Top 9 Best Board Games With Multiple Paths to Victory

Discover the top 9 board games offering varied victory paths, perfect for endless gameplay with friends.
Disclaimer: Clicking our links may result in us earning enough for a new pair of dice, but not enough to quit our day jobs as amateur board game hustlers.
7 Wonders coverScythe coverTerraforming Mars cover

When we set out to create our top list covering the 9 best Multiple Paths to Victory board games, our primary focus was on the games that not only promise variety but deliver it in the most engaging ways possible. Whether it’s building an ancient civilization, terraforming planets, or leading a rebellion in a woodsy underworld, each game was picked because it allows players to approach the game from multiple angles and develop numerous strategies. Our experiences have been filled with surprises, competitive tactic switches, and strategic depth. These are the games that kept us on our toes, providing fresh experiences every time.

Games on this list:

9 7 Wonders

7 Wonders cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-7
  • Play Time: 30-60 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Kicking off our list is 7 Wonders, a game where we dove into the role of leaders of ancient cities. This game made our sessions vibrant through its drafting mechanism allowing us to pursue scientific advancement, military dominance, or commercial supremacy among other strategies. Each game felt different, demanding adaptive thinking and strategy formulation on the fly.

8 Scythe

Scythe cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 90-115 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Scythe impressed us with its 1920s alternate history theme and deep strategy. The blend of area control, resource management, and player interaction through combat and alliances create a rich tapestry of paths to victory. Flexibility in strategies, from aggressive expansion to quiet economic buildup, was something we found profoundly rewarding.

7 Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 120-180 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

In this game, we stepped into the shoes of corporations working to terraform Mars. The vast array of project cards offered us different strategic routes to success, such as building cities, greening the planet, or constructing an economy in space. Our decisions felt impactful and varied, leading to a unique adventure every time we played.

6 Wingspan

Wingspan cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 40-70 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Wingspan introduced us to a lush, bird-themed strategic game that’s not only visually stunning but steeped in diverse strategies. Whether focusing on laying eggs, garnering food resources, or diversifying bird habitats, the variety of victory paths coupled with the engaging theme had us returning to this game repeatedly.

5 The Castles of Burgundy

The Castles of Burgundy cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30-90 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

This game transported us to the Loire Valley during the 15th century, where we played as competing aristocrats. Through strategic tile placement and resource management, we could develop our estates through trade, livestock, science, or construction. What we loved about it was how every decision felt critical, yet many pathways could lead to victory.

4 Dominion

Dominion cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Our journey through Dominion’s deck-building universe often felt like an arms race of acquiring the most strategic card combinations to sift through different victory conditions. The numerous expansions guarantee no two games are alike, with plenty of strategies to explore for both beginners and card game veterans among us.

3 Spirit Island

Spirit Island cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 90-120 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

In Spirit Island, we embraced the role of spirits defending their island from invaders. The cooperative nature combined with asymmetrical powers for each spirit meant that our strategies were not just numerous but needed constant reevaluation and collaboration, delivering a fresh breath of strategic depth and collective victory each game night.

2 Root

Root cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 60-90 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Root took us into a woodland realm of asymmetrical warfare, where each of us controlled a different faction with unique tactics and objectives. The clash of strategies, from guerrilla warfare to economic domination, made the game fantastically unpredictable and compelling. It demanded adaptability, planning, and sometimes, the alliance to thwart a common threat.

1 Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven cover

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

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Gloomhaven stands at the pinnacle of our list for offering a deeply immersive cooperative campaign with unparalleled strategic depth. Acting as mercenaries in a branching narrative, the sheer diversity of classes, abilities, and the progression system allowed us to tackle scenarios in numerous ways, ensuring ‘The 9 best Multiple Paths to Victory board games’ crown. Its massive scale and depth make it a consistent favorite.

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.