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.
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 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.
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 😅
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.
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.
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)
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. "
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
@@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.
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?!
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.
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.
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! 😜🤔
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.
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.
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..
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.
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?!"
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.
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!
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.
Haven't tried normal Caper, yet, still on my shelf of shame
@@TheBrokenMeeple shelf of opportunity 😉
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.)
Indeed I do dislike that one! :P What is Switch and Signal like, i've seen the box but not dived in.
@@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.
Yes! 7 Wonders duel is the perfect #1 for this. Luc you've been awarded a point and your soul is not in jeopardy.
Errr......thanks? :P
@@TheBrokenMeeple 😉
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 😅
I really do want to try Mosaic!
Out of all of those Targi is my favorite.
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.
Dominion is certainly a contender.
Great list Luke! Pantheon is the most essential expansion I've ever come across. Have you given Skulk Hollow a play? Thx!
No but I would like to try it, it sounds cool.
“I’m more a numbers guy” - immediately after putting the number 7 up for the number 8 pick. 😂
Three workers in Targi as well.
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.
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)
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.
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. "
Solo play yes I need to give that a go!
32:33 I am in awe of your ability to pronounce 'not' in two different ways in the same sentence…
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.
Not seen a copy of Unforgiven, but the theme doesn't interest as much as building up a civ for 7WD
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.
Big fan of Rivals of Catan, besides Catan, this is one of the games that catapulted me into the hobby.
Yeah I enjoyed it but couldn't get anyone to play it with me.
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.
It's certainly worth trying, the card system in it is neat and it's an easy learn.
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.
Good stuff! Also beer.......mmmmmmmmmm
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.
Agreed!
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.
Not bad, really didn't get into Caesar though.
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
Won't be at Airecon any more for various reasons, not to mention my cruise trip starts that same weekend!
@@TheBrokenMeeple have a great trip Luke.
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.
Finally some love for Concordia.
😂
I am a tax accountant too Luke haha 😂 love your videos as always❤
Yay! Thank you!
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.
I have, I found it a bit too fiddly and lengthy when Paperback gave me a similar feel for less effort.
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
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.
I love 7 wonders duel (with pantheon). Seasons, watergate, castles of burgundy are great too
I like Duel even without Pantheon but yes, if it's available it's coming out.
4 player team mode in innovation is very very good.
One day I'd like to try it properly with 3 people who know the game but that's a rare find!
Skulk Hollow would fit very nicely in this list :)
I would have included Watergate in the list.
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.
My guess is that Seasons got "replaced" by Res Arcana for many. But I prefer to throw those dice. :)
Great list!
No ResArcana is boring and uninspired. Seasons for the win!
@@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.
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?!
I hope so too!! :D
@@TheBrokenMeeple Thanks!
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.
Paperback is 2 player or solo, never with more!
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.
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! 😜🤔
Have you played Unforgiven yet? Beats 7 wonders duel for me
Agreed
I know of it but that theme does nothing for me.
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!
Sadly still nothing. 😕
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.
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.
I am wondering if we will see Akrotiri in the advanced level list.
Never played it sorry!
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..
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.
I would put watergate on this list personslly. Rules are quite simple but has a rich gameplay.
Targi has 3 workers, not 2. And yes, you absolutely should play it with the expansion.
Tomato, Tomato :-) But yeah many have said about the exp.
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.
Very true!!
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?!"
Classic first game reaction but I love the fact the play state chops around all the time, it keeps you having to adapt.
Another 2p game we enjoy is Watergate :)
So many have said, I can't see it being a game I would gun for though.
Amazed Splendor Duel didn't make the cut!
Previous list.... 😉
@The Broken Meeple Fair play! The RUclips algorithm chucked me this list but not the previous 😅 I'll check it out
Agora is so interesting. Together they're perfect. Pantheon alone is ok. Base game is too simple and blue cards don't mean anything.
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.
Curious Cargo - 2 player
I played Fort once and hated it sadly. So many rules just feel clunky... can't really recommend it.
A shame but I know it won't be to everyone's taste.
Schotten totten?
Nah not a fan.
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!
That's odd as by nature it should show under videos by default. Anyone else with this same issue?
@@TheBrokenMeeple I'm seeing it listed under videos on my end
I can see it under videos now. Sorry, must have just been a temporary glitch my end.