What are Duet or Duel Board Games?

Written by George Chrysostomou

When you think of game nights, you think of a big group of people getting together, contributing their own titles to the play pile, and bringing an array of snacks to munch on throughout the session. But not everyone wants such an extravagant evening full of so many players. Sometimes, a quieter night in can be just as much fun, with the right person. Whether it’s with a friend, partner, or family member, duet and duel games can help to shape a perfect board game night for two. 

What Are Duet & Duel Games? 

In their simplest forms, duet and duel games are any titles designed for two people to play. That therefore doesn’t include games that were created with more players in mind but are also accessible to a duo. While a classic title like Monopoly might be available for two people to play, the rules don’t specifically cater to that group size. Duet or duel games in comparison boast concepts and frameworks that are beneficial to a two-player setup. These titles take advantage of the smaller party size and find imaginative solutions to the problems other games may face in a more intimate environment. 

Duet and duel games don’t have to stick to a particular genre. Duet games are perfect for those who want to work together, featuring collaborative elements that avoid all the arguments and put the player’s best skills into a collective goal. But duel games are far more confrontational in their appeal and push two players into an all-out rivalry, with each having to outthink the other at every turn. Duet and duel games are not a new phenomenon, but the very concept seems to have received a recent boost. 

A Genre On The Rise 

The games industry has recently grown tremendously, as people rediscover their hobbies and find ways to reconnect. The duet and duel category in particular has hugely benefitted from that changing of priorities. The global pandemic led to new investment in duet and duel titles in particular, with players stuck at home and looking for games that would be perfect for a duo to interact with. That love for these kinds of setups hasn’t diminished, and now major designers are looking for ways to readjust pre-existing games to cater to that specific market. 

What’s happening now is that not only are there games being created that were always intended to be a duet or duel, but well-known titles are being re-released with a two-player twist. It’s, therefore, a good idea to keep an eye out on all your favourites, as you never know which one could be adapted to this new format. There are plenty of greats getting reinvigorated with this twist, and consequently getting rediscovered in a new way. Playing environments like board game cafes are particularly benefitting from these changes, with more customers now able to pick and play new titles without a barrier to entry. 

Returning To Classics 

Before looking at this recent wave of duet and duel games, it’s also vital to look back on the history of the format. We may not think about it, but many classic games were originally designed with two players in mind. We shouldn’t shun these timeless gems but instead should celebrate where the genre has previously been before following where it is heading. 

Games designed for younger audiences like Guess Who, Snakes and Ladders, and Connect Four are all classic examples of duel gaming in its most basic form. Strategy games like Chess, Battleships, and Backgammon catered towards a more mature audience, with their intellectual edge encouraging an alternative style of play. A huge variety of card games have also been adapted for a two-player setup including Gin Rummy, Cribbage, and Go Fish. Historically speaking, game nights have always had the option of being smaller in scale and some of these titles remain firm favourites. But these days the options are far more extensive.  

For a Chess alternative, try Quoridor (below).

Games Adapted To The Duet Form

The recognition that players want more two-player titles has resulted in familiar names receiving re-releases with a duet or duel twist. The recent launch of Splendor: Duel is a perfect example. The rules of the classic Splendor have been shifted, so although the chip, gem, and card collecting premise still remains, everything has been designed to specifically pitch you against your key rival. It might be a little more difficult, but Splendor: Duel is also far more compelling as an increasingly intense, competitive experience.

The sprawling title 7 Wonders is another that has undergone an update for a smaller group. The original title asked up to seven players to develop their civilization with the unique cards available, building those titular wonders and looking for success that can span over three ages. 7 Wonders Duel removes some of 7 Wonders’ mechanics, in a slightly smaller experience that still encourages the growth of an ambitious civilization. The competitive element is very much intact as is the gorgeous world-building, but the title is much more nuanced for its smaller crowd. 

Codenames, the game where simple answers became the catalysts for identifying the player’s secret agents from a line up, received its own remix. Now in the form of Codenames Duet, players work together to find those secretive personalities through shared intel, taking turns to progress through the limited clues available. 

An RPG like Dungeons & Dragons has also been given a duet makeover, with the Dungeon Master and party campaign member working together to move through a story, face down the vicious villains, and partake in a fair bit of dungeon exploration. Those more streamlined narratives are especially useful for someone starting out in the RPG world, who doesn’t want the pressure of joining in with a big group straight away. First Blush is a great introductory duet campaign to check out, but there are many more custom-made iterations to be found online. 

2 Player Board Games

Not every duel and duet title is an adaptation of a previous game though. Some are entirely conceptualised to promote co-op or competitive play among a duo. Jaipur is a stunning example. By trading and selling cards, players can collect fine fabrics, gems, and camels in an attempt to gather wealth. This competitive duel experience is fast-paced, easily accessible, and unlike anything else on the market. 

With gorgeous artwork and a tricky premise, The Fox in the Forest is another game to look out for. This fantastical concept sees players trying to outmanoeuvre one another with their most sneaky tactics, in a strategic card and token game that punishes the greedy and rewards the wicked. 

Related article: Fox in the Forest also has a duet version, so that you can play together instead of competitively!

Patchwork is another fan favourite that has risen in recent years thanks to its visual ingenuity and duel premise. With players fighting it out to build the best patchwork quilt, gamers are rewarded with points for the most aesthetic and efficient choices in the way they organise their designs. 

Whether it’s a duet or a duel title, there’s no better time to look into those gaming experiences that reward you for playing with a smaller crowd. Big game nights no longer have to be extravagant or full of new faces. Try out these and many other two-player titles the next time you want to create a perfect night in. 

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