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To want to play board games

24 replies

itsnotmyparty · 13/11/2018 22:53

Ok so I didn't know where to post!
But can anybody recommend a board game to buy 11/12yo DD that we can play with her (she's mature for age), preferably one that's fairly new?
I'm also looking for board games that DH and I can play together, to get us off our phones and encourage us to interact
Thanks 

OP posts:
GreenEggsHamandChips · 13/11/2018 22:57

Ticket to ride (good for 2 or 4) Europe map
Takenoko (The hungry panda game)
Settlers of Catan
Colt Express
Santorini
Carcassonne
Lord's of waterdeep (This one works as well 2 player as it does 4 (or 6))
7 wonders
Smallworld (as good for 2 as 4 but you need a thick skin)
Kill Dr Lucky (download from cheapass games and make yourself)

GreenEggsHamandChips · 13/11/2018 22:59

Sorry read that as a 11 and 12 year old. All the above work well for 3 players....

PandaG · 13/11/2018 22:59

Azul - strategy game, collecting and placing tiles. Good for 2,3 or 4 players

Century Spice road - deck building to trade for spices, of different values which you then use to buy cards with a points value. 2-5 players.

We bought both of the above this year - Azul has been out a while, but not in production, recently come back on the market. Spice about a year or so old I think?

GreenEggsHamandChips · 13/11/2018 23:01

Yy to Azul (Although we've found it a bit like marmite) Along with Santorini it's my favourite sit in the garden game because the bits don't blow away.

PandaG · 13/11/2018 23:02

Would also recommend most of GreenEggs recommendations, there are a couple I haven't played though, but those I have I like.

JellySlice · 13/11/2018 23:02

Labyrinth
Forbidden Island
Colorio
Cluedo

JasperRising · 13/11/2018 23:02

I agree with Carcassonne although it is not a particularly new game. It is one of those games that you can play straight out without of the box without too much pouring over the rules but once you've got the hang of it you can get a lot more strategic about your gameplay. It also has extension packs you can buy (though I found them too confusing!)

If you want quick and minimal set up, a lot of games (monopoly, ticket to ride and so on) are now available as card games and often have shorter game play.

If you want interaction, you could consider co-op games where you work together to beat the game - Pandemic is a classic one but you can also get themed ones ie: there is a Lord of the Rings one.

PandaG · 13/11/2018 23:03

Everyone we have taught Azul has loved it. Agree you can play it outside!

Leeds2 · 13/11/2018 23:04

For you and DH, backgammon.

GreenEggsHamandChips · 13/11/2018 23:12

Ticket to ride card game is really a very different game from the board game. You need a good working memory for the card game or a good sense of humour if your working memory is dodgy. Don't judge the board game by the card game and vice versa.

Our most used games are actually Santorini, Azul, Lord's of waterdeep and catan. But Ticket to Ride is often the game that takes you from kids games and older generation board games to more modern games.

pinkdelight · 13/11/2018 23:24

Another vote for Forbidden Island (working as a team rather than against each other) and also Splendour is good, nice level of challenge. King of Tokyo is rather fun too.

Darkstar4855 · 13/11/2018 23:31

Exploding Kittens and Bears Vs Babies are favourites with my partner’s 12yo son. They are card games rather than board games but that does have the advantage of making them easy to take on holiday etc.

Grrrrrrt · 13/11/2018 23:40

Carcassone, Ticket to Ride, Dixit, Forbidden Island, Pandemic.

JellySlice · 13/11/2018 23:45

Risk Express
Tantrix
Taboo
Othello

Sethis · 13/11/2018 23:54

Another vote for Splendour - the most portable board game I've yet found, it comes with me everywhere I go as it takes 5 minutes or less to explain and can be played with 2-5 people. Fits in a box that's 3 inches by 4 inches by 6 inches, with room to spare.

GreenEggsHamandChips · 14/11/2018 00:06

Coop games wouldn't be my first choice if you're trying games out.

We found forbidden Island a bit limited in replayability. Even less so after it caused a few busts up when one person insists on taking the wrong move when only one move will win the game. The game is very good at building tension quite quickly, but that can shorten fuses so isn't good if you're a stroppy bunch . It's a good game for imbalance of abilities (e.g. it was one of the first DS with SN could play with us), but I'd pitch it at younger than a relatively capable 11/12 year old.

If you what to try a really good co-op you want Whitehall or the more complex Whitechapel. Whitehall is definitely a favourite here. But neither are straight out the box playable (Like jasper said Carcasonne best for that and Santorini). Both are a bit of a commitment to learn. I think from what ive heard scotland yard is a simpler version but i actually haven't played it

GreenEggsHamandChips · 14/11/2018 00:07

I nerc spendour and king of Tokyo

GreenEggsHamandChips · 14/11/2018 00:07

Need!!

BuffaloCauliflower · 14/11/2018 00:09

Settlers of Catan! I need to buy more board games

dontgobaconmyheart · 14/11/2018 00:22

For 2 players 100% recommend Hive, Patchwork and especially Jaipur. We have Forbidden island and were a bit let down by it actually, it's not anywhere near as good with just two and as others have pointed out, replayability isn't great, its nowhere near as fun as the first time/first few times. If you have people over Obama Llama is good fun but not great with two.
Codenames is good, as is Pandemic.
I'd say DP and i most enjoy Jaipur, Patchwork, Hive, Scrabble ( recently got a harry potter edition which has rekindled a passion for it), the mini trivial pursuit themed sets for something easy if you fancy a quiz rather than a 'game', 221b baker street, and stuff like Boggle, or Dobble, for quick no-thought involved amusement that satisfies competitiveness as they are more quick-fire.

246oh1 · 14/11/2018 03:09

In my group Isle of Skye is much preferred to Carcassone! Can also recommend coup, gloom, dixit and also port royal (a definite favourite at the boardgame group i go to!)

BlitheringIdiots · 14/11/2018 06:19

Destination. Family trivial pursuit. Risk.

seekingclarity · 14/11/2018 06:29

Lots of my favourites have been mentioned. We love splendor too!

I'll add Camel cup (also called camel up, but cup makes more sense)
And colt express.

AcerTree · 14/11/2018 11:05

Munchkin is hilarious and much loved in our house.

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