WIth the Covid-19 pandemic still affecting millions all over the world, many people are staying home when they can. One of the best things to do when you are cooped up at home with family or friends in your bubble is to play some board games. While we have all likely played the likes of Monopoly or Clue, those are far from the only kinds of board games out there.
There have been thousands of different board games released over the years, many of which are an incredibly good time. But with so many options, which are the ones you should be sure to try this year? With that in mind, let’s go over a few of the best board games to try out in 2020.
Dungeons & Dragons
While it is not a board game per se, Dungeons & Dragons is certainly a game you should try to play if you haven’t before. The game has been out for decades and has a long history, but there is still a large percentage of the population that hasn’t given a try. It is a tabletop RPG in the fantasy genre, in which players create their characters from scratch and go on a variety of adventures.
The game features a dungeon master (DM) who sets the stage for the adventure and gives players instructions and tasks, while also setting the rules. The game allows for a ton of creativity, both in character design and how the story unfolds. Every time you play the game can be completely different and unique.
Of course, before you play the game, be sure you have all the necessary gear. This could include dice, playmats, adventure coins, and miniatures. The good news is, online retailers like D20 Collective can provide an easy one-stop-shop for all of these accessories.
Pandemic
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While this game has been out for over a decade, 2020 seems like the perfect time to play it if you never have. The game is all about cooperating with the other players, which is very different from most board games out there. The goal is to work together to stop a disease from spreading all over the world.
On each turn, players will move throughout the world and do a variety of things from building stations for research, treating the disease, and working to find cures. You need to work with other players to plan ahead to make sure you can control the outbreaks and stop the disease before it takes over the world.
Wavelength
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If you’re looking for a fun party game, Wavelength might be for you. It is a guessing game but has an exciting twist that makes it, unlike any others. A player, known as the psychic, will draw a card that has two opposites on it. This could be hot and cold. Then, the player will spin a dial and will have to give a clue that lines up with where the “scoring zone” on the dial ends up between the two opposite concepts.
For example, if the scoring zone lands very close to the hot side, the clue might be “the sun”, whereas if it landed closer to the cold side, the clue could be “ice”. The real fun begins when the zone lands somewhere in the middle. The aim is for the psychic to use a clue to help their team guess where on the spectrum the scoring zone is. The closer to the exact point that the team guesses, the more points they will score.
The concept of rating things on the scale is familiar, but the secrecy of the dial makes it more difficult than you might think. You also need to consider not only the clue you give but how others will interpret the clue you give.
Cosmic Encounter
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This is simply a great board game that combines a lot of strategies, with a ton of humor and excitement. Each player controls their alien species as they vie for control over the universe. It is a very unpredictable game that will be different every time you play it. The goal is to be the very first player to build 5 colonies on opposing planets.
Every turn a player is matched up with another and will have to do one of two things, fight or negotiate. The game is all about arguing, working together, making allies, backstabbing others, and making deals. However, what makes the game fun are the unique alien powers. Every character has a power that breaks the rules of the game.
This could be that when a player loses a battle they win, or can invite themselves into the encounters of other players. With over 50 powers available, you never truly know what you’re going to get out of this game when you play it. It is very dynamic, and exciting in ways that many other board games simply aren’t.
Superfight
Superfight is a hilariously fun game all about arguing your case. There are two sets of cards in this game, character cards and attribute cards. Players will draw one of each, and their character+attribute will get matched up against that of another player. Each player will try to convince the rest of the group why their character (plus attribute) would win in a fight versus the other.
They can use logic, persuasion, and whatever else at their disposal to win the round. The group will ultimately choose the winner based on who made the best case for their fighter. With so many different combinations of cards, this game can provide endless amounts of excitement. You can play it with only a couple of people, or a room full of family members or friends.
Whether you play D&D, Pandemic, or any of the other games mentioned, you are sure to have a wonderful time with your friends and family. Of course, be sure to do your research if you’d like as there are a ton of great board games worth checking out this year.
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