The best games from Rob Daviau 🇺🇸👨 2024

Looking for a really good game from game designer Rob Daviau 👨? Then we have just the thing: the list with the best Rob Daviau games 2024.

Who is Rob Daviau anyway?

Rob Daviau has been designing dice, card & board games since 1999. The game designer hails from Maine, USA🇺🇸, was born in 1970 and currently lives in Massachusetts, USA 🇺🇸.

Daviau's first game "Trivial Pursuit Star Wars Episode I" he developed in 1999 at the age of 29 - so he has been designing games for over 25 years. Famous Daviau games are for example Pandemic Legacy Series, Betrayal at House on the Hill & Downforce.

Initially employed by Hasbro

In 1998, Daviau joined Hasbro. He initially developed various expansions and special editions to established board games such as the Trivial Pursuit series, Monopoly versions, Stratego and Risk series.

Risk Legacy led to independence

But then he was mentored to develop Riskiko Evolution / Risk Legacy. It was designed as a legacy-game and featured permanent changes to the game material. Risk Evolution, however, was also his last game for Hasbro.... because he recognized the potential of the legacy principle and went off on his own - to invent, for example, the games of the Pandemic Legacy series.

The 2015 cooperative board game Pandemic Legacy (Season 1) is based on the game Pandemic by Matt Leacock, with whom Daviau collaborated on the latter. He applies the legacy concept to this game. He is now mostly known for his legacy games, e.g. SeaFall from 2016.

Wife also from gaming

He is married to Lindsay Daviau. Lindsay has worked in the board game industry in production, prototyping, playtesting, graphic design, and art direction. He met her while working at Hasbro.

She is one of two art directors at Restoration Games. Rob has been the Chief Restoration Officer there since 2016. The publisher's goal is to bring the best out-of-print board games back to life and republish them (such as Downforce).

Teaching Game Design

Rob has been a visiting professor of game design at Hampshire College and NYU, has contributed articles to several books on game design, and has been a speaker at dozens of conferences. He has guest lectured on game design at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, and New York University, among others.

How good are "Rob Daviau" games?

There are 11 games by Rob Daviau in our Top1000 games list, making Daviau the #11 best game author out of a total of 708 authors in our database.

More information about Daviau

More information about Daviau can be found on:

List of best games by Rob Daviau 2024

In this list we have listed the best board games that Rob Daviau either designed himself - or was involved in designing.

Unfortunately, not all of Rob Daviau's games are currently available. In the following list you can find all dice, board & card games by Rob Daviau that you can buy 2024:

This list was last updated on November 6, 2024. We compared 66 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Pandemic Legacy: Season 1

    All details for the board game Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 and similar games

    Pandemic 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:

    Nominated for 21 awards and won 12.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Pandemic Legacy: Season 1

    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 1" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 1" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 1" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 1" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  2. Unmatched: Cobble & Fog

    All details for the board game Unmatched: Cobble & Fog and similar games

    Unmatched: Cobble & Fog is a captivating expansion to the Unmatched system, featuring a quartet of iconic characters drawn from literary lore, each with their unique playstyle and abilities. This expansion introduces the Invisible Man, Sherlock Holmes with Dr. Watson, Dracula along with the sisters, and the duo of Jekyll & Hyde, all brought to life in a highly asymmetrical miniature fighting game.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for Unmatched: Cobble & Fog
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West

    All details for the board game Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2024

    More details for Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  4. Cthulhu: Death May Die

    All details for the board game Cthulhu: Death May Die and similar games

    Cthulhu: Death May Die is an intense, cooperative board game set in the 1920s, drawing inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft's universe. Players take on the roles of daring investigators, embarking on a perilous mission to confront and eliminate Elder Gods.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.

    More details for Cthulhu: Death May Die
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. Unmatched: Robin Hood vs. Bigfoot

    All details for the board game Unmatched: Robin Hood vs. Bigfoot and similar games

    Unmatched: Robin Hood vs. Bigfoot is a duel to the end between two iconic legends, offering a unique and highly asymmetrical tabletop experience. This set pits the cunning archer Robin Hood and his band of merry outlaws against the elusive and powerful Bigfoot, accompanied by the mystical Jackalope. Designed for two players, this game can also integrate with other Unmatched sets for up to four players, providing endless possibilities for epic battles.

    More details for Unmatched: Robin Hood vs. Bigfoot
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  6. Unmatched: Battle of Legends, Volume One

    All details for the board game Unmatched: Battle of Legends, Volume One and similar games

    Unmatched: 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.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for Unmatched: Battle of Legends, Volume One
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Unmatched: Jurassic Park – InGen vs Raptors

    All details for the board game Unmatched: Jurassic Park – InGen vs Raptors and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  8. Downforce

    All details for the board game Downforce and similar games

    Downforce is a fast-paced and exhilarating board game that captures the intense world of motor racing. Combining elements of card-driven gameplay, bidding, and betting, it offers a thrilling race experience for 2-6 players.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Downforce
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. Pandemic Legacy: Season 0

    All details for the board game Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 and similar games

    Pandemic Legacy: Season 0 transports you to 1962, at the height of the Cold War, where a mysterious Soviet bioweapon called "Project MEDUSA" threatens global safety. As newly recruited CIA agents and medical graduates, you and your team are tasked with a critical mission: investigate and halt the development of this deadly pathogen. This game stands alone as a thrilling prequel to the earlier seasons of Pandemic Legacy, immersing players in a tense world of espionage and covert operations.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for Pandemic Legacy: Season 0
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Pandemic Legacy: Season 0

    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 0" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 0" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 0" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 0" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  10. Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar

    All details for the board game Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar and similar games

    Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar is a thrilling adventure board game that is a restoration of the classic 1986 game Fireball Island. Players embark on a daring quest on Fireball Island, a place teeming with dangers like volcanic upheavals, feral tigers, lethal trees, and swarms of bees. The goal is to capture snapshots across the island while racing down treacherous paths and avoiding a barrage of hazards, including the iconic fireballs.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar

    • YouTube Review for the game "Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  11. Heroscape Master Set: Rise of the Valkyrie

    All details for the board game Heroscape Master Set: Rise of the Valkyrie and similar games

    Heroscape Master Set: Rise of the Valkyrie is a highly imaginative and customizable fantasy battle board game that blends elements from various eras and genres. It features a diverse array of painted plastic miniatures and modular hex-based terrain pieces, creating a unique and visually striking battlefield. Players engage in strategic battles using warriors ranging from WWII soldiers to futuristic robots, fantasy creatures, and more.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Heroscape Master Set: Rise of the Valkyrie
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  12. Stop Thief!

    All details for the board game Stop Thief! and similar games
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  13. Heroscape Master Set: Swarm of the Marro

    All details for the board game Heroscape Master Set: Swarm of the Marro and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. Pandemic Legacy: Season 2

    All details for the board game Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 and similar games

    Pandemic 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.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for Pandemic Legacy: Season 2
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Pandemic Legacy: Season 2

    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 2" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 2" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 2" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 2" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  15. Unmatched: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

    All details for the board game Unmatched: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  16. Dinosaur Tea Party

    All details for the board game Dinosaur Tea Party and similar games
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Dinosaur Tea Party

    • YouTube Review for the game "Dinosaur Tea Party" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  17. Ship Shape: It's a Smuggler's Bounty!

    All details for the board game Ship Shape: It's a Smuggler's Bounty! and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  18. Star Wars: The Queen's Gambit

    All details for the board game Star Wars: The Queen's Gambit and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  19. Risk Legacy

    All details for the board game Risk Legacy and similar games

    Risk Legacy is a revolutionary approach to the classic board game Risk, introducing the concept of a "campaigning" board game. What sets Risk Legacy apart is its evolving nature; the game changes over time, influenced by the outcomes of each session and the decisions made by players. This version of Risk creates a unique and persistent world that is shaped by the players' actions, resulting in a customized gaming experience.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.

    More details for Risk Legacy
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Risk Legacy

    • YouTube Review for the game "Risk Legacy" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  20. Machi Koro Legacy

    All details for the board game Machi Koro Legacy and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  21. Betrayal at House on the Hill

    All details for the board game Betrayal at House on the Hill and similar games

    Betrayal at House on the Hill is a suspenseful board game where players explore a haunted mansion they build themselves, filled with spirits and ominous omens. It's a great choice for an hour of entertainment at parties or casual gatherings.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Betrayal at House on the Hill
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  22. Stranger Things: Upside Down

    All details for the board game Stranger Things: Upside Down and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. Betrayal Legacy

    All details for the board game Betrayal Legacy and similar games

    Betrayal Legacy evolves the classic haunted mansion exploration of Betrayal at House on the Hill with a legacy twist. Set over several decades, players represent different generations of families, delving into the mysteries of a foreboding mansion. This narrative-driven game evolves with each play, creating a unique and persistent story.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.

    More details for Betrayal Legacy
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  24. Heroscape Marvel: The Conflict Begins

    All details for the board game Heroscape Marvel: The Conflict Begins and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  25. Indulgence

    All details for the board game Indulgence and similar games
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 40 - 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Indulgence

    • YouTube Review for the game "Indulgence" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  26. Heroscape Master Set: Battle for the Underdark

    All details for the board game Heroscape Master Set:  Battle for the Underdark and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  27. Clue: Harry Potter Edition

    All details for the board game Clue: Harry Potter Edition and similar games
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  28. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Game

    All details for the board game Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Game and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  29. Risk: Star Wars – Original Trilogy Edition

    All details for the board game Risk: Star Wars – Original Trilogy Edition and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Mountains of Madness

    All details for the board game Mountains of Madness and similar games

    Mountains of Madness is a cooperative board game that plunges players into the chilling depths of H.P. Lovecraft's imagination, specifically inspired by his novel of the same name. Set in the unforgiving and mysterious landscape of Antarctica in 1931, players lead a scientific expedition to explore a newly discovered mountain range. However, as they ascend to the highest peaks, they encounter not only physical challenges but also unforeseen horrors that threaten their sanity and cohesion as a team.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Mountains of Madness
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Mountains of Madness

    • YouTube Review for the game "Mountains of Madness" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Mountains of Madness" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English

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