Board games are gaining popularity in Russia thanks to gaming clubs that actively attract people to this leisure activity. I’m talking about what kinds of games there are for a company and how they are useful for you.
This article is intended for persons over 18 years of age
Have you already turned 18?
We will talk about board games. How many of them do you know? Checkers, chess, dominoes, Monopoly - everyone played this in childhood. But gradually they were forgotten: study, work, family - the serious adult world, there was no time to play. However, if you find a few hours to play a board game, you won't regret it for a second!
The best board games for company
The modern world of board games is very diverse. There are more than 50 thousand of them in the library of the most famous desktop portal Boardgamegeek! Among them, board games for companies are in great demand. I'll tell you about the eight most popular ones, from simple to complex.
Game for fun company, who is not averse to a drink and a snack. Ideal for birthdays and any occasion in general. Here you will find a series of crazy tasks: from “take off any part of your clothes” to the categorical “just drink!” This game will test your strength, “tough you out” and make you laugh at your friends and at yourself until your stomach hurts.
Despite the age limit of 6+, people of different generations enjoy playing Dobble. The goal of the game is to get rid of the entire stack of cards you were dealt. The cards depict several different items. One card is placed in the center of the table, and all players simultaneously begin to look for one common item on the top card of their pile and the card in the center, comparing them. Once you've found a common item, name it and place your card on top of the center one! Immediately start looking for a new one until you reset everything. The game has five variants of rules, find the best one for yourself! The game perfectly develops concentration and memory.
The most beautiful game on this list. It is perfect for an evening with family or friends. Dixit is a game of association: players take turns coming up with associations for the cards in their hands, and everyone else must guess your association and point to the card you wished for. For success, it is worth keeping the golden mean - not making too obvious or very confusing associations.
Word game in associations with simple and an ingenious process. What do they have in common? Paris, borders and birch? The captain will have to use his brain to combine these words into one general hint. A the team itself must take the hint and guess the words correctly. Wins the one who will be the first to solve all seven or eight words.
This role-playing game puts you in a cramped boat, where you find yourself with your friends and enemies. Your goal is to save your friend and kill your enemy! The cards are hidden from others: players only know your face, but not your heart. The game is completely card-based, but deep and exciting. You will fight, row, desperately fight for life and escape from thirst and sharks, while weaving intrigues and rocking the boat. It is better to play with a company of at least 6 people. Ideal for office entertainment.
Perhaps the most famous board game in the world after Monopoly. World championships, millions of copies, a long list of awards - it’s all about her. And for good reason - because the game combines simplicity of rules with tactical depth. Players, move by move, build a general map of medieval lands, but everyone receives points only for their own property: fields, castles, roads, monasteries. Labeling your property and holding it in your hands is your goal. An excellent logic game for the whole family.
The game was born as a parody of D&D, but gained enormous popularity among people who have nothing to do with role-playing games. The key to its success lies in simple rules, most which is written directly on the cards. And also the opportunity to do dirty tricks, because only one wins the game. Recommended for a group of friends who are no strangers to self-irony and the exchange of barbs.
This list is completed not just by a game, but by a whole large-scale world, overgrown with additions and sequels. It's impossible to miss Arkham Horror if you're a fan of H. Lovecraft. An impressive volume of rules, a heavy box and incomparable illustrations promise you many hours with a map of a mysterious American town inhabited by dark entities. Do you like thrillers, detective stories, horror? Then the game is literally created for you! Recommended for experienced players, but adult company It is enough to have at least one non-newbie. The main thing is the desire to immerse yourself in the process.
6 reasons to play board games
Board games save you from boredom
What to do when meeting with friends? Just sitting and chatting sometimes gets boring, and sooner or later everyone will reach for gadgets. A board game is an activity that will definitely captivate your entire group and create a relaxed atmosphere of fun.
Give live communication
Virtual communication has long become an integral part of our lives. We have learned to quickly type text on the keyboard, but sometimes it is difficult for us to communicate in person. Board games contribute to the socialization of children, and return live communication to adults. Nowadays, in all major cities there are clubs where you can play board games and find friends with similar interests, and sometimes you can meet your soulmate while playing a board game.
Board Games - Connecting with Your Inner Child
All children play while they are children. Growing up, we forget about this or remember with nostalgia our carefree childhood. I’ll tell you a secret - the world will not turn upside down if you briefly turn into a child and devote yourself entirely to the game. Connection with the inner child is necessary in order to feel happy every moment of life and not lose the freshness of perception and the brightness of impressions over time.
Relieve stress
And being an adult is hard and responsible. To take your mind off your problems, you can go to the cinema or theater, or you can become a character in a fictional world yourself. You just need to have a little imagination, read the rules of the game and play it with friends. A break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life helps you gain new experiences and relax.
Make you think and look for innovative solutions
Does your work require creative thinking and unusual approaches to business? Modern board games develop your creativity. In an economic game, you constantly make decisions and choices; in word games, your imagination and argumentation skills work. All this will definitely come in handy in everyday life and work.
Board games develop you
In addition to imagination and creativity, games develop logic, strategic and spatial thinking, and fine motor skills. You learn to plan and fail, an important skill for success in life. And, of course, you develop your communication skills: in order to get together to play with a group, sometimes you need to use the gift of persuasion!
So, board games are a hobby that brings together a variety of people at one table. It doesn’t matter what gender, age, social status you are - if you are interested in the game, then time will fly by. Board games are the choice of active people, real intellectual entertainment for young people and more. Their huge variety ensures that you will find the right one for you and your company. Just try, always try new things!
Board game - ideal option to continue the party when the feast has already ended and the drunken adventures have not yet begun. We have compiled for you the top of the most exciting board games that all those who like to host friendly gatherings should stock up on.
Uno or Svintus
Uno is the most popular and perhaps the best-selling board game in the world, capturing the hearts of millions of people. Svintus is its domestic analogue, in no way inferior to the original in humor and excitement. The game is intended for a company of two to ten people, the process is based on the thirst of the participants to get around and defeat others by any means. The motto of the Russian Svintus is “Put a pig on your comrade.” The names of the cards also sound very funny, for example: “Tikhohryun” and “Polysvin”. The point of this difficult game is to place the cards by color on time and correctly, but it will not be easy. Your opponents will be on guard every second, and if you hesitate, someone will definitely screw you over. A cheerful group will certainly burst into laughter and play this board game again and again. Please note that Swintus has several different versions, each with its own unique features.
Criminologist
The game is very similar to Mafia, but with new interesting details and makes the participants think intently. Criminologist can be played by 4 to 12 players, each one will transform into one of the characters: an investigator, a killer, an accomplice, a witness and the criminologist himself, who here plays the role of the presenter. It is during this game that the hidden sides of your friends will be revealed - someone will turn out to be an excellent liar, someone will show talent in solving puzzles, and someone will show excellent knowledge of human psychology. Yes, yes, everything is so serious! Fans of the classic Mafia will definitely be delighted, and those who found the famous game uninteresting will perhaps discover an exciting version with more complex rules.
Ruff
Non-drinking groups can certainly pass this game by, but those who like to brighten up the evening with alcoholic drinks will appreciate Ruff. From 4 to 9 people can participate and must be over 18 years old, since the game involves alcohol. The meaning of Ruff is this: from the deck, everyone takes turns drawing cards on which tricky tasks are written. If you refuse to complete the given task, then you... drink. The goal of the game is to stay sober, and believe me, this will not be an easy task, since some tasks put you at risk of getting thousands of views on YouTube. As a result, the bravest ones remain sober, while shy and bashful people get drunk. By the way, for completing a task you are entitled to an equally intriguing bonus - you can force any player to perform a certain action and he has no right to refuse, as this is required by the rules of the game. This tabletop has 2 versions - the classic Ruff and Ruff Bath.
Codenames
Code Names was voted the world's best party game by the most respected board game site, BoardGameGeek, and received, among other numerous awards, the title of Game of the Year in Germany. The game already has a sequel, Code Names: Pictures, which is no worse than the first version. This board game teaches you to feel your native language, be smart and be sensitive to each other, because without mutual understanding it will be difficult for a team to win. One game flies by unnoticed, but you want to play again and again - some want to win back, while others want to prove that it is impossible to defeat them.
Honey mushrooms
This is one of the craziest board games you can find. You can play with a group of 3 to 7 people. There is a doctor and a patient suffering from hallucinations. They sit opposite each other, and behind the doctor are the patient’s Glitches, who are holding a large deck with words of different categories in their hands. When the countdown begins, the Glitches begin to depict the task, and the patient must guess it. As a result, the doctor must guess the category of the word, the patient must guess the word itself. With all this madness, it is important to remember that the Glucks are not for one thing - one helps the doctor, and the other helps the patient. To make it even more fun, the game process can be complicated with special cards - experimental drugs. A doctor can use one of them on a patient to prevent him, for example, from laughing or making a certain sound. With such a tabletop you are guaranteed to laugh until your stomach hurts!
Series of games Jenga and Tower
This is a very famous and loved game by many, the rules of which are explained in one minute. The meaning of the tabletop is extremely simple: you need to build a tower from 54 wooden blocks, which are removed from the base and placed on the top. The task is not to collapse this entire structure. Over time, the tower becomes unstable, and the one who brings it down is considered a loser. The winner is the player who moved second to last. Success in the game is guaranteed not only by sleight of hand, but also by ingenuity, because in order to win, you need to force the next player to remove the wrong block from the foundation. The games Jenga and Tower have many variations, including alcoholic ones. Choose the one that is most interesting for you and build your own skyscraper.
500 evil cards
A game for those who like to have a good laugh and are able to guffaw at vulgar and absurd jokes. The set includes 500 cards with questions and answers, and their content is such that the board is designed for a group over 18 years of age. From 3 to 8 players can participate. Everyone is dealt 10 cards with answers. The presenter draws a card with a question and reads it out, and the players deal their answer, chosen from the cards they have in their hands. The result is the most incredible combinations that can amaze with both wit and utter stupidity, but absolutely all of them cause bursts of laughter. Each time the host chooses the best answer, and the player who gave it gets a bonus. At the end of the day, the participant who has collected the most of these bonuses wins. The board has 2 options: old and new, supplemented with fresh cards.
Overboard!
A game for small companies (4-6 players), similar to Mafia, but distinguished by a well-developed plot and greater peacefulness. The idea of the game is simple: you need to get a boat to the nearest shore, since your ship has sunk. Together with you, your best friend, your worst enemy and some strange people are rowing to the shore. How is the game similar to Mafia? To win, you need to be able to negotiate. If diplomacy does not help, then according to the rules of the game you can start a fight - and this is the most interesting thing! Suddenly it turns out that the opponents called to battle have a weapon or an intercessor. The game is well thought out - each character has their own abilities and special skills that need to be taken into account during the game. A wonderful board game that develops communication skills and team spirit.
Imaginarium
An amazing association game designed for 4 to 7 players. All participants are given cards with images. The illustrations, by the way, were drawn by artists with clearly extraordinary imagination, so get ready that you will want to look at each picture for a long time and with interest. You make an association on one of your cards and place it face down on the table. Other players select their picture based on the association you voiced and also place it on the table. The cards are then shuffled and turned face up. What happens next? Players guess who suggested which picture. This involves a subtle psychological game, knowledge of the people present, their thoughts and emotions. The loser in this circle is the one whose illustration was guessed by everyone or no one guessed. Over time, you will understand how to choose associations that are confusing, but at the same time clear enough that only half of the players will guess you.
Long gone are the days when companies gathered for some reason spent time at dull feasts, and the only entertainment was eating festive dishes. Of course, why be bored? After all, you can have a lot of fun. However, as for active actions, they are unlikely to appeal to all guests. This is where board games for adults come to the rescue. This is a great alternative to active recreation, giving no less fun and enthusiasm. What will you need for this?
Just take one of your favorite board games from the shelf, and, laying out a cardboard board, hand out colored cards to your guests. All you have to do is start, and, without any doubt, everyone at the table will be happily engaged in this process.
Board games for adults are a fun way to spend time. In addition, it is very interesting to look at already successful people who find out which of them has earned more crystals, or argue about how many points will be needed for a particular move.
A little history
Board games have been around for a very long time. The most ancient of them, according to some scientists, were invented more than three thousand years ago. We no longer know anything about the rules of many games, since they were simply lost. However, some of these entertainments have withstood the serious test of time and have safely survived to this day. Among them are chess, renju and go.
In the twentieth century, new board games began to appear in huge numbers. Some of them were simply entertaining, others developed intelligence and mathematical thinking, and the basis of others was laid on the modeling of various situations.
At the end of the twentieth century there arose computer games. And for some time they simply forgot about board games, considering them some kind of anachronism. However, it soon became clear that no gadget could replace live communication, just as cinema could not completely replace the theater.
On at the moment humanity is experiencing another surge in interest in board games. Of course, today these are completely different entertainments, but they give jokes and lively laughter from people who are nearby.
The meaning of board games
This entertainment is a wonderful hobby. Moreover, it is suitable not only for a group of friends, but also for family leisure. After all, throwing dice, moving chips and drawing cards with funny tasks written on them will certainly lift your spirits and leave pleasant memories.
So why do we need board games? Reviews from those who often spend their leisure time with them explain their interest for several reasons:
Possibility to choose any genre of entertainment;
- you don’t have to sit at a table to play these games; you can spend time with them while traveling;
- such entertainment makes you rejoice and worry, and also evokes a lot of emotions;
- helps in the development of communication skills and logical thinking;
- brings people together.
In order to choose the right entertainment for yourself, you should carefully study the review of board games. After all, today there are quite a lot of them. This is a wide range from the familiar cardboard games to the most intricate strategies. Moreover, they can be intended for leisure activities of both two players and an entire company.
Game selection
What to offer your guests? For noisy parties, board games that have simple conditions. These can be reaction games. If they get together - good friends, then in this case more complex entertainment will come in handy. For example, role playing games. Their main idea is to simulate interesting situations or the intricacies of various professions. In such cases, players are forced to use their intelligence. But it is worth keeping in mind that the rules of such games should be studied in detail in advance, since they are not simple. Therefore, it is worth taking them on only when experienced players are present at the table. For beginners, it is better to choose something less complicated.
Family games will also be good for relaxation. Many consider them primitive. However, such games provide various tactical maneuvers, as well as paths to victory. Thanks to this, each game becomes unusual, which increases interest in this pastime.
What makes modern board games different for adults? A fascinating process and a clear scheme of actions, as well as relatively short games. That is why such entertainment becomes a suitable option for people of different ages gathered at one table. But in order for all guests, without exception, to have fun, it is worth first deciding on the genre of the game. After all, those who prefer economic strategies are unlikely to like military themes.
Anyone seeking a more complex process should not be intimidated by the rules laid out on several pages. Indeed, in this case, the game will have a large number of different elements.
What if you're not in a hurry? For such a company, games are suitable whose games can last from 3 to 5 hours. This kind of leisure has its own advantages. It gives complete immersion in the proposed atmosphere and much more emotions.
What to choose for your company? Below is an overview of board games. After getting to know him, you can make your final choice.
"Carcassonne"
The rating of games (board games) begins this entertainment, which will appeal to real strategists. The game got its name from the castle of the same name, located in the south of France. The inventor of the entertainment was a music teacher from Germany, Klaus-Jürgen-Rehde. He was so fascinated by this area that he created a real masterpiece. The first edition of his works was published in 2000. Already in 2001, Carcassonne received the prestigious Game of the Year award in Germany, awarded by a professional jury. This entertainment almost immediately became popular. And this is confirmed by the number of copies sold, which amounted to more than six million.
At first glance, the game may seem somewhat complicated. However, this is not at all true. Everyone can play it, even children who are already eight years old.
How to travel to sunny summer France? To do this, it is enough to gather a good company of 3 to 6 people and purchase a box with the game.
The rules are so simple that ten minutes is enough to learn them. Players are invited to become medieval feudal lords. Their task includes the gradual formation of a map of the area from squares, the construction of monasteries, roads and cities. In other words, they do everything that a real ruler should do. The winner must collect a larger number of mils - multi-colored tokens of subjects, when placed on the ground, opponents cannot develop their vigorous activity.
Mastering this game is not difficult. Each of her games will be a real discovery for those who have temporarily turned into a medieval feudal lord. After all, you will have to constantly create a new state with a unique landscape and cities. For those for whom the basic version of this game is not enough, you can offer to purchase an add-on. This is an application containing towers and dragons. There will also be princesses in it.
Carcassonne is a true classic among the huge number of board games. This is interesting and dynamic, as well as perfectly balanced entertainment. Before deciding on a move, the player should think carefully, which is an excellent exercise for the brain.
"Jackal"
The rating of games (board games) continues this entertainment, the history of which begins in the USSR, around the 70s of the last century. It is believed that the inventors of this tabletop are MSU students. Today it is difficult to say whether this is true or fiction. But, without any doubt, the board game "Jackal" was very common in those years among students.
The plot of this entertainment takes us to a tropical island. It is up to the players to explore it. After all, there are so many treasures on the island that even in a dream old man Flint could not imagine.
However, the board game "Jackal" is not a simple excavation in search of gold. After all, there are also opponents who will not give up treasures so easily. In one turn, you can only pick up one coin, which you need to drag to the ship waiting off the coast. The enemies are not asleep. It is easier for them to plunder an already collected treasure than to search for it, at the risk of ending up in the clutches of a cannibal.
The "Jackal" playing field is made up of squares, offering each time various options. Thanks to this, each batch is different from the previous one, and no one knows what awaits him in the yet unexplored area.
"Colonizers"
Our rating of board games continues with entertainment created by Klaus Thyberg in 1995. Just a year after its release, “Colonizers” won all the most prestigious awards in the world. At the same time, the game was translated into 30 languages, which made it possible to sell more than a million copies.
"Colonizers" is a board game that invites participants to drop anchor off the coast of an island that is not on any map. Stepping onto its soil, you can immediately make two discoveries. The first of these is that the island has rich natural resources. The second discovery is the fact that there are several colonizers on it. This is where the expansion of the island, called Catan, begins.
"Colonizers" is a board game that is quite easy to master. But unlocking its potential may take quite a long time. Party members compete with each other. They constantly interact in their quest to conquer the island. This activity turns out to be very exciting for 3-4, and if you buy the expansion, for 5-6 players.
"Mafia"
The board game "Mafia" exists in more than one form. Today, many different options are offered, the number of which can be compared with the card “Fool” or preference. Every self-respecting mafia company has its own rules of the game. But as for the classic version, the Mafia board game begins with its participants sitting around the table and appointing a leader. His responsibilities include distributing cards and conducting the entire party process. The presenter is not a player and cannot give hints.
The game's plot takes place in Rome. Honest citizens (players who received red cards) learn that a mafia has started in their hometown. They gather in the square to eradicate evil. However, among them are members of the mafia (players who received black cards). The villains' task is to skillfully disguise themselves as honest citizens and gradually get rid of them.
"Uno"
This game, whose name means “one” in Italian, continues our ranking of the most popular entertainment. The board game Uno was invented back in the 70s of the last century and is known to many. Participants are offered a deck of cards. It contains 106 sheets, which are divided by numbers (from 0 to 9), as well as by colors. In addition, the Uno board game contains other cards. With their help, the color offered by the game and the direction of the moves themselves change. Additional cards allow you to exchange decks with any of the participants. The player's main task is to get rid of cards. When he only has one of them left in his hands, he can shout "Uno". After this, the remaining participants count their points. The loser is the one who scored the minimum number of them. He is out of the game.
"Imaginarium"
This rather simple, but at the same time exciting entertainment also deserves the right to be in our rating. The board game "Imaginarium" invites its participants to come up with associations for various images that are in the box. Moreover, the pictures are drawn quite unusually. They belong to the brushes of artists, quite possibly having some deviations.
The associations that the Imaginarium board game offers can be easy to understand. This is, for example, “summer” or “friendship”. However, there are also unpredictable ones among them, such as “Where to laugh?”, “Run faster,” etc.
"Scrabble"
This word game is known all over the world. Using it, people have a great time and with great interest in any company. The board game Scrabble has many versions. Some of them allow you to play on the go.
This entertainment is reminiscent of a crossword puzzle. But unlike the latter, participants are not required to guess, but to form words. Each correctly guessed letter is awarded points. The one who composes the most words becomes the winner.
"Saboteur"
This game is for those who dream of getting rich quickly. Its participants turn into gnomes who, in the shortest possible time, are able to find gold-bearing veins and dig up gems. Players are asked to split into two teams. One of them is bearded workers, and the second is malicious pests. The task of the former is to build a tunnel that will lead to treasure. The latter seek to hinder the hard workers and get the nuggets without making any effort.
Ten best games according to our customers - the simplest, most fun and sociable. It was not easy to choose them: sales statistics speak more about the popularity of the games than about their versatility. Therefore, when compiling the rating, we also focused on your reviews. Let's check if you've played all the games on our hit parade.
1. Imaginarium
How nice it is to put a Russian game in first place in the rating! In "" you need to come up with associations for strange pictures on cards, trying to get at least someone to guess your card, but not everyone. The creators of Imaginarium, Timur Kadyrov and Sergey Kuznetsov, were big fans of the Western game "" with similar mechanics, but did not repeat it completely, but changed the scoring system and added several new rules. The paintings in the Imaginarium are also original - they were painted Russian artists. Maybe it’s more interesting to understand the depths of the domestic subconscious? And that’s why Imaginarium is so much more popular than its Western counterpart?
“Wonderful game! Both children and adults enjoy playing! During the game, all participants are better revealed as individuals, so in addition to having an interesting pastime, you can learn something new about each other.”
Svetlana
“An excellent game, it’s always interesting to play, despite the fact that there aren’t very many cards in the set, you don’t get bored with them, because different moods bring different associations =)”
2. Activities
“The Elias game is not new for us; we played it “bingely” with friends at home, in the country. When the question arose about how we would entertain the invited guests, there was only one answer: Elias and Activity!”
Elmira
4. Uno
“The game Svintus was liked not only by children, but also by adults. I recommend purchasing the game if you want to have fun with friends."
Galina Vladimirovna
7. Considerations
In "" you will have to think quickly, as indicated in the title. Each turn you need to open two cards from the piles: one shows the situation, the other shows a letter. The first person to come up with a word with the given conditions wins a card with a letter. At the end of the game there is a tally and the player who comes up with the most words wins.
Why is it fun in a big group? Just imagine how you open the cards “weighs more than a ton” and “F”, and your friend joyfully shouts “ass”. By the way, it’s worth agreeing in advance which words are prohibited in the game.
“Funny game. Played New Year's Eve, maybe that’s why they didn’t think very quickly. But the game is fun, I recommend buying it"
8. Munchkin
The best proof of the popularity of "" is the number of versions and additions. For example, our section with games in this series takes up two pages of our online store. What's good about this game? The fact is that if you delve into the rules once (it will take 15-20 minutes maximum), then you can play Munchkin around the clock, it is so exciting and replayable. Each game depends on the character of the players at the table and game situations are extremely rarely repeated. In addition, you can always buy a couple of add-ons (we already said that there are a lot of them).
For those who are hearing about “” for the first time, this is card game, in which you need to hang yourself with clothes and measure your strength with monsters. For defeating monsters you will receive levels and treasure cards - some can strengthen you, others can harm your opponents, and the universal ones can do both. To win you need to be the first to reach the tenth level, and this is not easy and terribly fun!
“The game will hook you and you will want to play other Munchkens, try them all and replay them! Keep in mind - I warned you))"
9. Bang
"" is similar in meaning to the mafia, only the action takes place in the Wild West. Also in the dark roles are played: the sheriff, his assistants, bandits and a renegade who plays for himself. Now you need to take turns taking turns drawing cards from the deck and activating their abilities. For example, a weapon shoots at enemies, a mustang allows you to get within range of a shot, you can hide behind a barrel, beer has healing properties, Indians harm everyone. To win here you will have to show both eloquence (at the beginning of the game no one knows who is for whom, only the sheriff is revealed) and ingenuity.
10. Dobble
And we will close the selection with a very simple and quick game in which all your attentiveness and ability to think quickly will be useful. Drawn on round cardboard disks different symbols— for every two there is at least one common item. You need to take turns opening the disks and comparing them with yours: whoever sees a match first takes the disk for themselves. The one with the most wins!
"" is one of the best family games, but we added it to the adult selection because adults also enjoy playing it. And at alcohol parties, this test of attentiveness becomes even more difficult!
Board games are an opportunity to create for yourself and your loved ones great mood, have fun and take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle. The main thing is to do right choice. Especially for you, we have prepared the TOP 20 best board games for two, a family and a large group of friends.
Best Family Board Games
Family board games are always a relaxed atmosphere and a fun mood. All family members, including the youngest, can participate in them. Catering to players of different ages is not an easy task, but it is quite doable. We offer you the TOP 5 best family games.
5 Jackal
Incredible adventures, updated game plot
Country: Russia
Average price: 1,390 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6
If you or other members of your family would not refuse to spend 1-2 hours in the guise of a dangerous pirate, then choose the board game “Jackal”. The main goal is to gain more coins than other participants. However, be careful, because incredible adventures await you on the way to the treasure: an attack by an insidious crocodile, a meeting with bloodthirsty aborigines, and even a hot air balloon flight! The main secret of this strategy is the chips. They appear randomly each time, so the plot will be very different and you won’t get bored playing.
This board game set includes a special board of 117 squares, several ships, pirate figures and coins. Detailed rules in Russian explain all possible moves and variations in the development of events, so you definitely won’t find yourself in a dead end. The number of players varies from 2 to 4, the duration of the game is usually 2.5-3 hours. The only thing that needs improvement is the number of surprise cards. There are very few of them, so many players, even after 1-1.5 games, remain practically at the start.
4 Imaginarium
Great association game, creative drawings
Country: Russia
Average price: RUB 1,528.
Rating (2019): 4.7
"Imaginarium" - for real magic game, allowing you to learn more about a person and learn to understand him. It is simply created for cozy family gatherings. The essence of the game is to select associations not only for your own, but also for other people’s cards. All of them are drawn by creative artists, so be prepared for both simple (“love”, “snow”) and unusual pictures (“run faster”, “drama”, etc.).
One of the participants is selected as the leader. He puts down his card and makes an association. The task of the other participants is to choose from their cards the one that best suits it. An excellent game for children over 12 years old. For more younger age Thematic variations “Children's Version” and “Soyuzmultfilm” have been released, so you will definitely choose the ideal option for your family.
3 Friday
The most dynamic plot, humorous orientation
Country: Russia
Average price: RUB 1,056.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The board game “Friday” from the TV channel of the same name is becoming more and more popular every day. This is one of the best games for a family or friendly party with up to 6 people. Fun and laughter are guaranteed! This is a humorous game in which players must guess in one minute the word that is fixed on their forehead through clarifying questions. Opponents can only answer “Yes” or “No”. If, after time has elapsed, there is no correct answer, the turn passes to the next participant. The one who guesses the most words wins.
Reviews note that this game has a positive effect on the ability to hear and listen to each other, and also develops communication skills. Each batch takes from 45 to 90 minutes. The set includes 200 definition cards, 6 hint cards, special card holder hoops on the head and an hourglass. Other advantages include high quality materials and bright printing.
2 Codenames
The best detective game, a confrontation between two teams
Country: Russia
Average price: RUB 1,173.
Rating (2019): 4.9
“Codenames” is a board game with a logical and associative focus. One of the best games in the detective genre for groups of friends and family leisure. A relative novelty on the domestic market, which appeared on shelves in the fall of 2015. The players' task: to identify secret super agents, revealing who is a stranger, who is their own, and most importantly, who is the killer.
At the beginning of the game, participants are divided into two teams and choose captains. The goal is to get ahead of the opposing team by solving riddles in search of the killer. Of the 25 cards, only the captains know which ones belong to their team, which ones belong to the enemy, and which cards belong to the killer. Through associations, the captain will give clues to his teammates, and they must use logic to guess what he meant. On his turn, the captain gives hints pointing to the super agents of their team. Gradually, the playing field is painted in the colors of both teams and the cells of civilians, leaving the killer card closed. Whoever finds the culprit first will be the winner.
The first thing that is important to consider when choosing a board game is the genre. The possible age of the participants, the general game concept and the richness of the plot depend on it. We have prepared an overview of the most common genres so that you can make the right choice:
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Advantages |
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Abstract (chess, checkers, Hive, etc.) |
The outcome of the game depends on your logical and creative approach, Short but very interesting games |
The best choice for those who prefer a single gaming concept |
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Strategic (Robinson Crusoe, Monopoly, Jackal, etc.) |
Develop leadership skills in the fields of politics, economics, military defense, They are interesting at any age because they have an unpredictable plot, It all depends on your actions |
An excellent option if you are interested in politics, economics, war |
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Social (Mafia, Twister, etc.) |
They can involve a large number of players, Fun party activities |
Ideal for large groups of friends consisting of adults, teenagers and children |
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Card games (Cards against everyone, poker, etc.) |
Develop thinking and communication skills, Short but intense gaming sessions |
Such board games do not take up much space, so they will help organize leisure time not only at home, but also in a cafe, train, etc. |
1 Monopoly
The most popular economic strategy, a huge number of reviews
Country: Russia
Average price: RUB 1,579.
Rating (2019): 5.0
The most popular board game is Monopoly. The absolute majority of users voted for it, because it is addictive from the first minutes. Becoming a monopolist, isn't everyone's dream? Your own plants, plantations and factories are waiting for you from the first move. Outplay your opponent, not allowing him to take sole possession of production, quickly build your empire, earn millions - all this and even more.
The game requires 2 to 4 participants aged 8 years and older. The playing field represents various industries, once on which you are faced with a choice: purchase the industry or put it up for auction for other players. The chosen tactics (buying everything, concentrating on one thing, whether to put a spoke in the opponents’ wheels, etc.) ultimately determine who will win. The funny thing is that you can be in the lead for a long time, and then lose millions in a matter of moves, or, on the contrary, earn them only in the end through smart policies. This is perhaps the best board game for the whole family, because both adults and children are interested in it. Countless positive reviews speak for themselves!
The best board games for two
Board games for two are a specific category. Her distinctive feature is a gambling confrontation and intensity of passions, because there will be only one winner and one loser. This category contains games that are very popular. By the way, not only friends, but also lovers can act as rivals.
5 Robinson Crusoe
Best adventure game, captivating story
Country: Russia
Average price: 3,990 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6
If your dream is to live in a small bungalow on the ocean, then it will come true with the Robinson Crusoe board game. This is an exciting adventure on a desert island, where you will not only have to arrange housing for yourself and explore the surrounding areas, but also fulfill special goals: fight cannibals, look for treasures, and extract resources. Main feature This game is about co-operation. You will not act against each other, but together.
The winner in Robinson Crusoe is the one who fulfills all the conditions of the planned scenario, so you two or the game will win. Each move consists of several phases, but you will learn more about this from the instructions compiled in Russian. The set includes a playing field, island sections, 275 cards and cubes representing resources. Advantages of the game: adventure atmosphere, unusual plot twists and special goals. A significant disadvantage is the high cost.
4 For you
Romantic and extreme tasks, beautiful design
Country: Russia
Average price: 650 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7
For couples who want to freshen up their relationship a little and have fun, we recommend the board game “For You.” Its main advantage is its duration. It will take about 1 month to play the game completely. During this time you will complete 15 romantic tasks of varying difficulty. An excellent choice to diversify your relationship and learn how to give each other pleasant surprises.
A special feature of the game “For You” is the tasks. You may come across simple cards (for example, organize a tea ceremony for two), or you may come across more complex ones that require courage to perform (for example, jump with a parachute). Pros: interesting tasks, beautiful design. Cons: Some cards are too extreme or require a large financial investment.
3 Game of Thrones: Hand of the King
Fantasy, original story
Country: Russia
Average price: 690 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
“Game of Thrones: Hand of the King” is a board game based on the acclaimed television series. This is a logic game for players over 14 years old. Two opponents are enough, but if you wish, you can play with three or four. This strategy involves entering into an incredible and heated struggle for power over Westeros. To become Hand of the King, you need to enlist the support of legendary families.
During the game, players take turns moving the Varys card among the character cards in King's Landing. Collecting character cards is done with the goal of later getting tokens from the banners of the Great Houses of Westeros. Victory is awarded to the player who collected the most banner tokens. Reviews say that the game is colorful, exciting and dynamic - what you need to have fun together, for example, while passing the time on a trip.
2 Fanta Sweet couple
Best for a couple in love, tricky questions and provocative tasks
Country: Russia
Average price: 650 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9
Fanta “Sweet Couple” is an excellent board game for a couple in love, during which you can learn a lot about your other half, ignite passion and have a good time in the company of your loved one. This is a game with an erotic slant, which involves performing tasks one by one: answering a question, expressing a wish, performing the action indicated on the card, etc. 50 cards are more than enough to make the evening hot and the night unforgettable. Reviews enthusiastically recommend purchasing this game for all those who want to diversify sex life, add a touch of freshness to a long-term relationship or get to know a new partner better.
The players’ task is to throw one at a time a die, on the sides of which there are marks indicating the degree of liberation to complete the task. Next, the player draws the corresponding card and voices what is written, and then commits. A big plus for forfeits for two with romantic overtones. A game in which no one will remain a loser!
1 Sea battle
Low price, modern variation of the legendary plot
Country: Russia
Average price: 368 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0
The legendary board game “Battleship” has not lost its relevance for many decades. For those who crave a sea battle, but consider a piece of paper and a pen to be something outdated, let me offer a modern variation of the plot. Two independent cases, inside of which there are two playing fields and ship elements. Due to the fact that when the suitcase is open, it blocks your formations for the enemy, you can be sure that he will not see anything. Do you agree that this is much better than covering the sheet with your hand the old fashioned way?
Among the nominees in the rating, this game demonstrates the best value. The goal of the game, as before, is to destroy the enemy fleet while preserving your own ships. The peculiarity of this modification of the game is that you can take it with you on the road, thereby pleasantly passing the time on the road. Users unanimously recommend the game for purchase, highlighting the convenience with which players enter the fight.
The best board games for a group of friends
Games from this category will be relevant for companies. Their main feature is their focus on a large number of people. To ensure your get-together with friends and family goes off without a hitch, make sure to purchase one or more of the games below in advance.
5 Cards against everyone
The most non-standard game, a large number of variations
Country: Russia
Average price: 1,350 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.4
If you know how to funny answer funny and sometimes not quite decent questions, then you will definitely like the board game “Cards Against All”. Its main advantage is an unlimited number of participants, but only 18+. One of the players is chosen to play the role of presenter, and his task is to choose the funniest and most unusual answer.
Words and phrases are written on the cards included in the kit. You need to put them together into a funny phrase, and if it turns out to be funny, you win. The number of rounds is not limited, so the game lasts until all the cards are gone. Pros: very funny, large number of participants (up to 10 people), a huge number of variations. Cons: dark humor, some questions are too tricky.
4 Colonizers
The best military-economic strategy, a very exciting game
Country: Russia
Average price: 1,730 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7
The board game “Colonizers” is the best choice for fans of military-economic strategies. All actions of the participants boil down to the creation of a colonial settlement on the island of Catan and its development. The first one to score 12 points wins. There are 5 resources in the game: wood, brick, wool, ore, grain. With their help, you can build cities, build roads and conquer surrounding territories. A very complex, but interesting and exciting strategy.
Each move in the board game "Colonizers" requires time to think, but since only 3-4 people play, it does not drag on too much. On average, the duration of one game is 80-95 minutes. All actions take place on a special field consisting of hexagons. The senior participant starts the game. Pros: very exciting game, colorful cards and field. The only negative is the complex rules that will take time to learn.
3 Party ALIAS
Universal game, very funny plot
Country: Finland
Average price: 1,170 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
A board game for a fun group of 4 or more friends, “Party Elias” is funny forfeits with tasks and parodies. Truly a universal game for all generations, capable of captivating everyone without exception. Players are divided into teams. The participants' task is to explain as many words as possible to their team within a certain period of time. The number of words guessed is equal to the number of cells by which you move along the playing field.
Briefly, the essence of the game can be formulated as follows: “Say otherwise!” The peculiarity is that the playing field is unpredictable; there are additional bonus cells on it, implying special tasks, skipping a move or bonus steps. Reviews note that in addition to standard words, there is the possibility of adding famous personalities and even close acquaintances to the list of guesses, which makes the game more poignant and interesting.
2 Crocodile
The most active and cheerful, bestseller
Country: Russia
Average price: RUB 1,985.
Rating (2019): 4.9
The most active and fun one is the board game “Crocodile”. Its main advantage is the possibility of simultaneous participation large quantity people. This is one of the best games for a noisy party of friends, during which no one will be left out. The rules are simple and clear - through gestures, explain to your team members words, phenomena, facts, actions, abstractions and even exact phrases. The number of points for the correct answer depends on the degree of difficulty of the task.
The peculiarity of the board game is that innovations appear in this version. For example, players can prompt the first letter, take an extra minute, explain while standing with their hands clasped, their backs to the players, or with eyes closed. In short, the producer made sure that the evening turned out to be truly fantastic and generous with laughter.
1 Mafia
Best for a party, exciting role-playing plot
Country: Russia
Average price: 1,990 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0
Mafia is the leader in the category of the best party games. This is a team psychological game with a detective plot, during which participants play certain roles: mafiosi, civilians, sheriff, don, etc. The game captivates with its originality, as well as the combination of a masquerade component and the struggle for survival. Glances, gestures, rash words and even intonation - everything matters. The task of civilians is to identify the mafia, and they, in turn, prevent this from happening.
On the first night, announced by the host, the mafia gets to know each other, while civilians remain in the dark until the very end who is friend and who is enemy. Psychological tricks, raising suspicions, foaming at the mouth to prove one’s non-involvement in a criminal group - all this gives the game a unique atmosphere and creates a genuine atmosphere of confrontation. IN in this case Getting to know the players personally (friend, family member) can either help you or let you down.
Best Board Games for Parties
If you want your party to be fun and exciting, we recommend choosing a few board games for your group. All or only some of the invited guests may participate. We offer you the TOP 5 best board games, ideal for parties.
5 Uno
One of the most dynamic and gambling, simple rules
Country: Russia
Average price: 809 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6
The main advantage of the classic board game "Uno" is its simple rules. You need to use action cards against other participants. The winner is the one who gets rid of all his cards first and scores points for those remaining in the hands of his opponents. The winning number of points is 500. The game consists of several rounds and begins with each participant in turn drawing a card. The player who gets the oldest one will be the leader.
The Uno set consists of 108 cards of different colors: blue, green, yellow, red. There are additional cards “Take 4”, “Move back”, “Wild”, etc. A company of up to 10 people can play, and everyone must be attentive and careful. If you are bored with the standard version of the game, you can use its modifications. Pros: for any age and company, dynamism and excitement. However, cards can get lost, so we recommend counting them after the game is over.
4 Activities
The most fun team game to explain words, various tasks
Country: Russia
Average price: 2,220 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7
If the members of the company practically do not know each other, then the best board game will be “Activity”. Its main task is to ignite a spark of friendliness and fun between the participants. Number of participants: from 3 to 16. If there are many of you, you can split into several teams. The essence of the game is simple: in 1 minute you need to provide an explanation of the dropped word. To do this, you can use one of the following methods: gestures, words or drawing. The winner is the player who managed to reach the finish line first.
"Activity" consists of 440 cards, from which more than 2,500 words of varying difficulty levels are formed. The game teaches participants not only resourcefulness, but also greater communication, imagination and even associative thinking. The classic set includes cards, a 1-minute hourglass, a special field and chips. Pros: for a company of any age, varied tasks, a huge number of participants.
3 Hive
Unusual strategy, high quality chips
Country: Russia
Average price: 1,650 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
Deep strategy, simple rules and very nice design are the main advantages of the logical board game “Beehive”. All your actions in arranging and moving insects come down to capturing someone else’s anthill or the queen of the hive. The best-selling game, exciting from the first minutes, consists of rectangular chips. They depict various insects: bees, ants, grasshoppers, etc. There is no playing field, so there are no restrictions on the movement of chips.
The board game “Beehive” will be an excellent choice for those who love high-quality and unusual strategies. The set includes two play sets consisting of 22 insect images, and a durable pouch for easy storage and transportation. The chips are very pleasant to the touch, the pictures are colorful and bright, and the rules are simple, so you can play even together with a child.
2 Answer in 5 seconds
The fastest and very simple quiz, there are special cards
Country: Russia
Average price: 1,630 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9
Can you quickly name three freshwater fish, three of your wishes, or three cities starting with the letter “c”? If yes, then the board game “Answer in 5 Seconds” will be the best choice for your family gatherings. To answer the question indicated on the card, you have exactly 5 seconds. This is the number of times the small aluminum balls are spun in the game clock. If you manage to give three correct answers during this time, you will move along the field closer to the finish.
Questions in the game “Answer in 5 Seconds” are selected from different areas: films, websites, books, desires, etc. This allows you not only to have fun, but also to learn even more about each other. Minimum quantity participants – 3, no age restrictions. The set includes general and special cards "Substitute Question" and "Transfer to Neighbor", gurgling clocks and counters. The number of questions is 770, so this game will definitely last more than one evening. A significant disadvantage is that the cards are double-sided, so other participants will know the tasks before they get to them and will be able to come up with answers in advance.
1 Scrabble
The best mind game, development of creative thinking
Country: Russia
Average price: RUB 1,569.
Rating (2019): 5.0
The legendary board game Scrabble is a great choice for 2-4 people. It consists of 104 letters, 4 stands and a special board divided into 15x15 squares. Each participant receives 7 starting letters and lays them out to form words. The longer they are, the better for the player. The main thing is to follow simple rule: can only be used common nouns in the nominative case.
For each word composed, the participant receives points, which are added up at the end of the game. The winner is the player with the most points. Before starting the strategy game Scrabble, we recommend arming yourself with a dictionary. You cannot use it for searching (although you can discuss this rule with other participants), but you can check the correct spelling or even the existence of a certain word. Pros: development intellectual abilities, logical and creative thinking.
