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 Patchwork
2 Players
15 - 30 Minutes
8+ years old
Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Patchwork
Santorini
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Santorini- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!30€ at
.deOnitama
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
More details for Onitama- 2 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
💸 Too expensive!21€ at.deYINSH
Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.
More details for YINSH- 2 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Complexity: medium
🔥 Great price!26€ at.deSHŌBU
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for SHŌBU- 2 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 Small- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Hive
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Hive- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Complexity: easy
TZAAR
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
More details for TZAAR- 2 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: medium
💸 Too expensive!31€ at.deGaia Project
Nominated for 10 awards and won 2.
More details for Gaia Project- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: hard
👍 Good price!61€ at.deHey, 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.deVideo reviews for Hey, That's My Fish!
Terra Mystica
Nominated for 17 awards and won 13.
More details for Terra Mystica- 2 - 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 Blokus- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: easy
👍 Good price!25€ at.deSix Making
- 2 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Tak
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Tak- 2 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 Photosynthesis- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
😕 Questionable price27€ at.deVideo reviews for Photosynthesis
Through the Desert
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Through the Desert- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Blokus Duo
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Blokus Duo- 2 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!27€ at.deFields of Arle
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Fields of Arle- 1 - 2 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: hard
💸 Too expensive!51€ at.deVideo reviews for Fields of Arle
DVONN
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for DVONN- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Complexity: medium
👍 Good price!26€ at.deOkiya
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Okiya- 2 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
💸 Too expensive!13€ at.deKulami
Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.
More details for Kulami- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Battle Sheep
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Battle Sheep- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: very easy
👍 Good price!25€ at.deBlokus 3D
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Blokus 3D- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Quarto
Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.
More details for Quarto- 2 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.deVideo reviews for Barony
Mixtour
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Mixtour- 2 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Complexity: easy
🔥 Great price!50€ at.deSmall Star Empires
- 2 - 4 Players
- 10 - 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Complexity: easy
Video reviews for Small Star Empires
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