Not every game that says on the box that it’s playable with 2 is actually good with two players. Some require running a cumbersome bot to simulate a third- and sometimes fourth- player, or use a variant that isn’t all that fun, or lack the tension that having more players brings to the table. There are some games, however, that I think shine especially well with two players, despite not being exclusively designed for only that count. While I could have happily made a list twice this long, I hope this will give readers—especially those who frequently play with just two—a nice variety of games to consider.

A brief note: I did not include games that can technically play more players, but are obviously designed for two, such as Memoir ‘44 and the Unmatched games. But go ahead and play those ones anyway!

Top 10 Multiplayer Board Games for Two Players

10. Obsession

I suppose it’s fitting that a game about courtship is best with two. While still good at higher player counts, the game can run a bit long, and I think playing with two allows for a little more strategy and control. In this game, players each control their own Victorian era family, seeking to marry their eldest child off to a rich heir or heiress. The theme and story that emerge as you play are part of the delight of this game. Mechanically, it is a worker placement and hand-building game in which you’re buying additions to your estate where you can host events that will, hopefully, attract a rich young suitor. It has similar vibes to Castles of Mad King Ludwig, but I think the market in this game works better for two players than in that one. 

1-4 Players • Ages 14+ • 30-90 minutes • $64

9. Sea Salt and Paper

During my first few plays of Sea Salt and Paper, I actually thought it was a two-player-only game because it worked so well, but it does in fact play with more. It’s good across all counts, but I don’t think you lose anything in the two-player game or gain anything with more. Like the above game, two players allow for a little more control over your strategy and less luck. What I like about this set collection game is that there are two discard piles, and on your turn, you can either choose the top faceup card from either one, or a facedown card from the deck. In this way, you have some idea of what your opponent is going for, but not exactly. Turns are snappy, and there’s a good amount of tension in worrying that your opponent will trigger the end round before you’re ready for it.

2-4 Players • Ages 8+ • 30-45 minutes • $12

8. Nova Luna

There are many other abstract games I could put here, and Nova Luna is probably the least popular of the bunch (others to consider are Azul, Splendor, and Sagrada), but I admit this game is something of a darling to me. It reminds me just a little of Patchwork from Nova Luna co-designer Uwe Rosenberg—in that you choose your tiles from a circular configuration, but I believe this one is the better game. Players select and place tiles with colored spaces on them. They’re looking to meet specific criteria in putting the right colors next to each other in order to place a scoring disk. The first player to place their final disk wins, which makes for a much cleaner end-of-game experience than Patchwork.  

1-4 Players • Ages 8+ • 30-60 minutes • $28

7. Paladins of the West Kingdom

I love games that involve a nice balance of tactics and strategy, which is probably why Paladins speaks to me so much. The different workers that you have access to each round will determine a lot of what you can and cannot do, but it’s about making the most of what’s available between choosing the best workers and the best paladin card for that round. This crunchy worker placement game is brilliantly deep and satisfying. I also considered Ezra and Nehemiah from the same designers for this list, but I think this one shines a little better with two. With this one, more players are likely to slow the game down because there’s a good amount of time spent puzzling out your turn. 

1-4 Players • Ages 12+ • 90-120 minutes • $54

6. The White Castle

The White Castle does something not a lot of board games can pull off: it offers a strategically deep experience in a relatively short playtime. This is a tight and well-balanced dice placement game for 1-4. It scales for different player counts in a very simple but effective way, by using a different number of dice. The board still feels cramped, in a good way, in a two-player game, and your opponent will often end up taking spaces you want, so you don’t feel like you’re missing out on the full experience. A great game at any player count.

1-4 Players • Ages 12+ • 80 minutes • $36

5. Fantasy Realms

Fantasy Realms was originally listed as playing 3-6, but the two-player variant included in the rulebook was so popular that it’s now just considered a 2-6 player game. To play with two there’s a slight rules tweak concerning drawing cards and how many are discarded, but it’s an effortless adjustment. It’s a drafting and set collection game but, unlike many set collection games, you can go multiple directions with your hand as there are various possible combinations. Some cards seem most powerful when paired with other specific cards, but there are other potential combinations that might be just as powerful. Even after playing dozens of times, this is one I still enjoy returning to at any player count, but especially two. 

2-6 Players • Ages 14+ • 20 minutes • $23

4. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases

If you’re ever so fortunate as to be stuck at home with another person on a rainy afternoon, Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is the game to play. It’s hard not to get swept into the mystery and become so invested in crime-solving that you’ll forget to take snack breaks. While I also enjoy this solo, it’s the sort of game that begs for discussion, and having another player to bounce theories off is sublime. I find that I don’t even care all that much about the score we end up with—I’m just happy if we correctly solve the crime. It definitely requires a certain mindset, and it’s the sort of game you must be ready to tuck into for a few hours, but in the right setting and with players who enjoy this sort of game, it’s a lovely experience. 

1-8 Players • Ages 13+ • 60-120 minutes • $49

3. Roll for the Galaxy

Why Roll and not Race? Well, mostly because I like this one slightly better, but also just to be different. I could have just as easily put this game’s sibling, Race for the Galaxy here, but I felt that most have probably already played it and know how well it works for two (if not, certainly give it a try). Roll for the Galaxy doesn’t get quite as much love, but it gives you a similar tableau-building experience with tiles and dice instead of cards. This game has a bit of a learning curve, so I find that I don’t often teach it to new players, but for my husband and me, it’s one of our go-to games when it’s just the two of us. Another honorable mention here is San Juan, which shares some similarities with Race for the Galaxy but is a little more accessible. 

2-5 Players • Ages 13+ • 45 minutes • $40

2. Gloomhaven

Whatever your opinion of Gloomhaven, it can’t be denied that it has shaped much of the fabric of modern board gaming. Gloomhaven is an enormous box of content, and when I first opened it, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. It still remains one of my favorite gaming experiences and one I found particularly enjoyable at two, as it just worked really well to plan a turn-out together. The one downside is that your pace for unlocking new content is a bit slower, but if you’re okay with that, then I wouldn’t hesitate to dive into the full campaign with only two players. Or, if you’re not looking for that level of commitment, try Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, for a condensed but still satisfying gameplay experience. 

Note: Gloomhaven is currently out of print, but there is a very good digital version available on Steam, and the 2nd edition is available for pre-order from the publisher.

1-4 Players • Ages 14+ • 60-120 minutes • $199

1. A Feast for Odin

For a game with so many worker placement spaces, this one is surprisingly great with just two players (and still great with more). Like Nova Luna which I mentioned earlier, it can be easy to forget this one isn’t actually meant for only two players. It still feels appropriately restrictive, and you will find yourself blocked out of spaces you want, but there’s always a way to adjust and adapt your strategy, keeping your mind working in many directions at once. When you’re looking for a heavier option for two players, this worker placement and polyomino game is just the right fit. 

1-4 Players • Ages 12+ • 30-120 minutes • $79