If the theme of Ancient Rome doesn’t quite excite you, don’t despair: they’ve now announced a version set in Middle-earth, for some reason. Hey, nobody’s unhappy with some lembas.
You have probably wondered at some point what is the best board game for two people in history. Ideally, it should be accessible, fast, and fun, of course. The answer is ‘7 Wonders Duel’, an absolute masterpiece that you will play over and over again. But if the Ancient Rome theme doesn’t excite you, don’t worry: they have now announced a version set in Middle-earth, for some reason. Hey, no one can resist some lembas.
In this case, instead of two Roman civilizations facing each other over three different eras, this time we will follow, at least based on the box, a struggle between the forces of good and evil. In Spain it has been titled ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Duel for Middle-earth’ and the release date is not clear. In fact, we have only been able to see some of its components (coins, towers, soldiers, and shields), although it is assumed that it will introduce innovations beyond the theme.
We are in a moment of explosion of The Lord of the Rings games, so it was an ideal time to make a crossover with ‘7 Wonders’, which, in addition to ‘Duel’ (and its expansions), also recently experienced a rebirth with ‘7 Wonders Architects’, a simpler game for a new audience. Will it work now in the search for the One Ring? We will have to wait to know more, but for now it has become the big unexpected surprise of the year in games. Keep an eye out (from Sauron, of course).
Board games based on video games are not only in vogue but can also be surprisingly fun, exciting, and perfectly capture – even better – the spirit of the original.
You may have never played a video game and thought, “Hey, you know how I could improve this? With dice, cards, a board, and a complex system of mechanics that is terribly difficult to understand and that I have to deceive between one and three people for a long period of time until I can master it.”
However, video game-based board games are not only popular nowadays, but they can also be surprisingly fun, exciting, and capture the spirit of the original, even better. And so you don’t get lost in the wasteland of pixels and dice, we’re going to review the top 10 that you can find anywhere. Get ready to put aside the controller and sit at a table for a while.
‘Doom’ can even be played on a printer screen, and did you think it couldn’t be turned into a board game? In this game, up to four players will control the marines and one will control the demons. Different objectives, ways to play, missions, and victories await you. And yes, indeed: it is much more fun to play as the bad guys.
9-Street Fighter II
Is it a good board game? Absolutely not. Its mechanics are simple, luck-based, and extremely boring. But… Have you taken a look at it? They are the characters from Street Fighter II in a three-dimensional city looking for a fight and winning until they face the evil M. Bison. No, it’s not exactly ‘Dune Imperium’, but it’s a little gem to have in your home.
8-Fallout Shelter
In the midst of the peak of the television series, perhaps it is time to organize your nuclear shelter by eliminating threats, gaining happiness, and making improvements little by little. Originally, this was a mobile game, but, frankly, it is better played with cards, Pip Boy figurines, and tokens. And besides, the artwork is, as usual with this saga, an absolute delight.
7-World of Warcraft
There are dozens of games based on the Blizzard franchise, from the classic Monopoly to versions of ‘Smallworld’ or collectible card games. But if we had to choose one, it would be, literally, ‘World of Warcraft: the board game’, in which you will have to choose whether to fight for the Horde or the Alliance, carefully choose your character and earn power and honor points for your faction. But without paying monthly fees or buying mounts at absurd prices, which, whether you like it or not, is an advantage.
6-Fallout
We have already fixed the shelter, now it’s time to go out into the Wasteland and see what’s going on. The most curious thing about Fallout is that you won’t see the complete board at first, but it will open up before you as you complete missions, defeating mutant monsters and surviving in an environment where only Nuka-Cola can save you at any given moment.
5-Skyrim
You can get ‘Skyrim‘ on twenty different consoles: Why not try something different by bringing it to your table? The game will allow you to create a unique character that will evolve throughout two very long campaigns. A cooperative game full of wonderful miniatures, dragons, mines, tombs, weapons and, of course, death. And the best part? Like the video game, you can also enjoy it alone. Just be prepared to roll dice non-stop.
4-Cyberpunk 2077: Night City Gangs
When ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ was released, it was a moment of absolute disappointment (and many bugs) for all those who were eagerly awaiting it. However, over time it has been fixed and playing it now is the experience you always wanted. The board game is another success in the franchise: you will have to organize your gang to gain power in the city, not only to defeat your opponents, but also to make changes in the game, for better or for worse. It is now available for sale in Spain, and you wouldn’t be wrong to give it a try.
3-Anno 1800
A board game so good that many people don’t even realize it’s based on a video game. In this case, players must compete to earn influence points by exploring worlds, making deals with foreign countries, and increasing their population, with tough decisions to make. True to the original, fun, and very European. So much so that it could easily have another name and still be successful.
2-Borderlands
You already know what you’re going to find in Borderlands: fun, humor, bad temper, and all kinds of explosions. In the case of this board game, you will have to face all kinds of enemies in a crazy campaign mode with simple gameplay that will take the video game’s principles to the end. If you’re a fan, you can’t miss it.
1-This war of mine
Of course the first one had to be ‘This war of mine’. If the video game is already as complicated as it is terrifying and desolate, the board game manages to double the experiences of it. You will have to see the B side of the war and try to survive by accumulating resources (if you can) in a game as difficult to win as it is satisfying to play. If it’s missing from your shelf, you’re doing something wrong.
2024 is filled with so much, far more entertainment than we can encompass, from movies to series, including video games, comics, books, and of course… board games!
2023 is over! And 2024 is filled with much, much more leisure than we can handle, from movies to series, video games, comics, books, and of course… Board games! Because, deep down, who doesn’t have as a secret purpose to spend more nights with friends, snacks, and a good ‘Dixit’? Pay attention, because this is what we will be playing for the next 366 days.
Over one million dollars raised on Kickstarter for a game that, if you have played ‘Hero Realms’, you already know is a must-have. Classic characters from role-playing games, an unparalleled adventure, a one-on-one up to four players and at the same time a cooperative for two delving into dungeons. Few things are more enticing in 2024.
Arcs
A space-opera with fast-paced gameplay, funny designs, and a unique style of play. For 2 to 4 players seeking pure strategy, 18 different dice, about 100 wooden ships… Those who have already tried it say that it has come out very inspired, although you need to have played more games before to fully enjoy it. We’ll have to see it.
Clank! Legacy 2
If you have played ‘Clank! Legacy‘ you know what’s in store… And it’s not little. A game that spans over time, that will change the board forever, that will surprise you before, during and after each game. Does that sound like a lot? Well, on top of that, it’s based on the original ‘Clank!’ which was already fun on its own. It’s not going to be cheap, of course, but it will be worth every euro.
The Queen’s Dilemma
‘The King’s Dilemma’ is one of those games that you have to play in a group, no matter what, and always the same group to fully enjoy it. Twists, twists, and more twists in an adventure that will depend entirely on your decisions with an innovative gameplay that will put you in front of the biggest challenge of your life: gathering a group of four people who want to meet every weekend for a couple of months.
The 7th citadel
Originally it was going to be released in October 2022, but well, the important thing is that it comes out, after all. Your mission will be to discover what the Citadel in which you live hides. Or maybe you will never discover it! In a world full of resources, cards, LCG and interchangeable games, someone who wants to change everything is appreciated… even if it doesn’t go well at all.
2024 comes ready to become your gamer year! Roll the dice, prepare cards, fight against enemies, gather resources: let the game begin.
The legend says that Jeffrey Beslow, known for creating board games based on absurd licenses like ‘Donkey Kong’ or ‘Jaws,’ held a meeting to propose ‘Trump: The Game’ to him in 1988.
The name of Donald Trump immediately brings to mind a lot of mental situations, and not all of them are precisely positive, from the Capitol Assault to Jimmy Fallon messing up his hair (in a strange but somehow effective political maneuver). However, some time ago, the business shark, cameo in ‘Home Alone 2’ and star of ‘The Apprentice’ tried to make a name for himself, from the top of his literal glass tower, in a board game.
It wasn’t the first time that Trump put his name on something that had nothing to do with him: in the United States, they enjoyed his steaks (figuratively speaking: no one bought them) and his vodka, which, for now, is only being consumed in Israel. So, why not a board game? Legend has it that Jeffrey Beslow, a board game designer known for creating games based on absurd licenses like Donkey Kong or ‘Jaws’, had a meeting with him to propose ‘Trump: the game’ in 1988.
And we all know the former American president: few things he likes more than himself. So, without hesitation, he approved the project, which was developed with MB. Trump’s idea was to create a realistic Monopoly game, where the minimum amount to play would be ten million dollars. The manual ended up being so absurdly complex to explain something very simple that it took up 15 pages.
They released two million units to stores and barely sold 800,000 in total, of which the millionaire promised to donate 60% of the profits to charity (without the creators knowing anything). Later, in court, he had no way to prove that his promise was fulfilled. The promotional campaign was so intense that even Bob Stupak, director of a casino in Las Vegas, challenged Trump to a game of his own but with a million dollars at stake. Trump never accepted, not even when the bet became 250,000 dollars that Stupak himself would donate to the NGO of the winner’s choice.
It’s not surprising: in the ad, the big star only said two sentences (“My new game is Trump: the game” and “I think you’ll like it”) and practically doomed it to failure. Interestingly, in 2004, it was released again after the success of ‘The apprentice’ but in a much more simplified way, with a slogan announcing that you needed brains to win millions, but Trump to win billions. It was not a success either.
Ah, the game with Bob Stupak wouldn’t have gone anywhere: neither of the two millionaires had read the rules of the game because then they would have discovered that the minimum number of players is… three.
The good thing is that you have an excuse to give whatever you want for many Christmases to come. And we are going to explain to you why these 5 games are outdated… And what to replace them with. Go for it!
Surely it’s happened to you more than once: you arrive at a game night at someone else’s house and all they have are a couple of board games from the 80s, an unopened Settlers of Catan, and the classic deck of cards for playing mus. The downside is that this night might not be the most fun of your life. The upside is that you have an excuse to give whatever gifts you want for many future Christmases. Because we’re going to explain why these 5 games are outdated… and what to replace them with. Let’s get to it!
Let’s be honest: it’s always been boring. Buying streets, putting up houses and hotels, spending hours rolling dice and not getting anywhere while there’s a constant flow of money (and yawns) until some go bankrupt and others succeed. And the best way to replace Monopoly isn’t with a new version, no.
What you should play instead: ‘Machi Koro’, a game that is also about buying places, building, saving, and plundering your neighbors’ wallets, but for much less time, much better themed, and more fun. And if you like it, moreover, there’s the ever-appreciated Legacy version, where everything changes every time you sit down… forever.
Sure, yes, Trivial Pursuit will never go out of style, remaining as entertaining as it is cultural and iconic. However, if someone catches a good streak, you can spend minutes and minutes watching them answer question after question while others get bored, especially when a wrong answer sets them back in the game. Fortunately, there’s a good alternative.
What you should play instead: ‘Smart 10’, where you have to answer a question with multiple possible correct answers. One person plays first, then the other, until both fail or withdraw. Much more agile, quick, and, dare I say it, fun.
Risk
It’s not a bad game at all, and among the classic basics, ‘Risk’ is one of those that withstands the test of time best. However, once you’ve played a dozen games, you won’t want to bring it out again because it’s basically the same thing over and over. There’s a better option, in this case, without straying from the same series.
What you should play instead: ‘Risk Legacy’. Even those who are most tired of the original board game have to recognize that this is something else. A board and rules that continually change, including missiles, defeated factions, forcing you to come up with new strategies all the time. In the end, you’ll be playing something completely different from the original ‘Risk,’ and you’ll end up being grateful for it.
On paper, ‘Cluedo‘ is the ultimate game, blending logic, fun, and mystery in a delightful tabletop whodunit. But when it comes down to it, it’s about asking the same questions repeatedly and having more luck in the answers than the person next to you. It was great for its time, but nowadays, you’d be better off getting…
What you should play instead: ‘Mysterium’. One player takes on the role of the murder victim, giving other players ghostly clues by indicating images related to their death. Collaboratively, the detectives will have to figure out what happened. It’s a much more enjoyable twist, with artwork on the cards that’s sure to captivate you.
Spell out letters, form words, rack up points, reach the multipliers, and let the person next to you ruin your perfectly crafted strategy. ‘Scrabble’ continues to make waves with its iconic letter tiles and their values. However, time has passed, and there have been evolutions that might suit you much better.
What you should play instead: ‘Bananagrams’. It’s essentially ‘Scrabble’ but individual, with no value assigned to letters, just aiming to be quicker than your rivals at finding words. It doesn’t matter if you can’t create “Esternocleidomastoideo”; “uno” will do just fine if it helps you finish with all your letters before the others. A must-play.
If you haven’t located it yet, it’s that game in which you have to find the drawing that is repeated on two cards before your opponent does. Because yes, one always repeats itself. Always. And don’t think it’s a coincidence.
Have you ever played Dobble in your life? It’s not a question or a supposition but a statement: one million copies sold in Spain give an idea of the fame of this board game that has gone through all possible variations, from absolutely impossible versions (Astérix, Disney, The Mandalorian, Paw Patrol) to XXL or Waterproof editions, ready to play in the pool. If you haven’t placed it yet, it’s that game where you have to find the matching symbol on two cards before your opponent does. Because yes, there’s always a match. Always. And don’t think it’s just a coincidence.
To understand how Dobble started, we have to go back to the year 1850. No, it’s not that they were big gamers back then; it was in that year when Thomas Pennington Kirkman posed his famous “Problem of the Schoolgirls.” Don’t think badly of him; he was a reverend. The problem was as follows: “Fifteen young girls in a school leave in groups of three for seven consecutive days: they must be paired daily so that at the end of the week, no two girls have been together more than once.” Challenging, right?
In 1976, Jacques Cottereau, an enthusiast of the problem, created his own version: 31 cards, each with six images of insects. Thanks to the projective geometry formed by the Fano plane, only one insect was repeated on each pair of cards drawn. In a burst of imagination, he called it “The Insect Game” and put it in a drawer until 32 years later when a journalist, Denis Blanchot, found some of the cards and decided to borrow the concept to create his own game. It was 2008, and that’s how ‘Dobble’ was born.
In ‘Dobble,’ there are eight symbols per card (except in the kids’ version) in 55 different cards. And it may seem like magic, but yes, there’s always at least one repeated symbol. Pure and simple mathematics have created an immortal game with as many versions as there are days in a year (and more to come), including cooperative and competitive editions. In other words, it takes up very little space, and if you have young children, not having it around during the summer is almost a mortal sin. And if, out of curiosity, you try to understand the mathematical operations that led to completing the game, you might end up seeing… dobble.
