Most Beautiful Board Games
Most Beautiful Board Games
Apart from chess and Cards Against Humanity, there aren’t many board games that can get away with a monochromatic design. Board games are becoming ever more elaborate and many are actual works of art.
From game pieces to cards and the board, these games have gone above and beyond in the design department to create spectacular games that reach the peak of the aesthetic scale. Have a look at the top 10 most beautiful board games below.
🏆 Our Top Picks for Most Beautiful Board Games
In a hurry? Take a quick peek before you go.
Best Family
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#1. Scythe
Players: 1–5 players
Playing time: 90–120 Min
Have you ever asked yourself what would happen if Norman Rockwell designed a board game? Neither have we but the answer is probably “Scythe”. In an alternate dystopian era around the 1920s, players compete as fallen leaders to restore their honor and restore their power. This is done by expanding your territory on the map, gaining resources, gaining villagers and recruits, and building structures. Then there are wickedly destructive mechs that can be activated to keep other players away.
The game has a fast pace and will last you around 90-120 minutes in total. One of our favorite parts is the intricate character and mech miniatures. Jakub Różalski’ also created more than 90 unique illustrations on the board and the various cards that are not only lifelike but emotive and captivating too.
- It is a time of unrest in 1920s Europa. The ashes from the first...
- Lead your faction to victory, building mechs, working the land,...
- Explore the alternate-history of 1920 plus Europe through Jakub...
#2. Inis
Players: 2–4 players
Playing time: 60-90 mins
This mystical game is based on ancient Celtic lore and players compete to become King of the Island. By building sanctuaries and citadels you can help clans to co-exist but that is not always the case. Religious clashes aren’t uncommon and don’t always have a peaceful resolution.
True leaders can rally clans to be loyal and help your cause, something the Great Council holds in high regard. But a balance of power can be equally beneficial and spreading your clans and dominating sanctuaries can also secure you the crown.
The board consists of modular puzzle pieces, ensuring each game configuration is unique. Each piece of artwork on the board and the playing cards elevates the fantasy element tenfold and the game pieces are beautifully sophisticated.
- A 2-4 player board game designed by Christian Martinez and...
- Based on ancient myths about Ireland's colonization and first...
- Innovative game mechanics unite card drafting and area control
#3. Tokaido
Players: 2-5 players
Playing time: 45 mins
Japan is one of the most picturesque countries in the world, so why not turn one of its most scenic ancient roads into a board game? Tokaido, or the eastern sea route, connected modern-day Tokyo and Kyoto and now you can be part of this antique world by traveling along this route.
Players move along a linear track on the board to discover a multitude of interesting things and places. Meet interesting people, savor the flavors of Japan, visit temples, and peer over panoramas and wild locations during your journey. The aim of the game is to be the most well-traveled player once you reach the end. This is the perfect game to include your wanderlust fantasy in your fervent gaming interest.
Let the adventure begin!
#4. Everdell
Players: 1-4 players
Playing time: 20 mins per player
Busy creatures live in the forest of Everdell, expanding their cities, hosting events, and preparing before winter falls. Play your way through the seasons and place your workers around the board to gather resources along the way.
Tableau building is always a fun aspect in games like this but there is still an element of strategy involved with card combination and worker placement. The Ever Tree at the top of the board is an eye-catching three-dimensional addition and the colorful wooden characters and berries, resin, and pebbles brighten up the board.
It is a simple game that can be learned quickly and works on point-based scoring. We love the critters and all their unique cards, there are more than 45 unique ones each with beautiful accompanying artwork.
- Everdell is a streamlined worker placement game that features a...
- Simple to learn gameplay with satisfying depth
- Dynamic tableau building and worker placement
#5. Mariposas
Players: 2-4 players
Playing time: 45–75 Min
The Monarch Butterfly migration between Mexico and eastern North America is one of the most beautiful mysteries of our planet. This happens every spring and few people ever get to witness it first-hand. Marisposas aims to bring you into this magical phenomenon and undertake this journey along with the butterflies.
In this beautiful board game designed by Elizabeth Hargrave (creator of Wingspan), over three seasons you will migrate across the board and back, aiming to collect as many points along the way as possible. The board features gorgeous floral illustrations and the playing pieces are unlike anything we have seen before.
Spread your wings and join the migration!
- For 2-5 Players. 45-75 minute playing time. Ages 14+
- A game of movement and set collection
- In Mariposas, experience the life of the monarch butterfly as you...
#6. Imaginarium
Players: 2-5 players
Playing time: 90 Min
Have you ever wanted to be a dream builder and fantasy maker? The game of Imaginarium lets you fix, build, dismantle, and merge machines to accumulate money and gather parts. If you are able to use your resources wisely you can make the wildest dreams become a reality.
The stunning steampunk aesthetic is unlike anything we have seen before and the playing pieces are elaborate busts of each character.
- Imaginarium is a strategy, combination and development game
- Repair, combine and dismantle machines to produce resources and...
- For 2 to 5 players
#7. Lotus
Players: 2-4 players
Playing time: 30 Min
Each time you play Lotus, you will be creating a stunning new floral artwork. Its short playing time combined with a high level of playability and sheer beauty will keep you coming back time and time again.
Each card has a delicate petal from one of the flowers represented in the game. Players take turns adding petals to flowers to make them grow or create new flowers. When a flower is completed players “pick” the flower and tabulate the scores.
Watching the flowers grow before your eyes is mesmerizing and using this game as a filler is the perfect way to kill some time at your next board game night.
- Grow flowers one petal at a timeusing a clever and original...
- Transform your table into a work ofart
- Call on the creatures of the garden tohelp you control the most...
#8. Root
Players: 2-4 players
Playing time: 60-90 Min
The future of the vast woodlands is at stake, and four factions are battling it out to determine who will rule the land. The Cats collect wood to create new buildings and mills to win their game. The Eyrie on the other hand takes advantage of their hawks to regain territory and shoot roots. The Alliance slowly builds up forces and plays a powerful end game. Lastly, the Vagabond plays a game of strategy with a secret agenda he keeps close to his chest.
Root is packed with adventure and its asymmetrical gameplay makes it even more interesting. There are plenty of game pieces, each with a unique design and purpose. The cards are also skilfully illustrated, showing you all the action and adventures the quirky characters get up to.
- Root is a game of adventure and war where 2 to 4 players battle...
- In Root, players drive the narrative and the differences between...
- Ages 10+, 90- 120 minute playing time
#9. Takenoko
Players: 2-4 players
Playing time: 45 Min
Pandas might be cute, but in this game, their voracious appetites may cost you the winning title. Players tend to their land and grow bamboo crops all while trying to keep the hungry panda happy. The player with the most bamboo by the end wins!
In Takenoko, each hexagonal game tile has an authentic Japanese illustration on the face and the miniatures used in the game are detailed and adorable. The stackable bamboo pieces are also a fun addition to the game, something we haven’t seen before.
- BAMBOO GARDENING GAME: Long, long ago, the Emperor of China, in a...
- UNIQUE FARMING GAME: Can you grow bamboo across your plantation...
- STRATEGY BOARD GAME: You must cultivate plots of land using...
#10. Evolution: Oceans
Players: 2-4 players
Playing time: 60-90 Min
The oceans are as complex as the universe is wide and this game aims at exploring these depths, beyond what we know exists. How well can you adapt to the unknown? Take a dive into Evolution: Oceans to find out. Explore the delicate balance of the ocean’s ecosystems and modify your gameplay as curious creatures from the deep seek to disrupt the game and push the boundaries of your imagination.
There are more than 100 cards with some of the most striking watercolor artwork we have seen in a game of its kind. The reef and wooden fish playing pieces are brilliantly colorful and the vibrant playing experience will have you hooked!
- Strategy Game for 2-4 Players, Ages 12 & Up: Create a vibrant web...
- Your Survival Depends on Your Ability to Adapt: Enter a vast,...
- Lurking Deep Below the Surface: Lies mysteries so bizarre they...
Wrap-Up
We hope you enjoyed our picks for the most beautiful board games! Have you tried any on this list? Did we miss any that you think should have been included? We’d love to hear how the aesthetics of a board game influence your decisions to play or buy. Drop a comment below!
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