Smitten 2: How to Play and What Comes in the Box

Quick answer

Smitten 2 is a cooperative micro-game for 1-2 players. You and your partner work with limited communication to build two identical 3x3 grids of cards, each inspired by Stonemaier games released since the original Smitten. The 9 new cards are designed by Ryan S. Davis and illustrated by The Mico. Setup is quick: separate the cards, choose a difficulty, and deal the grid. The main challenge is coordinating without sharing too much information.

What you need before you start

Smitten 2 is a standalone sequel, so you do not need the original Smitten to play. The box contains the 9 new cards designed by Ryan S. Davis, illustrated by The Mico, and the rules needed for the cooperative modes. Because it is a micro-game, the footprint is small and the setup is fast. Clear a small table space where both players can see the two 3x3 grids without overlapping. If you are playing solo, you will use the separate solo mode described in the rules. The game includes multiple difficulty levels, so decide before setup whether you are playing the standard cooperative mode or a harder variant.

How the two-grid goal works

The core objective is to complete two identical 3x3 grids of cards. Each card is inspired by a Stonemaier game released since the original Smitten. You and your teammate must arrange the cards so that both grids match, but you cannot freely share what you are holding. This limited-information constraint is what makes the game cooperative rather than solitaire. The challenge scales with the difficulty level you choose, so if the standard mode feels too easy, you can increase the restriction on communication or use a harder setup variant. The rules include separate modes for solo play, which adjusts the goal for one player.

Step-by-step setup

Follow these steps in order to avoid the most common setup mistakes. First, separate the 9 new cards from any other components. Second, shuffle the deck thoroughly. Third, decide on a difficulty level and any mode-specific rules. Fourth, deal the cards into two 3x3 grids, face down or face up according to the rules for your chosen mode. Fifth, review the communication limits before you begin. A frequent error is mixing in cards from the original Smitten or other games; Smitten 2 is standalone and uses only its own 9 cards. Another common mistake is skipping the difficulty decision until mid-game, which can make the session inconsistent.

Playing the cooperative puzzle

Once the grids are dealt, you and your partner take turns or act simultaneously according to the rules. The key restriction is limited information and communication: you cannot simply tell your partner which card you need. Instead, you must use the game's allowed signals or actions to guide each other. Your goal is to make both 3x3 grids identical. Because each card is inspired by a Stonemaier game released since the original Smitten, familiarity with those games can help you recognize patterns, but it is not required to play. If you get stuck, check whether you are allowed to use a difficulty-reducing variant. The rules include multiple difficulty levels, so you can adjust the challenge rather than house-ruling.

Solo mode and player count

Smitten 2 supports 1-2 players. The solo mode is a separate mode, not just a two-player game played alone. In solo play, you manage both grids yourself under the same limited-information constraints, which turns the puzzle into a logic exercise. For two players, the game is fully cooperative: you win or lose together. The box does not include rules for more than two players, so if you have a larger group, you would need to play in teams or rotate. The 9 cards are designed specifically for this player count, so adding more players without official variants would break the balance.

Smitten 2 setup steps

1. Separate the 9 new cards: Remove only the 9 cards that come with Smitten 2. Do not mix in cards from the original Smitten or other games. Checkpoint: you should have exactly 9 cards in the Smitten 2 deck.
2. Shuffle and choose a difficulty: Shuffle the 9 cards thoroughly, then decide which difficulty level you will play. The rules include multiple difficulty levels and separate solo modes. Common mistake: deciding difficulty mid-game. Choose before you deal.
3. Deal two 3x3 grids: Arrange the cards into two 3x3 grids according to the mode you selected. In two-player games, each player is responsible for one grid, but you must coordinate. Checkpoint: both grids should have 9 cards each, face up or face down as the rules require.
4. Review communication limits: Before starting, agree on what information you can and cannot share. The game is built on limited communication, so clarifying this prevents accidental cheating. Next step: begin play and try to make both grids identical.

Product facts

• Smitten 2: Smitten 2 is a cooperative micro-game for 1-2 players. The 9 new cards in this standalone sequel are designed by Ryan S. Davis. In Smitten 2, players work cooperatively with limited information/communication to complete two identical 3x3 grids of cards, each inspired by Stonemaier games released since the original Smitten and illustrated by The Mico. There are multiple difficulty levels and separate modes for solo play. This tells you the exact player count, the core cooperative goal, and that you do not need the original Smitten to play. The multiple difficulty levels mean you can adjust the challenge instead of house-ruling.