Welcome back to Tabletop Talk, Lately I have been putting a lot of focus on the hobby aspect of tabletop gaming but I in this post I am going back to the fundamentals.
Over the last few years I have fallen into the category of a miniature gamer more and more. With less time than I used to to get together and play regular board games I have found a niche in war-gaming, the hobby element keeps me in as it is an aspect that I can do solo. That said, I can never forget the other side of tabletop gaming, the part that you can generally get together with your non gamer friends and still enjoy at home or even at a game cafe but still have a good time without alienating everyone by spending a few hours explaining complicated rules.
If any of these titles appeal to you you can purchase them directly by clicking on the photos.
If any of these titles appeal to you you can purchase them directly by clicking on the photos.
So without wasting any time lets get into:
My Top 10 Board Game Recommendations That Even Non Tabletop Gamers Can Enjoy...
All available on one page..... (Shots fired)
10. Ticket To Ride
Developed by Wizards of the Coast, Lords of Waterdeep is a well made homage to the infamous city of Waterdeep from the Dungeons and Dragons. In this resource management game you take control of one of the lords of the city, your goal is to become the most powerful political being in the city by either gaining favor with the people or manipulating your way to the top of the underworld.
Why I like this game:
3. Scythe
Scythe is by far the heaviest game on this list but I'm pretty sure it is my favorite. Set in a beautifully styled alternate universe 1920's steam punk central Europe. Designed by Stonemaier Games, each of up to five players command a capital who is at war with the others over resources across the country. you must balance resource management using your farmers while controlling the board with your giant mechs who represent your military force. The game seems complicated but plays surprisingly fast at around 2-2.5 hours with three players.
Why I like this game:
The smallest, but deepest game I own. This 2 player Deckbuilder by White Wizard Games puts you in command of a fleet of star ships trying to become the most influential presence in the galaxy.
Why I like this game:
Well that concludes my list. If there are any games that you love that I missed that you recommend I would love to hear about them in the comments.
If you like the content, consider checking out my YouTube channel @ The Bunker With @VeridisQuoTec where I do videos on the hobby, live painting workshops and tabletop gaming, as well as game unboxing and reviews. It is still new but I have lots of content on the way.
In the meantime thanks for reading!
I will always consider this game one of my best thrift store find's to date. Ticket to Ride is an award winning railroad-themed board game developed by Days of Wonder, released in 2004. It has a very simple premise, build a better railroad network than your opponent. The main game is set in the USA but there is a version set in Europe.
Why I like this game:
- With its simple rule set and high replay-ability It is a great gateway game for the casual tabletop gamer or family game night
- the objective system keeps you on your toes wanting to plan ahead with every game being different
- Although the rules are simple, there are some deeper gaming concepts that can be used to make the game a little more intense.
- lots of expansions available to add on to the experience
9. Patchwork
Patchwork is a game that I do not own and have only played a few times but there is no way I am leaving it off this list. I learned about this title when a friend of mine showed up to a board game night with it, threw it down and challenged me. The game is quick to learn and incredibly fun.
Patchwork is a two player abstract strategy game developed by Mayfair Games where you and your opponent are building a quilt together using Tetris like blocks that fit on a grid board. The goal is to make a better quilt by managing your resources.
Why I like this game:
- The 15-20 minute time frame and simple rules makes it easy to squeeze into a short session
- Being exclusively a 2 player game it is great for couples looking for a good game to play together
- Has a very unique but appealing art style
- Very well made for an abstract game
8. Codenames
Codenames is a party game developed by Vlaada Chvátil in 2015 and published by Czech Games, The game supports 4-8 players and is a very simple association game, one team works against the other to guess words of their own color, first to get them all wins. If I am asked to take a game to a party you can bet Codenames will be in my bag.
Why I like this game:
Why I like this game:
- Simple rule-set and quick setup make it an ideal party game
- It is small enough to easily transport to partys
- Promotes teamwork and social interaction
- Low price point makes it easily accessible
Looking at this game on a shelf is intimidating I will be honest, It is much heavier than everything before it on this list, that said it is one of those games the is a little overwhelming for the first round or two but is very easy to get into the groove. Developed by Jacob Fryxelius and Produced by Stronghold Games, Terraforming Mars is a resource management game that puts you at the CEO seat of a corporation pioneering the process of making Mars livable.
Why I like this game:
- Although the rule set is heavier, it is easy to get your bearings, especially if you have a player who is there who has played before.
- The game is constantly engaging with alternating actions around the board
- There is a lot of variety making it a game that will change with every playthrough
- There are a few expansions to expand the experience.
As someone who has played a lot of trading card games throughout my life, I have a soft spot deck builders, I am also a big fan of the DC universe so this game is perfect for me. Developed by Cryptozoic and supporting 2-5 players, The DC Deck Building Game: Forever Evil puts you in control of the bad guys, controlling iconic villains like Lex Luthor, Black Manta or Harley Quinn to take down the justice league while trying to undermine your opponents villains to rise to the top.
Why I like this Game:
- Like most deck builders every player has access to the same card pool while competing to build the best deck to win.
- Simple rules and easy to learn but has elements of complexity to support competitive play
- Supporting the Cryptozoic card system there are plenty of expansions
If you prefer playing the good guys you can also pick up The Hero Version, or even play as The Teen Titans
5. Pandemic
There was a point in time when Pandemic game was the most played game in my house. Developed by Z-Man games, it is the most fun you will ever have losing a game. In Pandemic you play a group of the worlds finest scientists and first responders, working as a team against the game to cure four deadly viruses and eradicate them before they wipe out all of humanity.
Why I like this game:
- Being a co-op game means that it encourages and rewards good teamwork
- The game "AI" is challenging but fair
- The rules are simple and the game includes reminder text on most of its elements to help newer players.
Developed by Wizards of the Coast, Lords of Waterdeep is a well made homage to the infamous city of Waterdeep from the Dungeons and Dragons. In this resource management game you take control of one of the lords of the city, your goal is to become the most powerful political being in the city by either gaining favor with the people or manipulating your way to the top of the underworld.
Why I like this game:
- There are many avenues you can take to win the game, be it riches, objectives, or control
- The game is styled in a way where D&D veterans will enjoy it but newcomers will not be confused by it
- Shows a unique perspective as you are essentially the games "Quest Giver" sending NPC adventurers to do your dirty work
- The game is paced well and is constantly engaging to all players.
- The Scoundrels of Skullport Expansion adds a lot to the game.
3. Scythe
Scythe is by far the heaviest game on this list but I'm pretty sure it is my favorite. Set in a beautifully styled alternate universe 1920's steam punk central Europe. Designed by Stonemaier Games, each of up to five players command a capital who is at war with the others over resources across the country. you must balance resource management using your farmers while controlling the board with your giant mechs who represent your military force. The game seems complicated but plays surprisingly fast at around 2-2.5 hours with three players.
Why I like this game:
- For a heavy game, the rules are fairly straightforward
- resources once generated never actually leave the board leaving them available for the taking if not guarded properly
- Enough variety to support multiple plays without getting sick of the game, especially with the two expansions: Invaders from Afar and The Winds Gambit
- The game has an achievement sheet to track current champions and people who did certain things first.
2. Star Realms
The smallest, but deepest game I own. This 2 player Deckbuilder by White Wizard Games puts you in command of a fleet of star ships trying to become the most influential presence in the galaxy.
Why I like this game:
- It's Tiny (Literally just a deck of cards) and easy to learn but goes so deep if you want to master it
- It is a great game for couples as it defiantly has a competitive element that keeps you coming back (Somehow my wife is randomly really good at this one, I am yet to beat her.... Seriously, help me...)
- Games go quick at 30-45 minutes.
This game is seriously the most fun you will have on the table. Sheriff of Nottingham is a game of deception and bluffing. Players take turns playing "The Sheriff", an ill manured customs officer who works the city gate making attempts at extorting passing merchants or catching them with contraband. Everyone else plays the merchants, their mission is to bluff their way into the city without being caught with illegal goods. the player who has the most net worth through extortion and smuggling wins.
Why I like this game:
- It is just plain fun, who doesn't like lying to and extorting their friends
- rules are simple enough that a new player can jump in
- it is an amazing game to bring to parties, even if the group is generally not a gaming group
- you will laugh a lot, especially if your group start getting into a character (they probably will)
Well that concludes my list. If there are any games that you love that I missed that you recommend I would love to hear about them in the comments.
If you like the content, consider checking out my YouTube channel @ The Bunker With @VeridisQuoTec where I do videos on the hobby, live painting workshops and tabletop gaming, as well as game unboxing and reviews. It is still new but I have lots of content on the way.
In the meantime thanks for reading!
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