The favorite games of Hunter and Cron in 2018 2026

Looking for the favorite games recommended by Hunter and Cron in 2018? Then we have just the thing: the list of their top picks from 2018.

About Hunter and Cron

Hunter and Cron are board gaming content creators known for their insightful game analysis and recommendations.

List of Hunter and Cron favorites 2018

In this list we have compiled the games that Hunter and Cron highlighted as favorites in 2018.

The following games were among Hunter and Cron's top recommendations in 2018:

This list was last updated on June 30, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .
  1. Azul

    Azul

    Azul is a tile-laying game inspired by Portuguese azulejos: as artisans, players draft colored tiles from suppliers and place them in patterns to decorate the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora, scoring points for clever arrangements.

    All details & rating
    2–4 30–45 min 8+ Easy to learn
    Video reviews 1
  2. The Quack of Quedlinburg

    The Quack of Quedlinburg

    Become a cunning charlatan or a quack doctor in the whimsical world of The Quacks of Quedlinburg. In this quirky board game, each player concocts their own secret brew, one ingredient at a time. But beware, for a careless addition could spoil the entire mixture!

    All details & rating
    2–4 45 min 10+ Easy to learn
    + 8 € above the best price
    32 € at Amazon*
  3. That's Pretty Clever! dice game

    That's Pretty Clever! dice game

    That's Pretty Clever is a strategic dice game where players must make thoughtful choices to optimize their score. The game's title, Ganz schön clever in German, aptly describes the need for cleverness and tactical thinking.

    All details & rating
    1–4 30 min 8+ Easy to learn
    + 2 € above the best price
    11 € at Amazon*
  4. Onitama

    Onitama

    Immerse yourself in the world of Onitama, a dynamic two-player abstract game offering perfect information and a randomized starting setup on a 5x5 board. Both participants begin the game with five pawns each, strategically placing the main pawn at the board's center.

    All details & rating
    2 15–20 min 10+ Easy to learn
    + 2 € above the best price
    24 € at Amazon*
  5. The Mind

    The Mind

    The Mind is a unique card game that combines elements of cooperation, intuition, and silent communication. It is as much an experiment in group dynamics as it is a game.

    All details & rating
    2–4 20 min 8+ Immediately playable
  6. Hero Realms

    Hero Realms

    Hero Realms is a captivating, fantasy-themed deck-building game that builds on the mechanics of the highly acclaimed Star Realms. It offers a versatile gaming experience suitable for different player formats and styles.

    All details & rating
    2–4 20 min 12+ Easy to learn
  7. Sagrada

    Sagrada

    Sagrada is a visually striking board game where players draft dice to create beautiful stained glass windows, combining strategy and aesthetics.

    All details & rating
    1–4 30–45 min 14+ Easy to learn
  8. Meeple Circus

    Meeple Circus

    Meeple Circus is a vibrant and engaging dexterity board game where players become circus directors, aiming to create the most spectacular show and wow the audience. It's a game where physical skill meets strategic planning, and each action is a performance in itself.

    All details & rating
    2–5 45 min 8+ Immediately playable
    At its lowest price in a month
    33 € at Amazon*
  9. King of the Dice

    King of the Dice

    You are finally a king! All your dreams have come true as you enjoy the view of your wonderful kingdom filled with green meadows, rolling fields, tall mountains, and clear rivers. However, you need citizens to thrive, so you must promote the merits of your kingdom throughout the land while competing against other kings to attract the best inhabitants.

    All details & rating
    2–5 20–30 min 8+ Immediately playable
  10. Dragon's Breath

    Dragon's Breath

    During an expedition, the dragon children Mira, Feo, Luna, and Diego discover a sparkling treasure: a pillar of ice filled with glittering stones. Unable to carry it back to their cave, they decide to melt it with the help of their father, who breathes fire to melt the ice, allowing them to collect the precious stones. Players aim to gather the most sparkling stones for their cave by selecting tiles, lifting ice rings, and collecting the fallen gems.

    All details & rating
    2–4 15–20 min 5+ Immediately playable
  11. Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure

    Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure

    Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure propels players into an intergalactic heist aboard the flagship of the evil Lord Eradikus. This thrilling deck-building game challenges players to outmaneuver the lord's defenses and each other in a daring quest for valuable artifacts.

    All details & rating
    2–4 45–90 min 12+ Medium complexity
    + 38 € above the best price
    80 € at Amazon*
  12. The Lost Expedition

    The Lost Expedition

    The Lost Expedition is a gripping survival game that takes you on a perilous journey through the Amazon jungle, following in the footsteps of the legendary explorer Percy Fawcett. The goal is not only to trace Fawcett's path but more importantly, to emerge alive with the ultimate treasure: your life.

    All details & rating
    1–5 30–50 min 14+ Easy to learn
  13. Cool Runnings

    Cool Runnings

    Players create ice characters to compete in a race to the finish line. The winner is either the first to cross the finish line or the last player with an ice figure remaining, while others have melted. Throughout the game, players can attack each other using salt, water, or other methods to raise the temperature of opponents’ characters, but if the defending player counters the attack with the same card, the attack will backfire.

    All details & rating
    2–4 30 min 8+ Immediately playable
    26 % cheaper than at other retailers
    20 € at Amazon*
  14. The 7th Continent

    The 7th Continent

    In the early 20th century, your fate binds you to the newly discovered seventh continent, haunted by a malevolent curse since your last expedition. The 7th Continent, a captivating solo or cooperative "choose-your-own-adventure" exploration board game, beckons you to chart your course. Choose a character and commence your journey alone or alongside fellow explorers. Drawing inspiration from the Fighting Fantasy book series, unravel the mysteries of this untamed land through a diverse array of terrain and event cards.

    All details & rating
    1–4 5–1000 min 14+ Medium complexity
  15. Rajas of the Ganges

    Rajas of the Ganges

    Rajas of the Ganges is a strategy board game set in 16th century India, during the rise of the Great Mogul Empire. Players take on the roles of influential nobles, striving to transform their estates into prosperous provinces.

    All details & rating
    2–4 45–75 min 12+ Medium complexity
    + 3 € above the best price
    46 € at Amazon*
  16. Kitchen Rush

    Kitchen Rush

    Kitchen Rush immerses players in the bustling atmosphere of a newly inherited restaurant aiming for success. This innovative, real-time, cooperative board game captures the essence of kitchen management through a unique worker placement mechanism that uses hourglasses as workers.

    All details & rating
    1–4 30–45 min 12+ Easy to learn
    Video reviews 1
  17. Photosynthesis

    Photosynthesis

    Photosynthesis is a green strategy board game where players engage in the growth and development of a forest. The game revolves around the central theme of photosynthesis, the process by which trees and plants use sunlight to produce energy.

    All details & rating
    2–4 30–60 min 10+ Easy to learn
  18. Pandemic Legacy: Season 2

    Pandemic Legacy: Season 2

    Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 is an epic, cooperative board game that continues the narrative and innovative gameplay of its predecessor. This game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity struggles to survive after a devastating plague. It offers a unique gaming experience, where players' decisions and actions have long-lasting consequences, making each playthrough distinct.

    All details & rating
    2–4 60 min 14+ Medium complexity
    Video reviews 1
  19. Penny Papers Adventures: The Temple of Apikhabou

    Penny Papers Adventures: The Temple of Apikhabou

    Navigate through the temple in search of treasures and hidden passages while avoiding roaming mummies. Players use the same results from three dice to explore more thoroughly than their opponents, writing numbers into their grid to earn victory points. Challenge your spatial management skills and wisely utilize the dice's special effects while disrupting your opponents' grids when dangers arise. The game supports unlimited players, all playing simultaneously.

    All details & rating
    1–99 20 min 7+ Immediately playable
    At its lowest price in a month
    7 € at Amazon*
  20. Shaky Manor

    Shaky Manor

    The villa on the hill has always been rumored to be cursed. After dark, villagers see strange movements behind the windows while the house sways. To break the curse, players must collect creepy spirits, wandering eyes, slithering snakes, crawling spiders, and other objects that inhabit the dusty walls. Be the first to complete five challenges by gently tilting and shaking the box to place the correct objects in a room while following the instructions on the cards.

    All details & rating
    2–4 10–20 min 6+ Immediately playable
    At its lowest price in a month
    16 € at Amazon*
  21. Spirit Island

    Spirit Island

    Welcome to the captivating world of Spirit Island, where the distant echoes of magic still hold sway. In this immersive cooperative board game, players are entrusted with the crucial task of defending their island paradise from the relentless onslaught of colonizing Invaders. The spirits of the land, each possessing unique elemental powers, unite to thwart the advance of those who seek to conquer and despoil. As the colonial empires expand, the islanders and the very earth itself rise in defense. Harness the power of the spirits, strategize with your fellow players, and fight back against the encroaching Invaders to protect the island's mystical heart.

    All details & rating
    1–4 90–120 min 13+ For connoisseurs
    + 5 € above the best price
    54 € at Amazon*
  22. Charterstone

    Charterstone

    Charterstone invites players into the Kingdom of Greengully, where they are tasked with building a new village as part of a grand decree by the Forever King. This competitive legacy game evolves with each play, offering a unique and enduring experience.

    All details & rating
    1–6 45–75 min 14+ Medium complexity
  23. Who Should We Eat?

    Who Should We Eat?

    After a mysterious plane crash, players are part of a group of survivors stranded on a deserted island. They must pool their resources to build a raft large enough for escape, but food is scarce, and desperation grows. As survival instincts kick in, the struggle leads to a chilling choice: resorting to cannibalism, while an unsettling supernatural presence looms, ensuring they never leave the island.

    All details & rating
    4–10 30 min 14+ Easy to learn
  24. Penny Papers Adventures: The Valley of Wiraqocha

    Penny Papers Adventures: The Valley of Wiraqocha

    Penny Papers Adventures is a series of small strategy games where players use the same result from three dice to explore a location more thoroughly than their opponents. Players write numbers into their grids to earn victory points and must manage space wisely while utilizing the special effects of the dice. They should also seize any opportunity to disrupt their opponents' grids as dangers arise. The game accommodates an unlimited number of players, all participating simultaneously.

    All details & rating
    1–99 20 min 9+ Easy to learn
  25. Mountains of Madness

    Mountains of Madness

    Mountains of Madness is a cooperative board game that plunges players into the chilling depths of H.P. Lovecraft's imagination, specifically inspired by his novel of the same name. Set in the unforgiving and mysterious landscape of Antarctica in 1931, players lead a scientific expedition to explore a newly discovered mountain range. However, as they ascend to the highest peaks, they encounter not only physical challenges but also unforeseen horrors that threaten their sanity and cohesion as a team.

    All details & rating
    3–5 60–90 min 12+ Easy to learn
  26. Gaia Project

    Gaia Project

    Gaia Project is a strategy game that builds upon the success of its predecessor, Terra Mystica, offering a complex and immersive experience in a sci-fi setting. Players lead factions on a quest to expand and develop their presence across different types of planets.

    All details & rating
    1–4 60–150 min 12+ For connoisseurs
    + 4 € above the best price
    53 € at Amazon*
  27. The Rise of Queensdale

    The Rise of Queensdale

    "Build me a castle! Create a city worthy of my queen!" Your king's wish is your command, prompting you to travel to Queensdale, gather resources, construct buildings, and take fate into your own hands. Glory and wealth are within reach, but competitors also seek to fulfill the king's desires. Act with courage and wisdom, remembering that your choices will have consequences.

    All details & rating
    2–4 45–60 min 12+ Medium complexity
    Video reviews 1
  28. Penny Papers Adventures: Skull Island

    Penny Papers Adventures: Skull Island

    Players progress on the map of Skull Island and determine coordinates to uncover its most valuable treasures while overcoming dangers. Penny Papers Adventures features small strategy games where players use the same three dice results to explore locations more thoroughly than their opponents, writing numbers into their grids to earn victory points. Players must manage their space wisely and can disrupt their opponents' grids when dangers arise, with unlimited player participation as everyone plays simultaneously.

    All details & rating
    1–99 20 min 8+ Easy to learn
  29. Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne

    Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne

    Players command one of the Great Houses of Westeros, using iconic characters in epic battles and strategic planning. They negotiate, bluff, and form temporary alliances while competing for influence and ultimately the Iron Throne. Each round resolves encounters between two players, with opportunities for subterfuge and shifting loyalties that can change the outcome of the game. Winning enough encounters while managing alliances may lead to seizing the throne itself.

    All details & rating
    3–5 30–60 min 18+ Medium complexity

Frequently asked questions

Which game ranks first on this list?

Azul (Spiel des Jahres 2018 winner) currently tops our list. The ranking is derived from player community ratings and is recalculated continuously.

How many players do the games on this list support?

Most games on this list support 2 to 4 players. The exact player count is listed with each game.

What age are these games suitable for?

Publisher age recommendations on this list start at 5 years. Each game carries its own age rating.

How long does a game take?

A typical game takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.

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: