Top 10… 2-Player Games!

Welcome to a new top 10 series I'll be exploring for y'all! Cooperative games, "roll" and writes, solo games, the beautiful, the thematic, (and more!) we'll take a look at my personal favourites and some honourable mentions. Today we're looking at games specifically designed for 2 players, meaning I won't be mentioning games for 2-5 players that happen to play great in 2. All games, except #10, are also relatively small-boxed games, making them extremely travel-friendly. So with that, and in no particular order, let's start with...

1. Hive

   I've already spoken about this one in a previous article *link to previous article* and I stand by every word. If you like pure strategy in an accessible pick-up-and-go package, a classic "easy to learn, hard to master", with delightfully tactile pieces, you simply can't go wrong.

2. Fugitive

   An asymmetrical game where one player is the marshal and the other the fugitive, this tense cat-and-mouse is a fabulous choice for deduction fans. I've been obsessed with deduction recently, and this one has been a fabulous addition to the collection, with the numbered cards that structure logical openings, and a little whiteboard "notepad" for the marshal to cross off where she knows the fugitive can't be as he breaks a sweat praying he isn't caught out in his bluff... Both sides feel very different, where the fugitive suffers the tension, the marshal is deep in her head trying to outthink the other. Their similarities, on the other hand, are that both sides are difficult, and great fun. Frankly, Tim Fowers just makes good games.

3. Radlands

   Like Fugitive, this is another new addition to my collection, and it's a cracker. This fluorescent post-apocalyptic world is stunning, but upon closer inspection what really stands out to me is the pacing. Your turns are so quick, but simultaneously there is a lot to consider. As a dueler, this is especially important because it prevents you from feeling bored during your opponent's turn. Cards have multiple uses, so even though your options are relatively limited (hence the short turns = punchy) you also have a decent number of options as to how you could proceed (hence feeling very in control = crunchy). It works so well it even won over my MTG-playing partner, who's quite persnickety with duelers! He'll sing its praises all day, and he's right to.

4. Patchwork

   If you get that serene sense of satisfaction from things fitting together just so, then this game is delightfully cozy. I worried that my beloved Patchwork would never get played again when I bought Bärenpark, another Tetris vibe-y game with polygonal pieces (which is almost certainly the better game), but the simplicity of Patchwork has always sustained a certain charm and ease of play that I think I still quietly prefer, if for no other reason than the quick set-up. It's comfy and just tricky enough to have a little bite to it. It's a winner.

5. Star Realms

   This was my very first 2-player game when I got into the hobby, and to this day it holds up. As someone who easily tires of the same game, constantly wanting something new, this one has genuinely maintained my interest as the kind of game I would always be happy to play if someone suggested it (and there's not many games I can honestly say that about). It's just a super solid deck-builder. It's also worth mentioning that even as someone who always prefers fantasy to sci-fi, I actually really dig the styles on each faction and the unique ships, it has an undercurrent of coolness. Speaking of the factions, I think they're the reason this game sings, from trashing cards, to healing, to high damage, to utility, every card is useful and interesting. Yeah, I love this one.

6. Jaipur

   A game of greed and timing: do you hold out for just one more card and risk your opponent selling, making your precious resources less valuable, or do you play it safe and sell for a more modest sum? It's an addictive question, because the answer always depends on your risk-assessment, whether your opponent has been collecting your precious rubies, how valuable waiting could prove... Meanwhile, interacting with the market is fast and tantalizing. Jaipur is easy to teach and will bring our your greed in this fun, delightful little package.

7. Sylvion

   If you like tower-defense, this is a no-brainer; add forest creatures and fire elementals, clever and intuitive card play, in a cooperative package that delights me in both design and aesthetic, and you get one of my top 10 favourite games of all time. I reassess this list yearly, and it has remained consistent. It is primarily designed as a solo game, but the alternate 2-player option is beautifully balanced. Cards are multi-use as fire cards progress and encroach on your forest, but playing that water turret defense will cost you your partner's cards. Or should you plant a tree to heal some inevitable damage? Now, or later? This game simply sings. 6+ years later and I'm still in the honeymoon phase.

8. Bohnanza: The Duel

   Bohnanza is another one of my all-time favourites, juxtaposing the simple satisfaction of farming beans with the desperate trading of beans you do not want to plant because they would ruin everything, but wanting something in return because you're not a charity, and you really need one more Red Kidney Bean, but the person who has one doesn't want to give it up, so you start burying yourself in promises you'll later have to keep... It's great, it's really, really great. Bohnanza: The Duel is the 2-player experience, and it does a truly excellent job of simulating the trading experience with only one opponent. The added goal cards keep the farming feeling fresh, and the push-and-pull "gift" system works a treat. While I confess I play the original more, I actually prefer The Duel.

9. The Genius Square

   Imagine our forementioned Patchwork but everything fits precisely to fill the space and you get The Genius Square, a game of limitless puzzle-solving. I personally simulate this same concept with two copies of the new IQ Mini for a more travel-friendly experience, racing my opponent to find the solution. It's clean, simple, and plays in a flash: perfect for when you have a few spare minutes and don't want to invest too much brain power. And, if you go for the IQ Mini, it's super affordable. Extremely cleverly designed, this is a never-ending puzzle with literally hundreds of solutions.

10. Decorum

    This was easily my most played game of 2022. If the sound of cooperative limited-communication around decorating your new home sounds intriguing, with an in-built campaign for new content and progressively increasing passive-aggression, then it gets even better. Not only is this a great puzzle, it's got a fantastic sense of humour. There's genuine delight to be had in your partner's frustration for why they can't have any yellow lamps, while you struggle together to find the perfect compromise to fulfil both of your required goals, such as no retro furniture. In play, however, all you can say in response to your roommate's choice is whether or not you like it, meaning that after they paint the kitchen green you just stare in horror and say, "I hate it," and they look slightly hurt because they liked it very much. Funnier still, the elation of someone proclaiming they "LOVE" that curio you just placed, finally finding something you can actually agree on, is then swiftly overshadowed by yet another misplaced lamp... I adore this one.

Honourable Mentions:

• War Chest - this bag-builder area-control tactics game would have made the list if it were currently in supply (sad face).
• Tao Long - so very, very pretty with an enchanting thematic design; I really haven't played this as much as I should have.
• Royal Visit - speaking of pretty, this clever little tug-of-war is a solid game with fantastic art.
• Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small - simulator for breeding farm animals, building fences, and gaining resources.

Finally, here's a list of games for those so inclined to research further!

• Undaunted
• Paperback Adventures
• Arkham Horror: The Card Game
• 7-Wonders Duel
• Fox in the Forest
• Quarto
• Lost Cities
• Unmatched
• MTG: Jumpstart
• Keyforge