The Best Board Games Of 2022

Every year we compile a list of top tabletop gamers so you can bring some cool projects home. The 2022 year saw a wide variety of amazing games. This shows the creativity and expanding scope that is being displayed in this industry. Below are ten enjoyable and collaborative experiences. These range in size from large sprawling adventure to small, joyful games for the whole family.

Each game this year turned out to be remarkably different from most of the others on the list, but each captures the fun and excitement of board gaming in a unique way. You can see the entire alphabetized list here. Also, be sure to check back for the 2022 Best Tabletop Role-Playing releases.

Ahoy
Publisher: Leder Games

Leder has developed a well-deserved reputation for asymmetrical competition and a unique artistic aesthetic that manages a rare feat in gaming – you know this studio’s games instantly, even before you play a session. The team’s newest success story is Ahoy, a swashbuckling pirate-themed adventure that is more manageable and easier to learn than some of the team’s prior efforts.

The sea slowly opens up for exploration and players control different factions. Modular tiles ensure that each play will differ. One player dominates the sea lanes, while another is in a sort-of active rebellion, while yet others might be smugglers taking advantage of the chaos – but everyone is trying to control regions and battle each other until there is only one true lord of the seas.

Skyrim: The Elder Scrolls V
Publisher: Modiphius Entertainment

It’s been more than a decade since Skyrim hit our gaming screens to high acclaim. The game’s proven longevity means that it is still enjoyed by many players every day. With a faithful adaptation, the tabletop adventure game that was so much anticipated honors this legacy.

In this cooperative campaign game, each player is a Blade working to protect the Empire as you range across Skyrim’s familiar landscapes and cities. Side missions, leveling, treasure gathering, tomb-delving, spellcasting – the list goes on and on with ways that the game nods to its original screen version. The board game version has great visual and creative flair. It is easy to change the rules and make it more enjoyable for yourself or your friends. Quick-playing combat, which is all about intelligence skill use and understanding enemy weaknesses, is great fun. For Elder Scrolls fans, or fantasy adventure fans more generally, it’s an easy pick for many evenings of snowy adventure.

Frosthaven
Publisher: Cephalofair Games

2017’s Gloomhaven took the board gaming world by storm. The acclaimed fantasy adventure rose to fame thanks to its innovative combat system using cards, remarkable senses of place, worldbuilding and progression system.

The highly anticipated sequel doesn’t disappoint. Although many of the features are unchanged, there are new possibilities that allow for more experimentation and emerging storytelling. This is largely due to developments between adventures. These include more substantial choices in developing Frosthaven and new crafting, alchemy, and seasonal events. That’s on top of 100 unique scenarios, new classes, and a wealth of new items and enemies to discover. Frosthaven’s predecessor is just as big, and it almost becomes a hobby. If you’re looking for that kind of investment for your gaming group, Frosthaven is a sure bet for a fantastic time.

Fun Facts
Publisher: Repos Productions

Repos is a light-hearted party game. It’s easy to teach and can be pulled out for players with any level of experience. A question is asked, like “How much do you enjoy making lists?” Everyone writes down a number (often 0-100) quantifying their answer. Dry-erase friendly Arrow chips are used to record the answers. They can then be flipped over and your answer hidden. Your answer will then be placed on a line. Each person scores for how many of the arrows were placed in the correct order.

It’s a simple premise that offers great “get to know you better” potential, but often in silly and innocuous ways that shouldn’t offend or upset anyone. It’s also a perfect fit for casual play, thanks to its cooperative nature and easy-to-grasp rules.

Heat: Get on the Metal
Days of Wonder Publisher

Take a seat in your 1960s Formula Racing car to see who is the fastest. The translation of racing games to the tabletop is often difficult. Heat however manages this task well with his innovative card hand management mechanism. Heat has players managing gear shifting, heat build up, stress and all aspects of play while you race to each corner at high speeds, with the possibility that your car will spin out.

In addition to some stellar throwback art that recalls the bygone era of racing, Heat’s thoughtfully balanced systems reward imaginative play, including slipstreaming off opponents’ vehicles. There is a simple racing system, as well as optional modules, that provide additional complexity and depth. These include weather conditions, solo modes, championship tours, and a single mode. Heat was a great player and a joy to watch on the table.

Jurassic World – The Legacy of Isla nublar
Funko Games Publisher

In the hobby, there is an established legacy game format. Players are provided with an ever-changing gaming experience that changes over time. Legacy of Isla Nublar, however, is open to new ideas and twists. It cleverly integrates elements from the Jurassic films franchise.

Players take on a dozen distinct scenarios, and each step of the way you’re changing the shape of the (potentially doomed) island, including introducing new dinosaur species. Every scenario has its own set of hazards, including weather and creature escapes. Luck plays a factor to a greater degree than in many thematic games, but if you’re okay with that sense of randomness, dinosaur enthusiasts will likely find a lot to love here.

My Father’s Work
Publisher: Renegade Game Studios

Mad scientist. You are part of an elite group of mad scientists who have built experiments from their mysterious homes and conducted dubious research, while nearby villages grow more suspicious.

Aided by an app that adds many hours of spoken storytelling, My Father’s Work challenges players to go through three full generations of the same family. Your goal is to pick up from your ancestor as best you can while also avoiding mad mobs, and possibly even insanity. The game’s mechanics are straightforward, with worker placement being the only option. However, there is an abundance of story telling and variation among scenarios that add to replayability and thrill. You can expect a prolonged playthrough due to all the app-driven fiction. Still, the unique theme and rewarding sense of growth over generations of a family make My Father’s Work a delightful excursion to the dark side for narrative-minded players.

My Lil’ Everdell
Starling Games is the publisher

Everdell’s whimsical charm has made it a favorite among experienced gaming groups ever since its debut in 2018. However, younger gamers and those less experienced at the table may find it a little intimidating.

My Lil’ Everdell solves for that in all the ways that matter. While it retains the same tableau-building and worker placing dynamics as its bigger cousin, My Lil’ Everdell keeps the overall rules and game length down so that the entire package can be enjoyed by more people. While the charming and adorable woodland animals that build their community are still the focus of attention, the beautiful animal artwork is just as gorgeous. It’s a worthy inclusion in this list, but it’s also this year’s best pick for families.

Namiji
Publisher: Funforge

Funforge created the highly entertaining Tokaido in 2012. It was about a tranquil road trip through Japan’s historical past. This game asked who would have the most enjoyable and relaxing trip, while walking down a trail. This sequel comes ten years later. Players control fishermen on the Japanese archipelago and aim to enjoy a relaxing day at the boat while pulling up shrimp and fish, all the while taking in beautiful views of the seascape.

Namiji, like the Tokaido classics, has players moving on a straight track and experiencing a wonderful Zen experience. Namiji makes minor adjustments to the method, focusing on the collection of points and the management of a personal grid which shows the progress of fishing that day. Players still have a lot of control over how fast they move across the board, thanks to their innovative movement style. Namiji is a very simple game, which makes it easy for beginners. However, the charm of the board as well as the cleverness of its core movement mechanic make Namiji a great choice for more advanced players.

Star Wars The Clone Wars
Z-MAN Games Publisher

Z-Man’s remarkable work has been in adapting the Pandemic core into many new variants over the past few years. Following a success visit to Warcraft last summer, Warcraft fans will be treated to this exciting new adventure set during The Clone Wars. It’s a great time.

Players take on roles of Jedi Knights such as Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi and must work together to stop the Separatists from destroying the Republic’s planets. In each session, you take on a familiar villain like Count Dooku or General Grievous, and like in most variations of Pandemic, it’s a balancing act between holding back the rising threat and completing set missions. The Clone Wars is portrayed with a beautiful art style that captures the real feel of the show. However, the gameplay and action are balanced, fun and easy to replay.

Here’s hoping this year’s list helps you find something exciting to bring home to your gaming table. If you’re looking for other recent recommendations, feel free to explore past years of this list, including selections from 2021 and the 2020 installment. You can also find more details about the Top of the Table hub, which contains information on the most popular tabletop gaming games. Have fun gaming