Introduction
2018 has seen a resurgence of traditional board gaming, with classic experiences being reinvented for modern audiences, and brand new titles joining the fray. Players can choose from countless strategic and exciting options, such as strategy games, cooperative puzzles and unique world-building opportunities. Everyone from experts to newbie gamers are now buying back into the tabletop gaming scene, making it a great time to explore all of the possibilities.
The explosion of board games this year can be attributed to multiple factors. With technology becoming increasingly prevalent in everyday life, there is an ever growing interest in activities that don’t involve screens or devices. Board games also offer an immersive experience that technology-based games cannot provide – they’re more tactile, social and engaging. Additionally, many celebrities have started raising awareness by promoting board games on their social media platforms. Gamers are further convinced by the wide range of innovative designs offered by today’s game developers who employ creative mechanics and refreshing themes each season.
Wow! It’s no surprise that so many people have jumped on board with traditional board gaming this year; there are endless choices for everyone from beginners to gaming veterans. Games offer eye-catching strategies, exciting puzzles and unique concepts which cannot be replicated with any other platform other than physical ones like paper, plastic or cubes. With higher profile influencers on social media pushing these products through endorsements and exposure, one imagines the trend will only continue upwards for the foreseeable future. Furthermore with developers continuing to push out newer models every season with intriguing mechanics and fresh ideas; it only sharpens an already keen appetite for these experiences even moreso.
A Look at the Biggest Board Game Trends of 2018
2018 has been an exceptionally exciting year for board games. From classic board game revitalizations and re-issues to exciting new and imaginative game designs, there has been a lot of variety and competition in the space. Some of the biggest trends this year include innovative cooperative play, enhanced components like double-sided boards, 3D sculpts, detailed miniatures, and immersive storylines with multiple endings. This has given gamers unprecedented options with regard to quality, replayability, and design.
Another large trend for 2018 has been party games along with their expansion packs. Small box party games have been extremely popular with many reaching huge sales levels quickly due to their ease of play and high replay value which makes them perfect for gatherings or family game nights. As well as this traditional party games such as Codenames and Exploding Kittens have received new expansions that further explore the mechanics while creating new ways to play similar concepts.
In addition to all the traditional types of board games moving into the digital age with mobile phone adaptations, there are more hybrid tabletop/video game combinations than ever before. Many classic video franchises such as XCOM now merge physical components like miniatures in order to create an even more immersive experience than the original video game could provide on its own. Finally role playing games remain incredibly popular but are no longer limited to Dungeons & Dragons; there are endless variations using different gaming systems and themes fuelling interest in these increasingly complicated yet enjoyable social experiences back at our gaming tables.
Family-Friendly Board Games for All Ages
The best board games of 2018 are sure to bring your family together for some quality time. From classic favorites such as Monopoly, Clue, and Risk to newer versions of popular games such as Against Humanity and Ticket to Ride, there are plenty of great options to choose from when it comes to finding fun and engaging board games that the whole family can enjoy. For kids, there are classic strategy board games like Candyland, Scrabble, and Battleship that offer a great way to stimulate critical thinking skills while still being enjoyable for everyone. If you’re looking for some lighter fare for a party or get-together, Cards Against Humanity is always a hit with hilarious cards that can keep groups laughing for hours. For those looking for larger-scale adventure, fantasy role-playing campaigns such as Dungeons & Dragons provide exciting stories full of fantasy creatures and fantastical locales. And if you’re just looking for an escape from reality with friends or family members, Settlers of Catan requires tactical planning as players race to colonize the imaginary island known as Catan. Whether you’re putting together individual puzzles in Ravensburger’s Sorry! Sliders or competing against each other while building towers with Jenga blocks, the best board games will have your entire family engaged in friendly competition in no time at all.
The Best Board Games for Experienced Players
For experienced players looking for their next challenge, there are some great titles available in the board gaming world this year. The 2018 hit Scythe by Stonemaier Games puts players back in an altered 1920s timeline, complete with mechs and post-war tensions. Players build up their mechanized armies as they trade, explore and struggle for control of the land. The star of the game is its beautiful artwork that transports players to this peculiar world – although its complexity can take some time to learn and master. Gloomhaven from Cephalofair Games also captivated board gamers across the globe this year with its massive campaign filled with monster battles, shrouded plotlines and stunning art. With so many exciting scenarios waiting to be discovered, you never quite know what’s coming next! Finally, Wingspan, a relatively new title published by Stonemaier Games offers a deep yet highly replayable experience about bird enthusiasts collecting birds to enhance their wildlife reserves. With dozens of cards and detailed artwork depicting different avian species from North America, this engine-building strategy game is one that is sure to capture heart of any board gamer looking for a thought-provoking challenge.
Comprehensive List of Best Strategy Board Games for Every Gamer
Board games have been a popular form of entertainment throughout the centuries and the past few years have seen an increase in demand for the best strategy board games. In 2018, the market for classic family friendly gaming is bigger and better than ever before. Whether you are looking for complex Eurogames, active party games, meaty 4X titles or easy family fun there is something for everyone on our comprehensive list of the best board games of 2018.
One of the most popular offerings from recent years is Pink Orange’s “Pool Party”. In this game players compete to complete tasks by moving their pool noodle around. Along the way players can collect tokens with different accessories that give unique talents or abilities within the game-play. Pool Party uses a unique combination of luck and strategy to create an enjoyable experience that all ages can appreciate.
Another standout title from 2018 is Fantasy Flight’s “Star Wars Rebellion”. Fans of both Star Wars and strategy are sure to enjoy this engaging two player game in which one takes control of the Rebel Alliance while the other takes charge as Emperor Palpatine. Players use troops and resources to secure objectives and crush opponents while carefully balancing noise versus discretion, as too much saber rattling will attract unwanted attention from Darth Vader and get your plans foiled at every turn. It combines fantastic thematic elements with intense strategic play that results in hours upon hours of fun and immersive gameplay.
Best Unique & Offbeat Board Games of 2018
2018 was an incredible year for board games, with a wide range of interesting and unique titles everyone can enjoy. Whether it’s party games like Codenames Duet or the return of classic favorites like Risk Legacy, there are lots of great options out there. Popular blends of theme and mechanics, such as Azul and Raiders of the North Sea, are always a hit too! Here is a look at some of the best and most offbeat board games released this past year.
Root is an intense game of forest warfare between lizards, along with their woodland allies. The game encourages players to take risks to gain control of key points in the forest in order to expand influence over their opponents. With multiple strategies available, it offers varied gameplay every time you pick it up.
Meanwhile Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game takes a modern day approach to play – designed as an interactive whodunnit escape room experience rather than your typical fantasy world exploration adventure. Players must think logically in order to piece together evidence from various clues; it requires creativity to come up with clever solutions on top of good detective work. Even if you don’t solve the case yourself, it’s sure to be an engaging and immersive experience nonetheless.
Power Grid Deluxe is an upgraded version of one of Europe’s most successful board games, allowing players to build up electrical networks covering whole continents while battling market fluctuations and resource shortages. The game pits players against each other in a race for power to become the undisputed king or queen of the grid!
Best Board Games for Groups & Social Gatherings
Board games are a great way to bring people together for hours of fun! Whether you’re hosting a party, family game night, or just looking for entertainment on a Friday night, there’s something here for everyone. Some of the best board games of 2018 include: Codenames, the classic Mysterium, the fast-paced Power Grid, and the award-winning One Night Ultimate Werewolf. All of them offer an exciting group experience that will have your friends in stitches!
Codenames is a code-breaking game for two or more players that requires quick thinking and collaboration in order to win. In each round, teams try to guess as many secret words as possible within their allotted time limit. It’s easy to learn but has plenty of depth once you start playing it. Mysterium is another popular board game where players must use psychic visions to solve a murder mystery by working together with their team. With beautiful artwork and high levels of replayability this game promises hours of entertainment! Other fantastic picks include Power Grid which involves planning ahead and electrical engineering strategy while managing resources wisely to become the king/queen of power plants; and One Night Ultimate Werewolf which is perfect for those bigger groups who don’t want anything too complicated but have plenty of time to enjoy some good old fashioned lying and guessing! No matter what type of board game you are looking for – be it interactive puzzles or deep strategy – there is something new out this year that is sure to please. So get your friends together today and get gaming!
Conclusion
The future of board games is looking brighter than ever. With the continued growth in popularity, plenty of new and exciting games have been released over the past year and with many more slated for release in the coming months. This trend looks set to continue well into 2019, with a host of innovative new titles being released all the time. One thing is for sure; in the world of gaming, board games are most certainly here to stay!
From reinventing classic staples like chess and Monopoly to introducing completely new narrative-based experiences, there’s something for everyone when it comes to modern board gaming. The increased diversity of titles allowing anyone to find a game that works perfectly for their tastes and skillsets. As such, it’s no wonder that so many people enjoy engaging in a few strategic rounds or taking turns narrating an epic story building round after round. There’s always something interesting happening on your tabletop and it’s not likely to change anytime soon!
Furthermore, technology has enabled greater opportunities for connectivity within board game culture by giving players access to larger gaming networks as well as embedded AI components making each rulebook an even deeper experience than before. This increased interest amongst gamers has encouraged developers to come up with ever-more innovative ways of engaging fans – either directly through social networking channels or more subtle competitions designed around particular titles associated with popular films or franchises. The possibilities are truly limitless now that technology also makes it easier than ever before for so many players from around the world to join together on a single game platform regardless of where they actually live – generating results previously unheard of! So no matter if you prefer solo competitive play or team building strategy battles, the future of board gaming looks incredibly exciting right now!
I love playing all kinds of games – from classics like Monopoly to modern favourites like Ticket to Ride.
I created this blog as a way to share my love of board games with others, and provide information on the latest releases and news in the industry.
