One of my 2025 resolutions was to review all my two-player games and decide which ones are keepers and which ones need to be gifted or rehomed. This doesn’t mean the games are bad—some may just not spark the joy they once did. My wife and I also have a goal to reduce our collection to keep things fresh, and reviewing our games will help us assess which ones are just collecting dust and could be enjoyed elsewhere.
As I started this process, I realized that certain qualities make a two-player game stand out for me. These aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re the things I instinctively look for when deciding if a game is worth keeping.
As we’ve gone through our collection, it’s been interesting to see how our tastes sometimes overlap and sometimes they couldn't be more opposite. There are games I absolutely love that my wife isn’t as into, and vice versa. But hey—compromise! Some games are sticking around purely because one of us adores them. Codenames Duet drives me up a wall (I’m terrible at it, and it frustrates me to no end. I blame it on English being my second language), but my wife loves it, so it stays. On the other hand, The Game: Face to Face is one I love, but she’d rather just play the original The Game. Both are staying because, at the end of the day, this collection is for the both of us 🤮
What I Look for in a Two-Player Game
I’ve played a ton of two-player games, but over time, I’ve realized that certain qualities keep me coming back. These aren’t just things I like—they’re the pros and cons I start with when reviewing any game:
🎯 Strategic Depth
I love games that offer meaningful choices without being overwhelming. Whether it's a tight duel or a clever tactical puzzle (oo or maybe a polyomino game. I'm a sucker for tile-placing), I want to feel like my decisions matter even if it's rolling a dice
⚔️ Player Interaction
Some games are all about reading your opponent, while others let you build your own little engine in peace. I appreciate both styles and it really depends if I am in the mood for a solitaire game like Next Station London or a cut throat one like Kemet
🔄 Replayability
A great game keeps me coming back. Whether it’s different strategies to explore, variable setups, or just the itch to play again, replayability is a must
🎒 Portable & Travel-Friendly
I love taking games with me anywhere I go, whether it's on trips, to a cafe or pub, and of course to a friend’s house. Most two-player game should be easy to carry, quick to set up, and playable in different environments
🌍 Language Independence
While my favorite gaming partner is my wife, I also play with people who don’t necessarily speak English. A game with minimal text makes it more accessible and helps keep the focus on the fun. Plus, some of my friends get overwhelmed when there’s too much reading involved!
🎲 Skill vs. Luck Balance
I appreciate games that strike a good balance between strategy and luck, but I also love when a game goes all-in on one side—whether it’s a pure test of skill or a chaotic dice-rolling adventure. Different moods call for different games!
🃏 Component Quality
If I’m going to spend time with a game, I want it to feel good to play. Nice card stock, solid tokens, and great art all add to the experience, but it's not always a deterrent!
⏳ Setup & Downtime
A game that gets to the action quickly and keeps both players engaged is a big win. I don’t mind a bit of setup if the payoff is worth it, but I love games that don’t take forever to get going or take longer to set up than actually play the game
📏 Table Space
This one kind of serves two purposes. One to determine if games can be taken on the go as I need to consider how much room a game would need and if it has components I could lose or get ruined. I have to be cognizant on how much room a game needs to assess where we can play it
⏱ Time Length
I love games that I can play in 30 minutes or less because they fit between other activities, but I also appreciate a longer, chunkier game when I have the time to really dig in
🥂 Cheers to keeping New Year's promises! How many games will we keep? We shall see. Follow my geeklist to find out! 🎲
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