Looking for board games like sequence? We’ve put together 12 alternative options with abstract thinking, strategy, and pattern recognition.
1. La Boca
- Players work in shifting teams of two that sit across from each other and try to complete skylines that are on different challenge cards
- Since players can only see the image from their point of view, they have to be willing to work with each other to place the blocks in the right positions
- The faster a team can complete their building, the more points that they will score
- Since the timer is constantly ticking, players feel the pressure of being able to work faster and harder
- The high quality wooden pieces in this game are a pleasure to hold and to feel, and are designed to be durable and not to chip or lose their color
- Since there are two difficulty levels to choose from, players can pick how hard they want the game to be
2. Patchwork
- This game is a type of art design where players choose the best tiles and fabrics to create gorgeous quilts on their boards
- Since the available patches that can be used won’t always fit perfectly together, players have to be able to think outside of the box and plan ahead
- Players need to understand the strategy of the game to choose the best patches and to always have a supply of buttons to make their quilt more beautiful
- While players can put their patches wherever they want on the board, they need to keep them close together to be able to place the most patches
- Purchasing patches costs buttons and time, so players need to plan ahead
3. Azul
- Players alternate turns as they draft different colored tiles from the supply to their own player board
- Players will earn points based on how well they were able to place their tiles and to decorate their palace
- It’s possible to earn additional points by completing sets or specific patterns
- Players who waste tiles will have their score lowered
- The high-quality components are bright and attractive, lending the game a sophisticated air
- While the rules are easy to follow and the game is easy to learn, there is a lot of strategy and planning ahead that can make it more difficult
- As players learn how to better place their tiles, they will be able to score more points, and the player with the most points at the end wins
4. Qwirkle
- Every player has six tiles that vary in color and design
- Players place their tiles in straight lines that match according to color or design, trying to complete rows of six without repeating any shape or design
- As players get rid of their tiles, they draw new ones out of the pool
- Each play will earn points, depending on how many tiles were placed, as well as how many tiles they touch
- The game increases in difficulty as players branch off of existing lines of tiles and try to find room on their board for their own
- The player who has the highest score at the end of the game is the winner
- Beginners can play with their tiles face up, allowing them to get help if necessary from other players
5. Tsuro
- Players have to try to keep their token on the board longer than any other player, but this becomes more and more difficult as the board fills up and there are fewer empty spaces
- Great for two to eight players and only takes 15 minutes
- Players can work in teams if they are unsure of how to best play the game or want the advantage
- The tiles on the game have twisting lines on them, and each player lays a tile on their turn and then moves their token as far as it can go
- Tokens that run into the edge of the game or into another player’s token are removed from the board
- Players have to have a strategy in mind to drive opponents to the edge while extending their own route
6. Telepathy
- This strategy game combines some popular elements from other games to create a new experience that is exciting and requires memory and strategy skills
- Includes two secrecy shields, two game boards, two dry erase markers
- Players work together in teams or alone to race to try to guess their opponent’s secret square
- Every turn brings players closer to uncovering the truth and winning
- Players have to take turns writing down the secret square and also guessing, recording responses, and trying to eliminate possible answers to guess the actual answer
- Thanks to the secrecy shields, there isn’t any opportunity for players to cheat, and players of all abilities will have the same chance to guess the answer
- The game sets up quickly, has rules that are easy to learn, and is a great mental challenge for all ages
7. Spaceteam
- Players work together in a team to try to repair a malfunctioning spaceship
- To have the best chance to escape the black hole, players have to be able to communicate with each other
- There are a few available expansions to make the game longer or more enjoyable
- Rules are easy to learn and the game is not difficult, making it gre
at for players of all ages - Players have to face malfunctions by flipping cards in front of them and using them to fix the systems
- While all of the necessary tools are around, they are spread out among the other players, making it difficult to get your hands on what you need
- Additionally, everyone plays at once, which eliminates the pressure of turn-based play and makes this game loud and enjoyable
8. Karuba
- Two to four players age eight and up can battle it out in this addictive puzzle game
- Players are able to quickly pick up the rules of this game, but have to have strategy in mind to correctly place their tiles to reach the loot
- Players or teams who are able to move faster are going to be able to earn more points, making it easier for them to win the game
- High-quality components ensure that the game will last for a long time, and include 64 crystals, 4 islands, 12 gold nuggets, 16 temples, 16 adventurers, 15 temple treasures, and 144 jungle tiles
- Due to the way the game is played and set up, there won’t be any two games that are the same
9. Q-Bitz
- Players have to figure out how to recreate the patterns shown on the card by using their cubes
- Each game has three different rounds, and every round will have a different card
- The player who is able to match the pattern on the card first is the winner
- Players can work individually or as teams to try to beat their opponent
- Thanks to the nature of the game, it is very fast paced, requires quick thinking, dexterity, and the ability to see symmetry without a lot of delay
- This is a great game to improve spatial reasoning and memory
- There are 4 trays, 4 sets of 16 cubes, and 80 cards, which means that this game has a lot of replay value and is great for groups to enjoy together
10. Codenames
- Players compete against each other with one player as the spymaster
- Each player is trying to guess who their undercover agents are, relying on clues from the spymaster to help them find their agents
- As players find their own agents, they risk uncovering agents from the other player, finding civilians, or accidentally contacting the assassin
- Once a player uncovers the assassin, they automatically lose
- The spymaster has to provide clues to each player to help them find their secret agents
- The clues that the spymaster provides are all just one word and can easily point to many different words on the table, requiring a lot of focus and thought from the spymaster and the other players
- As players find their agents, the clues will often get more difficult
11. Scrimish
- Portable card game is great for taking on the road
- The game can be played with more than two people as teams can use the included decks
- Thanks to the fast speed of the 10 minute rounds, this is a great game to squeeze in when you’re short of time
- Players have to use strategy, misdirection, and memory to beat their opponent
- Each deck has 50 cards
- The object of the game is to try to find and attack your opponent’s crown card
- Players have five piles of five cards in front of them and place the crown card at the bottom of one of the piles
- Each player takes turns attacking their opponent with a card, the one with the lowest value loses that skirmish
12. Rushi
- Fast playtime means that players can enjoy a game in just 10 minutes, making it great for killing a small amount of time
- Designed for two players, although more could work as a team, although efficient communication would be very important
- There are seven tiles for each player and they need to work to be able to move them across the board
- After a player is able to get all of their tiles to the opposite of the board, then they are the winner
- The rules are very basic and easy to understand, but there are millions of possible combinations for how the game will be played, making it very exciting and allowing for plenty of replay in the future
- Players have to focus not only on moving their cards, but also blocking their opponent