When I’m searching for cooperative board games for two players, I want games that give both players an equal amount to do throughout each game. I also want these games to be challenging, at least a little thematic, and, of course, they need to be consistently fun! Luckily, there are now quite a few co-ops for two that check those boxes.
Most of the games you’ll find on this page can be played with more than two players. In my opinion, they are best as two-player co-op games and they are the games that hit the table the most when it’s just me and one other person. You could also look at it as a list of great board games for couples since I know many of you are looking for games for you and your partners.
Note: I decided not to include games that I think provide better experiences at other player counts. If you’re looking for a broader selection of co-ops that work at various player counts, take a look at the Top 40 Cooperative Board Games list.
Let’s get to it! Below are some of the best cooperative board games for two players!
10. Unlock!
Players: 1-6 | Ages: 10+
Unlock! is my favorite co-op escape room game system, especially at the two-player count. I like it best at two because there isn’t so much going on that you need more than two people working on the puzzles, but it’s still a lot of fun working with another person to try to solve them.
I’ve always thought it was awesome that these games play so well with just two players, giving us an escape room experience without needing a big group. That being said, if you’re looking for escape-room-style family games, Unlock! also works for larger groups.
Some Unlock! games have been better than others, but I haven’t had a bad time with one yet. Heroic Adventures is my favorite Unlock! set, but I always recommend picking the theme(s) you’re most interested in.
Read our Unlock! review
9. Paleo
Players: 1-4 | Ages: 10+
Paleo is a cooperative adventure board game where players work together to survive in the prehistoric era, gathering resources and completing missions to secure their tribe’s future. It has a unique card-selection system, it is very replayable thanks to the different modules it comes with, and it looks great on the table.
I am a huge fan of exploration board games, and Paleo is one of the best co-op games at the two-player count in that genre. It’s also very solid as a three-player game and is pretty good with four players, but two players is definitely its sweet spot.
If you’re looking for a two-player adventure game that requires a lot of cooperation, you’ll probably be a big fan of Paleo.
Read our Paleo review
8. One Deck Dungeon
Players: 1-2 | Ages: 14+
It might surprise some gamers to see One Deck Dungeon so high on this list, but I’ve been a huge fan of it for a while now and everyone I’ve played it with has had a great time playing it, as well. It is a fantastic solo or two-player cooperative dice game that I prefer over most of the bigger dungeon crawlers out there. It’s mostly all about chucking dice, but that doesn’t prevent the dungeon-delving, boss-fighting theme from coming through.
One Deck Dungeon is one of the best co-op games for two if you want a quick and challenging fantasy game with a heavy amount of tactical gameplay and cooperation. Also, its portability makes it great for travel or quick gaming sessions.
If you’d prefer a space/sci-fi theme over fantasy, check out One Deck Galaxy.
Read our One Deck Dungeon review
Get your copy of One Deck Dungeon
7. Chronicles of Crime
Players: 1-4 | Ages: 14+
In my opinion, if you’re looking for a two-player cooperative detective game, Chronicles of Crime is still the best there is. I do think Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is the better game overall, but I prefer playing that one with three or four players since those cases are pretty complex and there is more for everyone to do.
I like Chronicles of Crime best as a co-op for two players because you can just pass the phone back and forth to scan cards and search the crime scenes. It’s also one of just a few storytelling board games that work well at this player count.
If you end up enjoying the base game, there are a lot of new cases available using this system, including the ones found in the excellent expansions, Noir and Welcome to Redview.
Read our Chronicles of Crime review
Get your copy of Chronicles of Crime
6. Sky Team
Players: 2 | Ages: 12+
Sky Team is a unique two-player cooperative game where you and your teammate are a pilot and co-pilot, working together to land a plane. Communication is limited, so you’ll rely on careful planning, quick decisions, and a shared understanding of your roles.
I went into Sky Team with pretty high expectations, and it still managed to exceed them. The tension builds with every turn as you get closer to the runway, and those “aha” moments when you and your teammate sync perfectly are so satisfying.
Sky Team is simple to learn, offers massive replay value (20 different airports), and is a challenging puzzle to solve. If the aviation theme interests you at all, Sky Team is a co-op board game for two that you need to try.
Read our Sky Team review
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5. The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game
Players: 1-2 | Ages: 13+
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game is easily one of the top two-player card games around. It’s one of the best adventure games because of the great mix of locations, the distinct characters, and the amazing artwork. I do think it plays better with two players than as a solo game, but solo is awesome, too.
If you like deck construction and enjoy strategic games with a strong narrative, The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game is an awesome option. It’s especially great for those who want a game that feels epic in scope without needing a large group or hours of gameplay
Journeys in Middle-earth is another solid two-player option for The Lord of the Rings fans, but I prefer that one at higher player counts. I own and love both games.
Read our The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game review
Get your copy of The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game
4. Codenames Duet
Players: 2 | Ages: 11+
I really don’t think you’re going to find a better cooperative word game than Codenames Duet right now. In this game, you work together to give and guess one-word clues to find all your agents while avoiding the assassins, making every turn a tense and exciting puzzle.
You’ll want to check out Codenames Duet if you like word games and/or deduction board games, or if you just want to add one of the best lightweight two-player co-ops to your collection. This is also the game I’d recommend if you’re specifically looking for board games for couples since you don’t have to worry about a theme working for both of you.
I think I’ll still be playing Codenames Duet semi-regularly many years from now because it’s one of the best filler games around and I don’t think anything will scratch the same itch at the two-player count.
Read our Codenames Duet review
Get your copy of Codenames Duet
3. Spirit Island
Players: 1-4 | Ages: 13+
Spirit Island is an excellent cooperative area control game that has been in my regular gaming rotation for years. Your goal in this one is to figure out how to use your spirits’ powers to push colonizers off your land. It’s a complex game since each spirit plays quite differently and you have a pretty crazy puzzle to work through, but that just makes winning feel more rewarding. It also has a really cool theme that you won’t find in any other board game.
Spirit Island is one of the best co-op board games around, and it works very well at all player counts. I just like it best as a two-player cooperative game because it hurts my brain just a little bit less trying to make two spirits work together rather than three or four. It’s probably best as a two-player board game for adults, but some younger gamers will be able to handle it.
Read our Spirit Island review
Get your copy of Spirit Island
2. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Players: 1-4 | Ages: 14+
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a cooperative dungeon crawler set in the Gloomhaven universe where you work together through tactical combat scenarios. Using a brilliant card-based action system, you’ll battle enemies, complete quests, and develop your characters’ unique abilities as you progress through the campaign.
Jaws of the Lion is awesome all the way up to four players, but I prefer to play it as a two-player co-op because the pacing seems perfect at that player count. There’s way less downtime with two, so both players can be fully engaged throughout each scenario.
If you want a longer campaign with even more content, the original Gloomhaven (or Frosthaven) is worth considering. For most people, though, I think Jaws of the Lion strikes the perfect balance of depth and manageability.
Get your copy of Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
1. Aeon’s End
Players: 1-4 | Ages: 14+
Deck building is one of my favorite board game mechanisms and Aeon’s End is the best deck building game that I’ve ever played. It’s number one on this list because I’ve played it as a two-player game many times and all of those games were great experiences. The deck building is very satisfying and its spell-casting mechanism is just awesome.
Aeon’s End is the game to get if you’re looking for a two-player fantasy board game, a great deck building game, an awesome co-op card game for two, or you simply just want to get any great cooperative game that is known for working well with two players. It definitely checks all of those boxes.
Aeon’s End is one of the best co-op board games you can get, and it’s been my personal favorite two-player co-op for a while now.
If you’re interested in this game, I’d start out with either the original Aeon’s End or Aeon’s End: War Eternal. If you end up loving the system, you can then get Aeon’s End: Legacy or the excellent Aeon’s End: The New Age (adds in a campaign system).
Read our Aeon’s End review
What are your favorite two-player cooperative board games? Any that weren’t on the list?
Be sure to also take a look at our Best Cooperative Board Games list and our other board game rankings.
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How does Unlock compare to Exit? Have you seen the one buy the guys that did Subterra?
Unlock! is just a deck of cards and an app, while Exit has cards and some other components that you use/manipulate to solve the puzzles. Both series have some great puzzles, but Unlock! has given my group more consistently fun experiences. I recommend checking out both of them, though, if you think you’d enjoy escape room games.
I’m really looking forward to playing Crypt X! It has a great look to it.
Crypt X, that’s the one. Yeah I’ll have to pick one up of each. I’ve been playing Adventure Games series by Kosmos. More like the point and click games rather than escape games. Very good though.
I’ve heard you can play Aeon’s End solo – how true is that?
A lot of people like it as a solo game, but it’s really tough with only one mage. You want those synergies, so you’ll probably want to play with at least two mages.
The game is actually much easier with only one mage, especially since cards that refer to allies now refer to you. This is an amazing game by yourself or with others!
Some of the nemeses are definitely playable (and enjoyable) with only one mage, but against others (especially the deck manipulators) I think it’s better to have multiple mages so you can spread out the pain. 🙂
Stuffed Fables