Area Control

Players compete to dominate and control more areas or territories on the game board. It often involves conflict, strategy, and negotiation. Examples include “Risk” and “Smallworld”.

Rennaissance cover. Credit: Board Game Geek
Rating: 4/5

Renaissance Review

Renaissance is a gem with solid mechanics and stunning artwork, offering engaging player interaction and good balance. Minor luck elements aside, it's a satisfying game worth your time.

New York: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.3/5

New York Review

New York throws you into the city action with clever moves, sneaky steals, and just enough chaos to keep you on your toes. It’s strategy-heavy, wildly replayable, and a real crowd-pleaser at game night!

Napoleon: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.3/5

Napoleon Review

Napoleon lets you scheme and battle across Europe, but only if you can out-plan your friends. Smart moves win the day, not lucky dice. It’s tense, historic, and more fair than your average sibling fight over board games.

Ohio: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.3/5

Ohio Review

Ohio packs a silly punch with fast rounds, easy rules, and plenty of bluffing. It’s light on strategy but big on laughs—just don’t expect to outsmart luck every time.

*Star: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

*Star Review

Colorful, fast-paced, and easy to learn, *star brings table-flipping moments and clever choices. There’s luck, but good laughs and strategy too—just don’t trust Greg to not win again!

Shazamm!: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Shazamm! Review

Shazamm! turns bluffing and mana management into a fiery wizard duel. It’s fast, funny, and full of second-guessing. Grab a rival, pick your spells, and hope you don’t burn your own bridge. Great fun for quick matches!

Pirates!: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.3/5

Pirates! Review

If you love chaos and shouting "Arrr!" every five minutes, Pirates! is your game. It's wild and full of laughs, but don't expect grand strategy or fairness. Sometimes the dice love you, and sometimes, well... prepare to walk the plank.

Pirates - Box cover - Credit: JohnPurdue
Rating: 3.3/5

Pirates Review

Pirates is a wild ride of backstabbing, lucky rolls, and plastic parrots. If you like mayhem and don't mind chance ruling the seas, set sail. But if you hate chaos, steer clear. Arrr matey!

King: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.3/5

King Review

King hooks you fast. It’s mostly strategy, some sneaky deals, and barely any luck to mess things up. The bright art and simple rules kept my friends laughing—until someone (okay, me) started plotting for the win.

California: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.5/5

California Review

California is all about sun, fun, and building the coolest house on the street. Fast turns, bright colors, and a pinch of luck make this one a hit at casual game nights, but strategy fans may want more.