Blog summary:
The things you should consider before buying your first few board games are:
- Starting off with simple games
- Trying tactical games, then slowly scale up in skill
- Building your collection with beginner games
- Not buying everything
What board games are good for you?
Getting into board games can be a bit overwhelming. There are thousands of games out there, from quick party games to enormous strategy epics that look like they require a university degree to understand! So, where should you start? The good news is that you don't need to build a giant collection straight away. A few well-chosen games can give you a taste of different styles and help you figure out what you actually enjoy.
Start simple!
When you're buying your first board games, look for something easy to learn, doesn't take hours to play, and has enough going on to make you want another game. One of the best places to start is Ticket to Ride. Players collect coloured train cards and use them to claim routes across the map, while completing destination tickets for extra points. The rules are straightforward, but there's still plenty of room for planning and the occasional bit of friendly route-blocking! It's become one of the classic gateway games for a reason. It's approachable enough for newcomers while still giving experienced players something to think about.
Try something tactical!
If you fancy something a little more strategic, Azul is an excellent first choice. Players draft colourful tiles and use them to build patterns on their personal boards. The basic rules are incredibly easy to pick up, but the decisions become more interesting as you learn how to score efficiently and deny your opponents the tiles they need. It's a great example of a game that's simple to learn but doesn't become boring after a couple of plays. Recent beginner recommendations continue to highlight Azul as a strong gateway into modern board gaming.
Build your collection!
Cascadia is another brilliant option, particularly if you prefer calmer games. You'll create your own wildlife habitat by arranging terrain tiles and animal tokens, with different scoring goals encouraging you to think carefully about where everything goes.
If you're after something that feels a little more traditional, Carcassonne is a fantastic pick. Players build a shared landscape using tiles, adding roads, cities, and fields as the map grows. It's easy to understand and usually takes less than an hour, making it a great choice for regular game nights.
Don't buy everything!
The biggest mistake new board gamers can make is buying a massive pile of games before knowing what they like. Start with two or three games that offer different experiences. Try a route-building game like Ticket to Ride, a tactical puzzle like Azul, and something more relaxed like Cascadia. Once you know what makes your gaming group tick, you can start exploring heavier strategy games, cooperative adventures, party games, and everything else the hobby has to offer. Your first game doesn't need to be the most complicated one on the shelf. It just needs to make everyone say, "Right, who's up for another game?"
