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Wonderful two player variant of Classic Blokus - best way for 2 to enjoy that I've foundJul 19, 2010
There are a ton of variants for playing a normal game of Classic Blokus with only 2 players, but none of them have seemed entirely satsifactory for me. When I want to play Classic Blokus, I just need 4 players (or at least 3). My favorite method for 2-player Classic Blokus is to reduce the 20x20 square to 16x16 and then play opposite corners. It works well enough, but it's annoying to have extra squares you cannot use around the game board.
Blokus Duo solves a bunch of those problems. To start with, the board is only 14x14 instead of 20x20, so there is a lot less space to play with what appear to be the same number of pieces. As I said, I had been playing a 2-player version of Classic Blokus on a reduced 16x16 grid, so 14x14 makes it far more challenging. Also, having a real-grid with no "ignore" region makes the game much more fun.
Second, instead of starting in the corners, you start near the middle. Conflict starts almost immediately between the players. I found that strategy in Blokus Duo is much different than Classic Blokus, despite the nearly identical rules. In Classic Blokus, I almost always use up all my pieces (yeah, I'm that good). In Blokus Duo, I often find I'm just trying to have the fewest squares left as "going out" is very difficult.
In terms of quality, the game board is about the same gray plastic as the full Blokus gameboard. I greatly appreciate that they used 2 brand-new colors (orange and purple) instead of just copying 2 colors (blue, green, yellow, red) from the 4-player Classic Blokus game. With a house full of kids, I like that if I find a lost piece somewhere, I know which game it should go to. Also, the Blokus Duo pieces seem a little "beefier" than the Classic Blokus pieces. Same size, but heavier plastic. They make less of a satisfying "clink" sound together, but also feel stronger.
I imagine Blokus Duo would also travel a bit better, but it is not a "travel" game because the storage of the pieces is still in small plastic bags in the main cardboard box. In my mind, travel games require a clever way of storing all the pieces in a way that can be put into luggage, whereas Blokus Duo cannot.
If you are a fan of Classic Blokus, buying this game is really a no-brainer. It's a fun twist and best way for just 2 players to have fun.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Easy to Learn and EnjoyableJul 07, 2010
I think the Blokus Duo Game is a lot of fun. The game requires you to manipulate the pieces in your mind (or on the board if you like) and to plan ahead in order to prevent your partner from placing their pieces. It is sort of like Tetris for two. I especially enjoyed the challenge of becoming familiar with the characteristics of the different pieces.
I have not played it with children, but I imagine it would be great fun, because it engages skill sets (spatial recognition and strategy) that all of us possess, without the need to learn complex rules.
Perhaps the only drawback to the game is that you must keep careful track of the pieces. You wouldn't want to lose any of them, or the game becomes worthless!
BLOKUS DUOMar 11, 2010
LOVE THIS GAME! I COULD PLAY IT EVERY DAY! FUN FOR ALL AGES AND VERY VERY EASY TO LEARN! FUN AND
CHANGELING EVERYTIME YOU PLAY! HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND! I ALSO HAVE BLOKUS AND WILL BE BUYING THE
CICRULAR BLOKUS! MUST HAVE ALL 3! SO MUCH FUN!
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Good Strategy GameDec 27, 2009
This is a good strategy game for 2 people. I was considering buying the full Blokus game and use 2 colors per person when playing with 2 people. I am glad that I purchased the Duo version instead.
One of the reasons why I think this game is so good is the number of options you have during game play. If one strategy did not work in the prior game, you adapt and utilize another strategy in the next game.
This game is well recommended.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Blokus for 2 players! Awesome!Dec 04, 2009
I owned all the blokus games, including the classic, the trigon version, and this one. If you want to give this game to a couple, this is the way to go. With the classic version, you can have 2 players if each player controls 2 sets of blokus. But this true 2-player version is a must for a couple who enjoy puzzle-themed games. I wish they make a standard sized version for this DUO version. Anyway, this is a great gift for a couple!
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based on 8 reviews
