When people think of board games, their mind may drift to Monopoly, Risk, or any children’s game, like Snakes and Ladders. However, there are so many more exciting games out there just waiting to be played, all with modern and interesting mechanics.
It’s been difficult for me to curate this list, as there are literally thousands upon thousands of modern board games out there that I think are great. Therefore this list provides the top ten staples of modern board gaming that I’ve also tried to diversify to cater for different tastes as this list will likely be perused by those just coming into the modern board gaming scene.
Root
Root has quickly become a board game that adorns every collector’s shelf. It presents a four-way asymmetrical experience where everyone is vying to win in the same spaces, yet are playing four seperate games. And the many expansions only expands this repertoire of roles and factions.
Although the teach of Root can be arduous, when everyone knows what they’re doing, you’ll find yourselves embroiled in a dynamic game that will have you fighting, building, harvesting, scavenging, and exploring ruins for loot. Every role has different things that they can do and a different economy, meaning you’ll need to keep your enemies close to know how to outwit them.
Root is a staple of modern gaming and is a fantastic example of what it can be, whilst providing an excellent game you’ll want to play again and again.
Oath
Oath is certainly one of my favorite games full stop. A legacy game where no two games will ever be the same, Oath allows the players to shape the history and future of the games by their decisions.
With one player being the Chancellor, and other players either being Citizens or Exiles, every player will have many different options on their path to victory. Whether the Chancellor maintains rules or gets usurped by another player will not only decide the victor for that game, but will influence the very game itself.
A war game that will have each player vying for supremacy, the very map will change, cards will come in and out of play, and buildings will rise and fall, forever changing the stage for all future games. Will you set up a dynasty for your role, or will you be responsible for a crumble of a dominating regime?
Undaunted Stalingrad
The Undaunted franchise is an innovative line of games that started with Undaunted: Normandy, that debuted the incredible card and deck building feature that so many have come to adore and appreciate, myself included. However, everything good about the Undaunted franchise comes to a staggering head in Undaunted Stalingrad.
Undaunted Stalingrad will take two players down a campaign of games that is unique every time, as who wins each battle will dictate which battle you face next. Whole squads and game states will be unlocked only after specific conditions, meaning you could play Undaunted Stalingrad numerous times and have unique experiences every time.
The deck building of this game and the incredible tensions and consequences it forces players to face make this the best war game of all time, let alone one of the greatest modern board games. It may be wise to begin with a smaller Undaunted game, but Undaunted Stalingrad is truly one of the finest board games I’ve come across.
Pandemic
Pandemic, whether you’re tired of the absurd amount of spin-offs and expansions or not, is deeply baked into the modern sphere of board gaming. Pandemic pioneered what’s now labelled the “Pandemic system,” and many other games using this system have been released donning whole new themes and dressings.
This Pandemic is the original, and provides a cooperative game where all the players are working together to try and curb different diseases before they destroy life as we know it. It’s incredibly accessible yet the depth of strategy required is admirable. With so many ways to lose, you’ll have to work with your team tirelessly to secure victory.
There are countless expansions to this board game and whole other Pandemic games to choose from. The original is fantastic, but there may be another flavor that calls to you.
Frosthaven
Frosthaven is an overwhelming box of secrets, and I mean that literally. Sequel to the hit Gloomhaven, Frosthaven takes everything about its predecessor and improves upon it, refines it, and somehow adds more content to be enjoyed.
Frosthaven is a colossal game that will take a dedicated group of players through dozens upon dozens of scenarios, where their choices and actions will splinter them into different narrative paths, locking off scenarios, but unlocking others. Your story is yours to be told, and Frosthaven has enough room for an epic one.
It’s a terribly difficult game where you’ll need to work with your allies to the best of your abilities. In between scenarios and fighting, there are numerous other activities to be getting on with, like shopping, outpost management, and much more. With whole boxes, characters, and envelopes being kept secret until you unlock them, there is always more to be explored. Both in-game, and in the box.
Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is an example of a modern board game that has infiltrated the house of many families who wouldn’t label themselves as “board gamers.” It’s simple yet strategic gameplay makes it a great low-stakes game to play again and again.
In Ticket to Ride, you’ll be building a hand of colored trains that you’ll be using to trade in for little train miniatures to build railways and gain points. Hogging and establishing select railways will have others on edge as you derail their plans.
Now, I don’t find Ticket to Ride itself to be revolutionary, however it’s a modern board game that is incredibly popular, and it has lots of different expansions and editions for it to appeal to almost anyone. It’s a great entry into modern board gaming and I’d largely recommend it.
Carcassonne
The Carcassonne franchise is one of the greatest tile-placement games out there. Granted, you will want all the expansions (and there are a lot of them) to keep the game fresh, interesting, and truly great, but the base game is not only a fantastic entry into modern board gaming, but it’s also endlessly fun.
Carcassonne is a tile-placing board game where players will randomly pick a tile and will have to legally add it to the sprawling mosaic of other tiles. As Carcassonne expands, players will be vying for control over pastures and cities to score points, but with limited meeples, choosing and expanding the right plots (or denying your opponents!) is a strategic balancing act that never fails to disappoint.
Despite there being many expansions available, my first of many games of Carcassonne were played with simply the core box, and every single game was fun, interesting, and different.
Catan
Catan is technically still considered a modern game, so it would be remiss of me not to put it on this list. It’s also another example of a fantastic modern board game that has already found its way into the homes of many and has far too many expansions and editions to make things exciting and “modern.”
You and your friends will be settling down, expanding, and securing resources to gain victory points. With a limited play area, players will need to be very calculated when deciding what to build what where to try and dominate the trading market, something done solely at the discretion of the players.
Catan may be getting on now, but it’s a modern staple and has many expansions to give it new life. If you haven’t already, I’d recommend getting Catan for a game that will appeal to many others that may want to play some board games.
The King’s Dilemma
The King’s Dilemma is always an interesting recommendation for it is a role-playing game, something those getting into modern board games may not know about. A diplomatic discussion game with a medieval lick of paint, The King’s Dilemma may not work for every group, but it’s an incredibly good game.
In The King’s Dilemma, each player will take the role of a house that represents different ideas and ideologies. As dilemmas come up and are unlocked, the players will be discussing and voting what they want to happen, which will have consequences that effect everyone.
You will need a dedicated group to play this game as it takes the course of several sessions to come to completion and have a winner. But the real joy here is in the journey, as broken promises and fruitful alliances arise through true respect or mutual benefit.
Bloodborne The Board Game
Bloodborne The Board Game may be a controversial pick for one of the best modern board games, but hear me out. Out of all the grandiose video-games-turned-board-games that host an exuberant amount of plastic minis and parts and a million expansions to sell even more aforementioned plastic — this is one of the best.
A cooperative game, Bloodborne The Board Game is a fantastic modern board game as the core set alone features four campaigns, which each consist of three play sessions. This is already a huge amount of content that is also very replayable.
You will be fighting through unique campaigns engaging in battle with different enemies and bosses, a challenge you will have to overcome with your team together. Out of all the cooperative games I’ve played with my friends, no other game has given me this much tension, and I haven’t even played the video game.
I just feel like everyone should experience the thrill of moving around a ridiculous amount of awesome-looking figurines whilst engaging in high-stakes combat. These sorts of games have become very popular in recent years, and Bloodborne The Board Game is definitely worth a try.
Now that you have a great list of different modern board games to dive into, all you need to do now is decide which one to play.
Published: Aug 10, 2024 10:12 am