Best 15 Top Rated Board Games 2021 – 2025
Here's our list of top rated board games 2021. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion leads with thrilling adventures and epic storytelling!
Ah, 2021! A year where we finally had a good excuse to stay in and play board games all day (not that we needed one). We’ve rummaged through tons of boxes, read rules ’till our eyes blurred, and spent countless nights battling it out on the tabletop. In our quest for the top rated board games 2021, we focused on games that brought us laughter, strategy, and those beautiful ‘aha!’ moments. These gems offer the perfect mix of easy-to-learn mechanics and deep, rewarding gameplay. So, grab a snack, gather your friends, and prepare to discover the board games that brightened our year.
On this list:
15 Cascadia
Cascadia is a zen-like puzzle game that’s all about building your own ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest. We tried it out on a rainy Sunday and loved the soothing vibe. The game mechanics are simple yet challenging; you layer tiles and animal tokens to create habitat corridors. Plus, the art is beautiful. It’s a game that makes you feel like you’re doing something good for the planet while having fun.
14 Paleo
Paleo throws you back into the Stone Age. It’s full of crafting, hunting, and avoiding saber-toothed tigers. We paired up to face some woolly mammoths, and it was a blast. It’s cooperative, so there’s a lot of teamwork involved, and each session feels like a mini adventure. The thrill of adding tools to your inventory feels like a raise at work but cooler.
13 The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
Take a dive… I mean go underwater with The Crew: Mission Deep Sea. This is a co-op trick-taking game where communication is key. We had to communicate without speaking, which felt like trying to text someone in the cinema. It’s intense but not stressful and perfect for those who love card games with a twist.
12 Lost Ruins of Arnak
Lost Ruins of Arnak is Indiana Jones meets board gaming. You’re an archaeologist on a mysterious island. We had a game night full of ancient temples and artefact hunting. The combo of deck-building and worker placement offers a feast of strategies. It’s got a bit of everything – exploration, adventure, and even some giant stone statues.
11 MicroMacro: Crime City
MicroMacro: Crime City is Where’s Waldo meets detective work. We spread out the giant map over our living room floor and peered over it like detectives with a magnifying glass. It’s a game of observation, deduction, and a bit of drama as you unravel the stories hidden in the black and white art. A great way to test your eye for detail.
10 Cubitos
Cubitos may sound like a new salsa band, but it’s actually a quirky racing game with dice. Each die gives you special abilities to race your cube creatures across the track. It’s lighthearted yet strategic, and one game night we laughed so hard, the pizza almost came out of our noses. The colorful cubes and comic book art add a playful touch.
9 Red Cathedral
Picture yourself as an architect building the grand Red Cathedral in Russia. It’s all about resource management and tile placement. We got to channel our inner Tsar architect and found it surprisingly engaging. It’s competitive but not cutthroat, ideal for a night when you want strategy without losing friends. Plus, the architectural theme is refreshing amid fantasy settings.
8 Calico
In Calico, you’re quilting a cozy blanket for cats. Sounds simple, right? But oh boy, the strategy involved is deeper than you’d think. We joked about becoming cat psychologists, trying to figure the little furballs out. It’s a brain-burner in disguise with its colorful button tiles and fluffy theme. Great for players who love puzzles with a side of cats.
7 New York Zoo
New York Zoo is a family-friendly animal theme park builder. We found ourselves tapping into our inner zookeepers as we expanded our zoo with charming animal tiles. It’s perfect for when you want a lighter, quicker game. Plus, who can resist those cute little penguins and flamingos? It’s full of vibrant colors and a great choice for a relaxed evening with family.
6 Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile
Oath is for those who want epic tales and player-driven narratives. We had a blast creating our utopia… or dystopia. The game is as unpredictable as the weather, with lots of room for storytelling and strategic maneuvering. It’s not just a game but a saga you can chronicle over multiple sessions. Keep in mind it’s complex but rewarding.
5 Praga Caput Regni
Praga Caput Regni sets you as a medieval engineer in Prague’s golden age. We were amazed by the strategic depth one gets when constructing historical buildings. It feels like a satisfying history lesson with resource management and clever mechanics. If you enjoy heavier games, this will tickle the historical architect in you.
4 Beyond the Sun
Imagine a space-themed tech tree board game, and that’s Beyond the Sun. It’s all about advancing technology and colonizing space, kind of like a day at the office but way cooler. We felt like intergalactic explorers as we struggled to balance tech ops and expansion. Perfect for those who love sci-fi and tech upgrades.
3 Whistle Mountain
Whistle Mountain takes you to the skies with airships and floating platforms. We were on the edge of our seats, managing resources and building contraptions. It’s got a clever mix of worker placement and tile laying, and let’s not forget those cut-throat airship races. Ideal for players who want a unique spin on resource management and construction.
2 Sleeping Gods
Sleeping Gods is a grand adventure on the high seas with exploration and storytelling. We set sail for mythical lands and discovered that the journey feels like reading an epic novel. It’s a perfect blend of strategy and narrative, and we didn’t want to put it down. If you’re into rich stories with a dash of danger, this one’s for you.
1 Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is an intro to the Gloomhaven universe, which is like Dungeons & Dragons without the intimidating rulebook. We loved the simplicity of setup compared to its big brother. It’s rich in story and tactical combat, ideal for newcomers and veterans alike. The grid maps and engaging missions kept us on our toes, making it our top pick for ‘top rated board games 2021’. If you’ve ever wanted to slay monsters without reading a textbook, this is it.
