The best games where the map is gradually reduced in size 🗺 2024

Looking for a really good game where the map gets smaller and smaller 🗺? Then we have just the thing for you: the list of the best "map reduction" games 2024.

What are map shrinking games?

In the games on this list, as the game progresses, the map shrinks. This creates fewer and fewer options for the players.

Examples of games where the map gets progressively smaller

A good example of a map reduction game are Isola/Isolation, The Island/Survive: Escape from Atlantis! and Jaws.

List with the best downsizing map games 2024 🗺

This list was last updated on February 25, 2024. We compared 97 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Santorini

    All details for the board game Santorini and similar games

    Santorini is a beautifully re-imagined strategy game that combines abstract elements with accessible gameplay, suitable for a wide range of players.

    Nominated for 7 awards.

    More details for Santorini
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  2. Survive: Escape from Atlantis!

    All details for the board game Survive: Escape from Atlantis! and similar games

    Survive: Escape from Atlantis! is a thrilling and competitive board game where players aim to evacuate their pieces from a sinking island. The game is known for its intense gameplay and strategic decisions.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Survive: Escape from Atlantis!
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. Blood Rage

    All details for the board game Blood Rage and similar games

    In the midst of Ragnarök, the cataclysmic end of the world, seize your opportunity for glory in Blood Rage. Each player commands a Viking clan, complete with fearless warriors, a formidable leader, and a mighty ship. As the world crumbles, it's the Vikings' last chance to seek Valhalla, to be forever remembered at Odin's side. In this epic battle, there are myriad paths to honor, from plundering the land and crushing opponents to fulfilling quests, enhancing your clan's strength, or embracing a glorious demise.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 2.

    More details for Blood Rage
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    👍 Good price!75€ atAmazon.de*
  4. Hey, That's My Fish!

    All details for the board game Hey, That's My Fish! and similar games

    Embark on a frigid escapade with Hey, That's My Fish! as players compete to secure the most fish using their waddle of penguins. Each turn unfolds a strategic journey as players guide their penguins in a straight line across hex-shaped ice tiles, each adorned with 1, 2, or 3 fish.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 1.

    More details for Hey, That's My Fish!
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Hey, That's My Fish!

    • YouTube Review for the game "Hey, That's My Fish!" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  5. Forbidden Desert

    All details for the board game Forbidden Desert and similar games

    Forbidden Desert is a cooperative adventure game where players work together to recover a legendary flying machine from the ruins of an ancient desert city, while surviving extreme environmental challenges.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 4.

    More details for Forbidden Desert
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Forbidden Desert

    • YouTube Review for the game "Forbidden Desert" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  6. Forbidden Island

    All details for the board game Forbidden Island and similar games

    Forbidden Island is a visually captivating cooperative board game that sets itself apart from traditional competitive games. In this thrilling adventure, players must join forces and collaborate to achieve victory instead of competing against each other. The goal is clear: work together as a team to secure a win.

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2011

    More details for Forbidden Island
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Forbidden Island

    • YouTube Review for the game "Forbidden Island" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  7. Survive: Escape from Atlantis!

    All details for the board game Survive: Escape from Atlantis! and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  8. TZAAR

    All details for the board game TZAAR and similar games

    TZAAR is a compelling abstract strategy game that emphasizes the delicate balance of weakening your opponent versus strengthening your own position. With 30 pieces each, divided among Tzaars, Tzarras, and Totts, players navigate a game of tactical decisions where every move counts. The core challenge lies in managing these three distinct types of pieces, each essential to the game's strategy, as players aim to either deplete one type of the opponent's pieces or trap them in a position where they can't capture anymore.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    More details for TZAAR
    • 2 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  9. That's Life!

    All details for the board game That's Life! and similar games

    That's Life! (also known as Verflixxt!) revitalizes the traditional roll-and-move game genre with elements that give players more strategic control. In this game, players navigate a path laid out with tiles, aiming to collect as many positive tiles as possible while avoiding negative ones. The addition of guards and clovers introduces strategic depth, turning what could be a game of chance into one of tactical decision-making.

    Nominated for 8 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2005

    More details for That's Life!
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  10. Jaws

    All details for the board game Jaws and similar games

    JAWS is a suspenseful and strategic board game that captures the essence of the classic film. In this game, players are immersed in the iconic struggle between the monstrous great white shark and the determined crew of the Orca. The game is designed for 2 to 4 players, where one player assumes the role of the shark, while the others take on the characters of Brody, Hooper, and Quint.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Jaws
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  11. DVONN

    All details for the board game DVONN and similar games

    DVONN is a strategic board game that is part of the renowned Project GIPF series of abstract games. The game is played on a unique hexagonal board and involves a mix of piece placement, movement, and stacking, with an aim to control the tallest stack by the end of the game.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.

    More details for DVONN
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  12. Ninja Camp

    All details for the board game Ninja Camp and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  13. Escape from Atlantis

    All details for the board game Escape from Atlantis and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. Tacocat Spelled Backwards

    All details for the board game Tacocat Spelled Backwards and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 15 - 20 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  15. The Mole in the Hole

    All details for the board game The Mole in the Hole and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    More details for The Mole in the Hole
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!24€ atAmazon.de*
  16. Costa Rica

    All details for the board game Costa Rica and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  17. ZÈRTZ

    All details for the board game ZÈRTZ and similar games

    ZÈRTZ, the third installment in the GIPF Project series, is an abstract strategy game that involves players competing to collect sets of multi-colored balls. The gameplay takes place on a hexagonal board and incorporates elements reminiscent of Checkers. Players jump over balls to capture them, with the added twist of placing new balls on the board and strategically removing empty spaces from the edges.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for ZÈRTZ
    • 2 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  18. Survive: Space Attack!

    All details for the board game Survive: Space Attack! and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  19. The King Is Dead

    All details for the board game The King Is Dead and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 50 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  20. Rescue Polar Bears: Data & Temperature

    All details for the board game Rescue Polar Bears: Data & Temperature and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  21. LYNGK

    All details for the board game LYNGK and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for LYNGK
    • 2 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    👍 Good price!28€ atAmazon.de*
  22. Save Doctor Lucky

    All details for the board game Save Doctor Lucky and similar games
    • 3 - 7 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  23. Darjeeling

    All details for the board game Darjeeling and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  24. König von Siam

    All details for the board game König von Siam and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  25. Cosmic Frog

    All details for the board game Cosmic Frog and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for Cosmic Frog
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  26. The Bridges of Shangri-La

    All details for the board game The Bridges of Shangri-La and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for The Bridges of Shangri-La
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  27. Isolation

    All details for the board game Isolation and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  28. Vineta

    All details for the board game Vineta and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2008

    More details for Vineta
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  29. Forbidden Sky

    All details for the board game Forbidden Sky and similar games

    Forbidden Sky elevates the cooperative board game experience to new, thrilling heights. As part of the esteemed Forbidden... series, players join forces to brave the dangers of a floating platform, ensconced within the tumult of a fierce storm. The objective is clear yet daunting: forge a circuit of cables to ignite a clandestine rocket, racing against the twin threats of lightning strikes and the perilous wind that seeks to cast players into the abyss.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    More details for Forbidden Sky
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Forbidden Sky

    • YouTube Review for the game "Forbidden Sky" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  30. Black Angel

    All details for the board game Black Angel and similar games

    In Black Angel, players embark on a critical space mission aboard humanity's last hope, the Black Angel spacecraft, to find a new habitable planet. As AI controllers, players manage resources, navigate interstellar challenges, and earn Validation Points (VP) for efficient decision-making, all while dealing with alien species and the menacing Ravagers.

    More details for Black Angel
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Hard to learn
    👍 Good price!55€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Black Angel

    • YouTube Review for the game "Black Angel" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English

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: