7 ms·

Digital board games are superior in almost every way except face to face player interaction. For games with a high level of complexity, the analog version is al

Digital board games are superior in almost every way except face to face player interaction. For games with a high level of complexity, the analog version is always terrible. Forgetting to move a bit when the game state changes is always a sore point. Unfortunately, these games are generally more challenging to port to digital as well. For more casual games, I prefer to play in person with a beer in hand. (PS My day job is running a game store. If anyone needs a recommendation on a board game, let me know.)

dragonsngoblins 8y ago
This isn't entirely true: physical games allow house ruling, even to the point that the game could be considered a new game. I also disagree that the analog version is terrible in high complexity games compared with the digital version, because for the groups I play in the overhead of the complexity causes analysis paralysis... the automation of a digital version doesn't really help that much in my experience
usmannk 8y ago
I'd love a recommendation on a starter game (or a few!) if you find yourself with a minute! I play with a group who, including myself, are novices when it comes boardgames. Between 3-6 players most of the time. We found ourselves getting really into Puerto Rico and recently tried Terraforming Mars but didn't _love_ it. I think TR would be better on a second playthrough when we actually know the rules though :). I played Battlestar Galactica once as well and found it great! Looking at boardgamegeeks is a bit intense with the selection there so I'm hoping you might have a narrower range to suggest.
- jrochkind1 8y ago
  Settlers of Catan is of course super popular/famous for a reason -- it's fairly easy to learn, the games are short, and it's well-balanced and fun (until you get sick of it). Ticket to Ride is one of the simplest to learn fun "fancy" board games I know. My current favorite is Power Grid, which I don't think is much more complicated than Puerto Rico, if any. If you can do Puerto Rico, you can do a game that isn't the _simplest_ out there. The more of em you play, the easier other ones are to learn.
- SubiculumCode 8y ago
  Agricola Dominion Pandemic are classics for a good reason.
- nouveaux 8y ago
  Terraforming Mars is my favorite game. I think its worth giving it another try. I would remove the Corporate Era cards for now. These are the cards with the white triangle near the bottom left. Here are some games I would suggest for a group that likes Puerto Rico: -Lords of Waterdeep -Castles of Burgundy -7 Wonders (scales well to 6 players) -Pandemic Legacy (co-op) -Clank -Azul -Splendor These all have different mechanics and feel, so it is a good starter set. Let me know if you have more questions. Hope you enjoy these!
  - Sean1708 8y ago
    I played Splendor for the first time a couple of weeks ago when I visited my parents and immediately bought my own set, it's just such a simple premise that lends itself really well to interesting tactics.
  - usmannk 8y ago
    Thank you! We actually did remove them, and all started with the “starter” corporation. I think there’d be more variety next time when we don’t. Also we know not to end the game so quickly now!
- 2muchcoffeeman 8y ago
  If you like Puerto Rico you are probably past the gateway stage. Similarly strategic games I can recommend - Concordia, 5 players. 6 with Venus expansion. - Lords of Waterdeep. 5 players. 6 with expansion iirc - Istanbul. 5 - Power Grid. 6. - Dominant Species. 6. - Eclipse. 6. - Dead of Winter. 5. - Tiny Epic Galaxies. 5. Filler game. - Agricola. Current edition is 4. 6 with expansion. - 7 wonders. Up to 8 iirc. - Scythe. 5. 6 with expansion. - Viticulture. 5. - Pandemic. 5. Just stick to the top 100 until you know what you like. Anything in the top 100 is good even it’s not particularly to your taste. You’ll get a good taste of what makes a good game. But once you have a good idea, you’ll find games you enjoy in the top 1000 or so. Edit for formatting.
  - usmannk 8y ago
    Will definitely look into these, thanks!
alexgmcm 8y ago
What would you recommend for 2 players? (often I can only play with my SO)
- nouveaux 8y ago
  Without knowing what kind of games you like, I can safely suggest Splendor and Azul. Both plays well with 2 and scales up to 4 equally well. If you like more strategy, Lords of Waterdeep. There are some excellent 2 player games as well. I would start with Patchwork. If you like something more heavy, 7 Wonders duel is an excellent game.
  - alexgmcm 8y ago
    Azul and Patchwork seem really good. Thanks for the suggestions! :)

dragonsngoblins 8y ago

This isn't entirely true: physical games allow house ruling, even to the point that the game could be considered a new game. I also disagree that the analog version is terrible in high complexity games compared with the digital version, because for the groups I play in the overhead of the complexity causes analysis paralysis... the automation of a digital version doesn't really help that much in my experience

usmannk 8y ago

I'd love a recommendation on a starter game (or a few!) if you find yourself with a minute! I play with a group who, including myself, are novices when it comes boardgames. Between 3-6 players most of the time. We found ourselves getting really into Puerto Rico and recently tried Terraforming Mars but didn't _love_ it. I think TR would be better on a second playthrough when we actually know the rules though :). I played Battlestar Galactica once as well and found it great! Looking at boardgamegeeks is a bit intense with the selection there so I'm hoping you might have a narrower range to suggest.

jrochkind1 8y ago
Settlers of Catan is of course super popular/famous for a reason -- it's fairly easy to learn, the games are short, and it's well-balanced and fun (until you get sick of it). Ticket to Ride is one of the simplest to learn fun "fancy" board games I know. My current favorite is Power Grid, which I don't think is much more complicated than Puerto Rico, if any. If you can do Puerto Rico, you can do a game that isn't the _simplest_ out there. The more of em you play, the easier other ones are to learn.
SubiculumCode 8y ago
Agricola Dominion Pandemic are classics for a good reason.
nouveaux 8y ago
Terraforming Mars is my favorite game. I think its worth giving it another try. I would remove the Corporate Era cards for now. These are the cards with the white triangle near the bottom left. Here are some games I would suggest for a group that likes Puerto Rico: -Lords of Waterdeep -Castles of Burgundy -7 Wonders (scales well to 6 players) -Pandemic Legacy (co-op) -Clank -Azul -Splendor These all have different mechanics and feel, so it is a good starter set. Let me know if you have more questions. Hope you enjoy these!
- Sean1708 8y ago
  I played Splendor for the first time a couple of weeks ago when I visited my parents and immediately bought my own set, it's just such a simple premise that lends itself really well to interesting tactics.
- usmannk 8y ago
  Thank you! We actually did remove them, and all started with the “starter” corporation. I think there’d be more variety next time when we don’t. Also we know not to end the game so quickly now!
2muchcoffeeman 8y ago
If you like Puerto Rico you are probably past the gateway stage. Similarly strategic games I can recommend - Concordia, 5 players. 6 with Venus expansion. - Lords of Waterdeep. 5 players. 6 with expansion iirc - Istanbul. 5 - Power Grid. 6. - Dominant Species. 6. - Eclipse. 6. - Dead of Winter. 5. - Tiny Epic Galaxies. 5. Filler game. - Agricola. Current edition is 4. 6 with expansion. - 7 wonders. Up to 8 iirc. - Scythe. 5. 6 with expansion. - Viticulture. 5. - Pandemic. 5. Just stick to the top 100 until you know what you like. Anything in the top 100 is good even it’s not particularly to your taste. You’ll get a good taste of what makes a good game. But once you have a good idea, you’ll find games you enjoy in the top 1000 or so. Edit for formatting.
- usmannk 8y ago
  Will definitely look into these, thanks!

alexgmcm 8y ago

What would you recommend for 2 players? (often I can only play with my SO)

nouveaux 8y ago
Without knowing what kind of games you like, I can safely suggest Splendor and Azul. Both plays well with 2 and scales up to 4 equally well. If you like more strategy, Lords of Waterdeep. There are some excellent 2 player games as well. I would start with Patchwork. If you like something more heavy, 7 Wonders duel is an excellent game.
- alexgmcm 8y ago
  Azul and Patchwork seem really good. Thanks for the suggestions! :)