The end of the year is upon us and its filled with the usual sights, sounds, and smellls. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, hot spice cider brewing on the stove, bells jingling, and of course, gamers arguing around the table. If you are reading this article, either you are a gamer or are getting ready to shop for one on your list. And if you aren’t sure what to get them this year, the BGQ crew is here to help.
As usual, we’ve played the games, consulted the elf on the shelf, and have our yearly recommendations ready for you. Whether you are just looking for something small for your kids, or the next giant minis game for your significant other, we’ve got a recommendation for you. So grab a cup of hot chocolate, curl up by the fire with your tablet of choice, and let’s do some shopping!
Every year we try to start off the guide with the classics. These are games that have not only left their mark on our hobby, but have stood the test of time. If you are not sure where to start, any of these gems is a perfect choice. They have been enjoyed by countless gamers and continue to sell years later.
Ticket to Ride
Designer Alan Moon created this gem back in 2004 and it continues to make its way to gaming tables even to this day. It’s fun, accessible, and has a ton of expansions for added variety. In Ticket to Ride, you are trying to build train routes across major cities on the board. The gameplay makes this one quick to learn and fast to play. If you have played card games like Rummy or Gin, then Ticket to Ride should be an easy transition.
Pandemic (review)
Designer Matt Leacock has created a cooperative game that has players racing against time to cure four diseases threatening the world. Pandemic is one of the most popular cooperative board games and has long since become a staple in every gamer’s collection. Pandemic is easy to learn and very challenging to win, which helps give the game high replay value. It has also inspired a number of thematic offshoots should you
Adventure
UPS
Cooper
boxing
STARS
War
Universities