This is probably the best "top 10" video I've seen, not necessarily for the content but for the perfect mix of solid production values, great video length and aesthetic, nice dose of humor, and excellent narrative efficiency. Extra props for concisely describing gameplay in just a minute or two (a serious deficiency in most videos), while still capturing the feel of the games.
+Aaron Aguilar Thanks Aaron - I really appreciate your comment. I had hoped to keep it concise and still capture the feel of games, so I'm glad it worked.
+Actualol any chance you might revisit this topic again in 2016, maybe? Coincidentally, I bought some of these games last year, and they were perfect for our gaming sessions. We need more suggestions?! (:
Yes, there is quite a good chance I will make another video about couples games later this year. I have some couples games I'd like to talk about, and there was a number of interesting 2 player games that came out last year that I want to try. I can't really do another "Top 10", what do you think to a couples games round-up? Perhaps where I review 5 potential couples games and talk about whether they're any good, and who might like them? Then, if that video is a success I could make a semi-regular video. What do you think? Any other thoughts welcomed :)
You are one of a few rare breed of content creators that is likable, posts good videos, and doesn't make asking politely for a like, sub and follow a demand like so many others. You my good sir, deserve so much more, but as I can't give more through my screen I'll at least give you a like and a sub! :D
Thank you so much for setting up the games!! Its surprising how many Board Games specific channels are just holding the box whilst giving a non-specific description of the game. This is what I was looking for. 5th channel in.....Just finished watching; the enactments alone are worth subscribing. Great video!
Thanks for the efforts! The act is hilarious and the recommendation of games is decent with every reason well explained, hope to see more works of this kind from you!
We bought CV thanks to your recommendation and had a blast with it yesterday! Indeed a fantastic game for couples. Love your videos, funny and informative!
Very insightful comments and the first boardgame reviewer I've watched that is actually and genuinely funny, instead of just trying. Great work, keep it up. Subscribed
Dear friend, that was one of the best board game related videos I've ever seen. Thank you for introducing me to these games - I'm afraid I now want all of them! Thank you
Wow this video is amazing. I need to try these games to fully judge, but I love the way you analyze the different games, the dimensions you consider (amount of stress / tension / ...) and what makes the game great or better than older games (e.g. Patchwork vs. Scrabble). Definitely going to try CV, Paperback, Arboretum and Sherlock. Thanks so much for spending time to do that!
Loved the style of this video :-) I also adore CV; the artwork, the dynamics, everything! Another brilliant thing is the constant replay-ability, and that anyone can play it (like non-gamers at a dinner party) it's truly universal. There is a version of Carcassonne called "The Castle" which is specifically a 2player game which looks like fun with the external wall dynamics - Rahdo did a run through of it. He's also done one of a game called Musee, which is similar to Arboretum, but you have an art gallery to curate instead :-) I also know what you mean about Hanabi (having played it once with a couple and another friend) haha! Thanks for the great video, now I'm off to check out more of yours! x
Persephone Constantine Cool, thanks Persephone! I've enjoyed your videos in the past - I remember you mentioned Hive was good for dates, I need to try that one out, maybe it should be on this list.
+Persephone Constantine I got sick of pandemic really quick. I like the dice version better but I even got sick of that one. I Looove your number 1 choice and completely agree. That Sherlock Holmes game is a refreshing treat. It is unlike any game I have ever played.
Love this video very much :). Gives me a lot of ideas for similar games. My girlfriend and I have been getting a lot of mileage out of Star Realms, if you haven't played that. Probably our favorite 2-player game; fantastic interactive deckbuilding though it is by its nature combative.
Such a fun video and well done! I agree with most of your choices and learned about some new-to-me games. I would add: 7 Wonders Duel, Codenames (as 2P co-op), Pagoda, Isle of Skye, YINSH, Burgle Bros, Karuba, The Builders: Middle Ages, Forbidden Desert, Cities.... so many good titles.
I like to play board games with my husband and our absolute favorite is monopoly deal - it's the only game we haven't got sick of after a few plays. I don't like the regular monopoly but we find the card game really fun. And thanks for your videos I love all of them!!
Amazing !!!! My top couple games are - Patchwork - Through the Ages - Blueprints - Quatermaster General - Small World - Runewars - San Juan -Concordia + Salsa A hug from Rio, Brazil ! Your videos are top ! Continue , please !!!
+leonardo balbi Thanks! Nice list - you clearly have no problem going head to head with your partner if you're playing Quatermaster General and Smallworld!
Great video with some great choices. I would add Jaipur, Star Realms, Mr. Jack, Sushi Go! and the brand new Tides of Time to the list. All of them (except Sushi Go!) are designed for two players and lots of fun.
Very nicely produced video I was surprised that it is only the third on your channel. Overall, the games you picked were too light for our taste and we were also surprised that many of them were two player only. According to our experience two player only does not necessarily mean that it is the best for couples. From two player games we would have added Targi to the list which is an excellent worker placement game from the KOSMOS two-player series. From 2+ games Dungeon Petz, Imperial Settlers, and Progress - Evolution of Technology work wonderfully with two. Thank you for your video.
Really fun video and great picks. You kept me watching. We also like Hive, Jaipur, Jambo, Azul (all variations) and Kahuna. And don't forget CodeNames Duet.
We've been looking for some new games and found a few new ones to try here - so thanks! We've been playing Azul, Quixx, Rummycube (a classic) and just picked up a few new ones: Jaipur and The Fox in the Forest are pretty good. Thanks for the suggestions.
We bought Agricola ACBAS, Arboretum and others off the back of this video (yep, 5 years later!). Both are fantastic, and my BGG rating for Arboretum is a 10 - it's my favourite game. Thank you. Patchwork is fun and was worth getting, but it ran out of steam quite quickly for us.
I never really like, subscribe or make a comment, but your video was informative, funny and most importantly NOT annoying, so I done all 3. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Thanks for the video...now I have even more games to buy. I'd like to also throw Lost Cities out there (we play it nearly every week) and Innovation (works great for 2, 3, or 4).
Great video jon, your style and comedy made me subscribe. i agree with alot of the games on your list so ill be trying arboretum. I recommend castles of mad king ludwig for you and your gf !!!!
Thanks! I don't have a partner but I do have a son and I am always looking for 2-player games to play with him. I am definitely going to check some of these out.
Great video! Thank you very much. We still have to try Arboretum, Longhorn, Fungi, 7 Wonders Duel and Targi (and pretty much all games you show in your video that are not listed bellow...life is far too short!). My wife and I like (and have) these games: - Carcassonne (+ several expansions) - Hive (+ all expansions) - Famiglia - Jaipur - Musée - Tikal - EDO - Medina - Ticket to Ride Nordic Countries - Cacao - Hanabi - Venture
+Rinaldo De Lucca Awesome thanks for the tips! I will check them out with future videos in mind. I enjoy Fungi and hope to feature it on my next couples games video :)
+Dan Maxwell I recently tried the Lost Cities board game for two players and I thought it was better than the card game in many ways. I love the card game though. I think Battle Line is a lot like Lost Cities except better because it is much more strategic.
Great list, now fast forward into the future, and I would add Santorini. It’s not relaxing, it’s more “mean” as you are always blocking your opponents with domes, but it’s like a more fun version of chess, and plays much faster. A game takes 15 minutes tops. And at the end of each game, you have a cool looking city that looks unique every time.
Nice. I just started getting into board games two weeks ago. I tried getting my wife into video games, but it was too much for her, so I found an alternative: board games. I didn't realize how many board games there were beyond Monopoly. So far, our collection consists of Photosynthesis, Ticket to Ride, Santorini, Patchwork, Hive, Kingdomino, and Forbidden Island. Out of those, we like Santorini and Patchwork the best. I see you recommended Agricola Creatures Big and Small... It's out of print. Is the "Family" edition of Agricola the same thing? I would try the full game, but i think it's too big of a step for my wife right now. Thank you very much.
Sounds like your collection is pretty great already! I'm always excited to hear about people who have just got into board games. I would actually hesitate recommending Agricola All Creatures Big and Small nowadays. It's fine but I prefer many other games for couples. Check out my two other videos Couples That Play Together and The Dating Games for more games that I'd recommend. To answer your question though, Agricola Family Edition is longer and more involved than ACBC. But probably still relatively approachable. (I've not played it).
Hubby and I used to play two player Dominion. Sometimes for a couple of hours, like five different rounds or more. We have several of the expansions (I MIGHT have a problem when we play with Platinum...buying so much of it, though I do win that way sometimes) so we can refresh the game with things that haven't come out in a while. It's nice too, there are apps on your phone that can randomize you a deck set with the expansions you actually have.
Completely agree with Patchwork, it's surprisingly enjoyable on every front. Can you make a top 10 solo games list? I'd be interested to see what you recommend. Thanks!
I've bought Dominion for couples as a gift and they love it. there is a bit of competition sometimes, but the ever changing cardpool means you'll never play the same game twice. plus you can plug in more cards because they'll never stop making expansions for it.
Love the list. Arboretum is on my wishlist now. Recently I've also fallen in love with The Lost Expedition, because it can be played both cooperatively and competitively in a 2 player game, depending on the mood :)
+Chris Garrett Really? That's interesting. Do you play with the Prisoners Dilemma variant for 2 player Dead of Winter? Or just straight co-op? I love that game, but never played 2 player.
Straight Co-op, it turns into more of a resource management game than anything else. Oddly enough she found Pandemic confusing, but enjoys the theme of Dead of Winter enough to learn the game even though it basically becomes a resource game. When it's just the 2 of us we don't use secret objectives or anything, just try and survive the core game.
+Chris Garrett Cool. Yeah, the core game is easily hard enough to survive without objectives complicating it even further - so I can imagine the difficulty is high enough. May have to try it one day - so many other great co-op games, though!
+Actualol as a total side note my brother made a game called Random Encounters. If you're looking for a fantastic co-op Indy game to review let me know and I'll send over a copy!
Love this video, Mainly because our gaming group use the term genu-LOL. ActuLOL drew me in. On a more serious note, It's one of the best constructed BG reviews I've watched. Every holiday we take Lost Cities, Battle Line, ACBAS and San Juan as standard. Particularly love San Juan as you can expand it should you generate interest in the bar! For gaming at home we've found Castles of Burgundy plays excellent as a couples game and is probably our top pick. Keep up the good work.
Came to this video from a newer one that recommended it, only to find that most of the Amazon pages no longer exist. I haven't gone out of my way to check other retailers yet, but if these games are still in print, I think it'd really help people if you'd update the links in the description to places you can actually purchase them.
Pro tip, you can get Arboretum cheaper on eBay. It usually sells for about US$20. US$30 is just too much for a card game, IMO. Regarding your list, this video is what got me to subscribe to your channel. You add light humor to excellent reviews. It's a great combination.
FYI the publisher of the revised Sherlock Holmes - Ystari - released new cases centered on Jack the Ripper and West End, 10 in total. They are available in French, however will be translated to English next year.
Some that weren’t o your list and my wife and I love to play are Star Wars Rebellion (it sits on the table for a few days as we play two to four rounds a day - yes, it is that long), Lords of Waterdeep (her favorite worker placement), Potion Explosion, Sagrada, Suburbia, and Planes
Great video, it made us laugh out loud! We love Carcassonne and are looking forward to trying some games higher up the list. I think your 'partner' needs to work on her flirting.
I love the Game, Hanabi (although that's better with more people) and Pandemic. Sherlock Holmes is top of my Christmas list :) Can you tell my partner doesn't like competition? ;-) One game I somehow never hear mentioned is Codenames Duet and that might be my absolute favourite two player game. It allows for so many creative connections to be made (and missed) and you can laugh about them together even if you don't make your mission. The world map also allows you to pick a difficulty setting that matches the mood of the players. Love it!
Found this video via the G&S website. Great list of recommendations. One small note I'd point out is that with Pandemic you recommended that players might be interested in checking out the In The Lab expansion, but it should be pointed out that the In The Lab expansion does say it requires the On The Brink expansion. This is especially true if you do want to get the most out of the In The Lab expansion. If you wanted to mitigate some of this confusion you could've maybe suggested the new State of Emergency expansion. As for my own recommendations. I'd say Lost Cities: The Card Game would be a good one. Easy to learn, fun to play, and can definitely fester some tension. Such as, do I discard this card that doesn't help me but helps my opponent or do I discard this card that will help me but not my opponent all because I want to keep everything else I have. Another possible recommendation would be 7 Wonders (especially with the Cities and Leaders expansions). I know the game might have a bit of a learning curve but I find the core mechanics are easy to understand it is learning all the symbols that is the challenge. I think once you get through that initial unfamiliarity with the symbols then you can really play the game and really have fun with it. Plus the game does work well with extra players.
Thanks for the clarification. From what I've played of In The Lab I haven't needed OTB, but that's because I've only played it two players and never with the purple cubes.
This is probably the best "top 10" video I've seen, not necessarily for the content but for the perfect mix of solid production values, great video length and aesthetic, nice dose of humor, and excellent narrative efficiency. Extra props for concisely describing gameplay in just a minute or two (a serious deficiency in most videos), while still capturing the feel of the games.
+Aaron Aguilar Thanks Aaron - I really appreciate your comment. I had hoped to keep it concise and still capture the feel of games, so I'm glad it worked.
I concur. This is the best top 10 board games video I’ve seen and stands the test of time.
Thanks for all the positive comments, everyone! I'm glad so many people enjoyed the video and I'm super excited about working on my next one.
+Actualol any chance you might revisit this topic again in 2016, maybe?
Coincidentally, I bought some of these games last year, and they were perfect for our gaming sessions. We need more suggestions?! (:
Yes, there is quite a good chance I will make another video about couples games later this year. I have some couples games I'd like to talk about, and there was a number of interesting 2 player games that came out last year that I want to try.
I can't really do another "Top 10", what do you think to a couples games round-up? Perhaps where I review 5 potential couples games and talk about whether they're any good, and who might like them?
Then, if that video is a success I could make a semi-regular video. What do you think? Any other thoughts welcomed :)
Hello again, any possible updates on this new video yet?
+nuke On my next couples video? It should be along in the next month or two. Sorry for the wait!
Patchwork
Watching this in 2023 & your humor is still awesome
2024
2025
You are one of a few rare breed of content creators that is likable, posts good videos, and doesn't make asking politely for a like, sub and follow a demand like so many others.
You my good sir, deserve so much more, but as I can't give more through my screen I'll at least give you a like and a sub! :D
Wow, thanks! If I could give more than a comment like back, I would!
Love love love your approach to discussing board games man. Keep up the good work!
One the the highest video quality about boardgame out there on youtube. Thank you.
Thank YOU!
Thank you so much for setting up the games!! Its surprising how many Board Games specific channels are just holding the box whilst giving a non-specific description of the game. This is what I was looking for. 5th channel in.....Just finished watching; the enactments alone are worth subscribing. Great video!
Thanks for the efforts! The act is hilarious and the recommendation of games is decent with every reason well explained, hope to see more works of this kind from you!
Thanks for this. It's very helpful. I also liked your little vignettes, which were funny while clarifying your points. Keep up the good work!
We bought CV thanks to your recommendation and had a blast with it yesterday! Indeed a fantastic game for couples. Love your videos, funny and informative!
+lior mk Great news! Glad you enjoyed it.
Great video, man. Love all your suggestions and your vids are entertaining and informational. Gotta get your viewer count up, man! Good luck to you.
Very insightful comments and the first boardgame reviewer I've watched that is actually and genuinely funny, instead of just trying. Great work, keep it up. Subscribed
Thanks - glad you like it!
Omg! This video had me cracking up! This is one of my favorites on your channel!
You did a fantastic job with these mini reviews. Very refreshing.
+Leonardo Teixeira Thanks Leonardo, I hope to make many more Top Ten videos in the future.
Dear friend, that was one of the best board game related videos I've ever seen.
Thank you for introducing me to these games - I'm afraid I now want all of them!
Thank you
You're welcome! Thanks for your kind words.
Great video! Well produced, funny, and you know the right games!
Wow this video is amazing. I need to try these games to fully judge, but I love the way you analyze the different games, the dimensions you consider (amount of stress / tension / ...) and what makes the game great or better than older games (e.g. Patchwork vs. Scrabble). Definitely going to try CV, Paperback, Arboretum and Sherlock. Thanks so much for spending time to do that!
Loved the style of this video :-) I also adore CV; the artwork, the dynamics, everything! Another brilliant thing is the constant replay-ability, and that anyone can play it (like non-gamers at a dinner party) it's truly universal.
There is a version of Carcassonne called "The Castle" which is specifically a 2player game which looks like fun with the external wall dynamics - Rahdo did a run through of it. He's also done one of a game called Musee, which is similar to Arboretum, but you have an art gallery to curate instead :-)
I also know what you mean about Hanabi (having played it once with a couple and another friend) haha!
Thanks for the great video, now I'm off to check out more of yours! x
I really liked this. Your comments are useful. You also like a lot of my favorite games so now I want to try the other games you suggested.
Persephone Constantine Cool, thanks Persephone! I've enjoyed your videos in the past - I remember you mentioned Hive was good for dates, I need to try that one out, maybe it should be on this list.
+Persephone Constantine I got sick of pandemic really quick. I like the dice version better but I even got sick of that one. I Looove your number 1 choice and completely agree. That Sherlock Holmes game is a refreshing treat. It is unlike any game I have ever played.
Dude, excellent job! Seriously. Perfect video.
Thanks! If you liked that, check out my more recent videos like this one: th-cam.com/video/JzsHIDw7adE/w-d-xo.html
I watched your video and bought CV. BEST RECOMMENDATION!!! My friends and I love this game and cannot play it enough while laughing nonstop.
Amazing! Thank you for sharing, I'm glad I could you find a game you loved 🙂
Love your work, creativity and tongue in cheek humor! Subscribed!
I've just loved it!!! So funny and so explanative! Congrats!
+Taysa Accardi Thanks Taysa :)
Great video! We also enjoy playing Ubongo Duel and Yinsh. Cribbage is great for 2 players too, even if it is a "grandma's game" :)
+Phebe Kemmer Cool, thanks for tips! I haven't played either of those first two. :)
Best "Top Games" review on TH-cam. Epic job man :)
Fantastic list, and fantastic video! I loved the Scrabble bit. Subscribed!
+Flying Penguin Thanks! Welcome aboard!
This is the best video about board game I have ever watched, soo entertaining, informative, funny and to the point. Hats to you sir
That's very kind of you to say! Check out my more recent videos for more of the same style!
I learned about you from "this game is broken". your channel is really good. Im impressed
Great list! I like the links in the description, although I bet that was monotonous. Thank you!
Love that you take care of your cards :)
It's an obsession! Cards are for life, not just for Christmas!
Love this video very much :). Gives me a lot of ideas for similar games. My girlfriend and I have been getting a lot of mileage out of Star Realms, if you haven't played that. Probably our favorite 2-player game; fantastic interactive deckbuilding though it is by its nature combative.
nice video! nice editing and thank you so much Actualol
You make some of the best board game content. You're up there with SU&SD for me.
Loved your video. It was very enlightening and entertaining. Can't wait to see more. Thank you!
Been dying to find something different to play with my husband. Thank you!!
Such a fun video and well done! I agree with most of your choices and learned about some new-to-me games.
I would add: 7 Wonders Duel, Codenames (as 2P co-op), Pagoda, Isle of Skye, YINSH, Burgle Bros, Karuba, The Builders: Middle Ages, Forbidden Desert, Cities.... so many good titles.
Great video and wonderful recommendations. I'm looking forward to hearing more from you. Cheers.
I like to play board games with my husband and our absolute favorite is monopoly deal - it's the only game we haven't got sick of after a few plays. I don't like the regular monopoly but we find the card game really fun. And thanks for your videos I love all of them!!
VasseurBeauty that is a fun game!
Great games and great video. Keep up the terrific work!
Timothy Hiehle Thanks for the encouragement!
Absolutely tremendous. More, please!
Amazing !!!!
My top couple games are
- Patchwork
- Through the Ages
- Blueprints
- Quatermaster General
- Small World
- Runewars
- San Juan
-Concordia + Salsa
A hug from Rio, Brazil ! Your videos are top ! Continue , please !!!
+leonardo balbi Thanks! Nice list - you clearly have no problem going head to head with your partner if you're playing Quatermaster General and Smallworld!
Great video with some great choices. I would add Jaipur, Star Realms, Mr. Jack, Sushi Go! and the brand new Tides of Time to the list. All of them (except Sushi Go!) are designed for two players and lots of fun.
Great video. Here are some of my favorite 2-player games:
Fjords
Carcassonne
Agricola - all creatures big and small
Hive
I have just found your channel and I really enjoyed this video, you are really funny! You are such an actor :D
Very nicely produced video I was surprised that it is only the third on your channel. Overall, the games you picked were too light for our taste and we were also surprised that many of them were two player only. According to our experience two player only does not necessarily mean that it is the best for couples. From two player games we would have added Targi to the list which is an excellent worker placement game from the KOSMOS two-player series. From 2+ games Dungeon Petz, Imperial Settlers, and Progress - Evolution of Technology work wonderfully with two. Thank you for your video.
Really fun video and great picks. You kept me watching. We also like Hive, Jaipur, Jambo, Azul (all variations) and Kahuna. And don't forget CodeNames Duet.
This is a great list, and has several of our favorites to play together! I think we'll have to try Arboretum now, it looks stunning!
Great video, couple of games I've not heard of which I'm going to look for :)
Great video. can't wait to see more.
We've been looking for some new games and found a few new ones to try here - so thanks! We've been playing Azul, Quixx, Rummycube (a classic) and just picked up a few new ones: Jaipur and The Fox in the Forest are pretty good. Thanks for the suggestions.
Awesomeness! I love this video!!
We bought Agricola ACBAS, Arboretum and others off the back of this video (yep, 5 years later!). Both are fantastic, and my BGG rating for Arboretum is a 10 - it's my favourite game. Thank you. Patchwork is fun and was worth getting, but it ran out of steam quite quickly for us.
I really enjoyed your review, good stuff mate...
Bro, your short on Arberitum is hilarious 😂
I never really like, subscribe or make a comment, but your video was informative, funny and most importantly NOT annoying, so I done all 3. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Thanks for the video...now I have even more games to buy. I'd like to also throw Lost Cities out there (we play it nearly every week) and Innovation (works great for 2, 3, or 4).
Great video jon, your style and comedy made me subscribe. i agree with alot of the games on your list so ill be trying arboretum. I recommend castles of mad king ludwig for you and your gf !!!!
+themanlympics Thanks for the tip! Let me know how you get on with Arboretum. (And thanks for subscribing!)
Earned yourself a sub with this video pal, really funny.
This video is Fu'larious! Keep up the good work!
Thanks! I don't have a partner but I do have a son and I am always looking for 2-player games to play with him. I am definitely going to check some of these out.
Great video! Thank you very much. We still have to try Arboretum, Longhorn, Fungi, 7 Wonders Duel and Targi (and pretty much all games you show in your video that are not listed bellow...life is far too short!).
My wife and I like (and have) these games:
- Carcassonne (+ several expansions)
- Hive (+ all expansions)
- Famiglia
- Jaipur
- Musée
- Tikal
- EDO
- Medina
- Ticket to Ride Nordic Countries
- Cacao
- Hanabi
- Venture
+Rinaldo De Lucca Awesome thanks for the tips! I will check them out with future videos in mind. I enjoy Fungi and hope to feature it on my next couples games video :)
"If we lose our jobs as fireworks experts its gonna be all your fault." LMFAO so true about Hanabi.
Exploding Kittens and Lost Cities - Card Game seem to be our favorites at this time
+Dan Maxwell I recently tried the Lost Cities board game for two players and I thought it was better than the card game in many ways. I love the card game though. I think Battle Line is a lot like Lost Cities except better because it is much more strategic.
Great video. Love the look of Carcassone but was lead to believe it is a 3 or more player game.
thanks for your advice. I bought all the games and it is the best list I got. thanks alot
Great list, now fast forward into the future, and I would add Santorini. It’s not relaxing, it’s more “mean” as you are always blocking your opponents with domes, but it’s like a more fun version of chess, and plays much faster. A game takes 15 minutes tops. And at the end of each game, you have a cool looking city that looks unique every time.
Fast forward into the future, and I raved about Santorini in this video: th-cam.com/video/pXaDTbJqGxw/w-d-xo.html Looks like we agree! :)
Nice. I just started getting into board games two weeks ago. I tried getting my wife into video games, but it was too much for her, so I found an alternative: board games. I didn't realize how many board games there were beyond Monopoly. So far, our collection consists of Photosynthesis, Ticket to Ride, Santorini, Patchwork, Hive, Kingdomino, and Forbidden Island. Out of those, we like Santorini and Patchwork the best. I see you recommended Agricola Creatures Big and Small... It's out of print. Is the "Family" edition of Agricola the same thing? I would try the full game, but i think it's too big of a step for my wife right now. Thank you very much.
Sounds like your collection is pretty great already! I'm always excited to hear about people who have just got into board games.
I would actually hesitate recommending Agricola All Creatures Big and Small nowadays. It's fine but I prefer many other games for couples. Check out my two other videos Couples That Play Together and The Dating Games for more games that I'd recommend.
To answer your question though, Agricola Family Edition is longer and more involved than ACBC. But probably still relatively approachable. (I've not played it).
Hubby and I used to play two player Dominion. Sometimes for a couple of hours, like five different rounds or more. We have several of the expansions (I MIGHT have a problem when we play with Platinum...buying so much of it, though I do win that way sometimes) so we can refresh the game with things that haven't come out in a while. It's nice too, there are apps on your phone that can randomize you a deck set with the expansions you actually have.
exploding kittens is a must! so is star realms. but only if the two of you are competitive
Funny and informative thanks!
Completely agree with Patchwork, it's surprisingly enjoyable on every front. Can you make a top 10 solo games list? I'd be interested to see what you recommend. Thanks!
I'm afraid I'm not much of a solo gamer. I like Onirim, but I play it 2 player.
Awesome video! Now I need to buy CV.
Great video. We played Battle Line and it was fun.
I've bought Dominion for couples as a gift and they love it. there is a bit of competition sometimes, but the ever changing cardpool means you'll never play the same game twice. plus you can plug in more cards because they'll never stop making expansions for it.
Scrabble killer - LOL - the fact that you can score more through short words in Scrabble IS one of its bonuses
You make a very sweet and sympathetic woman
+BobbySoFamous lol
OMFG, I was just going to say that his girlfriend has a deeper voice than him. I didn't even realize at first...
Your take on Scrabble was very funny
Love the list. Arboretum is on my wishlist now. Recently I've also fallen in love with The Lost Expedition, because it can be played both cooperatively and competitively in a 2 player game, depending on the mood :)
NPI led me here, so happy to have made the trip. Hilarious!
Dead of Winter is one of our favorite couple games along with Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective.
+Chris Garrett Really? That's interesting. Do you play with the Prisoners Dilemma variant for 2 player Dead of Winter? Or just straight co-op? I love that game, but never played 2 player.
Straight Co-op, it turns into more of a resource management game than anything else. Oddly enough she found Pandemic confusing, but enjoys the theme of Dead of Winter enough to learn the game even though it basically becomes a resource game. When it's just the 2 of us we don't use secret objectives or anything, just try and survive the core game.
+Chris Garrett Cool. Yeah, the core game is easily hard enough to survive without objectives complicating it even further - so I can imagine the difficulty is high enough. May have to try it one day - so many other great co-op games, though!
+Actualol as a total side note my brother made a game called Random Encounters. If you're looking for a fantastic co-op Indy game to review let me know and I'll send over a copy!
Ooh, dastardly dirigibles is a fun 2 player game too!
We love your list! Sherlock is our number one too! :D
I have to say it's funny that pandemic is #2 on your list and I'm watching this during a global pandemic lol
Love this video, Mainly because our gaming group use the term genu-LOL. ActuLOL drew me in. On a more serious note, It's one of the best constructed BG reviews I've watched.
Every holiday we take Lost Cities, Battle Line, ACBAS and San Juan as standard.
Particularly love San Juan as you can expand it should you generate interest in the bar!
For gaming at home we've found Castles of Burgundy plays excellent as a couples game and is probably our top pick.
Keep up the good work.
Very funny! My husband and I loved your video!
Thanks!
Came to this video from a newer one that recommended it, only to find that most of the Amazon pages no longer exist. I haven't gone out of my way to check other retailers yet, but if these games are still in print, I think it'd really help people if you'd update the links in the description to places you can actually purchase them.
Few of my favorite couple games:
1. Castles of Burgundy
2. 7 Wonders Duel
3. Lords of Waterdeep
Looking forward to check out Patchwork from your list!
If you haven't yet, you should definitely try Carcassone: Castle. It's 2 player Carcassone with a twist.
Yeah, I really want to check that one out.
Love it! Your partner is super cute. ;)
Pro tip, you can get Arboretum cheaper on eBay. It usually sells for about US$20. US$30 is just too much for a card game, IMO.
Regarding your list, this video is what got me to subscribe to your channel. You add light humor to excellent reviews. It's a great combination.
Currently $17 on Amazon
FYI the publisher of the revised Sherlock Holmes - Ystari - released new cases centered on Jack the Ripper and West End, 10 in total. They are available in French, however will be translated to English next year.
Great job on his video, you are hilarious!
Some that weren’t o your list and my wife and I love to play are Star Wars Rebellion (it sits on the table for a few days as we play two to four rounds a day - yes, it is that long), Lords of Waterdeep (her favorite worker placement), Potion Explosion, Sagrada, Suburbia, and Planes
I'm a single dad and have been looking for games for my son and I to play. Thanks for the ideas!
+Bill Baran No worries, glad to be of service!
Great video, it made us laugh out loud! We love Carcassonne and are looking forward to trying some games higher up the list. I think your 'partner' needs to work on her flirting.
"[Pandemic] is an experience that will bring you closer as a couple. It's a stress that you have to overcome together."
Cries in 2020.
Great video, i would add, Fog of Love, Santorini, and Photosintesis
"The Game... why have I been playing all the other games while I could have been playing THE game?" hahahah :D :D
Wonderful video!
(You should share your coat. It's unfair, you can't always be Sherlock!)
I love the Game, Hanabi (although that's better with more people) and Pandemic. Sherlock Holmes is top of my Christmas list :) Can you tell my partner doesn't like competition? ;-)
One game I somehow never hear mentioned is Codenames Duet and that might be my absolute favourite two player game. It allows for so many creative connections to be made (and missed) and you can laugh about them together even if you don't make your mission. The world map also allows you to pick a difficulty setting that matches the mood of the players. Love it!
Found this video via the G&S website. Great list of recommendations. One small note I'd point out is that with Pandemic you recommended that players might be interested in checking out the In The Lab expansion, but it should be pointed out that the In The Lab expansion does say it requires the On The Brink expansion. This is especially true if you do want to get the most out of the In The Lab expansion. If you wanted to mitigate some of this confusion you could've maybe suggested the new State of Emergency expansion.
As for my own recommendations. I'd say Lost Cities: The Card Game would be a good one. Easy to learn, fun to play, and can definitely fester some tension. Such as, do I discard this card that doesn't help me but helps my opponent or do I discard this card that will help me but not my opponent all because I want to keep everything else I have.
Another possible recommendation would be 7 Wonders (especially with the Cities and Leaders expansions). I know the game might have a bit of a learning curve but I find the core mechanics are easy to understand it is learning all the symbols that is the challenge. I think once you get through that initial unfamiliarity with the symbols then you can really play the game and really have fun with it. Plus the game does work well with extra players.
Thanks for the clarification. From what I've played of In The Lab I haven't needed OTB, but that's because I've only played it two players and never with the purple cubes.