10 Best Strategy Board Games to Challenge Your Mind in 2023
Strategy board games are a great way to have fun, challenge your mind, and bond with your friends. But with so many options out there, how do you pick the right one for you? In this article, we will introduce you to 10 great strategy board games for adults that cover different themes and mechanics. Whether you are looking for a economic game, a deduction game, or a classic game, we have something for you. Read on and discover your next favorite strategy board game!
What is a Strategy Board Game and Why Should You Play It?
People playing xiangqi(Photo by zhang kaiyv on Unsplash)
A strategy board game is a type of board game that requires players to make decisions based on planning, logic, and tactics. Unlike games that rely on luck, chance, or bluffing, strategy board games reward players for their strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Strategy board games can be divided into two main categories: abstract strategy games and thematic strategy games.
Abstract strategy games are games that have minimal or no theme, and focus on the pure interaction of the game elements. Examples of abstract strategy games are chess, go, and xiangqi. These games are usually easy to learn but hard to master, and can be played by people of all ages and backgrounds.
Thematic strategy games are games that have a specific theme or setting, such as history, fantasy, science fiction, or culture. Examples of thematic strategy games are Caylus, Food Chain Magnate and 18xx. These games are usually more complex and immersive, and can appeal to different tastes and preferences.
How to Choose the Best Strategy Board Game for You
People enjoying strategy board game(Photo by Karthik Balakrishnan on Unsplash)
There is no definitive answer to what makes a strategy board game the best for you. It depends on your personal preferences, your gaming experience, and your gaming group. However, here are some factors that you can consider when choosing a strategy board game:
- Theme: Do you like games that have a strong theme or a minimal theme? Do you prefer realistic or fantastical settings? Do you enjoy historical, cultural, or fictional themes?
- Mechanics: Do you like games that have simple or complex rules? Do you prefer direct or indirect interaction with other players? Do you enjoy luck-based or skill-based gameplay?
- Complexity: Do you like games that are easy or hard to learn? Do you prefer short or long playtime? Do you enjoy light or heavy games?
- Player count: Do you like games that are suitable for solo or multiplayer? Do you prefer cooperative or competitive games? Do you enjoy 2-player or 4-player games?
10 Fun Strategy Board Games to Try Out
Here are 10 of our favorite strategy board games that we recommend you to try out. We have selected them based on their popularity, ratings, reviews, and personal experience. For each game, we will give you a brief overview of its theme, mechanics, and gameplay.
1. Caylus
Caylus (Credit: Michael Cheung)
A medieval-themed classic strategy board game where players compete to build the most prestigious castle for King Philip the Fair. Players must manage their resources, workers, and buildings wisely to gain the king's favor and earn points. Caylus is a classic worker placement game that features a dynamic turn order system and a provost mechanism that can affect the actions of other players.
Number of Players: 2 - 5
Estimated Game Time: 90 minutes
You can find more information about Caylus here.
2. Food Chain Magnate
Food Chain Magnate (Credit: Michael Cheung)
A modern-themed game where players run their own fast food chains in a cutthroat market. Players must hire and train staff, produce and sell food and drinks, advertise and market their products, and expand their network of restaurants. Food Chain Magnate is a highly strategic game that features an open-ended card system and a supply-and-demand mechanism that can create huge swings in income and prices.
Number of Players: 2 - 5
Estimated Game Time: 2 - 4 hours
You can find more information about Food Chain Magnate here.
3. 18xx
18xx (Credit: Michael Cheung)
A series of historical-themed fun strategy board games where players invest in and operate railroad companies in different regions and eras. Players must buy and sell shares, build tracks and stations, run trains and routes, pay dividends and loans, and manipulate the stock market. 18xx is a family of complex economic games that feature tile-laying, route-building, auctioning, and stock manipulation mechanisms. Each 18xx game has its own unique rules and features that make it different from others.
Number of Players: 2 - 6
Estimated Game Time: 3 - 6 hours
You can find more information about 18xx here.
4. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico (Credit: Michael Cheung)
A colonial-themed strategy board game where players develop and export goods from their plantations in the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. Players must choose from different roles, such as settler, mayor, builder, craftsman, trader, captain, or prospector, to perform actions that benefit themselves and other players. Puerto Rico is a classic role selection game that features a variable phase order system and a balanced scoring mechanism that rewards different strategies.
Number of Players: 3 - 5
Estimated Game Time: 90 minutes
You can find more information about Puerto Rico here.
5. White Chapel
White Chapel (Credit: Michael Cheung)
A deduction-themed game where one player takes the role of Jack the Ripper, a notorious serial killer who is trying to escape from the police, and the other players take the role of detectives who are trying to catch him. The game is played over four nights, each consisting of several rounds. In each round, Jack secretly moves along a numbered map of London, while the detectives try to deduce his location and movement by using clues and logic. White Chapel is a tense and immersive game that features a hidden movement system and a cooperative gameplay for the detectives.
Number of Players: 2 - 6
Estimated Game Time: 90 - 120 minutes
You can find more information about White Chapel here.
6. Power Grid
Power Grid (Credit: Michael Cheung)
An industrial-themed popular strategy board game where players build and operate power plants and supply electricity to different cities in a network. Players must bid for power plants, buy resources, expand their network, and balance their income and expenses. Power Grid is a challenging game that features an auctioning, resource management, and network building mechanisms.
Number of Players: 2 - 6
Estimated Game Time: 120 minutes
You can find more information about Power Grid here.
7. Teotihuacan
Teohihuacan(Credit: Michael Cheung)
A civilization-themed game where players take the role of noble families who are trying to contribute to the construction and decoration of the great pyramid of Teotihuacan. Players must move their workers around a modular board, performing actions such as gathering resources, building houses, temples, and masks, advancing on technology tracks, and worshiping gods. Teotihuacan is a beautiful game that features a rondel movement system, a worker aging mechanism, and a variable setup that ensures replayability.
Number of Players: 1 - 4
Estimated Game Time: 90 - 120 minutes
You can find more information about Teotihuacan here
8. Go
Go (Photo by Elena Popova on Unsplash)
An ancient-themed game where two players compete to control more territory on a grid board by placing black and white stones. Players must capture enemy stones by surrounding them with their own stones, while avoiding being captured themselves. Go is a simple yet deep game that features an elegant rule set and a high strategic depth.
Number of Players: 2
Estimated Game Time: 30 - 180 minutes
You can find more information about Go here.
9. Chess
Chess(Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Unsplash)
A medieval-themed game where two players compete to checkmate the enemy king by moving different pieces with different abilities on a grid board. Players must protect their own king, attack the enemy king, and capture enemy pieces. Chess is a classic game that features a perfect information system and a high tactical depth.
Number of Players: 2
Estimated Game Time: 30 - 60 minutes
You can find more information about Chess here
10. Xiangqi
Xiangqi (Photo by Damian Patkowski on Unsplash)
A Chinese-themed classic strategy board game where two players compete to checkmate the enemy general by moving different pieces with different abilities on a grid board with river and palace zones. Players must protect their own general, attack the enemy general, and capture enemy pieces. Xiangqi is a popular game that features a unique movement system and a high strategic depth.
But what sets Xiangqi apart from its counterpart, Chess? It’s the openness of the board. This distinctive feature of Xiangqi paves the way for aggressive gameplay, inviting players to launch fierce attacks. This aspect is particularly appealing for Chess enthusiasts who relish in assertive strategies. So, if you’re a Chess player looking to diversify your gaming experience with a touch of attack-oriented play, Xiangqi could be your next perfect move!
Number of Players: 2
Estimated Game Time: 30 - 60 minutes
You can find more information about Xiangqi here
Conclusion
Strategy board games are a great way to have fun, challenge your mind, and bond with your friends. But with so many options out there, how do you pick the right one for you? We hope that this article has given you some ideas and inspiration to choose the best strategy board game for you. Whether you are looking for a war game, an economic game, a deduction game, or a classic strategy board game, we have something for you.
If you are interested in trying out one of these top strategy board games, why not start with Xiangqi? Xiangqi is a Chinese chess game that is easy to learn but hard to master. You can play xiangqi online for free by clicking the button below. Have fun and good luck!
