The Best Board Games for Two Players: Our Favorites
The first time Brian and I played a board game together was on our second date. We had gone on a nature hike around the local lake, continued to chat over frozen yogurt, then went back to his apartment because we weren’t ready for the date to end. We spent the evening talking and laughing, and then Brian suggested we play a board game. I thought we would play Monopoly, or Life, or Clue. But Brian suggested a newer, deck building game called Clank!. I had never played a deck building game, so I was up for the challenge. And my life changed forever (for the better obviously). Clank! was the most complex, multi faceted game I had ever played. I kind of felt like season 1 Penny from Big Bang Theory as Brian explained all the rules and strategies to me (it probably took an hour). I used to think I was into board games, but boy was I wrong. Brian is a big time board gamer from way back. I’m talking, go to conventions and play and rank new board games kind of board gamer. Brian has introduced me to a whole new generation and genre of board games, and I couldn’t be happier about it! Even before Covid-19 and quarantining at home, we would play a board game at least once a week. Now, it’s probably more frequent. It’s a great way to get off of our phones and computers and actually DO something together. We laugh, we argue, we work together, and we work against each other (depending on the game). But most of all, we have so much fun together! Over time we have definitely found our favorites and the games that play best with two people.
Brian actually just told me (like 4 days ago) that Catan is not supposed to be a two-player game. But it plays really, really well with only two people! And this is probably my favorite competitive game for us to play (because it’s one of only two games I have EVER won haha). The premise of the game is to collect resources to be used in the establishment of roads, settlements and cites while accumulating victory points (VPs). The game board is a large hexagon made up of smaller hexagon pieces, which are the various needed resources. The game can be played in a standard set up with even distribution of resources or can be randomized to create a slightly different game each time. Apparently the game is intended for 3-4 players, but we frequently play it just the two of us. You can also get an expansion pack so you can play with up to 5-6 people.
This is another cooperative game for 2-5 players. We have played this with 2, 4 and 5 players and I honestly think it plays best with two people. In Forbidden Desert your team is stranded in the desert after your flying machine crashes. The team has to race against the sun, dehydration, and fierce sandstorms to gather all the missing pieces of the aircraft and get them back to rebuild the flying machine to escape to safety. It’s a crazy ride!
This is the other game that I have managed to beat Brian at. We have actually been playing this game quite a lot lately. Players take turns placing game tiles that create the playing board. The tiles form fortresses and roads that must connect and be claimed. Points are awarded when the roads and fortresses complete. There are a few others layers that can be added to increase the complexity and difficulty level of the game. It’s so fun to see how differently things develop each time! This game is meant for 2-5 players.
Full disclosure, Brian doesn’t love this game. But he likes it OK and will play with me because I LOVE all things Harry Potter, duh. This is strictly a 2-person deck building game. And if you love HP, you should definitely own this one. A one-card variation in the starting deck allows each player to adopt a more offensive or defensive strategy to stun your opponent. Stun your opponent 3 times and you win! There is also a cooperative Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle deck building game. That version doesn’t play as well with just 2 people (in my opinion) but is great for 3-4 people!
Pandemic is a cooperative play game that has been a staple in our game nights from the beginning of our relationship. The irony of this game given our current circumstances is not lost on us. In Pandemic, there are 4 diseases that are wreaking havoc across the globe. The players have to work together to contain and stop the spread of the diseases, while trying to gather cards to use to cure each disease. The 2-4 players this game accommodates each have one of 7 specialized roles to help the group cure the diseases.
This is just a round up of the games we find ourselves reaching for most often. We have a whole closet full of board games and we’re always on the lookout for new games to add to our collection. What are your favorite games for two players? Favorite games for larger groups? I’d love to know what you and your family reach for on game night!
XOXO Jaye