I'm a huge fan of duel games. As a game designer, my first published game by "Taka Maka" publishing was an abstract strategy 2/4 players game"Foggy Island". I'm working right now on a duel card game with a working title "Old New" (you may help me with this HERE ) which I plan to finish by the end of 2023. So, I decided to create for you my own list with recommendations of the TOP duel games. DUEL board games are a fantastic way to spend time with friends or family. Unlike multiplayer games, you have more control over your choices and are required to think strategically to outsmart your opponent. These games are particularly interesting because they are often fast-paced, offer a lot of depth, and have high replay value. In this article, we will explore some of the best DUEL board games that you can play with two players.
Me and my wife Roksolana on Igrosphere board game festival in 2018. Presentation of “Foggy Island” game
Hanamikoji
Hanamikoji is a two-player game that is all about winning the favor of geishas. Players must compete to earn the most points by playing cards that represent different items that geishas are interested in. The game is a mind game that requires players to outwit their opponent by predicting which cards they will want to keep. Genius game by Japanese designer Kota Nakayama. Just a few components, and 4 available actions, but what an intellectual battle takes place in every game.
Jixia Academy - redesign of Hanamikoji game by Deep Water Games
7 Wonders: Duel
7 Wonders: Duel is a spin-off of the popular game 7 Wonders. The game takes place over three ages, and players must build their civilization by constructing buildings, wonders, and military structures. The game is won by either having the most victory points at the end of the third age or by achieving military or science supremacy. The game is a strategic battle of wits, where players must decide when to focus on building their civilization or when to try to defeat their opponent. I'm just a little bit disappointed why the "Pantheon" expansion is not a part of the basic game, because in my opinion it is must have part of the game. If you will ask which game from this list I must try, I'll definitely recommend you to start with 7 Wonders: Duel.
Schotten Totten
Schotten Totten is a two-player game that is all about claiming territory. Players take turns placing cards on the table, and each card represents a section of a wall that must be defended. The game is won by either winning three adjacent walls or by having the most walls at the end of the game. The game is a tactical game that requires players to think ahead and outmaneuver their opponent. I received it in 2020 from my BGG Secret Santa. He (or she) just watches my game's collection and decides that I'll like this game. And this was one of the best presents ever! I played it so many times, that I destroyed the previous box and buy a new one. The game designer of Schotten Totten is Dr. Reiner Knizia and that really means a lot!
Star Realms
Star Realms is a deck-building game where players must build their fleets and defeat their opponents. The game is won by either reducing the opponent's authority to zero or by reducing their deck to zero cards. The game is a fast-paced game that requires players to think strategically and react quickly to their opponent's moves. And you may say that it's really old and use a lot of old mechanics, but I'm pretty sure I played a hundred games and planning to play more and more in the future. If someone will wake up and ask me in the middle of the night to play Star Realms, I'll just say - SURE! Who goes first?
Lost Cities
Lost Cities is a two-player game where players must go on expeditions to find treasure. Players must build their expedition by playing cards that represent different resources, and the game is won by either having the most points at the end of the game or by going on the most expeditions. The game is a strategic game that requires players to think carefully about which expeditions to embark on and how to manage their resources. For me, this game is a genius, because the whole game is just a deck of cards. But how depth is a strategy on each level, and how many hard decisions do you need to do on each of your turns? Ahhh! Just AWESOME!
GO
Go is a two-player game that is over 2,500 years old and is considered one of the oldest board games in the world. The game is won by controlling more territory than your opponent by placing stones on a grid. The game is a complex game that requires players to think several moves ahead and understand the nuances of the game's rules. To understand the whole culture and traditions around the game and how depth of the strategy this game provides I highly recommend you watch the documentary movie "Alpha Go". Or read my book ;)