Top 10 Multiplayer Games That Are Best With 2

Top 10 Multiplayer Games That Are Best With 2 - The Broken Meeple

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Күн бұрын

There's an editing gaff at 06.55 where I had a duplicate copy of a game box cover appear when it shouldn't have. Apologies but not a lot I can do about it now!! 😄
It's really common that a ton of games good at two players aren't particularly good at multiplayer. Whether due to imbalance or time length or too much chaos. But people also believe that a lot of excellent multiplayer games suck at two players. . . . . yes and no. I feel there's quite a lot of games that play really well or probably best at two players despite being good at multiplayer.
So here are my ten picks for games where despite catering to multiple player counts, actually play best when it's just two of you.
Do you agree with the list? What are your choices? Spread the word, spread the video and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Пікірлер: 139

@georginatoland 4 жыл бұрын

Great video! My husband and I are always looking for quality 2-player games between heavy “big board” games. Some of these games were completely new to me. Thank you! ❤️

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Many thanks for the kind words! Glad you found the video useful.

@mkitten13 4 жыл бұрын

Definitely agree with you in regards to Five Tribes, I want to always play just two so that I can have the possibility of getting two moves in a row. If I can get to do more in a game as a player, I'm very happy. I also think Kingdomino is at its very best with the 2 player advanced rules. One game that I think is *only* playable at 2 (not just that it's best at 2) is My Village. It's one game where having 2 dice drafts per round (which only happens with 2) is pretty much essential to having a good time, as you need that option of at least one good action to offset the severely limited options of that second draft gives you as almost every action, including taking the starting player marker requires a specific dice total.

@raykempinski7085 4 жыл бұрын

Put me in the Five Tribes camp - with three or four, unless there is a monster move available, the bidding for turn order is almost pointless. With two it becomes a whole other beast. Also going to plug Grand Austria Hotel as a great two player game that, for some reason, provides enough pieces to play at four.

@Naledgeizpwr 4 жыл бұрын

Race for the Galaxy was the first game that came to mind when I read the title. Through the Ages is great with 2 players, but I probably prefer with 3, definitely not 4 though. The other designs that came to mind for me were Pax Renaissance, Castles of Burgundy, and probably Ginkgopolis, although I think Ginkgopolis is probably just as good at 3.

@danielkeim8558 4 жыл бұрын

I'd have to agree about Valley of the Kings- phenomenal deck builder and especially tactical with 2. I would add Chronicles of Crime to this list, fantastic couples game!

@mkietzmann 4 жыл бұрын

I usually play Five Tribes as a two player game. However, I took it to my gaming group today and it was a lot of fun with three also. The Artisans expansion does help, though.

@quibily 4 жыл бұрын

I just learned Innovation! That game is bonkers and unpredictable, and I love it! But wowwww I hate how the Asmadi versions look. I think it'll be worth sitting and waiting for a year or more to see if I can get the iEllo version. Nice list. I would have added The Fox in the Forest--but maybe it's a cheat because it's ONLY for two players, but maaaan, I love that game!

@johnpanagos5835 4 жыл бұрын

i love Seasons!! I agree with you. Suggest you buy warbox insert, i stained it blue, looks gorgeous!

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Warbox - is that a brand? Didn't know Seasons ever got an insert - but I'll have to look that up. Thanks.

@Physiology-E-Paathshala 4 жыл бұрын

I got azul today. Super excited to play it with my son

@RaduStanculescu 4 жыл бұрын

Agreed with Azul, and I think Sagrada is in the same situation. And also agreed for Seasons. I'd add Agricola (but not A Feast for Odin, that one works very nicely with 3), and Mystic Vale to the list. And for San Juan, I'm happy to play it with 2 or 3.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

FOO I'm happy at 3 and Mystic Vale is a good choice although with the Conclave set, playing at 4 is not so bad any more because of the Equinox variant (or whatever it was called).

@JasonDay56 4 жыл бұрын

Everything you said about Valley Of The Kings, pros and cons, is 100% correct. It's one of my favorites. I'm surprised the new edition isn't talked about more.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

I don't think AEG bigged it up enough - or maybe the price point was too much. I mean it's not a cheap set and the previous version was ultra portable.

@c.w.2000 4 жыл бұрын

Both Luke and Tom Vasel really liked it, so I got it recently. How often do they agree, right? 😀 I've only played it once so far, at two, and it's definitely good. The price wasn't bad here in Canada either (less than the three separate sets). I think straight deck builders might be losing popularity (except for Clank!), but I am new to gaming and wanted one in my collection.

@Viragomp 4 жыл бұрын

I agree with a lot of your choices but would def add Grand Austria Hotel. Great game that games shines at 2P.

@falconashek8913 4 жыл бұрын

Concordia /w Britannia map, Pandemic (any), Chaosmos, Lord of the Rings Card Game, Xia: Legends of a Drift System /w Embers of a Forsaken Star, Clank!, Kingdom Builder, The City of Kings, Tiny Epic (pick one), and Vast

@EmpressG 4 жыл бұрын

Seasons, Grand Austria Hotel, Castles of Burgundy, City of Spies, Yedo, Finca and Kingdomino. 😊

@sacob08 4 жыл бұрын

Why didn't you include Forbidden Stars? To me, it is the epitome of max 2 players board games. Great video by the way! Love your top 10s

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

I like it at all counts really. Even though its length is long with more.

@brianthomson3095 3 жыл бұрын

"Splendor" and "Kingdomino" are great at 2 players. Great new board game term: "screwage potential".

@michieltummers1303 4 жыл бұрын

The castles of Burgundy comes to mind too

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

It does, though much in the same way my regurgitated breakfast does! :P

@ashrael37 4 жыл бұрын

7 Wonders' 2-player variant is often criticized, but my wife and I find it more strategic than 3+ players, and enjoy it more than 7 Wonders Duel (*gasp*). One game that I would have had on this list: Castles of Burgundy. So good, without the extra 30 minutes per player for players 3 and 4.

@windyhillbomber 4 жыл бұрын

The Gallerist becomes a Turkey shoot with 3 or more players because the kick out actions increasingly hard to track and draws the game out too much. Pretty much everyone gets a kick out action with 3+ players.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

It does and I did consider Gallerist - but I do enjoy that each turn you have to be careful about who and when you kick someone out - in 2 player you can avoid it easier. So I'd perfectly see it as a choice but for me I'm cool at all counts.

@nuuqbgg 4 жыл бұрын

What do you think about Haven? I see it behind you and it's one of my favourites 2 player games. Don't think you've done the review for it.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Was an impulse buy and on my pile of shame. Hard to get two players to the table. 😭

@mkietzmann 4 жыл бұрын

Haven is one of my favourite 2 player games, too. It's a shame there aren't more people playing it.

@RottenJeeves 4 жыл бұрын

I dont care for it personally.

@henricdenzler8826 4 жыл бұрын

A lot of good games have already been mentioned in the comments, but I'd like to add Paladins of the West Kingdom. I can play it with 3, but I prefer it at 2 players. I will probably never play it with 4.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah that's a good one. Paladins is dropping for me fast though.

@aketharus4902 4 жыл бұрын

Res Arcana, Castles of Burgundy, Grand Hotel Austria, Terraforming Mars ;-)

@charleslatora5750 4 жыл бұрын

For now, my gaming is restricted mostly to: me myself and I. since I retired and supposedly have more time but some days I'm not physically up/able to going to a game store n other days, family comes first. though I do get in some games with my granddaughter who destroys me in cooties and candyland(Custer's last stand). When I play some of my other games solo I let her help roll a die and move the pieces carefully. She might be ready for Forbidden Island....

@mikolajwitkowski8093 4 жыл бұрын

While I agree with the choice - let me suggest a variant, don't use the big box Valley of the Kings, but the small original ones. Keeping 4 starting decks you can fit all 3 sets in one tiny box... you get incredible amount of game in such a small package. Oh and they went to 6 players because you could do it with the small edition too.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

I still have the small box for travel reasons. And they were so preoccupied with whether they could play with 6 they didn't stop to think if they should! 😄

@mikolajwitkowski8093 4 жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple I guess they had to put something in that huge box... that said no game should be played with more than 2! ;)

@jameswinter8601 4 жыл бұрын

Potion Explosion pops up for me for best at two players. Just takes to long and too much AP down time.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

That's a pretty good choice actually.

@johnstone2255 4 жыл бұрын

All the games we play are two players, we are Mr & Mrs no mates, or at least no mates within 500 miles! So, for my list it would include all our favourite games. Agree 100% with Azul, wasn't that keen on Pavillion. Eldritch Horror, especially if you play two characters each Everdell Terraforming Mars Paladins of the West Kingdom Raiders of the North Sea Pandemic, with In the Lab expansion Seasons with both expansions Flash Point with any expansion Dungeon Quest with two characters each

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

I think I'd rather have your circumstances then "stuck on my own all the time" :P

@patricechiniara 4 жыл бұрын

There’s a new version of Azul coming out soon...

@deanlowdon8381 2 жыл бұрын

Other multiplayer games great with two are Grand Austria Hotel, Great Western Trail, Concordia, Suburbia, Queendomino, Troyes, Keyflower, Carpe Diem, Isle of Cats, Obsession, Castles of Burgundy and Le Havre.

@twinkle04evr 3 жыл бұрын

Wingspan, Castles of Burgundy, Grand Austria Hotel

@dangerousbeans2907 4 жыл бұрын

I completely agree with your entire list. 5 Tribes is a 2 player only game imo and Valley of the Kings and all of its versions is a fantastic 2 player game. Innovation is the only one Ive not played. I own it, gotta get it played someday though :(

@bittner75 4 жыл бұрын

Dominion and Marvel Champions would be at the top for me.

@knalnl6340 4 жыл бұрын

DOMINION. Best (2 player game) ever. Some of my game just take 10 to 15 minutes.

@kobusbrits3523 4 жыл бұрын

Nice game, only second to Aeon's End!

@knalnl6340 4 жыл бұрын

Havent played eons end. But i have to much heros games. And i think that game takes more time.

@jaimek.2762 4 жыл бұрын

I think I prefer Grand Austria Hotel with 2 people

@yugihoo 4 жыл бұрын

Sorry, but my wife and I love regular 7 wonders at 2 player. It's a completely different game

@kosterix123 3 жыл бұрын

We as gamers (after catan 2p, viticulture:ee, everdell ks ce etc) discovered... rummikub. You may laugh, but it is fun and sharp.

@TheBrokenMeeple 3 жыл бұрын

Actually a couple friends of mine are big fans of Rumi and somewhat good at it! 👍

@kosterix123 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple Rumi? has a nice ring to it, as in ruminate. Thanks!

@Morbious666 4 жыл бұрын

Never had any issues playing with 2 or 4/5 players. As long as the company is good and everyone is having fun. What's the point of playing a game in the first place if you are in a hurry to stop playing?

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

There's a difference between hurrying and dragging the game beyond its appeal. And if you finish one game you can play another.

@joelbergvonlinde1389 4 жыл бұрын

Huh. I actually like Bärenpark the best with 4 players. It makes the goals more interesting imo

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Usually only a max of 2 people obtain a single objective tile, so having 2 extra doesn't add much.

@johnwheeler6839 4 жыл бұрын

Games we love at 2 (not necessarily best at 2) 5)Coimbra 4)Taverns 3)Wingspan 2)Viticulture 1)Grand Austria Hotel

@johnwheeler6839 4 жыл бұрын

Also Castles of Burgundy (can't belive I missed it)

@twinkle04evr 4 жыл бұрын

We have 4 of those you mentioned :)

@johnwheeler6839 4 жыл бұрын

@@twinkle04evr Wich one don't you have?

@twinkle04evr 4 жыл бұрын

I don't have Coimbra & Taverns, it seems like we like the same kinda games

@johnwheeler6839 4 жыл бұрын

@@twinkle04evr We also like T'zolkin (better with more players) And I love Teotihucan and Trismegistus but my wife doesn't like them as much as these 6.

@JohnPywtorak 3 жыл бұрын

Where do you play where you can be so picky? I play at any player count because if I didn’t I wouldn’t play at all. Hard to find gaming groups.

@TheBrokenMeeple 3 жыл бұрын

I have a gaming club I run and mates I can upon randomly 😄 the hardest one is usually two player only but one friend I know doesn't do a lot. 🤣

@Vader240183 4 жыл бұрын

Neuroshima hex:P

@syahidali6125 4 жыл бұрын

for exactly 2 player game, targi is my choice. nice list btw.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Targi is great, but yes, it's exclusively 2 player.

@Physiology-E-Paathshala 4 жыл бұрын

I personally feel that all board games become chaotic with 4 or more players..And are a bit boring with 2 players... I think 3 player setting works best for 99% board games...Although finding three like minded people may be quite difficult (offline) nowadays

@Luchiop 4 жыл бұрын

Elder sign is the only example I can think of that's fine 1 to 6 (box says 1-8)

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Really? Zee and I agree that Elder Sign we would only play with 2 - Elder Sign could have made my teens actually.

@joelbergvonlinde1389 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah I would never play that with more than 3

@Luchiop 4 жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple 3 players is nice. We usually play 2 player with 2 characters each. Quite fun.

@scottelam3726 4 жыл бұрын

Santorini really sings at 2 players and is actually awkward with more and you have this, "I'll make you block the other player while I do what's best for me" vibe that is just awful.

@patricechiniara 4 жыл бұрын

Santorini is a two players games. Pretty much like chess...

@jakep9215 4 жыл бұрын

My top 3 games that are best at 2p are 1. Viticulture - I love the scaling board and how quickly this game plays at 2p (although I enjoy it equally at 4p, not 3p though). 2. Yamatai - getting 2 turns per round at 2p makes this the best player count IMO, it's a lot better for strategy and trying to optimize your turns and when you try to go back to back, 1st, or last on purpose. 3. Heaven and Ale - I feel this plays best at 2p for similar reasons of the game plays quickly, and there is more control over strategy at 2p.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

You could put Yamatai on the same line as Five Tribes, but I didn't want both.

@charlesrowan1978 4 жыл бұрын

Almost all historical games work best with 2 players. Twilight Struggle, Unhappy King Charles, Combat commander, any of the Command and Colors games, ect....

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Isn't Twilight Struggle and a lot of historical games exclusively two player?.....

@charlesrowan1978 4 жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple Sorry misread the title. Your right historical games have their roots in chess a 2 player only game. For Euro games I usually prefer 4 players.

@WendyGa 4 жыл бұрын

I can't really relate to some of the reasoning for the simple fact that games are a hobby, a form of entertainment, time I set aside to spend time with others and relax. So what if a 3rd or 4th player adds time? Sure, *excessive* downtime is bad. But you talk so much about slow players that it feels like I wouldn't enjoy playing in those games as much. Time to chat? Time to savour the experience? Time to think without someone getting agitated are so important. We get enough deadlines and crunch at work, thank you. Half the list boils down to: play faster. Finish quick. Hmmmm... I can understand games where it feels like fewer players add to the depth of strategy though. I'm a fan of some chaos and unpredictability. But I can also appreciate a game that lets you plan I think El Dorado would be a good candidate. Having 2 meeples per player works nicely. Whitehall Mystery works well for 2 thanks to its smaller scale. It's a London sized man hunt. Does make for a more coordinated hunt though, which can be good or bad. It's rare I prefer multiplayer games at 2 though. Give me more company and friends (old or new) to enjoy the hobby with and I'm happy.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

That's fair enough, but you can say that every game is great even if it's garbage as long as your friends are there, it's a cop out. I could have 5 friends at the table with me but Concordia will be still a painful experience. Added time is always a frustration as games can over stay their welcome. Terraforming Mars is a 60 minute game stretched out to 3 hours. And chaos is an imbalance in itself. If you can check out of a game when it's not your turn, the game has failed to deliver meaningful decision making.

@WendyGa 4 жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple Those are fair points. You can go too far either way. A game generally can't _only_ be played because you spend time with friends. It needs to deserve spending that time in the table over another game. At least with the limited time I can set aside for them. And not acknowledging that would make the list pointless, which would be a great pity as I'd now like to play the Abyss card game (maybe a lunch time game with a colleague or 2?) and 5 Tribes after watching it. So thanks for putting it together. I just balk a bit when it feels like we get in a situation where board games need to be binged and can't linger because downtime or enjoying a slower pace is inherently bad. Edit: Thinking about the binging term kind of crystallises it for me. Boardgames are not Netflix series to get through as fast as possible for me. They are solo or shared tactical contests, worlds stories or experiences (depending on the game) we lose ourselves into. And if I can do that, I don't care if it takes longer with 1 more player. Like you said though, if it's to the point that the players check out, then it's a game failure. It does feel like you have a very low tolerance threshold for downtime though.

@superhans7624 4 жыл бұрын

Isle of Cats (Goodbye Bärenpark) 7th Continent Imperial Settlers Feast for Odin Thanks for your hard work to feed us with interesting content 🙏🏻

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Odin is a decent choice I could put that in the teens. Goodbye Barenpark??? Oooo we shall have to see, I haven't had a chance to play it but I saw friends play it at six and I've never seen them so bored with downtime! 😄

@npckse8508 4 жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple Wow, Isle of Cats at 6? Yeah I wouldn't play it with more than 4. It does work well at 2 players.

@alcovitch 4 жыл бұрын

@@npckse8508 2 or 3 works just fine

@johnwheeler6839 4 жыл бұрын

I did not like Barenpark at all.

@mbrochh82 4 жыл бұрын

Arboretum would be a good candidate.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Not played that, but handy for others to know.

@LeeroyPorkins 4 жыл бұрын

My List no particular order: Kingdomino Kingdoms Dice Throne Carcassonne Alien Frontiers Starship Samurai Cyclades Barenpark Dinosaur Island Draftosaurus Reef Champions of Midguard (Blood Rage for Couples) Clank! Bosk Rallyman GT Cave Troll Wildlands Carson City Horizons Takenoko

@johnwheeler6839 4 жыл бұрын

We love Clank but never played it at 2, how does it scale? What are the biggest differences?

@LeeroyPorkins 4 жыл бұрын

@@johnwheeler6839 I think it's pretty much the same there's less downtime for sure, not that that was an issue with Clank

@johnwheeler6839 4 жыл бұрын

@@LeeroyPorkins are there less card available? Is the tensions the same?

@LeeroyPorkins 4 жыл бұрын

@@johnwheeler6839 Everything is the same

@gs24-xor 4 жыл бұрын

which one is better barenpark or isle of cats?

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Yet to play Isle but Isle again looks like a game that should be capped at 2-3.

@alcovitch 4 жыл бұрын

Isle of cats is a fantastic game

@shapeoffour2319 3 жыл бұрын

Smash up 😍

@TheBrokenMeeple 3 жыл бұрын

Fits the list!!

@albinakit6658 4 жыл бұрын

I don't like Five Tribes with 2 players, the auction doesn't work for me this way.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Fair enough - the chaos factor and downtime with 4 is a bit much for me.

@mkietzmann 4 жыл бұрын

Try doing the auction with only one dude each in a two player game. You won't get double turns this way, but it's much less punishing for newer players.

@shaolinmanny 4 жыл бұрын

So where is your top 10 solo games ? :)

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Look back through my Season 3 (I think) Top Ten lists. Failing that Season 2, it's been a while.

@SenseiJae 4 жыл бұрын

I couldn't disagree with you more on Innovation. I love it at all player counts.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Really? At 4 it's just so chaotic and downtime can be painful. Rarely see it played above 2.

@SenseiJae 4 жыл бұрын

yeah, I think it might just be your group. I play 4 player with my students quite frequently. Games never last more than 45 minutes, and choices are very meaningful. I rarely have a play that I would consider chaotic. 2 is definitely a sweet spot, but I LOVE it at four.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

@@SenseiJae I think might be more your group, it's more commonly left at two from when I see it played. Bare in mind as soon as you throw in new players it's even more chaotic.

@SenseiJae 4 жыл бұрын

I get new students every August, and I've played with every group since at least 2012. I figure with new groups every 8 years (6 different classes so actually 48 new groups), it isn't likely an anomaly? An interesting point (not sure if there is an actual correlation), my female students tend to like Innovation more than my male students.

@vitcervenka3912 4 жыл бұрын

Santorini

@jean-pierremalisse1723 4 жыл бұрын

Agree with 29'00", comments about Innovation (I have played more than 900 parts) on www.polpoul.com without counting the real life parts ! My definitive favourite game ! Completely amazed how the author manage to design so 105 different cards, which combine in such a balanced setup, also what is surprising is that the effect of the card reflect what the concept illustrated on the card evokes. However I recommend using the IELLO version, much more nicely illustrated and giving more envy to play it, that's how I discovered initially this game.

@tomoe9225 4 жыл бұрын

Innovation is horrible game no matter how many players. Good 2 players game: Dice City

@mikesands4681 4 жыл бұрын

Chess, go, checkers, cribbage, shogi, raptor!,

@kjerins 4 жыл бұрын

None of those are multiplayer games.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah I think you may have misread the title......

@Karan88 4 жыл бұрын

The intro is so long and annoying

@TheLukealanberry 4 жыл бұрын

Really...? 29 seconds is just over 1% of total video length. Methinks you doth troll too much.

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

And honestly you can just skip it, not like you're forced to watch the whole intro. The song works for me, the visuals work for me and I honestly don't see you on Rodney Smith's page saying his intro is too long. Debate games but don't troll.

@Karan88 4 жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple Sorry you think I am a troll. Didn't mean to insult you. I watch your videos because I like your content and what you have to say about the games. I use your videos to learn about new games that I want to play or want to buy. The reason I find the intro long and annoying is that I am eager to get to the content, not just to troll you. I hope you would just take this an opinion of one of your viewers rather than an insult, but I can understand if you do feel insulted as I can understand you have worked hard to make this video. :)

@TheBrokenMeeple 4 жыл бұрын

@@Karan88 That's ok, apologies if it came off as harsh (the word "annoying" without any context gives off the wrong impression). I'm glad that you watch the content and find it useful.