The best games with improvements via Tech Tree or Tech Tracks 2024
Looking for a really good game with improvements via tech tree? Then we have just the thing for you: the list of the best tech tree games 2024.
What are Tech Tree games?
In tech tree games (also called technology or research tree or path), new actions become available to certain players during the game, or existing actions are improved. These are often themed as technologies, but don't have to be. In computer games, this principle made the [Civilazation series](https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Meier%E2%80%99s_Civilization) popular starting in 1991.
Technique Tree & Technique Path
Sometimes this is expressed as a tree, where achieving one tech unlocks several other techs. Or it can be a linear path, where progressing along the tech path unlocks improved or new actions.
"Tech Tree" is sometimes also referred to as "Tech Path" or "Tech Tracks".
Examples of games with improvements via tech tree
A good example of a tech tree game is Brass Birmingham.
List of best tech tree games 2024
7 Wonders Duel
7 Wonders Duel takes the essence of the classic 7 Wonders and refines it for an intense two-player experience. It retains the thematic elements of building a civilization through acquiring various types of cards, but it introduces unique mechanics suited for a duel.
Nominated for 16 awards and won 9.
More details for 7 Wonders Duel- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for 7 Wonders Duel
Planet Unknown
Planet Unknown is a competitive and strategic game for 1-6 players set in a future where Earth's resources are depleted. Players are tasked with developing the most efficient and habitable planet among a series of newfound worlds. Using polyomino-shaped tiles, each representing vital infrastructure, players work to efficiently cover their planets and build an effective support system for life.
Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023
More details for Planet Unknown- 1 - 6 Players
- 60 - 80 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars is a strategic board game set in the 2400s, where players, representing giant corporations, embark on the colossal task of terraforming Mars. Sponsored by the World Government on Earth, each corporation competes to contribute most effectively to raising the planet's temperature, oxygen level, and ocean coverage to make Mars habitable. While players work together in the terraforming process, they also compete for victory points awarded for their contributions to terraforming, advancing human infrastructure throughout the solar system, and other notable achievements.
Nominated for 27 awards and won 14.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2017
More details for Terraforming Mars- 1 - 5 Players
- 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Terraforming Mars
Hansa Teutonica: Big Box
More details for Hansa Teutonica: Big BoxHansa Teutonica: Big Box is an expansive edition of the acclaimed strategy game "Hansa Teutonica," renowned for its deep strategic gameplay and interactive mechanics. This edition not only includes the base game but also all its expansions, offering an enriched experience of the historical Hanseatic League trading theme.
- 3 - 5 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Orléans
Orléans is a strategic board game set in medieval France, where players compete to gain supremacy through trade, construction, and science by assembling a diverse following of characters like farmers, merchants, knights, and monks.
Nominated for 12 awards and won 4.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2015
More details for Orléans- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Brass: Birmingham
Brass: Birmingham is an economic strategy game and a sequel to the 2007 game Brass. It immerses players in the world of industrial revolution entrepreneurs in Birmingham between 1770-1870.
Nominated for 13 awards and won 7.
More details for Brass: Birmingham- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Video reviews for Brass: Birmingham
Endeavor: Age of Sail
Endeavor: Age of Sail invites players to navigate the high seas and earn glory for their empires. Set during the age of exploration, players sail from Europe and the Mediterranean, establishing shipping routes and occupying cities across the globe, all while building their industrial, cultural, financial, and influential power.
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Endeavor: Age of Sail- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Endeavor: Age of Sail
My Little Scythe
My Little Scythe is a charming, family-friendly board game that offers a light and engaging experience inspired by the critically acclaimed Scythe. It's a game of adventure and whimsy, set in the enchanting Kingdom of Pomme, where players control delightful animal miniatures on a quest to earn trophies and achieve victory.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for My Little Scythe- 1 - 6 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Scythe
In the turbulent 1920s Europa, a period overshadowed by the aftermath of the first great war, a city-state known as "The Factory" stands at the center of attention. This capitalistic powerhouse, renowned for its heavily armored mechs that fueled the war, has mysteriously closed its doors, leaving neighboring nations vying for its secrets.
Nominated for 21 awards and won 10.
More details for Scythe- 1 - 5 Players
- 90 - 115 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Video reviews for Scythe
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
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
🔥 Great price!Check for best price now at*Black Orchestra
Black Orchestra is a cooperative board game set in World War II, where players take on the roles of members of the German resistance seeking to overthrow Hitler's regime. The game is named after the real-life code name "Schwarze Kapelle," given by the Gestapo to this group of conspirators. It offers a blend of historical narrative and strategic gameplay, where players must balance the urgency of their mission with the need to remain undetected.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Black Orchestra- 1 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Black Orchestra
Beyond the Sun
Beyond the Sun is a strategic board game that places players at the forefront of humanity's technological advancement into the Spacefaring Era. Here, players shape the progress of human civilization in space while competing to become the dominant faction through scientific development, economic growth, and galactic influence.
Nominated for 8 awards and won 2.
More details for Beyond the Sun- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition
Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition is an engaging engine-building game where players take on the roles of corporations with the ambitious goal of terraforming Mars. The game combines strategic resource management and project development to make the red planet habitable.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Hansa Teutonica
Hansa Teutonica is a strategic board game that transports players back to the time of the Hanseatic League, a medieval commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds in Northwestern and Central Europe. In this game, players take on the roles of traders competing to expand their trading network, improve their skills, and gain the most victory points.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.
More details for Hansa Teutonica- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Kingsburg
In Kingsburg, players assume the roles of Lords dispatched by the King to oversee frontier territories. The game unfolds over five years, comprising a total of 20 turns. Each year consists of three production seasons, allowing players to gather resources, construct structures, and train troops. However, every fourth turn ushers in winter, a time when all players must individually confront an invading army. Despite this threat, Kingsburg remains a competitive rather than cooperative game.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
More details for Kingsburg- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Kemet
Kemet is a strategy board game set in ancient Egypt, where players command Egyptian tribes and harness the powers of gods to earn victory points through battles and territorial control.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Kemet- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Kemet
Revive
Revive is a post-apocalyptic strategy game set 5000 years after civilization's collapse. Players lead tribes to explore a frozen Earth, harness resources, recruit survivors, build factories, and relearn ancient technologies. Designed for 1-4 players, Revive stands out with its asymmetric player powers, highly variable setup, and a focus on strategy and rebuilding over conflict.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
More details for Revive- 1 - 4 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Era: Medieval Age
Era: Medieval Age positions itself as a groundbreaking evolution in the realm of roll-and-build board games, inheriting the legacy of Roll Through The Ages but carving out its own niche with a unique build mechanic. Players are transported to the medieval era, tasked with rolling dice to assemble a flourishing city using tangible, 3D components such as walls, keeps, and farms, making each cityscape a distinct creation by the game's conclusion.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Era: Medieval Age- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Great Split
- 2 - 7 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ankh: Gods of Egypt
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
Kingsburg (Second Edition)
More details for Kingsburg (Second Edition)In the realm of Kingsburg, monstrous invaders threaten the borders, prompting your king to entrust you with the governance of a province. As a governor, you must manage your province, influence the King's advisors, and gather resources to expand and defend your lands. But you're not alone in seeking the advisors' favor – rival governors vie for resources to strengthen their territories too.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Kingsburg (Second Edition)
Kemet: Blood and Sand
Kemet: Blood and Sand revives the classic Kemet game with an enhanced edition that plunges players into a vividly realized Ancient Egypt. Here, you embody powerful gods commanding respect and fear across the desert and Nile delta. The game is all about asserting your dominance through strategic battles, without showing mercy to your foes. Prepare to lead your city's troops into war, showcasing your power as the ultimate ruler of Ancient Egypt.
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More details for Kemet: Blood and Sand- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 - 180 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
🔥 Great price!Check for best price now at*Brass: Lancashire
Brass: Lancashire is a compelling economic strategy game set during the industrial revolution in Lancashire. The game chronicles the story of competing cotton entrepreneurs and requires players to develop, build, and expand their industries and networks to capitalize on the growing demand for iron, coal, and cotton.
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
More details for Brass: Lancashire- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Video reviews for Brass: Lancashire
Innovation
Innovation is a dynamic card game that captures the essence of civilization building. Designed by Carl Chudyk, it offers players a unique experience of guiding a civilization's journey from the stone age to modern times.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Innovation- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition
Embark on an epic journey of galactic conquest in Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition. As a leader of one of seventeen unique factions, you'll navigate the vastness of space, striving for dominance through military might, political maneuvering, and economic prowess. The game unfolds around Mecatol Rex, the central planet, where the throne of the galaxy awaits the faction that can skillfully navigate the challenges of a dynamic and strategically constructed universe.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition- 3 - 6 Players
- 240 - 480 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Video reviews for Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition
Tapestry
Tapestry is a strategic board game designed by Jamey Stegmaier, intended for 1-5 players and lasting about two hours. The game invites players to weave the narrative of a civilization's journey from the dawn of humankind into the future, creating a unique and storied history that diverges from real-world events.
Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.
More details for Tapestry- 1 - 5 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Anno 1800: The Board Game
Anno 1800: The Board Game is an immersive game that captures the essence of the popular Ubisoft PC game, Anno 1800. Players are tasked with developing their home island by building a robust industry, engaging in trade, and meeting the evolving needs of their population. The game emphasizes strategic planning and resource management, set against the backdrop of the 19th-century industrial revolution.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Anno 1800: The Board Game- 1 - 4 Players
- 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Russian Railroads
Russian Railroads is a strategic board game where players compete to build the most extensive and advanced railway network in Russia. The game combines worker placement with track building and resource management elements, offering players various paths to victory.
Nominated for 10 awards and won 4.
More details for Russian Railroads- 2 - 4 Players
- 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Endeavor
Endeavor is a strategic board game set during the age of exploration and expansion, where players represent growing empires vying for global dominance through various means such as exploration, colonization, and war.
Nominated for 8 awards.
More details for Endeavor- 3 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Khôra: Rise of an Empire
Khôra: Rise of an Empire immerses players in the role of leaders of burgeoning city-states in the classical era of Ancient Greece. The game is a strategic exploration of governance, military might, cultural development, and economic management, all rolled into an engaging board game experience. Players must navigate the complexities of statecraft through a combination of strategic planning and adaptation to the outcomes of their dice rolls.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Khôra: Rise of an Empire- 2 - 4 Players
- 75 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
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