Best Artificial Intelligence Board Games of 2024: Top 11 Picks
Hey folks, gearing up to dive into the world of artificial intelligence through board games? Well, you’re in for a treat! We’ve scoured the shelves, played countless rounds, and debated (more like argued) with friends to bring you the crème de la crème of AI-themed tabletop experiences. Our picks are not just any games; these are the ones where strategy, theme, and, of course, artificial intelligence intertwine to create unforgettable gaming sessions. Whether you’re dodging rogue AIs, building futuristic empires, or outsmarting your opponents with sheer tactical brilliance, each game on our list offers a unique take on the AI concept. Ready to see what made the cut? Let’s get those robotic gears turning!
On this list:
11 Android
Android tosses you into a rich cyberpunk universe, where you’re hunting down secrets with a backdrop of artificial intelligence running amok. The game’s heavy narrative and detective work, combined with the AI theme, make it a blast for those who love a story-driven experience. We laughed, we cried, we accused each other of being robots. Good times.
10 Netrunner
In this asymmetrical card game, one player’s the Corporation, protecting its servers, and the other’s a Runner, hacking in. The AI theme pops with cards representing AI viruses and defensive programs. It’s like playing cat and mouse, if the mouse was a hacker and the cat was a mega-corporation with killer AI. Hacking has never been this fun or competitive.
9 RoboRally
RoboRally is chaos in a box. You’re programming robots to race through a factory filled with hazards. The catch? Everything goes wrong. Your best-laid plans are thwarted by conveyor belts, lasers, and, of course, other players’ robots. It’s a laugh riot thinking you’ve outsmarted everyone, only to fall into a pit. Perfect for those who love strategy with a heavy dose of unpredictability.
8 Inis
Though not directly about artificial intelligence, Inis earns its spot through strategic depth and its unique card drafting system. Becoming the ruler of this mythical island requires brains and the ability to outthink your opponents. It’s like a chess game with beautiful imagery, where each move feels like decoding a complex AI. It brings a cerebral challenge that strategy lovers will adore.
7 The Resistance
The Resistance pits players against each other as they try to figure out who are the government spies. It’s a game of bluffing and deduction, with a theme that hints at a dystopian future where AI might control us or we might control it. Every game is a nail-biter, filled with accusations, lies, and laugh-out-loud moments. Perfect for those who love social deduction games.
6 Race for the Galaxy
In this card game, players build galactic civilizations using cards that represent worlds or technical and social developments, including AI technologies. It’s all about making smart choices, with a bit of luck of the draw. Every game feels like you’re on the brink of a new discovery, be it a distant world or a groundbreaking AI. It’s interstellar exploration and competition at its best.
5 Scythe
Scythe is a beast of a game where you conquer territory, gather resources, and control mech warriors in an alternate history 1920s. While not solely focused on artificial intelligence, the mech warriors give it a sci-fi feel. The game’s deep strategy and multiple paths to victory mean every playthrough is a new adventure. It’s like playing a grand strategy video game but on your tabletop.
4 Terraforming Mars
You’re transforming Mars into a habitable planet in this strategic game. Artificial intelligence plays a key role as you manage resources, build structures, and advance your technology. Each decision feels weighty, like you’re truly shaping the future of humanity and AI. It’s a mix of competition, cooperation, and terraforming fun that’s hard to beat. Plus, who doesn’t want to conquer Mars?
3 Anachrony
In Anachrony, you’re leading a faction to secure your future in a post-apocalyptic world. Time travel, resource management, and, yes, artificial intelligence technology play huge roles. It’s a dense, strategic game that makes your brain work overtime. Playing it feels like you’re in a sci-fi movie, making high-stake decisions with the fate of humanity in balance. Perfect for those who love a challenge.
2 Gaia Project
A spiritual successor to Terra Mystica, Gaia Project lets you lead a faction seeking to terraform and colonize a galaxy. With its vast array of strategies and technologies, including artificial intelligence, it’s a gamer’s game. The depth of choices and the way AI influences your strategy make every playthrough a unique puzzle. It’s complex, rewarding, and offers a galaxy’s worth of replayability.
1 Pax Pamir
Pax Pamir stands out as the best not just for its artificial intelligence theme, which is subtly woven into its historical context, but for its deep strategy and player interactions. You’re a 19th-century Afghan leader navigating alliances and conflicts. The game demands critical thinking, strategic planning, and a bit of cunning, mirroring the complex considerations in developing or contending with AI. It’s the culmination of art, history, and game design, offering an unparalleled tabletop experience.
