The best combinatorial games 🧮 2024

Patchwork is a two-player game where you compete to create the most beautiful and high-scoring patchwork quilt on your personal 9x9 game board.

Immerse yourself in the world of Onitama, a dynamic two-player abstract game offering perfect information and a randomized starting setup on a 5x5 board. Both participants begin the game with five pawns each, strategically placing the main pawn at the board's center.

Santorini is a beautifully re-imagined strategy game that combines abstract elements with accessible gameplay, suitable for a wide range of players.

Embark on a frigid escapade with Hey, That's My Fish! as players compete to secure the most fish using their waddle of penguins. Each turn unfolds a strategic journey as players guide their penguins in a straight line across hex-shaped ice tiles, each adorned with 1, 2, or 3 fish.

Hive is a highly strategic two-player game that stands out for its versatility and unique gameplay mechanics, involving a variety of insect-themed pieces.

YINSH is a strategic abstract game that is part of the renowned GIPF series of games. It involves a clever combination of movement and flipping of markers on the board, with players aiming to align five markers of their own color. The unique aspect of YINSH is its balance between advancing towards victory and simultaneously weakening your position.

Blokus is an abstract strategy game known for its simple rules and deep strategic gameplay. It features colorful Tetris-shaped pieces that players aim to place on the board.

New York Zoo invites players into a world where they can unleash their creativity while managing a unique animal park. Designed by the acclaimed Uwe Rosenberg, this game combines the joy of puzzling with the challenges of animal breeding. As a player, you'll embark on a journey to construct captivating animal enclosures, introduce diverse animal species, and nurture their offspring. Your choices are simple: strategically fit new enclosure tiles into your zoo or acquire new animals to enrich your exhibits. Timing is key, as you aim to maximize animal breedings and create a thriving and harmonious zoo.

Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small offers a specialized, two-player experience derived from the popular Agricola game, focusing exclusively on the aspect of animal husbandry.

Blokus Duo, also known as Travel Blokus, is a two-player version of the popular abstract strategy game Blokus. It offers a compact and travel-friendly design, perfect for on-the-go gaming sessions.

TZAAR is a compelling abstract strategy game that emphasizes the delicate balance of weakening your opponent versus strengthening your own position. With 30 pieces each, divided among Tzaars, Tzarras, and Totts, players navigate a game of tactical decisions where every move counts. The core challenge lies in managing these three distinct types of pieces, each essential to the game's strategy, as players aim to either deplete one type of the opponent's pieces or trap them in a position where they can't capture anymore.

Battle Sheep, formerly known as Splits, is a light-hearted yet strategic board game where players aim to spread their flock of sheep across the pasture to occupy the most territory. The game is known for its simple rules, quick gameplay, and fun theme, making it a great choice for families and casual gamers.

Through the Desert is a strategic board game where players guide caravans through the desert to claim oases and territory. Often compared to the classic game Go, it combines strategic planning with a visually appealing setup featuring colorful plastic camels.

Quarto is an abstract strategy game that offers a unique blend of simplicity and depth. This game captures the essence of strategic thinking, wrapped in an elegant and easy-to-understand design.

Blokus 3D, originally known as Rumis, is a spatial puzzle game where players engage in building ancient Inca structures using uniquely shaped, three-dimensional pieces. Each player aims to cleverly place their pieces next to those of the same color on the board, with the challenge of accommodating different shapes to maximize space and block opponents.

Photosynthesis is a green strategy board game where players engage in the growth and development of a forest. The game revolves around the central theme of photosynthesis, the process by which trees and plants use sunlight to produce energy.

Blokus Trigon evolves the classic abstract strategy game Blokus with a twist: the introduction of triangular pieces. This change adds a new layer of strategic depth, as players must navigate the hexagonal board to fit their pieces in the most efficient way possible. The objective remains the same as in the original Blokus: to place all of your pieces on the board while blocking your opponents from doing the same.