Friday Question: What Is Your Favorite Two-Player Game?

Everyone loves those gaming sessions where the stars align and everyone shows up. Options abound—games with a large group or several splinter groups. The synergy. In any case, people are happy and games are played. However, this isn't always the case. Or for some of us, this isn't even often the case. Which leads to this Friday's question: What is your favorite two-player game? Feel free to answer in the comments! (I appreciate the suggestions.)

@FarmerLenny answers:
My favorite game that is strictly two-player is probably Jaipur. I love the trading element and the constantly changing strategies based on what your opponent does. It moves quickly, offers good choices, and it's a game that really engages both players. If I'm thinking in general of what game I enjoy the most when there are only two players available, I would probably say Dominion. Dominion is a great two-player game. Some of the attacks are less nasty (notably Torturer--he can't stack as easily), but this might be a good thing. The experience is very different from a game that involves more players, but it's still excellent fun with two. In fact, I think the good tension is higher in a two-player game than a game with three or four players.

@Futurewolfie answers:

I actually don't own any two-player only games. I mostly get games to play with my board gaming group, which means that more players is often better than less. However, it is even better when games support two players, and not in an awkward, work-around variant that isn't very fun. I play two-player games most often with my wife (and second-most-often with my nemesis above), and the game that hits the table most often is Dominion. As @Farmerlenny mentioned, it's a different experience from four to two players, but the two-player game is still tense, competitive, and fun. Carcassonne is another great two-player game that hits the table a lot.

I've found that Tobago, though supporting two players, is a lot better with three or four (although two-player was significantly more fun after we knew what we were doing). Another game that supports two players is Race for the Galaxy, but while I enjoy it, I think it is significantly more fun with three or four.  

I'm always looking for great two-player games (especially if they support more), so leave your favorite two-player games in the comments!

Curses! Foiled Again! (a review of Tobago)

To-box-o

[Editors note: The following is a Nemesis Review, featuring opinions from our in-house thematic-loving @futurewolfie and his ferocious opponent, the stodgy euro-loving @Farmerlenny. Make sure to read both opinions to get a better overall picture of the game!]

When I introduce Tobago to new players, they often ask what it's about.  After all, "Tobago" isn't exactly a common word that means something to everyone.  When they do, I usually refer back to Raiders of the Lost Ark.  You know that first scene where Indy is in some remote jungle, looking for some long lost artifact?  Well, it's kind of like that.

I have to be careful though, because the comparison really only goes so far.  There is no adventuring or combat against natives; there are no traps to disarm.  There's not even really backstabbing to be had.  But there is treasure.  You get to that treasure by "deciphering" treasure maps, and there is an element of competition - whoever gets to the treasure first gets first pick of the litter. And there's always the risk of encountering the infamous CURSED treasure.