Can you please recomend a good strategy boardgame?

Question

I am an old boardgamer that used to play a lot of Avalon Hill, Axis vs. Allies, and Risk, but has gotten away from it now that I have gone to college. I have decided that I would like to get back into it again, and would like some recomendations on what would be a good game to pick up.

Requirments:

1. Has to be playable (and still be fun) with 2 players

2. Has to have a playing time of under 3 hours. I love the game civilization (the board game), but 4 hrs in when you realize that you are only halfway done it starts to lose its enjoyment.

3. Has to have some strategy involved. I enjoy a good game of risk, but would like a game with more stretegy and less luck of the dice.

Some games I was considering: Risk Godstorm, Age of Mythology, War of the Ring, Vegas Showdown, Cosmic Encounter

Answer 1

Age of Mythology/titans or chess

Answer 2

Age of Mythology is awful. The combat system is basically and RPS with a lot of dice included. Vegas Showdown is average.. but the theme is pasted on. Risk: Godstorm is awful.. but so is every other Risk.

It seems like you used to play war games.. so I recommend Hammer of the Scots. It's a low complexity block wargame based on Scottish Independence. The gameplay is well integrated within the theme.. and the game has a high level of replayability. While there are dice in Hammer of the Scots.. the game is won and loss based on a player's overall strategy in the game. The game is actually 3 games in one. You can play the "Braveheart" scenario.. which covers 1297-1305. You can play the "Bruce" scenario.. which covers 1306-1314.. or you can play the entire campaign. Each game requires a different strategy.. and only adds to the replayability of the game.

Answer 3

My boyfriend enjoys the same sorts of games you do; if he were answering this question, he would suggest Descent, Tide of Iron, Twilight Imperium, War of the Ring, Game of Thrones, Age of Mythology, and Fury of Dracula.  (Unfortunately for him, I'm more into shorter Euro-games, so he has to sneak out of the house to play them!)

However, there are a few strategy games I've enjoyed (these are good 'starter games' to get your college buddies hooked, too):

Arkham Horror - based on Lovecraft's 'Call of Cthulhu' mythos. This game is playable with 1-8 players (yes, you can play by yourself), and while it can be really difficult to win, it's a *lot* of fun, especially if you get a good group of people. (as I said, I'm not usually into the longer strategy games, but I *love* this one!)

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/arkham...

Memoir '44 - two-player WWII-based game.  The game depends on rolling well, but there are still some good strategy elements to it.  What's nice about it is that you can play a game in about 60-90 minutes (if you want a longer, more in-depth war game, try Tide of Iron).

http://www.daysofwonder.com/memoir44/en/

BattleLore - this is a two-player (or four-player, if you break into teams) fantasy battle game.  It uses the fighting mechanics of Memoir '44, but with a number of added twists and more strategy (it introduces more card-playing elements, and relies a little less on just a roll of the dice).

http://www.daysofwonder.com/battlelore/e...

Pandemic - a cooperative game, in which players work together to stop the global spread of a disease.  (I haven't played this yet, but I've watched a number of podcasts/read reviews, and it sounds terrific!)

http://www.zmangames.com/boardgames/pand...

I also highly recommend combing through the Board Game Geek website & forums for more suggestions.  The people over there really know what they're talking about:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com

EDIT:

Since you asked about Avalon HIll games...

'Betrayal at the House on the Hill' is fun (not long, good theme, different every time, great for groups), but serious gamers find it too fluffy and can get bored after multiple re-plays.  Also, there were a lot of mistakes in the initial printings, so be sure to get the FAQs & corrected manuals.  

I've only played 'RoboRally' once, but with SERIOUS gamers who knew how to keep it moving; I had a great time.  With the wrong crowd, this could over like a lead balloon--there's a lot of details to keep track of, and I see it getting bogged down & players falling asleep.  Then again, this one's been around a long time (it was re-printed in 2005), and is generally well-liked.  Doesn't strike me as the sort of game you're looking for, though.

Answer 4

Ever heard of chess?

Answer 5

I'd have said Renaissance (best Avalon Hill game ever) but it is minimum 3 players (4 to 6 recommended), and takes more then 3 hours...

If you want a strategic, but basic game go with Settlers. You can play a game in 15-20 minutes, with 2+ players... Luck helps (as goes with all dice games), but strategy is important... If you want longer games, there are several expansions to add to it, making it more complex.

Answer 6

Keep it at around 3H gives you a lot of options....

I would suggest:

Power Grid

Tigris and Euphrates

Caylus

Race for the Galaxy (this one usually takes 15 min per play)

Shogun (considering all the risk you mentioned, this may be a natural evolution)

Imperial

Antike (a 2H Civiliation game)

Through the Ages (great for 2players - 90 or so minutes)

StarCraft the BoardGame (avoid 6 players to stay under 3h)

I think this is a good list to start with...

Answer 7

I have got some great games you will love

1) memoir 44- Less than an hour, many different scenarios and loads of fun

2) Wings of war- Airplane dogfighting game, 2 to 10 players and play is quick

3) Axies and Allies- War at Sea- This game is a little hard to find but still good

4) Ticket to ride- Capture the railways to win the game

5) Carcassone- A great tile laying game where you capture areas and try to get points by making your area as large as possible

6) Blokus- The portable edition is best for 2 players, and the 4 player is even better but hard to find 4 to play

Go to www.charlescabell.com where I have lots of links (In my yahoo group) and in the games section. Also check out www.boardgameswithscott.com

Answer 8

These are both 2+ player games to be played quickly.

Simply Catan®

Exclusively Created for SimplyFun

Welcome to the unsettled Island of Catan. Using combinations of resources - wood, brick, wheat, wool and ore - players build, barter and trade in this family strategy game. The faster you build roads, settlements and cities, the more points you earn towards victory. Clever trading, lively negotiation, and the luck of the dice add to everyone's fun and enjoyment. Once you start playing you won't want to stop.

Kayak Chaos™

Go with the flow

Ready, set, PADDLE! Be the first to maneuver your kayak up, down, and across a river that you build as you go! But be careful - rocks and competing kayakers are bound to stir up some chaos!  

Also why don't you visit a local board game group.

Answer 9

A simple game that comes to mind is Battleship.  Maybe not quite what you are looking for as far as challenging.  But who knows you may like it.

Answer 10

Stratego is a 2 person game all about strategy...it can be played usually in under 1/2 hour

Risk

Backgammon

Hold Em or any other poker game

My personal favorite is Hungry Hungry Hippo, although not quite what you are after

Answer 11

Chess, the best game of strategy there is.