Finding the best board game might seem like a trivial task, until you begin exploring your choices. There are strategy games, party games, cooperative games, deckbuilding games and countless other themes to choose from. This variety makes picking the right game a bit of a challenge.
It is not always the best game to go with the most popular or most complex game. The best board game is the one that suits your group.
So how do you pick the best game for your crew? Here are a few factors you should take into consideration.
Look At The Player Count
First, you need to figure out how many people will be playing.
A game that’s great for two can be different for four or five. Sometimes, more players means more competition. Other times, more players can mean longer play time and more randomness.
Consider who will be playing. If your gaming group is fluid, look for a game that supports a variable player count well.
Know The Skill Level Of Your Players
Every player does not have to be an expert.
When trying to teach a new player how to play board games, throwing them into a game with tons of rules and a long set up time is not the best approach. A simpler game with basic mechanics may be a better choice.
Conversely, if everyone is an expert, a more in-depth game may be the way to go.
Rule Of Thumb
Select a game that is slightly above the skill level of your group, not way above.
This ensures that the game will be engaging for everyone, without being too complex for your newbies.
Consider Your Time Constraints
The duration of a game can be the difference between a great experience and a bad one.
If you have an hour free, then you probably shouldn’t be playing a game that will take three hours. On the other hand, if you have all weekend, then you can play a deep strategy game.
Keep in mind:
- Set Up time
- Play time
- Teach time
- Clean up time
A game described as 60 minutes may take a little longer to teach and set up, especially on the first run.
Determine The Type Of Gameplay
Different board games offer different types of experiences.
Competitive
Competitive games are where you directly compete against other players to achieve your goals. If your crew likes competition, these games might be a good fit for your group.
Cooperative
Cooperative games feature everyone working together to win. If you have a group that likes to work together to solve a problem, cooperative games can be a great fit.
Social & Casual
Social games have rules that don’t impact the game heavily, such as social deduction games and party games. They’re great for casual get-togethers.
Strategy
Strategy games involve heavy decision-making and require significant time investment. If your crew enjoys complex strategy, you might want to find a deep strategy game.
Don’t Let The Theme Dictate Your Choice
While having a cool theme can draw people in, it doesn’t mean the game itself will be a good fit for your crew.
Focus on what kind of gameplay your friends would like.
Is your crew into negotiating? Planning? Competition? Cooperation? Bluffing? Building? Exploration?
Often, the mechanics are more important than the theme when deciding whether your group will like the game.
Look Into Replay Value
A good game is fun to play once. A great game is one you want to keep playing.
There are lots of ways to ensure replay value: variable objectives, variable board setups, multiple strategies to employ, different ways the players can interact, and meaningful choices that lead to varied outcomes.
If you are going to buy a game for frequent play, look into the replay value. A game with high replay value is likely to be a good pick for your group.
Find The Right Game For Your Group
There is no one best board game.
Each game has different mechanics, and it all comes down to what works best for your crew. Once you understand the differences between games, choosing the best board game for your crew will be easy.
Instead of asking “what is the best board game?”, ask yourself “what would be the best board game for my group?”.
Once you have the answer, picking the right game will be straightforward.
At BoardCanvas, we help players understand the different game mechanics, strategies and playstyles so that they can walk up to the table with more confidence.
Check out BoardCanvas to find your next favorite game.