This is going to be a bit different than my solo game list. Solo games were games that I’ve played solo. Here, I want to focus on games that are mainly two player games only or generally are preferred at that player count. Why, because I’ve played a ton of games two players. Whether that’s with friends or spouse, it’s a big list. But some games aren’t as good two player games, and some games are best that way.

Two Player Games Rankings

Before I get started, there are a few that are good at a lot of player counts. But I think a lot of people will prefer them at two, or they offer a different experience at two, so I’ll call out those on the list.

14. Star Wars: Destiny

Bottom of the list just because I had this game, I started to kind of get into it, but it’s a TCG style game. Trading card games are harder to play just because you need someone else who is into it. I recently sold my cards to a friend because, well, I wasn’t going to play it again. The game is fun, I don’t think it’s better than Magic, which isn’t on my list because I prefer it as a free for all. And like Magic, it’s harder to find time to play it.

13. Blossoms

Blossoms is a push your luck game with some choices. It really, though comes down to push your luck as you are growing plants. How far do you want to push, or will you bust. Game play is very simple, decision space is very limited. But it’s not a bad game. If you want a two player game you could play with anyone, Blossoms works for that.

12. Cribbage

Now Cribbage, I really like this game. The concept is simple but the game play is good and there is strategy to what you play. I’m not great at cribbage, but I have a nice board that I need to use sometime soon. The game plays fast, and this is really one of those great bar or brewery games where you don’t need much, and it’s a nice game to play.

11. Skulk Hollow

Might be higher on the list if I played Skulk Hollow more often. It’s a game where both sides play similarly but differently. Each side has their own objectives as to what they want to do, the Foxen want to take down the guardian, and the guardian might want to take out enough Foxen or maybe put out their tentacles, it depends on the guardian. Nice asymmetrical game with a cool two board system.

10. Claim

Two player trick taking, shouldn’t be the only trick taking on the list, but I haven’t played Fox in the Forest or Fox in the Forest Duet yet. I want to, and I have both on my shelf. But Claim is a very interesting game. You play a hand to build your next hand. And then you play to gain majority in the five different suits. But different suits have different powers. Fun puzzle of a game that you can play a few games in a sitting.

9. The Dresden Files Cooperative Card Game

I think I’ve played this game at all player counts. Solo isn’t bad, and three isn’t bad, but I like The Dresden Files Cooperative Card Game best at two. Why, because there’s little downtime between turns. And also because I know one person who I regularly game with who is as deep, if not deeper, into the Dresden series than I am. So it’s fun to bring that theme to a game that has it pasted onto mechanics in a good way.

8. Star Wars: Rebellion

Star Wars: Rebellion almost missed being put on the list. This is a two player only Original Trilogy Star Wars in a box. You can play with four, but it just splits up everything into two, and there’s not that much to keep track of. The game is a lot of fun because the Empire is trying to track down the Rebel base, and the Rebels are trying to undermine the Empire. I don’t even mind the dice combat in the game. Big box, takes a while to play, but great.

7. Hats

Hats is one of those abstract games that can play more, but it’s so much better at two. It’s about playing cards from your hand down to the table, the Madd Hatter’s table, to collect other hats. So it’s interesting because what you have in your hand won’t be the cards you use to score at the end of the game. It is fine at four, but at two, there is a whole lot more tension in what you do.

6. Ohanami

Ohanami is almost two different games at the different player counts. When you play with three or four, you take what is best for you because you won’t see the hands again too much. At two, you are going to see your starting hand three times. So you get six of the ten cards in it. Now in two players you think about what you want and your opponent might want, take the ones that overlap first, before taking ones that just you might want.

5. Hanamikoji

Two player only game, Hanamikoji is amazing. And really the top six are games I’d always play, and even Hats is one I’d play but only if it’s two player. Hanamikoji has you vying to win favor of Geisha. Either by getting 11 points or the favor of four of the seven Geisha. The game play is amazingly tense as you try and puzzle out what you opponent might have. And the four actions you take all feel like tough decisions.

4. Super Fantasy Brawl

Super Fantasy Brawl I believe can be played with more, but it’s best as a two player head to head skirmish game. This game is about punching your opponents to knock them out, but also completing objectives. I don’t think you can easily win without doing both. Because you worry about only objectives, your opponent will take you out and ruin your plans. Only about taking your opponent out, they’ll be able to maneuver to get objectives.

Plus, the game play is extremely simple. You have three different color actions you can take per round. That corresponds to colors of cards, so you play cards of that color. You have some defensive ones you can use, but if you use those, on your turn you can’t then play that color to take a more offensive action. And there are a lot of characters and I still want more.

3. Marvel Champions: The Card Game

Marvel Champions is a very nice solo game, but I think I prefer it as a two player game. More I wouldn’t want to play with because of downtime. But at two player, it feels like it offers a different depth of strategy and teamwork that you don’t get in solo. And it’s fun to take two super heroes up against a villain and have that team-up feel.

2. Aeon’s End

Aeon’s End is another one where I really like it as a two player game. Even the solo experience is really a two player game. Mainly because as solo you need to control at least two mages. What makes it so good at two players is that you each get two turns to go along with the Nemesis two turns. At four player you’d have each mage go once prepping in round one, and attacking in round two. You get that, but it feels more powerful with two players, though it really isn’t.

1. Dice Throne

Finally, we have Dice Throne. Dice Throne is a game that I love as a two player game, but I think it’s great as a King of a Hill style free for all. It makes sense at two because it’s kind of a Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat battler of a game. Game play is slick with upgrading abilities and then Yahtzee style dice rolling and battling.

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of games that are good at two players. For me, these fourteen aren’t always ones that I need to only play at two, but are really strong at two. And I have a number on my shelf to play. I want to get The Inbetween to the table, as well as Seven Wonders Duel, and the previously mentioned Fox in the Forest and Fox in the Forest Duet.

What are some of your favorite two player games?

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