8 of the Best Two-Player Board Games for ANOTHER 'Night In'

At this point, stay-at-home orders are nothing new. We are well aware of the importance of making every date night a "night in" (and if you aren't, then please consider helping this nurse out by doing your research and delaying your travel plans for another time). Although many of us are going a little stir-crazy, it's incredibly considerate to make your next date night a game night in. If you aren't entirely sold on the idea, PLEASE KEEP READING! Because although I make fun of my husband for purchasing two-player board games with a rule book thicker than the dictionary, there are more than a few hidden gems worth making an appearance at your next game night. Here's a list of eight 2-player board games that even I (a lover of "Sorry!" and "UNO") really enjoy.

8. Silver and Gold

Attention lovers of Tetris! Silver and Gold is a quick game, probably the simplest on this list rule-wise. But that doesn't mean it's lacking in strategy. Players take turns using different shapes to fill out their cards and gain points. Since players can gain additional points for crossing off coins and palm trees, it's really anyone's game until the final count! Although this is a perfect game for two, it can also go up to four players. So keep it in mind for when COVID finally ends and you can double date again. You can find this game at Walmart, Target, Gameology and Amazon for the same price: $14.99.

7. Splendor

This is another game for up to 4 players, but plays very well with 2! Acting as a merchant, trade and collect gems to purchase cards that may even win you the favor of nobility (bonus points, yay!). Like Silver and Gold, Splendor has simple rules but requires quite a bit of strategy. Once a player obtains 15 points, the game is over.

So although we all want to feel a little bit like Scrooge McDuck, you can't hang on to your gems for too long! The game can easily be found at Gameology ($49.99), Target ($35.99), Walmart ($32.39), and Amazon ($32.39).

6. Jaipur

If you found yourself being intrigued by or already enjoying Splendor, you'll probably have a similar interest in the 2-player game, Jaipur. This game moves even quicker than Splendor, making trades and selling goods before they run out (but don't worry, it's best two out of three, and having the largest herd of camels at the end of the round earns you 5 extra points). *This is probably the second easiest game to learn, behind Silver and Gold* You can find this game at Amazon ($39.95), Walmart ($29.95), Gameology ($24.99) and Target ($21.49).

5. Undaunted: North Africa

Lead your team of desert troops to various World War II battles, making sure to keep track of the Italian and American victories to find out who wins the war. Although it does seem like one side has a clear advantage in certain scenarios, every round also brings new cards and strategies to the table. This game is definitely worth the pricier purchase...as long as you're willing to read through a rule book that's almost as thick as the scenario book. Give it a try: Target ($39.95), Walmart ($27.99), and Amazon ($27.12) -- not sold at Gameology.

4. Cairn

Cairn is one that surprised me. When we were setting it up, I had low expectations for this game, it was giving me serious chess vibes (no thank you!). The actual board and pieces are very well themed: a duel between shamans that include the use of various megaliths to provide additional moves and powers to your tribe. Since a player only needs three points to win, this game flies by. But with new megaliths in each round, you can play over and over again (or at least best two out of three). Find it at Walmart ($29.75) or Amazon ($27.65) -- not sold at Gameology or Target.

3. Seven Wonders Duel

Back to the classics. This was probably the first two-player game that my husband forced me to play (he likes to think he's too good for"Sorry!" and "UNO"). With multiple ways to win (science victory, military victory, or just having the most victory points at the end), players must decide their strategy early on while trying to build the 7 Wonders of the World. With an expansion involving the gods (7 Wonders Duel: Pantheon), this game can become even more complicated (you're welcome). Get it at Target ($27.99), Gameology ($24.99), Walmart ($24.97), and Amazon ($24.97). If you love it, get the expansion (7 Wonders Duel: Pantheon) at: Target ($24.99), Walmart ($34.99), and Amazon ($24.99) -- not sold at Gameology.

2. Watergate

Date night doesn't HAVE to involve politics, but if it's going to then why not mention Watergate? Work for President Nixon to hide a great American scandal, or work for the Washington Post to try and expose it. Play your cards to gain the support of influential people and tack evidence to the board connecting Nixon to the crime before he gains enough support to keep his scandal under wraps. You can find it at Walmart ($35.00), Gameology ($34.95), and Amazon ($29.95) -- not yet sold at Target.

1. Horrified

FINALLY, number one! And (drum roll, please) it's a co-op game! Make your date night all about working together to protect your town and its citizens from some of the world's most notorious monsters: the creature from the black lagoon, the mummy, the invisible man, and more. Take turns moving around the town and collecting the necessary items you need to destroy the monsters. After each player's turn, draw from the monsters' deck to see how much damage they'll do to your town and its innocent citizens. Overall, this is a larger game with a longer set-up time, but it can also be played with up to 5 people, making it well worth the purchase at: Target ($29.99), Walmart ($23.99), and Amazon ($23.99) -- this game is currently sold out at Gameology.

Enjoy your next game night in!