Abstract Strategy

These games focus on strategy rather than luck or a theme. They usually have minimalistic designs and rules, emphasizing skill and critical thinking. Examples include “Chess” and “Go” and “Stratego”.

Aquarius - Aquarius, Looney Labs, 2021 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Rating: 3.8/5

Aquarius Review

Aquarius is quick, clever, and easy to teach. Luck nudges the game around, but smart tile placement still matters. It gave my friends plenty to grumble about, which usually means we had fun.

Focus: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Focus Review

Focus turns quiet clues into loud brain-bending moments. It rewards smart guesses, keeps luck on a short leash, and makes every card feel like a tiny friendship test. Just don’t blame me when your best mate becomes suspicious.

Delta: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.1/5

Delta Review

Delta turns wildlife planning into a clever tussle of cards, habitats, and timing. Luck nudges your plans, but smart choices usually win. Just watch those tiny icons—they can make your first game feel like reading squirrel tracks.

Shazamm!: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Shazamm! Review

Shazamm! turns a tiny bridge into a tense wizard duel. My friends and I loved the bluffing, though lucky spells sometimes made the winner feel more fortunate than clever.

Target: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Target Review

Target brings quick turns, cheeky table talk, and just enough luck to keep everyone guessing. Smart choices matter, but one wild shot can wreck your grand plan. Rude? Yes. Fun? Also yes.

M: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

M Review

m offers smart choices, fair play, and enough table talk to keep everyone awake. Its luck adds spice without stealing the meal, though the fun depends on enjoying friendly competition.

Cats: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Cats Review

Cats turns simple choices into a scrappy little battle for the best spots. Luck adds surprise, but smart planning still wins. Our group laughed, schemed, and blamed the cats.

Connections: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Connections Review

Connections turns word sorting into a tiny battle of wits. It rewards sharp thinking, sparks loud table debates, and occasionally makes clever friends look gloriously daft.

Amazons: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Amazons Review

Amazons turned our quiet game night into a tense battle of shrinking space. Every arrow mattered, luck stayed away, and one careless move left me boxed in like a sad chess sandwich.

Element - Element, Rather Dashing Games, 2017 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Rating: 4.5/5

Element Review

'Element' thrills with its mix of strategy and nature's powers. Easy to learn but challenging to master, it's a hit at game nights. Just when you think you've got it, Element surprises you again. A solid 4.5 stars!