Best Two Player Games

7 Wonders Duel

A 2 player card drafting and set collection game, very similar to it's popular parent where each player collects cards to advance their civilization while not falling prey to the other's army.

There's a reason many prefer this version to the original.

Azul

A beautiful 2-4 player tile placement, set collection game where players compete to complete the best tiled walls in the Portuguese palace.

There's a reason it's the best abstract game on boardgamegeek.com, and it's best at 2 players.

Gloomhaven (+ Jaws of the Lion)

A 1-4 player dungeon-crawling, cooperative adventure where players use and develop individual character decks to move and attack enemies in order to take down the big bad over the course of >100 scenarios! Works fantastically at 2

For a slightly quicker, more beginner friendly version, check out Jaws of the Lion!

See my review here!

Hive

A 2 player tile laying game that plays like an elegant bug-themed version of chess. There is not a single game you will play where you do not learn more strategy.

Patchwork

A 2 player tile placement, grid coverage game where players compete to build the best (highest-scoring) quilt on a 9x9 grid.

You may also enjoy Cottage Garden, New York Zoo, or Indian Summer by the same talented designer, Uwe Rosenberg.

Santorini

A 2-4 player area control game that feels like chess meets connect 4. Race against your opponent as you build around the island and race to the top. And at the end, you can't help but to marvel at the beautiful and elegant scene you've just created.

War of the Ring

A 2 (or 4) player battle set in the Lord of the Rings universe between the Free Peoples and the Shadow Army.

An incredibly immersive, extremely thematic, 3-hour-long adventure.