Where to Even Start with Tabletop Board Games?

[Newsy News News]

Tabletop board games have exploded in popularity, and for the prospective hobbyist there is a lot to learn.

If your experience with tabletop board games starts with Monopoly and ends with Candy Land, walking into a game store could be overwhelming. Seeing titles like Gloomhaven, Twilight Imperium, and Arkham Horror might be confusing. So when looking to get into designer tabletop board games for the first time, where do you start?

First, ask yourself what kind of game you might like to play. Do you want to play a fast-paced competitive game, or do you want to cozy up with some cute artwork for a while with friends and family? There are so many kinds of tabletop board games that no matter what you're looking for, you're sure to find it.

Next, you have to determine your budget. Designer tabletop board games range from a few bucks to well over $100. Is this just something to kill time when you have the gang over for an evening, or are you looking to get an entirely new hobby?

Now that we've answered the basic questions, let's take a look at some options. Excellent choices for a night-in with friends and family include word games like Code Names, where two players take the role of spymaster and try to clue-in their agents before their opponent can. Or if you're looking for a spooky adventure, you can't miss out on Betrayal at the House on the Hill and relive all your favorite horror movie moments with your friends! These games are easy to teach, replayable, and affordable.

Suppose you're looking for more advanced or strategic choices. In that case, Pandemic has you and up to three friends fighting a pandemic, and Sentinels of the Multiverse has you take the role of superheroes facing off against a colorful cast of villains in all kinds of different places! If teamwork isn't you're cup of tea., 7 Wonders has you in charge of building the best civilization, and Ticket to Ride sets you against your friends as rival railroad tycoons.

There are a lot of tabletop board games, with more released almost daily. As a newcomer to the hobby, it can be challenging to figure out what's worth your time and money. While you're developing your taste, look towards resources like "BoardGameGeek." A website that reviews games by category, quality, and difficulty to play or learn. It may be tempting to dive into games like the popular Gloomhaven or pick up the first game with exciting box art, but you don't want to get burned by something you don't like or, worse, your friends don't.

With the recent rise in tabletop board games' popularity, many people are trying to enter the hobby. Classics like Catan, Carcassone, and Power Grid are great entry points, but there are many options for all kinds of an aspiring tabletop board gamer.