Most of the beloved tabletop board games out there are intended for large groups and game nights with friends. But, let’s be real, sometimes we just want a two-player board game that can be played with a loved one or a friend. Sometimes, we still want to play but not without the pressure that a game night can entail. Two-player board games are the perfect thing to do on a quiet night in and they have come such a long way from Checkers or Battleship.
Today, the best two-player games feel intimate and fun. These games are more engrossing and engaging than something like Checkers and they can be quite a bit more complex. Some two-player board games are more relaxing while others are more challenging and we are here to share with you an array of excellent board games to try. Imagine playing these on a date night with your partner or as a way to bond wth your children. Any excuse is a good one to play. So, check out our picks for the best two-player board games and pick one up for some wholesome fun.
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Wordle The Party Game for 2-4 Players (Ages 14+)
$20 at the time of publication.
We are all playing Wordle on the daily, right? If you love the one-person game, you will love this two-player board game version that can accommodate up to 4 players total. Just like the online game, you have to guess the Wordle word puzzle but this time, the words are coming from your friend. You can also choose to play it in “timed” and “fast” modes to make it even more challenging for the two of you.
Patchwork Two-Player Board Game (Ages 8+)
$30 at the time of publication.
Patchwork is a relaxing game but that does not mean it is a boring one! Patchwork is a wonderful two-player board game that captures the magic of needlework and sewing fabric together into designs. Each player works to create a beautiful patchwork quilt out of the available 9X9″ patches. Low stakes and big rewards will follow!
Cascadia Board Game for 2-4 Players (Ages 10+)
$49 at the time of publication.
Cascadia is a beautiful, award-winning game that is very quick to pick up and play, but it still has substance. The goal of the game is to create a Pacific Northwest ecosystem by collecting animals and tiles but the values for each tile is dynamic as it scores differently based on depending on the cards drawn at the start of the game. Players can employ multiple strategies to win this game and it changes each time to keep it engaging and a bit challenging.
The Fox in the Forest Two-Player Card Game (Ages 10+)
$16 at the time of publication.
For starters, this game is gorgeous with beautiful, fantasy-rich illustrations. For anyone who has played a trick-taking card game such as Spades or Hearts, you will pick up The Fox in the Forest Quickly as it is essentially like those games but with a twist. We should note that even if you don’t know how to play Spades or Hearts, this game is really easy to pick up. The Fox in the Forest sits at the perfect crossroads of luck and strategy for quick, low-stakes fun.
Hive (Ages 9+)
$40 at the time of publication.
Hive is a game that is similar to chess but is much more fun for those of us who do not actually enjoy playing chess. So, if you love strategic games that take some skill to win, you will likely enjoy Hive. It’s played with tiles that you use to try and surround your opponent’s queen. Each tile moves differently and thus, can be used in unique ways to get to the queen. In general, a single game will take 30 minutes to play but the more you do the more complex you realize you can play it.
Codenames: Duet – The Two-Player Word Deduction Game (Ages 10+)
$20 at the time of publication.
Codenames: Duet finds players making associations between words as they cooperate to identify targets with a limited number of guesses. Follow the clues to discover agents in this very fun two-player board game that can also be played with additional folks. We find it most fun with just one other player.
7 Wonders Duel: Two-Player World-Building Board Game (Ages 10+)
$28 at the time of publication.
This two-player adaption of the popular 7 Wonders board game asks players to navigate three rounds, gaining buildings to get resources, gold, technologies, and military power. Somehow this board game packs a traditionally long and complicated gaming experience into just thirty minutes. This game has a lot of moving parts without feeling like a burden which makes playing again and again more enjoyable each time.
Carcassonne Board Game (Ages 7+)
$34 at the time of publication.
This two-player board game is celebrating its 20th anniversary and there is even a special anniversary edition of it available. However, we chose the classic option as we imagine many readers have not played it yet. In this board game, players fill in the countryside around the medieval fortified city, choosing from tiles that depict cities, roads, monasteries, and fields. Each new tile creates an ever-expanding board on which players can then add their followers. Players score points by having followers on tiles as features are completed. The player who makes the most strategic placements of tiles and followers will score the most points and win the game.
This is a really, really fun one that has many expansion packs available to make it a game that grows with you as you play it. It never gets old!
Paris Cite de la Lumiere: Tile Placement Game (Ages 8+)
$26 at the time of publication.
In the first half of this two-player board game, players take turns building streets in Paris to secure a variety of peculiarly shaped buildings. Then, in the second phase, the objective becomes placing your buildings as close to the streetlights that illuminate the city as possible. It is as beautiful as the city it is based on with beautiful artwork throughout.
Raptor Two-Player Game (Ages 9+)
$33 at the time of publication.
Lovers of Jurassic Park will appreciate the premise of Raptor: “On a Pacific Island, a female velociraptor and her young were spotted. Your mission is to capture the young alive or neutralize the swift and powerful mother,” the maker states. It is a card-driven board game that is easy to pick up and really fun to play as well as a number of different outcomes that can make a player win or lose. A typical game lasts 25 minutes so it’s a fast-paced and fun dino game.
Summoner Wars (Ages 14+)
$44 at the time of publication.
Summoner Wars is an exciting card game of fantasy battlefield combat where you take on the role of a powerful summoner, according to the maker. Display your tactical prowess by summoning units to your gates, outmaneuvering your opponent, and cutting down the enemy summoner. It’s a card game that meets a tricky puzzle that is very exciting and fun once you get fully up to speed. Up to four players can play but we prefer it as a two-player game.
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Caper: Two-Player Board Game (Ages 10+)
$35 at the time of publication.
Caper is a blast of a game that combines a drafting card game with the mystery-solving qualities of Clue. The game allows players to employ and supply a crew of thieves, who then attempt to raid famous sites across Europe. The artwork is just so dynamic and by far our favorite of all of the board games we shared with you. You’re going to have a blast with this one!
There you have them, our favorite 2-player board games that are perfect for a quiet night in with someone you care about. Whether you are bonding with one of your kids while playing or sipping wine with your partner, there is just so much fun to be had with any of these amazing options.
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