These games focus on planning, resource management, and decision-making. Examples include “Catan,” “Risk,” and “Twilight Struggle.”
Kingmaker turned my quiet game night into a medieval brawl. Expect chaos, shifting alliances, and the odd betrayal—like when Dave crowned a sheep King. Not for sore losers, but perfect if you enjoy scheming and a little mayhem.
Chess is the OG of board games. Easy to set up, fair for both newbies and pros, and not a luck fest. If you don’t mind thinking hard, this 2-player classic is a brainy blast.
Chess is the game where I finally learned my brain isn’t as sharp as I thought. With every match, you’ll outsmart or out-blunder your friends—no dice, just pure mind battles. It’s a classic for a reason.
Grand Prix delivers fast-paced racing fun, great for competitive groups. But if you hate dice luck or losing to your grandma, it might drive you mad! I laughed, I cursed, I definitely yelled "vroom" too much.
Daybreak surprised me with its clever teamwork and real-world climate woes. We laughed, we argued, we nearly lost Antarctica—but kept coming back for more. It’s a co-op game that’s actually fun, not just homework with dice.
Rogue Agent throws you into a neon crime fest with shady deals and tense shootouts. We laughed, argued, and blamed the dice. Fun for the right crowd, but if you hate random luck, you’ll want to bail early.
Downfall makes you plan, sweat, and scheme, with chunky tokens and moody art. It’s not for folks dodging long games, but strategy lovers will eat it up. Be warned—luck can still mess with your masterpiece!
1899 turns train tracks into a battleground for brains, not dice. It’s ruthless, brain-bending fun for strategy fans, but don’t expect mercy if your friends like money more than you. Enter at your own risk—and pack snacks!
Hamburger Hill serves up fast-paced chaos, sneaky moves, and just enough drama to make you question your friends’ loyalty. Grab it for your next game night—just don’t blame me if alliances crumble faster than soggy buns.
Sheepshead is like herding cats, but with cards. Tricky to learn, but once you get it, every hand is a wild ride of strategy, shouts, and sly grins. Just watch out for your sneaky uncle’s trump cards.