Types of board games, explained

Tabletop GamingTypes of board games, explainedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. Tabletop GamingTypes of board games, explainedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Benjamin Abbott) Jump to:Abstract strategyAmerican-styleArea controlAuction/biddingBluffingCity buildingCo-opDeck-buildingDeck constructionDexterityDraftDungeon-crawlerEconomicEngine-buildingEurogameInvestigationLegacyPush-your-luckRoll-and-writeSocial deductionTriviaWargameWorker placement Jump to:Abstract strategyAmerican-styleArea controlAuction/biddingBluffingCity buildingCo-opDeck-buildingDeck constructionDexterityDraftDungeon-crawlerEconomicEngine-buildingEurogameInvestigationLegacyPush-your-luckRoll-and-writeSocial deductionTriviaWargameWorker placement There are countless types of board games filling up shelves these days. Contrary to what some might think, we’re not limited to those dusty classics your folks would break out after Christmas dinner anymore. Because the terminology can be confusing (what the hell’s a “Eurogame” when it’s at home?), I’ve listed the most common types of board games below. There are examples for each definition as well, including many you can find in our guide to thebest board gamesoverall. Naturally, some may disagree with these definitions. And that’s OK! There isn’t a universally accepted list of board game types, after all. However, this page zeroes in on the most common use of those terms, so it should serve you well as a baseline. Abstract strategy (Image credit: Future) At a glance✅No (or minimal) theme/story✅No hidden info✅Limited randomness At a glance ✅No (or minimal) theme/story✅No hidden info✅Limited randomness ✅No (or minimal) theme/story✅No hidden info✅Limited randomness Checkers is a great case in point. It’s not ‘about’ anything, both players know where the pieces are and what they can do at any one time, and there’s absolutely no luck involved. If you win, it’s because you outmaneuvered your opponent. Azulis a more modern example. It has the vaguest of themes (laying Portuguese decorative tiles), and players know everything they need to from the get-go. 🎲 Chess🎲 Hive🎲 Patchwork🎲 Azul 🎲 Chess🎲 Hive🎲 Patchwork🎲 Azul 🎲 Chess🎲 Hive🎲 Patchwork🎲 Azul 🎲 Chess🎲 Hive🎲 Patchwork🎲 Azul 🎲 Chess🎲 Hive🎲 Patchwork🎲 Azul 🎲 Chess🎲 Hive🎲 Patchwork🎲 Azul American-style/‘Ameritrash’ (Image credit: Future) At a glance✅ Emphasizes theme/story✅ Features player conflict✅ Numerous ways to win✅ A degree of randomness At a glance ✅ Emphasizes theme/story✅ Features player conflict✅ Numerous ways to win✅ A degree of randomness ✅ Emphasizes theme/story✅ Features player conflict✅ Numerous ways to win✅ A degree of randomness OK, I know how this sounds. But hear me out – ‘Ameritrash’ isn’t necessarily a negative term, and is often one of endearment in the community. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more On a surface level, American-style games put a lot of emphasis on theme. They include numerous ways to win as well, can feature direct conflict between players, and have some randomness in the mix (such as dice-rolling). While there are similarities with Eurogames, which we’ll discuss later, they’re frequently seen as opposites. Betrayal at House on the Hillis what you’d call ‘Ameritrash.’ This horror-themed adventure leans on scary movie tropes and includes players beating the crap out of each other (in certain scenarios, anyway). There’s a degree of randomness to decide what happens when you land on a specific space or draw event cards, too. 🎲 Zombicide🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Arkham Horror🎲 Talisman 🎲 Zombicide🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Arkham Horror🎲 Talisman 🎲 Zombicide🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Arkham Horror🎲 Talisman 🎲 Zombicide🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Arkham Horror🎲 Talisman 🎲 Zombicide🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Arkham Horror🎲 Talisman 🎲 Zombicide🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Arkham Horror🎲 Talisman Area control (Image credit: Matt Thrower) At a glance✅Take over the board✅Spaces may offer benefits✅Usually player vs player At a glance ✅Take over the board✅Spaces may offer benefits✅Usually player vs player ✅Take over the board✅Spaces may offer benefits✅Usually player vs player Based on the name alone, you may have a good idea of how these types of board games work already. Simply put, area control challenges you to take over – and keep hold of – as much of the board as possible. This is one for the armchair tacticians among you or those who enjoy something with a more competitive edge. In contrast to wargames, area control focuses on the bigger picture. Indeed, the conflict is usually spread out over continents or kingdoms rather than a single battlefield.Horizons of Spirit Islandepitomizes that idea. It’s almost an inversion of classic area control; your aim is toremoveinvaders from your island rather than taking it over. In a rare twist, it’s a team game as well instead of the usual head-to-head that defines this mechanic. 🎲Risk🎲 Spirit Island🎲 Small World🎲 Scythe 🎲Risk🎲 Spirit Island🎲 Small World🎲 Scythe 🎲Risk🎲 Spirit Island🎲 Small World🎲 Scythe 🎲Risk🎲 Spirit Island🎲 Small World🎲 Scythe 🎲Risk🎲 Spirit Island🎲 Small World🎲 Scythe 🎲Risk🎲 Spirit Island🎲 Small World🎲 Scythe Auction/bidding (Image credit: Samantha Nelson) At a glance✅ Offer resources for an item✅Get the most points to win At a glance ✅ Offer resources for an item✅Get the most points to win ✅ Offer resources for an item✅Get the most points to win If you enjoy wheeling and dealing, keep an eye out for auction games. These do exactly what they say on the tin; players try to outbid one another for valuables. For a better idea of how these types of board games work, let’s turn toMedici. This fan-favorite casts you as a merchant trying to make their fortune, and you’re able to bid on cards that represent different goods each turn. Points go to whosoever has the most of a specific item every round, or the most valuable haul. Your goal? Simple – earn the most points overall. 🎲 Isle of Skye🎲 Power Grid🎲 Ra🎲 Medici 🎲 Isle of Skye🎲 Power Grid🎲 Ra🎲 Medici 🎲 Isle of Skye🎲 Power Grid🎲 Ra🎲 Medici 🎲 Isle of Skye🎲 Power Grid🎲 Ra🎲 Medici 🎲 Isle of Skye🎲 Power Grid🎲 Ra🎲 Medici 🎲 Isle of Skye🎲 Power Grid🎲 Ra🎲 Medici Bluffing (Image credit: Asmodee) At a glance✅ Lie to get what you want✅ Everyone’s out for themselves✅No hidden roles At a glance ✅ Lie to get what you want✅ Everyone’s out for themselves✅No hidden roles ✅ Lie to get what you want✅ Everyone’s out for themselves✅No hidden roles This is a similar style of game to social deduction (e.g. Mafia or Werewolf, which I’ll discuss in a bit), but everyone is trying to deceive each other instead of uncovering traitors. Players must fool their opponents to win, and will often trick rivals into making a self-destructive move. Skull is the bluffing game I make a beeline for if I’m in the mood to mislead. It has players betting on how many flower mats they can turn over before hitting a skull (which ends the round and removes one of their cards), so convincing everyone else that you’re “trustworthy” before pulling the rug out from under them is lots of fun. 🎲 Skull🎲 Blood on the Clocktower🎲 Coup 🎲 Skull🎲 Blood on the Clocktower🎲 Coup 🎲 Skull🎲 Blood on the Clocktower🎲 Coup 🎲 Skull🎲 Blood on the Clocktower🎲 Coup 🎲 Skull🎲 Blood on the Clocktower🎲 Coup 🎲 Skull🎲 Blood on the Clocktower🎲 Coup City building (Image credit: Benjamin Abbott) At a glance✅ Make & maintain a settlement✅ Buildings may give bonuses✅Often lacks player conflict At a glance ✅ Make & maintain a settlement✅ Buildings may give bonuses✅Often lacks player conflict ✅ Make & maintain a settlement✅ Buildings may give bonuses✅Often lacks player conflict Ever fancied creating your own metropolis? If you adore video games like SimCity or Cities: Skylines, these should appeal. Many games involve placing city tiles (such as Carcassonne), but proper city-builders focus more on what those buildings offer and a settlement’s infrastructure. Life in Reterra is a light-weight example, but a good one. You spend an average session putting down land tiles on which you construct buildings that provide abilities or bonuses to boost your score. These can combine for lucrative combos, so foresight is rewarded. 🎲 Puerto Rico🎲 Life in Reterra🎲 7 Wonders🎲 Underwater Cities 🎲 Puerto Rico🎲 Life in Reterra🎲 7 Wonders🎲 Underwater Cities 🎲 Puerto Rico🎲 Life in Reterra🎲 7 Wonders🎲 Underwater Cities 🎲 Puerto Rico🎲 Life in Reterra🎲 7 Wonders🎲 Underwater Cities 🎲 Puerto Rico🎲 Life in Reterra🎲 7 Wonders🎲 Underwater Cities 🎲 Puerto Rico🎲 Life in Reterra🎲 7 Wonders🎲 Underwater Cities Cooperative/team (Image credit: Future / Matt Thrower) At a glance✅ Work on shared objectives✅ Win or lose together At a glance ✅ Work on shared objectives✅ Win or lose together ✅ Work on shared objectives✅ Win or lose together Here’s a type of board game that doesn’t mince words. Thebest cooperative board gamesaren’t about scrambling over each other to victory; you need to work as a team in order to win. Lone wolves need not apply. Nemesis: Lockdownshows that off nicely. Stranding you on a Mars space station overrun with deadly aliens, you’ll have to strategize to be in with the faintest hope of navigating the facility and completing your objectives without being turned into shish kebab. 🎲 Horrified🎲 Pandemic🎲 Forbidden Island🎲 Nemesis 🎲 Horrified🎲 Pandemic🎲 Forbidden Island🎲 Nemesis 🎲 Horrified🎲 Pandemic🎲 Forbidden Island🎲 Nemesis 🎲 Horrified🎲 Pandemic🎲 Forbidden Island🎲 Nemesis 🎲 Horrified🎲 Pandemic🎲 Forbidden Island🎲 Nemesis 🎲 Horrified🎲 Pandemic🎲 Forbidden Island🎲 Nemesis Deck-building (Image credit: Future / Matt Thrower) At a glance✅ You make a deck during play✅ Add/remove cards in play✅Cards can be upgraded At a glance ✅ You make a deck during play✅ Add/remove cards in play✅Cards can be upgraded ✅ You make a deck during play✅ Add/remove cards in play✅Cards can be upgraded As opposed to deck construction games that have you making your own card sets between sessions (such as Magic: The Gathering), deck-building is doneduringplay. In fact, that’s the core mechanic powering this type of board game; you’ll spend the majority of any given match upgrading, removing, or adding cards to your deck. 2008’s Dominion largely defined deck-building as we know it today, and modern hits such asClank! Catacombsiterate on the mechanic. Basically, all of these games share a loop of collecting new cards that give you more actions, opportunities, or resources that often translate into points. Some add wrinkles to the formula (Clank! shakes things up with push-your-luck gameplay, for instance), but most follow the same recipe. 🎲 Dominion🎲 Clank! series🎲 Mystic Vale🎲 Aeon’s End 🎲 Dominion🎲 Clank! series🎲 Mystic Vale🎲 Aeon’s End 🎲 Dominion🎲 Clank! series🎲 Mystic Vale🎲 Aeon’s End 🎲 Dominion🎲 Clank! series🎲 Mystic Vale🎲 Aeon’s End 🎲 Dominion🎲 Clank! series🎲 Mystic Vale🎲 Aeon’s End 🎲 Dominion🎲 Clank! series🎲 Mystic Vale🎲 Aeon’s End Deck construction (Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott) At a glance✅ Decks are made before play✅ No adding to decks in play✅A vast array of possible decks At a glance ✅ Decks are made before play✅ No adding to decks in play✅A vast array of possible decks ✅ Decks are made before play✅ No adding to decks in play✅A vast array of possible decks This type of board game is similar to deck-building, but there’s a key difference; you create your deck using predefined parametersbeforeplay begins. You then use those decks against each other in a match, and they won’t be altered or added to during the session itself. (You might be able to temporarily ‘steal’ your opponents' cards thanks to special abilities, but your core deck won’t change.) Favorites such asMarvel Championsmake great use of this mechanic, but you’ll find better examples via Magic: The Gathering or Pokemon. Most of their formats (aside from beginner boxes and pre-packaged Commander decks) involve players combining cards before a game, and that degree of customization has helped them become regarded as some of thebest card gamesaround. 🎲 Magic: The Gathering🎲 Pokemon TCG🎲 Disney Lorcana🎲 Marvel Champions 🎲 Magic: The Gathering🎲 Pokemon TCG🎲 Disney Lorcana🎲 Marvel Champions 🎲 Magic: The Gathering🎲 Pokemon TCG🎲 Disney Lorcana🎲 Marvel Champions 🎲 Magic: The Gathering🎲 Pokemon TCG🎲 Disney Lorcana🎲 Marvel Champions 🎲 Magic: The Gathering🎲 Pokemon TCG🎲 Disney Lorcana🎲 Marvel Champions 🎲 Magic: The Gathering🎲 Pokemon TCG🎲 Disney Lorcana🎲 Marvel Champions Dexterity (Image credit: Big Potato Games) At a glance✅ Usually a physical activity✅… but can be mental✅ Reliant on speed At a glance ✅ Usually a physical activity✅… but can be mental✅ Reliant on speed ✅ Usually a physical activity✅… but can be mental✅ Reliant on speed Much like abstract strategy, dexterity games don’t usually involve lots of story (though there are exceptions we’ll come to later). They’re often quite quick as well, which is fitting considering how fast players have to be. However, things aren’t always that simple. What Next? employs many dexterity-based activities, for example, but these are wrapped in a choose-your-path story. 🎲 Jungle Speed🎲 Ghost Blitz🎲 Spot It!🎲 What Next? 🎲 Jungle Speed🎲 Ghost Blitz🎲 Spot It!🎲 What Next? 🎲 Jungle Speed🎲 Ghost Blitz🎲 Spot It!🎲 What Next? 🎲 Jungle Speed🎲 Ghost Blitz🎲 Spot It!🎲 What Next? 🎲 Jungle Speed🎲 Ghost Blitz🎲 Spot It!🎲 What Next? 🎲 Jungle Speed🎲 Ghost Blitz🎲 Spot It!🎲 What Next? Draft (Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott) At a glance✅ Cards visible in ‘open’ draft✅ Take and pass in ‘closed’ draft At a glance ✅ Cards visible in ‘open’ draft✅ Take and pass in ‘closed’ draft ✅ Cards visible in ‘open’ draft✅ Take and pass in ‘closed’ draft Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of drafting game: open and closed. In open draft, players choose cards or items from a communal pool, furthering their own strategy or denying an opponent the same opportunity. The two-player 7 Wonders Duel is an example of open drafting; each person takes cards from a central pile that allow you to build up your strength in the military, commercial, science, or civil categories.Ticket to Rideis another case in point, albeit a less obvious one; while you don’t have to, youcanselect cards from a communal row that allow you to place train tokens. 🎲 Sushi Go!🎲 Ticket to Ride🎲 Exploding Kittens🎲 7 Wonders Duel 🎲 Sushi Go!🎲 Ticket to Ride🎲 Exploding Kittens🎲 7 Wonders Duel 🎲 Sushi Go!🎲 Ticket to Ride🎲 Exploding Kittens🎲 7 Wonders Duel 🎲 Sushi Go!🎲 Ticket to Ride🎲 Exploding Kittens🎲 7 Wonders Duel 🎲 Sushi Go!🎲 Ticket to Ride🎲 Exploding Kittens🎲 7 Wonders Duel 🎲 Sushi Go!🎲 Ticket to Ride🎲 Exploding Kittens🎲 7 Wonders Duel Dungeon-crawler (Image credit: Benjamin Abbott) At a glance✅ Explore to find loot✅ Involves combat, leveling up✅Has RPG elements✅Normally has a story At a glance ✅ Explore to find loot✅ Involves combat, leveling up✅Has RPG elements✅Normally has a story ✅ Explore to find loot✅ Involves combat, leveling up✅Has RPG elements✅Normally has a story Sure, HeroQuest was the king of this genre a few years back… butGloomhavenhas since stolen the crown. Its gameplay revolves around braving the dangers of this eponymous city, with the twist being that you only have a limited number of actions available during each mission. Your quest therefore becomes a game of chicken; how far do you dare go? 🎲 Gloomhaven🎲 HeroQuest🎲 Descent series🎲 Mice and Mystics 🎲 Gloomhaven🎲 HeroQuest🎲 Descent series🎲 Mice and Mystics 🎲 Gloomhaven🎲 HeroQuest🎲 Descent series🎲 Mice and Mystics 🎲 Gloomhaven🎲 HeroQuest🎲 Descent series🎲 Mice and Mystics 🎲 Gloomhaven🎲 HeroQuest🎲 Descent series🎲 Mice and Mystics 🎲 Gloomhaven🎲 HeroQuest🎲 Descent series🎲 Mice and Mystics Economic (Image credit: Benjamin Abbott) At a glance✅About buying, selling, trade✅ Make money to win At a glance ✅About buying, selling, trade✅ Make money to win ✅About buying, selling, trade✅ Make money to win As you might expect, these types of board game revolve around trade or commerce. (They might feature other mechanics listed on this page, but economy is the focus.) Basically, it’s all about buying and selling. You usually win if you collect the most wealth. Monopoly is an obvious example of this mechanic; you move around the board purchasing properties and raking in cash from rent. Brass: Birmingham is a more modern spin on the genre set during the industrial revolution, whileTwilight Imperiummakes the economy a part of its multifaceted gameplay. The latter isn’t solely focused on the rat race, but trade sure does make your life easier. 🎲 Monopoly🎲 Brass: Birmingham🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Ark Nova 🎲 Monopoly🎲 Brass: Birmingham🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Ark Nova 🎲 Monopoly🎲 Brass: Birmingham🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Ark Nova 🎲 Monopoly🎲 Brass: Birmingham🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Ark Nova 🎲 Monopoly🎲 Brass: Birmingham🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Ark Nova 🎲 Monopoly🎲 Brass: Birmingham🎲 Twilight Imperium🎲 Ark Nova Engine-building (Image credit: Future) At a glance✅ Play stuff to get more stuff✅ Basically a snowball effect At a glance ✅ Play stuff to get more stuff✅ Basically a snowball effect ✅ Play stuff to get more stuff✅ Basically a snowball effect Stand down gearheads, this one’s not about making a literal engine. Rather, it challenges you to create a system that’ll earn you more resources as you go (or get you closer to your victory condition).Thisis your ‘engine.’ In essence, it’s a snowball effect; players place workers or resources which earn them something. This allows them to purchase and placemoreworkers/resources. The more you have, the more you can get. Wingspan is a rock-solid engine-builder. You play bird cards that allow you to generate resources or other benefits, and these often let you collect more birds (and so on). Similarly,Splendor Duelsees players collecting gem tokens that are used to buy cards for specific bonuses. Sound familiar? There’s a lot of crossover between engine-building and worker placement games, which I’ll get into later. 🎲 Wingspan🎲 Splendor🎲 Everdell🎲 Terraforming Mars 🎲 Wingspan🎲 Splendor🎲 Everdell🎲 Terraforming Mars 🎲 Wingspan🎲 Splendor🎲 Everdell🎲 Terraforming Mars 🎲 Wingspan🎲 Splendor🎲 Everdell🎲 Terraforming Mars 🎲 Wingspan🎲 Splendor🎲 Everdell🎲 Terraforming Mars 🎲 Wingspan🎲 Splendor🎲 Everdell🎲 Terraforming Mars Eurogame/Euro-style (Image credit: Benjamin Abbott) At a glance✅ Multiple ways to win✅Less player conflict✅Lacks randomness✅Less of a theme/story At a glance ✅ Multiple ways to win✅Less player conflict✅Lacks randomness✅Less of a theme/story ✅ Multiple ways to win✅Less player conflict✅Lacks randomness✅Less of a theme/story Although the term was coined because this type of board game originated in Europe (or Germany, to be precise), being European isn’t a prerequisite. Instead, the key factors include multiple ways to win, a lack of randomness, replayability, players not being ‘eliminated’ from the game, and less direct conflict. Listing designers and artists on the box is another hallmark, as is less emphasis on theme. Thereisstill a theme, yes, but it’s less important than the mechanics. Take Catan. This is considered to be a Eurogame (and was one of the first, actually) because it eschews randomness in favor of strategy. Players aren’t battling directly against each other either, and there’s more than one way to earn points. 🎲 Catan🎲 Carcassonne🎲 Takenoko🎲 Lords of Waterdeep 🎲 Catan🎲 Carcassonne🎲 Takenoko🎲 Lords of Waterdeep 🎲 Catan🎲 Carcassonne🎲 Takenoko🎲 Lords of Waterdeep 🎲 Catan🎲 Carcassonne🎲 Takenoko🎲 Lords of Waterdeep 🎲 Catan🎲 Carcassonne🎲 Takenoko🎲 Lords of Waterdeep 🎲 Catan🎲 Carcassonne🎲 Takenoko🎲 Lords of Waterdeep Investigation (Image credit: Future / Matt Thrower) At a glance✅ Solve a case✅Immersive props✅Played alone or in teams At a glance ✅ Solve a case✅Immersive props✅Played alone or in teams ✅ Solve a case✅Immersive props✅Played alone or in teams Are crime dramas your jam? Do you always head to the thriller section of a bookshop? You should give investigation games a go, because they’d be right up your street. These typically have you working alone or as a team to solve mysteries, murders, or assorted maladies. Props you’ll search for clues might be included within the box too, and there’s usually a time-limit. The Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective series is amongst the best-known investigation games, butBureau of Investigationis also great. It requires genuine teamwork to crack, and its props are deeply immersive. 🎲 Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective🎲 Bureau of Investigation 🎲 Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective🎲 Bureau of Investigation 🎲 Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective🎲 Bureau of Investigation 🎲 Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective🎲 Bureau of Investigation 🎲 Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective🎲 Bureau of Investigation 🎲 Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective🎲 Bureau of Investigation Legacy/campaign (Image credit: Future) At a glance✅ Ongoing campaign✅Permanent changes✅Unlockable elements At a glance ✅ Ongoing campaign✅Permanent changes✅Unlockable elements ✅ Ongoing campaign✅Permanent changes✅Unlockable elements While this is often called out as a specific type of board game, it’s more of an umbrella term that other mechanics sit under. For the most part, Legacy games feature an ongoing campaign or will track your progress in some other way. (The Legacy versions ofPandemicare a notable example, because the consequences of every session carry into the next.) There’s a distinct ‘end’ to this story as well, and your decisions are permanent; you may alter or destroy game components along the way. As a result, you’ll probably only run through this game’s campaign once… though the process will likely take months. Unlockable elements are another hallmark of Legacy games, be it abilities, scenarios, or characters. This is part of the reason why Legacy games are often dubbed ‘experiences.’ 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar Push-your-luck (Image credit: AEG) At a glance✅ Hold your nerve for rewards✅Win big, or lose it all At a glance ✅ Hold your nerve for rewards✅Win big, or lose it all ✅ Hold your nerve for rewards✅Win big, or lose it all Are you feeling lucky, punk? These types of board games will put that confidence to the test. The longer you can hold your nerve in a space or the further you go into enemy territory, the bigger your reward. Or, you could lose it all… One of my favorites games of this kind isThe Captain is Dead: Dangerous Planet. Your star-trekking crew of redshirts must push into bug territory in order to find relics, but the more you explore the tunnels, the more danger you’ll be in. 🎲 King of Tokyo🎲 Quacks of Quedlinburg🎲 The Captain is Dead: Dangerous Planet 🎲 King of Tokyo🎲 Quacks of Quedlinburg🎲 The Captain is Dead: Dangerous Planet 🎲 King of Tokyo🎲 Quacks of Quedlinburg🎲 The Captain is Dead: Dangerous Planet 🎲 King of Tokyo🎲 Quacks of Quedlinburg🎲 The Captain is Dead: Dangerous Planet 🎲 King of Tokyo🎲 Quacks of Quedlinburg🎲 The Captain is Dead: Dangerous Planet 🎲 King of Tokyo🎲 Quacks of Quedlinburg🎲 The Captain is Dead: Dangerous Planet Roll-and-write (Image credit: Future / Matt Thrower) At a glance✅ Roll dice, record results✅Often portable At a glance ✅ Roll dice, record results✅Often portable ✅ Roll dice, record results✅Often portable This type of board game finds its roots in Yahtzee. The name is a spoiler, really; you roll dice and write down the results on a pad or whiteboard. They’re normally portable as well. While Yahtzee is pretty insular (players don’t interact with one another and are instead trying to build the highest score), modern roll-and-write games tend to be more social.Twilight Inscriptioncombines puzzle elements with ‘council votes’ that will help some players and disadvantage others. Not that you need to play roll-and-writes with others, of course.Bargain Basement Bathysphereis a solo game you can tackle at your own pace and throws in push-your-luck elements to keep things spicy. 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar 🎲 Pandemic Legacy🎲 Betrayal Legacy🎲 Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar Social deduction/hidden role (Image credit: Future) At a glance✅ Usually has two teams✅Uncover hidden agents✅… or sabotage the group At a glance ✅ Usually has two teams✅Uncover hidden agents✅… or sabotage the group ✅ Usually has two teams✅Uncover hidden agents✅… or sabotage the group These board games are designed for amateur sleuths, and usually involve hidden roles where one or more players are working against the rest in secret. The aim is to uncover those traitors, or go undetected. It’s like a formalized version of wink murder and Mafia. You’ll find no shortage of social deduction games on shelves right now, but my go-to remains Secret Hitler. Set in Germany before World War 2, most players are card-carrying Liberals attempting to root out Nazis while a handful of Fascists hope to gain power. The trouble is, those Liberals don’t know who the Fascists are. This means lies and backstabbing are the order of the day. Unfathomableis another excellent social deduction game. Once again, there are traitors amongst the group; most are innocent passengers on a 1920s cruise ship, but a couple play the role of ‘hybrids’ who hope to sink it in honor of their Lovecraftian masters. 🎲 Unfathomable🎲 Secret Hitler🎲 One Night Ultimate Werewolf 🎲 Unfathomable🎲 Secret Hitler🎲 One Night Ultimate Werewolf 🎲 Unfathomable🎲 Secret Hitler🎲 One Night Ultimate Werewolf 🎲 Unfathomable🎲 Secret Hitler🎲 One Night Ultimate Werewolf 🎲 Unfathomable🎲 Secret Hitler🎲 One Night Ultimate Werewolf 🎲 Unfathomable🎲 Secret Hitler🎲 One Night Ultimate Werewolf Trivia (Image credit: Future) At a glance✅ Answer questions for points✅Usually involves teams✅General or niche knowledge At a glance ✅ Answer questions for points✅Usually involves teams✅General or niche knowledge ✅ Answer questions for points✅Usually involves teams✅General or niche knowledge This is one of the best-known types of board games, and it’s the king of parties. Most of the time, you’ll answer questions about a specific topic to earn points. Players may be divided into teams, but needing your thinking cap is always guaranteed. 🎲 Articulate!🎲 Trivial Pursuit🎲 Blockbuster: The Game🎲 Linkee 🎲 Articulate!🎲 Trivial Pursuit🎲 Blockbuster: The Game🎲 Linkee 🎲 Articulate!🎲 Trivial Pursuit🎲 Blockbuster: The Game🎲 Linkee 🎲 Articulate!🎲 Trivial Pursuit🎲 Blockbuster: The Game🎲 Linkee 🎲 Articulate!🎲 Trivial Pursuit🎲 Blockbuster: The Game🎲 Linkee 🎲 Articulate!🎲 Trivial Pursuit🎲 Blockbuster: The Game🎲 Linkee Wargame (Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott) At a glance✅ Involves military conflict✅Varies in scale✅Normally player VS. player At a glance ✅ Involves military conflict✅Varies in scale✅Normally player VS. player ✅ Involves military conflict✅Varies in scale✅Normally player VS. player Simply put, wargames have you crossing swords (or firearms, I suppose) with one or more players. It’s a vast spectrum ranging from historical battles to fantasy conflicts, but military actions are always the focus. Wargames typically use one of three scales: skirmishes involving a few fighters, larger battles featuring hundreds of troops, or theater-wide campaigns. Different strategies are needed for each of them, and the latter tends to be less action-oriented; because you may be dealing with a continent-spanning war, it’s about positioning, supply lines, and logistics rather than troop-to-troop duels. Let’s wheel out a couple of examples. The likes ofUndaunted: Battle of Britainhas you controlling individual planes as they clash high above, using dice rolls to determine whether you hit a target. At the other end of the scale,Rootputs you in command of an entire faction as it vies for control of a kingdom. Even though they’re not board games in a traditional sense, the likes of Warhammer andStar Wars: Shatterpointqualify as wargames too. These stand apart thanks to their emphasis on building and painting your own models rather than using standard tokens. They really zoom in on a unit’s individual abilities too, providing far more tactical versatility that lends itself to competitive play. 🎲 Undaunted🎲 Root🎲 Warhammer🎲 Kings of War 🎲 Undaunted🎲 Root🎲 Warhammer🎲 Kings of War 🎲 Undaunted🎲 Root🎲 Warhammer🎲 Kings of War 🎲 Undaunted🎲 Root🎲 Warhammer🎲 Kings of War 🎲 Undaunted🎲 Root🎲 Warhammer🎲 Kings of War 🎲 Undaunted🎲 Root🎲 Warhammer🎲 Kings of War Worker placement (Image credit: Samantha Nelson) At a glance✅ Place to gain resources✅You can block actions✅Similar to engine-building At a glance ✅ Place to gain resources✅You can block actions✅Similar to engine-building ✅ Place to gain resources✅You can block actions✅Similar to engine-building As the name would suggest, worker placement board games are all about positioning tokens (AKA your ‘workers’) so that they can earn you points, secure resources, or trigger some sort of reaction. Doing so might also allow you to purchase or place more workers using the resources you’ve gathered. The animal-themed Everdell lets you place workers to gather building materials or cards, for instance, and the more recentDune: Uprising – Imperiumis similar. 🎲 Agricola🎲 Everdell🎲 Dune: Imperium🎲 Keyflower 🎲 Agricola🎲 Everdell🎲 Dune: Imperium🎲 Keyflower 🎲 Agricola🎲 Everdell🎲 Dune: Imperium🎲 Keyflower 🎲 Agricola🎲 Everdell🎲 Dune: Imperium🎲 Keyflower 🎲 Agricola🎲 Everdell🎲 Dune: Imperium🎲 Keyflower 🎲 Agricola🎲 Everdell🎲 Dune: Imperium🎲 Keyflower Want some recommendations? Be sure to check in with these2-player board gamesandfamily board games. 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Sushi Go! $11.99View $11.99 $11.99 See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices CATEGORIESBoard GamesGames CATEGORIES More about tabletop gamingThis new indie D&D campaign setting brings Studio Ghibli and Zelda: Breath of the Wild aesthetics and worldbuilding to the tabletop RPG, and I’m already scheming hard as a DMD&D Monster Manual 2025 is going to pack a serious punch thanks to a family of monsters descended from gods, and frankly I’m terrifiedLatest"This is incredibly rare": How Mouthwashing quietly became 2024’s breakout horror hitSee more latest► More about tabletop gamingThis new indie D&D campaign setting brings Studio Ghibli and Zelda: Breath of the Wild aesthetics and worldbuilding to the tabletop RPG, and I’m already scheming hard as a DMD&D Monster Manual 2025 is going to pack a serious punch thanks to a family of monsters descended from gods, and frankly I’m 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while also making balance changes Forget AAA: this year, all I wanted to do was optimize my conveyor belts in Satisfactory 2024 was the year The Legend of Zelda lived up to its name, and the result was a bit like mixing rock salt and floral nectar Amid Oscar buzz, Zoe Saldana opens up on her new perspective on Hollywood and why she’s only really proud of Avatar and Emilia Pérez: “I think I just have to accept who I am as a creative person” The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 is the show’s version of The Two Towers – and it’s the best episode of TV released all year 32 movies that spawned iconic internet memes The 30 best anime movies to watch right now GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”