Seriously, We’re Not Making This Up

Here at Well Played Board Game Café, we’ve seen Monopoly bring out the best and worst in people. But back in the 1940s, it quite literally helped save lives. That’s right—during World War II, the beloved game of capitalist conquest doubled as a covert operation tool, complete with secret maps, real money, and enough ingenuity to make Q from James Bond jealous.

The Secret Agents of… Parker Brothers?

It all started when the British secret service (MI9, to be exact) decided it needed a clever way to smuggle escape tools into German prisoner-of-war camps. Regular care packages would be inspected, so anything suspicious would be confiscated. The solution? Hide them in something so innocuous, so utterly boring to a German soldier… like a board game.

Enter: Monopoly.

The British government partnered with John Waddington Ltd., the UK-based printer licensed to produce Monopoly. But instead of just printing out properties and Chance cards, they got to work creating a souped-up, MI9-approved version of the game.

What Was Hidden Inside?

You’d never know by looking at it, but these special Monopoly boards were escape kits in disguise:

• Silk Maps: Thin, silent, and durable, silk maps were folded and hidden inside the game board itself. They were detailed escape guides showing safe routes out of Germany and occupied Europe.
• Compasses: Tiny brass compasses were concealed inside the game pieces or disguised as part of the tokens.
• Real Currency: Yep, mixed in with Monopoly money were real German, Italian, and French banknotes. Think of it as the ultimate ‘Community Chest’ payout.
• Files & Blades: Miniature tools were even baked into the game pieces, perfect for cutting through bars or locks—though not quite suitable for opening cans of whoop-ass on your cousin during family game night.

How Did They Get Away With It?

With a level of sneakiness that would make a rogue in Dungeons & Dragons weep with joy, the British sent these Monopoly sets to POWs under the guise of fake charities and humanitarian aid organizations. The Germans, eager to keep the prisoners entertained and docile, happily passed along the parcels.

The secret? A tiny red dot on the Free Parking space—a subtle signal to prisoners that the game was rigged (in a good way).

So… Did It Work?

According to various historical sources, these Monopoly sets helped hundreds—if not thousands—of prisoners plan and execute successful escapes. The tools provided real tactical advantages, especially the maps, which guided POWs through unfamiliar and dangerous terrain.

Of course, exact numbers are hard to pin down—after all, nobody was tweeting about their great escape in 1943—but MI9 officers later confirmed that the game played a vital role in several success stories.

Roll for Freedom

It’s not every day you find out your favorite board game once doubled as a spy kit. But the Monopoly mission is a shining example of British ingenuity, wartime creativity, and the surprising power of play.

So next time you’re sitting around a table at Well Played, rage-trading Baltic Avenue for the tenth time, remember: this isn’t just a board game. It’s a piece of history. And while we can’t promise a real-life escape map in your next game night set, we can offer great snacks, awesome company, and slightly fewer war crimes.

Unless you count what happens when someone buys up all the railroads.

The post How Monopoly Helped POWs Escape During WWII (Seriously, We’re Not Making This Up) appeared first on Well Played Board Game Café.

Ah yes, the class – the heart and soul of your character; the bread, and butter of your adventuring career; the cheese to your D&D macaroni. It tells us what your character can do on a battlefield and paints a picture of their role within the party, their past, and even their personality. So grab your swords, spellbooks, and your sense of impending doom as we embark on this fantastic journey.

Understanding Classes

So, what the hellfire is a class anyway? When beginning with D&D, a class is like your character’s job but with a higher likelihood of taking hit point damage and considerably fewer coffee breaks. It defines your character’s abilities, spells, weapons, and how many punches they can take before taking a long nap. The class you choose can shape your entire experience of the game, which is slightly less terrifying than it sounds.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Class

Let’s delve into some factors that can help guide you in choosing your DND class.

Firstly, consider your interests and play style. Do you get a thrill from being at the frontlines of battle, soaking up damage like a sponge in a mop bucket? A fighter might be your gig. On the other hand, you may prefer to keep your hands clean and throw around arcane energy like confetti at a wizard’s wedding. Magic users, like Wizards or Sorcerers, might be right up your alley.

Next, ponder how your class ties into your character’s backstory. For example, if your character was raised by a clan of wolves, a Druid or Ranger might be fitting (though you might also need to address their table manners). On the other hand, a Rogue could be perfect if they’ve been on the run since they picked the wrong noble’s pocket.

Lastly, keep an eye on your party composition. Sure, a group of five Bards might sound like the makings of a fantastic boy band, but you might run into trouble when you need muscle, and all you’ve got are vicious mockeries and sick lute solos.

Overview of D&D Classes

Let’s introduce the ensemble.

Fighter: The durable and reliable sword-and-board of D&D. They’re as tough as nails, can hit things really hard, and are about as complicated as a tic-tac-toe game. Yet, they’re as reliable and comforting as our signature grilled cheese, The Mac.

Wizard: These are the know-it-alls of the magical world. They’re like that friend who always has random trivia up their sleeves, except the trivia here can blow things up or summon a celestial being on a whim. Remember, when they take damage they’re about as sturdy as a wet paper bag.

Cleric: The holy medics wielding divine power to heal their comrades and smite their foes. They’re the ones who get the call in the middle of the night when someone has done something stupid.

Paladin: Holy warriors who smite first and ask questions later. They live by an oath that gives them powers but ties them to certain behaviors. They’re the D&D equivalent of a knight with a dash of a priest.

Rogue: Masters of stealth, pickpocketing, and backstabbing (literally and figuratively). They’re always ready with a witty comeback, which is why you always count your coins after a conversation.

Ranger: The perfect mix between a fighter and a druid. They’re like the outdoorsy folks who know all the edible plants and can track a raccoon through the forest while blindfolded. They have a close bond with nature and are often chosen by those who prefer long walks on the beach and survivalist reality TV.

Bard: Charming, flamboyant, and as versatile as a Swiss army knife. They use their musical talent to inspire their allies and confuse their enemies. If the party is a rock band, they’re the lead guitarist who manages the band, promotes the tour, and designs the merch.

Sorcerer: Magic users who draw their power from their bloodline rather than from studies. They’re like the reality TV stars of the magic world – didn’t necessarily work for it, but boy, can they put on a show!

Warlock: These folks made a deal with a cosmic entity for their powers. Like Sorcerers, Warlocks have a natural flair for magic, but theirs comes with strings attached to the underworld. And just like any contract, always read the fine print.

Druid: They can turn into animals, summon powerful beasts, and cast nature-based spells. Not to mention they can talk to wildlife and have an affinity for herbalism

Monk: They can punch things really well. They also have a mystical energy known as Ki and often follow a monastic tradition. They’re like that yoga instructor who is too enthusiastic about 5 AM hot yoga classes.

Barbarian: These folks are as tough as they come. They have rage issues but in a good, productive way that benefits society… well, at least the society of their dungeon party.

And remember, we have other classes from various supplements, like the Artificer, Mystic, and others. But we can’t be here all day, now can we?

Class Archetypes/Subclasses

But wait, there’s more! When you thought you had your head around classes, D&D throws you a curveball: subclasses. Subclasses are career specializations. They’re the difference between being a cook and a sushi chef who can make a dragon roll that breathes fire.

You usually choose your subclass a few levels into your adventuring career, so you have time to mull it over, argue with your fellow players, or consult the stars.

Multiclassing

Next stop on our whirlwind tour is the mad, chaotic, beautiful world of multiclassing, the D&D equivalent of having a side hustle. Multiclassing means dipping into another class or two to pick up some extra abilities, like a Fighter who enjoys singing a little ditty while they cleave through enemies. Multiclassing is a fun way to spice up your character, but it can also lead to headaches, like figuring out if your Rogue/Warlock/Bard can sneak attack with Eldritch Blast while performing a lute solo. So enter at your own risk.

However, it’s important to note that multiclassing is an optional rule, kind of like choosing to put pineapple on pizza. Not everyone is going to agree with it. So before you jump into the multidimensional pool of multiclassing, it’s advisable to get a thumbs-up from your Dungeon Master (DM).

Final Thoughts

Alright, folks, we’ve been through a lot today. We’ve traversed the vast, wild landscape of classes, subclasses, and the occasional mid-life crisis of multiclassing. But remember, there’s no “perfect” choice here. The only right choice is the one that will make your game enjoyable. And let’s face it, creating a character is just the first step in a journey filled with terrifying monsters, cunning villains, and worse life choices than a night out at the Yawning Portal.

Until next time, may your dice rolls be ever in your favor.

The post Creating the Perfect Dungeons and Dragons Character Part 2: Choosing Your Class appeared first on Well Played Board Game Café.

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge into the wondrous world of playing Dungeons & Dragons! Brave adventurer, prepare to embark on an epic quest of imagination, strategy, and character creation. 

Before you charge into battle with a cry of “For the king!”, we need to talk about your character. Specifically, we must first address selecting a race for your next game night. Why, you ask? 

Besides the fact that your chosen race determines if you can breathe fire or see in the dark, it also adds depth to your gameplay and character development. Trust us, this is one decision you want to avoid leaving up to a roll of the dice!

Understanding the Concept of Races in D&D

First, let’s get this straight: when we say ‘race’ in D&D, we’re not talking about who can run fastest to the nearest tavern. Races in D&D reflect the wide variety of species and cultures in the game’s rich fantasy setting. Your character could be anything from a human with a charming smile and a knack for persuasion to an elf with an unending lifespan and a penchant for nature or even a stout-hearted dwarf who can drink anyone under the table and still have enough strength to fight off a horde of goblins.

So yes, your choice of race impacts how your character interacts with the world, solves problems, and smashes enemies – or talks them into submission, if that’s more your style. Plus, the aforementioned ability to breathe fire or see in the dark can come in handy when you least expect it.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a D&D Race

Now that we’ve established that picking a race isn’t as simple as “eeny, meeny, miny, moe,” let’s talk about what you’ll want to consider while choosing one. Here’s a friendly heads-up: you’ll have to think harder than a rogue trying to disarm a trap in a dragon’s lair!

Aligning with character class: Consider this as choosing a career path for your character. Just like you wouldn’t send a bard to do a barbarian’s job, some races naturally complement certain classes. For instance, elves make exceptional wizards due to their high intelligence, while half-orcs, with their raw strength, are natural-born warriors. So, ask yourself: do you want to sneak around as a Halfling rogue, sing tales of victory as a Human bard, or craft powerful spells as a High Elf wizard?

Aligning race with your gameplay style: In D&D, there’s no one-size-fits-all gameplay. If you enjoy being the frontline tank, a Dragonborn’s breath weapon could clear a path through enemies quicker than a hot knife through butter. But if subtlety is more your thing, a Drow’s dark vision and magic abilities would make you the perfect sneak-attack artist. So, you’ve got to choose a race that suits how you like to play, not just because “Dwarf beards are the latest fashion trend in the Forgotten Realms.”

Considering the traits and abilities: If you think being able to see in the dark or having resistance against poison is fun, you should see the complete list of racial traits D&D races have to offer. From natural spellcasting abilities to proficiency in certain weapons, these traits can often be the difference between walking away from a fight or being carried away. So, do your homework! Or else, don’t say we didn’t warn you when that Gnome’s Small Stature trait helps him duck a fireball that’s headed straight for your unsuspecting face.

In-depth Look at Popular D&D Races

Now, let’s get down to the details of the various D&D races. Hold onto your spellbooks because we’re about to dive into an ocean of fantasy lore deeper than a Kraken’s swimming pool.

Humans: They’re like the bread and butter of D&D races – versatile, adaptable, and can be found anywhere, from the busiest cities to the most remote frontiers. With no specific strengths or weaknesses, they’re the perfect blank slate for any class. Who wouldn’t want to roleplay as a more exciting version of themselves?

Elves: Ever dreamed of being Legolas and firing arrows with elven accuracy? Well, here’s your chance! Elves are known for their long lives, keen senses, and affinity with nature and magic. Remember, as an elf, you’re elegant and graceful – so no chugging ale or starting bar fights. That’s more of a dwarf’s pastime.

Dwarves: Speaking of dwarves, these short and stout warriors are as formidable as they come. Known for their resilience, craftsmanship, and unmatched ability to hold their liquor, dwarves make excellent fighters and barbarians. Just don’t expect to win any high jump competitions.

Halflings: Think of Halflings as fun-sized adventurers. What they lack in size, they make up for with their incredible agility and luck. If you prefer stealth and evasion over brute force, a Halfling rogue could be your ticket to riches – and trouble!

Dragonborn: For those of you who’ve looked at a dragon and thought, “I want to be THAT!” – meet the Dragonborn. With their draconic ancestry, breath weapon, and natural-born leadership, Dragonborn makes for formidable allies and even more dangerous enemies.

Gnomes: Ever wanted to outwit a sphinx, trick a troll, or invent a contraption that defies the laws of physics? As a gnome, that’s just another day in the office. These small, intelligent creatures are known for their inventiveness, magic affinity, and curiosity, often leading to the craziest adventures.

Half-Orcs: If you’ve ever wanted to walk into a room and instantly be the most intimidating one there, go Half-Orc. They’re as solid and tough as they come, with a natural inclination for smashing first and asking questions later. Just be prepared for the occasional dirty look in a civilized society.

Tieflings: Tieflings are the perfect blend of charm, cunning, and a dash of infernal heritage. With their intelligence and charisma, they make excellent warlocks and sorcerers. Plus, those horns and tails make for some theatrical entrances.

Half-Elves: Half-Elves blend the best of their elf and human lineage, boasting elven grace and human inventiveness. Their love for nature, artistic tastes, curiosity, and ambition make them adaptable wanderers or gifted diplomats. They’re often the life of the party – half of each, that is!

Role of the D&D Race in the Narrative and Roleplaying Aspect

Your chosen race does more than determine your character’s physical traits and abilities; it also shapes your character’s backstory, interactions, and overall roleplaying experience. Whether you’re a Human with a burning desire to prove yourself, a Dwarf looking to restore your clan’s lost honor, or a Tiefling trying to escape your infernal heritage, your race gives your character depth and purpose.

And there you have it, my intrepid adventurer: a guide to picking your D&D race as complete as a wizard’s spellbook. Remember, while the perfect race can enhance your gameplay, choosing one you’ll have fun playing is the most important thing. After all, whether you’re a Gnome bard regaling the tavern with tales of your exploits, or a Dragonborn paladin leading the charge against a horde of undead, D&D is about creating stories and having fun.

So, ready to choose your race and join the adventure? Or, do you have questions about a particular race or need help aligning your character class and race? Whatever your needs, check out our next DND night. So, roll the dice with us, and let’s create epic tales of adventure together.

Until then, may your rolls be 20s, your adventures exciting, and your taverns never run out of ale. Happy gaming!

The post Creating the Perfect Dungeons and Dragons Character Part 1: Choosing Your Race appeared first on Well Played Board Game Café.

Roll and Move Games

This category comprises the majority of popular games like Monopoly, Clue, Sorry!, and Candyland. These games involve rolling dice, spinning a wheel, or drawing cards to determine the number of spaces a player can move in a predefined direction. The objective of these games usually involves either racing to a finish line or moving around the board to control resources. Though typically light on strategy, Roll and Move games are great for introducing non-gamers to the hobby, and for families, they’re perfect for both kids and adults to enjoy.  

Cooperative Games

Cooperative games like Pandemic eliminate the stress of competition by encouraging players to collaborate as a group to win the game. Great for team building and communication, we recommend cooperative games for new couples, friends, or even co-workers. Regardless of the outcome, you’ll get to know your fellow players in a whole new way. 

Worker Placement Games

Not for the entry-level gamer, Work Placement Games like Agricola and Stone Age require patience and strategic thinking. In these point-based games, players place one or more “workers” on a play surface to perform specific jobs. These jobs can vary wildly from selecting a card to boost future actions, to farming resources, to exchanging a token for victory points. As with most games, the player with the most points wins. 

Secret Identity Games

This isn’t anything like your friendly match of Guess Who? Secret identity games like Mafia, Love Letter, and modern favorite Secret Hitler are all about deceiving, lying, and ultimately betraying your friends. The object of the game? Discover who is the real ‘secret identity’ without being fooled by the machinations of your fellow competitors. 

Puzzle Games

While most games have some kind of puzzle embedded in them, puzzle games are more direct in their appreciation for all things pattern, number and combination oriented. At Well Played a couple of our favorites include SET and Spot It! 

Legacy Games

Legacy games are like a choose-your-own-adventure book but in board game format. Gloomhaven, for example, is an exciting campaign based game where the rules and components change based on the outcome of each player’s choices. What makes a Legacy game unique is the physical changes made to the game over time. For instance, players may mark cards, destroy components, or open sealed packages as part of the game mechanics. 

Area Control Games

The objective of Area control games is for players to craft strategies to outmaneuver opponents in an attempt at controlling as much of the game board as possible. The most well-known example of this genre is Risk, although we like to recommend Star Wars: Rebellion or Smallworld. 

Combat Games

Combat games, such as Marvel Contest of Champions, often overlap with categories within their mechanics. The primary focus of combat games is for contestants to battle against each other over victory and defeat. Players each start out with an allotted amount of health points and are directly under attack by opponents. Victory is earned by having the most health points left at the end of the game. 

Party Games

We could go as far as to say that Roll and Move and Secret Identity games qualify as a party game. However, the most important element that distinguishes a party game from other categories is simplicity and accessibility. Exploding Kittens is a good example of a low entry game that’s always fun and easy to understand. 

Deck-Building Games

In Deck-Building games like Clank!, players start with a set number of cards (or resources) that grow, change, and upgrade throughout the course of the game. Players focus on building and optimizing their deck to gain maximum value and utility out of each hand. Through the selection of cards over multiple rounds, players construct their deck on the fly to create the most efficient path to victory points by the end of the game. 

This list above might not be perfect, but we hope it helps remove some of the mystery surrounding game mechanics and gets you excited to roll the dice on playing some new games.

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The post The Definitive List of Board Game Categories appeared first on Well Played Board Game Café.

Dungeons & Dragons, once left for dead by mainstream culture, is back and bigger than ever. After a starring role in Stranger Things and the success of Critical Role, the iconic fantasy role-playing game has officially moved out of the basement and into living rooms all over the world.

That means there’s never been a better time to pick up a D20 and start rolling the dice! But with such a sprawling game and endless scenarios to play you may be wondering, “How do I get started?” Well, we’re here to help! Below we’ve put together a beginner’s guide to Dungeons & Dragons to get you going on your first adventure. 

A Brief History

Dungeons & Dragons was first published in 1974 by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, when they were seeking to create a game that focused on personalized battles with individual heroes. The 1st edition of the game was mailed in a faux wood colored cardboard box that contained three adventure booklets: Men & Magic, Monsters & Treasure, and Underworld & Wilderness Adventures. 40 years of adventure later, the 5th edition was released and kicked off the roleplaying renaissance that we’re seeing today. 

How it Works

The core of D&D is about storytelling. The group of players essentially tell a collective story, guiding heroes through dangerous quests to search for treasure, battle deadly foes, and even carry out daring rescues. 

The adventure itself is only limited by the imagination of the players around the table. All that you really need to get started is a group of friends, a few supplies, and a good Dungeon Master.

What’s a Dungeon Master?

The Dungeon Master (DM) is the primary storyteller and creator of the adventure the heroes embark upon and are responsible for developing the setting, the goals each player must accomplish, and the rewards the heroes can earn. It’s the job of the DM to create an adventure that is fun, exciting, and challenging, while the objective of the players is to work together to survive.

Are you looking for a Dungeon Master? Browse upcoming DND nights on our tickets page.

Gather The Supplies

Getting started with D&D is easy. To begin a game, we recommend the following:

• The Player’s Handbook (5th Edition)
• One set of dice: a D4, D6, D8, D10, D12 and D20
• Printed character sheets
• Pencils
• An adventure

Choose An Adventure

An adventure is basically a pre-made book that contains a story with fictional characters and monsters. For the very first adventure, we suggest selecting a “one-shot” (an adventure that can be completed in one session) instead of a multi-day campaign. One-shot campaigns generally come with lower commitment and take less work to get off the ground. 

A good place to begin is with a D&D Starter Set, a well-curated box that also contains pre-made characters, a rulebook, and dice. It’s a short adventure that provides an easy entry point into the game. If you want to jumpstart your foray into the world of D&D, we recommend finding a qualified Dungeon Master who can craft a customized adventure for your group. With an experienced DM, you’ll not only get the extra help to get started, but a richer, more immersive storytelling experience.

Create Your Hero

Before diving into the adventure, players must create their heroes. First, each player selects a race, or “species”, and a class, which is like the hero’s “job.” To get started, you’ll fill out a character sheet which is used to track the strengths and weaknesses of each hero. It’s important to fill in extra details too, like what the character looks like, what they wear, and the little quirks that make them unique. The hero should have a purpose that calls them to adventure – such as finding treasure, getting revenge, or seeking out a long-lost relative.

Picking a Race

The character race gives players different sets of advantages and special abilities. For instance, a fighter could be a stubborn dwarf monster-slayer, a graceful elf blade master, or a fierce human gladiator. The character race not only affects the abilities and powers but also provides the first cues for building the character’s story. Some of the character races include:

• Elf
• Halfling
• Human
• Dwarf
• Half-Orc
• Gnome

Read our guide for choosing the race of your Dungeons and Dragons character.

Selecting a Class

A hero’s class is the primary definition of what the character can do in the magical landscape of Dungeons & Dragons. A class is more than a profession; it is a character’s calling. A character’s capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses are largely defined by its class and will determine their available skills and abilities. Some of the character classes include:

• Fighter
• Wizard
• Cleric
• Rogue
• Ranger 

The thing to keep in mind when creating a character is that D&D becomes more intriguing and engaging when greater depth is given to each hero. Once the heroes have been established the DM can start to weave those details into the adventure. 

Read our guide for choosing the class of your Dungeons and Dragons character.

Learn the Game Mechanics

The thickness of The Player’s Handbook makes D&D seem complicated, but don’t let it be intimidating. In a nutshell, playing D&D is a three-step process:

1. Describe – The DM describes the scenario of the adventure
2. Decide – The heroes decide what they want to do
3. Roll – The hero rolls the dice to determine if they succeed or fail

From there, the cycle of steps continues, taking the heroes on a legendary adventure. The decision of each player is what makes the game unique and special, ensuring that no two campaigns are ever identical.  

Establish Your Group

It might come as a surprise to learn that the best D&D players are not necessarily gamers. Role-playing games are generally accommodating to all types of people, and most games take on the group’s collective personality. To have the most fun, we recommend groups embrace empathy and creativity, and are open to “going with the flow.” 

Select A Location

Finding a suitable location to play Dungeons and Dragons can be somewhat of a challenge, but if you thrive on an exciting social atmosphere, we have extra-large RPG booths at Well Played that are perfect for your adventure.

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The post A Beginner’s Guide To Dungeons and Dragons appeared first on Well Played Board Game Café.

Codenames

“Two rival spymasters know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their CODENAMES.

In Codenames, two teams compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first. Spymasters give one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the board. Their teammates try to guess words of the right color while avoiding those that belong to the opposing team. And everyone wants to avoid the assassin.” 

Czech Games

Why we like it: This spy-themed board game is both clever and fun, and has just the right amount of difficulty to keep the game engaging for the whole family. It gets an A+ for being the perfect fit for households with teens and adults. 

Just One

“Just One is a cooperative party game in which you play together to discover as many mystery words as possible. Find the best clue to help your teammate. Be unique, as all identical clues will be cancelled!

A complete game is played over 13 cards. The goal is to get a score as close to 13 as possible. In case of a right answer, the players score 1 point. In case of wrong answer, they lose the current card as well as the top card of the deck. Thus losing 2 points. In case of lack of answer, the players only lose the current card, and therefore only 1 point.

You have the choice – make the difference!”

– Repos Production

Why we like it: This game is simple to play, easy to teach, and can be learned in a matter of minutes. Being a word-association game, it’s a great choice for playing with groups and has the natural potential for familial inside jokes. 

Blokus

“Blokus (officially pronounced “Block us”) is an abstract strategy game with transparent, Tetris-shaped, colored pieces that players are trying to play onto the board. The only caveat to placing a piece is that it may not lie adjacent to your other pieces, but instead must be placed touching at least one corner of your pieces already on the board.”

– Mattel

Why we like it: In case Grandma isn’t a fan of wordplay, Blokus is a great option. This simple, yet competitive game relies heavily on strategy, spatial reasoning, and requires enough mental work to stay interesting. 

Kingdomino

“In Kingdomino, you are a lord seeking new lands in which to expand your kingdom. You must explore all the lands, including wheat fields, lakes, and mountains, in order to spot the best plots, while competing with other lords to acquire them first.

The game uses tiles with two sections, similar to Dominoes. Each turn, each player will select a new domino to connect to their existing kingdom, making sure at least one of its sides connects to a matching terrain type already in play. The order of who picks first depends on which tile was previously chosen, with better tiles forcing players to pick later in the next round. The game ends when each player has completed a 5×5 grid (or failed to do so), and points are counted based on number of connecting tiles and valuable crown symbols.”

– Blue Orange Games

Why we like it: This tile placement game is full of excitement, strategy, and an engaging bidding mechanic that is easy to pick up for both teens and adults. Let Kingdomino decide who in your family is wise enough to earn the throne.

7 Wonders

“You are the leader of one of the great cities of the Ancient World. Gather resources, develop commercial routes, and affirm your military supremacy. Build your city and erect an architectural wonder which will transcend future times.

In essence, 7 Wonders is a card development game. Some cards have immediate effects, and others provide bonuses or upgrades later in the game. Others provide discounts on future purchases. Some provide military strength to overpower your neighbors and others give nothing but victory points. Each card is played immediately after being drafted, so you’ll know which cards your neighbor is receiving and how his choices might affect what you’ve already built up. Cards are passed left-right-left over the three ages, so you need to keep an eye on the neighbors in both directions.”

– Repos Production

Why we like it: There’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you master 7 Wonders, it’s endlessly replayable and enough fun to keep the conversation away from politics and religion! 

Simply ask any one of our Gamemasters on staff during your next visit to our game library! What are your favorite family games to play around the holidays? Let us know on Facebook or Instagram!

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The post The 5 Best Board Games To Play With Your Family During The Holidays appeared first on Well Played Board Game Café.

Move aside Fortnite and Minecraft, board games are back and better than ever. To prove it, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of why board games are better than video games.

1) Avoid Tech Issues

Technology may have helped innovate board game design, but it also creates huge headaches for video gamers such as constant updates, crashes, lagging, or viruses. A board game will never freeze or need to be rebooted, and you’ll never need to plug it in!

2) Go Green

Speaking of plugging it in…no matter what device you play video games with, you need a source of power. Not only does energy consumption go up in your house, but it also soars in the cloud as huge data centers process all your wins, badges, and achievements. 

3) Learn Innovative Game Mechanics

Just because most board games don’t involve advanced technology doesn’t mean they are simple or boring. On the contrary, they demand greater innovation to hold players’ interest, coming packed with unique concepts, art, and gameplay dynamics. 

On the other hand, video games tend to focus on improving the quality of graphics and components while the gameplay hardly changes. Think about it…the main difference between the Playstation One and Playstation Four is the technology.

4) Polish Your Diplomacy Skills

Forget about signing up for a debate club or model UN. Anyone can learn the art of persuasion and conflict management through board games. They force players to face challenges head-on, providing opportunities to practice control and communication.

Perhaps all politicians should start playing more board games…

5) Stimulate the Mind and Body

Unlike video games, which are linked with negative mental health outcomes, playing board games can actually be good for your health by helping you develop critical thinking skills, building relationships, and increasing your functional memory. This cognitive development is especially beneficial for children, as well as aging adults who want to ward off dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

6) Develop Relationships IRL

Even though you can play them online with friends, video games are notorious for killing social interaction. You spend your whole night glued to a screen. Board games meanwhile get you face-to-face and help develop stronger friendships, make for a more entertaining date night, or can foster team building with co-workers. 

The definitive list above only leaves one question, are you ready to switch gaming teams? 

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The post Game Over. The Definitive List of Why Board Games Are Better Than Video Games. appeared first on Well Played Board Game Café.

Do you know what really scares the #@$% out of us? Missing out on the perfect excuse to play some creepy (but fun!) board games on Halloween. From mummies and vampires to werewolves and gargoyles, we present our list of “spooky” board games that are perfect to play this Halloween.

1) Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game

The first game in this series, DoW puts 2-5 players in a small, weakened colony of survivors in a world where most of humanity is either dead or diseased, flesh-craving monsters. Each player leads a faction of survivors with dozens of different characters in the game.

Dead of Winter is a meta-cooperative psychological survival game. This means players are working together toward one common victory condition — but for each individual player to achieve victory, he must also complete his personal secret objective. This secret objective could relate to a psychological tick that’s fairly harmless to most others in the colony, a dangerous obsession that could put the main objective at risk, a desire for sabotage of the main mission, or (worst of all) vengeance against the colony! Certain games could end with all players winning, some winning and some losing, or all players losing. Work toward the group’s goal, but don’t get walked all over by a loudmouth who’s looking out only for his own interests!

– Plaid Hat Games

2) Lucidity: Six-Sided Nightmares

You have the ability to enter the dream world: a world of vivid hallucinations and horrific monsters. Draw power from the Nightmares that live there, but do not let them corrupt you. For there are other Dreamers seeking power this night, and there is only room for one to escape from the realm of Nightmares.

Should you become corrupted and turn into a Nightmare yourself, you must hunt down the other Dreamers and consume their power. When the night is over, only one Dreamer or Nightmare will be left standing.

– Renegade Game Studios

3) Arkham Horror

The year is 1926, and it is the height of the Roaring Twenties. Flappers dance till dawn in smoke-filled speakeasies drinking alcohol supplied by rum runners and the mob. It’s a celebration to end all celebrations in the aftermath of the war to end all wars.

Yet a dark shadow grows in the city of Arkham. Alien entities known as Ancient Ones lurk in the emptiness beyond space and time, writhing at the gates between worlds. These gates have begun to open and must be closed before the Ancient Ones make our world their ruined domination.

Only a handful of investigators stand against the Arkham Horror. Will they Prevail?

– Fantasy Flight Games

Note: If you choose this for your game night, you might not want to plan on anything else — it’s an epic game that generally lasts a couple of hours … if the “Ancient Ones” don’t get you first.

4) Werewords

In Werewords, players guess a secret word by asking “yes” or “no” questions. Figure out the magic word before time is up, and you win! However, one of the players is secretly a werewolf who is not only working against you, but also knows the word. If you don’t guess the word in time, you can still win by identifying the werewolf!

To help you out, one player is the Seer, who knows the word but must not to be too obvious when helping you figure it out; if the word is guessed, the werewolf can pull out a win by identifying the Seer!

– Bezier Games

5) Gloom

The world of Gloom is a sad and benighted place. The sky is gray, the tea is cold, and a new tragedy lies around every corner. Debt, disease, heartache, and packs of rabid flesh-eating mice—just when it seems like things can’t get any worse, they do. But some say that one’s reward in the afterlife is based on the misery endured in life. If so, there may yet be hope—if not in this world, then in the peace that lies beyond.

In the Gloom card game, you assume control of the fate of an eccentric family of misfits and misanthropes. The goal of the game is sad, but simple: you want your characters to suffer the greatest tragedies possible before passing on to the well-deserved respite of death. You’ll play horrible mishaps like Pursued by Poodles or Mocked by Midgets on your own characters to lower their Self-Worth scores, while trying to cheer your opponents’ characters with marriages and other happy occasions that pile on positive points. The player with the lowest total Family Value wins.

– Atlas Games

6) King Of Tokyo: Halloween

King of Tokyo: Halloween includes two new monsters for use with the King of Tokyo base game: Pumpkin Jack and Boogie Woogie.  The expansion also includes six orange-and-black engraved dice (to fit the Halloween theme, of course) and twelve new Power cards to be shuffled into the deck.

– IELLO

Note: This game is meant to be played with the base version of King of Tokyo. In King of Tokyo, players take on the roles of mutant monsters, gigantic robots, and strange aliens—all of whom are destroying Tokyo city (and each other) to become the one and only “King of Tokyo”. This is one of our Gamemasters’ favorite recommendations, especially when it comes to board games for kids.

7) Onirim

You are a Dreamwalker, lost in a mysterious labyrinth, and you must discover the oneiric doors before your dreamtime runs out – or you will remain trapped forever!

You may wander through the chambers of dreams, hoping that chance will reveal the doors, or you can linger in each type of room. In both cases, you will have to deal with the slithering Nightmares, which haunt the hallways of the labyrinth.

Onirim is a solo/cooperative card game. You (and a partner, if you wish) must work (together) against the game to gather the eight Door cards before the deck runs out; you can obtain those Door cards either by playing cards of the same color three turns in a row, or by discarding (under specific circumstances) one of your powerful Key cards. In both cases you will have to decide the best use of each card in your hand and carefully play around the Nightmares. Those cards are hidden in the deck and will trigger painful dilemmas when drawn…

– Z-Man Games, Inc

8) Mysterium

In Mysterium, one player takes the role of ghost while everyone else represents a medium. To solve the crime, the ghost must first recall (with the aid of the mediums) all of the suspects present on the night of the murder. A number of suspect, location and murder weapon cards are placed on the table, and the ghost randomly assigns one of each of these in secret to a medium.

Each hour (i.e., game turn), the ghost hands one or more vision cards face up to each medium, refilling their hand to seven each time they share vision cards. These vision cards present dreamlike images to the mediums, with each medium first needing to deduce which suspect corresponds to the vision cards received. Once the ghost has handed cards to the final medium, they start a two-minute sandtimer.

After time runs out, the ghost reveals to each medium whether the guesses were correct or not. Mediums who guessed correctly move on to guess the location of the crime (and then the murder weapon), while those who didn’t keep their vision cards and receive new ones next hour corresponding to the same suspect. Once a medium has correctly guessed the suspect, location and weapon, they move their token to the epilogue board and receive one clairvoyancy point for each hour remaining on the clock.

If one or more mediums fail to identify their proper suspect, location and weapon before the end of the seventh hour, then the ghost has failed and dissipates, leaving the mystery unsolved. If, however, they have all succeeded, then the ghost has recovered enough of its memory to identify the culprit.

– Libellud

9) Betrayal At House On The Hill

Betrayal at House on the Hill quickly builds suspense and excitement as players explore a haunted mansion of their own design, encountering spirits and frightening omens that foretell their fate. With an estimated one hour playing time, Betrayal at House on the Hill is ideal for parties, family gatherings or casual fun with friends.

Betrayal at House on the Hill is a tile game that allows players to build their own haunted house room by room, tile by tile, creating a new thrilling game board every time. The game is designed for three to six people, each of whom plays one of six possible characters.

Secretly, one of the characters betrays the rest of the party, and the innocent members of the party must defeat the traitor in their midst before it’s too late! Betrayal at House on the Hill will appeal to any game player who enjoys a fun, suspenseful, and strategic game.

– Avalon Hill Games, Inc.

10) One Night Ultimate Werewolf

One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a fast game for 3-10 players in which everyone gets a role: One of the dastardly Werewolves, the tricky Troublemaker, the helpful Seer, or one of a dozen different characters, each with a special ability. In the course of a single morning, your village will decide who is a werewolf…because all it takes is lynching one werewolf to win!

Because One Night Ultimate Werewolf is so fast, fun, and engaging, you’ll want to play it again and again, and no two games are ever the same.

– Bezier Games

All of these spooky games and more can be found in our game library. Simply ask one of our Gamemasters to play and let the haunting…er, fun…begin!

The post 10 Spooky Board Games That’ll Haunt Your Halloween appeared first on Well Played Board Game Café.

In other words, board games literally create superhumans…

Games Increase Brain Function

That’s right, board games will make your kids smarter. 

When you play board games, you stimulate the areas of the brain responsible for memory formation and complex thought function (which is true for adults, too.) Games help develop cognitive skills, including decision making, problem-solving, and logical analysis.. And the benefits continue on throughout a person’s life. In older adults, playing games has been shown to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

One popular “brain training” game is Carcassonne. Players face off by placing tiles and building a board of the French countryside.  The game requires players to think logically, to plan ahead, and most importantly, how to turn their meeples into the most Victory Points possible! 

Games Improve Pattern Recognition Ability

Board games also improve pattern recognition — the critical function that embodies the evolved human brain.  It’s the fundamental skill that helps us speak complex languages, and learn new skills.

To put your identification skills to the test, we recommend Spot it!, a fun, fast-paced pattern recognition game in which players try to match images shown on multiple cards. Each card features eight different symbols and any two cards have exactly one symbol in common. Whoever spots the most matches wins!

They Show the Value of Teamwork

One of the most universal lessons your kids will learn from board games is the value of teamwork. Whether working on group projects at school or on presentations later in their working lives, your kids will need to know how to cooperate and communicate.

Pandemic is the perfect place to start. In this worldwide bestseller, all players must cooperate to win or everyone will lose. Four diseases spread across the world like wildfire and it’s up to a team of scientific specialists to cure the contagions before mankind is entirely wiped out.

Playing Lowers Blood Pressure

It turns out, laughing is good for your health. 

So while you’re plotting your next move you can actually decreases stress, which simultaneously lowers blood pressure. And let’s face it, using board games to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease is a winning move. 

You’ll be laughing in no time when you play Exploding Kittens, a “kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette.” Players take turns drawing cards until someone draws an exploding kitten, losing in a fiery furball of flaming feline hyperbole. The twist? The deck is made up of cards that allow you to avoid exploding – either by peeking at cards before you draw, forcing your opponent to draw multiple cards, or shuffling the deck. As the game proceeds, things quickly become intense with each card drawn, increasing players’ chances of experiencing a kitty explosion. 

Board Games Show Us  It Is Okay To Unplug

These days, kids (and adults, for that matter) cannot seem to get away from their cell phones. While a little screen time is all right, it is important for your kids to learn digital boundaries. Board games can help kids understand there is a life outside of the internet, and it is possible to have fun without watching our favorite YouTuber’s latest video. 

So whether you’re in it for the fun, the socialization, or the health benefits, the good news is board games are here to help with all three. 

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The post The Health Benefits of Board Games for Kids (and Adults) appeared first on Well Played Board Game Café.

Getting To Know Your Partner

For those of you just getting to know your future “BAE,” learning the ins and outs of your partner’s personality can be difficult. Luckily, board games can help tear down some of those barriers and answer some basic questions. Are they competitive, patient, cooperative?

The Dating Science Is In

In fact, there’s plenty of scientific research that identifies the benefits of couples playing board games together, including a recent study from the University of Denver. According to Howard Markman, a psychologist who co-directs the university’s Center for Marital and Family Studies, “the correlation between fun and marital happiness is significant.” Markman explains that “the more that fun and friendship are a part of your lives together, the happier you will be in your marriage.”

A Game For Every Couple

Whether you’re in the mood to break out the familiar, nostalgic games, or if you’re feeling adventurous enough to attempt something new, we’ve got all kinds of brainy activities waiting for you! When you visit us, look for the blue dotted games, or check out some recommendations from our Gamemasters below:

Onitama

Unlike dating, Onitama is super simple, yet requires a lot of strategic thinking. It has chess-like elements, but replaces complexity with elegance. This is a perfect game for couples to get to know each other thinks. Delivering a quick and compact gaming experience, triumph comes down to reading your partner and anticipating their next move.

Pandemic

Tragedy strikes! Four deadly diseases sweep across the entire world. You and your partner are humanity’s last hope (no…not like that). As scientists, you must work together to traverse the globe to eradicate each pestilence, preventing further outbreaks. Pandemic feels like a race-against-the-clock puzzle in which accurate planning and immaculate teamwork are critical.

Raptor

Raptor is a game that takes roleplaying to a prehistoric level. Your partner takes on the role of a scientist, trying to capture you (a.k.a. the raptors). Meanwhile, you are tasked with trying to eat the scientist and save your raptor babies. This game is great for competitive couples, as you must track of your moves and that of your partners in order to gain the upper hand.

A Different Dating Experience

Every meaningful relationship is built on something. Why not have some laughs with friendly competition to ignite a little spark between the two of you? 

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The post How Board Games Are Bringing Couples Closer Together appeared first on Well Played Board Game Café.