Expand the Introduction
Board game rating websites have been around for almost as long as board games have existed. The earliest of these began in the 1990s, offering a platform for reviews and comments from both avid board game players and casual participants alike. Initially, the newsprint magazines and journals dedicated to board gaming were used to share ratings and reviews with their readers. Later on, people started to create online forums where discussions could be held in an open environment. This gave way to a more comprehensive website that offered general information about various board games, detailed ratings based on market research, tips and strategies from professional gamers, as well as reviews from the public. Over time, these websites became more popular as new services such as video streaming allowed users to interact with one another more easily than ever before. Since then, board game rating websites have become increasingly relevant, with numerous resources now available for both game enthusiasts and casual players.
Exploring Genres
Board games typically come in a wide range of genres and each one has something unique to offer when it comes to gameplay. Some of the most commonly seen genres in board games include strategy, card-based, cooperative, party, family, trivia and educational.
Strategy games typically focus on creating long-term plans for success as well as combining elements of luck and skill. Games like Settlers of Catan or Carcassonne are popular examples of this genre.
Card-based games typically involve playing cards from a hand held by a player to perform some sort of action or obtain some resource in order to win the game. Popular examples include Magic: The Gathering and Uno.
Cooperative board games focus on working together against an opponent or other forces. In these types of games players will take on different roles that contribute towards their team’s success. Examples include Pandemic and Forbidden Island.
Party games are designed with large groups in mind and are usually fast-paced with little downtime during gameplay. These types of games often involve physical activity or competition related tasks – such as Pictionary or Charades – and can finish quickly due to an elimination system set up within the game rules.
Family board games are designed specifically for families and younger players, allowing them to learn important skills while still having fun together at the same time. Examples include Monopoly Junior or Guess Who?
Trivia board games require intricate knowledge about various topics in order to win, making them both informative and entertaining at the same time. Good examples are Trivial Pursuit or Scene It? Educational board games have similar objectives but instead use science facts or history questions as their main mechanic instead of trivia quizzes; popular examples being Numbernutz and Group Of Dead Men (GODM).
Popular Mechanics
Board game rating websites usually involve evaluating the mechanics and features of a given game. These mechanics can range from gameplay components, such as how the pieces move or interact with each other, to components related to strategy, such as how well certain strategies work in practice. Additionally, some sites may also look at other criteria such as player count and playtime. The ratings given by these reviewers and experts in the board game community often reflect an overall evaluation of whether a game is fun or not, as well as its structure and ability to increase complexity and diversify while still maintaining a good level of playability. Some popular rating systems used on board gaming websites include the Eurogame scale, BGG rating system, Tom Vasel’s Ten Point System, ranking scales like star ratings or thumbs up/down systems, expert recommendations from recognized members of the community who have evaluated multiple games or mechanics previously. Ultimately these evaluations are subjective ” it all depends upon what type of board gamer you are!
Latest Trends
The popularity of board games has myriads of factors. Some are due to the game play and mechanics, while others are due to its sales record or even the nostalgia that certain classic board games produce. But whatever the reason maybe, certain board games have become timeless classics that remain popular generations after generations through word-of-mouth.
Meanwhile other board games may have innovative ideas or intricate mechanics, but these elements alone cannot guarantee its longevity. Thus on a website such as this, comparing these two trends can help new gamers decide which type of game they may potentially enjoy more, based on what these two groups of games have in common and what sets them apart. This can be achieved by looking at their audience; for example, which age group do they mostly appeal to? Along with analyzing their difficulty levels, theme and overall objective, as well as discussing why a game could eventually become a blockbuster hit or a failure.
Video Reviews
Video reviews can be an invaluable resource when choosing a new board game. It is often helpful to view gameplay videos and watch experienced gamers experience the game firsthand. By providing links to video reviews on the website, readers can get a better sense of what playing the board game is like and make more educated decisions about which games to purchase or try out with friends. Video reviews can also be a great source of inspiration for newcomers to the hobby, as seeing someone actively playing can provide valuable insight into how to play unfamiliar games. Additionally, the videos could include ideas for modifying or adding house rules during long term play.
User Experiences
Many people have found board game rating websites to be very helpful for picking out the perfect board game. Here are some of their experiences:
One user said, “I love using the board game rating websites to find the games I really want to play. They give me such an easy way to compare different options and make sure I’m picking a game that is fun, with good artwork and components, and great mechanics.”
Another user said they ‘love being able to quickly look up ratings on popular board games and also find information about upcoming releases’. This allows them to keep up with the latest in gaming trends so they can stay informed about what new games are out.
A third user said that ‘looking through these ratings sites helped me find a few hidden gems among lesser-known titles’. Being able to read reviews from real players gives them an idea of what kind of game it is before buying it.
Overall, users seem to appreciate having access to these rating websites as they provide valuable information that helps them choose the perfect game for their needs.
Reviews to Avoid
When searching for reviews of board games, it’s important to be aware that not all ratings are unbiased. Some common pitfalls to watch out for include overly enthusiastic reviews from game designers and publishers whose livelihood depends on their products performing well, as well as small sample sizes that don’t properly represent the general population’s opinion. It can also be difficult to differentiate between genuine user reviews and those written by hired writers or people with personal agendas.
To make sure ratings are accurate, it’s best to consult multiple sources, such as professional reviewers and multiple user forums. It’s always wise to check the credentials of a reviewer to verify their experience in the hobby; for example, someone who has attended hundreds of gaming conventions is more likely than a first-time player to have an informed opinion about a board game. Additionally, expanded sample sizes ” i.e., checking various websites with thousands of users rather than relying on one reviewer ” ensure that the average score is more likely to reflect how most people feel about a title. Reading comments from former customers provides another great way to get honest impressions ” many will admit if they feel something was overhyped or didn’t measure up in quality or fun factor compared with similar titles on the market.
User Reviews
User Voting System: Allow users to upvote or downvote reviews written by other people, so they can see which are most helpful. Have a system in place to quickly identify and remove uncivilized language and comments.
Comment System: Allow users to leave detailed comments on reviews (and other topics). Create guidelines on the types of comments that are accepted and those that are not, such as no personal attacks.
Account Management System: Require users to create an account before submitting a review. This will track which user submitted every review, making it easier for moderators to delete inaccurate or unhelpful reviews. Additionally, it can link a user’s reviews with their social media accounts, so followers can see what their favorite reviewers think about different games.
Help Center: Provide an easily accessible help center or forum for users who have questions about the rating system or website functionality. This should include FAQs and contact information for any difficulties that cannot be answered online.
Price Comparison
A great addition to any board game rating website is a Price Comparison feature. This would give players links to other websites where they can purchase the board games they find on the rating website at the lowest possible prices. For example, some of the websites it may be beneficial to link to include Amazon, Target, Walmart, eBay, Gamestop, and various online hobby stores. When researching a new board game, people often want to find the best deals for it. By providing these additional links with price comparisons on your website, you help make this possible for them by saving them time searching multiple websites and also making sure that they get the best deal available from reliable sources.
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.
