Types of Board Games

Oftentimes it seems the choices for board games are overwhelmingly endless. Party games, strategy games, classic games, where does one start if they want to start adding some board games to jazz up their catch ups with friends and family? With this blog, hopefully, we can help you narrow down some of those choices.

Board games have come a long way from your familiar Monopolies and Snakes & Ladders, European style board games such as Catan and Ticket to Ride have made their way into major retailers next to your Jengas and other classics. Card games such as Cards Against Humanity have spawned an endless barrage of variations on the format. Let us take you through some of these major types of tabletop games to add some method to the madness that is the board game shelves of your local Hobbyco!

European Style Games

Also known as German-style board games, these are games generally involving indirect player interaction, as well as a multitude of ways of earning victory points. Each player progresses individually until one player reaches the winning threshold and ends the game.

They differ from American-style board games such as Monopoly and Risk which are far more luck-based and have direct conflict between the players. Many people have gravitated towards this style of game as they often have higher levels of strategy but without the high learning curve and abstraction of games such as Chess.

On top of that, the lesser focus on player conflict (such as the lack of player elimination) allows for friendlier, more social game experiences, and fewer tables flipped.
European board games can also often cater to a varying number of players, generally between 2 to 6.

The Settlers of Catan, now known simply as Catan, blazed the trail for this type of game becoming popular, other popular examples are Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, Azul, and Wingspan.

Social Deduction Games

Off of the classic that is Mafia (also known as Werewolf), social deduction games are perfect for the detective at heart. These games usually begin by dealing secret roles to players, granting different abilities in the game. Then players usually work to either eliminate the players with the enemy roles, simply identify them, or work towards a common goal that the enemy is trying to prevent.

These games tend to be fast-paced and are more fun when more players are involved, making them perfect for parties.

Games like Coup, Ultimate Werewolf, Love Letter, and Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, are all excellent games within this genre.

Legacy Games

Legacy games are simply meant to only be played once. These may involve a story that the players work together to progress through, or include puzzles that once solved, cannot be scrambled and solved again. These games are more of a special experience to enjoy with friends and become the centrepiece of your game night or party. Think of these like an escape room you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.

Examples of Legacy games include Pandemic, Exit The Game, and Gloomhaven.

Party Games

Characterised by a simple-to-learn set of rules, allowing for a high number of players, and sometimes a lack of focus on competition or winning. There are a plethora of different game mechanics that you can find in this collection, but popular styles include comedic prompt-based card games like Cards Against Humanity, fast-paced card games like Exploding Kittens, and clue-based guessing games like Codenames.

Classic Games

Some classics stay classic and are always fun no matter how old. Most of these would be recognisable such as Scrabble, Rummikub, and Jenga. If you love games like these, why not try out some other time-honoured and traditional-inspired games such as Skull (a simple bluffing game based on a traditional game played with cards), Onitama (a take on Chess but with cards dictating what moves are allowed), and Quarto (Connect 4 on steroids).

Building Bonds, One Dice Roll at a Time!

Board games aren't just a source of fun; they're a bridge to unforgettable moments and lasting friendships. As you embark on epic quests, solve mysteries, or simply have a good laugh, you're also strengthening the bonds with those around you. Board games encourage face-to-face interactions in a digital age, fostering communication, teamwork, and shared experiences.

So, why wait? Bring the joy of these games into your life and start creating fantastic memories today. Explore our wide range of board games at Hobbyco and make your next game night truly unforgettable!