8 Must Try Board Games for Game Night With Your Friends
Game night is a great way to spend time with friends, but sometimes it can be hard to decide which game to play. If you're looking for some new and exciting games to add to your rotation, look no further than our list of 8 must-try board games. Whether you're a seasoned tabletop gamer or new to the hobby, these games are sure to provide hours of fun and excitement.
Settlers of Catan
Settlers of Catan is a classic game of strategy and resource management that's easy to learn but difficult to master. Players take on the roles of settlers on an island, and compete to build settlements, roads, and cities. The game uses dice rolls to determine which resources are produced each turn, and players can trade with each other to acquire the resources they need. The first player to reach 10 victory points wins.
What makes Settlers of Catan fun
Settlers of Catan is a great game for players who enjoy both strategy and social interaction. The game encourages players to trade with each other, which can lead to alliances and betrayals. It's also highly replayable, as the board is different every time you play.
Who it's for
Settlers of Catan is appropriate for players aged 10 and up. It's great for families, as it can be played with 3-4 players, but can also be played with up to 6 players for a more challenging experience.
Buy Catan: 25th Anniversary Edition Here
Betrayal at Baldur's Gate
Betrayal at Baldur's Gate is a cooperative game that takes you on an adventure through a haunted city. Players take on the roles of adventurers exploring the city, but as the game progresses, one of the players will turn traitor and try to sabotage the rest of the group. The game has 50 different scenarios, so each playthrough is different.
What Betrayal at Baldur's Gate fun
Betrayal at Baldur's Gate is a great game for players who enjoy storytelling and immersive gameplay. The scenarios are based on classic Dungeons & Dragons adventures, so the game has a lot of depth and variety.
Who it's for
Betrayal at Baldur's Gate is appropriate for players aged 12 and up. It's great for groups of 3-6 players who enjoy cooperative games with a twist.
Buy Betrayal at Baldur's Gate Here
Pandemic
Pandemic is a cooperative game where players work together to stop the spread of a deadly virus. Each player takes on a different role, such as medic or scientist, and uses their unique abilities to treat the infected and research a cure. The game is won if the players can find a cure for all four diseases before the virus spreads too far.
What makes Pandemic fun
Pandemic is a great game for players who enjoy cooperative gameplay and solving puzzles. The game is challenging, but not overly complicated, so it's easy to learn but difficult to master.
Who it's for
Pandemic is appropriate for players aged 8 and up. It's great for families or groups of friends who enjoy working together to solve problems.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a game of tile placement where players build cities, roads, and farms. Each turn, players draw a tile and place it on the board, and then place a meeple on the tile to claim it. The game is won by scoring the most points by the end of the game, which is determined by the size of the cities, roads, and farms that players have built.
What makes Carcassonne fun
Carcassonne is a great game for players who enjoy building and strategy. The game is easy to learn but has a lot
of depth, as players have to balance building their own structures with interfering with their opponents' plans.
Who it's for
Carcassonne is appropriate for players aged 7 and up. It's great for families, as it can be played with 2-5 players, but can also be played with up to 6 players for a more challenging experience.
Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is a game of railway building where players compete to build the most extensive network of trains. Each turn, players draw cards and use them to claim railway routes on the board. The game is won by scoring the most points by the end of the game, which is determined by the length of the routes that players have claimed.
What makes Ticket to Ride fun
Ticket to Ride is a great game for players who enjoy building and strategy. The game is easy to learn but has a lot of depth, as players have to balance building their own routes with blocking their opponents.
Who it's for
Ticket to Ride is appropriate for players aged 8 and up. It's great for families or groups of friends who enjoy building and strategy games.
Azul
Azul is a game of tile placement where players compete to create the most beautiful mosaic. Players take turns selecting tiles from a central pool and placing them on their board to create patterns and score points. The game is won by having the highest score at the end of the game.
What makes Azul fun
Azul is a great game for players who enjoy puzzle-like gameplay and visual aesthetics. The game has a unique and beautiful art style, and the gameplay is both challenging and rewarding.
Who it's for
Azul is appropriate for players aged 8 and up. It's great for families or groups of friends who enjoy visual and strategic gameplay.
Dixit
Dixit is a game of storytelling and creativity where players use beautiful artwork to inspire imaginative tales. Players take turns being the storyteller, and they choose a card from their hand to provide a clue for a story. Other players choose a card from their hand that best matches the clue, and the cards are shuffled and revealed. Players then vote on which card they think was the storyteller's card. The game is won by having the most points at the end of the game.
What makes Dixit fun
Dixit is a great game for players who enjoy storytelling, creativity, and beautiful artwork. The game encourages players to think outside the box and come up with imaginative tales based on the cards they have.Who it's for: Dixit is appropriate for players aged 8 and up. It's great for families or groups of friends who enjoy creative and imaginative gameplay.
Who it's for
Dixit is appropriate for players aged 8 and up. It's great for families or groups of friends who enjoy creative and imaginative gameplay.
Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven is a game of adventure and combat where players work together to complete quests and fight monsters. The game is played over a series of scenarios, and each scenario presents different challenges and opportunities for the players. Players choose their actions simultaneously, and the game uses an innovative card-based combat system. The game is won by completing the main quest of the scenario.
What makes Gloomhaven fun
Gloomhaven is a great game for players who enjoy adventure, combat, and cooperative gameplay. The game has a lot of depth, as players have to balance their actions and work together to overcome challenges.
Who it's for
Gloomhaven is appropriate for players aged 14 and up. It's great for groups of friends or family who enjoy immersive gameplay and a challenging experience. The game can take many hours to complete, so it's ideal for players who are looking for a long-term gaming experience.
Board games have been around for centuries, but in recent years, they've experienced a resurgence in popularity. In an age where we spend so much time in front of screens, board games offer a way to connect with others in a tangible way. Whether it's gathering around a table with friends or family, or joining a community of board game enthusiasts, board games provide an opportunity to create experiences and build friendships.
If you're planning a game night with friends, the games mentioned in this post are a great place to start. With a mix of cooperative and competitive gameplay, there's something for everyone. Codenames and Dixit are perfect for players who enjoy creative thinking and storytelling, while Splendor and Azul offer a more strategic gameplay experience. For those who are up for a challenge, Gloomhaven offers a deep and immersive adventure that can last for many game nights.