Top 10 Best Board Games for Two Players | Review & Guide

To have a good time with family, couple or with friends, board games are a safe bet. And while some are destined for four or five players, there are cooperative shares, or board games for two players, who will face off in a duel. The choice is vast but it is sometimes difficult to choose the right way!

To help you, we have selected the 10 best games to play two, with varied universe and games of many genres: strategy, card duels, management, adventure … What delight players of all ages and horizon! If you are unable to decide, our final purchase guide will help you.

Best games to play two

1. Pandemic

What more current that a cooperative board game in which you and your friends have to fight a deadly virus spreading on the planet? This is the principle of Pandemic (pandemic), which offers 2 to 4 players to join forces and their ability to prevent a pandemic.

Pandemic is a game editions Z-Man Games, which consists of a game board representing the world map (as RISK), pegs to mark the progress of the disease on the Map and maps defining your role and the actions to follow.

You can play as a scientist, a doctor, a specialist in quarantine, or a researcher, among others, to overcome your enemy common. In this board game for two or more, Unity makes strength! If you think you go it alone, you risk condemning the world and to lose the game to the team. If you like chaos, know that Pandemic now has an expansion that asks you to survive in a post-apocalyptic world, while the virus has won …!

Very immersive, this board game will enjoy an excellent time, with parts that last between 45 minutes and an hour. And do not think that forces the epidemic will be easy, because at every turn, new risks are emerging and diseases reinforce and spread. So there is the challenge, it is dedicated to the game 8 years +.

Stressful but fun, with decisions to be taken jointly and heated exchanges that result sometimes Pandemic is one of the best board games for two to four players! To you to save humanity!

2. Gloomhaven

Here is a board game for 1, 2 or 4 players that will delight fans of RPGs. In Gloomhaven, you play a mercenary who will travel a world, exploring dungeons and caves to fight monsters, collect loot and gather experience in a style that fans of Dungeons and Dragons or not disown Warcraft !

The fantasy world that awaits you is taking for this game published by Cephalofair Games and has received numerous awards since its release: Game of the Year 2017, Best Price cooperative game, the best strategic game in … Price the Golden Geek Award 2017.

Once the imposing open box, one discovers the pawns of heroes, monsters cardboard map to serve as a playground and the many adventure cards. With these, you move on stories, by changing your characters as in the best dungeon crawler.

Gloomhaven has many pleasant scenarios and a huge replayability as you continue the adventure every time you open the box with your mercenaries have gained power and equipment and a changing world by your actions.

If playing alone and is already taking, Gloomhaven becomes addictive to two or more, causing you to take part in intense fighting and offering a fantastic world thoughtful. Allow at least 2 hours for each part!

Recommended from 12 years, the cooperative board game is a total success that will delight those who wish to escape with cards in hand.

3. 7 Wonders: Duel

If you like games of historical battles in Civilization or Age of Empire, here is an equivalent board game that takes this system. You have your empire, compete with others, and it is only from the fierce battles that you can overcome your opponents.

Both players will have cards to build the strongest possible, city (with buildings, Wonders of the 7 wonders of the world …) and it will develop its scientific and military power to ensure the supremacy of civilization in that of its competitor direct.

7 Wonders: Duel is played turn-based, and it will show a good strategy dose to achieve your purpose. There is rhythm in the parts, which lasts about 30 minutes and the tension is palpable between players! It is recommended from 10 years, and will offer more to the younger a good deal of historical discovery, fun way.

Among its strengths, the graphics include key Miguel Coimbra, an illustrator known in the community already at work on the classic version of 7 Wonders, and maps of qualities that do not spoil on.

Winner of numerous awards (Winner in the category Reflection at FLIP Trophy 2016 game of the year at the Swiss Gamer Award last year …) it can claim the title of best board game for two!

4. Ticket to Ride – Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride (Ticket to Ride V.O) puts you in the shoes of adventurers who are challenging Browse the USA in 7 days … now! For this you will be responsible for building the longest railway possible to cross the country quickly.

Playable from 2 to 5 players, competitive board game is very accessible, with parts of 30 minutes to 1 hour which does not require particularly complex manipulations. Therefore, it can be played from 8 years old. But soon, the railway construction madness seizes the players and everyone wants to build rails to connect cities and thus score points and / or its final destination.

Between the objective cards that will give you specific missions and the color system very telling, it begins to play and the time is in the joy and good humor. With a beautiful game that is more than enough plate and especially small cars colors to align, Ticket to Ride is fun to play than watch.

Once two players, Days of Wonder published board game offers a good gaming experience and in addition to its US version, it is available in Europe derivative, Asia, Africa, and in specific countries such as France or Japan .

Discover the world with this very original rail adventure and be the first to complete the journey!

5. Codenames: Duet

Codenames: Duet (Duo or French) is one of the best games for two (4 and up, but it’s less fun), if only for the links it provides to weave the players ! In this role, he will work to identify your code names before the time runs out, without running into assassins.

Each player has before him the word cards to guess, giving each other brief and concise indices. When alchemy with your playmate is strong, it can go fast enough, but when minds think differently, it’s a different story. And that’s where all the fun!

Codenames: Duet is a special derivative of the title Codenames 2 players and it lets you go a great time as a couple or with a friend, in portions of about 15-30 minutes. Moreover, it is not uncommon to restart a game once the first part ended. Varied through the different key cards and 200 cards Code Name (that are compatible with the original game Codenames) is the kind of title that appears very frequently.

Players who like to dig a little brains and cooperate, to get out of the traps of a board game, will find with this Codenames: Duo’s a challenge that will delight. Without being too difficult, but requires some thought and is therefore recommended from 10 years.

6. Scythe

Scythe will put a real slap in the punk universe lovers, with its alternate history story that takes place just at the end of the First World War. You will be a hero at the head of one of the factions in Europe, which aims to make the most powerful people of the time.

This board game, playable with 2 players (up to 5), is a real game management and strategy that will require you to make decisions on several different tables: military, construction, economic development, exploration … to ensure your supremacy over the other, finding the right balance. Every decision really affects the course of the game and each session will Scythian epic! It takes about 2 hours of play to see the end of the adventure.

If he is among the best games for two, this is not a coincidence, because this game impresses with several elements. First, full universe, supported by illustrations Jakub Rozalski, which will plunge you into the heart of the conflict. Then, with his pieces and game accessories, very well made, including Mecha you can build! Finally, it seems complex at first, the title is accompanied by a clear rule manual.

For players looking for a taking title that will force them to make strategic choices and to think about the consequences of their actions in a world sumptuous Post-war Scythe is a very good choice.

7. Caper

Caper is a board game for two players, which mixes strategy and thinking. The goal is to achieve thefts and burglaries across Europe, recruiting more wacky all the thieves than others. The game takes its comic side, very strong, with a nice design!

Each game consists of 6 rounds during which the player will post thieves and equipment to seize the coveted loot. Special Skills cards also allow to switch a turn in your favor, for a clever tactical mix and combinations of cards that will make you a modern Arsene Lupine.

With simple game mechanics to master and a friendly atmosphere, Caper is an ideal game for families and playable from 12 years. Each part lasts on average 45 minutes and it is not uncommon to want again to improve his score and achieve better burglaries.

We appreciate these clear rules and whimsical motifs that give it a unique style, and the interactions between the 2 players that are sure to tease when one of them will steal a valuable item to the nose and beard of other! In addition, it is possible to browse through several European cities to carry out burglaries, which gives it a little extra exotic side.

To have a good time at two, Caper is an interesting board game and deeper than it seems at first!

8. Twilight Struggle: The Cold War, 1945-1989

If some of the best board games for two players can be approached lightly, this is not the case of Twilight Struggle: The Cold War, 1945-1989 that requires a real commitment from the players. With a serious historical background (the Cold War) and parts that can blithely exceed 3 hours of play, it is intended for those who love diving body and soul in a board game.

Twilight Struggle, you can play as either the Soviet Union or the United States, with a clear objective: to conquer many countries as possible to expand your global influence, but without triggering the dreaded nuclear conflict. To achieve your goals, you will have cards and checkers, and decisions will have a major place in the counting of points and in your ultimate success.

Very addictive, this board game is a real history class that will delight lovers of realism, with cards that tell of the great events of this tense historical period. There is no need to be a geopolitical expert to make fun but understand the ins and outs of your strategic decisions and choices of alliances can be crucial. For that, this game is recommended for players aged 14 and over, because although it is not so complex that to play once assimilated the rules, it requires some thought.

Note, among its many strengths, the game map and design adapted at the time, and beautifully illustrated cards.

Complex and immersive, Twilight Struggle: The Cold War, 1945-1989 is an excellent choice to play two in a fascinating historical context.

9. The Fox in the Forest – The Fox Hood

The Fox in the Forest is a board game for two players who could seduce you at first sight. It has indeed a unique graphic style, mixing the protagonists foxes game with many other fantasy creatures (fairies, mythological heroes, mystical creatures …) found on its maps.

This is a game of classic fold, in which the two opponents clash with blow of unsheathed cards at the right time. Added to this is the characters with special abilities, and ranks and color schemes that come complicate the whole. However, the game remains accessible to the greatest number, from 10 years.

More points you score, the more you get close to victory, but greed is not rewarded in the Fox woods and you could lose everything pocketing too slack. It is therefore a strategic aspect to be taken into account in your battles cards.

Without being very original, the game publisher Renegade Game Studio shines through the quality of his illustrations and his good ideas that will please fans without harm to fanciful games allowing fast parts. In 30 minutes you will finish your joust … and you’ll be ready to start another!

A good title, which shows that we can make a simple board game a magical and poetic adventure, bringing the care he must illustrations.

10. Tiny Towns – The Small Villages

Amateurs play city building and management (such as virtual SimCity titles in the saga), you will find tiny Towns with a board game as cute as full! It can be practiced for 2 to 6 players and offers you to become the mayor of a small country town.

The goal is to grow the city, in quiet and away from large cities, thanks to the natural resources you unearth in your area. Alas, they are rare and it will therefore build and develop your town intelligently. So there is an interesting resource management aspect, and a share of competition between the players, since it can interfere with others in their advances.

The parties are relatively fast, which leads to chain them especially if we lost the previous by making the wrong choice. The winner will be the points, once the number of available resource is exhausted or there are more buildings to build. Simple and efficient !

Easy to learn, the game can be practiced since 10 years and the parties last about 45 minutes – 1 hour. With cute universe, who is as much in the illustrations of the cards on the board and pieces, and thoughtful gameplay mechanics, Tiny Towns is a board game for two or more players that can relax while s ‘facing!

Choosing the best board game for two requests to consider certain criteria, depending on the targeted players. The most important elements!

The type of board games

There are many kinds of games that will appeal to all types of players. From the amateur card battles (as in 7 Wonders: Duel) to those who want to live a full adventure (at Gloomhaven), the strategy avid player to one who prefers management and construction, securities cleverly mixing several genres, there is enough variety.

We advise you to choose based on your favorite genre, but also according to the theme of the game. Some universe will be more attractive than others for a player, between realism and fantasy full!

The age for players

According to their complexity and the degree of involvement required, various board games are not for all the players of the same age. So be sure to look at the minimum age recommended for each title! If the game is too difficult, the young tend to tire quickly, while a soft too easy challenge annoy the fans.

To spend time fun couple, consider Codenames: Duet, but opt ​​for a Ticket to Ride if you want to play with your children.

The duration of the game

Board games for two can be used to animate an evening or a good time on a rainy afternoon, but also to relax during a break between two intense activities. It is therefore important to know how long a party!

Many games offer short experiments, between 30 minutes and 1 hour, for fun Express. But some titles are more time-consuming, like Twilight Struggle: The Cold War, 1945-1989 and parts of 3 hours. Think about it!

Moreover, the installation time / preparation part, cumulative learning the rules the first time might vary your choice.

The completion of the game

A good board game offers an immersive via its universe and its theme, but also through tangible elements. So it is good to have nice cards, enjoyable game boards to use and quality checkers.

When in addition, the graphic button is splendid, as in the game Fox Hood, it’s great!

The space needed to play

One last point which is important when seeking the best board game for two, this is the area that needs to be played. This is data that is sometimes overlooked but is very important because some titles require instead. Between the plates of extended games (especially for strategy titles with their huge map of the world) and games that require the player to spread many cards before him, must be provided. It would be a shame to end up with a bulky game and no support to enjoy!

The awards

Several games of this selection were awarded at festivals games or international competitions, and it may be a factor of choice. In general, these awards are given in specific categories but all recognize the games that we have fun. And this is essential!