Best 14 Board Games with Companion Apps in 2024
Looking for the ultimate board gaming experience that blends traditional play with the latest tech? Our hunt for the best board games enhanced by companion apps has been thorough, fun, and, let’s be honest, a little competitive. When we chose the games for this list, we focused on how well the companion apps integrate with gameplay, enhance the gaming experience, and bring something truly special to the table. From eerie haunted houses and epic fantasy adventures to solving modern mysteries and commanding intergalactic battles, these games, paired with their innovative apps, have set the bar high. Get ready for a gaming journey like no other!
On this list:
- Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
- XCOM: The Board Game
- Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)
- The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth
- Chronicles of Crime
- Unlock!
- Alchemists
- Imperial Assault
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
- One Night Ultimate Werewolf
- Elder Sign
- Star Wars: Imperial Assault
- Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
- Gloomhaven
14 Mansions of Madness: Second Edition
This game traps you in eerie stories that only unfold properly with its companion app. It’s a real blend of tech and traditional gaming. Puzzles, story elements, and even spooky sounds come from the app, making every session unique. Our group was on the edge of our seats, literally jumping at some points!
13 XCOM: The Board Game
Talk about stress! The companion app in XCOM turns time management into a high-stakes game of its own. It dictates the pace and ramps up the pressure, making us scramble. It’s absolutely a game-changer, bringing the video game’s tense atmosphere straight to the tabletop.
12 Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)
The Road to Legend app revives this classic dungeon crawler, letting one of us ditch the overlord role and all dive in as heroes. The app handles the baddies and story, leaving us to focus on tactics and teamwork. Plus, it adds heaps of replay value with new adventures.
11 The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth
It’s like stepping into Middle-earth, with the app guiding us through stories and battles. It keeps the board free of clutter by tracking our progress and the baddies. The integrated storytelling really impressed us, making it feel like a personal adventure.
10 Chronicles of Crime
This game turns us into detectives, using a VR-compatible app to scan for clues at crime scenes. It’s a brilliant combo of board game and tech, mixing physical components with immersive 3D scenes. We felt like real investigators, discussing theories and piecing together the mystery.
9 Unlock!
Unlock! is an escape room in a box, with the app providing timers, hints, and sometimes even puzzles. It’s amazing how it turns card scanning into a race against time. We laughed, we panicked, and we worked together like a well-oiled machine – mostly.
8 Alchemists
This game made us feel like actual alchemists, with the app checking our potion recipes. The deduction element is genius, and the app adds a layer of secrecy and surprise that really spices up the gameplay. It’s a brain-burner, but in a fun way!
7 Imperial Assault
With the app taking over the empire’s role, we could all play as rebels, which was awesome. It delivers a cinematic experience, with the story unfolding as we made choices. Plus, setting up is a breeze, letting us jump into action quicker.
6 Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
We became modern-day sleuths, using an online database to research cases. The app integration brings a new level of realism, making us feel like we’re actually cracking cases. It’s a unique blend that really stands out in the world of board games with companion apps.
5 One Night Ultimate Werewolf
The app takes over as the game master, making setup and play super smooth. It’s perfect for quick games with a big group. Plus, it’s just hilarious trying to figure out who’s who, with the app adding twists and turns along the way.
4 Elder Sign
Elder Sign combines dice rolling with the supernatural, and the app brings all sorts of eerie sounds and narrations, setting a perfect creepy mood. It’s surprisingly intense, as we try to stop the ancient ones, with the app adding to the immersion.
3 Star Wars: Imperial Assault
The free Legends of the Alliance app turns this into a fully cooperative experience, letting us focus on taking down the Empire together. The app does a great job of storytelling and managing enemies, making us feel like we’re part of the Star Wars saga.
2 Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
This entry-level Gloomhaven game eases us into the world with a helpful app that tracks our progress and scenarios. It’s a bit lighter than the original Gloomhaven, making it perfect for new players, but still packed with strategy and story.
1 Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven tops our list because it’s a massive, deeply strategic game that’s made even better with companion apps like Gloomhaven Helper. This app streamlines setup and game play, letting us focus on strategy and storytelling. It’s a game changer, literally. Out of all the board games with companion apps we’ve played, Gloomhaven offers the most immersive and challenging experience, making it our number one pick.
