Splendor Duel

Our first round of this game my wife and I found a bit clunky. By the second we were really coming around to it. Since then, literally playing it every night for the last week, for hours. The way the strategy evolves the more you play it is pretty addictive. It's competitive without being mean or nasty to each other (although I'm sure you could be). When you first start playing this game, you're only playing your own game each round. After a while, once you get familiar with the way to win and the strategy you start playing more against your opponent, making decisions to benefit you but also to hinder them. Honestly it's one of the best board games I've ever played with 2 people (I'm inexperienced though). Setup is quick, it's a tiny game so really portable, and I know it might not mean much to people but the little coins in the game are really good quality and have a nice tactile feel to them. Never thought I'd care enough about something like that to say it, but here we are.

Really love this game. It's in a nice compact box, the components are good quality. It takes a little while to fully appreciate the mechanics but it's a fun version of the game for two players.

One of our favourite board games. It’s fun as well as challenging and me and my husband always reach out for this game. Definitely recommend every household to get a copy as it’s money well spent.

My wife and I are always looking out for good 2 player games. We like this one a lot, its quick and easy to learn but has enough complexity to make it interesting over several plays. Its also nice and compact so easy to pack in a bag for a weekend break. As an aside my 13 year old loves this game.

A nice to player game of splendor with its own rules that make the game interesting and faster to play than traditional splendor.

What I Needed It For: I’m always on the lookout for good two-player games that are suitable for adults, particularly ones that can add some variety to regular game nights. What I Liked: * It’s a good game that’s easy to pick up and play * Not overly challenging, but it has enough going on to stay interesting over multiple plays with different outcomes * The components are well made and good quality * It’s compact and transportable, which is a bonus What Didn’t Work as Well: Nothing specific, it plays exactly as intended. It’s just not one of our absolute favourites, which comes down to personal taste rather than any fault with the game itself. How It Compares: Compared with other two-player games we own, this is a solid option rather than a standout. It’s the kind of game we’re happy to take out of the cupboard occasionally to mix things up. Final Thoughts: I’d recommend Splendor Duel if you’re looking to add some variety to your two-player game collection. Whether it’s a perfect fit will really depend on what you enjoy in a game, there are others I personally prefer, but there’s nothing wrong with this one at all. It’s well made, easy to play, and worth considering.

Something has finally ousted 7 Wonders Duel as the 2-player game of choice. 7WD is still going to get a lot of play-time (it's a great game), but Splendor Duel might actually just be better. Good mix of easy rules, high replay value, and opportunity for varied strategy. I consider myself quite good at these types of games and my record across the first 10 or so play-throughs was probably about 50% win-rate. Partner liked it so much she played it with family members who don't like board games. Word of warning: if you're highly competitive and don't like making mistakes that can set your opponent on a winning path, be prepared for longer games as you try to calculate all the possible outcomes of each move! As I always say in these reviews: it will go on offer! You will probably get your money's worth if you buy at full price, but be patient if you want it to drop a few quid. It will!

Absolutely brilliant game - even better than the 4 player version (which I loved). Would highly recommend!

Great two player strategy game, is more nuanced that Splendor. Very interesting and fun to play

It's a lot better 2 player game than regular Splendor, and it is quite charming and fun game. Phenomenal introduction to set collection, open drafting, and engine building mechanisms.

This is a great game for 2 people. You don't need to read so easy for my 11 and 6 year old to play together. I find a lot of kids games soul-destroying to play but I love this one. Can be played quite quickly and is neat to take away with you.

Good board game

Splendor Duel has quickly become one of our absolute favorite two-player games. It’s fast, strategic, and incredibly fun without ever feeling overwhelming. The gameplay adds a fresh twist to the classic Splendor formula with dynamic gem drafting, tighter head-to-head strategy, and gorgeous components that give it a premium feel at the table. It’s genuinely perfect for couples who want something competitive but still easy to replay night after night. Our copy arrived in perfect condition, and the cards, tokens, and board are all high-quality with vibrant colors and sturdy materials. Overall, it’s a standout addition to any board game collection.