4 things to look out for in games

After reviewing quite a lot of games, I think some things have stuck out as things that turn a game from just average to amazing, the things that separate the crème de la crème from the rest of pile. So, if you want to know what to keep a look out for in games here is my list.

Simplicity:

Simplicity is king when it comes to game design, with more simple and elegant systems making games much less confusing to play and learn, so the fun doesn’t get bogged down by fifteen different trackers or rules that take ten years to read. This principal is well shown in the games like Dungeon Mayhem and Snake Oil, where the rules can be explained in a few words and can provide entertainment for even the most rule-phobic person.

Mechanics tied with theme:

When the mechanics of a game perfectly align with the theme, something magical happens. It no longer feels like you are just playing a boardgame, it feels like you are actually there in the game’s world. This makes you much more invested as you can visualise what is going on in the game. A great example of this is in Flamme Rouge, which makes you feel like you are actually managing a team of cyclists, and has mechanics that perfectly represent professional bicycle racing while still keeping it simple.

All of the game being engaging, not just your turn:

Only having fun on your turn, is no fun at all. Most of the time in board games it is not your go so having what other people do affect you is a great way to stop it from getting boring as you are engaged even when you aren’t directly doing anything. A good example of this would be King of Tokyo where other people are constantly affecting you, making the game tense and exciting. Ticket to Ride is also great in this sense as it gets tense as your planned routes get cut off during other people’s turns.

Presentation does matter:

Having a great looking game and well-made pieces can really add to the pleasure, and can help entice other people to play the game (because what’s the point in having a game if no one will play it with you). But art isn’t the only aspect of presentation, the games rulebook really matters too. Because if it explains the rules well then you can jump straight into playing and not have to worry about playing the game wrong due to a misunderstanding. A great game that is a marvel to look at is Tokiado, whose simple iconography and great rule book let you jump straight in and wonder at the unique Japanese inspired art.

So, there you have it, now a game can still be great even if it doesn’t hit all these criteria but if it combines all of these together you can be sure that you’ve got an instant classic.