All games from the Top100 "Hunter & Cron Award 2021" list 🇩🇪 2026
We have clearly listed and compared all 101 winner games from the audience award "Hunter & Cron🇩🇪 2021". Usually there are only 100 games - but Twilight Imperium was ranked 101 and Hunter & Cron, however, decided it was too important not to be mentioned.
Top10 Winners Hunter & Cron Award 2021
- Wingspan
- Pictures
- Brass: Birmingham
- The Quacks of Quedlinburg
- Terraforming Mars
- Cartographers
- Barrage
- Gloomhaven
- Fantasy Realms
- Scythe
- Aeon's End
- The 7th Continent
- Nemesis
- Tiny Epic Dinosaurs
- Pendulum
- Glen More II: Chronicles
- Faiyum
- 7 Wonders Duel
- Arkham Horror: The Card Game
- Spirit Island
- The Taverns of Tiefenthal
- PARKS
- Exit: The Game Series
- On Mars
- Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
- ESCAPE Dysturbia: Gefahr in den Docks
- Divvy Dice
- Hidden Games: Der Fall Klein-Borstelheim
- Everdell
- Troyes Dice
- Unmatched series
- Terra Mystica
- Great Western Trail
- Gaia Project
- Azul: Summer Pavilion
- T.I.M.E Stories
- Eclipse
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
- Unlock! series
- Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
- Viticulture Essential Edition
- It's a Wonderful World
- A Feast for Odin
- Trismegistus: The Ultimate Formula
- Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
- Underwater Cities
- Star Wars: Rebellion
- Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
- Rajas of the Ganges
- The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
- New York Zoo
- Root
- Just One
- Roll Player
- Legends of Andor
- Brass: Lancashire
- Blood Rage
- That's Pretty Clever!
- The Game: Quick & Easy
- Dune
- Mage Knight Board Game
- Teotihuacan: City of Gods
- Dominion
- Fields of Arle
- Dinosaur Island
- Draftosaurus
- Codenames
- Space Base
- TIME Stories Revolution: The Hadal Project
- Western Legends
- Sagani
- Splendor Marvel
- Pax Pamir
- KOSMOS "Adventure Games" series
- Pandemic Legacy: Season 2
- King of Tokyo
- Istanbul
- Azul
- Paladins of the West Kingdom
- Catan
- Trekking the World
- Lewis & Clark: The Expedition
- KeyForge: Call of the Archons
- Dwellings of Eldervale
- Chronicles of Crime
- Kitchen Rush
- Yin Yang
- Rush M.D.
- Iwari
- King of Tokyo: Dark Edition
- Conspiracy: Abyss Universe
- The Few and Cursed
- Dominant Species
- Skull King
- Tiny Towns
- Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North
- Galaxy Trucker
- King of 12
- Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure
- Oceans
- Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition
Awarded in 4 YouTube videos of 25 places each
Audience award instead of critics award
Unlike the Spiel des Jahres Award, the "Hunter & Cron Award🇩🇪" is not chosen by critics but by an audience - namely the Patreon Supporters of the channel. For the year of 2020 (Hunter & Cron Award 2021), this were 461 eligible voters on the cutoff date of Jan. 31, 2021.
All games that have ever been released are eligible to be voted on
Every Patreon is allowed to vote for their 10 favorite games of their previous board game year - so the 2021 award is for 2020. The thing to consider is not the category or release date of the game, but whether the games were important to the community that year. Then the overall winner will be determined from all the top 10 lists.
Who are Hunter & Cron anyway?
Hunter & Cron are german board game enthusiasts and started a YouTube channel in late 2013 where they shared their joy. Both live in Berlin🇩🇪, are in a relationship and each have a son and a daughter. In the meantime, more than 1,000 videos have been created - and more than just the two of them can be seen on the channel. The channel is one of the main influencers among board game connoisseurs & experts in Germany.
Cron then announced a longer break in early 2021. Since then, Hunter continues the channel for now under the name "Hunter & Friends".
All further "Hunter & Cron Award" years
The Hunter & Cron Award has been awarded since 2017. Until 2019, it was still called the Hunter & Cron Patreon Award. We have listed for you both across all years and by year separately, you can find the year overview at the bottom of the page.
More info can be found on the official website of the "Hunter & Cron Awards".
List with all the games that ended up in the Top100 of the Hunter & Cron Award🇩🇪 2021
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Just One
All details & ratingJust One is a cooperative party game that combines elements of mystery and creativity. Players work together to guess as many words as possible, using unique clues provided by their teammates.
3–7 20–60 min 8+ Immediately playable+ 5 € above the best price21 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Codenames
All details & ratingCodenames is a captivating and popular party game that involves clever wordplay and deduction. Two teams compete, each led by a spymaster who knows the secret identities of 25 agents, represented by cards bearing single-word codenames like "disease," "Germany," or even "carrot." The objective is for each team to be the first to correctly identify all their agents based on clues given by their spymaster, while avoiding the dangerous assassin.
2–8 15 min 10+ Immediately playable+ 2 € above the best price17 € at Amazon* -
Azul
All details & ratingAzul is a tile-laying game inspired by Portuguese azulejos: as artisans, players draft colored tiles from suppliers and place them in patterns to decorate the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora, scoring points for clever arrangements.
2–4 30–45 min 8+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 1 -
7 Wonders Duel
All details & rating7 Wonders Duel takes the essence of the classic 7 Wonders and refines it for an intense two-player experience. It retains the thematic elements of building a civilization through acquiring various types of cards, but it introduces unique mechanics suited for a duel.
2 30 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 2 € above the best price23 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
The Quack of Quedlinburg
All details & ratingBecome a cunning charlatan or a quack doctor in the whimsical world of The Quacks of Quedlinburg. In this quirky board game, each player concocts their own secret brew, one ingredient at a time. But beware, for a careless addition could spoil the entire mixture!
2–4 45 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 5 € above the best price33 € at Amazon* -
Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
All details & ratingPandemic Legacy: Season 1 offers an extraordinary gaming experience as a cooperative campaign game, immersing players in an overarching story-arc that unfolds over 12-24 gripping sessions. The duration depends on your group's performance and the fate of the world. Here's an overview of this thrilling journey:
2–4 60 min 13+ Medium complexity -
King of Tokyo: Dark Edition
All details & ratingKing of Tokyo: Dark Edition is a limited collector's edition of the popular game King of Tokyo. Set in an alternative, darker version of Tokyo, this edition brings a new level of intensity to the battle for control of the city.
2–6 30 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Skull King
All details & ratingSkull King is an exciting and competitive trick-taking game that adds unique twists to the traditional format found in games like Oh Hell!, Wizard, Euchre, and Spades.
2–8 30 min 8+ Easy to learn -
That's Pretty Clever! dice game
All details & ratingThat's Pretty Clever is a strategic dice game where players must make thoughtful choices to optimize their score. The game's title, Ganz schön clever in German, aptly describes the need for cleverness and tactical thinking.
1–4 30 min 8+ Easy to learn+ 4 € above the best price11 € at Amazon* -
Cartographers
All details & ratingCartographers: A Roll Player Tale transports players to a realm where they take on the roles of mapmakers, tasked by Queen Gimnax to chart the northern territories for the Kingdom of Nalos. This game combines elements of strategy and creativity, challenging players to create the most efficient and aesthetically pleasing maps.
1–100 30–45 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 3 € above the best price20 € at Amazon* -
Fantasy Realms
All details & ratingFantasy Realms immerses players in the role of rulers striving to build the most powerful realm. This card game is all about strategic combinations and choices, with every decision shaping the strength and nature of your realm.
2–6 20 min 14+ Easy to learn+ 6 € above the best price20 € at Amazon* -
King of Tokyo
All details & ratingKing of Tokyo is a game where players take on the roles of mutant monsters, robots, and aliens, all competing to become the sole King of Tokyo.
2–6 30 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Wingspan
All details & ratingWingspan is a captivating, competitive board game from Stonemaier Games, masterfully designed by Elizabeth Hargrave. It's a medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building game that stands out with its unique theme and stunning artwork, featuring over 170 bird illustrations by artists Beth Sobel, Natalia Rojas, and Ana Maria Martinez.
1–5 40–70 min 10+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 1 -
Unmatched: Battle of Legends, Volume One
All details & ratingUnmatched: Battle of Legends, Volume One is a highly asymmetrical miniature fighting game that brings together a roster of legendary figures, each represented by a unique deck that reflects their individual style and mythology. The game combines tactical movement with a no-luck combat resolution system, offering a distinct play experience that emphasizes skill and adaptability.
2–4 20–40 min 9+ Easy to learn -
Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure
All details & ratingClank!: A Deck-Building Adventure is an exciting board game where players become daring thieves, sneaking into a dragon's lair to steal artifacts while avoiding making noise to prevent waking the dragon.
2–4 30–60 min 12+ Easy to learn -
Splendor: Marvel
All details & ratingSplendor: Marvel transforms the classic Splendor game with a Marvel Universe twist. Players race to stop Thanos by assembling a team of heroes and villains, using Infinity Stones to recruit characters and earn Infinity Points.
2–4 30 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 3 € above the best price27 € at Amazon* -
PARKS
All details & ratingPARKS is a visually stunning board game that celebrates the beauty and splendor of U.S. National Parks. With artwork from Fifty-Nine Parks, this game offers players a unique blend of strategy and adventure as they embark on a journey through nature.
1–5 30–60 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Azul: Summer Pavilion
All details & ratingAzul: Summer Pavilion takes players back to Portugal to embark on an artistic challenge of crafting a summer pavilion, a task assigned by King Manuel I. As master artisans, players must use their skills to construct the pavilion using the finest materials while efficiently managing their resources.
2–4 30–45 min 8+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 2 -
Chronicles of Crime
All details & ratingEmbark on a thrilling cooperative adventure with Chronicles of Crime, a unique blend of crime investigation, board game excitement, and a touch of Virtual Reality. Picture yourself at the heart of criminal investigations, where the seamless integration of an app with physical components creates an immersive experience.
1–4 60–90 min 12+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 1 -
Dominion
All details & ratingIn Dominion, you step into the shoes of a monarch, much like your ancestors, ruling over a small, picturesque kingdom. However, your ambitions stretch far beyond the peaceful realm you've inherited. Your goal is to expand your territory, transforming these modest lands into a vast dominion filled with diverse landscapes and resources.
2–4 30 min 13+ Easy to learn+ 2 € above the best price37 € at Amazon* -
It's a Wonderful World
All details & ratingIt's a Wonderful World is a strategic card drafting and engine-building game, where players take on the role of leaders of expanding empires. The game is designed for 1 to 5 players and offers a compelling blend of careful planning and resource management.
1–5 45 min 14+ Easy to learn+ 3 € above the best price39 € at Amazon* -
Everdell
All details & ratingEverdell invites players to immerse themselves in the enchanting valley of Everdell, where a thriving civilization of forest critters seeks to expand their territories and establish new cities beneath towering trees, meandering streams, and mossy hollows. As the leader of a group of ambitious critters, you have a busy year ahead, filled with construction, character encounters, and hosting events. Can you ensure that the sun shines brightest on your city before the winter moon rises?
1–4 40–80 min 10+ Medium complexity+ 11 € above the best price58 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Terraforming Mars
All details & ratingTerraforming Mars is a strategic board game set in the 2400s, where players, representing giant corporations, embark on the colossal task of terraforming Mars. Sponsored by the World Government on Earth, each corporation competes to contribute most effectively to raising the planet's temperature, oxygen level, and ocean coverage to make Mars habitable. While players work together in the terraforming process, they also compete for victory points awarded for their contributions to terraforming, advancing human infrastructure throughout the solar system, and other notable achievements.
1–5 120 min 12+ Medium complexityVideo reviews 1 -
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
All details & ratingHarry Potter: Hogwarts Battle is a cooperative deck-building game set in the beloved world of Harry Potter. Players join forces as Hogwarts students to protect the castle from dark forces.
2–4 30–60 min 11+ Easy to learn -
Viticulture Essential Edition
All details & ratingStep into the charming, rustic world of Viticulture Essential Edition, where players assume the roles of individuals in picturesque, pre-modern Tuscany. Inherit meager vineyards, a handful of plots, an aged crushpad, a quaint cellar, and three diligent workers. With dreams of making their wineries renowned successes, players embark on an unforgettable journey.
1–6 45–90 min 13+ Medium complexity+ 6 € above the best price50 € at Amazon* -
The Game: Quick & Easy
All details & ratingPlay one card, draw one card – it sounds simple, but don't be fooled. Despite its name, the game is challenging and requires true teamwork to win. Players must play all fifty cards from the stack onto the two discard piles, adhering to specific rules about card placement based on color and number. In the advanced version, players can only play one card per turn and must keep their hand hidden, revealing only the colors of their cards.
2–5 8–10 min 10+ Immediately playableVideo reviews 1 -
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
All details & ratingThe Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth invites players to immerse themselves in the rich and legendary world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. This fully cooperative, app-supported board game is designed for one to five players, offering a unique blend of adventure, strategy, and storytelling set in the iconic landscapes of Middle-Earth.
1–5 60–120 min 14+ Medium complexity+ 60 € above the best price85 € at Amazon* -
Conspiracy: Abyss Universe
All details & ratingConspiracy: Abyss Universe is an intriguing card game that delves into the rich and vibrant world of Abyss. Players find themselves crafting a strategic reverse pyramid from a deck composed of cards across five colors, ranging in value from 0 to 6. The game's core revolves around drafting cards, with a clever twist on traditional mechanics. Each turn presents the opportunity to draw cards from the deck, select one to add to your pyramid, and strategically position the rest, fostering a dynamic play environment that challenges players to think ahead and adapt their strategies on the fly.
2–4 30 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Blood Rage
All details & ratingIn the midst of Ragnarök, the cataclysmic end of the world, seize your opportunity for glory in Blood Rage. Each player commands a Viking clan, complete with fearless warriors, a formidable leader, and a mighty ship. As the world crumbles, it's the Vikings' last chance to seek Valhalla, to be forever remembered at Odin's side. In this epic battle, there are myriad paths to honor, from plundering the land and crushing opponents to fulfilling quests, enhancing your clan's strength, or embracing a glorious demise.
2–4 60–90 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Tiny Towns
All details & ratingTiny Towns is a charming and strategic board game where players take on the role of mayors building their own tiny towns in a forest. The game challenges players to manage resources wisely and plan their towns carefully to maximize prosperity.
1–6 45–60 min 14+ Easy to learn -
Aeon's End
All details & ratingIn the concealed underground city of Gravehold, survivors of a distant invasion find solace. Here, amidst the remnants of a desperate society, they unearth a revelation: the energy emanating from breaches, the very conduits exploited by hostile beings, can be harnessed. Various gems allow them to transmute malevolent energies into beneficial spells and weapons, becoming the last bastion of defense—the breach mages.
1–4 60 min 14+ Medium complexityVideo reviews 1 -
Galaxy Trucker
All details & ratingGalaxy Trucker is a fast-paced, tile-laying board game that combines space adventure with ship construction and navigation challenges.
2–4 60 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 58 € above the best price90 € at Amazon* -
Istanbul
All details & ratingIstanbul is a strategic board game set in the bustling environment of Istanbul's grand bazaar, where players compete as merchants trying to outmaneuver their rivals to collect precious rubies.
2–5 40–60 min 10+ Medium complexityVideo reviews 1 -
Roll Player
All details & ratingEmbark on a quest to forge the mightiest hero in the realm in Roll Player. Unlike ordinary heroes who materialize out of thin air, true champions are meticulously crafted. Race, class, alignment, skills, traits, and equipment – every facet contributes to the creation of the ultimate adventurer, poised to confront adversaries and seek glory and riches.
1–4 60–90 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 18 € above the best price38 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Adventure Games: The Dungeon
All details & ratingPlayers awaken in a medieval prison cell with no memory of how they got there. They must explore, combine items, and face strange creatures lurking in the old castle's dark rooms over three chapters. The game encourages cooperative storytelling and discovery without the pressure of time, allowing for multiple pathways and solutions. Each title features three chapters, each taking about 75 minutes to play, and can be replayed without damage.
1–4 90 min 12+ Easy to learn -
The Taverns of Tiefenthal
All details & ratingThe Taverns of Tiefenthal is a strategic and immersive board game that transports players to a bustling village tavern, where they must attract guests and manage resources to become the most successful establishment in Tiefenthal.
2–4 60 min 12+ Medium complexityVideo reviews 2 -
The 7th Continent
All details & ratingIn the early 20th century, your fate binds you to the newly discovered seventh continent, haunted by a malevolent curse since your last expedition. The 7th Continent, a captivating solo or cooperative "choose-your-own-adventure" exploration board game, beckons you to chart your course. Choose a character and commence your journey alone or alongside fellow explorers. Drawing inspiration from the Fighting Fantasy book series, unravel the mysteries of this untamed land through a diverse array of terrain and event cards.
1–4 5–1000 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin
All details & ratingExit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin plunges players into an immersive escape room experience in the form of a board game. Trapped in a cabin with barred windows and a locked door, players must rely on their collective wits to find a way out.
1–6 60–120 min 12+ Medium complexity+ 6 € above the best price13 € at Amazon* -
Rajas of the Ganges
All details & ratingRajas of the Ganges is a strategy board game set in 16th century India, during the rise of the Great Mogul Empire. Players take on the roles of influential nobles, striving to transform their estates into prosperous provinces.
2–4 45–75 min 12+ Medium complexity+ 1 € above the best price46 € at Amazon* -
Kitchen Rush
All details & ratingKitchen Rush immerses players in the bustling atmosphere of a newly inherited restaurant aiming for success. This innovative, real-time, cooperative board game captures the essence of kitchen management through a unique worker placement mechanism that uses hourglasses as workers.
1–4 30–45 min 12+ Easy to learn+ 6 € above the best price40 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Pandemic Legacy: Season 2
All details & ratingPandemic Legacy: Season 2 is an epic, cooperative board game that continues the narrative and innovative gameplay of its predecessor. This game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity struggles to survive after a devastating plague. It offers a unique gaming experience, where players' decisions and actions have long-lasting consequences, making each playthrough distinct.
2–4 60 min 14+ Medium complexityVideo reviews 1 -
Catan
All details & ratingCATAN, formerly known as The Settlers of Catan, is a highly acclaimed and award-winning strategy board game where players aim to become the dominant force on the island of Catan. The game is renowned for its appeal to both experienced gamers and newcomers to the board game hobby.
3–4 60–120 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Scythe
All details & ratingIn the turbulent 1920s Europa, a period overshadowed by the aftermath of the first great war, a city-state known as "The Factory" stands at the center of attention. This capitalistic powerhouse, renowned for its heavily armored mechs that fueled the war, has mysteriously closed its doors, leaving neighboring nations vying for its secrets.
1–5 115 min 14+ Medium complexity+ 6 € above the best price65 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
T.I.M.E Stories
All details & ratingT.I.M.E Stories is a unique narrative-driven board game that blends elements of role-playing, exploration, and puzzle-solving. It offers an immersive experience as players take on the role of temporal agents sent on missions to prevent disruptions in the space-time continuum.
2–4 90 min 12+ Medium complexityVideo reviews 1 -
Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
All details & ratingDetective: A Modern Crime Board Game immerses players in the role of true detectives, blending traditional board game elements with modern technology and storytelling. This game offers a unique and interactive experience, as players solve interconnected cases using both physical game components and an online database.
1–5 120–180 min 16+ Medium complexity+ 5 € above the best price25 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Gloomhaven
All details & ratingGloomhaven is a Euro-inspired tactical combat game set in a persistent and evolving world. Players assume the roles of adventurers, each with unique skills and motives, as they explore dungeons, ruins, and engage in cooperative battles against automated monsters.
1–4 60–120 min 14+ For connoisseurs+ 38 € above the best price183 € at Amazon*Video reviews 2 -
Glen More II: Chronicles
All details & ratingGlen More II: Chronicles is a sequel to the original Glen More game, offering a richly expanded gameplay experience. It transports players into the roles of leaders of Scottish clans from the early medieval ages to the 19th century.
2–4 90–120 min 12+ Medium complexity+ 13 € above the best price70 € at Amazon* -
Dwellings of Eldervale
All details & ratingPlayers control unique factions in an epic worker placement game set in a magical world filled with elemental monsters, dragons, wizards, and warriors vying for dominance over eight elemental realms. The game combines worker placement, area control, engine building, and unique worker units, allowing players to place workers, regroup, and activate adventure cards while exploring powerful action spaces. Ultimately, players with the greatest elemental dominance will rule Eldervale.
1–5 60–150 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Sagani
All details & ratingWelcome to Sagani, where achieving harmony among the natural elements of earth, water, air, and fire is the main goal of the spirits inhabiting this world. These spirits remain in their vessel-like homes until the elements are balanced, at which point they reveal their true forms. Each spirit represents one of the four elements and plays a role in enhancing their harmony, bringing players closer to victory as they create this vibrant world using sound discs.
1–4 30–60 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Western Legends
All details & ratingWestern Legends is an open-world sandbox board game that immerses players in the adventurous and often lawless American Wild West. Featuring historical figures from the era, the game allows players to forge their own paths and create new legends.
2–6 60–90 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Arkham Horror: The Card Game
All details & ratingArkham Horror: The Card Game is a Lovecraftian horror card game that blends role-playing and card game elements. Set in the eerie town of Arkham, players face mysterious, monstrous, and maddening challenges.
1–2 60–120 min 14+ For connoisseursVideo reviews 1 -
Great Western Trail
All details & ratingGreat Western Trail is a strategic board game set in 19th-century America, where players take on the roles of ranchers herding cattle from Texas to Kansas City.
2–4 75–150 min 12+ For connoisseursVideo reviews 3 -
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon
All details & ratingTainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is a deeply immersive and richly themed cooperative board game that combines elements of adventure, exploration, and strategic character development. It is set in a unique world blending Arthurian legends and Celtic mythology.
1–4 60–120 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Rush M.D.
All details & ratingPlayers take on the role of doctors in a state-of-the-art medical center. They must work together to admit, diagnose, and treat various patients under time pressure. The game features a unique worker placement mechanic using sand timers, where every decision counts and mistakes can have significant consequences. With a duration of only 16 minutes, players must efficiently collaborate to overcome challenges and help as many patients as possible.
1–4 30–45 min 14+ Easy to learn+ 3 € above the best price42 € at Amazon* -
KeyForge: Call of the Archons
All details & ratingKeyForge: Call of the Archons is a groundbreaking card game from the mind of Richard Garfield, offering a unique experience where each deck is one-of-a-kind. In this game, traditional deckbuilding and boosters are replaced by a world of endless discovery and strategic depth.
2 15–45 min 14+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 1 -
Dinosaur Island
All details & ratingDinosaur Island is a dynamic and competitive board game where players step into the shoes of park managers, tasked with resurrecting dinosaurs and building the most exciting and secure dinosaur park. The game cleverly combines elements of DNA research, strategic park construction, and risk management.
1–4 90–120 min 8+ Medium complexity -
Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North
All details & ratingImperial Settlers: Empires of the North is a fresh, standalone card game set in the vibrant Imperial Settlers universe. This game takes you to the distant, chilly realms of the north, where you can lead one of three distinct factions: the industrious Scotsmen, the resourceful Inuits, or the seafaring Vikings. Your goal? To guide your chosen faction to become the most prosperous empire in these harsh, yet bountiful lands.
1–4 45–90 min 10+ Medium complexity3 € below the next retailer35 € at Amazon* -
Spirit Island
All details & ratingWelcome to the captivating world of Spirit Island, where the distant echoes of magic still hold sway. In this immersive cooperative board game, players are entrusted with the crucial task of defending their island paradise from the relentless onslaught of colonizing Invaders. The spirits of the land, each possessing unique elemental powers, unite to thwart the advance of those who seek to conquer and despoil. As the colonial empires expand, the islanders and the very earth itself rise in defense. Harness the power of the spirits, strategize with your fellow players, and fight back against the encroaching Invaders to protect the island's mystical heart.
1–4 90–120 min 13+ For connoisseurs+ 4 € above the best price58 € at Amazon* -
Troyes Dice
All details & ratingPlayers explore the history of the medieval city of Troyes, organized around three orders: nobility, civil society, and religion. In Troyes Dice, a Roll & Write strategy game, players embody a wealthy Champagne family seeking to seize opportunities presented by the dice to make their mark on the city's history. Compete for glory by overcoming events, accessing markets, constructing the cathedral, or participating in prestigious building projects, with victory going to the player with the most victory points at the end.
1–10 20–30 min 12+ Easy to learn+ 8 € above the best price18 € at Amazon* -
Tiny Epic Dinosaurs
All details & ratingIn Tiny Epic Dinosaurs, you're thrust into a world where dinosaurs and humans coexist, thanks to modern science. This opens up an exciting, albeit risky, opportunity for dino ranching. As a rancher, you're competing to build the most prosperous dinosaur farm. It's a blend of strategy, resource management, and a bit of danger, as you'd expect when dealing with dinosaurs. Designed for 1-4 players, this game promises around 45 minutes of engaging play per session, perfect for a quick yet immersive experience.
1–4 30–60 min 14+ Medium complexity -
A Feast for Odin
All details & ratingA Feast for Odin is a rich and complex board game that takes players on a journey through the life and times of the Vikings. This game combines elements of exploration, resource management, and strategic planning, offering a deep and engaging experience.
1–4 30–120 min 12+ For connoisseurs+ 6 € above the best price57 € at Amazon*Video reviews 2 -
Mage Knight: Ultimate Edition
All details & ratingMage Knight: Ultimate Edition is an expansive and immersive board game that blends elements of role-playing games (RPGs), deck-building, and traditional board games. This edition is a comprehensive package that includes the base game of Mage Knight along with several expansions, offering an enriched and complete experience for players as they delve into the Mage Knight universe.
1–5 150 min 14+ For experts -
Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition
All details & ratingEmbark on an epic journey of galactic conquest in Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition. As a leader of one of seventeen unique factions, you'll navigate the vastness of space, striving for dominance through military might, political maneuvering, and economic prowess. The game unfolds around Mecatol Rex, the central planet, where the throne of the galaxy awaits the faction that can skillfully navigate the challenges of a dynamic and strategically constructed universe.
3–6 240–480 min 14+ For connoisseursVideo reviews 1 -
Legends of Andor
All details & ratingLegends of Andor is a cooperative adventure board game that immerses two to four players in the role of heroes defending a fantasy realm. Designed with a strong narrative focus, the game challenges players to balance strategic decision-making with immersive storytelling.
2–4 60–90 min 10+ Medium complexity -
Divvy Dice
All details & ratingIn the dice game, players determine their own goals for the dice rolls by purchasing cards to build their own score. All players remain engaged, as when the active player rolls again, everyone can use those results to their advantage.
1–4 30 min 8+ Easy to learn+ 6 € above the best price13 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Terra Mystica
All details & ratingWelcome to the diverse and captivating land of Terra Mystica, where 14 distinct peoples inhabit seven unique landscapes. In this strategic board game, each group is intrinsically tied to its own home environment, and to expand and flourish, they must transform neighboring terrains into their native habitats, all while competing against rival factions.
2–5 60–150 min 12+ For connoisseurs58 € below the next retailer71 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Eclipse - New Dawn for the Galaxy
2011 Edition
All details & ratingEclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy is a grand strategy board game set in a vast, peaceful galaxy that's on the brink of a major interstellar conflict. Players take control of one of the major spacefaring civilizations, navigating through a tense period of growing discord and shifting alliances after a long-lasting peace enforced by the Galactic Council. The game challenges players to expand their civilization's influence through exploration, technological advancement, and warfare, while carefully balancing their strategies against the actions of rival civilizations.
2–6 60–180 min 14+ For connoisseurs -
Gaia Project
All details & ratingGaia Project is a strategy game that builds upon the success of its predecessor, Terra Mystica, offering a complex and immersive experience in a sci-fi setting. Players lead factions on a quest to expand and develop their presence across different types of planets.
1–4 60–150 min 12+ For connoisseurs+ 4 € above the best price52 € at Amazon* -
Fields of Arle
All details & ratingFields of Arle is a strategic farming simulation board game designed by Uwe Rosenberg. Set in the small East Frisian town of Arle, it allows one to two players to experience the life of farmers during a period of prosperity, focusing on the cultivation of flax and other agricultural ventures.
1–2 60–120 min 13+ For connoisseurs+ 2 € above the best price40 € at Amazon* -
Lewis & Clark: The Expedition
All details & ratingLewis & Clark: The Expedition immerses players in the historical journey of the famous explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they traverse the North American continent. The objective is to be the first to reach the Pacific Ocean, navigating through a variety of challenges and strategic decisions.
1–5 120 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Teotihuacan: City of Gods
All details & ratingTeotihuacan: City of Gods invites you to traverse time, immersing yourself in the splendor and twilight of the powerful pre-Columbian civilization of Mesoamerica. Strategize, accumulate wealth, seek the favor of the gods, and embark on the monumental task of constructing the awe-inspiring Pyramid of the Sun.
1–4 90–120 min 14+ For connoisseursVideo reviews 2 -
Barrage
All details & ratingBarrage is a strategic resource management board game set in the 1930s, during a time when the industrial revolution has pushed the use of fossil fuels to its limits. The game revolves around the theme of hydroelectric energy generation, where players compete to build and manage efficient hydroelectric dam systems.
1–4 90–180 min 14+ For connoisseurs+ 6 € above the best price54 € at Amazon* -
Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
All details & ratingRobinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island is a survival-themed board game where players, as shipwreck survivors, navigate the challenges of a deserted island. The game is a creation of Ignacy Trzewiczek, known for Stronghold.
1–4 60–120 min 14+ For connoisseurs+ 6 € above the best price43 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
On Mars
All details & ratingOn Mars is a complex and strategic board game that simulates the challenge of establishing and expanding a colony on Mars. Designed by Vital Lacerda, this game is known for its depth and intricate mechanics, appealing to players who enjoy a detailed and immersive strategic experience.
1–4 90–150 min 14+ For experts -
Dune
All details & ratingDune is a captivating board game that plunges players into the intricate and politically charged universe of Frank Herbert's iconic science fiction novel. This game is a blend of strategy, resource management, and negotiation, set on the harsh desert planet of Arrakis, also known as Dune.
2–6 120–180 min 14+ For connoisseurs -
ESCAPE Dysturbia: Gefahr in den Docks
All details & ratingThe story in Dysturbia continues! Players must use their criminal skills to solve a new case in the city's most notorious area. A race against the underground organization Syndikat leads to the docks, filled with abandoned warehouses and shady bars, where trust is hard to find and double-crosses abound. As evidence is gathered to expose the Syndikat's criminal activities, a cryptic distress call turns the investigation into a perilous rescue mission with uncertain outcomes.
1–8 90 min 12+ Easy to learn -
Trismegistus: The Ultimate Formula
All details & ratingTrismegistus: The Ultimate Formula immerses players in the mystical world of alchemy, where they strive to emulate the legendary Hermes Trismegistus. Over the span of three rounds and through the strategic drafting of alchemical dice, players engage in the ancient art, transmuting base metals into gold, conducting experiments, and forging powerful artifacts to advance in mastery and achieve greatness.
1–4 90–120 min 14+ For connoisseurs
Frequently asked questions
Which game ranks first on this list?
Just One (Spiel des Jahres 2019 winner) currently tops our list. The ranking is derived from player community ratings and is recalculated continuously.
How many players do the games on this list support?
Most games on this list support 1 to 4 players. The exact player count is listed with each game.
What age are these games suitable for?
Publisher age recommendations on this list start at 8 years. Each game carries its own age rating.
How long does a game take?
A typical game takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.
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