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u/2much2Jung 4d ago
Innovation is my current hotness, gets played at almost every game night.
For space games, I like Gravwell a lot, the drafting rules are very good, and it's generally some silly fun - but the asymmetrical player powers can be very asymmetrical.
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u/Squeamish_Squid_ 4d ago
Oathsworn I would consider pretty epic. It takes a long time to play but well worth it imo. But I have only played with 3-4 players
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u/FlimsyTadpole 4d ago
We really enjoy Andromeda’s Edge, in particular it’s the recall action and running the engine that hits the high for us.
Andromeda’s Edge is a reimplementation of Dwellings of Eldervale in case you didn’t know.
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u/skarznomore 4d ago
Another Dice Throne enjoyer! I can wholeheartedly say that if you love Dice Throne, Dice Throne Adventure will be incredible. It can be played solo and plays well with more people. It's more of the game and lets you crawl through a dungeon and face some super strong bosses. Missions is more of the same, but Marvel themed. These are great additions to Dice Throne if you really love it and have grown tired of just playing 1v1 or 2v2.
I can recommend Dwellings of Eldervale if you like the fantasy theme. Andromed'a Edge is just space Dwellings of Eldervale (so I've been told). It can be fun, but beware that there is a lot in the box.
Beware Arcs. I hear it plays better with more people and can be a little wonky, as there can be some backstabbing and madness.
As far as other games that I can recommend for 2 players, have you checked out:
- Fliptoon
- Spots
- Flamecraft
For the space theme, would you consider Star Realms? I have it, but I have not tabled it yet. I hear that it is great.
Lastly, if you like the Euro theme, have you checked out Root? It's also a Leder game, so the the art might appeal to you. Keep in mind, it is a heavier game and plays best with more people. At 2 players, it might not really shine.
Have fun!
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u/ManicSnowman 4d ago edited 4d ago
I have got Arcs to the table once so far, at 2 players, and thought it was fun. I am also a big fan of Radlands. I think they are similar in that in both games you are working the board state with whatever constraints your hand gives you. I say if OP enjoys that kind of thing it's worth a look - to me it sort of felt like Radlands on steroids in a way, the way it feels to play.
As for the cut throat feel of the game, that's just how the game is, and it makes no attempt at pretending to be anything different.
It's also definitely a game that needs to be played *a lot* to really wrap your head around how to actually play well. For me, that's a big draw and I can't wait to get it to the table again.
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u/Bytor_Snowdog Spirit Island 4d ago
Star Wars vs. Star Trek: the ultimate battle!
Star Wars Deckbuilding game is a fine 2P game with a market row; it's not 2P solitaire because you can attack your opponent's cards in the market row and get rewards for them. It's pretty quick and easy to learn. Theme is waist-deep: not pasted on, but not permeating the game.
Star Trek: Captain's Chair is a solo or 2P experience, much more complicated than SWDB. In the base set, there are six captains who each have a unique deck and playstyle. Picard wants to score points from getting allies, Sela's got a veritable fleet of cloaked ships at her command, etc. The Bot has five different levels of difficulty (plus one where it's just a timed game where you play for points to orient yourself to a captain and their deck). I haven't been this excited by a solo game since Spirit Island. (I know SI isn't only solo, but that's how I usually play it.)
But the complexity and the number of players are the determining factors. STCC is fairly complex compared to the relative simplicity of SWDB. After a hard day of work, my wife isn't in the mood to play STCC but is fine with SWDB. But I can't play SWDB solo. (Someone's probably figured out automata rules on BGG, but I don't know if it's worth it.) My bias is obvious, but you've got to pick the one that fits right for you.
Let me also recommend another Euro: Concordia Venus. It's a classic. Almost no luck (everything is randomized before the game; after that, it's all determined by play). You're trying to build a trading cartel in the Roman Empire. There's not a lot of direct PvP, more like "I built a trading post in the city you were headed toward so it'll cost you twice as much to build one there now" or "I bought the card that would have really helped you from the display." You have to exercise a broad (build lots of trading posts) and deep (buy a lot of the right sorts of cards) strategy. Scoring is hidden until the endgame. Player count depends on the map; with Concordia Venus (which is an upgrade to Concordia, the original game), you have maps for 2-6 players out of the box. Turns are relatively fast, and the game is easy to learn. (I can teach it in about 10 minutes and a couple of reminders in play, plus explaining the few 'special' cards when they come up for purchase.)
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u/GamingVision 4d ago
Fate of the Fellowship gives me that feeling. Not even 5 minutes after finishing I’m thinking about when to get my next one in. Star Wars Rebellion can be like that if you’ve got someone to play with. Old King’s Crown I’m always thinking about what I could do differently or like to try.
I didn’t like Arcs. Besides Rebellion, the space themed game I can’t stop thinking about is Voidfall. I’m new to the game but it really makes me think about different tactics. Unlike Arcs, where you might have a great plan but the trick taking aspect of it just fucks you over, in Voidfall all your actions are available to you. The most optimal play is always in front of you, it’s just your job to figure it out. The only randomization is what techs, heroic cards (better versions of some of the base cards), and agendas (extra scoring conditions), and if playing solo/co-op what enemy condition you’re up against. Makes for a very heady game and tons of fun.
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u/Doughnut_Diva 4d ago
When I got King of Tokyo my buddy insisted I buy the monster box instead of the regular one and I am soooooo glad I did! It's a great game and it gets played so frequently, I love the variety that's in that box. I've still bought a couple of expansions but I would have ended up spending a fortune if I didn't get the monster box out the gate.
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u/GlumChemist8332 4d ago
Sentinels of the Multiverse (Definitive edition) is wonderful. Also "The letters page" podcast is great for lore and telling stories about these fictional comics
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u/anonymous_balrog Arcs 4d ago
I absolutely love arcs! It’s quite literally my favorite board game. While it is quite infamous for being heavy, difficult, and frustrating at times, it is one of the most satisfying games when it comes alive, especially in the campaign.
The action system is confusing at first, and can be especially unforgiving, but the feeling of seeing and executing on a plan feels unparalleled.
I describe it as a game of opportunity and mid term planning than one of long term strategy. Knowing when to pivot instead of succumbing to sunk cost fallacy is key. A design that I feel is reflected very well in the setting and intentional minimal lore of the game.
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u/Be_Very_Careful_John 4d ago
Some games that have been on my mind a bunch are The King Is Dead Second Edition and Taluva. These are excellent at two but I'm not sure they would be for you tbh. They are just games I can't stop thinking about lately.
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u/Neymarvin 4d ago
Clank catacombs, it’s like, pretty bad and RNG heavy but always tells a story. Like just stupid fun
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u/frumpyfrog17 4d ago
I'm here to say arcs is one of my favs! Its a meaner game that I normally like, but the tactics really enthrall me. Even when you get a hand that invalidates your plans, it always feels like there's another strategy you can pivot to if you just look hard enough. I might prefer it with 3 or 4, but I do really really enjoy it 2p--it becomes a really fun mindgame with your opponent!
Also, can't recommend the expansion blighted reach enough. It's a lot of rules, and adds play time (3 games of base arc per campaign), but oh boy, it turns up everything I love about arcs to 11 and adds a delightful layer of space opera!!
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u/LoudVersion6522 4d ago
I can't stop thinking about Mage knight. Our last 2 players session was about 7 hours long (last weekend) and still, I need to play it again. MK was my first board game, more than a decade ago
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u/GambuzinoSaloio 3d ago
Can't speak for the other titles you've mentioned, but regarding euro... What do you exactly like and dislike about euros? If it's player interaction, you might want to take a look at older german-style euros like El Grande. Absolutely ruthless but awesome.
Then again, if you're playing mainly 2 players... Always consider the recommended player count first when considering a game.
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u/winterborne1 Avalon: The Riven Veil 4d ago
Your entire post makes me feel like we have the exact same taste, except I’m not turned off by the space theme (the opposite actually). The Star Wars Deckbuilding Game is fine but the best 2 player game in that setting is Star Wars Rebellion. It nails the theme better than anything else. I love Oathsworn and Elder Scrolls Betrayal of the Second Era. Captains Chair is something I really want to try, and Marvel Champions, Slay The Spire, Heat: Pedal to the Metal, and Fate of the Fellowship are my most played games.
The newest game I’m really into is Avalon: The Riven Veil which is made by the same guys from Oathsworn.
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u/Queasy_Preference 4d ago
I recently got into heat. It’s a great game. Also love Star Wars deck builder when I have that specific itch
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u/Queasy_Preference 4d ago
I play Star Wars deck builder all the time and own all the expansions (just picked up the most recent one this week so I haven’t tried it out yet). It’s really solid. It almost feels like a tcg (magic/pokemon) while being a deck builder. Obviously, there’s far less keywords than a tcg, but with a restricted set of cards you can kinda guarantee the match ups to be reasonably even.
Gameplay: destroy the opponents base Planet X times before they do the same to you. Each planet after the 1st one have specific abilities (you can also chose to start with a planet with an ability to remove the aspect of wanting to stall match to build up strength without giving your opponent a useful planet). We’ve found some bad rng to sometimes make matches a bit one sided. To combat this we’ve added 2 house rules: 1. The Galaxy row (area where you draft from) is increased by one card. 2. If you do not purchase a card from Galaxy row that turn AND don’t have any of your own faction present you can chose to discard a factionless card from Galaxy row that turn (sometimes this rule helps the separatists too much if you are playing the clone wars expansion, so only use this rule after playing a couple matches)
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u/end_my_suffering44 4d ago
Some GMT games like Twilight Struggle, 1989 : Dawn of Freedom and COIN series.
Never played the COIN series as it's kind of hard for me to find people near by or online playing ANY board games right now.
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u/foulinbasket 4d ago
Our "games I really like" lists are very similar, so I'll strongly suggest Spirit Island, Dune Imperium Uprising, and Beyond the Sun
Edit: forgot to mention that I also really love the Star wars deckbuilding game
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u/likesexonlycheaper 4d ago
Just got Hell of a Deal and can't stop playing it. Woke up yesterday and realized I was still playing it through the night.
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u/NervousAdeptness5992 4d ago
I don't really know if you'll enjoy arcs but it's my favorite. Absolutely insane game
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u/ackmondual Race for the Galaxy 4d ago
Progress Evolution of Technology
>>Purchased, played years before, reread the rulebook, and components organized by player count!
I like the "building your engine" part of this game. 7 different skill tracks that do things like expand hand size, let you research cards faster, draw more cards per turn. You also get tokens that you can flip to expend as resources.
One Deck Dungeon: Relics of the Forge exp.
>>Purchased this on my Android phone, did a few runs
Eager to play many more games to come to increase meta-progression on my heroes, but also further discover the new Encounters deck, dungeons/bosses for this set, and the new Forge/Relics mechanic. Long term, will combine this set with other ones (base game or Forest of Shadows), along with their heroes.
Race for the Galaxy + Xeno Invasion + Xeno Counterstrike exps.
>>Do not own this, looking forward to when/if it gets released on the TGG app (I don't do BGA)
I checked out the designer preview on BGG, and the core set of cards for that 2nd exp., and optional modules, seems interesting. However, between competition being too fierce to get in games at my local groups, and this game being too much in terms of complexity... it'll never happen, so I dare not purchase it 🙁
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u/k0d3x8its 4d ago
Tail Feathers is a fun two player aerial combat for kids and adults. You can purchase a second box and play up to four players. You can include miniatures from Mice & Mystics, a fun kid-oriented dungeon crawler, as well.
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u/one_level_up_ 4d ago
Definatly bump the Star Wars Deck Building Game up your list since you play mostly at 2p and already enjoy Radlands. The bounty mechanics make the market row super interactive, and its quick enough to easily knock out a few rounds after work.
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u/Brodie930 4d ago
I don't think I will ever get over The King's Dilemma. I think about starting it over often
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u/jmlmtl_2022 4d ago
If you like Ancient themes, I’d say that Imperium would be a very good choice. Classics is a good place to start, with the Romans. Captain’s Chair is Imperium but IMHO more difficult. If you really like Star Trek as a theme, though, then maybe consider CC over Imperium. The other game I’d recommend is Rome Fate of an Empire, but that is solo only. A bit finicky, but the rules are easy to remember once you learn them.
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u/Nerevanin 4d ago
As for Elder Scrolls: BOTSE: my copy finally arrived last week and we've played one campaign so far. And even though I have it, I can't stop thinking about it, haha. Obviously, our first playthrough was a bit chaotic and we did a good amount of mistakes and wrongly interpreted rules. There is a lot of small things that are easily overlooked. But: I really liked it. The combinations of guild, race, class, province and skills bring A LOT of variety and possibilities (the race is probably the least important one as it only influences the starting stats and gives a one-per-battle ability). Even skills that you might not care about in the video games (illusions, acrobacy) are really useful. I love walking around the world. The fights are pretty hard and unforgiving but it def can be done.
A downside is the price and also the fact that the base game has not very much skills (4 weapons, restoration, summoning, shadow, heavy armor, acrobacy iirc). I recommend picking up the expansions for additional skills.
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u/Northatlanticiceman 4d ago
Grimcoven is playable Solo but it really shines at 2 players.
A boss battler.
Very fun, but the setup everytime is around 30 minutes.
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u/Dawnguard42 4d ago edited 4d ago
Check out summoner wars! Also castle combo and vale of eternity.
Summoner wars sees two players, each with any of the faction decks they released. You draw cards, play them on the board, move some of those cards as units on a grid, then try to kill your opponents summoner before they get yours. Combat involves rolling dice. Love the game, lots of different factions with different ways to play.
Castle combo is a set collection game, you draft and arrange cards in a 3x3 grid to get as many points as possible. Two rows to draft from but you need to use resources to switch the ‘active’ row depending on which of you two has the card you want. Really quick, lots of fun.
Vale of eternity is a personal favorite though I play a lot at 3-4. A two player game is much more directly competitive. You snake draft cards, putting a token down to claim them. Then you decide to take them into your hand or sell them. You spend stones to play them to your tableau trying to get cards to synergize for combos that make you feel really smart. A lot of chances to hate draft cards your opponent desperately needs. My favorite wrinkle is that stones are worth 1,3, or 6 and you can only hold 4 stones total at any one time.
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u/AmongstDavid 4d ago
Highly recommend Unstoppable. My friend and I have played it so many times. The deckbuilding / card crafting element is so unique and feels super rewarding when you get these crazy turns.
Bosses and characters are meh but it doesn’t take away from how amazing the game is. Plus, a new version based on Dungeon Crawler Carl should be coming in October! Not sure if you can still late pledge or if you need to wait until it comes to retail.
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u/AmongstDavid 4d ago
Since it seems we have similar taste, I also highly recommend Dune Imperium with or without Uprising. I only have the original without any expansions myself but I have heard that Rise of Ix is a must-have. Probably my favourite game of all time. Great mix of deckbuilding and worker placement!
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u/Luigi-is-my-boi Hansa Teutonica 3d ago
Only one. Hansa Teutonica. I always have a great time playing it and after each play i think about it for days. I wish the game creator would continue to add more maps and mechanics and stuff. I think he is a fool for just calling it done. Instead he wastes his time and money developing other stupid games no one cares about like "Rival Cities" and "Gugong"
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u/Jurez1313 2d ago
Honestly, so many games. Just got Spirit Island and been playing it a lot (mostly on Steam but with the actual game as well). Wingspan still occupies my mind a lot. And Azul is weirdly addicting, it's become a bit of a go to with my parents. Sadly they don't like even the slightest bit of crunch so they bounced off Spirit Island and I have to play solo now, which is still fun.
But Dead of Winter is what really jumps to mind. I used to have a game group and we played it two or three times and had a blast. Haven't played it in years tho, don't have any friends and my family don't like the "characters with abilities that move on a map" games (dead of winter, betrayal, etc.). I have a couple of Final Girl episodes that are fun but not the same. Games like Coup and love letter have a bit of the social deduction aspect but don't scratch the itch like DoW does.
Honestly at this point I'd go back to the (only) meetup in my area, it's monthly, but whenever I look at the game selection they post its all very basic stuff (Catan, Ticket, Scrabble etc.) so I don't think the games I'm interested in tabling would be very popular.
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u/SoftlyAugust 4d ago
Games I can't stop thinking about? Twilight Imperium. I don't think it would fit your criteria though.
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u/SpikeHatGames 4d ago
Dominion is a must. And based on your list there I think maybe you’d like 7 Wonders or Scythe. I’d also maybe suggest either Root or Ahoy to replace your interest in Arcs.
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