Imagine this scene: it’s a Friday or Saturday night, and you’ve invited some friends over for dinner. You’ve asked them to arrive at 7 PM and plan to eat around 7:30. You anticipate that it won’t be long before you decide to entertain your guests with the latest board game you’ve purchased.
However, bringing out a complex euro game, a space epic, or an intense RPG without giving your friends a heads-up might not be a good idea. I say this from experience, having tried to teach two different groups how to play Ark Nova. One group never even got started, while the other made it halfway through before having to leave.
When you’re hosting a game night, especially with friends who may not be seasoned gamers, it’s essential to choose the right type of board games. Here are some great options that are engaging and easy to learn, perfect for non-gamers.
Party Games
Taskmaster: Based on the hit TV, get your friends to make tiny sandwiches, create music videos and debate about the moon landings. Every group I’ve played it with has thoroughly enjoyed it. Now you have to be willing to have a little bit of chaos and distractions, but it is worth every minute of tear-filled laughter.
You can assign one person as the Taskmaster (who judges how well each participant completes their tasks) or let everyone take a turn. I’ve even played it with 10 people in teams of two, and it worked incredibly well.
Notable mentions:
- Funemployed: for silly job roles and rude jokes.
- Traitors: for forging real-life allies and only to discover it has all been a deception.
Wavelength: What lies halfway between good and bad? What is almost a guilty pleasure but not quite? Wavelength is all about understanding the people you’re with. Each round a person is faced with a scale of opposites. In each round, a player spins a beautifully crafted plastic wheel to determine a point on a scale of opposites. They then creates a clue to help their team guess where it might land for them. This gets everyone around the table working together. There is a little friendly competition with 2 teams pitted against each other.
Figuring out where someone might put something on their spectrum is all part of the fun. How much do they dislike pineapples? Do they “sort of” enjoy listening to Taylor Swift? There’s so much joy in discovering the persons answer, even if you get it wrong.
Notable mentions:
Just One: Help others guess the word by suggesting another, if you have duplicate words then that person has less to work with!
Fake Artist Goes To New York: Everyone except one person knows what you are drawing. Can you guess who the fake artist it is?
Card Games:
Sushi Go Party/Sushi Go: No matter which version you have, this game is a hit and serves as a great opener for game night. Irresistible art and satisfying combos are the focus here. Are you going to be a one-trick Nigiri? Dumpling king? The Miso Soup gambler? Using the pass-and-play mechanism allows everyone to see all options, ensuring that everyone is involved. Both games can seat 6 players (8 in party) so larger groups are welcome to.
Notable mentions:
- Flip 7: A game for risk-takers and cautious players alike.
- Point Salad: Lots of variety with different scoring conditions in each game. Who can make the best use of their cards to make a salad everyone will love?
Jaipur: It may seem odd to include a two-player game in a list aimed at gatherings. But if you’re a gamer and have a date or want to use house rules to create teams, Jaipur is an excellent option. Easy to teach with two simple actions, Jaipur has stood the test of time. Will you go for the camels or will you be swayed by the shiny diamonds? laying over three rounds helps people learn the game while creating an addictive cycle of play.
Notable mentions:
- Arboretum: More cutthroat than it seems for a game about trees.
- Scout: Your hand quickly fills up with cards you cannot rearrange. Will you snaffle up good cards nd keep hold of them for a fantastic set of artists?
Just Great Games:
Ticket To Ride/Ticket To Ride Europe: Get your trains from A to B. Ticket To Ride is a friendly opener for those more interested in the hobby. With a short rule teach and never overstaying its welcome, it is a testament to its enduring success. The goal cards help newcomers develop strategies for their gameplay. he ability to pick from displayed cards makes decision-making easier. It’s a tight, well-constructed game that many people instantly love.
Notable mentions:
- Heat Pedal to the Metal: A fun racing game where you have to go fast while managing your overheating engine.
- Welcome to… The Neighbourhood: A Relaxing roll and write about building houses. With simultaneous play this game never drags and it’s always interesting how different people play with the same numbers.
Azul: Azul is the ultimate feel-good game. Great plastic tiles, easy to teach and fun to play. Featuring beautiful plastic tiles, it’s easy to teach and fun to play. The gorgeous artwork and point-scoring mechanisms work wonderfully. With larger player counts, individual decisions have less impact on the game, making it a more relaxing experience for newcomers. The key to success lies in making the most of the tiles as they come out throughout the game. Everyone you know will just call it the “tile-laying game” but what a game it is!
Notable mentions:
- Sagrada: Satisfying dice placement game with tactile see through dice. The use of personal objectives is a great addition for those who like replayablity.
- Kingdomino: A delightful kingdom-building experience, Kingdomino is as easy as accessible to play and great for young gamers too.
Selecting any of these games can set a lively and enjoyable atmosphere for your game night. You can ensure that both seasoned players and newbies feel included and entertained.
