Strategy

These games focus on planning, resource management, and decision-making. Examples include “Catan,” “Risk,” and “Twilight Struggle.”

King: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

King Review

King makes you laugh, yell, and question your friendships—all in under an hour. Luck can crush your dreams, but plotting and alliances keep the game tense. Perfect for loud groups, but maybe skip if you hate chaos.

California: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

California Review

California bursts with color and sunshine, blending easy rules and friendly competition. It's perfect if you want laughs, light strategy, and beach vibes—just expect a bit of luck with your tan lines. Deep thinkers, maybe skip the sunscreen.

China: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.5/5

China Review

China keeps my friends on their toes every game night. Tight strategy, easy rules, and a map that makes you sweat—just watch out for sneaky moves! Great for brains, not for folks who want pure luck.

Colorado - Colorado, Sylex, 2023 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Rating: 4/5

Colorado Review

Colorado is a breezy card game where luck and sneaky choices rule. Quick to play, easy to teach, but sometimes it feels like your fate is in the deck’s hands, not yours.

Yellowstone: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Yellowstone Review

Yellowstone packs gorgeous art and cheeky ranger moves, but sometimes the event cards swing harder than a bear after honey. Still, I had a blast, and it's a top pick for anyone who loves park adventures with laughs.

Times: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.5/5

Times Review

Times is a fast, easy party game where speedy thinking beats strategy. Great for laughs and chaos with friends, but luck can decide the winner. Perfect when you want fun without rules headaches.

Carnival: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.8/5

Carnival Review

Carnival kept us laughing and plotting sabotage, but luck sometimes ran the show. The art pops, the rules need help, and if you love chaos, you’ll have a blast. Just watch out for those wild action cards!

Politico: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.5/5

Politico Review

Politico takes you on a wild ride through the mess of politics. Think wheeling, dealing, and backstabbing, all with a wink. Great for lively groups, but if you hate random twists, you might want to duck out early.

Skyward: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.3/5

Skyward Review

Skyward hooked my friends and me with its clever strategy and snazzy art. If you like fair play and lively table talk, it's a winner—just watch out for those cunning negotiators at your table!

Target: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.5/5

Target Review

Target is a wild disc-flinging party that had my friends howling with laughter and frustration. Fast turns, simple rules, but be warned: luck can send your perfect shot flying off the table! Great for laughs, less for strategy buffs.