Best Adult Board Game for 2 Players?

um7y1h83ge06nx

I'm looking for recommendations for a good, reasonably involving adult board game, primarily for 2 players.

I see things like Catan, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Pandemic and others that look interesting, not sure what to go for.

In terms of board games we have played up to now, you have the usual suspects - Monopoly, Cluedo, Game of Life.

Any advice appreciated!

maebee

Have you tried "Scattergories"?. It's great craic, with a good bit of thinking involved. We play with 5 or 6 people but it would also work with 2 people.

Idleater

Carcasonne works for two people, we've a load of expansions and mix and match a few.

We also play fluxx which due to the random nature of the cards works fine for two.

Scrabble/boggle are obvious candidates for two players.

I'm very intrigued by Twilight Struggle.

abacususer

Suggesting games for people to play is generally very hit and miss, especially if you don't know them, and their game playing habits very well. People's tastes and interests simply vary to much. Fortunately, these days there is a solution.

There are lots of game review sites which are very good. These will allow you to find out as much as you need about a particular game (too much may spoil the game!), to decide if it's a good fit for your gaming group.

One of the best to start with, is 'Shut Up and Sit Down' (shutupandsitdown.com), but there are lots of others (No Pun Included, The Dice Tower, Game Night, Arkham Chronicle, etc.). Most, like SH&SD will give reviews at various levels, ranging from text-based over-views, to full-blown video reviews. The SH&SD video reviews are both informative and entertaining.

Another excellent source of information are game database websites. The best known is probably 'Board Game Geek' (boardgamegeek.com). Search there for a game you're interested in and you'll find pretty much everything you could, or would, want to know about that game, including links to video reviews, gameplay & tip videos etc. Many games have their own dedicated websites as well.

Start with SU&SD, and search for some games you've heard of, and are interested in, and explore from there. If planning on playing a lot with one particular person, I'd recommend getting them involved in that as well. It's all too easy to buy something that you think is great, only to find out that the other person absolutely hates it!

In terms of buying these games, in general you won't find them in Easons or Smyth's. You need a specialist game shop, or to buy them online. Gamers World (gamersworld.ie) are very good, and are based in Dublin, but there are others. BTW, I am not affiliated with Gamers World in any way, other than being a customer. Online choices are Amazon and similar, or a raft of specialist online game retailers (Miniature Market, Team covenant, etc., etc.).

Just noticed a possibly relevant thread on Board Game Geek: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2530038/new-hobby-just-some-initial-thoughts.

Finally, be aware that some games can end up being expensive. For example, LCGs (Living Card Games), and others, involve regular purchases, that can mount up in cost over time.

Greg81

Twilight Struggle
Chronicles of Crime

richie.c

I would recommend looking at some reviews by Rahdo https://www.youtube.com/user/rahdo
He focuses mainly on the 2 player aspect of games and gives very good indications of how there played. He is not a fan of take that style games. More so games where you try to win by bettering your opponent than games where you try to stop your opponent scoring or taking stuff from them.

Personally I would recommend Terraforming Mars, Viticulture or Wingspan

I would also highly recommend Ticket to ride which you suggested, great game easy to learn. Great one to start with.

ardinn

I completely misinterpreted the thread title.

Carry on, Ill let myself out.

um7y1h83ge06nx

Thanks everyone for some great ideas and links to good websites, much appreciated.

Now time to decide what to buy!

Elward

I'll add a couple to your options:
- Codenames Duet
- Santorini (this is 2 to 4 players, and is often appreciated also by kids)

Another I have but didn't have a chance to try yet: 7 Wonders Duel

Paddy Samurai

All the games mentioned below have videos explaining them ,either on BGG or youtube.

TARGI is a top notch 2 player game engaging and easy to learn.


FIELDS OF ARLE is IMO the best 2 player game ever.:D
Its not as hard as it looks.

THIS WAR OF MINE a adult themed game that will have you thinking about and discussing the game for days after.

Also worth checking out.....

Agricola all creatures big and small, 7 wonders Duel, Patchwork,Jaipur ,Raptor , Hive Pocket .

Cabaal

I'd really have only played the usual suspects and the general well known games that most households will have played or have in Ireland.

But I recently watched the Gamemaster Documentary so before Christmas I picked up Ticket To Ride, I'm not into trains or any of that but went purely on ratings.
Myself and the other half are really enjoying it, easy enough to follow and by game three you are really into it.

It would certainly be better with more then two players but I'd recommend it.

Our next purchase is Smallworlds which apparently is like Risk but more fun, won't have that for another two weeks or so but looking forward to it

olestoepoke

Chess is a great game

Zomboid

Star Realms (Deckbuilder)

Gumshoe One 2 One (TTRPG)

Scarlett Heroes (TTRPG)

Pandemic Hot Zone

Zombie Dice

Dreadball / Blood Bowl

Car Wars / Gaslands

HeroClix