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:

This list was last updated on June 13, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .
  1. Cartaventura: Oklahoma

    Cartaventura: Oklahoma

    Cartaventura: 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.

    All details & rating
    1–6 60 min 10+ Immediately playable
  2. Cartaventura: Caravans

    Cartaventura: Caravans

    Cartaventura: 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.

    All details & rating
    1–6 30–60 min 10+ Immediately playable
  3. Cartaventura: Hollywood
    1–6 45–60 min 10+ Immediately playable
    + 1 € above the best price
    8 € at Amazon*
  4. Cartaventura: Lhasa

    Cartaventura: Lhasa

    Travel 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.

    All details & rating
    1–6 45 min 10+ Immediately playable
    3 € below the next retailer
    8 € at Amazon*
  5. Paleo

    Paleo

    Paleo 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).

    All details & rating
    2–4 45–60 min 10+ Medium complexity
    + 3 € above the best price
    35 € at Amazon*
  6. INTERACTION: No more boredom!

    INTERACTION: No more boredom!

    Up 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.

    All details & rating
    2–9 30–60 min 8+ Immediately playable
    + 3 € above the best price
    14 € at Amazon*
  7. Cartaventura: Vinland

    Cartaventura: Vinland

    Players 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.

    All details & rating
    1–6 45 min 10+ Immediately playable
    + 3 € above the best price
    7 € at Amazon*
  8. Twilight Struggle

    Twilight Struggle

    Twilight 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.

    All details & rating
    2 120–180 min 13+ For connoisseurs
  9. Mistakos: Level up
    1–3 10–25 min 5+ Immediately playable
  10. 13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962

    13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962

    13 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.

    All details & rating
    2 45 min 10+ Easy to learn
  11. Nukular: Wer überlebt den Atomkrieg
    3–6 10–20 min 14+ Immediately playable
  12. Schnapp die Möpse

    Schnapp die Möpse

    Players 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.

    All details & rating
    2–5 5–15 min 15+ Immediately playable
  13. Fort Sumter: The Secession Crisis, 1860-61

    Fort Sumter: The Secession Crisis, 1860-61

    Players 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.

    All details & rating
    2 20–40 min 14+ Easy to learn
  14. Battle Royale
    2–4 30 min 8+ Easy to learn
    + 6 € above the best price
    18 € at Amazon*
  15. Flying Carpet

    Flying Carpet

    Players 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.

    All details & rating
    3–6 20 min 12+ Easy to learn
  16. The Expanse Board Game

    The Expanse Board Game

    Players 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.

    All details & rating
    2–4 60 min 14+ Medium complexity
  17. Discordia

    Discordia

    Cities 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.

    All details & rating
    1–4 60–90 min 12+ Medium complexity
  18. The Ming Voyages

    The Ming Voyages

    The 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.

    All details & rating
    1–2 30 min 12+ Easy to learn
  19. Supermallows: Weniger frisst mehr
    2–6 45 min 9+ Immediately playable
    Cheaper than every other retailer
    11 € at Amazon*
  20. Bayonets & Tomahawks

    Bayonets & Tomahawks

    Players 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.

    All details & rating
    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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