The BEST Family Board Games I’ve Ever Tried!

In recent years, there has been a remarkable resurgence in the popularity of board games. This blog will delve into the various board game types suitable for the whole family, from classic favorites to innovative newcomers. When diving deeper into the hobby of board games, you will notice that various types of board games will suit any type of player. Whether you’re into strategy, storytelling, or friendly competition, there’s a game for you!

Classic Board Games

Classic board games hold a special place in the hearts of many, as they are enduring sources of entertainment that have stood the test of time. These tabletop games are often characterized by straightforward rules, easy-to-understand mechanics, and timeless appeal. A key component of these games is the game board, where players move pieces, place tiles, or print and assemble the game components.

Sorry!

In the game of Sorry!, players race their pawns around the board, aiming to be the first to move all their pieces from start to home. But watch out for opponents' moves that can return you to the start!

Operation

In Operation, players take turns acting as surgeons and must carefully remove various ailments from a patient's body using tweezers, without touching the edges of the openings.

Strategy Board Games

Strategy board games are all about using your brainpower to outsmart your opponents and achieve victory through intricate game mechanics. Unlike games that rely mainly on luck, strategy games challenge players to think critically, plan, and make clever moves. These games often involve making important decisions, managing resources, using complex maneuvers, and considering the long-term consequences of your actions.

Rolling Jokers

This is a dynamic and strategic family game that combines elements of traditional board games with modern twists. An exciting variation of the classic game marbles and jokers (or pegs and jokers) Players compete to move their pieces around the board and strategically play cards to outmaneuver their opponents. With its vibrant design and engaging gameplay, Rolling Jokers offers endless fun for players of all ages, making it perfect for game nights and gatherings. Easy to learn but challenging to master, it promises a unique experience every time you play. Get your marbles to your home, but watch out for that joker!

Wingspan

Set in the world of birdwatching, players take on the roles of bird enthusiasts seeking to attract a diverse array of birds to their wildlife preserves. The Wingspan features stunning artwork and unique bird cards, each representing a specific species with its own special abilities and habitat preferences.

Euro games

Eurogames, also known as German-style board games, are a popular genre characterized by strategic gameplay and an emphasis on player interaction. These games often prioritize elegant mechanics and a balanced design, focusing on strategy rather than luck.

Tile placement board games, such as Carcassonne and Azul, are a notable subcategory within this genre, where players build beautiful pictures by placing and matching tiles.

Carcassonne

Players strategically place tiles to build cities, roads, and fields in medieval France, earning points for completed features and controlling territories. With its simple rules, endless strategic possibilities, and modular gameplay, Carcassonne has become a staple in the world of modern board gaming, captivating players with its blend of tactics, luck, and territorial conquest.

Puerto Rico

Players take on the roles of governors on the island of Puerto Rico, managing resources, plantations, and shipping to develop their economy and earn victory points. It has earned critical acclaim and remains a favorite among board game enthusiasts for its engaging gameplay and replayability.

Cooperative Board Games

Cooperative board games bring a unique twist to the table by encouraging players to work together towards a common goal instead of competing against each other. The key feature of cooperative board games is that either all players win together or everyone loses. In these board games, however, players collaborate, share ideas, and combine their strengths to overcome challenges presented by the game itself. This fosters a sense of teamwork and camaraderie as players face obstacles, solve problems, and strategize collectively. Additionally, luck board games can add an element of unpredictability to cooperative gameplay, making each session exciting and different.

Gloomhaven

This is a campaign-based dungeon crawl game with a narrative campaign, 95 unique playable scenarios, and 17 playable classes. With its innovative gameplay mechanics, modular scenario system, and a vast array of character classes and abilities, Gloomhaven offers players an immersive and challenging adventure.

Spirit Island

Set on a mystical island threatened by invaders, players take on the roles of powerful spirits, coordinating their abilities to defend the land and its inhabitants by manipulating the elements, thwarting colonizers, and reclaiming the Spirit Island for nature.

Deck Building Games

Deck-building games are a type of card game where players start with a basic set of cards and gradually improve their decks throughout the game. The primary goal is to optimize your deck by acquiring new and more powerful cards, often using in-game resources or currency.

One unique aspect of deck-building card games is that each player starts on equal footing, and the game evolves as participants make distinct choices in building their decks and game components. These games provide a dynamic and evolving experience, combining strategy, resource management, and adaptability for an engaging and competitive gameplay session.

Clank

Players delve into a dungeon to steal treasures, but they must be cautious of making too much noise (Clank!), which attracts the attention of the dragon.

Star Realms

Set in a space-themed universe, players use trade and combat to build their armada and conquer their opponents' bases. By taking control of key locations and destroying enemy bases, players shape the destiny of the galaxy in Star Realms.

Party Games

Party games are designed for groups of people to have a good time and share laughter in a social setting. These games prioritize fun and entertainment, often featuring simple rules and quick gameplay to keep the atmosphere lively. The goal is to engage everyone, regardless of their gaming experience, and create an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all participants.

The adaptability of party games makes them suitable for various occasions, from casual get-togethers to larger celebrations. They are a great way to break the ice, bring people together, and add a playful element to social gatherings. Whether it’s a trivia quiz, a drawing challenge, or a word-guessing board game type, these types of board games aim to make everyone feel involved and entertained, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the event.

Wavelength

Wavelength is a party game of communication and intuition where players must tune into each other's wavelength to guess the placement of a hidden target on a spectrum, leading to engaging discussions, debates, and moments of revelation!

Telestrations

A hilarious blend of the classic game of telephone and the drawing game Pictionary, players sketch a word or phrase, pass it on, and watch as it transforms through reinterpretation, leading to uproarious moments of confusion and laughter as drawings evolve into unexpected and amusing interpretations in Telestrations .

Abstract Strategy Games

Abstract strategy games focus on pure strategy and critical thinking. What sets these board games apart is the absence of a theme or story; instead, the gameplay of abstract games revolves around geometric shapes, patterns, or symbols. These games are known for fostering intense concentration, strategic thinking, and a deep appreciation for the subtleties of gameplay. Many board games also emphasize pure strategy and critical thinking, offering diverse mechanics and gameplay experiences.

Hive

In Hive, each player takes turns laying down insect tiles to encircle the opponent's queen bee while safeguarding their own. Unlike traditional board games, Hive has no board and is instead played with hexagonal tiles, each representing different insects with unique movement abilities. It combines elements of strategy and tactical maneuvering, offering a deep and engaging gameplay experience without the need for a game board.

Qwirkle

Players match tiles by either color or shape, strategically building lines and patterns to earn points, creating a colorful and engaging abstract game that combines pattern recognition and tactical planning. Qwirkle is easy to learn but offers deep strategic gameplay, making it enjoyable for both casual and serious gamers.

Worker Placement Board Games

Worker placement games are where players strategically allocate workers to various locations on the board, typically representing actions or resources, to advance their goals and outmaneuver opponents. Legacy games, on the other hand, offer a series of connected scenarios with lasting effects, where players' actions and choices permanently alter the game and its components. Games that require players to choose actions or gather resources labeled on the game board by placing their workers in certain spots.

These games often involve resource management, engine-building, and long-term planning as players compete for control over key locations and strive to optimize their actions to maximize efficiency. They come in various themes and complexities, offering a wide range of experiences from beginner-friendly to highly strategic gameplay.

Viticulture

Set in the vineyards of Tuscany, players take on the role of winemakers in the game Viticulture, allocating workers to plant vines, harvest grapes, and produce wine, while also managing visitors and fulfilling wine orders to build the most successful winery.

Lords of Waterdeep

In the bustling city of Waterdeep, players assume the roles of powerful lords, recruiting adventurers to complete quests and expand their influence, strategically placing agents in locations throughout the city to gain resources, complete quests, and amass wealth and power. This competitive worker placement game is set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe.

Role Playing Board Games

Role-playing board games, also known as RPGs, are immersive and collaborative adventures where players assume the roles of characters in a fictional world, driven by intricate game mechanics that facilitate storytelling and shared decision-making. Unlike traditional board games with fixed rules, role-playing games encourage creativity, storytelling, and shared decision-making. One player, often called the Game Master (GM) or Dungeon Master (DM), guides the narrative of play games, describes the setting, and plays the various non-player characters (NPCs) that the player characters encounter.

These storytelling board games provide a platform for players to step into fantastical worlds, embark on heroic journeys, and collectively create memorable stories. It offers a unique blend of strategy, creativity, and social interaction, making it a captivating and highly personalized gaming experience.

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth

Set in J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic fantasy world, players form a fellowship of heroes tasked with thwarting the dark schemes of Sauron, embarking on dangerous quests, battling monsters, and uncovering ancient mysteries in a cooperative adventure in Lord of the Rings.

Hero Quest

A classic dungeon-crawling RPG board game where players take on the roles of brave heroes, delving into dungeons, battling monsters, and completing quests to thwart the evil schemes of the villainous forces. Combining elements of board games and role-playing games, HeroQuest offers a captivating and immersive experience with its modular board, detailed miniatures, and rich narrative-driven missions.

Emerging Trends in Board Gaming

Trends in board game categories involve incorporating electronic components, apps, or online platforms to enhance the gaming experience. Trends are also leaning towards interactive game boards, long-term hobby games, large-scale war games, companion apps, and digital tools that complement traditional gameplay. The aim is to add new layers of excitement, accessibility, and innovation to the classic, abstract board games and gaming format.

Kickstarter campaigns also have become a popular way for board game creators to fund and launch their projects. Instead of relying solely on traditional publishers, game designers turn to crowdfunding platforms to gather financial support from interested backers. This trend allows creators to gauge interest, secure funding, and build a community around their game before it’s even produced. Crowdfunding democratized the board gaming industry, giving smaller designers a chance to bring their creative ideas to a wider audience. Thanks to crowdfunding, we now have more different types of board games than ever before!

Wrapping Up the Board Game Adventure

Diving into diverse gaming experiences not only introduces you to different board game types, genres, and mechanics but also helps you discover more about yourself and what you enjoy. Maybe you’ll uncover a love for games that make you think hard and plan, or perhaps you’ll find joy in cooperative games where you work together with others towards a common goal. Each game you try adds a new layer to your gaming experience, enriching your skills, creativity, and social interactions. Plus, exploring diverse games can be a fantastic way to connect with others who share your interests or introduce friends and family to something new and exciting.

So, don’t hesitate to step outside your comfort zone and give different types of board games a try. Bear in mind that many of these board game types aren't exhaustive or exclusive, and many board games will fall into more than one of these categories - or might be something else entirely. Whether you’re casting spells in a magical world, racing against the clock in a thrilling adventure, or strategizing your way to victory, there’s a whole universe of adventure waiting for you to explore and enjoy.

Who knows? You might just stumble upon your new favorite game and create unforgettable memories along the way!