Top 10 "Next Step" 2 Player Games - These Are Not Casual!!

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Күн бұрын

Top 10 "Next Step" 2 Player Games - These Are Not Casual!!
FINALLY! Yes sorry this has taken so long but it's time to start the 2 player game series of Top 10's!! 3 lists, one for casual/new player friendly games, one for next step/middle of the road games and one for advanced players.
Now how do you define "next step"?
Also I'm fully aware I duplicated a transition where I accidentally put the No 7 transition for my No 8 pick. . . . . which I don't get as I swear i changed it..............must be a link issue where it's updating from elsewhere. Oh well, like anyone cares! :P
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Who Am I?
One single batchelor from the UK talking about his passion for board games and the people who play them! I support small content creators, board game cafes and go against the status quo when it comes to the board game industry. I give my honest opinions without bias towards any publishers or designers and will not hold back if I don't like a game.
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I look forward to engaging with you, the community on my live streams or in the comments on my videos!
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and KIENDA Promo
01:06 - Background
02:48 - Number 10
05:19 - Number 9
07:56 - Number 8
10:04 - Number 7
12:39 - Number 6
16:00 - Number 5
18:35 - Number 4
22:40 - Number 3
26:23 - Number 2
30:11 - Number 1
34:47 - Honorable Mentions
39:11 - Please Share and Support The Show
#brokenmeeple #top10 #top100 #topten #2playergames #boardgames #boardgame #lukehector #supportsmallcreators #tabletop #tabletopgames #bgg
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Full credit to BoardGameGeek and its members for any images used that aren't my own or part of the publisher press kit.

Пікірлер: 100

@matthewcrawford4216 Жыл бұрын

Great list! Several I’m eager to try out. 7 wonders duel is definitely a next step game. It’s pretty great but I enjoy splendor duel a lot more. I’m really enjoying Dominion lately at 2 and 3. I definitely think it’s a next step game. I tried playing it with my Dad and he was so lost he gave up despite our coaching. I can foresee race for the galaxy on the advance list.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Dominion is certainly a contender.

@alexlord4599 Жыл бұрын

Great list! My favorite games to play at two players are Mosaic A Story Of Civilization, Thunderstone Quest and Spirit Island. For pure 2 player games (going to explore these more in the future, experience limited for now): Onitama and Chess 😅

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

I really do want to try Mosaic!

@UKDagnar Жыл бұрын

Caper: Europe, brilliant 2 player game and has more depth than initially apparent once you get past the first few games of trying just to win and get into playing to make your opponent lose by taking cards you know they are going to need. We choose Caper: Europe over 7 Wonders Duel everytime.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Haven't tried normal Caper, yet, still on my shelf of shame

@sawyer5110 Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple shelf of opportunity 😉

@mkietzmann Жыл бұрын

Great list. I just played Beer & Bread a couple of days ago. Really good (especially being a brewer). Also played Targi that same day. That game never disappoints.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Good stuff! Also beer.......mmmmmmmmmm

@pnutbutrncrackers Жыл бұрын

As always, well done, sir. (You're actually very GOOD with words.) Strong list. Games I thought had a chance of appearing on one of your first two lists: Watergate, Santorini, Calico, Search for Planet X, Quest for El Dorado, Skulk Hollow, Memoir '44, Potion Explosion, Mandala, Shobu, Welcome to the Moon, Switch & Signal, Bullet. Wondering about for next list: Ginkgopolis, Undaunted: Stalingrad, Five Tribes, Race for the Galaxy, Res Arcana, Hadrian's Wall, Pulsar 2849, Sniper Elite, Aeon's End, Vagrantsong, War Chest. (I'd say Castles of Burgundy but know you dislike it.)

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Indeed I do dislike that one! :P What is Switch and Signal like, i've seen the box but not dived in.

@pnutbutrncrackers Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple Well, it does have a train theme, which I know you're not usually fond of (but don't you like TTR in general?). I've heard positive things about its puzzle and mechanics, but it is cooperative and a roll & move, and I can't remember how you feel about those.

@CarlosRodriguez-ez3ls Жыл бұрын

Great list Luke! Pantheon is the most essential expansion I've ever come across. Have you given Skulk Hollow a play? Thx!

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

No but I would like to try it, it sounds cool.

@aSyphodias Жыл бұрын

Good list. Over time the middle weight games seem to go from our collection. I think we either end up playing something light/simple/quick or if we want to get into it we go for the heavier stuff.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Agreed!

@lynnemastrud687 Жыл бұрын

Great list. I am interested in Targi. I would possibly add Unforgiven: The Lincoln Assassination Trial and Paris: La Cite de la Lumiere. But maybe they might be better for the next list.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Not seen a copy of Unforgiven, but the theme doesn't interest as much as building up a civ for 7WD

@elgranchuy Жыл бұрын

I've been following you for quite some time now, and you've always said how you usually don't tend to go for 2 player games, and yet I've heard you said in multiple occasions that you wouldn't like to play X game with more than 2 players. (including some in this top 10 list) So I think its time for you to embrace the 2 players games and say what it is really in your heart. You love 2 players games (or games that play better at 2, but whatever)

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

You misunderstand slightly. I like two player games but I don't tend to go for them because I can't get them to the table easily.

@micjames9352 Жыл бұрын

Got three of the games...Targi would definitely be higher on mine... Might take you up on teaching Fort at Airecon.... I've seen seasons for sale... might have to take a look.... Bring on advanced...great vid Luke

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Won't be at Airecon any more for various reasons, not to mention my cruise trip starts that same weekend!

@micjames9352 Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple have a great trip Luke.

@jamescartwright1150 Жыл бұрын

Bread and Beer seems to be getting a lot of buzz at the moment, I'm definitely interested in checking it out. 7 Wonders duel is great solo and 2 player.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

It's certainly worth trying, the card system in it is neat and it's an easy learn.

@chimster1234 Жыл бұрын

Yes! 7 Wonders duel is the perfect #1 for this. Luc you've been awarded a point and your soul is not in jeopardy.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Errr......thanks? :P

@chimster1234 Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple 😉

@clvrswine Жыл бұрын

Targi Die Bonus-Box is what you may have been thinking of @12:17 . "This add-on will upgrade the cardboard goods tiles with wooden tokens, add two modules of six new edge cards, and contain rules for solo play. "

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Solo play yes I need to give that a go!

@nitrorev 9 ай бұрын

Pantheon is definitely the more essential expansion but Agora is still amazing. I'd only recommend it to people who love the Duel and already have pantheon but want more. Both expansions together take 7 Wonders Duel from a mid-weight game to a heavier and more competitive game where there's less chance since the stronger player can often find their way out of bad luck with all the tools the expansions provide. The push and pull of the senate chambers is very interesting because of their relative positions and the abilities they grant. The conspiracy cards are also amazing. They take some time to set up but once they are prepped they can be used in addition to your normal turn which leads to insane plays if you have the game knowledge and imagination to string together a wicked combo. One issue with Duel is that the age 1 blue cards are almost always discarded for coins, but in Agora, the blue cards are much more important so now every card in age 1 is worth grabbing. I've only played Agora and Pantheon on BGA so I can't speak to the fiddliness but from a gameplay perspective both expansions are amazing and it makes 7W Duel a top 10 of all time game.

@johnwheeler6839 Жыл бұрын

Out of all of those Targi is my favorite.

@stevewithington1787 Жыл бұрын

“I’m more a numbers guy” - immediately after putting the number 7 up for the number 8 pick. 😂 Three workers in Targi as well.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Yeah I don't know why that happened, I think there's a link error where updating one transition is also updating the other from a copy and paste error.

@JorWat25 Жыл бұрын

32:33 I am in awe of your ability to pronounce 'not' in two different ways in the same sentence…

@stacie_everdell Жыл бұрын

Probably my favorite list of these 2-player games. If you like The King is Dead you really should try Dual Powers: Revolution 1917. The same mechanics and game play, but it is made for 2-player and is soooooo good. It's in my top 10, 2-player game.

@larrytedmcbride Жыл бұрын

Big fan of Rivals of Catan, besides Catan, this is one of the games that catapulted me into the hobby.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Yeah I enjoyed it but couldn't get anyone to play it with me.

@fabiansteins6223 Жыл бұрын

My guess is that Seasons got "replaced" by Res Arcana for many. But I prefer to throw those dice. :) Great list!

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

No ResArcana is boring and uninspired. Seasons for the win!

@sawyer5110 Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple I haven’t played Season yet, but I do agree that Res is boring and uninspired. My go to engine building game is fantastic factories. I played It’s a Wonderful World once and it seemed like a more streamlined Res Arcana. I also am Interested in trying Furnace.

@halilkardicali7738 Жыл бұрын

Skulk Hollow would fit very nicely in this list :)

@junyanliu3621 5 ай бұрын

I am a tax accountant too Luke haha 😂 love your videos as always❤

@TheBrokenMeeple 5 ай бұрын

Yay! Thank you!

@joshuaham4185 Жыл бұрын

I love 7 wonders duel (with pantheon). Seasons, watergate, castles of burgundy are great too

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

I like Duel even without Pantheon but yes, if it's available it's coming out.

@juliansykes6668 Жыл бұрын

I would have included Watergate in the list.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

So many have said, I can't see it being a game I would gun for though, doesn't look like one I'd enjoy.

@nuuqbgg Жыл бұрын

Finally some love for Concordia.

@fabienbervas2714 Жыл бұрын

😂

@draheim90 Жыл бұрын

Some of these are probably gateway but my top 10 next level (in no particular order) would probably be Agricola ACB&S, Caesar!/Blitzkrieg!, Air, Land, & Sea, Unmatched, Undaunted, Hadara, Naga Raja, 7WD, Radlands, and Sniper Elite.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Not bad, really didn't get into Caesar though.

@victorybhg Жыл бұрын

i may have to check out pantheon as regular 7 wonders was ok, if the two players are same skill level not sure if there are diff paths of victory, i have yet to see a military or science victory. it’s just comes down to points. maybe pantheon might change it up..

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

7 Wonders Duel with Pantheon and 2 experienced players is just gold......pure gold. And believe me I've seen auto victories, but it's not just about all 3 happening in balance it's the threat of them occuring.

@SenseiJae Жыл бұрын

4 player team mode in innovation is very very good.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

One day I'd like to try it properly with 3 people who know the game but that's a rare find!

@TheFancyFilmmaker Жыл бұрын

Have you gotten your copy of Deep Rock Galactic yet? I know it was on your most anticipated list. I got my copy last week and I’m loving it!

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Sadly still nothing. 😕

@sebastianrams5507 Жыл бұрын

I was thinking a long time if I should buy Fort or not. Not only but also because you sing praises on it, I ordered the game today. Hope I'll enjoy it as much as you do?!

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

I hope so too!! :D

@sebastianrams5507 Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple Thanks!

@semcfadden Жыл бұрын

Have you tried Hardback? I've heard someone describing it as a deck building game with a word theme vs. Paperback as a word game with a deck building mechanic.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

I have, I found it a bit too fiddly and lengthy when Paperback gave me a similar feel for less effort.

@naegling Жыл бұрын

i have both, hardback is like if paperback met star realms. The market is a row similar to the main row in star realms or ascension, cards have "literary genres", similar to the factions in star realms, some cards have special abilities that activates if you have other card of the same "genre" in play. Another big difference is in paperback, wild cards are a special kind of card, in hardback any card can be used as a wild , but you lose the benefits of the card if you choose to do so. So you have far more flexibility in building words. And there's the ink, is kind of push your luck mechanism, you may spend any amount of ink during your turn to draw extra cards for each ink token you spended, but you must use the letters that you draw (i mean, you can't used them as a wild), if you can't you lose your turn

@naegling Жыл бұрын

also, i don't know what you mean by that, both are deck builders where you create words for generate currency to get new cards. In hardback you have more freedom to make words, but both games encourage you to make longer words using the letters from your cards. I would say the difference is, Paperback seems to be more "Dominion inspired", Hardback is more "star realms inspired". The market row is more dinamic, and victory points is its own track rather than almost useless cards that you add to your deck.

@dancondonjones Жыл бұрын

Interesting you say Innovation has no theme. SUSD were saying how thematic it is on their podcast the other day. I guess I need to get it off my shelf of shame and make up my own mind.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Well I don't recall the last time I agreed with SUSD on anything. And I'm sorry if they are calling Innovation thematic, they don't have a clue about anything! 😜🤔

@elainetyger Жыл бұрын

Totally agree with your number one pick. However, I thought Paperback was just OK the couple of times I played it, though to be fair there were four players and I could try again at two. Hardback fired Paperback for me; you can make bigger words more easily, so it rewards your studying of Scrabble bingos, and someone who is bad at words but good at deck building can still beat me with the correct strategy.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Paperback is 2 player or solo, never with more!

@Lauren_-ej8cp Жыл бұрын

I am wondering if we will see Akrotiri in the advanced level list.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Never played it sorry!

@frankndice Жыл бұрын

Have you played Unforgiven yet? Beats 7 wonders duel for me

@SenseiJae Жыл бұрын

Agreed

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

I know of it but that theme does nothing for me.

@filiplazov5895 Жыл бұрын

I would put watergate on this list personslly. Rules are quite simple but has a rich gameplay.

@simonb9898 Жыл бұрын

Targi has 3 workers, not 2. And yes, you absolutely should play it with the expansion.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Tomato, Tomato :-) But yeah many have said about the exp.

@johanlotigiers Жыл бұрын

Some people want to prove that they went to 3 universities and therefore their level of thinking is without a doubt the standard. Why am I telling you this? Well, I tried to explain Seven Wonders to my second half, 2 minutes in and she went of to make cake in the kitchen. So, you're absolutely right, this game is by far a casual gamers-game. People who claim it is are the outcasted geeks 🙂 This said, the game is great, but there's a lot going on for people who don't play games on regular basis.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

But there's enough rules, iconography and initial issues to stop it being a casual game for new players as a whole. You can't pick up the nuances of 7 Wonders in 1 play. A lot of casual games, you can.

@RiaanBritz75 Жыл бұрын

Curious Cargo - 2 player

@GlennDeBlock Жыл бұрын

Agora is so interesting. Together they're perfect. Pantheon alone is ok. Base game is too simple and blue cards don't mean anything.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Points kind of mean something! :P If you can stem off the auto victories, blue cards will ensure your win. I love the base game though and with Pantheon. Agora was just one fiddly step too far and I'd never want to combine them both.

@hairygnome1787 Жыл бұрын

Love Radlands, Targi, 7 wonders duel. But innovation? Possibly the only game I literally hate. Tried it a couple of times and both times I spent the whole game thinking "wtf is going on?!"

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Classic first game reaction but I love the fact the play state chops around all the time, it keeps you having to adapt.

@andrethannhauser6302 Жыл бұрын

Of course, new players can easily play 7 Wonders Duel....but well they would just lose. ;-) That's THE sign for a minimum next Level game.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Very true!!

@mubeensaddique5270 Жыл бұрын

Amazed Splendor Duel didn't make the cut!

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

Previous list.... 😉

@mubeensaddique5270 Жыл бұрын

@The Broken Meeple Fair play! The KZfaq algorithm chucked me this list but not the previous 😅 I'll check it out

@Kuptain Жыл бұрын

I played Fort once and hated it sadly. So many rules just feel clunky... can't really recommend it.

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

A shame but I know it won't be to everyone's taste.

@hairygnome1787 Жыл бұрын

Hey Luke, for me, at least, this video only shows under playlists and not under videos. Thought I would flag this as it would potentially result in reduced views. Unless I'm stupid and missing something, which isn't unusual!

@TheBrokenMeeple Жыл бұрын

That's odd as by nature it should show under videos by default. Anyone else with this same issue?

@jennylynrachel Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple I'm seeing it listed under videos on my end

@hairygnome1787 Жыл бұрын

I can see it under videos now. Sorry, must have just been a temporary glitch my end.