The best board games that we played in 2022

The world of board gaming felt remarkably normal in 2018, with people from all walks of the globe reuniting at the table. Many exciting new board gaming titles finally made it through customs to reach eager fans. In addition, Gen Con was back at full speed with near-normal attendance to marquee events Essen Spiel and Gen Con. All of this added up to an impressive crop of board games.

Polygon asked more then a dozen designers, presenters and actors from the tabletop gaming world to share their top picks for this year’s games. Here’s what we found.

Heat: Get on the Metal

Tom Brewster, video goblin at Shut Up & Sit Down

Tabletop table games rarely capture the imagination. FeelingAs well Heat: Get on the Metal — and it’s a feeling that’s vanishingly rare within the genre of racing games. This feeling is surprisingly common. It isActually racing! Random chance and pentative number-crunching dominate the genre, making it a great place to find amazing ideas. HeatThis is a big change. You’re screaming ahead of your opponents and taking a daredevil corner at “way too many” miles per hour, pushing your engine to the limit, delicately slipstreaming between your fellow racers. This is a wonderful box for a family of gamers, or the head honcho of a regular game night — an expanse of a board that you gaggle around and get a tiny bit rowdy over, but a core system that whips round at such a pace you’re either deciding or doing at any given time. Its core is the razor-sharp game of hand management. This game is as fun and frizzy as its sibling game. Flamme Rouge — but with a new bite and vigor introduced through the titular Heat system. It’s a little pricey (certainly not a stocking filler), but a series of expansions already in the box will keep it on the shelf for a good long while.

Clank! Catacombs

SungWon “ProZD” ChoYouTube celebrity and voice-over artist

The Clank! This series was always one of my favorite deck building titles. I’ve played through countless expansions of the original Clank!And Clank! In! Space!I loved the original version and thoroughly enjoyed it. Truth be told, though, I wasn’t sure if Clank! CatacombsI believe it would make the game more interesting and worth playing. They were not my fears. Clank! CatacombsIt completely revitalizes a game that I loved, and it is my favourite way to play. Simply changing the “board” to be a stack of tiles that randomly appear makes every play session a brand-new experience, and it really gives you the feel of pushing your luck deeper and deeper into a roguelike dungeon. The new mechanics are all fun, welcome additions, and I’m extremely excited for any new expansions they release for this one. Both old and new Clank fans are highly recommended!

Orders are now being taken Clank! Catacombs These games are not available online at the moment, but they should soon be in retail stores.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Anya Combs, tabletop account manager, Backerkit

I spent 2022 trying to add to my “robust” board game collection. I use “robust” loosely here as I live in Brooklyn with limited space, so I’m forced to be creative with storage. My partner and I found a new hobby in buying games at local thrift shops, and while we’ve found some gems, the game that resonated the most this year wasn’t found at a thrift shop, but purchased brand-new. It’s a slap-happy party activity Taco Cat Goat Cheese PizzaThe laughter brought some pain, but also laughter.There was an instant question as to where everyone could purchase their copy at any table they brought it to. We spent part of 2022 traveling to visit family, and from my 6-year-old niece to our parents in their 70s, each night a family member would ask, “Can we play that narwhal game?”

Blood Rage

Jordan CulverUSA Today, Morning Breaking News Editor

This was my favorite tabletop video game of the year. Blood Rage. It was the game my wife and me found at our local gaming store in 2021. We finally played it this year with friends. For me, it’s a great combination of why I love tabletop games: It has great minis, gameplay that’s challenging without being convoluted, eye-catching art, and a story that you can make your own with each session. You can put on great music and give your clan an original backstory, then battle it out at end of the earth. Can’t ask for much else.

Blood Rage

These prices were correct at the time of publication.

• 2-4 players, age 14+

• Playtime: 60-90 minutes

• Game type: Strategy

• Category: Competitive, area influence, card game, miniatures game

• Similar games: Inis

Battle Line

Kamiab GhorbanpourA freelance writer.

It is both an exciting and challenging task to relocate from Europe to Japan as an Iranian. There are many shops, restaurants and community centers that are run or owned by Iranians. It was easy to spot Iranians with different backgrounds and ages in small towns and isolated islands.

But, Japan is still very much a mystery about my culture and identity, even though there are a few Iranians who have made it big in Japan as athletes and writers. So, I am mostly perceived as a white person from Europe — I was even mistaken for French multiple times due to the French’s great interest in Japan.

A few years ago I was invited to Tokyo’s board gaming cafe. While trying to get used to my new Iranian experience, I suddenly realized that the game we were about to play was a photo of a Persian soldier. It had Iranian iconography on it. It was called Battle LineThe reskinned version Schotten TottenThis game was created during the Greco/Persian wars. This game was an amazing experience for me and my Japanese friends. The experience ignited a sense of curiosity in them to learn more about me and my country’s history and culture (especially amid the current political climate).

Although I find the rethreading and reskinning of games often pointless, it was at that point I realized how powerful and transformative they can be. And how much better the experience would have been if I had actually played. Schotten Totten instead.

Battle Line

These prices were correct at the time of publication.

• 2 players, age 12+

• Playtime: 30 minutes

• Similar games: Schotten Totten

Magic: The Gathering The Brothers’ War

Stan GolovchukCo-host of, freelance writer, contributor to Polygon, Dive down

The official return to sanctioned and competitive paper play was this year Magic: The Gathering and I could not believe how much I yearned for the thrill of shuffling up cards and ruining opponents’ dreams. Despite this, Magic The pandemic was averted by online playing. I enjoyed the simple joy of moving around cards at a physical table. Showing off my fancy cards, as well as meeting new friends on the internet made 2022 one the best years of my competitive career. Magic career.

Star Wars Outer Rim: Unfinished Business

Caleb Grace, senior game designer at Fantasy Flight Games

If you are passionate about a particular game, you may want an expansion. More. You don’t need new rules to complicate the experience; you just want more of it. That’s why my favorite game of 2022 is the Star Wars Outer Rim: Unfinished BusinessExpand to Star Wars: Outer Rim. This version has more of what I love about Star Wars: More playable characters and iconic spaceships. There are also more ways for friends to explore Star Wars’ galaxy.

Outer RimYou play the part of an outlaw in this board game. Your goal is to become rich and famous by getting bounties, shipping cargo, or completing other jobs. Spend the credits to upgrade and purchase new gear, which will allow you to take on even greater scores. You can also get with The Unfinished Business, there’s lots more of those to choose from!

This expansion also adds new features. Players can travel from one end to another using two core-worlds tiles. Aim sheets allow each player to set goals and determine win conditions. These additions make the game more engaging, and have always been my favourite part.

Titan

Luke GygaxGary Con co-founder, Gary Con game designer, Gary Con founder.

Anybody who’s played Titan You will find it can take between eight and twelve hours to learn. The game was designed by David A. Trampier, the famous artist that created many iconic Dungeons & Dragons images, and Jason McAllister. Gorgonstar Games released it for the first time in 1980. It is stunning with lots of great artwork.

Every player in the game is a Titan, aspiring to rule the entire world. There are two ogres in your beginning, along with two centaurs and two gargoyles. One angel is sort of the deputy commander. Split your minions into stacks, and then roll a dice to move around the board looking for more monsters. Each terrain type has its own creatures that you can recruit. To attract them to your army, however, they must be related to you. An elaborate wire diagram shows how terrain and creatures interact. It also explains where you go. Two centaurs, for example in the desert, recruit a stronger lion. Two lions will recruit a ranger. This ranger can be fast and skilled in flying, as well as ranged attack. To attract more difficult creatures, the outer track has simpler creatures. The upper track needs the middle- and top-tier creatures of your army. The battles make this game very enjoyable. You must move your army from the space where two players are positioned on the map to create a battle map. It should be a map reflecting the terrain. For example, the tundra in which non-native creatures receive a point for every round that they’re in a snowhex. As the title of the game suggests you then slug it out using d6’s and a combat table to see who is left standing. As there is only one Titan, this game does not allow for retreating.

Titan

These prices were correct at the time of publication.

• 2-6 players, age 12+

• Playtime: 30-240+ minutes

Psychic Pizza Delivery Goes to Ghost Town

Charlie HallSenior editor, Polygon Tabletop

Gen Con 2017 was chaotic, but not because Gen Con’s marquee tabletop convention saw almost full attendance. Developers and publishers alike trotted out some of the most bizarre board games I’ve ever seen — like Cat in the BoxIt is an amalgamation of euchre, particle physics, and chess. But the game that I found most chaotic was “The Chaos Game”. Psychic Pizza Delivery Goes to Ghost TownHidden Environment Game for Three to Five Players. It is a game where players explore a hidden environment that they cannot see. You can only bring the pizza to your owner by simply stumbling across it and walking toward a home with the right vibe. It’s as fun to play as it is to say, and absolutely the best way I’ve found to warm up a group before a big game night.

Nemesis

Chaz Marler, video content director, This is how it looks

A combination of a board and card game was my favorite form of gaming this year. An RPG. You can have both. Does that seem like cheating? That is what I would hope.

My most frequent game has been with my semi-cooperative group of friends who enjoy sci-fi thrillers. Nemesis. That could be said by many people. Nemesis is strongly inspired by the Alien movie franchise, while remaining legally distinct enough that those same people can’t actually prove it. Regardless, it’s a game that takes place on a derelict spaceship infested with hostile alien critters that aren’t particularly fond of humans. This year I played one game. Nemesis’ rules as a starting point to write a short storyline for my group to play through that included custom characters to meet, puzzles to solve, and props to ponder. It was an exciting game session that featured paranoia, intrigue and collaboration. With the publication of Lockdown: Nemesis, I’m looking forward to incorporating its new content and challenges into a new mini-adventure for my friends to explore.

Night Cage

Michelle Nguyen Bradley, Kiếm on NY by Night

The horror board game was first introduced to me this summer Night Cage, which, for a simple tile-based map game, was one of the most fun, tense, and innovative board games I’ve played. The game’s immersive nature is the first thing to note. There’s a free soundtrack companion (available online) that sets the stage for the creepy vibes of this game. It’s designed to put you under stress, which I like.

To escape the clock before your map tiles, which are stacked in a candle-shaped holder, run out of time you must work together with others. Either you win all, or all of your players die. This is a great mood! Let’s get to the game: You are trapped in a dark labyrinth and have no other means of exploring. Night CageThe tiles reveal the keys that can be used to escape or light-destroying monsters. It’s a simple setup, but you must cooperate with your teammates to explore the Cage and escape. It’s so much harder than it sounds, trust me.

Do we all really die when I play? Yes. It was still entertaining and well worth replaying. Absolutely. This game is a great challenge and scare for anyone looking to get a little bit of adrenaline!

Warhammer Underworlds: Gnarlwood

Emil Nyström, Squidmar Miniatures

Over the years, my favorite board game at tabletop has been Warhammer Underworlds. It is a high-pace, tactical game made of miniatures. Or As an introduction point to larger games such as Warhammer Age of SigmarWe also have to mention the miniatures. Playing with miniatures and cool figures is a great way to get into a fantasy world. Or just paint minis. Warhammer Underworlds are THE BEST-looking and most well-designed miniatures on the market — including all games. This alone is reason to check it out.

Flames of War

Duncan RhodesDuncan Rhodes Painting Academy co-founder.

One tabletop game that I’ve really enjoyed this year is Flames of WarBattlefront Miniatures. World War II wargaming is something which I had never really tried, but during one of the many lockdowns some friends and I decided we would paint armies for something new as an excuse to get together as soon as we could — Flames of WarWe chose it!

Then we went to North Africa and began painting armies. I was surprised at how many things I discovered. It is an incredible value for money, they are very easy to put together and paint the models quickly. The fact that I wasn’t just building one tank, but an entire team of tanks and support units with infantry platoons (and artillery batteries) was something I enjoyed.

Last winter, it was an amazing experience to gather with some friends and take the battle field for the first time. It was also great to put all of our freshly painted scenery and models onto the tabletop. The game is fantastic and we’ve met up many more times since, always with new units to try out, and it’s been a ton of fun every time.

Moku Tower

Jonathan Ritter-RoderickChief Games Officer at Kickstarter

High production quality and interactive gameplay are two things that I adore. Moku TowerIt was 2022. While feverishly grabbing wooden “rocks” to build your tower, you can’t help but appreciate the attention to detail. The game comes equipped with an authentic glass hourglass, unique wooden pieces and the same gameplay flair that Japan is known for. You can play if you have the chance. Moku TowerTake some time to appreciate the quality of each component. This will make you even more inspired and perhaps inspire you to create your own!

Moku Tower

These prices were correct at the time of publication.

• 2-6 players, age 7+

• Playtime: 20-30 minutes

Wavelength

Tasha Robinson, film/streaming editor at Polygon

Wavelength This was my biggest find of the year. It’s the rare party game that plays equally well for four people or 14, and one that moves briskly — you can play a full game in around 30 minutes. It’s good both for getting in a board-gaming day with friends started, and for family gatherings spanning a wide age range.

You play the game in groups, with each player rotating between other players. Each player draws two cards from a deck. Prompts include cards such as “Happy Song vs. Sad Song” and “Science Fiction vs. Fantasy.” Then, the player in the hot seat tries to come up with an example that fits a randomly determined — but extremely precise — point on that spectrum, which their team has to guess using a dial. More points are awarded for each team that is closer to the indicated point.

These games can be quite challenging and hilarious. My first game had players just about falling out of their chairs trying to guess exactly where I thought “Using a toothpick in public” fell on the “Encouraged vs. Forbidden” scale, or whether Tamsyn Muir’s books are more science fiction or more fantasy. Wavelength is billed as a game of mind-reading, but it’s more about the brain tease of trying to come up with the perfect example of, say, a song your team will identify as exactly 20% sad versus 80% happy. It’s a great, lively discussion-starter that moves quickly and feels challenging, but simple and low-stakes at the same time.

Aeon’s End: Legacy / Barrage

Dani Standring, satirist on TikTok

It was amazing how many new games I tried this year. A few new games and old favorites, plus some 2022 goodness. But only two of the best will be my top picks this year.

Aeon’s End: Legacy is a cooperative deck builder that is fantastic for folks who are new to the Aeon’s End universe. The campaign opens with a simple tutorial, which introduces you to the gameplay. It then reveals you how you can become a breach mage and defend Gravehold against an onslaught from The Nameless!

Barratage stole my heart and I don’t think I am getting it back. This is a Euro-style (placeholder to all standard Euro descriptors, such as resource management worker placement where you’re building water infrastructure. It’s hard to find a more glamorous job. Water is a collective resource we’re all fighting for that will flow down the map at the end of every round. Quick shoutout to the wheel of resources that gates all of your actions and makes you think nine turns ahead — chef’s kiss! It is up to you to build dams and tunnels to harness all of that sweet, sweet hydroelectricity to score the most points at game’s end. It sounds dry, which it really is. However, it’s one of my favorite games!

Aeon’s End: Legacy

These prices were correct at the time of publication.

• 1-4 players, age 14+

• Playtime: 60 minutes

Barratage

These prices were correct at the time of publication.

• 1-4 players, age 12+

• Playtime: 60-120 minutes

Unbowed: Stalingrad

Charlie TheelA freelance writer.

Unbowed: Stalingrad This was my first time trying the Undaunted series, and I am still amazed. This group of World War II-themed board games is accessible and easy to use. DominionTo activate the soldiers on the board, you can use deck-building techniques in a European style. It’s ostensibly a skirmish experience with a small number of Axis and Ally units trading ground and bullets.

Stalingrad is the latest in the series and it’s an explosion of content. You and your opponent will engage in a campaign of 15 sessions that focuses on the historic battle for Stalingrad at the Eastern Front. The map, your deck pool and units change as you make decisions. You may even experience permanent casualties, making it possible to retreat rather than face mounting losses.

The campaign’s narrative is not unique, but the mix of intriguing scenarios and surprising surprises throughout makes it a memorable experience. It is easy to grasp, yet has a lot of tactical power. The Undaunted framework provides an excellent foundation. The game as a complete package is amazing and ranks amongst the most popular of 2022.

Stalingrad: Unafraid

These prices were correct at the time of publication.

• 2 players, age 14+

• Playtime: 45-60 minutes

• Similar games: Normandy: Unfeated

My Father’s Work

Mark TrumanMagpie Games’ CEO, designer of tabletop games

This is my favorite year-end board game experience. My Father’s WorkT.C. has a new narrative worker placement game called. Brendan Conway, my Magpie friend, graciously placed Petty III in front of us a few months back. Packed to the brim with premium components — actual glass vials! Unique animal meeples! — and featuring an app-driven narrative that actually produces what feels like an infinite number of storylines, My Father’s WorkIt’s a thrilling experience. You and your friends play Dr. Frankenstein, the child of an ambitious and insane scientist. Dr. Pretorius?) the estate of Pretorius to continue his monumental works for the next generation.

This game can be both hilarious and macabre. It’s also cooperative and competitive. Sometimes it feels like you must destroy yourself (and your siblings/cousins/fellow townsfolk) and your very sanity to reach a pinnacle of scientific achievement; other times it feels as if you must work together as a group to light a candle of scientific inquiry in the face of anti-intellectual stupidity. It is a world where narrative board games often translate to nothing more than reading a set of cards or interpreting events. My Father’s Work You will have a memorable experience where every decision is more important than you realize.