The best games where players can form alliances 2025

Looking for a really good game where players can form alliances? Then we have just the thing for you: the list of the best alliance games 2025.

What are alliance games?

Games where players form alliances players can have formal relationships with each other that can change over the course of the game.

Distinction from negotiation games

This differs from Negotiation Mechanism in that these relationships are governed by specific game rules. For example, in Dune, players can form alliances in each nexus phase that last until the next nexus phase. During this time, players win together, may not attack each other, and grant their ally a special power. In "Struggle of Empires", players bid for the right to choose their ally for that round, for which similar rules apply.

Differentiation from fixed teams in team-based games.

This also differs from team-based games in that alliances can potentially change during the game. If players must be allied for the entire game and win or lose together, it is a team-based game.

List of the best alliances games 2025

This list was last updated on April 7, 2025. We compared 150 board games for this list and selected the top 21. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Cosmic Encounter

    All details for the board game Cosmic Encounter and similar games

    Cosmic Encounter is an iconic board game that combines elements of strategy, diplomacy, and unique alien powers, set in a dynamic universe of shifting alliances and interstellar conflict.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Cosmic Encounter
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  2. Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy

    All details for the board game Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy and similar games

    Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy is an enhanced version of the original Eclipse game, first released in 2011. It's a grand strategy game set in the depths of space, where players lead their own interstellar civilizations to explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.

    More details for Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 200 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  3. Good Cop Bad Cop

    All details for the board game Good Cop Bad Cop and similar games

    Good Cop Bad Cop plunges players into a morally ambiguous world of law enforcement, where distinguishing friend from foe is as challenging as it is crucial. In this high-stakes game of hidden identities and deduction, trust is a commodity, deception is a strategy, and survival depends on your ability to uncover the truth.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Good Cop Bad Cop
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 10 - 20 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  4. Good Cop Bad Cop (Third Edition)

    All details for the board game Good Cop Bad Cop (Third Edition) and similar games

    Players take on the role of police officers in a corrupt precinct, working to identify allies and eliminate the opposing team's leader. They use weapons, equipment, deduction, and social engineering to assist allies and tackle enemies, but limited resources create urgency. The updated edition simplifies the game with improved graphics, streamlined rules, and a revised equipment set to enhance the overall experience while remaining compatible with previous expansions.

    More details for Good Cop Bad Cop (Third Edition)
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 20 - 45 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  5. Kameloot

    All details for the board game Kameloot and similar games

    Taverns, motivated merchants, and magical items are all you need to become the richest merchant. Choose wisely between the Howling Owl Tavern, where paladins and mages compete with wealthy traders, and the Black Cat Tavern, home to treacherous rogues and cunning wizards.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Kameloot
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 25 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  6. Ankh: Gods of Egypt

    All details for the board game Ankh: Gods of Egypt and similar games

    Ankh: Gods of Egypt is a deeply thematic board game that immerses players in the ancient world of Egyptian mythology. In this game, players assume the roles of Egyptian gods vying for supremacy and survival in an era where the old ways and their followers are fading. The game stands out for its blend of strategic gameplay, stunning artwork, and detailed miniatures, offering a richly immersive experience.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for Ankh: Gods of Egypt
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  7. Rising Sun

    All details for the board game Rising Sun and similar games

    In the mystical realm of legendary feudal Japan, the forgotten Kami have arisen from the underworld, dissatisfied with the ruling Shōgun. As spring heralds the Great New Year, the sacred clans gather to embark on a quest to reclaim the lands of Nippon, restoring honor and spirituality. Honorable Shōgun, you lead one of these clans, navigating a delicate balance of diplomacy, alliances, and war in the pursuit of victory. Will you uphold the ancient promise with strength, virtue, and spirit in the board game Rising Sun?

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.

    More details for Rising Sun
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  8. The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls

    All details for the board game The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls and similar games

    The official multiplayer card game inspired by the hit video game features themes of sacrifice, betrayal, and hoarding. Players alternate playing loot cards and using items to defeat monsters, which can yield additional items, loot, and sometimes souls. The first player to finish their turn with four souls wins the game, and cooperation, trading, and betrayal are encouraged.

    More details for The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. Sweet Existence: A Strange Planet Card Game

    All details for the board game Sweet Existence: A Strange Planet Card Game and similar games

    Millions of inhabitants have embraced the genius of Nathan W. Pyle's Strange Planet webcomic and book series. Players connect, experience life events, and collect sweet discs while avoiding the dreaded Perish field. Each card features a unique comic that showcases the characteristic humor and curiosity of the characters, making it a delightful and family-friendly party game for fans aged 13 and up.

    More details for Sweet Existence: A Strange Planet Card Game
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 15 - 40 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  10. Dune

    All details for the board game Dune and similar games

    Dune 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.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.

    🔥 Deal: 8% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Dune
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 120 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  11. A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition)

    All details for the board game A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) and similar games

    A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) is a strategy board game that immerses players in the world of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. It's a game of diplomacy, warfare, and intrigue, capturing the essence of the epic fantasy saga.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition)
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 120 - 240 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  12. A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition)

    All details for the board game A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) and similar games

    Introduction to A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition):

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition)
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  13. Struggle of Empires

    All details for the board game Struggle of Empires and similar games

    Struggle of Empires offers a deep, strategic experience that simulates the complex geopolitical conflicts of the 18th century among European powers. Players vie for dominance through military might, economic development, strategic alliances, and colonial expansion, all while navigating the delicate balance of power that defines the era.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Struggle of Empires
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 180 - 240 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  14. Rex: Final Days of an Empire

    All details for the board game Rex: Final Days of an Empire and similar games

    Rex: Final Days of an Empire is a reimagined game set in the Twilight Imperium universe, offering a rich blend of strategy, diplomacy, and conflict. Designed for 3-6 players, this game takes you back 3,000 years before Twilight Imperium to the decline of the Lazax empire. Players represent different interstellar civilizations vying for control over the crumbling imperial city in a galaxy teetering on the edge of chaos. Unique asymmetrical racial abilities and a focus on negotiation, betrayal, and warfare make this game an intense experience of tactical mastery.

    More details for Rex: Final Days of an Empire
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 120 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  15. Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne

    All details for the board game Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne and similar games

    Players command one of the Great Houses of Westeros, using iconic characters in epic battles and strategic planning. They negotiate, bluff, and form temporary alliances while competing for influence and ultimately the Iron Throne. Each round resolves encounters between two players, with opportunities for subterfuge and shifting loyalties that can change the outcome of the game. Winning enough encounters while managing alliances may lead to seizing the throne itself.

    More details for Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 18+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne

    • YouTube Review for the game "Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  16. Breaking Bad: The Board Game

    All details for the board game Breaking Bad: The Board Game and similar games

    Based on the critically acclaimed TV series, players enter the treacherous underworld of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Choose to be part of a criminal faction or join the Drug Enforcement Administration, aiming to produce and sell Blue Sky while eliminating rivals. Criminal players must sell their produced Blue Sky before others, while DEA agents work to confiscate labs and take down criminals.

    More details for Breaking Bad: The Board Game
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 18+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Breaking Bad: The Board Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "Breaking Bad: The Board Game" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  17. Masters of The Universe: Fields of Eternia The Board Game

    All details for the board game Masters of The Universe: Fields of Eternia The Board Game and similar games

    Experience the fabulous splendor of 80s nostalgia as you travel through the mystical land of Eternia, commanding iconic heroes and villains. Play as your favorite characters like He-Man, Skeletor, and She-Ra, all crafted in stunning detail. Choose from various factions, each with unique abilities, and embark on quests to strengthen your characters while facing familiar enemies and monsters.

    More details for Masters of The Universe: Fields of Eternia The Board Game
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 90 - 180 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  18. Die Macher

    All details for the board game Die Macher and similar games

    Die Macher is a deeply strategic board game centered around seven sequential political races in various regions of Germany. Players take on the roles of leaders of national political parties, tasked with wisely managing their resources to lead their party to victory across these regional elections.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    More details for Die Macher
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 240 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  19. Campaign

    All details for the board game Campaign and similar games

    An exciting strategy game allows players to take on the roles of Napoleons or Wellingtons, leading their armies across Europe. Players can reenact famous battles and form or break alliances, all while navigating a strategically designed board that represents Europe and Western Russia.

    More details for Campaign
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  20. Pendragon: The Fall of Roman Britain

    All details for the board game Pendragon: The Fall of Roman Britain and similar games

    The eighth volume of the COIN series transports players to 4th and 5th century AD Britain, a land rife with conflict. It explores a century of history marked by large-scale raids from Irish, Pictish, and Saxon invaders, leading to the establishment of Celtic and Germanic successor kingdoms. The game employs an asymmetrical design to reflect the complex political, military, and cultural struggles in post-Roman Britain.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Pendragon: The Fall of Roman Britain
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 360 Minutes
    • 16+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  21. James Clavell's Whirlwind

    All details for the board game James Clavell's Whirlwind and similar games

    The game is based on James Clavell's novel "Whirlwind," set against the backdrop of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Players act as mercenary helicopter pilots, conducting operations for a handsome fee paid into their Swiss bank accounts. As the revolution unfolds, players can choose to pledge loyalty to one side or the other to gain a share of the revolutionary spoils.

    More details for James Clavell's Whirlwind
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 120 - 240 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

We're positive that you'll find it in one of our other lists! To make the search easier for you, we split our website into different categories. The following board game categories will help you find the right list: