Merchants and Marauders.
wow. Quite a slow first game as we got up to speed with all the various mechanics within the game - trade/combat/NPC movement. next games were reasonably fast and furious - but still took >3hours for a 4player game but it didnt feel like it. good fun with the obligatory bad pirate accents.
I assume the poster developing their own pirate themed game has played it - the combat mechanics do use dice with various modifications so there is an element of chance - I quite enjoy the elemnyt of chance in the various interations.
definitely worth the money in terms of £/hour of fun.
Has anyone played Villagers?
Not personally, but I believe there's a sequel recently released (Kickstartered?)
Currently I'm enjoying playing Aeon's End : War Eternal, which is a great deck builder... possibly beating Spirit Island as my favourite game.
And reading the rules for Fire in the Lake as I hope this is the next new title to hit my table... a bit heavier, but I'm hoping it proves to be a good for a brain workout.
Recent acquisitions:
Ticket to Ride
Exploding Kitten
...and I've just bought Citadels as I suspect that we'll be playing a lot of games over Christmas.
Carcassonne, Bananagrams and Port Royal still the favourites. Our Port Royal cards are getting a bit tatty after so much use.
As per the other thread we've been playing Dungeon Drop, it's really rather good!
book marking for later
One-man chess
I keep losing though 😕
( Must learn to search before starting a thread )
The wife and I currently have:-
Wingspan. Our favourite, Great artwork and fun to play, definitely gets better the more you play it, might be a bit dry for the younger generation.
Everdell. A bit more complicated than the above but with similar elements of gathering materials and card placement. Would be fun with more than two people
Sherlock Holmes consulting detective. We really love this, cooperative play, a bit unfair at times until you get to know the game. We will definitely be getting the two further games.
On order for my birthday is Mansions of madness, another co-op game with a horror theme and an app to help setup.
We haven't gone full RPG yet but we did briefly eye up Gloomhaven, but the £100 price tag put us off, also I see there's a new version of Descent on the horizon that will now utilize an app, £135....ouch
It's probably already on this thread but Pandemic is consistently in the top 10 lists, the wife refuses to even consider it though, can't blame her
If you want to play Pandemic but find the theme a bit uncomfortable, have a look at Forbidden Island. They're both from the same designer and Matt himself describes FI as "Pandemic Lite".
Some of the favourites in my family (wife and 10 y/o twin girls) include:
Mission Red planet second edition
The Quest for Eldorado
Camel Up
Skull
Hanabi
The Crew, the quest for planet nine
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
The Quacks of Quedlinburg
Biblios
Further to Cougars Forbidden Island recommendation I would also consider Forbidden Desert which again is by the same designer and shares similar mechanics but has a little more going on, it sits between island and Pandemic in terms of depth.
We’ve taken a good few recommendations from this thread over the Xmas break. Port Royal has probably been the favourite closely followed by carcassone (got the big box and working up through the expansions). Enjoyed Kingdomino and exploding kittens too.
Not seen Ingenious mentioned so far and that’s a big favourite of ours. Simple concept but can get very tactical towards the end of the game.
This will either inspire you, or put you right of board games 🙂
Link to a vid..
heroquest
Wow. Lasted 4 seconds before he got switched off!
Anyhow, we got Citadels over Christmas. Only played it once but it has potential.
Not sure if it has been suggested before (have only skim-read the thread), but if anyone likes the TV show Taskmaster I can highly recommend the game. Not quick to play, and can get quite messy, but lots of fun (especially after a few drinks)
@bigh If you are interested in Gloomhaven, but put off by the cost then Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is probably for you as it is roughly half the price, but still sounds like it is awesome!
Disclaimer; I have not bought or played either, but would love to.....
Thanks, another added to the list 😀
Played Just One last night. I really rate this, it’s a dead simple game which works well with a high player count and perfect for getting non-gamers gaming.
On the strength of that advice... I bought Just One yesterday in an attempt to lure my 8 and 10 year olds away from the Xbox...
Result! What a great little game. Whole family just spent a very happy couple of hours gaming. 7 to beat.... 🙂
Thanks @cougar
(-:
Right? First time I played it was with like 14 people over a big table, I came away frobbing the Internet for prices.
My absolute favourite genre of game is one that you can teach inside of a minute but then keeps folk scratching their head for ages. Beyond a four-player head count for families / casual gamers, Just One is a no-brainer here.
Your reply makes me happy, thank you.
Not sure if 7 Wonders has been mentioned yet. On the face of it the gameplay is complex but once learned, it is actually very simple. We are now at the stage of experimenting with different strategies to win...this is from someone who normally avoids board games...
hard to argue with that tbh 🤣Link to a vid..
heroquest
I haven't played the actual board game, but the computer version of Root is quite interesting, I'm playing on iPad, against computer and multiplayer.
It's complicated, each faction has its own rules.
HTRBM!
Anyway, Terraforming Mars.
Wow.
Quite complex, just played through for the first time and only really 'got' the scoring system toward the end.
Very nicely presented, good balance between several different elements - card management, allocation of funds, various side 'quests' that can swing the final outcome.
Biggest challenge for me was realising the extent to which the game can be closed down by those with an a decent advantage.
Very impressed.
The most complex game I've enjoyed so far, but not overwhelming by any means.
It all makes perfect sense and I'm looking forward to another bash.
Highly recommended.
Supposedly a fantastic game let down by poor quality components. I've never actually played it.
Did you get Catan to the table yet?
In related news,
If anyone's looking for a really light, family friendly / non-gamer friendly game, Tesco are kicking out a thing called Tension cheaper than anywhere else I've seen it. If you've ever seen the game show Tenable on TV it's basically that. You get a card with a subject which might be "car manufacturers" or "countries beginning with A" and ten answers, the other team then has an egg-timer minute to name as many as they can.
It's fluff, but it's fun accessible fluff and it's gone down a storm here. There's several spin-off games too like Tenable Food or Tenable TV. I've hoovered them up, stuck them all in the base box and house-ruled the addition a roll of a die to select which question category you get.
☝☝ typo, "Tension Food or Tension TV"
If anyone wants a used once Terraforming Mars game, send me a PM.
We're currently enjoying Catan with C&K expansion for when we don't want to think too much.
Brass Lancashire and It's a Wonderful World for when our brains are fresh.
Zombie Kidz.
Eldest's favourite.
Monopoly is a bit of a running joke within board game communities, but its single biggest problem is that everyone thinks they know how to play when in actual fact someone read the rules once back in 1927 and it’s been handed down by word-of-mouth ever since. Not playing by the actual rules is one of the reasons a game can last for a week
Our youngest loves monopoly. Good for his maths (he's six). It's pretty good for encouraging a bit of forward planning as well.
Standard rules - game done within an hour, usually.
The only minor mod we make is that auctions start at the ticket price. Prevents silliness ("nobody buys, everybody auctions, everything sells for £1")
We have got the Monopoly Deal card game for when we are in the camper, its good fun and doesn't take up much room
Supposedly a fantastic game let down by poor quality components. I’ve never actually played it.
Did you get Catan to the table yet?
Err, possibly a bit flimsy, but nothing outrageous. It belongs to a mate - there's talk of laminators and 3D printed pieces.
In Wales atm, also had a go at Potion Explosion, pretty good, nicely presented.
I'd have to have a few more goes before committing to it though.
Managed a quick go of Catan - love the sheep picture on the replacement tile!
I've really got into Star Realms. Deckbuilding that's simple yet complicated enough to hit the right notes for me. If anyone's up for some digital games give me a shout.
A mate bought Flamme Rouge, really good fun. Need to try it out with a couple more players.
I've got Star Realms on that Steam I think? Can't remember if it's just the free starter or the full thing. Like most of my extensive Steam library, I've never played it.
Managed a quick go of Catan – love the sheep picture on the replacement tile!
I don't remember that at all now. You'll have to send me a pic. If it's even remotely arty then it's almost certainly not my doing, might've been someone I lent it to. It's been round the block a few times has that set.
Thread Bump!
Is Cards Against Humanity any good?
If you enjoy Pandemic or any of the Forbidden Series, have a look at Burgle Bros.
The designer was inspired by Matt Leacock's games and acknowledges him in the game rulebook.
I think it's a better game.
A bit of Googling would suggest that Cards Against Humanity may not be particularly family friendly.
Any suggestions for a family game? We like Port Royal, Carcassonne, King/Queen Domino, Ticket to Ride, Citadels etc.
Something simple that you can play for an hour would be ideal.
Edit
Anyone played this?
Any suggestions for a family game?
Downforce - a great fun racing game and you can be very sneaky.
Burgle Bros as the link above.
Forbidden Island/Desert/Sky
Is Cards Against Humanity any good?
CAH's USP is that it's just Wrong. The idea is that you get a question, everyone submits an answer from their hand and the winner is voted on. I've just pulled three answer cards at random from my set and they were "used knickers", "foetuses" and "the Jews."
It can be hilarious with the right audience (and lots of alcohol). It can fall very, very flat. It is absolutely not a family game.
Apples to Apples is essentially the same game only kid-friendly.
Any suggestions for a family game?
What ages, player count?
12, 14 and adults. 4 of us.
I haven't played Jaws but I believe it's half-decent for what it is. The Works often boots it out for little money IIRC.
Exploding Kittens is quite family safe, although not with the NSFW pack added in.
My problem with CAH is that the game takes too long. It needs to be shorter so that it's finishing before you start to sober up.
Have got already Exploding Kittens 🙂
That weight at 4 players... Small World? Sagrada? One of the Azuls?
I got Mysterium for Christmas last year and rather like it, it's kinda abstract Cluedo. Often on offer in various places.
Again, I haven't played it, but there's a new Gloomhaven called something like "Jaws of the Lion," supposed to be a more accessible version of GH at a not-stupid price.
My problem with CAH is that the game takes too long.
You're not playing until you exhaust the entire black deck are you?
CAH is as long at you want it to be. I don't think there's an actual end-game win condition in the rules, even. Play until you've had enough or decide ahead "we'll have x rounds" and start with a black deck of x times player count.
Arriving tomorrow is Ticket to ride anniversary edition. I'm sure many here have already played it but I'll let you know my impression
I haven't played the 15-year Anniversary edition which I assume you've just bought, but I have the 10-year edition and a couple of regular ones. Ostensibly the Anniversary edition is exactly the same game only with nicer components.
It's a classic game, it's been a 'gateway game' for a long time for a reason.
Just bought Azul. Jaws looks a little "involved" for Boxing Day afternoon.
i'm trying to ride this thread too now as XMas approaches.
looking for party esque games for larger numbers of people (6+). with a realtively quick turnover per round. (so avoiding the traditional board game, 2 hr strategy etc)
others games that would work so more along this theme please?
Just One
Jungle Speed
Ligretto
Exploding Kittens
Perudo
secondly, has anybody played "Silver"? if I combine multiple packs, can I increase the player numbers like i can with exploding kittens? is it aimed at the 12 year market, or will adults be able to play and enjoy by themselves?
Cranium? That ticks your boxes so long as you've got an even number of players as it's up to four teams of 2 players each.
I don't have many higher-player count games, it's a it of a hole in my collection. Often it involves expansions. Carcassonne can be quick if you draw your next tile immediately after playing so that you have the rest of the round to think about it, but you'd need something like the Inns & Cathedrals expansion to give you a sixth set of meeple and sufficient tiles to keep it playable.
A roll-n-write maybe? Anything that has simultaneous play will mean that player count doesn't overly matter. It's not a party game exactly but, "Welcome To..." perhaps?
Perudo
I love Liar's Dice even though I'm terrible at it. I wouldn't class it as a 'party' game though due to the knockout mechanic.
Oh, Telestrations? That's basically Chinese Whispers meets Pictionary. Little downtime because everyone plays at once. I think that caps out at 8 players.
I'll ask in the FB group.
I love Liar’s Dice even though I’m terrible at it. I wouldn’t class it as a ‘party’ game though due to the knockout mechanic.
I taught people to play it by reducing dive count for higher numbers, and stopping the game once the first person was fully eliminated ensuring there were no people just hanging around.
Just to add to my own collection of similar games, SCRAWL is a good game for a reasonable number of people.
I don’t think Gloomhaven is expensive for what you get. I’ve probably enjoyed over 120 hours of gaming so far! And nowhere near the end of the campaign. Frosthaven is greatly anticipated!
Honestly, I've never played it (and would love to). I wasn't suggesting that it wasn't worth it, rather that it's perhaps on both the spendy and the heavy side for family gamers more used to Carcassonne.
gloomhaven is ace, mansions of madness is really good, zombioide is a good fun family fave
for lighter stuff
bears vs babies
happy little dinosaurs
munchkin
organ attack
for getring folks into co-op dungeon crawling with super easy gameplay, escape the dark castle is really jolly
I have Mansions of Madness, but never really gelled with it.
I have Eclipse 2nd edition arriving for Christmas. 🙂
Read the thread and not sure it's come up yet so. It's a little different but sweajnr (8) loves Labyrinth. Might be best for 10 and under but I know adults that play it as well (there's lots of subtle ways to make it easier / harder / longer / shorter)
For 4 players I would recommend Quest for Eldorado which is a deck building race game.
For 4-6 players Mission Red planet 2nd edition is a real fun role selection/area control game where you can really mess up other people’s plans.
Cheaper card base games we like include The Crew and Hanabi both of which are cooperative.
Sequence is a game we picked up before Covid to play with the elders. Sounds really dull but is actually pretty cool because you team up in pairs but can't confer, so you end up trying to win the game yourself while hoping your partner has cottoned on and starts helping, only to find they have their own ideas that screw you over. Simple to play, and the pressure ramps up if both/all teams are level towards the end.
+1 Forbidden Desert. We played three times as a foursome. Screwed up big time on the first attempt. Lost it on the penultimate turn on the second game - boy, was that frustrating. Then won it with 1 turn to spare on the third go. A really clever game and great for teamwork.
Pandemic is cool. We also have the Cthulu version but not got round to it yet.
Catan is surprisingly fun too. I think we have the basic/starter set.
Scotland Yard is great for kids because you have an 'invisible' baddie on the run and you X moves to capture him/her.
Sherlock requires a bit of lateral thinking, and is particularly suited to people who love words/saying/phrases.
FTR, monkey junior started playing all of these aged 8 and had no problem picking up the rules and getting stuck in. He's beaten us all at Catan and Scotland Yard, and contributed loads to the others.
Have Betrayal at House on the Hill in the loft, and will give it a go now junior is a bit older (11).
SmallWorld and Kings of Tokyo we wanted to get on with, but neither lasted a full game. Just didn't engage with either of them.
Sequence is a game we picked up before Covid to play with the elders.
Is that the one with the board of playing cards? I was visiting a friend once and I mentioned something about board games and she went, "oh, here's one we (her and her young son) really like!" and produced Sequence. I quietly rolled my eyes. Turned out, it was great! I got home and immediately bought the travel edition.
I’ll ask in the FB group.
Well, I got a lot of replies. Pick the bones out of this lot.
>>
SpyFall
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
>>
Happy Salmon, 1 pack 6 people, blue and green (2 packs) 12 people
>>
One Night Werewolf, Spyfall, Codenames, Dixit, Cockroach Poker.
>>
Wavelength
>>
I just bought Telestrations which accommodates 8
>>
I would check out Spaceteam and Ravine from Stellar Factory. The former literally takes 5 minutes to play but is really interactive and fun. Ravine is like Robinson Crusoe but much simpler and has an added madness mechanic thats hilarious!
>>
Skip-Bo
The Game
The mind
All play pretty quickly and nicely interactive for groups too.
>>
Decrypto (even numbers)
Telestrations (up to 8 )
Dixit (there’s a version that does 10 players) [this is Dixit Oddyssey I believe]
Camel up (up to 8 )
>>
Seconded for wavelength. It works great but requires splitting into teams. Also Monikers or fake artist.
>>
Growl, Codenames
>>
Cash n guns, Red November, wacky races.
>>
Shadow Hunters; Pitch Car; Crosstalk; Just One; Letter Jam; Decrypto; Concept; Monikers; Trapwords; Scrawl; Wavelength; Codenames; Magic Maze; Dixit (or anything using the Cards Against Humanity mechanic, including CAH, Apples to Apples, Joking Hazard, etc); Any social deduction games (Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, Antidote, Werewolf et al, Salem 1692, etc)
Balderdash; Wits & Wagers; Say Anything; Any team games (I included several)
>>
Camel Up, Cash N Guns, Jamaica (6), Decrypto,
>>
Anomia
>>
Fake That
>>
Dixit (with expansion for more players), Mysterium (7 players)
>>
Dixit!
>>
Herd Mentality
>>
6 nimmt, coloretto
>>
Saboteur!
>>
Telestrations, grabola and sushi go party are good fun for bigger groups!
>>
So clover, dead last, happy salmon
>>
Just one
>>
... to be continued!
Part the second. Comments in [square brackets] are mine.
>>
Dixit,codenames, apples to apples or cards against humanity for an older group
>>
Fake artist goes to New York or 6nimmt
>>
6 nimmit
For sale
Lamma
>>
7 wonders, 6 nimmt
>>
I always carry a copy of Zombie Dice with me. It's got no limit on numbers of players, easy to teach, and pretty quick to play.
Most times I've introduced someone to it they've wanted to play a second game immediately after the first.
>>
Go for Avalon Resistance simple rules but loads of interaction
>>
6 nimmt is great fun and No Thanks
>>
Bang!
>>
Cash n guns
>>
Dixit Odyssey is up to 12 players [aha, I was right!]
>>
Doodle dash ... is a great game for up to 7 players you will laugh a lot
>>
Cash & Guns always seems to go down well with a variety of ages
>>
[deep breath]
Best 8 player games we own: Pitchcar 9/10; Tsuro 8/10; Camel Up 8/10; 6 Nimmt! 8/10; Bang the dice game 8/10; Incan gold 8/10; 7 Wonders Cities 8/10; Midnight Party 8/10; Hexroller 9/10; Knaster 8.5/10; NMBR9 x2 9/10; On Tour with European Expansion 9.5/10; Skyjo 9/10.
Best 7 player games we own: 7 Wonders 10/10; Bang 8/10; No Thanks 8.5/10; Between two cities 8/10; Hoppladi hopplada 8/10.
6 Player games we own: Alhambra 10/10; For Sale 10/10; Medici 9/10; Medici the card game 9/10; Tiny Towns 9/10; Junk Art 8.5/10; Micropolis 9/10; Mi Tierra: New Ages 8.5/10; Doodle City 8/10; Patchwork doodle 9/10; Criss cross 9/10; Dodekka 8.5/10; Tumblin dice medium 9/10
[phew!]
>>
Secret Hitler is a good quick party game with simple rules
>>
Shifty eyed spies!
>>
Muse is a more party- game version of Dixit/Mysterium and is great fun.
>>
Throw throw burrito/avocado
On a scale of one to trex.
One night ultimate...
>>
Sushi Go Party
>>
Happy salmon
>>
Ghost blitz
>>
I liked Masquerade, Dixit, Deepsea Adventure and Bang for this kind of thing
>>
Concept is also great for drop in drop out play with large numbers of people
>>
I would personally reccomend any dobbles, taco cat goat cheese pizza, ghost blitz, chameleon, dutch blitz is the same as ligretto but it can size up to 8, telestrations x x youve got crabs and chameleon could take up to 20tbh
And finally, an answer to the other question:
"Silver - I wouldn't recommend it, but you probably could. It would be awful for downtime though, and info overload."
Out of that huge list, most I haven't played and many I've never even heard of! 7 Wonders is a solid classic but not really a 'party' game. Alhambra is nice and gentle, I didn't think it'd scale to 6+ players though? I'd have to check, there's a buttload of expansions for it so that might make it more scalable. Secret Hitler would likely work well and I think there's a free print & play version of it? Camel Up! crops up often in the group and gets a lot of love generally though I've not played it myself.
Bit late, but Cards against Humanity family edition is a free printable download here if anyone's interested.
This might be of use.
https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/292637/best-games-weight-and-player-count
Not a board game at all, but Dobble is a good giggle, quite competitive, multiple ways to play and each game is quick fire. There's different versions too - our nephew proper beat us on the Star Wars version as we didn't know the "modern" character names. Although ancient, always enjoyed Yahtzee and Trivial Pursuit.Cat is a fun drawing game and our German friend introduced us to Ganz Schõn Clever (that's pretty / really clever), numbers and strategy game that takes a bit of getting your head around, it's great though!
There is - of course there is, it involves people - a degree of snobbery in some corners about "old" games. I bristle a little at this. There's nothing at all wrong with Yahtzee, it's a classic. People ask for recommendations for a quick-to-teach 2-player game, no-one ever says Backgammon and it's about the best 2P game on the planet.
I've had my eye on GSC for a little while, it looks a bit like a modern implementation of Yahtzee and that's no bad thing. There's a sequel too but I know nothing about that.
For old games we still like a round ot two of "Sorry".
I once heard it described as "Ludo for ****s".
That is a gloriously perfect description. I'm totally stealing that.
Arkham Horror card game has just arrived about 5 minutes ago 🙂
Avoided it for ages as it looks like it could be a money pit with all the add ons, but couldn't resist in the Zatu sale.
Might give it a go after Strictly.
Have played Terraforming Mars a few times now and it just gets better.
A bit hard to get your head around initially, but there's so much depth to it, crazy.
Possibly getting Brass - Lancashire for Christmas,looking forward to that one too.
Anyone up for a North West gaming night?
Oh, another shout for Forbidden Island.
The 8 year old granddaughter is now properly addicted.
It's a great little game, 12 year old nephew asked for it for Christmas after playing it recently.
Not sure it has the replay value of Port Royal, but it's a game that changes depending on who you're playing it with. Well worth a pop.
Bristle away Cougar, Yahtzee is still one of my favourite games, good numbers game to teach kids to help them learn adding up, number patterns and a bit of strategy too.
Sequence is a game we picked up before Covid to play with the elders.
Is that the one with the board of playing cards?
Yep, sounds like it. Deceptively fun fo sho.
BTW I’ve just ordered Memoir 44 because junior now has interest in WW2 after studying it for this term’s topic.
It’s been on my radar for a while and always highly regarded so I figured we may as well give it a go. Lots of expansions available too.
Love citadels, going to try and bully the family into playing at christmas.
It never gets mentioned in these threads but I love, absolutely love London (2nd ed). Looks like a deckbuilder or a city builder, actually is a rube goldberg machine designer game in disguise. It's probably not a good choice for more casual gamers or family play but it always seems to go down well with Adults Who Board Game.
blanklook
Full MemberNot sure if 7 Wonders has been mentioned yet. On the face of it the gameplay is complex but once learned, it is actually very simple.
Yep. but don't get any expansions- it's not that they're bad, it's just that they throw away a lot of what makes the core game so good. Like one of those old GW games that started out lean and ended up drowning under all its bolt-on parts.
Some may scoff but my missus got Villainous (Disney) for her birthday and it's bloody good. With 5 players (of 6 with the basic set) it turned into a 3-odd hour game that my daughter damn near won at one stage (before I ruthlessly screwed her over, yes I'm a bad dad). With 2 players it's much shorter but still good fun. Can see that getting a fair amount of mileage. The win conditions and powers/limitations of each character are completely different so it keeps things interesting.
Cranium
There's a good way to fast track a holiday divorce. NEVER play it as a team with a significant other. Ever.
@sweaman2 By Labyrinth do you mean the MB (or whatever) game or the Movie game? We have the latter and it's definitely kid friendly.
@sweaman2 By Labyrinth do you mean the MB (or whatever) game or the Movie game? We have the latter and it’s definitely kid friendly.
I'm assuming it's the maze-like game where you find secret treasure by moving tiles around? We played that a fair bit when monkey jnr was maybe 6-9yrs. Simple and good for what it is. Enchanted is another where you hunt down 'secret' treasure. Requires more use of your memory than anything, but decent enough for kids.
Possibly getting Brass – Lancashire for Christmas,looking forward to that one too.
I badly want to play that. Birmingham is supposed to be the nominally better game but, eh, I don't live in Birmingham.
Anyone up for a North West gaming night?
Hell to the yes. Have you got space or do you want to do it here?
There are local gaming groups. There's at least one in Burnley, two I know of in Preston, and there used to be one in Ozzy. How active they are currently I'm less sure.
What are the top recommendations for 2 player games?
Mrs and I love Carcassonne, but everything else we've tried seems to work much better with more players. Even Carcassonne is better when you add the element of "are we co-operating or backstabbing here?".
"The Castle" is a specific 2-player version of Carcassonne.
And yeah, "Cutthroat Carcassonne" is a thing, but not a thing I'd recommend playing with someone you're hoping to have sex with in the near future.
What are the top recommendations for 2 player games?
Really like these 2.
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/119890/agricola-all-creatures-big-and-small
Talking only about 2P-specific games,
I was going to suggest Agricola:ACBAS myself. It was hard to find for ages, but there's a "big box" reprint now with the two mini-expansions included. I really like it, it's got a 'big game' feel in a small package, doesn't outstay its welcome and is a gentle introduction to worker-placement style games.
Similarly, there's a 2P twist on Caverna called Cave vs Cave. It's decent, but I prefer Agricola.
Kosmos do a range of 2P games in a similar size of box. They tend to be on the lighter side, I've not played them all because there's shitloads but I've yet to play one that's outright bad.
Rivals for Catan is a specific 2P game... let's say "loosely based on" Catan. Like the full game you roll a die, collect resources, spend resources to buy stuff, but it's a card game so your actual play area is wildly different from its big brother. It's good, but it's longer and meatier than the above.
And finally: Jaipur. I hated everything about this game from the premise to the artwork to... just everything, there was nothing about it that appealed other than people saying it was good. Then I found something that did appeal: the price when it went on sale. I impulse-bought it and, it is outstanding. Anyone with a passing interest in playing a card game at a 2-player count needs this in their collection.
On multiplayer games that scale well to 2P,
Dominion works well at any player count (well, above "one"). Sagrada is my new favourite "gateway" game and again player count is largely immaterial, the base game is 1-4 players. The baby Ticket To Ride games (London and New York) suit 2P as it's a much smaller board and faster game.
