Excellent start. Looking forward to the other 2 videos in the installment.

Great idea for a 2 player list of casual, medium and crunchy. I really enjoy 2 player games with my wife. The more games I have introduced to her the more she loves them. It’s nice to have a variety depending on the time and complexity were in the mood for. A few we enjoy at the pub are love letter, and the mind. Splendor duel has been a huge hit with us as well.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Arrgghhh THE MIND!!!!

I got both Hanamikoji and Geisha's road on the latest KS including the mini expansions (on your recommendations). I honestly expected to get a little bored of just the base game and would want to move to Geisha's Road or the mini expansions. I am happy to say that I love it even with just the base game, and there is plenty of replayability in the base box. I'm looking forward to exploring the rest :)

This was a fun list. Always on the lookout for a good 2 player game. I found Canopy recently at FLGS and decided to pick it up after watching your review. Looking forward to tabling it soon. I'd also recommend Land vs. Sea. I found that to be really enjoyable. Wasn't bad as a 2 vs. 2 game either..

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Hope you like it! Yeah I got Land Air and Sea, or is that something else.

@Original_Maverick

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple it is actually something else (lol might as well throw "x" terrain type in with the "imperium" lot). It is actually a tile placement map builder. One player is building land while the other is building the sea. In order to score points you must enclose your terrain type. There are some modules players can include as well to vary up scoring parameters.

@ralfn9629

Жыл бұрын

@@Original_Maverick Oh I didn't see you also already asked about Land vs Sea. I love this game specifically for 2 players.

Some great games there, Luke - I enjoy many on your list. Some 21 others that I recommend are: Battle Line (without Tactics cards) 7 Wonders Duel Enchanted Plumes Targi Subastral Ohanami Goblin Vaults Capital Lux II Dead Man's Draw (or Circus Flohcati) Nokosu Dice Parade Incan Gold Trendy Samurai Card Game (or in 2023, get Pollen) Coloretto (or in 2023, get Triqueta) Schadenfreude Claim (mix with Claim 2) Hey That's My Fish! Tides of Time Spirits of the Forest (or Richelieu) Mate! (old 1915 design)

Most of my gaming is between two players (when can convince wife to sit down a relax for a few), and your recommendations, as normal, are great. We same to have a similar, Eurocentric, taste in games so you are always one of first pages I check for info on any future purchase ideas. And you're funny too. Thanks for your work.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!!

Loved your selection of Hanamikoji and Splendor Duel. We are considering Azul Chocolateir

Great list thanks Luke. A lot of those are already on my list. A couple of others that are really good are Sobek 2 Player and the absolutely fantastic Caper: Europe. Caper is outstanding. Probably my no 1.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Caper is on my shelf of shame I STILL haven't played it. I want to get it out eventually!

@ChromaTick360

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple You need to rectify that! It's a fantastic 2p game, although I wouldn't call it casual. I'd put in in that "mid-weighty" area.

Such an interesting list. A lot of new games here for me, and i appreciate the listing for games which just 'play good' in 2p even if they can go up to 4. Cascadia deserves all of the awards though, it does so many good things very well on so many levels... It works as a 2p crunchy game, it works as a 4p pretzel game, it works as a Christmas family game with the basic family rules, it even has intermediate rules if the folks get a bit too good at it and want a bit more meat. And that's not even counting the supremely tight and satisfying solo mode and the replayability self-challenge campaign mode which, surprise surprise, integrates phenomenally with 2p games as those will be the ones you'd be hashing out more often. And across it all the fact that i can teach it as basically "take a set, make the map look nice and contigeous, go" with a clarification here and there on nature tokens/duplicates shuffle.. is amazing. I am shocked at how "Cascadia" ends up as the answer to a lot of queries.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

It just ticks all the boxes for a casual family game - and when a game does that, it works.

Interesting - i was expecting to have a lot of these "casual" 2 player games as I mostly play 2 player count with my husband, but I only have Fox in the forest (which I love and is new to my collection). Hanimakoji has been on my radar but havent bought it yet. Looking forwards to the next 2 videos.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Certainly try to give Hanamikoji a try!

Great video! You've made me want to give Canopy a second look. I would have had Targi in the mix somewhere. 😊

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Canopy is definitely worth a look, as for Targi..........next video ;-)

Interesting list, looking forward to the others. Jaipur and Lost Cities never really grabbed myself or my family. Must play Canopy again it is good, I like it solo too. Kamisado and Hamanikoji sound interesting I'll have to take a look at them.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Most certainly try to get Hanamikoji

Really enjoyed this list, Luke, and am so looking forward to the next two. Having watched your channel for some time I think I could make a couple correct predictions. BTW, do you prefer Lost Cities over Battle Line (or BL: Medieval)? I know they're quite similar. Some like them slightly better.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Oh I dislike Battle Line, much prefer Lost Cities.

@TheAmazingYeti

Жыл бұрын

I think I prefer Schotten-Totten in that series, but you're correct.. they're all so close that you certainly don't need all three in a collection. Battle line and Schotten-Totten are basically the same game, I just prefer the art and small box of Schotten-Totten.

@pnutbutrncrackers

Жыл бұрын

@@TheAmazingYeti Thanks, Yeti. Strange to me that Luke "dislikes" BL, and then put LC in his top ten (for this category).

@TheAmazingYeti

Жыл бұрын

@@pnutbutrncrackers They are different enough I feel. But for me personally they just scratch the same itch.

@codym6376

Жыл бұрын

@@pnutbutrncrackersyeah, I’m definitely the opposite. I don’t want to have to constantly do the math in Lost Cities so I prefer Schotten Totten with the poker hands.

My new favorite for this genre is District Noir... give it a try if you haven't, it's also available on BGA for free, but getting a physical copy might be difficult because it's mostly sold in France only.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Totally new on me!

Great video and list. I have many of those and want most of the others! Totally off topic (sorry) Lords of Vegas reprint and expansions is on kickstarter. I'm wondering if you've played it, and what you think of it?

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Thanks and I might have played it once and being like "meh". Already forgotten it.

@hairygnome1787

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple ok, thanks for the reply 🙂

I would include "Battleline" and "Kahuna" as great casual 2-player games. Certainly less thinky than "Onitama" and "Hanamikoji" (which I would put on your next list). It will be interesting to see what IS on the next list!

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Kahuna is good and I did think about it. Hate Battleline though. I'd argue against them being less thinky though. Battleline you have to look at multiple arenas and consider the best play (and luck of the draw because it's mostly that) and Kahuna is a pretty thinky affair as well as a wrong move will land you in hot water. Very tense games for "casual".

Excellent list, did not see Canopy incoming I admit, need to look into this one. How come there were no mention of 7 Wonders Duel, I know you consider 7 Wonders next step, and not casual, but I think both of them could be played on more casual note depending on mood. Are drafting/set collection games really that lacking of casual, two player options?

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

I don't think any of them work as casual. Tom Vasel is very wrong on that!

Good list! Here are some casual games that I play 2 players that were not mentioned : - Crokinole - Codenames Duet - Unlock! or Exit games - Santorini

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Codenames Duet is fine, Santorini is OK.

Great list. Onitama is my Chess-game, Star Realms I love my Big Box with everything. Cascadia I only played so far 2-player. Interesting your take on more players. Sintra is my best version; so, I disagree here. Hanamikoji -- I completely thought I ordered the expansions with Geisha's Road but didn't - and now they are not available. Luke, what about San Torini and/or Ragnarocks? Are they coming at "medium/midweight"? How about Parks or Land vs Sea?

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Ragna what? Never heard of that. I don't like Parks, Air Land & Sea is fine but not Top 20 material. Santorini is OK, but really needs the god powers to be interesting and at that point it risks balance issues.

@ralfn9629

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple Ragnrocks is the follow-up of San Torini. More an erea control, or area encircling game. It has its own Gos powers like San Torini

HIVE!! 🐝... where is it?! 😆 otherwise, a pretty good list! keep it up and looking forward to the next lists!

@matthewcrawford4216

Жыл бұрын

Hive isn’t quite a casual game. There a different rules for each piece which push it beyond the scope of casual and make it very chess like. It would take a non game a longer time to learn. I don’t think it too difficult but it’s definitely not one I would try to get grandma or my dad to play. Too many things going on.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Hive is decent but just not Top 20 for me.

I love Hanamikoji but even after years I still have no idea how to play it

I actually thought you were going to say Santorini or Hive at number 10 or 7 :) My personal favourite is the Unmatched series

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Not played those but 2 player only won't suit me.

Games my wife and I enjoy at two players include Calico, Schotten Totten, The Game Face to Face, Qarto, Downtown Farmers Market, and Hey That’s My Fish.

I’d also put in a strong case for codenames Duet here, and Iro!

While it is't a causal game per say, since it takes a couple of games to understand how the icons work with each other. Race for the Galaxy is my favorite game for two players. The base for Race for the Galaxy can be played with up to four, it really shines at two. Usually me and a friend whip it out and play best out of three.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Race would be a cross between next step and advanced. There's plenty of luck of the draw, but all that iconography and how to do shipping etc is a bit complex.

Royal Visit should be in this list, a really good casual game from Knizia for only 2 players

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Not one I've heard of, but I'll look it up!

Tides of time, schottentotten, fungi I would recommend as well Never got really hooked by hanamikoji. It's ok but for me a 6 out of ten

Some of my favourite 2p casual games you didn't mention are: Carcassonne, Hive, Ohanami, Quarto, Crokinole, and Air Land & Sea (Critters at War)

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

I've burned out on Carcassonne and Small Islands i think is better. Hive is decent, just not Top 20, Ohanami I can play with all player counts fine, wouldn't be Top 10.

Surprised Santorini is not on the list. It's simply amazing and amazingly simple, with a lot of depth. If it makes sense.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

It's not one I own and I like it fine, though adding in the God powers might take it above casual and I'd rather play it with the powers then without. It's certainly decent though.

A lot of good choices here. I'd add Unmatched for sure.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Never played and likely never will just because of circumstances but is it casual?

@ten_oclock_scholar4690

Жыл бұрын

​@@TheBrokenMeeple Oh, absolutely. It's really easy to just pick up and play. It's got a very elegant rule set with unique and interesting decks and GREAT artwork. Definitely give it a go at the cafe if you can find someone who wants to play it. I don't like a lot of head-to-head dueling games (my wife and I usually prefer to play cooperatively or just play a euro game), but this one is the most streamlined and quickest one of the genre (it plays in 20 minutes), so it's the only one that has stayed in our collection.

I for whatever reason bounced off of Fox in the Forest hard. My buddy and I played three games and quit in the middle of the third game. I gifted it to another friend that was interested. We both love Cat in the Box and The Crew, so it was weird that we just simply didn't like it.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

The Crew is fantastic, I'm so far ho hum on Cat in the Box - I still have it but the whole area control feels like a tacked on thing.

@TheAmazingYeti

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple I could see that. I tend like gimmicks for whatever reason.

I don’t like abstract battle games or anything that just looks or feels like chess, so our lists will be different I’m sure. Of those in your top 10 that I have played, yes I do enjoy the fox game and Jaipur. For light games my top picks would have been patchwork and then Splendor/duel (though Duel needs large print desperately), then Codenames Duet, then Jaipur. Love love love ticket to ride, and my favorite two player version of that is India, but prefer teaching a single new player on the Switzerland flip side. I originally learned TTR in a 6-player Team Asia… with very patient gamers!

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Why does Duel need large print, I don't have any issue with the cards. There's no text and the icons are distinct. As long as you're not colour blind it's nice and portable as it should be.

@elainetyger

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple I just played it again last night, and am not color blind, and had trouble distinguishing diamonds from pearls on the cards. *you* may not have any issue with the cards, but *I* do

Jaipur is not in the middle east btw

Lost Seas, Mandala, Botanik and Miyabi are all nice couple games.

Spirits of the Wild is the best one I have, but out of print. Butterfly is great. For card games, Archeology The New Expedition is good. But I will always recommend Cascadia if asked for a 2-player game for newbies.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

In the same way you find Hanamikoji meh, I felt the same way with archaeology the card game. D didn't feel that interesting or worthy of its high acclaim.

Question where can i download your intro music ? i always like your inro music im gona use it as my meditaion music thanks in advance

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

It's a happy go lucky upbeat song how can it possibly be meditation worthy?

@infinitelee6256

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple i find it calming thanks for the reply

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

@@infinitelee6256 it came from motion array, its a licensed song.

What about Mandala from Lookout games? You'll probably like it if you like Hanamikoji

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Not tried it, not a fan of the aesthetics but I'd give it a go.

No one ever mentions Glasgow. Its a totally overlooked gem

@TheBrokenMeeple

11 күн бұрын

I liked it OK, it's not a bad game, wouldn't call it casual at all though and had a pretty hefty setup and horrible art.

@DeepFriedDave

11 күн бұрын

@@TheBrokenMeeple Yes, granted...not the best art. But the setup is about as hefty as the setup of Patchwork I thought.

Hanamikoji was meh to us. It’s such a specific experience and some people are just way better than others. We sold it after 2 plays.

No Mandala or or Ohanami or Sobek 2 on the list? Mandala is super casual, simple great game

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Not played Mandala, ohanami is fine just not top ten and honestly Ive only really played that with 3-4 players. Sobek I wouldn't consider casual enough.

@kishorepurohit8010

Жыл бұрын

@The Broken Meeple - please check Mandala. I am sure after you play it will be in the top 3 of your list.

luke when is the review of obsession coming 😀😀😀😀

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

😜😜 So much to do, but I intend to record it soon

Blokus Duo

Is 7 Wonders Duel not a casual game?

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Not in the slightest. Tom Vasel thought it was alongside the People when they did it and they are so wrong it's unreal.

@looktothefuture84

Жыл бұрын

Neither is Undaunted, though.

Where is your accent from? I can't place it.

@TheBrokenMeeple

Жыл бұрын

Somerset UK