'Town building' esque board games - 2 people - Suggestions?

SideWinder · 4 Nov 2022 at 10:14

I've done a bit of research but also value the OCUK community.

Tiny Towns gets a fair few mentions so leaning towards this one.

It'll be 2 people playing.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Dis86 · 4 Nov 2022 at 10:24

Although not a town building game, but more of a settlement building game have you considered Settlers of Catan?

dlockers · 4 Nov 2022 at 10:26

Dis86 said:
Although not a town building game, but more of a settlement building game have you considered Settlers of Catan?

I was going to post this. Seriously fun game with lots of expansions (y)

SideWinder · 4 Nov 2022 at 10:55

I haven't but heard its a bit heavy/complex?

I'll check YouTube for a review though and look again. I remember Yannis from Foals mentioning it (randomly).

Dis86 · 4 Nov 2022 at 11:19

SideWinder said:
I haven't but heard its a bit heavy/complex?

I'll check YouTube for a review though and look again. I remember Yannis from Foals mentioning it (randomly).

It's really not, looks it at first but read the rules and play a game or two and youll find its really simple. Absolutely cracking game, can be over in 30 mins, can take a few hours. As @dLockers says there are loads of expansions but i keep finding myself going back to the basic game and the seafarers expansion.

dlockers · 4 Nov 2022 at 11:27

SideWinder said:
I haven't but heard its a bit heavy/complex?

I'll check YouTube for a review though and look again. I remember Yannis from Foals mentioning it (randomly).

My 73 year old mum got the basic game super quick and she is pretty anti board game. It takes a minute to get your head around it but then it is super fun.

Efour · 4 Nov 2022 at 11:27

Settlers is easy the dice randomness gives it the luck factor. Which i base my strategy on

Dis86 · 4 Nov 2022 at 11:47

Efour said:
Settlers is easy the dice randomness gives it the luck factor. Which i base my strategy on

Lol. Definitely! It's always 5s coming up for me. Never 6s or 8s!

CrispyOtter · 4 Nov 2022 at 12:22

Machi Koro is great. 2-4 players in base game.

Efour · 4 Nov 2022 at 12:42

CrispyOtter said:
Machi Koro is great. 2-4 players in base game.

Is that the tuna boat one

Greboth · 4 Nov 2022 at 12:56

dLockers said:
I was going to post this. Seriously fun game with lots of expansions (y)

Plus I shall never not snigger at asking if anyone has wood for sheep

krooton · 4 Nov 2022 at 13:13

Maybe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcassonne_(board_game) ?

D.P. · 4 Nov 2022 at 13:19

SideWinder said:
I haven't but heard its a bit heavy/complex?

I'll check YouTube for a review though and look again. I remember Yannis from Foals mentioning it (randomly).

there is a kids version .

But no, the basic version without expansion quite , and there are really just 2 strategies. The best move at each stage is usually easy to work out, but of course there is random chances so yiu can try and think a few moves ahead.

it will take just 2-3 rounds to get a good idea and start thinking of tactics.

The good thing is there are loads of add-ons to make it more complex, and they all require new learning .

Ot is basically the gold standard in strategy board games

Nitefly · 4 Nov 2022 at 13:21

Brass Birmingham is very complex but probably my favourite board game. It’s like Catan + Ticket to Ride with the complexity increased by a magnitude of 3.

This review gets it spot on: it’s hard but it’s the right (and very best) kind of hard.

Nitefly · 4 Nov 2022 at 13:26

Also, Catan is 3 players minimum.

CrispyOtter · 4 Nov 2022 at 13:53

Efour said:
Is that the tuna boat one

In one of the expansions, yes.

Dis86 · 4 Nov 2022 at 15:28

Nitefly said:
Also, Catan is 3 players minimum.

I'm sure it's 2. I'll take a look when I get home.

Catan’s two-player rules and free mini-expansion released for COVID-19 lockdown

A new print-and-play mini-expansion for Catan and the board game’s two-player rules have been made available to download for free in response to the coronavirus

www.dicebreaker.com

Knew it!

tom_nieto · 4 Nov 2022 at 16:17

Nitefly said:
Brass Birmingham is very complex but probably my favourite board game. It’s like Catan + Ticket to Ride with the complexity increased by a magnitude of 3.

This review gets it spot on: it’s hard but it’s the right (and very best) kind of hard.

This looks amazing! Thank you for drawing attention to it.

LuckyBenski · 4 Nov 2022 at 16:51

krooton said:
Maybe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcassonne_(board_game) ?

+1 for Carcassonne; Easy basic game, advanced gameplay within a couple of sessions, upgrade packs available, scales nicely 2 players and above.

Nitefly · 4 Nov 2022 at 18:27

Dis86 said:
I'm sure it's 2. I'll take a look when I get home.

Catan’s two-player rules and free mini-expansion released for COVID-19 lockdown

A new print-and-play mini-expansion for Catan and the board game’s two-player rules have been made available to download for free in response to the coronavirus

www.dicebreaker.com

Knew it!

Even in that link it says 3-4 players

About Catan
Released: 1995

Players: 3-4

Rules complexity: Low

Strategic depth: Low

I’m going by what the box says

Granted it sounds like they’ve released some new rules during COVID to make a 2 player variant. Not sure you’lll be getting the usual Catan experience though!