A Comprehensive Guide to the Different Types of Board Games

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Today, there are more board games than ever. The shelves are full of options. Some might think we’re still limited to those dusty classics. You know, the ones your folks would break out after Christmas dinner. But, we’re not. Like exploring 22bet prediction for today in sports, diving into board games requires understanding various categories and styles.

To help make sense of it, I’ve broken down the most common types of board games. Let’s face it, terms like “Eurogame” can be confusing at first.

There are examples for each definition, including many in our guide to the best board games.

Naturally, some may disagree with these definitions. And that’s OK! There isn’t a universally accepted list of board game types. Yet, this page zeroes in on the most common use of those terms, so it should serve you well as a baseline.

Types of Board Games: Explained

Board games come in many shapes and styles. Each offers unique mechanics and experiences. There’s something for everyone, from strategic area control games to fast-paced dexterity challenges. This guide covers the most popular board game types. It gives examples and tips to help you find your next favorite game. If you like competitive tactics, co-op adventures, or bluffing, there’s a board game for you!

Classic vs. Modern Board Games

Classic games like Chess and Monopoly focus on simple mechanics and straightforward goals. Modern games, like Catan and Gloomhaven, add deeper strategies, exciting themes, and new mechanics.

Now, there’s a board game for every taste. Some love simple games. Others prefer creative challenges.

American-style/’Ameritrash’

OK, I know how this sounds. But hear me out. ‘Ameritrash’ isn’t always a negative term. Despite how it might sound, “Ameritrash” is often used fondly in the board game community.

On a surface level, American-style games put a lot of emphasis on the theme. They have many ways to win, like dice, direct player conflict, and some randomness. They are often seen as opposites. We’ll discuss later the similarities with Eurogames.

Betrayal at House on the Hill is what you’d call ‘Ameritrash.’ This horror-themed adventure uses scary movie tropes. It has players fighting in some scenarios. There’s some randomness in what happens when you land on space or draw event cards.

Area control

Area control games challenge players to dominate and hold as much of the board as possible. They are perfect for competitive strategists.

Examples

  • Risk: Conquer the world by moving armies and winning battles to claim territories.
  • Horizons of Spirit Island: A team-based twist. You work to drive invaders off your island, not take it over.

Unlike wargames, area control focuses on larger-scale conflicts across continents or kingdoms, offering a big-picture strategic experience.

Auction/bidding

If bargaining and outsmarting opponents sound fun, auction games should be on your radar. These games focus on players outbidding one another to get valuable resources or items. Here’s a closer look:

Key Features of Auction Games

  • Core Mechanic: Items are auctioned. Players bid until the highest bid wins.
  • Strategic Choices. Players must choose. They can collect many cheap, low-value items. Or, they can invest in expensive, high-value ones with long-term benefits.

Example: Medici

  • Theme: You play as a merchant competing to amass the most wealth.
  • Gameplay:
  1. Players bid on cards representing goods during each turn.
  2. Players earn points for having the most of a specific good or the most valuable haul in every round.
  3. In these games, your main objective is simple: rack up the most points to secure a win!

Auction games often overlap with other genres. Their dynamic bidding sets them apart. It makes them a thrilling, competitive choice for game nights.

Bluffing

Bluffing games are all about deception. Everyone’s trying to trick each other, not uncover traitors. The goal is to outwit opponents and lead them into bad moves.

Example: Skull

  • Players bet on how many flower mats they can flip without hitting a skull (which ends the round and removes a card).
  • The fun lies in pretending to be trustworthy and then surprising your rivals!

Bluffing games are perfect for those who love clever misdirection.

City Building

Have you ever fancied creating your metropolis? These should appeal if you adore video games like SimCity or Cities: Skylines. Many games involve placing city tiles, like Carcassonne. But, proper city builders focus more on buildings and a settlement’s infrastructure.

Life in Reterra is a simple yet enjoyable example of a lightweight city-building game. You spend an average session placing land tiles. You then build on them. The buildings give abilities or bonuses to boost your score. Planning can lead to powerful combinations, making strategy and foresight essential.

Cooperative/Team

This type of board game is as straightforward as it gets—you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into. The best cooperative board games aren’t about racing to win. Success requires teamwork; you can’t win without collaborating effectively. Lone wolves need not apply.

Nemesis: Lockdown shows that off nicely. Alien-infested, a Mars space station has stranded you. You must find a way to navigate it and complete your tasks, or risk becoming a shish kebab.

Deck-building

In deck-building games, you create and improve your deck during play, not before. The main mechanic is upgrading, removing, or adding cards as you go.

Examples

  • Dominion set the standard for modern deck-building games when it debuted in 2008.
  • Clank! Catacombs: Adds a twist with push-your-luck mechanics.

The gameplay loop is to collect cards. They provide new actions, resources, or points. This keeps things fresh and strategic.

Deck Construction

This board game is like deck-building but with a twist. You create your deck before the game starts using set rules. Once the match starts, your deck stays the same. Some abilities might let you ‘borrow’ cards temporarily.

Examples

  • Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon: Players customize their decks. This makes every match unique.
  • Marvel Champions: A great example of pre-built deck gameplay with exciting abilities.

The focus on strategy and customization makes these games stand out as some of the best in the genre.

Dexterity

Like abstract strategy, dexterity games usually have no story. There are exceptions, which we’ll discuss later. They’re also often quite quick, which is fitting considering how fast players must be.

Take Jungle Speed, for instance. In this game, players take turns laying down cards. They must quickly grab the totem whenever a match appears. Similarly, Spot It, a top kids’ board game, tests your wits. Before anyone else, you must find matches between your cards and the central pile. 

Yet, things aren’t always that simple. What Next? It uses many dexterity-based activities. But, they are in a choose-your-path story.

Draft

Broadly speaking, two kinds of drafting games are open and closed. Here’s how they differ:

Open Draft

  • Definition: Players pick cards or items from a shared pool. They do this to advance their strategy or to block an opponent.
  • Examples:
  1. 7 Wonders Duel: Players take cards from a central pile. They use them to boost their military, commercial, science, or civil strength.
  2. Ticket to Ride is not the first game that comes to mind. But, it is a good example of drafting mechanics in action. But, players can choose cards from a communal row. They use these to collect sets for placing train tokens.

Closed Draft

  • Definition: Players take cards in secret and pass the remaining pile along.
  • Examples:
    • Sushi Go: A classic closed draft. Cards are handed around the table, each player taking one before passing the rest along. Each player selects one card until no cards remain.
    • Exploding Kittens: A chaotic version where players draw cards from a deck. Hidden Exploding Kittens can cut them. Special abilities or Defuse cards can help avoid them. But, clever players can manipulate the deck to target others.

Drafting games, open or closed, adds strategy and tension. They are a great choice for game night.

Economic

As you might expect, these board games revolve around trade or commerce. (They might feature other mechanics listed on this page, but the economy is the focus.) It’s all about buying and selling. Victory typically goes to the player who accumulates the most wealth by the end of the game.

Monopoly is a classic example of this style. Players move around the board, purchasing properties and earning rent from opponents. Brass: Birmingham is a modern take on the genre set in the Industrial Revolution. Twilight Imperium adds an economy to its complex gameplay. The latter isn’t solely focused on the rat race; trade makes your life easier.

Conclusion

Board games provide countless ways to enjoy yourself, test your wits, and bond with others. There’s something for everyone! Whether you love American-style games, deck-building, or dexterity games. Exploring board games is a journey into creativity and competition. Invite your friends over, choose a game, and get ready for a great time together!

About Micah Drews

After playing volleyball at an international level for several years, I now work out and write for Volleyball Blaze. Creating unique and insightful perspectives through my experience and knowledge is one of my top priorities.

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