Games have been around nearly from the start of human civilization and have always found a place in society. Card games, puzzles, strategy games, or even games of trivia have been around for decades. But in the 1970’s, we saw the true explosion of the fantasy genre with the creation of Dungeons and Dragons.
Within the past decade we saw the love of fantasy expand into the science fiction realm. The world of board games has exploded in popularity. With thousands of games being designed every year, they are more accessible now than ever before. Even hobbyist board games have become part of mainstream society.
Much like TV and movies, board games and card games offer players an escape from day-to-day life. Games make us use our brains, often in more engaging and creative ways then any other form of media. With this boom in the game releases, there are now games out there for everyone!
If you have just started your journey into the gaming world, but are ready for the next step – here are our top 5 games – in no particular order - for hard core gamers (that anyone will love).
1. Kids on Bikes RPG
The door to the old house creaks open, the rust on the hinges groaning as you see the dust floating like spores in the air inside. By the faint light of your cheap flashlights, you see the stairs to the upper floor, its railings gnarled and broken like crooked teeth. Their curve makes the stairs seem almost like a hungry grin, and you wonder if their age will support your weight. Still, you must go in.
The only question is, who will go first?
In Kids on Bikes, you will take on the roles of everyday people grappling with strange, terrifying, and very, very powerful forces that they cannot defeat, control, or even fully understand. The only way to face them is to work together, use your strengths, and know when you just have to run as fast as you can.
2. Terraforming Mars
The Taming of the Red Planet Has Begun!
Corporations are competing to transform Mars into a habitable planet by spending vast resources and using innovative technology to raise the temperature, create a breathable atmosphere, and make oceans of water. As terraforming progresses, more and more people will immigrate from Earth to live on the Red Planet.
In Terraforming Mars, you control a corporation with a certain profile. Play project cards, build up production, place your cities and green areas on the map, and race for milestones and awards! Will your corporation lead the way into humanity's new era?
3. Lord of the Rings - Journeys in Middle Earth
Embark on your own adventures in J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic world with The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth, a fully cooperative, app-supported board game for one to five players! You will battle villainous foes, make courageous choices, and strike a blow against the evil that threatens the land—all as part of a thrilling campaign that leads you across the storied hills and dales of Middle-earth.
Each individual game of Journeys in Middle-earth is a single adventure in a larger campaign. You’ll explore the vast and dynamic landscapes of Middle-earth, using your skills to survive the challenges that you encounter on these perilous quests. Whether you’re venturing into the wild on your own or with close companions by your side, you can write your own legend in the history of Middle-earth.
Not All Who Wander Are Lost
4. Scythe
The ashes from the first Great War still darken the snow in 1920s Europa. The capitalistic city-state known simply as "The Factory," which fueled the war with heavily armored mechs, has closed its doors, drawing the attention of several nearby countries.
With characters from five factions converging onto a small but highly desired swath of land, who will gain fame and fortune by establishing their empire as the leader of Eastern Europa?
Scythe is a competitive 4X game set in an alternate-history 1920s. It is a time of farming and war, broken hearts and rusted gears, innovation, and valor.
5. Architects of the West Kingdom
Architects of the West Kingdom is set at the end of the Carolingian Empire, circa 850 AD. As royal architects, players compete to impress their King and maintain their noble status by constructing various landmarks throughout his newly appointed domain. Players will need to collect raw materials, hire apprentices, and keep a watchful eye on their workforce. These are treacherous times. Rival architects will stop at nothing to slow your progress. Will you remain virtuous, or be found in the company of thieves and black marketeers?