Hi all, not sure if there’s a better place in the fediverse to ask, but I’m looking for suggestions for a 2 player game. Something that is pretty quick in terms of set up, learning, and play. My go to for this scenario right now is the Tacocat game by the makers of Exploding Kittens, but I’d like to branch out and try some others if they fit the bill. Doesn’t necessarily have to be for 2 players specifically but preferable if that’s what it’s designed for. Heck doesn’t necessarily have to be a board game really, just something to play face to face (I mean, I don’t really know what the alternative would be other than a straight up card game but that’s why I’m asking for recommendations).
I love 2 player games and the vast majority of my plays are with 2 players. My top recommendations are:
Azul—plays 2-4 players, and I love it with 2. Tile placement in patterns. Quick to learn and plays fairly quickly as well
Beer and Bread—you are playing as 2 rival towns using the same ingredients to make a variety of beers and breads. At the end of the game, your final score is whichever of the 2 is lower between beer or bread. A slightly longer time to learn than Azul, but still plays in under an hour
Splendor Duel—a tableau builder —you’re collecting gems to buy cards that count like permanent gems in your hand. Time to learn and play falls between the other 2, in my experience
Second Azul. Fun. Easy to learn and quite quick.
I think out of those, splendor duel is the best one. We play it a lot for a quick session. While Azul is fine and easy to learn, it is kinda heavy on math if you want to be good.
The great thing about Azul is that it works well at all player levels. For beginners it’s easy to teach, it has great table presence and you can have a lot of fun playing it completely casually. For experienced players it can turn into a cutthroat duel of probability calculations and mind games.
Beer and Bread rules!