I was actually lookin to go into the board game business instead of just a hobby but chose to focus on acting instead.
I love board games!
2 player is always an oddity that eludes me, because there is infinitely better games out there for more than 2 people. The hard part is always getting more people to join. I'm like a golden retriever. Always ready to go play fetch or dig up squirrel carcasses or what have you.
So I'm sure you've played Stratego. I play it with my gf all the time. It's my favorite game of all time.
7 wonders plays pretty well as 2 player. I haven't played the dueling version you guys mentioned already.
The party games we play a lot if you ever have people over are:
Codenames: this one is by far the most heavily played and easily accessible one on this list. Where I REALLY like hidden traitor games, this one is perfect for the creative linking minds. It's rated #1 Party game on BGG (I think) and it deserves it. Because even boring old Cathy from accounting can play this game. It's not overbearing may strategic and it engages the mind. It can play as 2, but I'd recommend it as a 4 person minimum. Literally no limit on how many people can play.
Resistance- Avalon: this game is a variant on Resistance. It's heavily regarded in my circle as the more preferred game over its predecessor. It's bluffing, but with strategic selection and statistical analysis. Probably one of my all time favorite party games. Needs minimum of 5 people to play, but it is the most requested game when that many people are around. I've logged over 500 games playing this online, which, coincidentally, introduced me to online Mafia and how I found the Syndicate! So there's that.
One Night Ultimate Werewolf: this is a madness hidden role bluffing game. Games are super fast, and anyone can pick it up and play for their first time, with the help of a handy supplemental app on the phone. Much more chaotic than your standard fair, like Mafia, but always a fun time. Plays 3 minimum.
I'm also into RPG dungeon crawling/fantasy type games, and so I have a few on my list:
Descent 2.0: is a classic one on my list. Can be played with 2 minimum. Sprawling, miniatures, campaign questing. One player plays as the evil overlord, and the other(s) play as the good heroes attempting to achieve a quest. It really is a chess game with missions and die rolling. It's like D&D put to cards and pieces. It's not cheap, and it has expansions once the first campaign is done, but I have fond memories playing with friends on this game.
Lord of the Rings: the Card game: I have a bit of a tough time recommending this because inherently don't like the advent of collectible card games. You will spend money buying expansions for this. But the combat system and drafting system is so well crafted, and the stories you make up are so grand, I fall in love with it. Plays 2 people minimum.
Zombicide (and its expansions): this is another big box game that can cost $90 often times, but if you like the undead/zombie genre, then look no further. It's a dungeon crawly type of game that has you and up to 5 other people working to get out of town via specific missions. Each turn zombies spawn and attempt to come eat you, so you must scavenge for supplies and weapons to fend off the hoard and escape. Always a fun time, and I have specific gaming groups just interested in playing this game, it's such a fun time. Plays 2 minimum.
Game of Thrones: the board game: this is risk. But better, more composed, and more hepatic ally fun. Players are playing as one of the six major families working to conquer Westeros. But its has a timer and a real threat in the wildlings knocking on the door to the north. So will you put aside your petty differences to appeal to the Wall and save the kingdom or get greedy? Plays best with 4-6 people.
I have shit ton of games. And have played a bunch. And am always looking out for good 2 player games, though it's always hard to find ones with replayability
