a bit more akin to summoner wars as in every token is a character in the army with its own moves, but also like chess as in: this piece does this and this, and if the other piece is in the way it's gone. The Duke has a couple of interesting expansions for varied gameplay, among those a Robert E. Howard pack with pieces reprensenting characters from his books, Conan, Solomon Kane, among others.

[@ModernPlague]

Arkham Horror: The Card Game Netrunner Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Pandemic Robinson Crusoe: Cursed Island Hive

[@marksdicetales]

long live netrunner!

[@fixneil9093]

great list ! I'd add Akrotiri, and for a quick match, Shotten totten.

[@nortonofnorthamerica]

So the list of best board games for 2 people doesn't include chess or Go. Just a piles of cardboard with complicated rules . I have a feeling no one will be playing any of these games in 10 years let alone 1000

[@thembill8246]

No inclusion of 7 Ronin? Asymmetrical two player based on The Seven Samurai? Eh?

[@chriszablocki2460]

Chess is 1500 years old. And there are more possible outcomes in a single game of chess than, an estimated, total number of atomic particles in the material universe. Worth a look...

[@Artemis.97]

My husband just picked up a game called Everdell for me for christmas, it has a theme of cute animals building a society and a really impressive looking tree to hold the cards and pieces. It's good with two players, but probably ideally works with three and can accommodate up to four. Bonus, there's a single player variant where you play against grumpy king Rugwort. Very cute and very fun. Takes a while to play at first, though. I think turns will get faster once we get a hang of things.

[@keegantrott1016]

Also - mentioned on a previous video - Star Realms. Good combo of deckbuilding and strategy card game. Great video Wheels!

[@blackjack2150]

Haven't played most of these, but we found 7 Wonders duel to be great.

[@timamiq]

blackjack2150 make sure you get the expansion too

[@sinancothebest]

It is often rated as one of the best boardgames ever too but I don't get it; not that ı ever played it but the biggest attraction of 7 WOnders and its extensions for me is how it allows up to 7 (8 with Cities) players to play a strategic nationbuilding game without long wsits and dragged out games. Not sure how the formula would fit 2 players well

[@chizhang184]

​@@sinancothebest 7 Wonders duel is another standalone game dedicated for two players, try it.

[@anz10]

7 wonders duel is ok but is not amazing plus there are so many icons etc to keep a track of. I dont mind that if the game is amazing but it doesnt keep me on my toes wanting more, it's just quite good.

[@blackjack2150]

@@anz10 I actually found the icons really helpful. I respect every game that makes the effort to have such good symbology that it becomes language independent. The new edition of 7 Wonders (the main game) is proof to that, since they replaced the text for building chains with icons, just like the 7W Duel.

[@Wfftam]

What about PvE games? I have some friends who we mutually don't enjoy competing with each other, a list of the best PvE games would be nice!

[@TwoJaysMoon]

Wfftam they’re called “cooperative” games, and there are a ton, I suggest starting with pandemic, Hanabi, and forbidden desert. Should you be looking for a more complex or difficult experience, try gloomhaven or ghost stories. My personal favorite is actually “castle panic” which is a kid’s game, but it’s brutal. Mysterium, mansions of madness*, and The Mind should also be mentioned here. *this game has a betrayal element to it, one of you ends up being the monster and then you fight 1vall, but it’s got a great theme and is awesome for halloween.

[@LTPSHT]

Sounds so boring! is it because the guy`s narrative sound so boring or the games are boring?

[@jerrycheney3974]

Hi johny and wheels I love this channel and have been here since you began u have really spiked my interest in board and card games I have yet to play anything but your videos have really got me inspired u have a great channel here and hope to be here as you grow and become a massive youtube channel. Also I have watched your video about best beginner games could u suggest ur favourite and the best way to convince my mates to play coz non of them are interested at the moment love you guys keep up the great work

[@achal20mittal]

Great video but a bit distracted by the dirty lens on your main camera.

[@justinrrizzo]

Jaipur could have been a great game, but that random VP chips soils it for. Merchants of Muziris is superior in every way, and Sobek is also more interesting, and plays more than 4. Check them out.

[@thechevyferrari9559]

I think we’ll need a Solo board and card list, eventually.

[@dan-gy4vu]

There is this print and play roll and write game that I really like called Bargain Basement Bathysphere of Bechside Bay. It's free!

[@piercefabruada3851]

Wow! Nice content! I also want to share this Lagim Card game that my family and I are enjoying. It's amazing that they actually came up with the idea of Philippine Folklore since it's kind of dying down a bit. It will surely educate future generations.

[@marksdicetales]

lost cities and balloon cup were my 1st 2 player games still remember fondly, since then patchwork and splendor and since kinda slipped in skirmish games with friends starwars legion current favorite

[@thebrianunger]

another great/easy 6 : Raptor, Onitama, Battle Line, Hanamikoji, Codenames Duet, Exit/Unlock series

[@toddkauk6099]

My list: Battle Line, Patchwork, LOTR: The Confrontation, Star Realms, 7 Wonders Duel, and Arena: Roma II

[@toddkauk6099]

@@theanarkiddie4569 It is #16 overall on BGG best games of all-time. #2 for 2p only. 🙂

[@Mantichore1]

Really enjoying playing Naga Raja with (or rather against) my wife at the moment

[@Nosferatu755]

I'd like to recommend Santorini. It's perfect for 2 people, with a really simple set of rules that anyone can learn in 5 minutes, but with a massive amount of chess-like depth that can make for some very tense games

[@kleigster675]

I totally agree!! My son and I love playing Santorini! Quick rounds and so much variability.

[@garyk2629]

How Targi is not on this list is baffling.

[@PrincessWhoosh]

One of my faves for 2 players that I super recommend if you don't mind having a weird and hilariously awkward time is Fog Of Love. You basically each have a play through being in a relationship and and have secret asymmetric goals. It's a good, odd time.

[@torgranael]

I also recommend Flux. Only one rule: on your turn, draw one card, play one card. There's no need to explain pages of rules because the rest of the rules change almost every time a card is played, based on what the card says.

[@TwoJaysMoon]

Theodore Friend fluxx is perhaps the *worst* game ever made.

[@torgranael]

@@TwoJaysMoon How so? I mostly mean it is easy to learn.

[@TwoJaysMoon]

Theodore Friend for the same reason monopoly sucks: it’s long and boring. There are plenty more card games (literally, just pick any other one) that would do better than that.

[@kleigster675]

I agree! Fluxx is a very enjoyable game with a lot of variety!

[@tonyasymonds638]

I love fluxx. They have a few fandom versions as well. I find some people have to play it a few times before they start to really get into it because by then they'll have a better feel for the cards and possibilities to win

[@Greensleeve11]

I'd recommend Castles of Burgundy too. Really fun

[@crumbum2]

I prefer Euchre or Spades if I am playing a card game. Too bad there is only 2 board games in this list. I would have put Fortress America is as a top 5 1v1 board game.

[@onecrewproductions]

This was a great list, I think the one I'm most interested from this selection is Tash-Kalar. There's something great about wizard duels taking place in an ancient arena. A game I'd like to see you guys do a review of, although it seems to be an expensive one, is Paper Tales. The theme is a card drafting game over ''several generations'', in which cards drafted in previous rounds grow older in the next. I really do love this channel, keep at it.

[@SheezyBites]

The Great War is another command and colours with great production value, but it's a touch more complicated than Memoir 44 and much less heroic... ya know, like the war it's emulating. If you want my opinion of the best singular box of them though I'd go Napoleonic... it's pretty ugly, but it's the best mechanical use of the system; although the sheer scale of Memoir 44's expansion catalog to me makes it more pressing a purchase for most people. Also although it is two players you can make a pretty fun four player variant by each getting someone who doesn't know the rules to pick your cards and you having to figure out some sort of strategy from it... it's most thematically accurate for The Great War, but it's a fun thing to try out, and can be a good way of getting someone into war gaming too as it specifically relies on them not knowing the rule that scare most people away from the hobby.

[@HeliosGoN]

Great list! There are also some others such as Targi, 7 wonders duel, Nagaraja and Rivals for Catan. Imperial Settlers also scale well at 2.

[@korkrest2669]

A bit of a miss is definately Patchwork. While I'm personally more into thematic games I cannot ignore how well made Patchwork is, it is quite possible the best 2 player game ever made

[@bluestar404]

Tash Kalar is one of my favourite games. Endless replayability, but it's hard to get new players up to speed most of the time.

[@EmptyGoat]

Boss Monster is another great one. Players are the titular boss monster at the end of a NES level, building your dungeon of traps to stop the heroes coming to conquer you.

[@mattball8622]

It's probably better with more players, but I think Mysterium is pretty hard to beat when it comes to high banter with two players, especially if you play the optional rule where the ghost can only communicate by knocking on the table!

[@mylor1066]

Raptor is one of my faves.

[@mikedidvlogs8665]

No fugitive is a worthy opponent, only a traitor defying the Imperium. This is your seventeenth request to play Dark Heresy First Edition.

[@Bodgemonkey]

Odin's Ravens is my go to two player game for new players, quick to explain and nice balance between luck and skill. Everyone I know that has played it, loves it.

[@ravencrovax]

I'm gonna keep recommending Lunch/Beer Money untill you guys do a video on it. It is a combination role-playing/fighting based card game that is really fun with 2-4 players (or 8 with the expansion or just a second deck). Plus, unlike Brawl; the deck is only about $15 USD as an added bonus. And Chez Geek and Apples-to-Apples of course, but those seem to be more well known and widely played already.

[@FirFirence]

I also really like Nusfjord and Tiny epic Galaxies in 2p mode.

[@HubbellTrouble]

Guillotine by Avalon Hill is one of my favorite two player games. And it is really easy but unique game experience. The action cards allow some strategy and if you have sense of minor dark humor or passion for the French Revolution it’s great!

[@emilyhaggstrom358]

I bought a copy of that game in French while honeymooning in Paris. So fun!

[@elerius2]

7:50 My friend, that... is a briefcase.

[@PhilBradleyUK]

Got to say, your impression of Jeremy Clarkson is superb!

[@AlWild]

Cribbage anyone?

[@kosterix123]

Our favorite list: 1. Everdell 2. Rummikub 3. Hardback 4. 7w duel 5. Catan 2p card game 6. Tiny Tokaido 7. Blokus 2p 8. Chocolatiers Every Friday evening Legacy of Dragonholt.

[@zwara81]

sadly Summoner Wars is more or less OoP. Wonderful game, thou.

[@SenseiJae]

Two player recommendations: - Roma an interesting dice worker placement and card pooling game by Stefan Feld - Ubongo Duel a fast engaging tetris style puzzle game. Great for brain burning mental workouts - Ingenious Travel Edition - Stuff yer Face is the best two player dexterity game! Games that allow for more, but really are just 2 player games: Star Trek Fleet Captains Innovation

[@internet2055]

boring list

[@alysha813]

Great video. Really trying to get into the hobby myself but I'm always alone 😣 can you make a video for games that have single player campaigns?

[@CatoftheStorm]

I would recommend Spirits of the Wild. Basically you collect stones to make a constellation and the person with the most points at the end wins. It can be strategic as you try to keep certain stones from your opponent. The art is also beautiful.

[@VS-lx7ll]

I also love this game. It's affordable, simple to learn, quick play, and so, so enjoyable!

[@republikadugave420]

Akrotiri, Raptor, Lost Cities, Patchwork, Hive...

[@erikaandrews6140]

Big Brainy *Boys*?.....

[@petergross7235]

Lots of great suggestions there! May I add two more? My wife and I really love the two player card game; "Fox in the Forest" and another fun game called "Duelosaur Island".

[@justincollicutt6012]

My girlfriend and I love Fox in the Forest as well. Another good card game we found was Schotten Totten.

[@AlwaysRetr0]

Mate no offense but I couldn't care less about Mad Max: Fury Road being your favorite movie. Tell me about the fucking board games, and quickly. Time is a precious commodity and I want to spend it playing inane, monotonous board games!

[@skypaul24]

No kidding, i was just looking for the same! Although i am sorry to point this but your pronunciation of Jaipur is bad 😂

[@neopratap]

"Orbital Velocity" is a new strong 2 player game

[@AndrewMcColl]

It's more of a card game, but 'Cold War: CIA vs KGB' is good fun.

[@ShieTar_]

Two player? Come on, who even knows that many people? Why don't you test games for a more realistic number of players, like one.

[@SteveSwannJr]

I'm old, but my wife and I like cribbage, backgammon, gin and chess.

[@RovakX]

patchwork needs to be mentioned here! It is just lovely.

[@CaitlinRC]

I look forward to corrupting my future partner into board games :D

[@msjkramey]

Any two player cooperative games?

[@Dominik_Dollinger]

The Arkham Horror LCG is pretty good.

[@velvetvioletta]

One me and my partner play together is Elder Sign. It's for 1-8 players, but can confirm it works well with 2. Players work together to defeat Cthulhu (or one of the other elder gods in that mythos).

[@dicebreaker]

One deck dungeon is good fun

[@dougascott]

Maybe Codenames Duet?

[@TwoJaysMoon]

Sam Jenkinson pandemic, castle panic, hanabi, forbidden desert, mysterium, ghost stories, gloomhaven. I’d check them out, pretty much in the order I listed.

[@joethewaiter01]

Great video and details a number of good games but most of them are card games not board games. Could you do a video that are all board games

[@DonCorgi]

Good list! I really enjoy Jaipur, but I don't like the "randomness" of Summoner Wars that much.

[@ichinisa2583]

What about two player games for more advanced players?

[@Chionophobia]

Hi guys! Will you also do a recommendation video for co-op games? Love the channel and keep up the great work!

[@shawnheatherly]

Brawl and Fugitive in particular catch my eye here, they both sound fantastic.

[@sinancothebest]

Can we please get a "2 Great games for 6 players" guide too? I like going boardgaming with a group but I don't have a certain companion for 2 player games, even three or 4 player max games to be relevant to me :(

[@spo0m]

Is there a game like Memoire 44 that is Fantasy themed?

[@lukerettie]

A couple of 2 player games that come to mind for me. If you like World War 2 then Duel in the Dark is interesting. More complex but I like it. Next is any of the Tafl games, sometimes called Viking chess, hnefatafl being the most common variant, an asymmetrical strategy game with several different variants. Simple to learn but difficult to master. My favourite variant is Ard Ri. Finally, Nine Men's Morris, another old strategy game which is easy to make and learn. Also, related to Tafl, anyone played Thud? Its a Tafl style game based on a game of the same name invented by Terry Pratchett for his Discworld series. Just wondering how good it is?

[@christianbarnay2499]

Regarding Brawl the free printable version is no longer available. The card decks PDF printouts were removed from Cheapass site in July 2015 when they kickstarted a reprint. Now the rulebook is the only PDF file available but it's useless without the cards.

[@richardscales9560]

No mention of Hive

[@slimshady4life689]

Does an imaginary friend count as a second person?

[@cullenlatham2366]

ive always like stratego. take chess, arrange the pieces however you want within your starting zone, and navigate around and through your opponents pieces that you dont know what are util you launch a deadly attack. each piece has its own rules about how it can move and what powers it has, making even low power pieces useful. for example, most players would think to hide their flag (the piece that cant move but must be attacked to win) behind bombs which destroy everything that attacks them except for bomb specialists which have a weak combat power of 3. with the game being around so long, there are also versions with different advanced rules. beginners can play it like checkers, moving pieces (that have the ability to move) 1 space at a time with no special rules, and more advanced players can start using the special powers of pieces from the theme, such as fantasy's 6 power enchanters which can force the opponent to reveal the targeted piece and take control of them if they have a smaller number. each player always has 1 flag, which must be protected, several traps, and numbers ranging from 2-10, with the single S(py) acting as a 1 that can only beat 10.

[@medeaendor3706]

Hopefully jaipur is available in German

[@KainiusTheGreat]

Might I reccomend 2 games I've come across that are incredibly fun. The first is Gubs. It looks cutesy but it is a savage, cutthroat, yet still fun strategy game that scratches the itch for games like M:tG. The other game is one of my favorites, Odin's Ravens. It's a great game where you play as 2 ravens racing around the world to see who gets around first. It's simple to learn, but the dirty play cards (called Loki cards) make the game a blast.

[@larrye]

Patchwork, Trambahn, Innovation. Or most co-op games if you don't like direct conflict.

[@Deinareia]

I have a laugh every time you try to pronounce Chvátil. It must be quite a challenge, when neither " ch " nor " ť " sounds properly exist in English.

[@Downhaven]

Great video of some of my not favourite games.

[@Mimipimpaporn]

I’d recommend Santorini and Mr. Jack

[@snailmailmagic1133]

the pur in jaipur is the cat purr.. pu - as in putin..

[@Greyman-bb6er]

Cosmic encounter duel is great with high replay value. The tactics tokens are lane tho and should have just been cards

[@Entenie]

Except for the obvious 2-player games like Onitama, Patchwork, 7 Wonders Duel and Hive I also found that Viticulture plays excellent with two players.