Splendor Duel Board Game Review: The Perfect Compact Two-Player Strategy Game for Caravan Evenings
- Caravan Coach
- 16 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Product Category: Board Games / Two-Player Strategy Games
Brand: Space Cowboys (Asmodee)
Prices Usually Range From: £17 - £25
Best For: Couples and pairs seeking a quick, engaging game that travels well and can be played on a small caravan table
Where to Buy: Available at Zatu Games, Chaos Cards, or major retailers like Amazon
Splendor Duel Board Game - Introduction
Rainy evenings on site call for something more engaging than scrolling through your phone. Splendor Duel fills that gap brilliantly, offering a head-to-head gem-trading duel that fits comfortably on a caravan dinette and wraps up in around 30 minutes. Co-designed by Marc André and Bruno Cathala (the minds behind 7 Wonders Duel), this two-player standalone game takes the core mechanics of the original Splendor and refines them into something more tactical and more portable.
The compact box measures roughly 13 x 18 x 5cm and weighs under 450g, making it easy to tuck into a cupboard or slip into your touring bag. Unlike the original Splendor, which works with two to four players but feels somewhat light at lower counts, Splendor Duel has been built from the ground up for exactly two people. The result is a tighter, more interactive experience that keeps both players fully engaged throughout.
Key Features
The fundamental loop remains familiar: collect gem tokens, purchase jewel cards that provide permanent gem bonuses, and build your engine towards victory. However, Splendor Duel introduces several clever twists. Gems are drawn from a shared 5x5 grid board rather than a central pool, and you can only take up to three tokens in a connected line. This spatial element adds genuine puzzle-solving to each turn, as your choices directly affect what your opponent can access.
The game introduces pearls, a new rare resource that cannot appear as a permanent bonus on cards. This ensures players must keep returning to the gem board rather than relying purely on their card engines. Three victory conditions offer strategic variety: reach 20 prestige points, collect 10 points in a single gem colour, or gather 10 crowns. This prevents games from feeling formulaic and rewards players who can read the evolving board state.
Privilege scrolls add another layer of interaction. When your opponent refills the gem board or takes particularly greedy combinations (three of the same colour, or both pearls at once), you receive a scroll that lets you snag any single gem as a bonus action. This creates interesting decisions around when to be aggressive versus playing conservatively.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Genuinely compact and lightweight, ideal for limited caravan storage
Quick 30-minute play time suits evening sessions
High-quality poker chip-style tokens with satisfying weight and feel
Easy to learn but offers genuine strategic depth
Multiple victory conditions prevent repetitive gameplay
Works perfectly on small tables
Improved artwork compared to the original Splendor
Cons
Refilling the gem board interrupts gameplay flow slightly
Cards are smaller than the original, which some may find harder to read in lower light
Games can occasionally end abruptly without building dramatic tension
Performance
In practical caravan use, Splendor Duel performs exceptionally well. Setup takes less than two minutes once you know the routine: lay out the gem board, draw tokens from the bag in a spiral pattern, arrange the three card tiers in a pyramid, and deal out the royal cards. The cloth drawstring bag keeps tokens contained during travel, and the well-designed insert holds everything securely for transit.
The spatial puzzle of the gem board works wonderfully at a small dinette. Each pick requires genuine thought about positioning, creating satisfying moments when you strand your opponent or deny them a crucial pearl. The privilege scroll mechanism prevents runaway leads and keeps games competitive until the final turns.
Component quality matches what you would expect from Space Cowboys. The gem tokens, while smaller than the original Splendor chips, retain that satisfying click and weight. The cartoony artwork on the jewel cards has drawn praise for being more visually appealing than the somewhat drab caves of the original game. The board and cardboard pieces are sturdy enough for repeated plays.
The learning curve is gentle. Anyone familiar with the original Splendor will grasp the new mechanics within a round, while newcomers can pick up the basic flow in their first game. The rulebook is clear and concise, with helpful examples. Games consistently fall within the 20-30 minute window once both players know the rules, making it easy to fit in multiple rounds during an evening.
Specifications
Players | 2 (exclusively) |
Recommended Age | 10+ |
Average Play Time | 30 minutes |
Designers | Marc André & Bruno Cathala |
Publisher | Space Cowboys (Asmodee) |
Box Dimensions | Approximately 13 x 18 x 5cm |
Weight | 428g |
Box Contents | 1 Victory tile, 67 Jewel cards, 1 Bag, 3 Privilege Scrolls, 25 Plastic gem tokens, 1 Common board, 4 Royal cards, 1 Rules booklet |
Why It's Recommended
Splendor Duel earns its place in a caravan games collection through a combination of portability, quality, and replayability. The compact box disappears into a locker without eating into precious storage space, yet the game inside offers enough strategic depth to remain interesting after dozens of plays.
For couples who tour together, finding a two-player game that both parties genuinely enjoy can be challenging. Splendor Duel hits a sweet spot between complexity and accessibility, offering enough decision-making to engage experienced gamers while remaining approachable for those new to modern board games. The multiple victory paths encourage experimentation and prevent either player from feeling locked into a single strategy.
The 30-minute play time respects the reality that caravan evenings often involve other activities, whether that is watching a film, reading, or simply enjoying the view. You can comfortably play two or three rounds of Splendor Duel before moving on to something else, and the quick setup means minimal faffing about.
Component quality ensures the game will survive the rigours of touring life. The tokens feel premium, the cards are reasonably durable, and the box insert keeps everything organised. This is not a game that will fall apart after a season of use.
Rating
Overall Score: 4.5/5
Score Breakdown
Design: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Ease of Use: 5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Disclaimer
This review reflects our genuine opinions and experiences. Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may receive a small commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Product details, availability, and prices were accurate at the time of writing but may change without notice. Please check with the retailer for the latest information before making a purchase. Caravan Coach cannot be held responsible for differences between this review and the actual product or service you receive.
