The best combinatorial games 🧮 2021
Looking for a really good game where there is no chance? Then we have just the thing: A list of the 30 best combinatorial games 🧮.
What does "combinatorial" mean in games?
Combinatorial is a term from mathematics. Combinatorial games have finite or countably infinite discrete structures. I.e. in combinatorial games you can predict all possible moves - in contrast to games of chance.
Definition of combinatorial games
Almost all combinatorial dice, card & board games meet the following definition:
- no hidden information
- no randomness during gameplay (random setup (e.g. TZAAR, Fischer Schach 960) is allowed)
- typically two players or teams (or one player/team against one computer)
- but rarely more teams are possible (e.g. Blokus)
- finite number of rounds
- players/teams act alternately (i.e. do not move simultaneously, not in real time)
- no memory needed
- draw possible - but usually there is a winner
- theme allowed, but not mandatory
Combinatorial does not necessarily mean "abstract
Often the two categories "abstract games" and "combinatorial games" are mixed together. However, abstract refers only to the subject of the game. Abstract games do not require a story or scenario in which the game "takes place." In combinatorial games, a theme is not required (e.g. Blokus, Shōbu), but possible (e.g. Santorini, [Patchwork])(/patchwork)).
List of the best combinatorial games 2021 🧮
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
Santorini
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Santorini2 - 4 Players
20 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!30€ 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
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
Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small
Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.
More details for Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small2 Players
30 Minutes
13+ years old
Complexity: easy
Hive
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Hive2 Players
20 Minutes
9+ years old
Complexity: 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
Gaia Project
Nominated for 10 awards and won 2.
More details for Gaia Project1 - 4 Players
60 - 150 Minutes
12+ years old
Complexity: hard
👍 Good price!61€ at.de
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!
Terra Mystica
Nominated for 17 awards and won 13.
More details for Terra Mystica2 - 5 Players
60 - 150 Minutes
12+ years old
Complexity: hard
Video reviews for Terra Mystica
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
Polyssimo Challenge
2 - 4 Players
10 - 30 Minutes
7+ years old
Complexity: very easy
Video reviews for Polyssimo Challenge
New York Zoo
1 - 5 Players
30 - 60 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
Photosynthesis
Nominated for 10 awards and won 4.
More details for Photosynthesis2 - 4 Players
30 - 60 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
😕 Questionable price27€ at.de
Video reviews for Photosynthesis
Through the Desert
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Through the Desert2 - 5 Players
45 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
Blokus Duo
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Blokus Duo2 Players
15 Minutes
5+ years old
Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!27€ at.de
Fields of Arle
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Fields of Arle1 - 2 Players
60 - 120 Minutes
13+ years old
Complexity: hard
💸 Too expensive!51€ at.de
Video reviews for Fields of Arle
DVONN
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for DVONN2 Players
30 Minutes
9+ years old
Complexity: medium
👍 Good price!26€ at.de
Okiya
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Okiya2 Players
10 Minutes
7+ years old
Complexity: very easy
💸 Too expensive!13€ at.de
Kulami
Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.
More details for Kulami2 Players
30 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
Battle Sheep
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Battle Sheep2 - 4 Players
15 Minutes
7+ years old
Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!25€ at.de
Blokus 3D
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Blokus 3D2 - 4 Players
15 - 20 Minutes
7+ years old
Complexity: easy
Quarto
Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.
More details for Quarto2 Players
20 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
Medina (Second Edition)
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Medina (Second Edition)2 - 4 Players
60 Minutes
10+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Medina (Second Edition)
Barony
2 - 4 Players
45 Minutes
14+ years old
Complexity: easy
😕 Questionable price39€ at.de
Video reviews for Barony
Mixtour
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Mixtour2 Players
45 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!50€ at.de
Small Star Empires
2 - 4 Players
10 - 30 Minutes
13+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Small Star Empires
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