Board games are fun and tactile ways of bonding with your friends and family. Gone are the days of just playing Monopoly and Uno though! Today, there are way more board games that are fun, interactive, and won’t make enemies for life (Mostly)! Here are 5 games you absolutely have to try.
1. Wavelength
- Number of Players: 2-12
- Short Review: Wavelength is a party game that brings out players’ creativity and intuition. It’s perfect for family gatherings or game nights with friends. The game mechanics are simple, but the challenge lies in understanding the perspectives of your teammates, which can lead to some hilarious and enlightening moments.
- Game Mechanics: Players are divided into two teams. A dial is spun to determine a hidden target range on a spectrum. One player on each team receives a card with a binary spectrum (e.g., hot-cold, happy-sad) and gives a clue to their team to guess the target range. The closer the guess to the center of the target range, the more points the team scores. The opposing team also has a chance to earn points by guessing if the target range is to the left or right of the midpoint.
2. Betrayal at House on the Hill (3rd Edition)
- Number of Players: 3-6
- Short Review: This board game combines cooperative gameplay with a thrilling twist, making it a great choice for fans of horror and suspense. Each playthrough is unique due to the randomized layout and different haunt scenarios. The third edition adds new haunts, items, and characters, enhancing the replayability and excitement. This is personally one of our favorite board games!
- Game Mechanics: Players explore a haunted house, revealing new rooms and collecting items and omens. When an omen is revealed, a haunt roll is made, which can trigger a haunt scenario. One player may become a traitor with a secret objective, while the other players must work together to survive and complete their own objectives. The game includes 50 unique haunts, ensuring that no two games are alike.
3. Mysterium
- Number of Players: 2-7
- Short Review: Mysterium is a beautifully designed board game that combines elements of Clue and Dixit. Players take on the roles of psychic investigators and a ghost, working together to solve a murder mystery. The game is atmospheric and immersive, making it a standout choice for fans of cooperative and deduction board games.
- Game Mechanics: One player acts as the ghost, who is trying to communicate the identity of their murderer, the location, and the weapon used through a series of vision cards. These cards contain abstract and dreamlike images. The investigators must interpret the visions to narrow down the suspects, locations, and objects. The game is won if the investigators correctly identify the culprit before the time runs out.
4. Blood on the Clocktower
- Number of Players: 5-20+
- Short Review: Blood on the Clocktower is an immersive social deduction game that excels in creating tension and excitement. The game is notable for its rich storytelling and the depth of strategy involved. It’s a must-play for fans of social deduction games like Werewolf or Mafia, but with more roles and mechanics that keep eliminated players engaged.
- Game Mechanics: Players are assigned roles in a small village, with some players being good townsfolk and others being evil minions or the demon. Each night, players use their abilities to gather information or sow deception. During the day, the village discusses and votes to execute a suspected player. The game continues until either the demon is executed or the demon and their minions outnumber the townsfolk.
5. Coup
- Number of Players: 2-6
- Short Review: Coup is a fast-paced game of bluffing and deduction set in a dystopian universe. It’s quick to learn and play, making it a great choice for short game sessions or as a warm-up for longer games. The tension and excitement come from the strategic use of character abilities and the art of deception. There’s even a Filipino edition with matching art and language!
- Game Mechanics: Each player starts with two face-down character cards, representing their influence. On their turn, players take actions such as collecting coins, assassinating opponents, or using character abilities. Players can bluff about their characters, but others can challenge them. If a challenge is successful, the bluffing player loses one influence. The last player with influence remaining wins the game.
There you have it! These games offer a variety of experiences, from social deduction and cooperative play to creative clue-giving and strategic bluffing. There’s always something for everyone so give these a shot!
Check out these articles for more games to try
