Board games and your recommendations

mianngu

My partner and I got into board games HARD during the pandemic. It seemed like kickstarter had a never ending supply of cool games to back and boy did we. Some of my favorites include:

Cat Lady Game
Photosynthesis
Evolution
Catan (Knights and Cities)
Flamecraft
Marvel United

Some games ended up being not so fun, so we only played them once and now it feels like we just revolve around our two favorites. Help me out of this rut! What board game is your favorite for replayability?

Alexander Salkin

@mianngu I can't really find anyone who plays it (let alone knows of it anymore), but I've always loved the chaos factor that is Richard Garfield's "Robo Rally". I got into it way back in the day when I was an Asst Manager at a Wizards of the Coast franchise.

You basically get an allotment of cards that allow you to program your little robot who is puttering around a factory of traps and other robots (players) shooting lasers. Laying out your cards in order, your robot follows these directional cards. Sounds simple, right? You may be trying to reach certain checkpoints, power ups, or just eliminate other player robots.

It is surprisingly tricky to mentally navigate the board as you must be aware of not only your robot's facing and directions, but try to forsee what other players might be planning. Conveyor belts and spinning tiles redirect your robot towards traps and pits constantly. Further, as your robot accumulates damage, the latter cards you have programmed are 'stuck' and you're forced to repeat those movements no matter what, until you can repair yourself.

The game is hilariously crazy in big groups of players.

mianngu

@Alexander-Salkin

Is this it?

Robo Rally

I really like Avon Hills Betrayal of The House on The Hill. This also looks very fun. Is it a good two-person game? It's interesting having the board work against you, while also working against the other players.

Game Play Video

merlin

@mianngu

I’m not sure if it counts but one night ultimate werewolf is where it’s at. You need at least four players. Each player draws a card and guess who is the werewolf. It’s an awesome game where you turn on your friends and loved ones. Best part in my opinion is when no one is the werewolf and people just go on a random witch hunt with no evidence. It is chaos I love it

Alexander Salkin

@mianngu Yes. My copy has a different cover but it looks to be exactly the same internally.

I think the game works better with more than two players personally, but it can be enjoyable with just two when you use a single map. The game's play mechanics may feel a little confusing at first, but it's that chaos and uncertainty factor that makes it so good.

mianngu

@merlin

Oh, I love Werewolf!

werewolf

I have such a hard time finding people to play it tho! I enjoy Werewolf more than similar games like Spyfall and Chameleon because of the roles that each person gets. Makes gameplay more variable. Though my favorite social deduction game is Secret Hitler (I know that name tho!)

merlin

@mianngu

My buddy keeps trying to get me to play secret hitler! I just need to make time to get it done.

mianngu

@merlin

Oh!!!! it's so much fun! Gotta get those fascists!!!!

Mrs.Whatsit

@Alexander-Salkin I've heard great things about Robo Rally, especially for large groups.

@mianngu Some that are great for replayability and have an element of randomness:

Ra (25th Century Games just issued a reprint). Plays up to 5. Better with more players.
Citadels Best with 5-8 players.

Great replayability and more involved, less randomness

Power Grid Best with 4-6 players
Agricola Good for 2-4
Bohnanza Awesome with 5-8 players. It's a trading game.
Brass: Birmingham Great with 3-4 players.
7 Wonders Great with 5-7
Root Great for all numbers. It's an asymmetric game.
Wingspan 4 players

2-player games. Great replayability

7 Wonders Duel (with the Pantheon expansion)
Rivals for Catan
Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small

Collaborative game to check out

Spirit Island

mianngu

@Mrs-Whatsit

WHOA there is a rivals for Catan 2 player? "runs out the door"

I've been wanting to play 7 wonders and Wingspan for some time, but haven't pulled the trigger on buying them yet.

Agricola looks very fun. The regular game reminds me of the game Townsmen. I love strategy building games.