Best 9 Economic Board Games to Play in 2024
Top 9 Economic Board Games for New Players
On this list:
9 Power Grid
Power Grid is a classic for economic strategy lovers. It’s all about building power plants and supplying cities with electricity. The market for resources fluctuates, so you need to plan ahead and adapt. We had intense bidding wars, and the resource management keeps everyone on their toes. It’s always a hit on game night.
8 Brass: Birmingham
Brass: Birmingham is set during the industrial revolution. We felt like real entrepreneurs, building networks and factories. The game’s deep strategy and historical theme make it one of our favorites. The beer mechanic is a unique twist, adding another layer of economic depth. It’s a challenging game, but worth every minute.
7 Terraforming Mars
Imagine turning Mars into a livable planet! In Terraforming Mars, you manage a corporation and compete to make the red planet habitable. The game blends science and economy beautifully. We love the variety of strategies you can pursue, and every game feels different. It’s perfect for sci-fi and economic enthusiasts alike.
6 Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is all about managing plantations and shipping goods. You might think farming is boring, but this game will change your mind. It’s fast-paced and every choice impacts everyone else. We had plenty of moments where one player’s move changed the entire game. It’s economic strategy at its finest.
5 The Castles of Burgundy
The Castles of Burgundy is set in medieval France. Players build estates by collecting settlement tiles, which is more fun than it sounds! We love how versatile the game is and the different strategies to win. It’s elegant, fun, and always leaves us wanting to play again.
4 Catan
Catan is probably the most famous economic game on our list. It’s about settling, trading, and building. Even our friends who aren’t into board games love it. The best part is how the game encourages trading and interaction. We had a blast every single time, making alliances and breaking them too.
3 Viticulture
Viticulture has you manage a vineyard, from planting grapes to selling wine. It’s a beautiful game that’s easy to learn but hard to master. We love the theme and the fact that it’s quite relaxing. Plus, you can almost taste the wine when you play!
2 Keyflower
Keyflower is unique and offers deep strategy. It’s all about managing resources, workers, and bidding for tiles. The tough decisions make it a real brain-burner. We enjoyed the auction system and how each game felt fresh with new tiles. It’s a gem for anyone into economic board games.
1 Agricola
Agricola takes the top spot because of its depth and replayability. You start with a humble farming family and grow into a thriving farm. The game forces tough decisions and every action counts. We love how it pushes you to plan ahead and adapt. It’s challenging but rewarding, making it the best economic board game.
