2024 has been a great year for board gaming and for this blog! I have published 16 blogs (also counting this blog) covering a diverse spectrum of topics linked to the subject of Board gaming for a total of over 30,000 words! Quite an effort if I may say so myself. Yet I do it willingly as part of my ongoing investigation and research into the joys and benefits of board gaming. With the support of my gaming group, wife, and son Neil, I explored a diverse range of games, some of which we enjoyed so much that we played them twice. Although technically outside of 2024, I want to begin by mentioning two small games I played in December 2023.
Towards the end of 2023, I
acquired two engaging two-player games, reflecting a growing market for this
previously underrepresented segment.
The second game, Splendor Duel, designed by Marc Andre
and Bruno Cathala, builds on the original 2014 design while introducing
innovative mechanics for two players. While the original Splendor can be played
with two, Splendor Duel enhances the experience with a resource board for the
limited coins and catch-up mechanisms like “favours” and the ultra-rare
resource “pearls.” These additions create a richer strategic interplay.
In contrast, 3000 Scoundrels did not meet my expectations. My gaming group found
it lacking, as the mechanics felt disjointed and failed to effectively
encourage gambling and bluffing. Consequently, few players attempted to bluff,
leaving a sense of something missing despite the game's high production values.
On a brighter note, we played Meadow, which was a standout
experience. With stunning artwork and innovative gameplay twists, it balances
competitiveness with the fun of creating a personal tableau of nature-themed
cards. The overwhelmingly positive impression led us to play two consecutive
sessions back-to-back.
The next game I introduced to my gaming group in 2024 was the classic High Society, designed by Prof. Reiner Knizia. This auction game features clever inverse bidding mechanics that activate whenever undesirable cards come up. Although it is quick, it presents significant challenges in choosing which cards to bid on, how much to wager from limited funds, and the timing of those bids. Players must also retain some funds at the end, as having none means they cannot win, even if they might have scored big during the game. My group had mixed feelings about High Society; it wasn't disliked but didn’t receive unanimous praise. Personally, I enjoyed it and would happily introduce it again.
I also acquired and played Risk Strike, a small-box game inspired by Risk. My previous experiences with the original Risk were unfavorable due to its lengthy gameplay and reliance on dice luck. In contrast, Risk Strike focuses on brief, intense tactical decisions while still incorporating some dice rolls. Its shorter duration makes it a more enjoyable option that fits well into brief gaming sessions.
This year, our gaming group was
captivated by Heat: Pedal to the Metal,
designed by Asger Harding Granerud and Daniel Skjold Pedersen. Whil
e it seems
simple at first glance, the game features intriguing mechanics that make it a
standout title in modern board gaming. It was one of only two games in 2024
that warranted consecutive play sessions.
I confidently predict we will
enjoy more sessions of this exceptional game in 2025.
While I've discussed the games played during our gaming nights in 2024, I haven't yet mentioned those I enjoyed with my younger son, Neil. In my quest to find engaging titles for him, I successfully introduced a few favorites.
Two games he particularly enjoyed
this year are Exploding Kittens and Dungeon Mayhem. Exploding Kittens is a whimsical game where players take turns
adding cards to a common discard pile while trying to avoid drawing the
"Exploding Kitten" card. Although it involves some tactical
decisions, it remains easy to understand and is suitable for children as young
as nine due to its short playtime.
Dungeon Mayhem, on the other hand, features Dungeons &
Dragons-style confrontations among iconic races, presented with cartoonish
artwork. Players compete using character-specific decks, allowing for strategic
card play despite some reliance on luck. The goal is simple: reduce your
opponent's health to zero before they do the same to you. While it can
accommodate more players, I prefer the two-player format, which feels like a
simplified version of Magic: The Gathering.
The game rules manage asymmetric
play reasonably well, but some creature decks seem overpowered against others.
This feeling was reinforced by the booster box I purchased, which includes six
additional characters that appear stronger than the original ones. Regardless
of these concerns, Neil loves the game, and we've enjoyed numerous
mini-tournaments where we select different characters and swap decks in
subsequent rounds to balance competition.
This year, I organized a
two-player game of Wingspan with
Neil, which he played from start to finish. This was a notable achievement
since it took about an hour. He enjoyed the experience, though not as much as
some other games we played.
Earlier, we also played a couple
of rounds of 7 Wonders Duel.
However, Neil still seems too young to grasp the subtle strategies involved in
this two-player variant, which requires building card synergies for effective
gameplay. This medium- to long-term planning can be challenging for younger
kids. Nevertheless, I remain optimistic that we will revisit this game in the
future.
Another entertaining party game we enjoyed was Yes/No!, which serves as a fun icebreaker. Players try to get their opponents to say "yes" or "no" while creatively avoiding those words themselves, making it similar to a family-friendly version of Taboo.
We also tried Rubik’s Race, a spatial 2D puzzle that,
while different from the classic Rubik’s Cube, is still enjoyable.
Additionally, Neil is showing promise as a chess player, and I believe he has
significant potential for improvement.
Overall, I look forward to
playing many more board games with Neil in 2025, including revisiting some of
our previous favorites.
This year, I expanded my
collection with several small-box games, which I find appealing for their
portability. You can easily pack a few into a small bag without needing a
duffle bag, allowing for great gaming experiences on the go. However, not all
small-format games are created equal; their design limitations mean fewer
components, but they often emphasize quality and mechanics.
I also discovered Battleline: Greeks vs. Persians and Battleline Medieval, both reimaginings
of Reiner Knizia's Schotten Totten. Knizia’s signature minimalist design shines
through, paired with engaging gameplay. I highly recommend trying these games
at least once.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve
explored a genre of party games I typically avoid: Social Deduction games.
Notable examples include Coup and
its expansion Coup Reformation, as well as Quest. In these games, players are assigned factions competing for
control, making them enjoyable for larger groups of four or more. I plan to use
them as filler games during the upcoming holiday season.
Another game I acquired that
excels with higher player counts is Decrypto,
a team-based communication game where players transmit and decipher codes. Each
team has an Encryptor who gives clues linked to a secret three-digit code,
while the opposing team tries to intercept it. Teams earn tokens for correct
guesses and miscommunications, and the game ends when a team collects two
tokens of either type, aiming for two Interceptions to win. This game is also a
strong candidate for holiday gatherings if I can get it to the table—wish me
luck!
In the two-player category, I
recently added the award-winning Sky
Team. In this cooperative game, one player acts as the pilot and the other
as co-pilot, working together to land an airliner at various airports by
managing dice placement for speed, altitude, and direction. Players must
silently assign dice to actions like deploying flaps while avoiding obstacles.
It emphasizes strategic planning and teamwork, making it perfect for relaxed
game nights after a pleasant meal with wine.
Yet before winding this blog down
I would like to spare a few words concerning this truly golden age of modern
board gaming.
Human beings have engaged in
games since the dawn of civilization, with evidence of simple board games
dating back to 5000 BCE. Play seems to be intrinsically linked to our humanity,
offering an escape from the mundane as players immerse themselves in alternative
rules and objectives. The goals can range from tangible rewards to simply the
prestige of being recognized as a victor, much like the laurel wreaths awarded
to ancient Greek athletes during the Olympics.
Games serve as a sandbox where
players can compete without real-world consequences. In games like chess or
Hnefatafl (Viking Chess), while a king may be captured, there are no physical
losses. Within these games, players agree to abide by their rules, creating a
micro-universe where they can experience freedom from daily constraints. This
"magic circle" allows friendships to flourish, often leading to
lasting connections even after the game ends.
While some argue that online
games like Minecraft, Roblox, or World of Warcraft provide similar social
benefits, I believe in-person interactions strengthen these connections over
time. For play to yield its benefits, it must be approached with sincerity and
commitment to the rules. Engaging with cynicism or detachment undermines the
game's legitimacy and shatters the shared illusion.
Looking ahead to 2025, I feel
optimistic about enriching my gaming experiences further. I plan to revisit
beloved games and introduce new titles that will challenge and engage my gaming
group. My aspirations extend beyond gameplay; I aim to continue exploring the
historical, sociological, and cultural contexts of the games we play.
2024 has been a rewarding year
when it comes to exploring new genres, especially when it comes to social
deduction games. I also particularly enjoyed trying out two Reiner Knizia
titles namely Battleline, for its streamlined rules and strategic depth, and
High Society with its interesting bidding mechanisms. Furthermore, from Fox in
the Forest to the exciting challenges of Heat: Pedal to the Metal, each game
played created memorable moments.
Finally, I would like to express
my gratitude for taking the time out of your busy schedules to read my
contributions to this blog in 2024. I view BGHaven as a growing and evolving
exploration of all that makes board gaming so captivating. As you may have
understood from my blogs to date, my aim is to make sense of the various
aspects of board gaming as a human endeavour, seeking to understand what board
gaming brings to the table and why engaging in this form of recreation is
significant.
I encourage you, whenever
possible, to acknowledge those blogs that resonate with you by liking or
commenting here, or on the companion Facebook Group. Each "Like" or
comment serves as a valued endorsement of my work and will support my ongoing
commitment to this blog. Thank you once again for your engagement.
List of board game titles
mentioned in this blog
Battleline (Greeks vs Persians)
Invincible: The Hero-Building Game
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