Best Strategy Board Games of 2024: Top 8 Reviewed

Discover top 8 strategy board games, with Chess leading. It's perfect for testing your tactical skills and strategic thinking.
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7 Wonders coverTicket to Ride coverCatan cover

Hello fellow board game fans! Are you ready for some serious mental gymnastics? We’ve put together a cracking list of the best ‘strategy’ board games. We call our friends over, set the snack table, and engage in epic battles of wit and cunning. Our choices focus on games that keep your brain ticking while making you laugh, plot, and maybe even shed a tear or two. From classics to modern favorites, these games require more than just luck. Whether you’re a tactical genius or a strategic beginner, there’s something here for everyone! Let’s get planning, plotting, and maybe a bit of world domination.

On this list:

8 7 Wonders

7 Wonders cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-7
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

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Ah, the sheer joy of keeping an eye on your neighbor’s wonders while working on your own! This strategy game is brilliant for teaching multitasking and planning, all wrapped in a historical setting. We once spent an entire weekend trying to out-smart each other with our card drafting skills. You can imagine the laughter when someone gets too focused on their strategies and misses a crucial move. It’s like playing chess, but with a dash more color and none of the snooty vibe. Perfect for a fun, light-hearted strategy game night!

7 Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 30-60 minutes

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Who knew building train routes could be so strategic? We sure didn’t until we got our hands on this gem! The key to winning is not just about connecting cities but blocking others while doing so. Trust me, friends have turned into frenemies over a mere railway line. It’s easy to learn, yet offers depth that keeps you coming back. A strategy game that tricks you into thinking you’re just having a light ride across the country. It’s perfect for newbies, and we still argue over who gets to play the blue trains!

6 Catan

Catan cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 3-4
  • Play Time: 60-120 minutes

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Catan is a classic in the strategy board game world, and for good reason! We’ve spent many evenings trading sheep for wheat, and plotting our road to victory. It’s all about resource management and negotiation skills. The board layout changes every game, keeping it fresh and requiring new strategies each time. We once had a game where three players were blocked by a strategic placement of a road—it was the best kind of chaos. If you’re into planning, bargaining, and a sprinkle of luck, Catan is your go-to.

5 Risk

Risk cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-6
  • Play Time: 120 minutes

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This game is the ultimate test of strategic prowess. Conquer the world, they said, and we believed them! Risk involves a lot of strategic planning and battlefield tactics. We remember heated discussions about alliances and betrayals that felt like an episode of ‘Game of Thrones’. You can’t just rely on brute force; you have to think several moves ahead. It’s perfect for those who love to plan and plot, though a bit lengthy if you’re not into long games. But oh, the feeling of finally winning—it’s priceless!

4 Agricola

Agricola cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 30-150 minutes

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Agricola is one of those games that made us rethink our whole strategy. Who knew farming could be so intense? Balancing family growth, resource management, and building improvements is no small feat. We always end up arguing about who has the best carrot farm—a serious point of contention, mind you! The challenge lies in optimally utilizing your actions and planning several moves ahead. Perfect for players who enjoy deep, strategic thinking. Plus, those cute little animal pieces are always a hit!

3 Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 60-120 minutes

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This game is like a mini campaign wrapped in strategy and adventure! Each scenario feels like a new challenge with fresh strategies. We have spent hours just discussing the best team setup. You have to coordinate with team members while planning your moves. It’s like being in an epic fantasy movie, but better because you’re in charge! Not for the faint-hearted though, it requires commitment and patience. But hey, nothing beats the excitement of seeing a plan come together flawlessly!

2 Pandemic

Pandemic cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 45 minutes

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Outbreak! But don’t worry, in this strategy game, you and your friends can save the world. It’s all about working together to stop disease outbreaks. We’ve actually failed more times than we can count, but that’s part of the charm! Each player has a unique role, and working out the best strategies is key. It’s a cooperative game, meaning you win or lose together, perfect for building friendships or sometimes breaking them. But hey, like we say, it’s the journey that counts!

1 Chess

Chess cover

  • Age Range: 6+
  • Players: 2
  • Play Time: Varies

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Chess is the ultimate strategy board game, no competition. It’s a timeless classic that challenges your brain at every turn. We’ve spent countless hours honing our skills, trying to outsmart one another with clever tactics. Chess demands forethought, patience, and occasionally a bit of trickery. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a well-executed checkmate, and the friendly banter during matches is unmatched. It’s a game that can be enjoyed for life and keeps getting better the more you play. If strategy is what you’re after, Chess is the game to beat!

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.