When shopping for a new board game for game night, your interests and intent will always help you decide how to choose the next box to add to your shelf. If you're a collector, you're probably looking for the latest game or the prettiest box to add to your board game shelf.
If you have consistent game nights, you're probably looking for games that will work well with a group of friends or at the table. You might even be looking for a game to pique your interest and plan to talk your friends into giving it a try. Here's what I look for when buying board games.
Casual versus competitive
The perfect mix for the table
One of the first things I look for when choosing a board game is whether the game will be a casual start to game night or something that will have everyone screaming and yelling at the end of the game. My friends are highly competitive, so games that pit us against each other are almost always a win.
Of course, casual games can also be competitive, so something that doesn't take up too much time, but also allows for some competitive trash talking and is casual enough to move away from, is a great balance.
Game length
Finding the perfect balance
Right now, there are tons of simple and casual games that take less than 10 minutes to play. Some have rounds that can be completed in five minutes or less, and most are under 30 minutes. These are simple casual games for casual players. However, when I'm looking for a game, I'm usually looking for something that my group can really dive into. I'm looking for games at least 20-30 minutes long.
These make for sizable gaming sessions, and replaying the game two or three times after the first practice round fills our entire game night, making me a happy host who doesn't have to switch between games and ruin things with long setup and cleanup times. There's also something fun about trying out some of the longest board games over a few games.
Cooperative gameplay
Sometimes we want to be on the same team
It's actually getting harder and harder to find co-op games that are fun and worth playing. So many games aren't made with cooperative play in mind, so any game that allows multiple players to play together and try to achieve the same goal.
If there is a co-op game with at least 4-6 player options (or more), I'll definitely buy it. Even when these games start out cooperative and end up in competition like Betrayal at House on the Hill, finding something where enough players can work together is a breath of fresh air on the table.
Number of players
Can an odd number of players have fun?
As for the number of players, sometimes there will be an odd number of players at my table, depending on who can make it to game night. Games that can be played with an odd number of players are always at the top of my list when buying new.
Anything flexible enough to go from two players to more ensures that it can be pulled out for just two friends playing or enjoyed by seven and still have a good time. When looking for a new board game to try, an odd number of players have a particular interest in co-op games. Counting players often goes hand in hand with that search.
Great setup
How cool does the actual game look?
Of course, everyone will be more interested in whether the game itself looks interesting. Try pulling out a boring looking board or a generic build and you'll see the lights in the players eyes drop as interest immediately drops.
Presentation can be just as important when introducing a brand new board game to the table, so I'm definitely looking for a game that looks as cool as it sounds. A bad presentation can actually lead to a bad execution of how the game is made.
Some form of deduction
Either against each other or together
One thing I love about my game nights is the countdown game. It's something I always look for when I buy a new board game because it usually gets everyone at the table involved. When working together, everyone puts on a hat and starts throwing out ideas or possibilities because everyone feels involved in the deduction possibilities.
This also works when working against each other. Trying to figure out who's who, who's lying, or who's the killer makes for some uproarious good times as everyone at the table blames each other. Social Deduction is a great genre that I'm always looking for.
Puzzles
The best games will test your skills
Another thing I look for when choosing a board game is one that can test your skills. Games that allow you to really work with your brain and work with friends are worth your time. Math or reading comprehension games are a lot more fun than you think, even as adults.
Having your friends work together and actually crunch numbers to solve equations on the board, or put together words and clues to deduce the correct order or understand the situation, allows everyone at the table to work together and stretch their brains. It also gives you a chance to see if you really are smarter than a fifth grader.
Theme A Box Art
I definitely judge games by their cover
It might seem a little superficial, but beautiful box art always catches my attention. Of course, just because it's beautiful doesn't mean it's going to be good, but I'm more than willing to learn the hard way.
I will also always pick up a scary or horror game, a cute Disney style game, or anything in between. Every time I am amused by some great topic or adorable topic. Let me play as an adorable little creature or haunt a haunted house and I'm totally sold.
