Ahhh Valentine’s Day. Every year, love is in the air, red hearts and cupids are plastered on everything, it’s the season of love! This February - we’re not talking about all that mushy love stuff - we’re highlighting 2 player games you ARE going to love!
Thinking about 2 player games made me wonder about the history of some of the oldest ones I could think of - chess and checkers. Checkers (also known as Draughts) dates back to 3,000 BC, while Chess was traced back at least 1,500 years ago. So we’ve been sitting across a game table, staring at our single opponent for a long, long time. And I have to say, even though I enjoy multi-player games, there’s something nice about just one person across the table - that singular concentration of only one butt to try to kick (which for me, mostly ends up being the other way around, but I digress).
So let’s start off with some of my favorites. 7 Wonders Duel is a great game - card drafting and set collection as you build your own wonders is cool and right up my alley. I actually played it long before the original - 7 Wonders. Another lightweight favorite is Jaipur. I love the colorful chips and it’s a great blend of strategy, risk and luck. Jon and I often take it along when we decide to brewery hop - it’s easy to toss into a bag to take with you. Hive Pocket is another easy to take with you 2 player that’s great fun and every game is completely different than the last.
Speaking of chess - if you haven’t played Onitama yet, it’s a beautiful game! (pictured right)
Using tarot-sized cards, players direct their movement to manipulate the field of battle while trying to capture their opponent’s Master. It comes with a roll-up playmat, and its box is definitely worthy of display on your board game shelves!
If you haven’t seen the game Klask (which is also now a 4 player) it is really a lot of fun. Jon and I posted a video of us playing it if you want to check it out.
There's just so many great 2 player games out there and I hope this gives you a new favorite you'll enjoy as much as Jon and I do.
Sonya