As we all know, board games aren’t just for kids anymore. Sometimes it’s hard to get an entire game group together for an epic gaming session and sometimes you don’t want to have to babysit the youngins.
There’s only one solution. You need a 2-player board game for adults. Now get your head out of the gutter — these aren’t just sexy-time games. These are board games that play well with 2 players and are complex enough to satisfy that gaming itch without an overly simplified experience.
Today we’re scouring the shelves to find the best 2-player board games for adults you can play guilt-free.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks for Best 2-Player Board Game for Adults
In a hurry? Check out our favorites below.
War of The Ring
An epic power struggle between good and evil, War of the Ring is not only a fantastic war game, it’s perhaps one of my favorite 2-player games of all time.
Can you really find a more classic struggle than Tolkien’s fantastical world of Middle Earth?
Each player controls either the Free People of Middle Earth or Sauron’s forces. What makes War of the Ring so intriguing is that it’s not just a large version of Risk with a board full of miniatures.
Each faction has a distinct feel to it. Sauron’s armies are unending and powerful, yet his power base is within Mordor itself. Armies need to spread out across middle Earth and if given enough time will simply overwhelm everything in their path.
The Free People of Middle Earth rest their hopes on the Fellowship reaching Mt. Doom and destroying the One Ring. Their numbers are limited but complete destruction of the enemy isn’t their goal. Their goal is to hold out long enough for the Fellowship to complete its task.
War of the Ring truly offers an incredible Lord of The Rings experience. The story is rewritten on the board in real time. Members of the Fellowship can fall at any moment, pivotal battles that hold back the tide of orcs can be lost, and solitary units can hold back a bottleneck of forces.
What we liked
War of the Ring’s theme is perfectly suited for 2 players and creates one of the most thematic gaming experiences I’ve encountered.
What could be better
There’s quite a steep learning curve to this game, so it may take a while to teach new players. Also, the flavor text on the cards will only be understood if you’re a Tolkien fan. However, if you’re willing to invest the time, it’s well worth it.
Twilight Struggle
As much fun as replaying the Cold War sounds, Twilight Struggle takes an underutilized period of world history and creates an incredibly atmospheric and historically-sound board game.
Unlike most games, thermonuclear war and the complete eradication of your enemies is not the goal. Players struggle to gain the most influence over a Cold War world in which the domino effect actually has consequences.
Twilight Struggle is considered one of the best modern board games. The various strategies and complexity of the game have actually led it to be played competitively worldwide.
What we liked
Twilight Struggle is chock full of tactical and strategic play, invigorating tension, and replayability. It feels like playing chess on a world map! Besides an incredible 2-player experience, players are also treated to perhaps one of the best historically researched board games I’ve ever seen.
What could be better
Despite the complexity of the mechanics, there seems to be an overwhelming luck element that isn’t mitigated by the limited options or a series of unlucky dice rolls/card draws. Feeling unlucky in this game can be devastating, especially for such a mentally-challenging game.
Star Wars: Rebellion
A game of cat and mouse on a galactic scale, Star Wars: Rebellion lets players relive epic Star Wars moments in recreating the actual conflict between the evil Empire and the stalwart Rebels.
Two players clash either as the indomitable Empire with endless resources or the Rebels launching guerilla strikes. Each faction has different strengths and weaknesses but it all blends together into an incredible showdown.
What we liked
Whether or not you’re a Star Wars fan, this is an amazing game. The theme is on-point, the tension is electric, and the gameplay is epic!
Star Wars: Rebellion is another fantastic 2-player board game in which adults can really sit down and duel it out.
What could be better
At a runtime of 4+ hours, it can be a long slog if both players aren’t into it. But for those that are, it’s amazingly good fun.
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
If you’re not ready to commit to the massive black hole that is Gloomhaven, you can try the prequel instead. You also won’t have to shell out $100 for this one or deal with a game box the size of the car.
Jaws of the Lion is a normal-sized board game that acts as a beginner’s guide to the world of Gloomhaven. It’s an easy bite-sized version that’s much easier to play and won’t destroy your bank account.
You’ll still have the nitty-gritty dungeon crawl experience with artwork and gameplay fans of the series can enjoy without dedicating an entire week to set up and tear down.
What we liked
Jaws of the Lion is such an amazing introduction for new players to the Gloomhaven universe! The storybook of scenarios really helps to slowly introduce mechanics, while still keeping the immersive theme. It’s all the “magic” of Gloomhaven, with some great improvements to the scenarios.
What could be better
There are far more options in the original Gloomhaven for diehard fans, such as story options, side quests, personal goals, town records… and just more of everything. If you absolutely love Gloomhaven, this version might disappoint.
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
I’m a huge fan of the Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective series. The puzzles feel pulled straight out of an Arthur Conan Doyle novel, and I absolutely love the components.
This is a fantastic game for a duo to pore over and flex their deductive mind muscles. Clues are scattered throughout the city, and with a gorgeous map of London and a copy of the post, players will need to decipher clues left behind and solve mysteries together.
It’s an excellent way to spend an evening or to ponder over throughout the day. Also, be sure to check out our picks for the best Sherlock Holmes board games too!
What we liked
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is a phenomenal game, whether played solo, as a couple or even with up to 4 players. All of the clues are challenging, it’s super engaging, and really exciting when you find the solutions.
The writing is excellent (a good thing too, considering the game is text-based). We consider this one of the best cooperative deduction games ever made.
What could be better
Some have said that this feels more like a Choose Your Own Adventure rather than a board game. I don’t necessarily agree, but it could seem that way to some players.
Underwater Cities
“Life under the sea is better than anything they’ve got up there.”
Underwater Cities is one of those games that works well at all player counts, from solo to 4 players, but with 2 players, the game really comes alive.
Players compete to build their underwater havens using interconnected underwater domes. Each dome can support a number of facilities and it’s quite the balancing act to get the proper ratio of food, fresh water, and the all-important victory points.
The board and artwork on the cards are beautifully designed reminiscent of the classic novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas: A World Tour Underwater by Jules Verne.
What we liked
The engine-building component of Underwater Cities is extremely satisfying. The gameplay is tight and well-balanced. We thoroughly enjoy the worker placement and card play combination, as well as the great design decision of the different era cards!
What could be better
It may just be me, but I felt that the game was a bit too short. It may have benefitted from an extra era being added. (Perhaps this could be house-ruled.)
Android Netrunner: The Card Game
For a cyberpunk game that will never disappoint, Netrunner throws down with the best of them. Netrunner is the classic struggle between prodigy hackers and corporate monsters.
This deck-building living card game offers incredible abilities and strategy that 2-players can explore together. Although it’s out of print, there’s a huge community still ready to hack megacorporations and it was popular enough in its heyday that there are still quite a few copies floating around.
Android: Netrunner pits 2 players against each other. One plays as the brilliant hacker looking to take down the megacorporations that are running the world and the other as that very same megacorporation with near-limitless resources.
What we liked
Android Netrunner’s deck-building cards and theme are some of the best and the game itself is one of the most highly sought-after tabletop card games.
What could be better
It’s been out of print for a bit, and can still be found, but it’s becoming more and more of a collector’s item.
Memoir ‘44
Memoir ‘44 is a fantastic introduction to war board games. Memoir ‘44 falls into the category of game that plays amazingly with only 2 players. Not only that, but it’s one of the best gateway war games out there too.
Two players face off across the battle line as commanders in this card-driven war game. Players submit orders to their troops to move and attack the enemy. Memoir ‘44 offers numerous historical scenarios and if that doesn’t keep you busy, there are plenty of expansions.
What we liked
Memoir ‘44’s simple system and variable setups are great for introducing players to the war game genre.
What could be better
Although Memoir ‘44 is a great introduction to war games, it doesn’t have enough complexity to satisfy hardcore wargamers.
If historical war games aren’t your thing you can also check out BattleLore, a fantasy-themed game that uses the same ruleset.
Patchwork
Patchwork has an odd theme but it’s a fantastic game with a lot of strategy involved. As you may imagine from the name, Patchwork is all about making the most beautiful quilt possible. That, of course, requires players to compete for the all-important victory points.
This specifically designed 2-player board game is easy to pick up and play and offers a lot of fun strategy. Players take turns buying patches for their quilt to place on their own 9×9 grid.
What we liked
Patchwork is a lightweight game that has enough strategy to keep you interested. It doesn’t drag out and offers just enough choices to make you think without overwhelming new players.
What could be better
If you’ve played Patchwork extensively, you’ll start to notice several different strategies that will help you win. When two players of different experience levels are paired up, it can often be a shut-out.
Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small
Agricola is one of the quintessential Euro games, and Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small is its smaller cousin.
It’s a distilled version of Agricola that’s still rather complex for a 2-player variant.
Each player starts with a little 3×2 plot of land that can be used to raise various animals. As the game progresses, more upgrades and more land to build on becomes available. Players familiar with the original Agricola will find it very familiar.
What we liked
All Creatures Big and Small plays in about 30 minutes and scratches the itch for a hardcore strategic Euro game in a small package.
All Creatures big and small takes the classic Agricola and distills it down into a simplified version designed specifically for 2-players.
What could be better
It’s a fun game, but it’s simply not as satisfying as playing the original.
The Captain is Dead: Dangerous Planet
As the name implies, a ship crash-landed on an alien planet and the captain has met his/her unfortunate end. It’s up to the remaining crew to survive and get the heck out of dodge.
In this cooperative game, players are boldly going straight into a dumpster fire. The captain is dead, aliens are attacking, and everything is awful. Luckily, the plucky crew is still alive and if they can just nab enough artifacts to satisfy fleet command, they can go home.
It’s never that easy, though.
What we liked
I love the ridiculous theme of the Captain is Dead series. This is a very fun, engaging, and great-looking cooperative game.
What could be better
There’s a bit of math involved which may turn some players off. Also, setup times could be quicker and the character abilities can be hindering, especially with only two players.
The Captain is Dead: Dangerous Planet is the sequel game to the Captain is Dead and offers just as many horrifying situations for the crew. It plays excellently with two players and is a must for any sci-fi fan.
Hive
Hive hits a lot of 2-player lists, and there’s a reason for that. It has such a wide appeal to all age groups from children to adults, it’s highly strategic, and it can be played literally anywhere.
The pieces consist of hard plastic so the entire thing can fit in a small carrying bag, and it can be played on any flat surface.
I’ve traveled with my copy, and Kendra and I have sat at many pubs around the world playing it with a few (or more) pints. A game that is completely resistant to beer spills is rare indeed.
What we liked
I really enjoy Hive and one of the best things about it is its portability. Hive is a fantastic all-around 2 player game. It offers a ton of strategy, can be played almost anywhere, and is perfect for 2 players.
What could be better
If you’re not a fan of chess, you may not enjoy Hive. Skill level is also an important aspect. If you play against someone highly skilled, the game can be over fairly quickly.
Jaws
“We’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
I was absolutely horrified to get in the water for weeks after seeing this movie and even as an adult, it’s still always in the back of my mind when I get into the ocean.
Jaws the board game revisits classic Spielberg cinema with Hooper, Brody, and Quint. Jaws comes in 2 acts. The first is the hunt for the shark.
One player takes control of the shark and attempts to eat as many swimmers as they can. The other controls the trio as they save swimmers, close the beaches, and ultimately tag the shark with barrels to locate it.
Act 2 is the iconic showdown between shark and man. The human players try to fend off the shark as it destroys the ship around them, circling for the kill. Depending upon how many swimmers the shark ate in Act 1 determines how many ability cards either side receives before the final showdown.
What we liked
Jaws is an incredibly thematic movie that translates beautifully into a 2-player game. The mind games between the shark and human player are some of the best I’ve seen and make for a great tabletop experience.
The 1v1 gameplay fits the Jaws theme perfectly. If you’re a fan of Jaws and tabletop games, you’re going to want to give this one a try.
What could be better
I really like the game, but if you’ve never seen the movie, it’s going to lose a lot of its charm.
Welcome to…
This is a bit of a silly one.
Board game themes are known to run the gamut from high-energy fantasy and sci-fi to the absolutely mundane. Welcome to… falls into the latter.
In Welcome to… the goal is to build the most successful suburban neighborhood. Players compete to see who can successfully construct a flourishing neighborhood and complete the public goal. Welcome to… offers fast-paced suburban action because players are simultaneously taking their turns together.
What we liked
It offers a lot of variable setups, so even with 2 players, you’ll have plenty of variety in this interesting game.
There are a ton of different options and strategies that players can use which adds to its replayability, and it’s easy to teach.
What could be better
Some players may get hit with analysis paralysis when trying to come up with an optimal strategy.
Fog of Love
Fog of Love is a couples game that doesn’t necessarily require a couple to play. Fog of Love is like a relationship simulation board game.
Players create their avatars to play out scenes of two potential lovers destined to cross paths. Whether they end up together in a fairy tale romance or fall apart faster than a bad Tinder date is entirely up to the players.
Fog of Love is one of those games in which the story players create is more important than the actual gameplay. There is, however, a game behind this excellent story builder and a very definite way to win.
Players find themselves in various odd situations that test their relationships. Whether the actual players are in a relationship or not isn’t necessary as the stories that come out of Fog of Love are like watching a really good rom-com, which is perfect for any 2-player group.
What we liked
Despite the name, Fog of Love is really fun to play with friends and not just couples. The different scenarios and stories you can come up with are really funny and entertaining.
What could be better
It’s designed for roleplay, so if you’re not comfortable roleplaying with someone, it’s going to be awkward.
Backgammon Online
Backgammon Online features the popular board game for free. Get ready to roll the dice, strategize your moves, and show off your skills in epic online battles. With its colorful interface, easy-to-navigate layout, and options for playing against friends or joining tournaments, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the classic game.
What we liked
The bright colors and quick load-up time make this a perfect game for those looking for a hassle-free gaming experience.
What could be better
For players unfamiliar with Backgammon, a small excerpt on the rules could help.
Wrap-Up
Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoyed our list of the best 2-player board games for adults. Did your favorite make the list? We’d love to hear your thoughts on our picks and which ones you’ve tried too! Drop a comment below and let’s talk board games.
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Before starting GameCows with his wife Kendra, he used to teach English Language Arts in the US. He combined his love of gaming with education to create fun game-based learning lessons until he eventually decided to run GameCows with Kendra full-time. He’s known for pouring over rulebooks in his spare time, being the rule master during game night, and as the perma DM in his DnD group. Bryan loves board games, writing, traveling, and above all his wife and partner in crime, Kendra.