Top 10 Two-Player Games - with Chris and Wendy

Chris and Wendy take a look at their Top 10 two-player games or couples game as a combined list, then talk about a few other picks that they each would have made.
00:00 Intro
01:34 Number 10
02:24 Number 9
03:55 Number 8
05:08 Number 7
06:28 Number 6
07:36 Number 5
09:14 Number 4
11:03 Number 3
12:50 Number 2
14:54 Number 1
16:48 Wendy's Honorable Mentions
20:17 Chris' Honorable Mentions
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#dicetower #thedicetower #top10games

[@bones983]

7x7 2-player Kingdomino is so satisfying. One of our favorites too, and definitely the best way to play.

[@RafaelZanolla]

Even outside this time of the year, I absolutely love it when 2-player games is the focus of a video. Mostly playing with my wife means we end up either having many 2p only or big games we play nearly exclusively at 2 anyways. Our latest favourites have been Lacuna and Micro Dojo, but Co-op Scythe and War of the Ring tend to hit the table when we have the time. Thanks Wendy and Chris!

[@sarahh9351]

So glad you guys mentioned Jaipur! I also love Caper Europe, Morels, Hive, and the Star Wars Deck Building game.

[@christinacampbellbooks]

7 Wonders Duel is one of my favourite games of all time. Jaipur sounds great. I'll have to see if I can find a copy ☺

[@BobbyJuno]

My daughter and I play Agricola ACBS all the time. She loves it. She doesn't know it yet but I'm preparing her for Caverna.

[@thedicetower]

Cool, what age range is your daughter in? -Wendy

[@BobbyJuno]

@@thedicetower 4-5, Rosenberg really resonates with her. Patchwork is a big hit aswell.

[@thedicetower]

@@BobbyJuno That's cool. We haven't played any Rosenberg with our daughter. 🤔-Wendy

[@simonthorp366]

Another good video, thanks. I'll throw Mind MGMT, Watergate, Patchwork and Schotten Totten into the discussion.

[@jonsparks3152]

Definitely Watergate!

[@rudyjansen4242]

Star realms (the best 1vs1 deckbuilder IMHO) and Onitama (kung-fu chess) are in my top 10. 7 wonders duel is definitly my #1 ❤ that game.

[@jameskirk4692]

Indeed! I love Star Realms. Extremely enjoyable for me. And I also very much enjoy Onitama

[@UKDagnar]

Caper Europe is still our top 2 player game after nearly 2 years it still feels fresh with the ability to choose from 5 different cities to carry out our heist! Just started playing Moon, another great 2 player game that took a little while for us to figure out but we end most game close on points and you never really can be sure who's winning until the very end.

[@branboom3342]

I just got Caper Europe and am excited to try it!

[@thedicetower]

Camera Europe is great, but we just haven't played it together. I think I've played it on BGA and really enjoyed it. -Chris

[@Pacers03343]

I love Caper Europe. But curious, what is the fifth city? I know about the four that come in the back but is there a fifth city out there someone to buy?

[@JorWat25]

​@@Pacers03343I think they just misspoke or misremembered, as I can't find any evidence of a fifth city.

[@codym6376]

I love the format of the video with the combined ten but still sharing the ones you personally love! I swapped Kingdomino for Origins, enjoy 7WD, Codenames: Duet, and Targi. We don’t have a shortage of good two player games to pick from in the hobby. One of my earliest 2 player games was Schotten Totten. Still good, but doesn’t get played as much now. I’d probably grab Jaipur first. Carcassonne and Castles of Burgundy are some games that can handle more than two but play great at two at our house. As well as any of the Azul’s. I have Blitzkrieg on my shopping list and I’m going to go find your Mandala review and look into it. Sounds interesting but need more info. I also hear it tells a story, Chris?!

[@soogymoogi]

The ones I go back to most often (for two only) would be Yinsh, Hanamikoji, Claim, Lawyer Up and Skulk Hollow. I'd say my most played at two though is Spirit Island. I think it works wonderfully as a co-op 2 player game. I'll have to try CO2. Need to add it to my wishlist.

[@unclesamb]

I love Unmatched, but Dice Throne edges it out for our favorite skirmish type game.

[@rb4551]

Mandala is a funny one. I got it and we resold it. It just felt so overwhelming that it would either sort of paralyse us trying to think what to do next or we would just stop caring and do whatever. Something about calculating the next move felt like wayyyy too complex in the math so we ended up not liking it. But its definitely a brilliant design.

[@christianbank393]

Great list! I would swap out a few of those with Undaunted, Caesar! and Patchwork.

[@jameskirk4692]

Thank you very much to both of you for this list! I love your reviews and lists you two do together. And this video for list of two player games, is so useful to me. You have made almost all of those games very enticing for me, and even convinced me on trying out and eventually getting for my family those that I initially intentionally ignored(ruled out). Thank you for all your videos. Keep working together 😊.

[@Danimal1901]

Awesome video! Great recs. Three more that my wife and I have played a ton are Wingspan, Cascadia and Azul

[@bricelory9534]

Code Names Duet is by far the best way to play Code Names for me. You are always engaged rather than watching another team do their thing.

[@thedicetower]

Totally agree! - Wendy

[@beetlebat.]

When the other team is playing you get to sow seeds of confusion. "He said 'aggressive: 2'... Cheese is aggressive on a lactose -intolerant persons tummy..."

[@nedeljkodukic7279]

Maybe, but watching others uncover YOUR cards and helping you win instead of their team adds tension.

[@gabtrat9091]

I *just* got Agricola All Creatures Big and Small Big Box and couldn't agree more. I played it with 4 different people the first day I got it.

[@thedicetower]

That's impressive. I'm glad you enjoy it. - Wendy

[@branboom3342]

I love Splendor Duel and Jaipur for datenights (I also own Targi and Blitzkrieg but havent tabled them) but my favourite 2p date night game is Carcassonne

[@stuartedgar3993]

Caper Europe is a great 2 player only game. Wingspan and Azul at two are great as well.

[@EngMadison]

Mine would include (not just 2p exclusive): Lost Cities Sea Salt & Paper Codenames Duet Jaipur Streetcar Suburb Targi Bruxelles 1893

[@df7846]

I'll be checking a few of your recommendations out, so thanks for sharing! Wingspan Asia is always in rotation for my wife and I, but a lessor known game Kings Forge is also often in the mix. Back to basics though, we also love word games like Upwords, Dabble, and of course, Scrabble.

[@johnhildreth8895]

Jaipur sits at number 1 for my wife and I. We love Patchwork, Fox and Forest, Unlock and Point Salad. I really like Onitama and Marvel United. She likes Micro Macro. Just a few not on ya'lls list. Great choices though, a bunch of good ones! Thanks, you guys are great!

[@a-c-m]

You should definitely have a closer look at “Pagan: Fate of Roanoke” (which Zee Garcia reviewed also a few days ago and gave a 9 rating…). It’s really amazing and might be my top 2-player only game !

[@TheGilzam]

I'd love to figure out how to get my hands on it lol

[@a-c-m]

I think the publisher Wyrmgold sells it on their homepage. And then I heard that Capstone will now do the US distribution, so should be more widely available in the coming months.

[@MrNintendeion]

Great video! You two have a really nice, chilled synergistic energy, hope to see more top ten's soon!

[@nwillett2884]

Great video. Wendy hit a few in her honorable mentions, but It would also be great to see an updated best at 2 video similar to the recent 3p video.

[@ColonelKurtz]

Beer & Bread, Mandala, Great Plains, and Feast for Odin: The Norwegians expansion are moving closer to the top of my want-to-play/blind buy list.

[@cell141]

If you haven't played Kingdomino Origins, you should! I prefer it (Tribe mode) because it makes your decisions a more layered strategically and boosts up the replayability quite a lot. Volcanos boost other areas and the cavemen add an awesome literal other layer to work on or base your tile decision on. And obviously best at 2 because of the 7x7! Try it! Also if you haven't tried the Targi Expansion, Wendy might like it more if the cutthroat nature of regular Targi is not their bag. The expansion loosens up the tension and just gives more ways to do what you want with a little bit more leeway.

[@thedicetower]

Thanks for the suggestions. We have played Kingdomino Origns and enjoyed it, but at the end of the day , I still love the OG version best. - Wendy

[@recovery-theo]

My daughter has Moon River and I have enjoyed it more than Origins

[@thedicetower]

@@recovery-theo I enjoyed Moon River, but it didn't supersede Kingomino. I love how clean and streamlined OG Kingdomino is. - Wendy

[@katybauerle8567]

Kingdomino!! love this game at 2. Two more favorites are Mandala and Spirits of the Wild.

[@terry3733H]

interesting list, thanks! 😊

[@namelessfire]

Top 10 modern 2 (or best at 2) player games not on the list: 10.) Summoner Wars 9.) Mottainai 8.) The Castles of Burgundy 7.) Seasons 6.) Cthulhu Wars: Duel 5.) Twilight Struggle 4.) BattleCon 3.) Race for the Galaxy 2.) Pax Renaissance 1.) Netrunner

[@bills.4242]

thanks! great stuff!

[@TheRASDEL83]

Really nice list. I appreciate the honorable mentions! Exclusively 2 players that were not menitoned, I would suggest... Hive Not Exclusively 2 players but that I like at 2... Five Tribes... Sea , Salt and Paper... Tigris & Euphrates (it's best at 3 or 4 but hey I am being completely biased as it's one of my favorite games of all time XD)

[@terry3733H]

heard decorum is a great communication therapy 😊🎉- 2 roommates guess each other’s preferred room decor / settings 😅

[@adityarajivratnam6863]

I play mostly 2p with my Dad, and I love lists that are focused on the 2p experience. I love this list and own most of them. I'd just add a few more - Twilight Struggle, Onitama, Santorini, Spirit Island, Star Wars: Rebellion and Robison Crusoe to the list.

[@Carpetslipper]

Good list. Looking at your choices there I would throw in Sekigahara, Hannibal and Hamilcar (longer game but with plenty of shorter scenarios), War of the Ring, Clinic Deluxe and 1960 Making of a President.

[@adityarajivratnam6863]

@@Carpetslipper Thank you. Clinic, Sekigahara and WoTR are on my list but a little hard to get where I live now. I plan to finish reading LoTR before playing WoTR so I can appreciate the lore more.

[@halforange1]

My wife and I love Orleans, Istanbul, Ganz Schön Clever, Mind MGMT, and Patchwork for 2 players.

[@rexology_bg]

First games I thought of were Beer & Bread, Agricola ACBS, and Riftforce. I would add in Fields of Arle too.

[@cay6857]

Thank you for this video! My husband, son and I play games together, but often it’s either my son and me (Spots and Fox in the Forest) or my husband and me (Battle Line and Onitama). I’m going to check out Beer and Bread, Agricola and Mandala.

[@djbobilicious4730]

Ganz Schon Clever works great with my girlfriend. I really like it at two players.

[@matthewzahnzinger]

I adore Ticket to Ride at two-it really is one of the most flexible experiences I've found in gaming. You can play it relaxed, just building routes and seeing how the points shake out; you can play it aggressively to try and block the opponent if you're feeling really competitive. It's one of our top games ever for so many reasons, and that uniquely adaptable experience is one of the reasons why. Awesome pick! And shout out to Great Plains, an under-loved two-player gem.

[@marcoschaub8978]

Nice, with the additional 5 + 5, you've hit almost every 2-player game I would have put on the list as well. The only noteable absence is something from the family of Star Realms / Hero Realms / Shards of Infinity.

[@gozzywozzy485]

Riftforce and For Glory! are my fave 2P games

[@thedicetower]

Riftforce was close to making my (Chris') honorable mentions. It's such a slick design!

[@Ashwinz]

That necklace is unreal, Wendy!!

[@ClaudeAndTaylor]

Yayyyyy glad y'all picked Sail!!

[@clearlycodingbystephenclea3329]

Obsession is our go-to 2-player game. Wingspan is nice and short at 2, also (we normally play at 5).

[@dougmahnke7538]

Other than some of the games already mentioned, I would have Botanik and Canopy on my 2 player list.

[@thedicetower]

Wow, I haven't played either one of those - Wendy

[@SleepyVoice]

+1 Botanik. Its something special. 15-20 min, no setup, and such smart and deep mechanics you will be supersized for what it is @@thedicetower

[@CharlesHepburn2]

7x7 King Domino rocks!!!! I’m buying 2 sets so I can play it at 4 players 7x7. Other fantastic 2 player games include Star Wars Deck Builder, Star Wars Rebellion, and War of the Ring.

[@thedicetower]

That's a cool idea. I assume you would do the normal 4 tile draft, and that the game would just be twice as long? - Wendy

[@CharlesHepburn2]

@@thedicetower yes on the tile drafting idea. I did a similar thing when Patchwork first came out. I bought 2 sets and combined them for a 4 player experience. On the second game set I marked with a sharpie around the price tag of each tile. Then, I make 2 circles of pieces around the table, inner and outer rings. I use 2 pawns and the active player has the 3 pieces in front of each pawn on both circles to draft from. When Planet Unknown came out with support up to 6 players, it replaced double Patchwork for me. I also play double Qwirkle with 2 sets. Players get 12 pieces each and can place 2 on their turn in up to 2 different lines. You can get super epic Qwirkles in this way. Also fun to modify the rules a bit.

[@jameskirk4692]

​@@CharlesHepburn2wow! Well done! I am happy to hear someone is actively experimenting with the games they get and choose to play, house ruling to make them more fun for them or fit their requirement. I am big into house ruling games(in regular private game groups). I change almost every game to fit better my own and/or other family members' enjoyment or needs. Though I have never yet tried combining two same games as one for extra players. Some day probably will. Thanks for describing your own preferences in that area of house ruling board games.👍

[@CharlesHepburn2]

@@jameskirk4692 I also did two sets of Patchwork (with an inner drafting ring and an outer ring), and two sets of Qwirkle (12 tiles in front of you, add 2 tiles to 1 or 2 lines during your turn). You can get epic double Qwirkles worth 24 points in this way easy. I don’t mind house rules so long as they are announce as such in the beginning and they actually improve the game. I house rule Ticket to Ride rails and sails to drafting 3 cards a turn instead of 2, and 4 copies of any card are a wild. This speeds up the game quite a bit and takes away the main con of the game being overly long.

[@kevinbhieey9188]

I'm surprised that I share so many favorite games with the King and Queen of Beige! I was surprised to see Kingdomino rank so highly, but that 7x7 grid is the best way to play. I am curious what you both think of Kingdomino Duel. Definitely one of the better roll n write adaptations.

[@thedicetower]

I actually didn't love the roll and write version, and honestly I feel that every spin off has been lackluster compared to the original. - Wendy

[@recovery-theo]

I love Mandala but my wife doesn't care for it. We have been playing My Island & Sunrise Lane most recently

[@edwindrood2816]

Good stuff

[@boardgameknight2791]

I'm surprised Caper didn't make your list.

[@alexanderpopov3587]

AH LCG, Marvel United, Cthulhu DMD, Mechs vs Minions, Raptor, Dice Throne, Pandemic, 7 Wonders Duel, Warhammer Underworlds, Star Realms, Flesh and Blood TCG

[@pooiyian]

Land vs Sea!

[@nickhayes1626]

I feel like I missed the boat on Splendor. I just don't get the appeal for it. I've tried it both in physical form as well as digital, and it just never has clicked for me. I feel like when you are finally getting the engine going that the game ends, and it always feels premature. I want to like it, and I've just never been able to.

[@imnottellingyoumyname3050]

Nice list, although it felt a little more "best games for couples" list. I do feel this had more of a light, casual leaning. On that theme I think Paris, cite de la lumiere is a very overlooked game in the best two player lists.

[@garytheosophilus]

#10 - #1 are consensus choices. Honorable mentions were not games they agreed upon. Unless by couples, you meant something different?

[@Ras137]

This video got me thinking of "It's fine" vs "It's okay" If we were playing Wavelength which one is more "positive" and which one is more "negative"?

[@montyfarris]

The Fox in the Forest and Moving Pictures are our most played 2 player games

[@jr637-1]

Wow, no Onitama or Hanamikoji? Those two are in my top 10 games of all time.

[@thedicetower]

Both brilliant games, not ones I love as much as many people. Good recommendations, though!

[@Drumox]

Lost Cities is up there for me

[@thedicetower]

Sweet!

[@phk975]

I've played a ton of 2p Regicide.

[@melindaweixler3682]

❤❤❤💖💖💖💖amazing 🌟💗

[@nedeljkodukic7279]

Have you played Paolo Mori's Caesar Seize Rome in 20 minutes? If so, how would you compare it to Blitzkrieg?

[@thedicetower]

Yes we have. I'm not a big fan of either, but I think I prefer Seize Rome over Blitzkrieg because it isn't a tug of war over tracks. - Wendy

[@Silentwolf9]

Caesar Seize Rome is like the box/dot game I played as a kid during church. Good fun, have both and love em

[@Tarryk]

One of my favorite 2-player games I love *because* it was made for 4 players. In My City, the legacy campaign is designed for 2 to 4 players but the game feels perfectly paced at 2 players, and the materials exist to be easily reset to play through the whole campaign again from scratch with what would have been players 3 and 4 stickers & boards. Exquisite for 2-players, and there's still a 2-4 player standalone when you're done.

[@jonathanmaner1157]

Chris and Wendy: salt of the earth! I wish I had Chris to teach me Golem.

[@LeonardoLacchini]

Love Wendy list !

[@thedicetower]

Thanks 😊 -Wendy

[@fred535]

Combine Kingdomino with Queendomino and you can make a 9x9! Even better!

[@jalalfiguigui7936]

Watergate/ Onitama/ Tokaido Duo/ Mob big apple/ Caper/ Mr Jack 😊

[@Gmoney14]

No Caper Europe???

[@thedicetower]

It's very good, but we'd need to play it more for it to move into the top spots. We've got a lot of history with some of these games!

[@joshfrench5858]

Unmatched hands down

[@gregmorris3647]

What about Watergate? It’s a great two player game.

[@ballzz2thewall]

Was missing this as well. I guess they have never played it

[@Dule810]

Dice Throne, Summoner Wars 2e, Unmatched, Villainous....

[@paweborkowski6959]

Chris' voice reminds me of that of the AlternateHistoryHub guy.

[@bestatstartrek2179]

Your like yes I don’t have to do anything for you tomorrow 😢

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Lost cities should be top 3 imho, war of the ring #1.

[@mikaeki5245]

Cute vid. Thanks. Ark Nova for us all the way.

[@christaggart5687]

I feel like the Unlock games are great for 2

[@thedicetower]

I agree that they work well at 2 except when we get caught and can't figure out the next step even with the hints. 😅 - Wendy

[@lukexfd4679]

I love Akrotiri

[@baumazut]

Isn't Kingdomino Origins the better Kingdomino game?

[@thedicetower]

All depends on what you want out of it. Origins is great, and I think I might prefer it for 3-4 players, but the original at 2 players is such a sweet spot for us! -Chris

[@frejuvilu]

Targi is also great.

[@octavus4858]

no Targi? )

[@adamholt5395]

I'm ashamed that the Yi family did not mention one of Sam Healey's favorites and mine as well, Hanamikoji.

[@EarnestWilliamsGeofferic]

Lost Cities is the best 2 player game ever made.

[@KaronaG]

Wow, Aeon's End didnt make it, huh?

[@KennedyGoodkey]

7 Wonders Duel is ONLY #8 !?!?!

[@thedicetower]

7W Duel is great and beat out so many other games. Also has a solid app.

[@steveweber7142]

Targi?!?

[@turtlevader]

Queendomino>>>>Kingdomino