The best abstract♟ board, card & dice games 2021
Looking for a really good party game where the game experience and the game mechanics are the most important things? Then we have just the thing: A list of the 30 best abstract♟ games 2021.
What are abstract games?
In an abstract board, card or dice game, the theme or scenario is not important. So in abstract games, the focus is on the game experience itself.
Many classics are abstract games
Many of the classic board games around the world, including Chess, Go, Checkers, Xiangqi (Chinese chess), Shogi (Japanese chess), Backgammon, Reversi (marketed as "Othello") fit into the category of abstract games.
Some in addition also "combinatorial".
Many abstract games also happen to be "combinatorial", meaning there is no hidden information, no non-deterministic elements (such as shuffled cards or dice rolls), no simultaneous or hidden movement or set-up, and (usually) two players or teams take a finite number of alternating turns.
Abstract is more likely to be understood as "theme-less"
The term "abstract" here should be understood as a synonym for "theme-less" or "theoretical". An abstract game thus does not contain a theme and setting. Abstract games are primarily about the game experience and the game mechanics - not about the scenario in which it is set.
List of the best abstract♟ board games 2021
Azul
2 - 4 Players
30 - 45 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Azul
Patchwork
Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.
More details for Patchwork2 Players
15 - 30 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Patchwork
Azul: Summer Pavilion
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
More details for Azul: Summer Pavilion2 - 4 Players
30 - 45 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!46€ at.de
Video reviews for Azul: Summer Pavilion
Santorini
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Santorini2 - 4 Players
20 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!30€ at.de
Sagrada
Nominated for 10 awards.
More details for Sagrada1 - 4 Players
30 - 45 Minutes
14+ years old
Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!28€ at.de
Onitama
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
More details for Onitama2 Players
15 - 20 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!21€ at.de
War Chest
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for War Chest2 - 4 Players
30 Minutes
14+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for War Chest
Mandala
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Mandala2 Players
20 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!23€ at.de
Video reviews for Mandala
NMBR 9
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for NMBR 91 - 4 Players
20 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: very easy
🔥 Great price!15€ at.de
Video reviews for NMBR 9
Nova Luna
1 - 4 Players
30 - 60 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Nova Luna
YINSH
Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.
More details for YINSH2 Players
30 - 60 Minutes
9+ years old
Complexity: medium
🔥 Great price!26€ at.de
SHŌBU
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for SHŌBU2 Players
15 - 30 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
Ingenious
1 - 4 Players
45 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!26€ at.de
Hive
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Hive2 Players
20 Minutes
9+ years old
Complexity: easy
Noctiluca
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Noctiluca1 - 4 Players
30 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: very easy
TZAAR
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
More details for TZAAR2 Players
30 - 60 Minutes
13+ years old
Complexity: medium
💸 Too expensive!31€ at.de
Dragon Castle
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Dragon Castle2 - 4 Players
30 - 45 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Dragon Castle
Cabo
2 - 5 Players
30 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: very easy
Tsuro
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Tsuro2 - 8 Players
15 - 20 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: very easy
Reef
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Reef2 - 4 Players
30 - 45 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!65€ at.de
Spirits of the Forest
1 - 4 Players
20 Minutes
14+ years old
Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for Spirits of the Forest
Cribbage
2 - 4 Players
30 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
Seikatsu
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Seikatsu1 - 4 Players
15 - 30 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
😕 Questionable price15€ at.de
Glüx
2 - 4 Players
30 - 45 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
😕 Questionable price29€ at.de
Video reviews for Glüx
Hey, That's My Fish!
Nominated for 8 awards and won 1.
More details for Hey, That's My Fish!2 - 4 Players
20 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!13€ at.de
Video reviews for Hey, That's My Fish!
Paris: La Cité de la Lumière
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Paris: La Cité de la Lumière2 Players
30 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
Pyramid Arcade
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Pyramid Arcade1 - 10 Players
5 - 180 Minutes
5+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Pyramid Arcade
Blokus
Nominated for 6 awards and won 4.
More details for Blokus2 - 4 Players
20 Minutes
7+ years old
Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!25€ at.de
Six Making
2 Players
25 Minutes
12+ years old
Complexity: easy
Tak
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Tak2 Players
20 - 60 Minutes
12+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Tak
Didn't find the game you were looking for?
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