This is my favorite genre of games (specifically cards on either side of a central "battlefield" like Battle Line and Hanamakoji). I own or have played almost everything in this genre. My favorite is Four Tribes and my wife's favorite is Hemlock. Great video
Mandala, Onitama and Hive (pocket) have been the most played games in our collection hands down. Perfect for taking the pub after a long walk with the dog
My favorite game in that department would be summoner wars at the moment but I will look into Riftforce soon because they announced an expansion next year.
If you like Summoner Wars, you might like Crystal Clans also by Plaid Hat. It defiantly has a “tug of war” feel but it is a bit more complex than Hanamakoji.
Oh…I almost forgot. Plaid Hat also created a short lived “tug of war” lane battling game called “Guardians” with a sort of futuristic super hero theme. I really like it. The heroes you choose combo together to create devastating moves than win location “lanes”
@@CB-yh3db I got this for an absurdly low price on Miniature Market without knowing much about it and it's really a lot of fun. The theme is essentially Overwatch and the hero abilities are great. If you want a lane battler with a bit more complexity than what's on offer in this video it's a great option.
Very cool video! Bought hanamikoji for a Christmas gift for my wife. She's a non gamer but likes small card games like phase ten! Perhaps she will like that.
OMG coming to this two years late but seeing a lot of games (or versions thereof) that are in my forever collection: Critters at War (Air Land Sea), Battle Line (Schotten Totten) and Blitzkrieg. Hanamikoji is one of my Holy Grail games. Thx!!
Great list. I own a few of these games. The most of this list Air Land and Sea was the second edition which has the explanation on the reverse of the theaters. I'm excited to learn there will be an upcoming expansion for this game. Great news.
Phew, almost thought you left out one of the best.. Air, Land, and Sea...but you have the Critter version there. I would add Fox in the Forest here. It's trick taking, but if you win too many hands in a round, you get less points, so there's a tug of war on which hands to take and which ones to lose, and sometimes you don't have a choice!
@@BoardGameCo I agree it's not my favorite either, I think this one is unique in that you need to make sure you don't win too many or too few hands in a round.
I'm excited to get Hanamikoji & Geisha's road from the KS! I have been interested in it for a while. I also will definitely be picking up Critters at war when it hits retail sites in New Zealand as it looks fantastic too. Air land and sea sounded good, but I was certain no one would play it with me. The cartoon art on the new version certainly helps with that.
Other Tug of War games would include Smash Up (I believe). Not sure but I think Smash Up qualifies, I don’t own it. The other Tug of War games would be “Crimson Company” and “Omen: Reign of War”.
I found everdell is so fun for 2 players. I played with my wife so many times and tho there’s a little problem with the card that you’re waiting for not showing up early enough and you need to be versatile with changing strategy, we feel it adds to the fun and challenging part of the game.
I own both Schotten Totten (Battle Line) and Hanamikoji and they are excellent. A friend just borrowed Hanamikoji to play with his wife and they just had to buy it right away (used, can't find it new in stock anywhere in Canada)
I highly recommend Caper: Europe given the games in this video. It combines the tug of war aspects you're talking about with some of the card placement strategy of Battle Line. Play may be a little long, but I suspect it's close.
Bought Royal Visit recently and it is FANTASTIC. It plays so quick and simply that once a friend understands it we can play multiple rounds in succession which is always a good sign for a game!
Great vid. I'd also be interested in a vid about 2 player games that are not that confrontational. When I play with my wife I prefer to not go go against her directly. I also don't mean coop games... hope it is kinda understandable what I meant.
Thanks for another great ep! Always forget to ask you: What is the game to your direct left, between Zombicide and Spider Goddess? Cover art looks wonderful!
Totally forgot another one that fits this criteria. “1066, Tears of Many Mothers”. An excellent game that has battle lanes. It’s fantastic. A bit longer than most of these but still good. And as I mentioned below “Guardians” by Plaidhat is also exceptional lane battler “tug-of-war” with it’s superhero “Overwatch” theme as someone put it.
I know that you're a fan of Watergate (or at least were); do you prefer these 5 (and/or rank them higher) to that one?... Just realized that the title of the video answers that question, so nevermind. You do have me taking a closer look at Riftforce. Good video Thanks!
Good choices. Battle lines sounds like Schotten Totten, which makes sense when you mentioned Reiner Knizia. Guess it was redone. We love Schotten Totten. I have the Air, Land and Sea version of Critters at War and it's a fantastic game we play at lunch at work regularly. 7 Wonders Duel is our favourite though. Have you played it? Still not too long, but longer than those you chose.
Yes, although games with variable characters I tend to be more wary of, as it's very easy for one player to learn it quicker and no more about how to play as or against other characters.
Mandala. Cut-throat 2p game that you can play in under 1hr, tense, cheap, in other words, perfect.
this is the one…it’s so so good
Mandala was excellent, but eventually I got rid of it, for some reason we didn't pull it out to compared to others.
This is my favorite genre of games (specifically cards on either side of a central "battlefield" like Battle Line and Hanamakoji). I own or have played almost everything in this genre. My favorite is Four Tribes and my wife's favorite is Hemlock.
Great video
I'll have to look into both of those.
Really love Hanamakoji and battleline. Mandala and star/hero realms would be on the list for me
Mandala, Onitama and Hive (pocket) have been the most played games in our collection hands down. Perfect for taking the pub after a long walk with the dog
Have played and enjoyed all 3 :)
Star Realms is a great 2P game & fits this genre!
My favorite game in that department would be summoner wars at the moment but I will look into Riftforce soon because they announced an expansion next year.
If you like Summoner Wars, you might like Crystal Clans also by Plaid Hat. It defiantly has a “tug of war” feel but it is a bit more complex than Hanamakoji.
Oh…I almost forgot. Plaid Hat also created a short lived “tug of war” lane battling game called “Guardians” with a sort of futuristic super hero theme.
I really like it. The heroes you choose combo together to create devastating moves than win location “lanes”
@@CB-yh3db I got this for an absurdly low price on Miniature Market without knowing much about it and it's really a lot of fun. The theme is essentially Overwatch and the hero abilities are great. If you want a lane battler with a bit more complexity than what's on offer in this video it's a great option.
I am really interested in Hanamikoji! Thanks for another great show! Happy Hanukkah!
Thanks Jim :) And yep, it's a great game.
Oeh Nice, I didn't feel battleline, but got or thinking about getting the others. So glad I let you think for me, even without knowing I listen 😁😜
All are really solid :-)
Very cool video! Bought hanamikoji for a Christmas gift for my wife. She's a non gamer but likes small card games like phase ten! Perhaps she will like that.
It's excellent :)
OMG coming to this two years late but seeing a lot of games (or versions thereof) that are in my forever collection: Critters at War (Air Land Sea), Battle Line (Schotten Totten) and Blitzkrieg. Hanamikoji is one of my Holy Grail games. Thx!!
Nice!
I finally got a copy of Hanamikoji! It truly is a beautiful and clever game!
Claim It! (2006) and The Rose King should be considered in this category. Both are great.
Great list. I own a few of these games. The most of this list Air Land and Sea was the second edition which has the explanation on the reverse of the theaters. I'm excited to learn there will be an upcoming expansion for this game. Great news.
Spites, Lies, & Supplies - a lot of fun (I was a playtester)
Phew, almost thought you left out one of the best.. Air, Land, and Sea...but you have the Critter version there. I would add Fox in the Forest here. It's trick taking, but if you win too many hands in a round, you get less points, so there's a tug of war on which hands to take and which ones to lose, and sometimes you don't have a choice!
I sadly haven't loved tricktaking :)
@@BoardGameCo I agree it's not my favorite either, I think this one is unique in that you need to make sure you don't win too many or too few hands in a round.
I'm excited to get Hanamikoji & Geisha's road from the KS! I have been interested in it for a while. I also will definitely be picking up Critters at war when it hits retail sites in New Zealand as it looks fantastic too. Air land and sea sounded good, but I was certain no one would play it with me. The cartoon art on the new version certainly helps with that.
Yep, a great game made more appealing.
Good video! I also really like CIA vs KGB, especially if you play with the same person many time.
Yes!
Other Tug of War games would include Smash Up (I believe). Not sure but I think Smash Up qualifies, I don’t own it. The other Tug of War games would be “Crimson Company” and “Omen: Reign of War”.
I found everdell is so fun for 2 players. I played with my wife so many times and tho there’s a little problem with the card that you’re waiting for not showing up early enough and you need to be versatile with changing strategy, we feel it adds to the fun and challenging part of the game.
I own both Schotten Totten (Battle Line) and Hanamikoji and they are excellent. A friend just borrowed Hanamikoji to play with his wife and they just had to buy it right away (used, can't find it new in stock anywhere in Canada)
The recent KickStarter may be allowing late pledges
I highly recommend Caper: Europe given the games in this video. It combines the tug of war aspects you're talking about with some of the card placement strategy of Battle Line. Play may be a little long, but I suspect it's close.
Alex have you played 13 Days? It's a 30-45 minute distillation of Twilight Struggle and is very much exactly a tug of war.
Sadly have not, but I've heard good things
Love Hanamikoji. Another good 2 player tug of war type game designed by Reiner Knizia is Royal Visit.
I'll have to take a look thanks!
Bought Royal Visit recently and it is FANTASTIC. It plays so quick and simply that once a friend understands it we can play multiple rounds in succession which is always a good sign for a game!
Looking forward to getting AL&S
Great vid. I'd also be interested in a vid about 2 player games that are not that confrontational. When I play with my wife I prefer to not go go against her directly. I also don't mean coop games... hope it is kinda understandable what I meant.
Great collection of quick overviews ;)
Riftforce Beyond releasing in 2022
Yep :)
Thoughts on Food Fight? Seems a lot like Air, Land and Sea with a little more crude whimsy.
I like this platform 👌🏽 thank you for the video
Happy to help :)
Thanks for another great ep! Always forget to ask you: What is the game to your direct left, between Zombicide and Spider Goddess? Cover art looks wonderful!
Totally forgot another one that fits this criteria. “1066, Tears of Many Mothers”. An excellent game that has battle lanes. It’s fantastic. A bit longer than most of these but still good. And as I mentioned below “Guardians” by Plaidhat is also exceptional lane battler “tug-of-war” with it’s superhero “Overwatch” theme as someone put it.
You keep taunting me with that SFB box in the back, im STILL waiting for my preorder to arrive halp
Tally Ho!
Raptor
Battleline
Tank Chess
Battle line is in this :) Raptor I liked but didn't love, and haven't tried the other two.
Great review, does Radlands trump them?
It gets added to them :) Not sure where exactly.
I know that you're a fan of Watergate (or at least were); do you prefer these 5 (and/or rank them higher) to that one?... Just realized that the title of the video answers that question, so nevermind. You do have me taking a closer look at Riftforce. Good video Thanks!
In the vid he says it wasn't short enough to make it into this list.
Hmm, missed that. Thanks for pointing that out, Arthur!
Have you player Cesar? I heard it's like blitzkrieg 2.0
Edit: you also mentioned it. Haha
Played half a round :) Waiting for the final game :)
Good choices. Battle lines sounds like Schotten Totten, which makes sense when you mentioned Reiner Knizia. Guess it was redone. We love Schotten Totten.
I have the Air, Land and Sea version of Critters at War and it's a fantastic game we play at lunch at work regularly.
7 Wonders Duel is our favourite though. Have you played it? Still not too long, but longer than those you chose.
It's the same game just different theme.
I think 7WD didn't fit the tug of war category beyond the military track.
7 Wonders duel is amazing, better than Blitzkreig in my opinion.
@@tomasxfranco Good point on the tug of war not fitting 7WD.
"Hanamikoji" is really good. But it bothers me that the ladies can only face towards one player. (I mean the artworks.) ;)
I hear that. Small thing, but still a nitpick.
Which one is your favorite? I currently own Blitzkrieg and Kickstarting Hanamikoji
Someone also mentioned 7 wonders duel in comments have that 1 too. Great game.
From these 5? Hard to say for sure, likely either Air, Land & Sea or Hanamikoji.
What do you think of Jaipur?
Really solid game but wouldn't make this list for me.
What kind of card sleeves do you use?
have you tried neuroshima hex?
Yes, didn't work for me sadly. I like it...didn't love it.
What about patchwork?
Do you know Exceed? I think it falls in the subject of this video.
Yes, although games with variable characters I tend to be more wary of, as it's very easy for one player to learn it quicker and no more about how to play as or against other characters.