10 Best Strategy Board Games Of 2018

Board games are going through a bit of a Renaissance in popularity these days. Thanks in no small part to the popularity of Settlers of Catan, people are finally waking up to the idea that board games exist outside of Monopoly. As a result there has been an explosion of creative, challenging, and competitively fun board games hitting the market to feed gamers hunger for new challenges. many of these games rely on strategically planning and shrewdly outwitting your opponent through the collection of resources and placement of powerful forces. In some games you may take on the role of a powerful general commanding large armies while in others you may be the leader of a growing civilization. One game we love has you simply planting trees. In another you evolve and spread a deadly virus. Regardless of what your interests are, there’s a good chance there’s a game out there for you and your friends. To help find those hidden gems, we rolled our fair share of dice to bring you our picks for the best strategy board games of 2018.

1. Scythe

Best for: Board game aficionados (1-5 players)

One of the most talked about and popular strategy board games in recent memory, Scythe has taken gamers by storm. Set in an alternate 1920’s Russia where people work the fields alongside steampunk styled mechs, Scythe is all about manage resources and building forces to beat your opponents. Nothing that hasn’t been done before surely, but rare is a game that does it as well as this Scythe. The art is gorgeous. The mechanics are deep with ample choices to make in a turn and so many different ways to win. Special “Automata” cards even allow for solitaire play and double as a quick tutorial to negate the steep learning curve. If any game belongs on a gamer’s shelf this year, it has to be Scythe, easily one of the best strategy board games of 2018. If you play one new game this year, make it Scythe. You won’t regret it.

2. Risk Legacy

Best for: Frequent playgroups (3-5 players)

The classic strategy game returns and no two games will ever be alike again! Risk Legacy is unlike any other game on the market as it evolves and changes with each play through. Choices the player makes during game 1 can come back to haunt them on game 5. Winners get to create cities and even name continents that carry over onto the next game and grant bonuses and additional units to start. Other times certain cards are destroyed, never to be played again. In addition, the box itself is full of hidden compartments that hide new cards and stickers that further changes play, but can only be opened after certain conditions have been met. Never the same game twice, you don’t play Risk Legacy, you evolve it. How will you shape your world?

3. Photosynthesis

Best for: Eco friendly friends (2-4 players)

A challenging game that rewards clever positioning and strategy, Photosynthesis is a game about growing trees. The goal is simple, compete against the other trees in the forest to collect the most sunlight and grow the fastest. Careful planting of seeds will allow your tree to grow tall and cast shadows on your opponents seedlings behind you limiting their growth. Featuring stunning art and 3D play pieces, easy to learn rules and realist game mechanics, Photosynthesis is as fun as it is peaceful and beautiful to play. A great game for kids as well!

4. Terraforming Mars

Best for: Settlers of Cattan fans (1-5 players)

In the early 2400’s powerful corporations have entered a race to become the first to terraform Mars. Featuring an accurate map of the Martian surface as the game board, Terraforming Mars has players compete to claim land and build over 200 projects to solidify their control over the harsh Martian terrain. Deep game play includes juggling resources, constructing science projects and terraforming the very land itself to make it profitable and habitable in order to claim victory points. Once Mars has been conquered, why not try the game’s expansions, Prelude and Venus Next for new scenarios and game mechanics! Will you be able to terraform Mars?

5. Star Wars Rebellion

Best for: Serious Star Wars fans (2-4 players)

Not many games let you rewrite the classic Star Wars trilogy, but in Star Wars Rebellion you can and so much more! Star Wars Rebellion pits players in the role of the overpowered Galactic Empire or the plucky Rebels in a giant game of hide and seek on a galactic level. As the Empire players will build up massive fleets to canvas the galaxy to once and for all find the secret Rebel base while the Rebels are in a race against time to stay one step ahead of the Empire and topple the Emperor. Players can relieve their wildest Star Wars fantasies in this well crafted game full of lore and strategy. One Death Star not enough to find the Rebel base’s planet by process of elimination? Then build two! Send Princess Leia on a secret mission to contact supporters only to have her captured and turned to the Dark Side by the emperor. In Rebellion you can do all this and so much more! The ultimate Star Wars game for the ultimate fan.

6. Legends of Andor

Best for: Social gamers and families (2-4 players)

Legends of Andor is a cooperative fantasy game where the players rush to complete quest objectives while defending their castle. Only by working together and using the combined abilities of their heroes can victory be achieved. Perfect for bite sized dungeon crawls, Legends of Andor comes with lavishly illustrated and high quality game pieces along with multiple quests for high replay value. Can you complete the quest and save the castle?

7. Great Western Trail

Best for: Game nights with friends (2-4 players)

Not many games can juggle as many mechanics as well as Great Western Trail. From deck building, to engine building, and map placement, this game has it all. You are a cattle baron tasked with the simple job of delivering your cattle to market to make as much profit as possible. Along the way you’ll hire cowboys, lay new train track, build buildings for perks and so much more. A great theme and idea, wonderfully executed, Great Western Trail is one of the best strategy board games of 2018. Get along little doggy!

8. Plague Inc

Best for: Teens and new players (1-4 players)

Based on the popular mobile game, Plague Inc. challenges players to infect the world first with their deadly super virus. It’s contagious gameplay is quick to pick up and leads to fast paced fun filled games. Teens will love the familiar art taken straight from the chart topping app and fast play times. Can they race to evolve their deadly plague and destroy the world before their friends do?. Plague Inc. is a great entry level game for new and experienced gamers alike. This is one game, you’ll never get sick of playing.

9. Gaia Project

Best for: Hardcore gamers and sci-fi fans (1-4)

A follow up to critically acclaimed, Terra Mystica, the Gaia Project has players choosing one of 14 factions to explore and colonize the galaxy. Build your empire, develop new technologies, go to war or create peace, it’s all up to you as your forge your civilization out into the stars. Every decision has consequences and each turn matters in this deep strategy game. With high quality pieces, a giant board and endless replayability, the Gaia Project is one game that will dominate your game night for months to come. But beware, this is one game for die hard gamers only. It’s complex so don’t say we didn’t warn you.

10. Covert

Best for: James Bond fans (2-4 players)

Spy work is afoot! Become the ultimate spy and race to complete missions across the board before your opponent can during the Cold War. The game’s mechanics are built around rolling dice and assigning your numbers to various actions. Will you use them to collect equipment, crack cipher codes, move agents across the map? Covert requires steeled strategy along with a little luck to win. The same attributes any spy needs to pull off daring missions and covert operations. For a unique game experience that’s fun for both family and friends, Covert is just the mission for you! If you choose to accept it that is.