A 2x drivetrain (two chainrings up front) is absolutely still a great choice for gravel, especially if you spend significant time on pavement or smooth gravel roads. The main advantage is tighter gear steps — smaller jumps between gears — which helps you maintain a steady pedaling cadence as terrain and wind change. This feels more like a traditional road bike and many riders prefer it.
One often-overlooked benefit: 2x systems can actually give you both a lower climbing gear and a higher top gear simultaneously. With 1x, you typically have to compromise on one end or the other. So if you're facing steep climbs but also want to keep pedaling on fast descents, 2x can cover that range better.
The trade-offs are slightly more weight and more front shifts to think about. But for riders who value precise gear selection and split time between road and gravel, 2x remains an excellent option.