Board games have seen a resurgence in popularity among adults, offering a rich variety of experiences from deep strategic challenges to light-hearted party fun. Whether you’re gathering with friends for a casual evening or diving into a complex game with fellow enthusiasts, there’s a board game that can suit any occasion.
In this article, 123 Review will walk you through the best categories, top recommendations, essential features, and where to buy and accessorize your games.
Popular Categories of Board Games
Strategy Board Games
Strategy board games are at the heart of many adult game nights, appealing to those who enjoy long-term planning, tactical decision-making, and the thrill of outmaneuvering opponents. These games often involve intricate mechanics that challenge players to think several steps ahead. One of the most iconic strategy games is Settlers of Catan, where players collect resources like wood, brick, and wheat to build roads, settlements, and cities. The interplay of trading with other players adds a layer of diplomacy, making each game session unique.
Another heavyweight in the strategy category is Terraforming Mars, a game where players take on the roles of corporations working to make Mars habitable. The game’s depth comes from the multitude of strategies available, such as focusing on plant growth, energy production, or terraforming the planet’s surface. The complexity and replayability make it a favorite for strategy enthusiasts.
Party Board Games
Party board games are designed to be fun, easy to learn, and perfect for groups looking to socialize. These games typically have simple rules that can be explained in minutes, allowing everyone to jump right in, regardless of their gaming experience. Codenames is a top pick for party games, where players split into teams and try to guess the words their teammates are hinting at using one-word clues. The challenge comes from avoiding the assassin word, which ends the game instantly.
Cards Against Humanity is another popular choice, known for its irreverent humor and ability to generate laughter and outrageous combinations. This game is best suited for groups that don’t mind a bit of dark or offensive humor, as players fill in the blanks of sentences with cards that often result in hilarious or shocking statements.
Cooperative Board Games
Cooperative board games are perfect for groups that prefer to work together rather than compete against each other. These games emphasize teamwork, communication, and collective problem-solving. Pandemic is perhaps the most well-known cooperative game, where players assume roles such as scientist, medic, and researcher, working together to prevent the spread of four deadly diseases across the globe. The game’s escalating difficulty and need for strategic collaboration make it both challenging and rewarding.
For those seeking a more immersive experience, Gloomhaven offers a sprawling campaign where players take on the roles of adventurers exploring dungeons, fighting monsters, and uncovering a rich narrative. The game is known for its depth, with numerous scenarios, character progression, and a storyline that evolves based on player decisions.
Two-Player Board Games
Two-player board games provide a more intimate gaming experience, making them ideal for couples or close friends. These games are often designed to be perfectly balanced, ensuring that both players have an equal chance of winning. Jaipur is a beloved two-player game where players act as traders in the Indian city of Jaipur, collecting and selling goods to earn riches. The game is quick to play but offers plenty of strategic depth, making it perfect for repeated plays.
Twilight Struggle is another standout in this category, a complex and historically themed game that simulates the Cold War. Players take on the roles of the United States and the Soviet Union, using influence, coups, and military operations to spread their ideology across the globe. The game’s historical accuracy and deep strategy make it a favorite among history buffs and serious gamers.
Recommended Board Games for Adults
Best Strategy Games
For those who relish strategic depth, Scythe is an exceptional choice. Set in an alternate history of 1920s Europe, Scythe is a game of conquest, resource management, and tactical warfare. Players control factions, each with unique abilities, as they expand their territories, deploy mechs, and gather resources. The game’s blend of economic engine-building with area control elements creates a dynamic and engaging experience.
Another highly recommended strategy game is Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization. This game allows players to guide their civilization through the ages, from antiquity to the modern era, by managing resources, technology, and military power. Through the Ages is known for its complexity and depth, offering a rich and rewarding experience for players who enjoy civilization-building games.
Best Party Games
When it comes to party games, few can match the accessibility and fun of Telestrations. This game combines the classic telephone game with drawing, leading to hilarious misinterpretations as players try to guess each other’s drawings. The result is often a series of drawings and guesses that stray far from the original prompt, providing endless laughter and entertainment.
Wavelength is another top choice for party games. In Wavelength, players work together to guess the location of a hidden target on a spectrum, based on clues provided by one team member. The game’s unique mechanic of using a spectrum (like hot to cold, or light to dark) and the challenge of interpreting vague clues make it both engaging and fun for large groups.
Best Cooperative Games
For those who enjoy working together towards a common goal, Spirit Island is a standout cooperative game. In Spirit Island, players take on the roles of spirits defending their island from colonizing invaders. Each spirit has unique powers, and the game requires players to work together to manage the invaders’ spread while harnessing the island’s natural forces. The game’s rich theme, combined with its strategic depth, makes it a favorite among cooperative game enthusiasts.
The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine is another highly regarded cooperative game, offering a fresh take on the trick-taking genre. In this game, players are astronauts on a space mission, working together to complete objectives. The game is structured into a series of increasingly challenging missions, each with specific goals that require careful communication and strategy.
Best Games for New Gamers
For newcomers to the board gaming hobby, Ticket to Ride is an excellent entry point. This game is easy to learn but offers enough strategy to keep players engaged. In Ticket to Ride, players collect train cards to claim railway routes across a map, aiming to complete specific route tickets for points. The game’s simplicity, combined with its beautiful components and engaging gameplay, makes it a great choice for introducing new players to the world of board games.
Kingdomino is another fantastic game for beginners. In Kingdomino, players build their own kingdoms by selecting and placing domino-like tiles featuring different types of terrain. The goal is to create large, contiguous areas of the same terrain type, scoring points based on the size of the area and the number of crowns it contains. The game’s straightforward rules and quick playtime make it accessible to new gamers, while still offering enough strategy to keep them coming back.
Best Narrative Games
For those who appreciate rich storytelling and immersive experiences, narrative-driven games like Mansions of Madness are an excellent choice. Set in H.P. Lovecraft’s eerie world of cosmic horror, Mansions of Madness sees players exploring haunted locations, solving puzzles, and battling eldritch monsters. The game is app-driven, with the app guiding the story and presenting new challenges based on players’ actions, ensuring that each playthrough offers a unique narrative experience.
T.I.M.E Stories is another game that excels in narrative depth. In T.I.M.E Stories, players are agents of a time-traveling organization, sent on missions to fix anomalies in various historical periods. The game’s modular design allows for different scenarios, each with its own story, characters, and challenges. The immersive narrative and puzzle-solving elements make T.I.M.E Stories a standout choice for players who love storytelling games.
Best Quick Games
For those with limited time, quick games like Love Letter offer engaging gameplay in a short amount of time. Love Letter is a game of risk, deduction, and luck, where players compete to deliver a love letter to the princess while thwarting their opponents’ efforts. The game’s simple mechanics and quick playtime make it perfect for filling gaps between longer games or for casual gaming sessions.
Coup is another quick game that delivers a lot of tension and excitement in a short period. In Coup, players take on the roles of influential characters in a dystopian city, using bluffing and deception to eliminate their opponents. The game is fast-paced, with rounds typically lasting just 15 minutes, making it an excellent choice for gamers who enjoy quick, intense gameplay.
Game Features and Mechanics
Player Count
When selecting a board game, one of the first considerations should be the player count it supports. Some games are designed specifically for two players, offering a balanced and competitive experience, while others are best enjoyed with larger groups. For example, Codenames is ideal for groups of four or more, where the dynamic of team-based clue-giving and guessing shines. On the other hand, a game like 7 Wonders Duel is tailored for two players, offering a tight and competitive experience that’s perfect for couples or pairs of friends.
Playtime Duration
Playtime is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a board game. The length of a game can range from quick 15-minute fillers to epic multi-hour sessions. If you’re planning a game night with friends who only have a couple of hours to spare, a game like Azul is a great option, offering strategic depth in a relatively short time frame. Conversely, if you’re settling in for a long weekend with dedicated gamers, Twilight Imperium offers an immersive experience that can last for several hours, providing an epic narrative and strategic depth that few games can match.
Complexity Level
The complexity level of a game is often what determines how accessible it is to different groups of players. Games like King of Tokyo offer simple mechanics and are easy to pick up, making them great for beginners or casual gamers. On the other hand, games like Mage Knight offer a much deeper and more complex experience, with intricate rules and numerous strategies to explore. These games are typically best suited for seasoned gamers who enjoy investing time in learning and mastering complex systems.
Theme and Aesthetics
The theme and aesthetics of a board game can significantly impact the overall experience. A well-crafted theme can draw players into the game world, enhancing the immersion and making the gameplay more engaging. For example, Wingspan is not only a beautifully designed game but also offers a calming and educational experience centered around bird watching. The game’s stunning artwork and thematic components contribute to its appeal, making it a joy to play.
In contrast, a game like Betrayal at House on the Hill offers a thrilling horror experience, with players exploring a haunted mansion and encountering eerie events. The game’s theme and aesthetics are integral to creating a sense of suspense and excitement, which keeps players on the edge of their seats throughout the game.
Where to Buy Board Games
Online Retailers
In today’s digital age, online retailers have become one of the most convenient ways to purchase board games. Websites like Amazon offer an extensive selection of board games, ranging from popular titles to niche and hard-to-find games. One of the advantages of shopping online is the ability to read customer reviews and ratings, which can help you make informed decisions. Additionally, online retailers often have sales and discounts, allowing you to purchase games at a lower price.
BoardGameGeek is another valuable online resource for board game enthusiasts. While it doesn’t sell games directly, it offers a vast database of game reviews, ratings, and forums where players can discuss their favorite games. BoardGameGeek also provides links to various online stores where you can purchase games, often including smaller or specialty retailers that carry rare or out-of-print titles.
Local Game Stores
Local game stores are a vital part of the board gaming community, offering a more personal shopping experience compared to online retailers. These stores often have knowledgeable staff who can provide recommendations and help you find the perfect game for your needs. Many local game stores also host game nights, tournaments, and other events, creating a social environment where you can try out new games and meet other players.
Supporting local game stores is also a great way to contribute to the growth of the board gaming community. By purchasing from these stores, you help ensure that they can continue to offer a space for gamers to come together and share their love of board games.
Specialty Board Game Websites
For serious board game collectors or those looking for unique and hard-to-find games, specialty board game websites are the way to go. Websites like CoolStuffInc and Miniature Market specialize in board games, offering a wide range of titles, including limited editions, exclusive releases, and rare finds. These sites often cater to hardcore gamers, with detailed descriptions, reviews, and video content to help you make informed decisions.
In addition to games, these websites often sell accessories, expansions, and other gaming-related products, making them a one-stop shop for all your board gaming needs. Whether you’re looking to expand your collection or find a specific game that’s not available in mainstream stores, specialty board game websites offer a wealth of options.
Board Game Accessories
Game Organizers
One of the challenges of owning multiple board games is keeping everything organized. Game organizers are a fantastic solution, providing custom storage solutions for your game components. Companies like The Broken Token offer a range of organizers specifically designed for popular board games. These organizers not only help keep your components neatly arranged but also make setup and cleanup faster and more efficient.
For example, a game like Gloomhaven comes with hundreds of components, including cards, tokens, and miniatures. Without an organizer, setting up and tearing down the game can be time-consuming and cumbersome. A custom organizer can significantly reduce this time, allowing you to spend more time playing and less time organizing.
Custom Dice and Components
Upgrading your board games with custom dice and components can add a personal touch and enhance the overall gaming experience. Websites like Etsy offer a wide range of handcrafted dice, tokens, and game pieces that can replace or supplement the components that come with your games. These custom items can be especially appealing for games with a strong thematic element, as they can help immerse players even further into the game world.
For example, if you’re playing a fantasy-themed game like Dungeons & Dragons, using custom dice with intricate designs or materials can add to the game’s atmosphere. Similarly, custom tokens or miniatures can make the game more visually appealing and engaging.
Expansion Packs and Add-ons
Expansion packs and add-ons are a great way to extend the life of your favorite board games. Many popular games offer expansions that introduce new mechanics, characters, scenarios, and challenges, providing fresh content and replayability. For example, Dominion has numerous expansions that add new cards, strategies, and gameplay elements, keeping the game exciting and varied even after many plays.
Similarly, Ticket to Ride offers expansions that introduce new maps, routes, and gameplay twists, allowing players to experience the game in different regions and scenarios. Expansions are often designed to be modular, meaning you can mix and match them with the base game to create different experiences each time you play.
Conclusion on Choosing Board Games
Assessing Group Preferences
Choosing the right board game often comes down to understanding the preferences and interests of your gaming group. Consider what types of games your group enjoys—whether it’s strategic planning, cooperative teamwork, or light-hearted party games. By matching the game to the group’s tastes, you can ensure that everyone has a great time and stays engaged throughout the session.
For instance, if your group enjoys deep strategy games, a game like Agricola or Brass: Birmingham might be a hit. On the other hand, if your group prefers something more casual and social, a game like Just One or Dixit could be a better fit.
Considering Game Night Atmosphere
The atmosphere of your game night can also influence the type of game you choose. For a relaxed evening with friends, you might opt for lighter games with simple rules that encourage conversation and laughter. Games like Exploding Kittens or Sushi Go! are perfect for this type of setting, offering quick, easy-to-learn gameplay that’s sure to entertain.
Conversely, if you’re hosting a more serious game night with experienced gamers, you might choose a more complex game that offers deeper strategic challenges. A game like Terraforming Mars or Root can provide the kind of rich, immersive experience that dedicated gamers appreciate.
Longevity and Replay Value
When investing in a board game, it’s important to consider its longevity and replay value. Games with variable setups, multiple strategies, and expansions tend to offer more replayability, ensuring that you get the most out of your purchase. For example, a game like 7 Wonders offers a different experience each time you play, thanks to its drafting mechanic and the variety of strategies available.
Additionally, games that offer expansions or modular components, like Carcassonne or Dominion, can provide endless replayability by introducing new challenges and gameplay elements. By choosing games with high replay value, you can ensure that they remain a favorite in your collection for years to come.
Choosing the right board game for your group involves considering many factors, from player count and playtime to complexity and theme. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the hobby, there’s a wealth of options available to suit any preference or occasion. By exploring different categories, understanding your group’s tastes, and investing in games with lasting appeal, you can create memorable gaming experiences that bring people together and offer endless fun.
