Best Two Players Games 2025: Top 6 Reviewed
Looking for the best two players games? We found fun options on BGG that are perfect for two people learning to play.
Finding the best two players games is not as easy as it sounds. Some games say they work with two, but really need more people and end up feeling weird. We have spent too many quiet nights testing board games that truly shine with just two players. For this list, we focused on games that are quick to set up, easy to learn, and always replayable. We also wanted games that work with all types of players, not just strategy pros. With these picks, you’ll never have to play endless rounds of Go Fish again. Let’s get to it!
On this list:
6 Patchwork
Patchwork holds a special place among two players games. It’s a game about quilting, but don’t let that fool you—it’s cutthroat. We once had a friendly match spiral into a heated debate over leftover buttons. Turns out, patching a quilt can feel like assembling Ikea furniture after a long day. The simple rules hide a sneaky puzzle, and every game gives a new shape to your fabric mess. This is a top pick for couples, and it’s quick enough to squeeze in after dinner but still makes you think. Just watch out for those pesky gaps in your quilt—it will haunt you for days.
5 Jaipur
Jaipur is the reason our game shelf smells faintly of camels and victory. This two players game sees you trading goods in a busy market, trying to outwit your rival with clever moves and a timely camel grab. We love it because matches are quick, and you can learn the rules in about two minutes flat. But don’t let that fool you—winning takes brains and good timing. If you ever wanted to have a shouting match over spicy silks and camel cards, this is the game for you. Plus, the cards are pretty enough to frame, if you lose often.
4 Lost Cities
In Lost Cities, you race to explore ancient ruins while also trying to ruin your opponent’s plans. We’ve played so many rounds, we now feel qualified to be archaeologists—except all we dig up are grudges. It’s simple: play cards in order to make expeditions, but every choice feels risky. The tension is real. We love how easy it is to set up, and the pressure mounts as the deck runs out. Every match is a mix of luck and smart planning, and if you win, you have full bragging rights until next game night.
3 Star Realms
Star Realms is the two players game we break out when we want lasers and betrayal. It’s deck-building in space, which sounds complicated, but it’s not. You buy ships, attack your rival, and hope you don’t misread the rules like we did the first three times. The action is quick, and the combos you can pull off are so fun you may forget to keep score. If you want a short, punchy card game with plenty of explosions and wild swings, this is your ticket. Just be ready for some good-natured trash talk.
2 7 Wonders Duel
7 Wonders Duel feels like a big civilization game shrunken down for two. We’ve spent countless nights plotting wonders, cursing out science victories, and stealing each other’s pyramids. You draft cards to build up your city, and there are three ways to win, which keeps everyone on edge. There are tight decisions and big swings—one turn you’re leading, the next you’re picking up your scattered pieces. The replay value is huge. If you want a two players game that feels epic but doesn’t take all night, this one is always a winner.
1 Hive
Hive stands out in the world of two players games because it’s pure strategy with zero luck and no board needed. It’s like chess but with bugs, and trust us, it gets intense. We’ve played Hive on picnic tables, park benches, and even through airport delays. Every piece moves in a special way, and trapping the queen bee takes cunning and planning. It’s quick to learn, but every match feels fresh and brain-melting. We picked Hive as the best because you can play it anywhere, anytime, and it never gets old. Plus, you’ll learn to fear the deadly mosquito piece after one wrong move. A must-have for any two players game collection.
