Best games where players choose between action or event 2026
Looking for a really good game where players choose between action or event? Then we have just the right thing for you: The list of the best action/event games 2026.
What are action/event games?
Action/event games present players with cards or options that can be used in two ways: as an action that benefits the player, or as an event that affects all players or the game state. Players must decide which use is more valuable in the current situation.
In German, "Action / Event" is called "Sich zwischen Aktion oder Ereignis entscheiden".
Examples of games where players choose between action or event:
Notable examples include games where cards have dual purposes, and players must choose whether to play them for personal benefit or trigger a game-wide event.
List of the best action/event games 2026:
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Cartaventura: Oklahoma
All details & ratingCartaventura: Oklahoma is a narrative card adventure for 1–6 players in which you collectively build a story with multiple endings. You play Bass Reeves, born into slavery in 1854, who must find his path to freedom — every card choice branches the tale.
1–6 60 min 10+ Immediately playable -
Cartaventura: Caravans
All details & ratingCartaventura: Caravans is a narrative card adventure for 1–4 players with an immersive storyline and multiple endings. Tangier, 1331: following the trail of your far-travelled cousin, you set out into the East, crossing mountains and deserts, escaping bandits, and winning over Mongol khans and Indian rajas.
1–6 30–60 min 10+ Immediately playable - + 1 € above the best price8 € at Amazon*
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Cartaventura: Lhasa
All details & ratingTravel on the trail of explorer Alexandra David-Neel to India and Tibet. Find the route to the temple or escape the claws of the white tiger. Overcome the Himalayas on foot and gather enough money to complete your adventure.
1–6 45 min 10+ Immediately playable3 € below the next retailer8 € at Amazon* -
Paleo
All details & ratingPaleo is a cooperative adventure game set in the Stone Age, where players work together to ensure the survival of their human characters while completing various missions. The ultimate goal? To paint a woolly mammoth on a wall, leaving a mark of your existence (or just because it looks cool).
2–4 45–60 min 10+ Medium complexity+ 3 € above the best price35 € at Amazon* -
INTERACTION: No more boredom!
All details & ratingUp to 9 players compete in five categories in this interactive and wildly fun party game. Participants test their skills across knowledge, creativity, action, social interaction, and gameplay to determine the ultimate winner. This innovative hybrid game combines the enjoyment of a traditional board game with the advantages of an app, creating a unique and thrilling experience.
2–9 30–60 min 8+ Immediately playable+ 3 € above the best price14 € at Amazon* -
Cartaventura: Vinland
All details & ratingPlayers build an adventure using narrative cards, which offer various options during the game. They can draw, flip, or discard cards while discussing strategies with each other. In this version, players follow in the footsteps of the explorer Erik the Red in Viking lands, aiming to prove their father's innocence and make crucial decisions about exploring or commanding a colony in Greenland.
1–6 45 min 10+ Immediately playable+ 3 € above the best price7 € at Amazon* -
Twilight Struggle
All details & ratingTwilight Struggle offers an immersive journey through a pivotal period in history, where the world stood on the brink of nuclear annihilation. This two-player game takes place during the forty-five year rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States. Instead of traditional warfare, players engage in a dance of intrigue, prestige, and the occasional outbreak of hostilities. As the superpowers strive to make the world safe for their ideologies, you'll navigate a complex web of politics, espionage, and strategy. The game begins in the aftermath of World War II, with both superpowers scrambling for control, and concludes in 1989, leaving only one superpower standing.
2 120–180 min 13+ For connoisseurs -
13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
All details & rating13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis is a tense, strategic two-player game set during the critical moments of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It captures the high-stakes Cold War atmosphere, offering a rich thematic experience in just 45 minutes. The game challenges players to navigate complex dilemmas, such as choosing between gaining prestige or risking global nuclear war, and strategically managing their hand of cards to outmaneuver their opponent.
2 45 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Schnapp die Möpse
All details & ratingPlayers collect Pug points in this fun card game to become the greatest Pug point collector of all time. To win, they must gather and protect their pugs from other players while navigating tricky action cards and opponents' strategies. The game balances strategy and luck as players compete in a fast-paced environment.
2–5 5–15 min 15+ Immediately playable -
Fort Sumter: The Secession Crisis, 1860-61
All details & ratingPlayers take on the roles of a Unionist and a Secessionist during the crisis of 1860 that led to the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Utilizing a card-driven system, they compete for control over key political dimensions that influence the outcome of the game. After three rounds, the game culminates in a final crisis confrontation, where players reveal their moves to determine the winner.
2 20–40 min 14+ Easy to learn - + 6 € above the best price18 € at Amazon*
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Flying Carpet
All details & ratingPlayers navigate their carpet through clouds while avoiding obstacles that are placed at the start by all players. Utilizing a special die adds an element of luck beyond the card draw, but there is still plenty of room for strategy.
3–6 20 min 12+ Easy to learn -
The Expanse Board Game
All details & ratingPlayers represent the UN forces of Earth, the military of Mars, the O.P.A. rebels, and the mysterious corporation Protogen Inc. The game focuses on politics, conquest, and intrigue, featuring key imagery from the series along with action points and events that allow players to maneuver fleets and influence. Each player has unique abilities, utilizing characters and events from The Expanse universe to gain control over the solar system.
2–4 60 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Discordia
All details & ratingCities along the Rhine originated from Roman outposts that protected the border to Germania. As the governor of one such city, your task is to develop it while defending against Germanic threats. In the game, players expand their cities by building farms, barracks, defenses, ports, and markets, and engage in trade. Utilize sailors, soldiers, merchants, and farmers effectively to fulfill decrees and secure privileges, balancing expansion to impress the empress and potentially win early.
1–4 60–90 min 12+ Medium complexity -
The Ming Voyages
All details & ratingThe Ming Voyages recounts the seven journeys of the Chinese treasure fleet between 1405 and 1433, commanded by Admiral Zheng He during the Yongle Emperor's reign. One player takes on the role of the Ming Emperor, aiming to complete all seven treasure voyages while defending the borders against invading barbarian factions controlled by the other player. Players utilize multifunction cards for actions like reinforcing armies and attacking, while careful timing is crucial as card plays may trigger out-of-turn actions for the opponent.
1–2 30 min 12+ Easy to learn - Cheaper than every other retailer11 € at Amazon*
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Bayonets & Tomahawks
All details & ratingPlayers take on the roles of the British and French forces during the French and Indian War from 1755 to 1760. The game features a strategic, card-driven system where players manage resources and conduct military operations including raids and sieges, all while navigating the unique challenges of asymmetrical warfare. Victory is achieved by controlling key territories or executing successful raids, and the game can be played solo or with multiple players representing different factions.
1–4 120–600 min 14+ Medium complexity
Frequently asked questions
Which game ranks first on this list?
Cartaventura: Oklahoma 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 2 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 5 years. Each game carries its own age rating.
How long does a game take?
A typical game takes about 45 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.
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