<p>I would probably, between the two, suggest Forbidden Desert, as one thing it brings that Island lacks is specific balancing based on the number of players in the game.  Desert's analog to the "Flood Meter" from Island has different tracks based on the number of players.  Also, unlike Island, Desert supports up to five players as designed.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-13T00:04:10.767Z
2014-02-13T00:04:10.767Z
DopeGhoti
<p>Forbidden Desert does play well with two players, and is a bit less intimidating than Pandemic.  Just be warned that it is hard, even starting at the lowest difficulty level.  In comparison Forbidden Island is pretty much a cake walk as long as you know what you're doing.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-13T14:43:22.310Z
2014-02-13T14:43:22.310Z
bwarner
<p>Forbidden Island can be a bit tough with 2 players, mainly because of the hand limit restrictions. I've had mostly close calls at normal difficulty level.</p>

<p>So if you're playing with 2 players, I advise to just play 2 characters each.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-13T14:53:20.610Z
2014-02-13T14:53:20.610Z
Davio
<p>I introduced a colleague to <em>Pandemic</em>. He liked it and asked if I could recommend a similar game that:</p>

<ul>
<li>Plays well with two people, and</li>
<li>Will be a bit more approachable for his partner, who's new to games (and might find Pandemic a bit fidgety or overwhelming to learn).</li>
</ul>

<p>The first thing that came to mind is <em>Forbidden Island</em> (which I own and like) or <em>Forbidden Desert</em> (which I've been been hearing great things about). </p>

<p>Before I recommend it though, I've never played either with just two players. Does does (one or both) hold up well with two players?</p>

<forbidden-island><two-player><forbidden-desert>
How well do Forbidden Desert and Forbidden Island play with two players?
Jeff Fry
# How well do Forbidden Desert and Forbidden Island play with two players?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-02-12)

I introduced a colleague to *Pandemic*. He liked it and asked if I could recommend a similar game that:

* Plays well with two people, and
* Will be a bit more approachable for his partner, who's new to games (and might find Pandemic a bit fidgety or overwhelming to learn).

The first thing that came to mind is *Forbidden Island* (which I own and like) or *Forbidden Desert* (which I've been been hearing great things about).

Before I recommend it though, I've never played either with just two players. Does does (one or both) hold up well with two players?

**Tags:** forbidden-island, two-player, forbidden-desert


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-02-13. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

I would probably, between the two, suggest Forbidden Desert, as one thing it brings that Island lacks is specific balancing based on the number of players in the game. Desert's analog to the "Flood Meter" from Island has different tracks based on the number of players. Also, unlike Island, Desert supports up to five players as designed.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2014-02-13. Score: 2

Forbidden Desert does play well with two players, and is a bit less intimidating than Pandemic. Just be warned that it is hard, even starting at the lowest difficulty level. In comparison Forbidden Island is pretty much a cake walk as long as you know what you're doing.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2014-02-13. Score: 1

Forbidden Island can be a bit tough with 2 players, mainly because of the hand limit restrictions. I've had mostly close calls at normal difficulty level.

So if you're playing with 2 players, I advise to just play 2 characters each.


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