Everyone always has a friend or family member that really enjoys to play board games more than everyone else. It seems like getting this friend a board game for a birthday or Christmas present would be the perfect gift. The problem is finding a game that they don’t already own, but that will still be fun. This isn’t always the easiest thing to do. That’s exactly why we wrote this article. It will help you find just the right board game for your loved ones.
What are the 5 tips to look at when choosing a board game for a loved one?
- Discover which types of games your loved one prefers.
- Learn which board games your loved one already owns
- Search for games of similar type
- Peruse previous Board Games Of The Year
- Look at a few top games in each major category
Obviously, not all steps need to be followed, but using one or more of them can get you where you want to go. If this doesn’t quite get you there, check out our resources page that gives our very top recommendations on the best games in each game category. There’s no better resource to learn about and find the perfect game for a loved one!
1) Discover which types of games your loved one prefers
If you’re consulting this guide, you know that there are so many games out there, and not all of them are created equally. To compound the problem, some people enjoy playing one kind of game and hate playing others. So even a good game may not appeal to the person you have in mind. Let’s take a look at a few things that may help you narrow down which types of games your loved one may like.
How long they last
The actual duration of board games varies widely across game types. Some last only minutes, others hours, while still others last days or months before finishing. Most board games, even those of different types, tend to fit somewhere in the 30-60 minute time frame. That’s likely because most people can be entertained by a game for somewhere around an hour, before wanting to do something else.
While some people might enjoy all types of board games, most people tend to have a preference. So when looking for a game for a friend or family member, make sure to look for a general idea of how long the games are that they enjoy. Most games have this information printed on the side or back of the game box. You can also reference Board Game Geeks; it has web pages for pretty much every game under the sun—with all the specifications you would ever want to know for each game.
What happens in the games
Not only do games have varying levels of time commitment, they also vary widely on what is happening within the game and what players are doing. Some games require a great deal of concentration and thought. These types tend to be strategy based, with little luck and little uncertainty. Other games are much more luck and theme focused, where players openly fight one another
Obviously, these are very broad categories and can be split into smaller, more specific game categories. But this will get you looking at games the right way. You will be able to observe these characteristics in the games you see your friend play, as well as those in the games you’re looking at purchasing as a gift.
How many players
The number of players participating in a board game alters how it plays. Some games are meant for small audiences, like one or two players. They are usually meant for people that like to play games in non-party settings. Many close friends or couples play these games as a way to relax or have fun at the end of the day.
Many games play with anywhere from 2-8 players. Actually, the vast majority of games made today fit into this category. These games are great for people in many different situations. They can often be played in the same way as the games mentioned above—by just two people enjoying a game night at the end of the day. But they can also be pulled out in small party situations, such as a group of friends getting together for a birthday. They are often used as a reason to get together; for a game night.
The other types of board games seen are ones for more than 8 players. They are best for people at large social gatherings such as birthday parties, work parties and holidays. They tend to be less complicated because they have so many players involved. Some people don’t like to play games, but will play these types of games because of their simplicity.
So, when evaluating a game to buy for a friend, one thing you can look at is how many players it has. You might know already know the types of games (when looking at number of players) your giftee likes. All you have to do after that is look into board games of similar player size.
What its atmosphere is
Very similar to the last two categories is the atmosphere of games that your giftee likes. Or, in other words, how do the games feel when playing? Obviously, what is happening in the games and the number of players playing is going to have an impact on the feel. There is a little more to it than just that. Are players seriously involved in the games or are they more relaxed? How many game pieces make up the game? What do the game pieces look like? What are the players doing while one player is taking a turn? Is the game on a table? Or is it being played while sitting on the couch in the living room? Are players assuming roles and using strange voices? Are players working together or are they competing against one another?
All of these questions don’t need to be answered, but each does give some insight into how the game feels as a whole. That’s what you’re attempting to do in this section. If you can understand how the games feel that your giftee enjoys, you can find the perfect one that they will actually love playing.
2) Learn which board games your loved one already owns
If your giftee loves games, he or she probably owns quite a few. Which, no doubt, makes this part much harder. So, it’s your job to figure out which games she already owns. This may be as simple as snapping a picture of the game closet the next time you’re over at his house. Or it may mean enlisting some help from someone else that might have an easier time getting you this information. There are some hugely popular games that you might want to avoid because they’re games 1) everyone seems to own or 2) meant for a different audience. Let’s tackle those in the next two sections.
Games everyone seems to own
There are quite a few games that everyone just seems to own because they are so popular. We’ve listed a few of them below.
- Catan
- Ticket to Ride
- Codenames
- Risk
Obviously, not everyone owns all of these games so doing a little homework is going to do a better job eliminating games than reading this list. Instead you could consult this list when you know which games your giftee actually owns—because these games are popular for a reason.
Games meant for a different audience
Okay, it’s a pretty cryptic heading we used for this section. All we are trying to say here is that some games are targeted at a mass market audience—and therefore aren’t very fun. These are often household games that everyone owns. Everyone owns them and they aren’t very fun—at least not to people that really enjoy playing board games. We’ve listed a few of them below. Some are obviously kids games and others are family games
- Uno
- Monopoly
- Chutes and Ladders
- Candy Land
- Yahtzee
3) Search for games of similar type
Major game genres
As we’ve already stated, board games can look very different from one another. Though this makes the process harder for you, take comfort in the fact that they can be generally categorized into larger “genres” of similar feel and gameplay. So if you know the names of a few board games your giftee owns, you can reference other games that fall within the same category.
Different groups will categorize games differently. There is no truly objective manner of categorization. Some games can fit many categories which allows them to be looked at differently by everyone. Regardless, we have listed a few of the major board game categories below. Please note that it’s not an exhaustive list.
Abstract strategy
Abstract strategy games are those with little to no game theme at all. The core focus of these games is how the actual game mechanics function, allowing them to flow seamlessly. They are highly competitive and strategy oriented games, usually with little luck.
Euro-style
Euro-style games had their beginning in Germany long ago. These games are very similar to abstract strategy games (abstract strategy games could be a subcategory of Euro-style games). They focus on elegance and seamless game mechanics. They usually have muted themes—that could virtually be removed without players even taking notice. They are usually strategy driven, with little or no luck whatsoever. There is little direct player interaction (meaning players aren’t fighting each other for control), and usually no player elimination.
Ameritrash
American-style games or Ameritrash games are those that have drama and excitement at their core. Every element included in them adds to their drama and excitement. Consequently, direct player interaction—often through fighting for area control or to eliminate another—is often employed in them. These games can also have role playing elements and strong themes. In fact, these types of games would suffer significantly if their themes were removed. The games would then either not make sense or not be fun.
Role playing games
Role playing games are more or less what you’d expect. They are games that have an element where players assume roles and get into character. This can often mean they change their voices to fit what a character would sound like; sometimes it even means dressing up like that character. In many role-playing games, there are only elements of role playing and not necessarily the sole focus. Role-playing games could probably be included as a subcategory of Ameritrash games.
Party games
Party games are games played at social gatherings to provide something for guests to do, as well as provide entertainment. They are usually extremely simple games that encourage interaction among guests, without getting buried by complex and overbearing rules. These are usually games that people will play, even when they don’t typically play other games. They can technically be board games—but that’s not a requirement.
War games
War games focus on realism and combat. Players in these games usually fight each other for control of things or territories. The outcomes of fights can be resolved in many ways, but they are often resolved with dice. Players are usually fighting to the death, with players being eliminated when their pieces are gone.
Social deduction
Social deduction games are all about concealment and bluffing. Players usually assume secret roles—sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad. Each player then uses the social clues around them to determine who is good and who is bad. Some of these games revolve around this one concept, while others merely incorporate this concept as one small element.
Cooperative
Cooperative games are team games. Players are all working together to accomplish some sort of objective. If they complete the task, they all win; if they don’t complete the task, they all lose. These games have quite a different feel than most other games because players are helping one another. In most other games, players are attempting to outmaneuver everyone else to gain some sort of advantage.
Mass market
Mass-market games are a category of game that isn’t perfectly defined. Many game categories we’ve already listed could fit in this category easily. Regardless, these games are usually found at large box stores. They are cheaply made and targeted at the masses, attempting to get purchases more on recognition and less on the fun of the actual game. Though it should be noted that many fantastic games have become so popular they have crossed into this category, and they can be found at these stores.
4) Peruse previous Board Games of the Year
Board games of the year
One of the best ways to choose a game for a loved one is to look at the Spiel Des Jahres Game of the Year. This can give you a great reference point for some of the best games that have come out in the last few decades. Some of these your giftee will have heard about, and he or she will have likely played several. But unless this person is a game fanatic, there’s little likelihood he or she owns them all.
| 2019 | Just One |
| 2018 | Azul |
| 2017 | Kingdomino |
| 2016 | Codenames |
| 2015 | Colt Express |
| 2014 | Camel Up! |
| 2013 | Hanabi |
| 2012 | Kingdom Builder |
| 2011 | Qwirkle |
| 2010 | Dixit |
| 2009 | Dominion |
| 2008 | Keltis |
| 2007 | Zooloretto |
| 2006 | Thurn and Taxis |
| 2005 | Niagra |
| 2004 | Ticket to Ride |
| 2003 | Alhambra |
| 2002 | Villa Paletti |
| 2001 | Carcassonne |
| 2000 | Torres |
| 1999 | Tikal |
| 1998 | Elfenland |
| 1997 | Mississippi Queen |
| 1996 | El Grande |
| 1995 | The Settlers of Catan |
| 1994 | Manhattan |
| 1993 | Call My Bluff |
| 1992 | Um Reifenbreite |
| 1991 | Drunter and Druber |
| 1990 | Hoity Toity |
| 1989 | Cafe International |
| 1988 | Barbarossa |
| 1987 | Auf Achse |
| 1986 | Top Secret Spies |
| 1985 | Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective |
| 1984 | Railway Rivals |
| 1983 | Scotland Yard |
| 1982 | Enchanted Forest |
| 1981 | Focus |
| 1980 | Rummikub |
| 1979 | Hare and Tortoise |
Kids Game of the year
Below we’ve listed the Kinderspiel des Jahres, which stands for Children’s game of the year. If you’re looking for a game for a younger giftee, this a great place to start. There are a lot more foreign sounding games on this list though, so it may be a bit harder to find one. Don’t fret though, there are many YouTube videos you can reference to see if you think your giftee would enjoy a specific game.
| 2019 | Tal der Wikinger |
| 2018 | Funkelschatz |
| 2017 | Ice Cool |
| 2016 | My First Stone Age |
| 2015 | Spinerella |
| 2014 | Geister, Geister and Schatzsuchmeister! |
| 2013 | Der Verzauberte Turm |
| 2012 | Schnappt Hubi! |
| 2011 | Da ist der Wurm drin |
| 2010 | Diego Drachenzahn |
| 2009 | Das magische Labyrinth |
| 2008 | Wer war’s? |
| 2007 | Beppo der Bock |
| 2006 | Der schwarze Pirat |
| 2005 | Das Kleine Gespenst |
| 2004 | Spooky Stairs |
| 2003 | Viva Topo! |
| 2002 | Maskenball der Käfer |
| 2001 | Klondike |
| 2000 | Arbos |
| 1999 | Kayanak |
| 1998 | Chicken Cha Cha Cha |
| 1997 | Leinen los! |
| 1996 | Vier zu mir! |
| 1995 | Karambolage |
| 1994 | Loopin’ Louie |
| 1993 | Ringel-Rangel |
| 1992 | Galloping Pigs |
| 1991 | Piraten-Abenteuer |
| 1990 | My Haunted Castle |
| 1989 | Gute Freunde |
5) Look at some of the top games in each genre
Abstract-strategy Games
- Azul
- Qwirkle
- Blokus
Euro-style Games
- Carcassonne
- 5 Tribes
- 7 Wonders
- Dominion
Ameritrash Games
- Survive: Escape from Atlantis
- Merchants and Marauders
- Runewars
Role-playing Games
- Gloomhaven
- Star Wars: Imperial Assault
- Descent: Journeys in the Dark
Party Games
- Codenames
- Things
- Wits and Wagers
War Games
- Axis and Allies
- 1775 Rebellion
Social-deduction Games
- One Night: Ultimate Werewolf
- Chameleon
- Deadwood 1876
- Coup
Cooperative Games
- Hanabi
- Magic Maze
- Just One
Mass-market Games
- Apples to Apples
- Ticket to Ride (could be categorized elsewhere)
Conclusion
We hope this resource was helpful. Obviously, this isn’t an exhaustive list of all the great games that are out there. But it should spell out for you the process you can follow to find the perfect game for that friend or family member you have been wanting to surprise with the perfect present. Like we mentioned already, you can click here to be taken to our reference page where we list out our top board game picks in all of the major categories. Or you can navigate there manually through the menu bar by clicking on “Recommended Games”.