There are so many boardgames to choose from these days and there are new ones coming to market every month, so how do you choose the right one for you and your friends or family? These are my tips for picking out the best game.
Choose a theme that interests you.
Take a look at the boardgames you have, or are looking to buy. Does it have a theme? Something that is going to immerse you in? Are you into sci-fi? Take a look at BattleStar Galactica. Perhaps you are an ancient Egypt fan. Give Ra a try. Want a game that takes you into a world of horror? I recommend Arkham Horror. There are games for all sorts of genres. Find a game that sounds interesting and then
See if the Mechanics and Category sound fun.
There are many different game mechanics that run the game. You have your basic roll and move type games like Monopoly and Snake and Ladders. Want to try something different? How about route building game like Settlers of Catan or Ticket to Ride. How about an auction style game like Power Grid. The point is there are so many different ways to actually play a board game than you might be aware of. Do a little research, see what sounds fun and give it a try.
Speaking of Research,
It is probably a good idea to check out different resources when choosing a boardgame. You can check out websites like Board Game Geek (www.boardgamegeek.com). BGG is like the Mecca for all things boardgame related. Check out their top 100 list, or go to the forums and poke around. Next check out your local game store or hobby shop. Many times they will be a great source of knowledge, more so than your local Wal-Mart or Toys R Us. If you are lucky you can sometimes even get a demo of the game. Last check out your local community centres and local pubs, boardgame nights are becoming more popular, see if you can make one and get exposed to some new great games.
I have bought and played many games using these methods above. Some games I really enjoyed, some not so much but unless you get out there and try some you’ll never know.
