Having Fields of Arle at 2nd spot really makes this list credible for me :D I watched so many top 2 player games lists and they all just go for casual or the usual stuff, but Fields of Arle really is next level. I love how you always look over at the other players board and get jealous of what they have. Why do they have so many animals, I want more animals! Why do they have all these nice buildings already, I want buildings!

Eternal kudos for including Imperium! My favourite 1v1 game, gripping theme, very asymmetrical and lots of replay value! Also a treat solo

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

whoop whoop great video luke Stay Hexy!

Great list Luke, some good games on there.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the visit!!

Hi Luke, great list - as always. My go-to Star Wars game (and I don't like the IP that much) is Star Wars Armada; granted it's a miniature game. This is also soo much better that X-wing imho. Off course SI would be your no. 1. 🙂 Just got my Horizon of SI and finally Feather and Flame. But my number 1 games of all time (by a mile) would be Go on this list - mind you, you can have this on all level-lists, as the Handicap-system is great, and the rules as easy as... (I can make you play in 2 minutes). Others Robinson Crusoe, Underwater Cities, Twilight Struggle. I haven't played it with 2 yet, but City of the Great Machine will for sure soon get right up at my top 5.

Was surprised that Innovation didnt make this list. I knew you were a huge fan and this works fantastically at 2p.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Previous list 😉

Nice list Luke, couple here to look into - I quite like Ark Nova at 2, doesn't really lose anything at that player count imo

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I agree! Ark Nova I can play at all counts and have a good time though so it wasn't specifically two that I look out for. I think with this list I wanted to focus on games where the 2 count is either forced or has a significant effect on the game (outside of simply making it shorter) .

I think the complexity of MTG depends on how you engage with it, but it's still pretty heavy even at the most casual level. Has to be the king of heavy 2p games in my opinion. Though a shame what Hasbro/WotC have done to it, I had to get out several years ago and haven't looked back. Spirit Island is one of my favorite games but not sure it would even make my list at 2p. I so strongly prefer it as a solo puzzle with the difficulty scaled up. At 2p I have to scale down the difficulty/complexity (admittedly because my group isn't as hardcore with it as I am) and it goes from a 30-60 minute solo game to a 2+ hour affair in most cases. Having two spirits adds a lot to the game but you can just do two-handed if you want. Just got into Fields of Arle recently and agree it's fantastic. I still like both Agricola and Caverna more overall but Arle is the best Uwe game that I've played at 2p by some margin. Other ones I really like include Underwater Cities, Jaws of the Lion, and Robinson Crusoe.

I would add Stronghold as 2-players only advanced game. Also 51st State Master Set and In Too Deep plays the best at 2-players.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

51st State has the same feelings for me as Empires. Stronghold I've not played but would have liked to, but would never get to the table I bet.

Thanks for sharing Luke ! I will give Fields of Arl a try

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Please do!

32:30 Oh yeah, Android Netrunner. At one point many many years ago this was all around our local gaming shop, and not too expensive either. A friend told me he loved this game. Didn't know it would become such a rare find. :/

Very solid list, I approve most positions. Played everything except Hegemony. Very surprised Ark Nova wasn't even mentioned, considering how much you love it. I'm not big on direct confrontations that are very skill dependent. I always ask myself, why wouldn't I get back into MtG instead, where I at least got decent over the years. For me, most coops and most "multiplayer solitaire" euros work perfectly with a pleasant companion. Coops without alpha player are good. And non-confrontational euros let just compare and discuss your farms or strategies afterwards, it's like watching a movie together. More players in those are redundant sometimes.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

I can play Ark Nova with any count or solo, it's not just a 2 player game for me. I ideally didn't want to include games that simply played shorter at 2, they should have some distinguishing reason why 2 suits it, whether because it's only for 2 or there's a different style of play.

@OlegKlishinArt

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple yeah, this makes sense.

Nice timing, since hegemony arrived yesterday. Looking forward to cracking it out. Got crisis and control too.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Hope you enjoy it!

Props for Spirit Island. I feel it is best at 2 player instead of solo. I love the 2 spirit 2 mind synergy.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

1-2 player equally works great, I just dont want to control 2 spirits at once! :-)

@dayoltay

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple exactly. I mostly play solo but not a big fan of 2 handed hand management

Great list - our #1 advanced 2-player game is probably Twilight Struggle. It has a great journey learning all the subtleties of the game together

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Ah yes, expected that to be on many lists, but I never got on with the gmt range.

Glad you mentioned Cerebria.. what a hidden gem. One of the most underappreciated games of all time.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

It gets a bad rap it seems, but I can see why, it's incredibly niche.

@dougradcliffe1466

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple you mean it’s incredibly awesome

Solid list. War of the Ring is number 1 for me at two player only, although admittedly it was a huge commitment to learn the rules. Once you learn it though, it is amazing. Probably Marvel Champions or Rebellion is #2. Champions is easier to get to the table though.

Great list, fun watch. Try putting honorable mentions before your #1 to build up some tensionbefore revealing it 👍🏼

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Noted!

If I exclude 2-player only games then these games come to mind as go tos, not in any order: - London 2nd ed - Tigris & Euphrates - Pax Pamir - Core Worlds - Academy Games Birth of America series - 1812, 1875, 1854 Of course advanced is relative. Sometimes a fined advanced games listed on BGG should be rated vis a vis their rulebooks. Sometimes that alone makes a game overly complex or takes a complex game and explains it lushishly. Like your list, though and I’ll have to look deeper into Cerebria and Spirit Island.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Rulebooks make it harder but I would consider the wealth of options for a player to be a factor more.

Sauron attacking a faction in Lord of the Rings will rally them to war, but it's not the only way to do that. The Fellowship player can rally these factions with diplomacy. It's actually very thematic when you consider the books. None of the factions are interested in working together. Some commit little or nothing to stopping Sauron (elves and dwarves), and the human factions require not only being attacked but the Fellowship convincing them to work together.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

It makes sense, just a fath in game.

Yai for you no1🎉 love it so much. And can't wait for the next expansion 🎉 But generally nice list. Cerebria is definitely not getting enough love. Auch a wonderful game🤩

Love Race for the Galaxy so glad it's an honorable mention 😊👍🏻

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I enjoy it now and then but not frequently.

I wouldn't have classified Five Tribes, Race for the Galaxy, or Pixel Tactics as advanced games, but each of them can be daunting in to play or to learn, so I respect your classification. I feel like once you understand them, especially Race, the games aren't actually too complex, although the decision space for Five Tribes and Pixel Tactics definitely can seize up anyone with even the slightest tendency for analysis paralysis, but I'm probably also biased because I play a lot of games.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Any game when you understand it can be reduced in complexity for that player, but getting people to that stage would still be relatively tricky. The sheer amount of options a game can present is also a factor for becoming advanced

My favourite: Dual Powers. 2-player only, area majority with dual-use cards, a beautiful board and a very fitting theme that is nicely integrated there.

@john-qz3fu

Жыл бұрын

I want this game, would you consider this advanced?

@ronthal

Жыл бұрын

@@john-qz3fu well there are all kinds of advanced ! It is not a SW Rebellion (taking 4 hours+) , nor a Through The Ages (same), nor a Hegemony, not even Cerebria, but it is more advanced than a Five Tribes and most card game duels. It is not a wargame, rather a slightly asymmetric area majority game driven by card play and tokens representing various units, with very fitting historical background, and I'd say the first games take between 60 and 75 minutes !

YES! I only play Cerebria 2 players! I do not hear enough people talk about it as a 2 player game, I feel like an outcast...a smart one, since it is the best way to play it ;)

Some great games in there. Rare for us to overlap so much :)

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

But it CAN happen! :P

Came back to this as hegemony is really grabbing my attention and seeing it plays well at two (with expansion) really ticks the boxes. Games can be hit and miss with my partner so fingers crossed 🤞. I'm also waiting for vindication to deliver. Another game I liked the look of after watching your videos 🎉

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

At two you can still have a fun game, but I think just at least adding the third main class (before State) elevates it a good amount. Yes, I'm impatiently awaiting that expansion to Vindication to give me an excuse to bring it out for more games.

Good list, note on the FF LCG list you didn’t name the only amazing one Netrunner

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Netrunner is great, but it's also a dead game.

@Twotailedkit

Жыл бұрын

Any game not currently in print is “dead “ it’s good enough that a community has risen up and the game continues.

Not being a Euro board game fan at all I tend to gravitate towards different kinds of games. Descent 2nd edition works well as a two player and with the expansions it can get quite crazy rules wise. Sleeping Gods works really well two player although it's not insanely advanced. Star Trek Fleet Captains works extremely well and can have a lot going on at times. Robotech Attack On The SDF-1 is good 2player and if you do the campaign not only does it have a bit to keep track of but it can take quite awhile. But out of all the games I've played over the last 40 years or so of playing board games and even after 10+ years since it came out the number 1 is easily Mage Knight. Or Star Trek Frontiers take your pick. Nothing else,not anything new,comes close. Especially with all the stuff it's definitely one of the more advanced games out there. And talk about a time sink,maybe TI or a hardcore war game takes longer but not a lot else. I've done 8+ hour games and loved it. Still the number one game of all time for me. I'm sure Paul Grogan would agree. Lol.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Yeah Mage Knight ain't going near my list! :P

I love Five Tribes but I never play it with 2! It is very difficult to plan 2 turns in a row. With 3-4 players you just wait for your turn and you take the best option.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Yeah but you "wait" a long, long time! And then you begin to think about your turn. It's an AP nightmare.

Great list! I feel like Empires of the North could have made this list. Personally I don't like it with more than two, but it's quite snappy at two

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

It works for two nicely but for me it's a solo game.

I recently discovered my personal best 2p heavy game and that is Pax Renaissance 2nd ed. The rules can be daunting to learn but when you do the game flows extremely well and has layers to discover and is the best game time to depth ratio. It averages about an hour which allows for multiple games in a night with easier setup / tear down.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

My mates have shown me Pax Ren - i didn't expect to like it but I was surprised that I enjoyed it. But I'd rather have more than 2 I feel.

@filiplazov5895

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple i have played close to 50 games at 2p now and its getting even more fun the more I play it. It feels really complete to me at 2

Really loved A feast for Odin at 2 ! Recently i like Brass Birmingham at 2 more and more

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Feast for Odin works nicely enough at 2, I just prefer it solo overall. Brass...........well you know my feelings on Brass! :P

Around #5 I thought, “Luke has to mention Arkham Horror”. So glad it made 3rd place. I really hope to see your comments on Scarlet Keys after you play it.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Really must hurry and finish that campaign before the may highlights video

I agree about Rebellion. Was my top game, but sadly I haven't played it in four years. It would take me an hour to set-up -- which I didn't mind. When I knew someone was coming to play it, I'd have it ready. Goes a lot more quickly with players who don't have AP. Although, as it's hard to find anyone with which to play it, I'll settle with an AP opponent. BTW, Imperial Assault is great, too. It can be played 2 player in skirmish mode, but I think it really shines in full campaign mode. (Armada and X-Wing are also good 2 player games; I like Armada better than X-Wing, but I have both.) Along the lines of MTG (which I've never played) Dice Masters is (was) a great, customizable 2 player game, too. Like any customizable game, it could be a money pit, though. Now that they've changed the format, I won't buy anything new, but I have a ton of all the old stuff for which I can never find an opponent. Twilight Struggle is also a great 2 player game. Like Rebellion, it could go long, especially with the aforementioned AP opponent, and is a game which gets better with each subsequent play.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Twilight Struggle works for 2 players for sure - just not a fan of it.

Nice list. For advanced two player games - Colonial Twilight, Twilight Struggle and Labyrinth are great. Pax Renaissance is also fantastic with two and I would consider it advanced. Don’t pass on them!

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

I like Pax Ren, but will only get it played multiplayer with mates who own it.

You should definitely check out “Pagan: Fate of Roanoke”. Great mix of deduction / worker placement / deck building elements. Pure two player game. Many regard this as the new Netrunner.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Never heard of that one!

You may not have played this before (recent crowdfunded game), but Tindaya plays EXCELLENT as a 2-player game. I think I prefer 2-player to solo, but both are great. I haven’t played with 3+… it is very heavy, so I can’t imagine teaching it to most people I know. My other favorite 2-player game (that isn’t ONLY for 2 players) is Feast for Odin. I love it solo, but it’s a little more fun with 2. (Not sure if it qualifies as advanced, but it’s certainly not light). Favorite 2-player only advanced games: agree with SW Rebellion… and that’s the only advanced 2-player only game I feel like we would play. We have Arkham horror LCG, but couldn’t get into it. We have a bunch of SW destiny stuff headed our way, so that will likely feel similar to MTG. I mostly only buy games that play very well at 2 players, but I can’t think of many that play BETTER at 2 than higher player counts. I prefer Feast for Odin at 2. Wonderland’s War is excellent at 2, but I slightly prefer it at 3. I’ve only played Destinies at 2, but I could see that being better at 2 vs. 3. And SW villainous is likely better at 2, but I’ve never played it at 2+.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

I have Tindaya actually but only played it solo - it was ok but I found the effort to learn it was too much for what I got out of it.

I am having a hard time getting SW:Rebellion to the table lately but I love that game it is such an amazing experience. Five Tribes I love it at all player counts but I am biased... It is my favorite game of all time. I love it at two, but three and four is a different experience not better, not worse just different IMHO. Imperium... i really want to play it... but to be honest, it looks a little bit intimidating 😅 I kind of appreciate Spirit Island digitally because I CAN play it with two spirits... on the table... my brain just melts and I start forgetting stuff when playing at two. One spirit... is the sweet spot for me two. Great list as always

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Five Tribes with 4............you better know those players well as that can be painful.

@TheRASDEL83

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple I actually played it even with newbies to the game and it was great. I guess I was lucky 🤣

For the Advanced list, yeah it’s Spirit Island for me too - though I’ve only played it once at two players. All of my other plays were solo. I played Netrunner weekly for a few months, and in that time never managed to internalise the rules - so never managed to like it that much. Magic is good, but I never played it in an advanced way. Paladins would easily have made my list, but I know what you think about that. My #1 two player game would be Aeon’s End - but that’s probably “next step” rather than “advanced”

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Aeon's End likely Next Step I "think" - it's got a fair amount of fiddly upkeep/situational rules, but the general game isn't complex.

Thanks for sharing. MC:LCG is #1 for me.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Good choice!

I guess that the game of go qualifies for advanced games? :) This is a very deep game (with simple rules). Also, Mindbug is a very successful 2-player game, which is more advanced in that combos can be creative.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Go is on my list of old games I really want to try.

You could debate which list it belongs on but Race for the Galaxy should absolutely be somewhere on either this one or the "Next Steps" one. I can appreciate your analysis and perspective though even if my tastes don't always align with yours. Thanks for the lists! And you're still making me want Hegemony even though I don't have a group to play it with.... 😧

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Don't buy hegemony only for solo alone.

@JohnClem56

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple Yeah, my head knows that and I'm not planning to get it but that doesn't stop me being drawn into wishing I had it every time I see your or others' content about it. Thanks for reinforcing my need for s(h)elf-control!

I have only ever played through the ages in person and with three or four people, but can see that it would be really cool at two. It was such a costly game and I don’t mind set up, si I’m not ready to fire it for the app yet. Perhaps a good dream would be to have a cruise with a bunch of sea days with someone who would play it and then get rid of it and not bring it home and have space in the luggage for tropical souvenirs instead… and then get the app. Fields of Arle sounds amazing, but it’s rare that I know there will only be two of us, and I figure I should get my sorta-new Caverna to the table before I get a new game with all those wonderful choices.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

A gaming cruise would be fun!

One of my favourite two player games is Kanban EV

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

I do love Kanban, but all player counts can work for me in that. Solo is good, 2 is fast, but then that tightness is welcomed at 4 with the spaces being really contested.

Games we own from your list: AH LCG, LOTR LCG and spirit Island. Other games we enjoy 2p: Mage Knight (yeah I know :p), Too Many Bones, A feast for Odin, Robinson Crusoe and Agricola.

@kellinwinslow1988

Жыл бұрын

I'm with Paul Grogan on Mage Knight. Still my number one game of all time. Can really suck up the hours playing but well worth it.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Yeah most know my stance on Mage Knight.............. :P

What are those pink, yellow and red coin tokens doing in your picture of Star Wars Rebellion?

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

So long ago I can't even remember 🤣

Have u ever tried those 3 expansions for five tribes? R they worth it? I love that game and would have to import it if I want to play it, it would be a lil bit expensive

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Artisans is decent but I can take or leave the extra tribe. I quite like the last expansion as the Sultan tiles are like "mini goals" that you can aim for more points during the game - increases the options available.

Love seeing Spirit Island top another list. Stuff I personally like for advanced two players: Grand Austria Hotel Obsession Dune Imperium Ark Nova Terraforming Mars Anachrony Spirit Island Too Many Bones

Link to the video where you played Hegemony?

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/oYtklJahg9Ssnto.html

Istanbul with long paths and neutral merchants is great with 2.

@fuzzmaster4157

Жыл бұрын

Granted Istanbul is probably more mid weight

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Yeah Istanbul would be next step.

Yes, Five Tribes is a 2p game, preferably with Artisans.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Ideally but I can take or leave it.

Am I too addicted if I know Cerebria?

I personally consider Memoir ‘44 as advanced.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Really?!

Five Tribes is advanced? Always been intrigued by Cerebria for some reason. Same with Fields of Arle, though it seems the expansion, which everyone speaks highly of, is very hard to find/get.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

I wouldn't put five tribes in front of many people. Yes it's not mindclash games but there's plenty to juggle in there.

@pnutbutrncrackers

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple Thx. Somehow I'd gotten the impression is was medium.

@AleksandarDaGr8

Жыл бұрын

@@pnutbutrncrackers imo it is a medium complexity game, just very unique so there is a decent learning curve

@pnutbutrncrackers

Жыл бұрын

@@AleksandarDaGr8 Thanks, Alex.

5 Tribes is absolutely better at 2 players, good call, good list.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Fruity Ages sounds like an interesting game

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Tastes great!

Ark Nova is really good at two players.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Agreed - but I can play it at any count and the only change to 2 players is purely game length. Plus solo. It's not distinguishable by its two player mode like others on the list.

Hi, Grand Austria Hotel is top 2 Player Games for me.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

It certainly is most definitely best played at 2 - i just found it meh overall.

@Max-pj9km

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple give it another try Luke!. Such a great game.

This image of Magic the gathering cards that you had on screen is older than most of your viewers - not a good representation of the current look of MTG. :)

@TheBrokenMeeple

10 ай бұрын

Only needs to get gist across.

Res Arcana Innovation Inis

Rebellion does have a fan made solo mode in Bgg for bot Empire and one for bot Rebels. One Stop Co-Op has a very nice playthrough, watched it all like I would watch a Star Wars movie, lol: kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZJaLz7angaiWms4.html

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

And the verdict was that it was worth it?

@Possi_ball

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple For me, that I haven't even played the game, it was totally worth it. To the point I preorder it with the expansion just to play it solo. I was watching the solo gameplay videos and biting my nails for the outcome, like it was a movie where the good guys doesn't always win in the end. Or maybe the Star Wars nerd in me can't resist all these minis and I needed an excuse to buy it 😂😂😁😁😁

The 'Get on With It' never gets old, now onwards! 10: When you have more than 3 players, the game after the fourth round 'Insert Titanic Meme: It's been 84 years'. 9: Oh right, the game were you suddenly start wondering how you started with one single started deck and now you have untold numbers of boxes filled with cards around the house, I already detoxed myself twice from Magic and I have no desire to get back into that trap, still a pretty good choice. 8: One game where the theme was cool, but was just completely confusing from the get go, yeah, couldn't get into it, and is not even due to complexity, goodness sake I love Pret-a-Porter, complexity is not an issue. 7: That games look too damn interesting, goddamit, another one to the wish list. 6: SW:R sounded like a great game, sadly my friend and I got bored after the second game where we swapped sides, we ended up loving LotR War of the Ring so much more, but many people just love SW:R and good for them, is not a bad game. 5: Five Tribes is a great game for two, if you want more players it is better to play Yamatai. 4: I need to get a copy of Imperium, and see several How To Play videos to get around the rules. 3: Arkham Horror, I love that game so much that I ended up creating my own custom investigators and I am right now creating my own custom scenario, there is so much to see and so much to play with; as a con, LCG games hurts the wallet a lot. 2: Fields is probably the real Stardew Valley board game more than the Stardew Valley board game, a lot more relaxing, better options, more things to do with less constrictions and time management, also less stressful. 1: Gotta try that game one of these days, I just love the difference in materials and design to represent the humans, so clever.