Game On! ALSC Blog

With the rise of technology, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to disconnect from our phones and engage in real-life activities. However, board games offer a nostalgic and interactive experience that can bring people together and provide hours of entertainment. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a seasoned pro, these board games are sure to make you forget about your phone:

1. Settlers of Catan

Build Your Empire and Trade Your Way to Victory

Settlers of Catan is a strategic board game where players compete to build settlements, cities, and roads on an island. The game revolves around resource management and trading with other players. With its easy-to-learn rules and endless possibilities, Settlers of Catan is a must-play for any board game enthusiast.

2. Ticket to Ride

Embark on a Railroad Adventure Across the Globe

In Ticket to Ride, players compete to build the longest and most successful train routes across various countries. The game combines strategy and luck as players race to connect cities and complete their destination tickets. With beautiful artwork and a simple yet addictive gameplay, Ticket to Ride is perfect for both beginners and experienced players.

3. Pandemic

Save the World from a Global Epidemic

In Pandemic, players work together as a team to stop the spread of deadly diseases and find cures before time runs out. This cooperative board game requires players to strategize and make critical decisions to prevent outbreaks and keep the world safe. Pandemic offers a thrilling and immersive experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

4. Codenames

Unleash Your Inner Spy and Outsmart Your Opponents

Codenames is a word association game that challenges players to give one-word clues to help their teammates guess secret agents in the field. The game encourages creativity and critical thinking, making it a fun and engaging party game for groups of all sizes. With its quick gameplay and endless replayability, Codenames is a game you’ll want to play again and again.

5. Carcassonne

Build a Medieval Landscape and Claim Territories

Carcassonne is a tile-placement game where players take turns placing tiles to build cities, roads, and farms. The game offers a mix of strategy and luck as players compete to score the most points by claiming completed features. With its beautiful artwork and simple yet addictive gameplay, Carcassonne is a classic board game that will never get old.

6. Dominion

Conquer the Kingdom and Build Your Deck

Dominion is a deck-building game where players compete to build the most efficient and powerful card deck. Players take turns buying cards from a central supply and use them to gain victory points and special abilities. With its endless card combinations and strategic gameplay, Dominion offers a unique and addictive gaming experience.

7. Splendor

Become a Renaissance Merchant and Collect Gems

In Splendor, players take on the role of Renaissance merchants and compete to collect gems and develop their economic engine. The game combines resource management and card drafting, creating a challenging and strategic gameplay experience. With its elegant mechanics and beautiful artwork, Splendor is a game that will captivate players of all ages.

8. 7 Wonders

Build an Ancient Civilization and Leave Your Mark in History

7 Wonders is a civilization-building game where players compete to construct one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The game offers a unique card drafting mechanic and requires players to balance resource management and long-term strategy. With its immersive theme and engaging gameplay, 7 Wonders is a must-have for any board game collection.

9. Azul

Create a Beautiful Mosaic and Score the Most Points

Azul is a tile-placement game where players take turns drafting and placing colorful tiles to create a stunning mosaic. The game offers a perfect balance of strategy and luck as players compete to score the most points by completing rows and columns. With its elegant design and addictive gameplay, Azul is a game that will keep you coming back for more.

10. Terraforming Mars

Colonize the Red Planet and Transform It into a Habitable Environment

Terraforming Mars is a sci-fi strategy game where players take on the role of corporations competing to terraform and colonize the red planet. The game offers a deep and immersive experience as players manage resources, research technologies, and shape the planet’s surface. With its rich theme and complex gameplay, Terraforming Mars is a board game that will challenge and captivate players for hours.

So, the next time you find yourself reaching for your phone, why not gather some friends or family members and dive into the world of board games? These games offer a refreshing break from screens and provide a fun and social experience that will leave you wanting more. Which board game will you choose to make your phone a distant memory?