Are you gearing up for an epic board game night with friends or family? To ensure a memorable and fun-filled gaming experience, I think a well curated menu of games is essential for the perfect evening.
When planning your game night, curate a diverse collection of board games to cater to everyone's preferences. I can sometimes get hung up wanting to play one specific game. But what if your guests have played that game before and hated it? It's always good to have options.
I suggest you aim to have a simple party game to start the night, a more substantial strategy game to play for the bulk of the evening, and then a light fun, filler card game to end. But, with options for each part of the course!
Having a variety ensures there's something for everyone to enjoy. This way, you can switch things up, give people a choice, and keep the excitement alive throughout the night.
So, without further ad, here are a few recommendations. The Perfect Dishes - A Three Course Gaming Menu of Perfection.
Starter Course: Something to get everyone into the mood. light in rule, high in fun, and quick to play.
Just search "Party Games" on WBG and you will find a plethora of choices to look through, but here is my top three recommendations.
Block Party - Read more about that game here.
Its pictionary, but you don't need to draw! Use blocks to create objects for your friends to guess. No artistic skills needed here, and can be taught in seconds.
Just One - Read more about that game here.
Party game heaven! So easy to teach and play, generally lands well with everyone I have ever played with, and can be played just chilling around sofas with no need for a table.
Monikers - Read more about that game here.
The perfect party game? Its basically articulate with random words and phrases, but then with layers. Round one, describe the card. Round two, now with one word. The in round three, with charades! But the things you describe stay the same, so players will remember what was previously said, so it just works. Hilarious fun!
Main Course: The main event! High in strategy, a few rules to learn, but people are ready for something of substance.
This time, search "Strategy Games" on WBG and you will find a whole heap of games to read about, but here is my TLDR top three recommendations.
Circadians: First Light - Read more about that game here.
My highest rated non-solo game from 2023 (when including the expansion!) Combo fun! This game will be sure to have your guest's scream with joy as they start to build their powers and enact outrageously powerful turns. Fun guaranteed, win or loose.
Tiletum - Read more about that game here.
My number one game from 2022. You may argue with your friends how to pronounce it, but you sure will have fun playing with it! The CRUNCH in this game is delicious! But, it is a little beige. Beware!
Blood Rage - Read more about that game here.
It's one of my favourite games that isn't two-player only, or a legacy game, so it has to appear here. And thankfully, Steve is written a wonderful review for it! looks a bit "laddy" I admit. This is classic dudes on a map smashing around, right? Wrong. This is intricate card play with some awesome drafting.
Dessert: A fun, quick, light, filler game to end the night if people have more tie, more appetite for more fun, but do not want to get into anything serious at this time of night.
Now it's time to search "Card Games" on WBG. Years of work from me, condensed into a few seconds of your life, just to find the perfect game. A great trade off!
Hanabi - Read more about that game here.
If you want some cooperative fun, I cannot recommend anything higher. My favourite card game of all time, this is pure joy for me. Still offers some meaningful decisions to give you a proper game, but rules lights and the perfect way to end the night. And this time, hopefully everyone wins!
The Crew - Read more about that game here.
My third favourite card game of all time. The Mind is number 2 if you are interested. But this makes the cut due to the familiarity it will have to anyone who has played a simple trick-taker before. But now, they will do so in a co-op experience which could well ease the pain of for anyone who spent the previous two hours loosing your strategy game of choice!
Every time I teach someone this game, they go out and buy it for themselves. It is so simple, quick, and easy to learn, but wildly addictive and fun to play. The perfect way to end any game night.
Now, put out the snacks and refreshments, make sure you have comfy seats and good lighting, and away you go!
Have fun.