by travvller
If you are searching a game with the tropical island theme, try Hawaii, which works great with 2-5 players!
Thing is, they're really different games. Hawaii is, at least to the reviews I've seen, pretty dry. Vanuatu is one of the most spiteful backstabbing Euros ever created - at least of those I've played.
Haven't yet tried Vanuatu 2p, but I will. If it's far better with more than that's okay. I just don't think you should buy this game for a tropical theme. Seems like there are more than a couple other games that are better for that purpose. This one is about player interaction. I haven't played enough medium weight Euros to say for sure. Based on reviews, I suspect The Manhattan Project or Carson City might be acceptable alternatives with elements of spite and with official 2p rules.