There are some board games that you’ll only place once before getting bored. However, these board games with high replay value will keep you coming back again and again…
Catan
- Not only are there many expansions, but the base game itself can be replayed many times without players getting bored.
- Three to four players work hard to acquire resources by trading, rolling dice, or using cards.
- Using lumber, grain, brick, wool and ore, players build settlements, roads, and cities.
- Each player tries to stop others from being able to expand or trying to steal goods and resources.
- Thanks to the random mix of board game tiles, no two games will ever be the same.
- Players set up the game and then roll to discover where they will place their settlements and then find resources to expand.
Splendor
- Great for younger players age 10+.
- Players work to expand their global trade routes in an effort to become the richest and most influential merchant at the market.
- The elegant gameplay is made even more enjoyable by the attractive components, as well as the historic detail included.
- Each player starts the game trying to collect gem tokens and then tries to expand, hopefully working with Queen Isabella of Spain or King Henry VIII to improve their travels and to expand.
- The simple rules make this a great option for new players who don’t have a lot of experience with economic management games.
Innovation
- This advanced deck building game requires players to build civilizations based off of the cards that they can add to their deck.
- There are 105 cards that are separated into 10 different ages, with each one representing a different innovation, idea, or technology throughout history.
- Every card has a unique ability that can be combined with others to make the gameplay incredibly diverse and interesting.
- The simple base mechanics of the game is made more complex and difficult due to the game text printed on the cards and how the cards are used throughout the game.
- Great for two to four players and lasts between 30 and 75 minutes.
Race for the Galaxy
- In this game players work to build civilizations in space using different game cards.
- All of the cards represent social or technical developments, as well as different worlds.
- There are many expansions that can be used with the original game to make gameplay even more involved.
- There are five possible phases that can occur on each round.
- During a round every player chooses an action cards and then reveals it, getting bonuses as the actions occur and trying to adjust the outcome of the game.
- Players can settle areas, explore, develop, or produce goods during a round.
- The player with the most points and who best manages their cards wins.
Runewars
- With the choice of playing as a noble army or an undead legion, players immediately get thrust into an exciting rank and file wargame.
- There are 48 unpainted figures, allowing players to really customize this game and make it their own.
- Each player has to issue commands for their faction to try to win the war.
- With many different ways to control soldiers, as well as to affect the outcome of this game, it’s easy to play back to back games without any of the same experiences.
- Rules are simple and point to strategy and tactics for best results.
Agricola
- Great option for as few as one player, but up to five.
- There are more than 300 wooden components, 360 cards, 50 tiles, boards and tokens in the game.
- Players compete to grow their family and plant gardens to feed themselves.
- Each player can only take two actions on a turn, so they have to have a strategy in mind of how they will find food and care for their family.
- With occupation and improvement cards, players can improve their chances of winning the game.
- There are four game turns and just six harvest phases, so planning ahead is incredibly important for the best results.
Eldritch Horror
- This fully cooperative game is great for up to eight players, but can easily be enjoyed by just one player on their own, if desired.
- The story-driven game is incredibly fast paced and requires players to pay attention and become involved to win.
- Because each Ancient One has their own victory conditions and dedicated mystery decks, this game features a lot of twists and is great for playing over and over.
- Players must defeat monsters, travel to other worlds, and try to stay sane while fighting the Ancient One.
- There are 12 investigators you can choose from, as well as many monsters to battle and hundreds of different encounters you may face.
Galaxy Trucker
- Build a spaceship and try to transport goods in space in the far future, all while trying to defend yourself against attacks from aliens and accidents with asteroids.
- The game only takes around one hour to play, but offers great strategy enjoyment and is fun for two to four players.
- The tiles are different for each game, which means that every ship will have its own pros and cons.
- There are three rounds in the game, and in each one players try to find the best components for their ship, avoid problems, find ways to make money, and try to emerge from the game without any damage to their ship.
Mission: Red Planet
- Players not only explore the galaxy, but also have to mine on Mars.
- Includes variant for just two players to enjoy, otherwise works with up to six.
- Each player is in charge of a mining corporation and fighting to occupy Mars and to make sure that they are the only ones with access to the ice and mineral ores on the planet.
- There are nine characters in the game, and players must use their talents to explore the red planet and to stop their opponents from succeeding.
- By carefully choosing what characters to use, players will improve their chance of winning.
Roll for the Galaxy
- Dice game that has players trying to build their own space empire faster than their opponents are able to.
- The dice represent the population that a player has in their empire.
- Players must roll dice to try to ship goods, settle new worlds, and develop technology that will help them to advance faster and further than their opponents.
- The player who is able to best manage all of their workers and who is able to build the most successful empire is the winner.
- The luck element of the dice makes this game a little unpredictable, even though players still need to have a strategy in mind.
Nexus Ops
- This sci-fi battle game is set on a distant moon and requires two to four players to raise and control armies of different creatures to hunt and survive.
- Not only are armies fighting against each other, but they are also trying to find resources that they can use to improve their strength.
- There are more than 160 figures, almost 100 tokens, and 17 map tiles.
- The map tiles are placed in a different setup each time the game is played, which keeps it fresh and interesting.
- The clarified rulebook ensures that all players will easily understand how the game is to be played and reduces arguments and stress.
7 Wonders
- Fun strategy game where each player is a leader of one of seven great cities set in the ancient world.
- Players must develop trade routes, gather resources, and ensure that they have the strongest and best trained military.
- By building a city and setting up architectural wonders, players can make their name known for years to come.
- Drafting occurs over many rounds, allowing players to slowly build their cities and take control of the world.
- Even though it supports up to seven players, gameplay is fast and will prevent boredom.
- There are three ages in the game, allowing players the chance to play six cards at once to improve their city.
- After the third age, all players score their points from their battles and the cards in their hands to see who has the most and is the winner.
Eminent Domain
- In an attempt to expand their empire throughout the galaxy, players must decide on how they are going to take over.
- Players can opt to colonize planets peacefully or try to take them by force in their effort to have the most control in space.
- Each player also has to harvest resources not only to survive, but also to trade with others.
- By completing research, players will be able to quickly improve their technology, allowing them a better chance at surviving and winning.
- The components are all high quality and attractive, and include 162 cards, 24 wooden resources, 35 sculpted fighters, 32 influence tokens, and a gameboard.
Tales of the Arabian Nights
- Players act as the hero of the story and travel across the land in search of fortune and destiny.
- On their journeys, players learn stories and get to share their wisdom with others who they meet.
- While each player is trying to fulfill their destiny first, the goal of the game is to enjoy the story and how it unfolds.
- Each decision that a player makes plays a role in their future and their destiny and can affect them by making them rich and loved or turning them into a beggar or cursed.
- The book of tales adds to the value and fun of the game.