How to choose a board game?

Board games are as popular as they are numerous. Among the plethora of existing games it is sometimes difficult to know which one to choose. If Buzzgames helps you by offering you selections classified by themes or categories, the fact remains that you still have to make your choice among these. To help you a little further, in this article we invite you to discover what criteria to take into account when buying a board game!

The criteria for choosing a board game

In order to find what suits you best, it is necessary to check certain elements called purchasing criteria.

The type of game:

The first thing to do when buying a board game is to take into account its type. Rather a game where you will have to think, or a game which will simply be entertaining or even funny. The categories and themes are numerous. It’s up to you to decide whether it’s to play with family or friends, to pass the time or to really have a good time, etc.

The game mode:

In board games, there are multiple game modes. More or less complicated, these modes can be classified as follows:

• Cooperative : players will have to work together to achieve a common objective which often offers an advantage compared to a single player. An example of a cooperative game is Pandemic.
• Competitive : Each player will have their own objectives to achieve. The other players will be their rivals. An example of a competitive game is Risk.
• Semi cooperative : this mode combines the first two modes by associating elements which require cooperation and others which allow a certain opposition. For example, in Shadows over Camelot.
• Team : this mode consists of dividing the players into 2 teams. All members of a team will have a common goal to achieve and they will be rivals of the other team. An example of a game in which all players play on one side is Space Alert.
• Miniature : these games are not flat but more or less modeled in relation to a subject or theme. You will need to use figurines to play. An example of a miniatures game is Warhammer 40,000.
• Deduction : this mode consists of eliminating hypotheses and identifying a key element during the game. This is the case of Cluedo for example.

The age group :

Board games are classified by age group. Some of them are intended for children aged 3 to 5 and do not require any reading, while others require players aged 14 and over (for young people) just as we can find some for adults.

Numbers of players :

The number of players who can participate in a game varies depending on its type. There are multiplayer games with many players, between 4 and 6 or even up to 20! This type of game is more likely to be played in groups but requires some space. Then there are games for 2 players, perfect for couples who want to relax without the presence of third parties. Others are only playable by 1 player where you will need all your concentration!

The transportable aspect:

Some board games are made of cardboard and, provided the game has not been fully expanded, can be folded to fit in a box which can then fit into your luggage. We are then talking about portable games. Others, more beautiful, made of wood, require that you take out all the pieces before playing or even make a box in which you will have to store all the pieces. Portable games are easier to store when not in use but require a little more space when open.

Materials :

Board games can be made from different materials, cardboard, plastic or wood for example. In terms of quality and finish, they can vary greatly, from the most basic to the most luxurious. Obviously the price will depend on it. Materials should be considered when purchasing a board game.

The price :

The price of a board game is generally given by its weight or volume, euros per kg or per liter. In addition to these fixed prices that they provide, some games have an additional fixed value for which we can find offers. Board games are relatively expensive, however, you can still buy them second-hand or even rent them for those on a tighter budget.

The quality of the graphics:

This is a criterion that can be taken into account depending on the age group or not. Beyond the question of taste, we must keep in mind that generally speaking, simple colors are used for children’s games while brighter colors are found in games intended for adults. Some games use only black and white graphics while others have very realistic images.

The number of rooms :

Board games provide a number of playing pieces, from a few to several hundred. In fact, the more there are, the harder it will be to put them back in their bag! And you can imagine that some games contain a lot of small pieces… What’s more, the age of the children and the duration of the game will be determining factors.

Length of game:

It is possible to purchase games that last 5 minutes or several hours. For those who want to save time by playing until they win, there are also 15 minute games! It’s up to you to decide whether you prefer short games or those that last a long time.

The educational aspect:

This criterion is most suitable for children. It involves playing a game that will allow them to learn a particular subject or reinforce a certain type of skill. There are also educational games where you have to help your child learn by giving them the right answers. Very interesting for this age group!

Conclusion & Opinion

In conclusion, we can say that there really is a board game for everyone, for all tastes and for all age groups! It’s up to you to choose the one that best suits you and we hope that this article will help you in your choice!

And you, what type of board game do you like the most? How to choose well according to your opinion?