Image: MomJunction Design Team
If you are a fan of abstract board games, you must have played a few of the famous ones. Chess and checkers are prominent examples that most children are familiar with. Featuring geometric patterns and simple rules, the best abstract board games draw you into layers of strategic depth. These games are also great for improving children’s cognitive skills.
In the latest abstract strategy board games, the template is almost the same, while you can enjoy some unique features. So, if you have been searching for best-selling abstract board games that are tactical, engaging, and entertaining, here is our comprehensive list.
Top Picks
11 Best Abstract Board Games
1. Best Strategic:Plan B Games Azul Board Game
The spatial awareness game allows the players to work as artisans to create beautiful tiled mosaics through tile placement. You have to draft tiles from the central market and place them into varying rows on the game board. You can collect sets of similar colored tiles and create various patterns to earn additional points. However, you will have to face the penalty for every tile you take but don’t use. The easy-to-learn and logic-based abstract mind game can last for up to 45 minutes. This video offers a more detailed explanation of the tried-and-tested product.
Trivia
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Over 11,475 Amazon shoppers have left good reviews about this product, citing its quality features and benefits.
2. Best For Medieval Adventure:Z-Man Games Carcassonne Board Game
Suitable for medieval adventure lovers, this intriguing and thought-provoking board game lets you develop a landscape of a medieval fortress city. It can last for up to 45 minutes and requires two to five players. If you are playing this tile-placement board game with an opponent, you can either connect with their roads to share points or block their city’s growth to outsmart them. Unlike non-thematic board games, this abstract strategy classic offers tiles depicting fields, monasteries, roads, and cities, giving you an enjoyable game experience. The game mechanics are simple, and it offers 84 tiles that you can configure to make multiple combinations. You may check out this video by a reviewer for a better understanding of this time-tested product.
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3. Best Biology-Based:Blue Orange Photosynthesis Board Game
One of the best environmental board games, this tried-and-trusted board game is based on the photosynthesis process. It is suitable for biology and science enthusiasts as it is based on the trees’ lifecycle. Two to four players can enjoy this nature-inspired game at a time. It has an action point allowance system to help you take the trees through the lifecycle. From seedling to rebirth, you will be in charge of everything. You can earn light points when your trees receive sunlight from the revolving sun’s rays. This review video will help you learn more about the entertaining puzzle board game.
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The product has garnered more than 3,284 positive reviews on Amazon.
4. Best For Two Players:Lookout Games Mandala Board Game
The Mandala board game captures the attention of players with its beautiful abstract mandalas. Ideal for children aged ten years and above, this intriguing brain-teaser board game can be played by two players. The parent-recommended colorful game begins with the players creating mandalas on the board. Once a mandala has all six colors, the players alternately take cards from the mountain line, starting with the player who has the most cards on their side and collecting them in their cup and river. Ultimately, the player with the most valuable cards wins the game. Bring this skill-building and pattern recognition game home to improve your children’s strategic thinking skills.
Did you know?5. Best Fast-Moving Game:Winning Moves Games Deluxe Pente Strategy & Capture
A fast-moving strategic thinking game, you can play the Pente game with up to four players. Similar to tic-tac-toe, you have to win the match by scoring the specified number of points. You can win this resource management board game by placing five stones in a row or capturing five pairs of your opponent’s stones. If you have made five-in-a-row or caught five, the game will end. The entertaining kit contains four colorful glass stone sets, four cloth drawstring storage bags, and an illustrated guide. In this minimalistic board game, you can align the stones horizontally, diagonally, or vertically.
6. Best Town-Building:Alderac Entertainment Group Tiny Towns: Original
The Tiny Town abstract game lasts 45 to 60 minutes and lets you build a prosperous town. This intellectual board game enables you to be the Mayor of the town, where small creatures, made of wood, have created an entire civilization concealed from predators. As the land is small and the resources are limited, you can take whatever you get. In this game, you will have to plan and build a town without wasting resources. Suitable for one to six players, this multiplayer abstract game contains one rulebook, 90 wooden resource cubes, six player boards, six wooden monuments, 25 building cards, one wooden master builder hammer, 15 monument cards, 126 wooden buildings, 15 resource cards, and one score pad.
7. Best Ancient World:Repos Production 7 Wonders Board Game
You can become a leader of one of the seven cities of the Ancient World with this board game. You will have to collect resources, develop commercial routes, and establish your supremacy in the military. Also, you have to construct the city by erecting architectural wonders. However, you must track your neighbors’ progress. The time-tested thematic game has three rounds where you need to select cards with powerful effects. At the end of every round, you will compare your strengths with the neighboring cities to decide the winner.
8. Best Immersive:Next Move Games Azul Stained Glass Of Sintra
Players can glaze attractive stained glass windows that require no previous training or knowledge. You have to choose glass panes to complete the windows while not damaging anything or wasting supplies. The set contains double-sided window panels, allowing you to play with a dynamic board with multiple possibilities. Although strategic, the game is easy to understand and is suitable as a gateway. You can play it with two to four players, and the game lasts for up to 30 to 45 minutes.
9. Best Peaceful:3Emme Games Chakra
This abstract chakra game is suitable for two to four players aged eight years and above and offers an ideal playtime of 30 minutes. The game is easy to play, making it frustration-free, while the soft and soothing illustrations add a peaceful aspect to the game. To score a point, players must harmonize their chakras. And to do so, they need to collect energy crystals and fill their chakras–once they have three energy crystals of the same color, their chakra will be harmonized. Players can also earn extra points by using plenitude, meditation, and inspirational tokens.
10. Best Classic:Brybelly Hnefatafl Viking Chess Set
The two-player strategy game is suitable for enthusiasts of classic board games. This set includes 37 attractive faceted wood pieces and a huge king piece to rescue from the frost giants. This board game is illustrated with the famous World Serpent to keep you hooked for long. It measures 10.5 inches, and this single-piece board doesn’t fold, offering a smooth surface to play on and rendering it an appeal of an ancient game. This game is replayable and easy to set up.
11. Best Abstract:Gigamic Squadro – Modern Classics Of Abstract Strategy
An amalgamation of modern and classic, this tried-and-trusted abstract strategy game is suitable for those above eight years old. It has a simple objective and a playtime of 20 minutes. You need to move four pieces out of five across the game board and come back to the side from where they started. If an opponent blocks your piece and sends it backward, they will get a bonus point. To ensure stability and durability, this abstract mind game is made of high-quality wooden material.
Did you know?How To Choose The Right Abstract Board Games?
Here are a few things you should consider when buying abstract board games.
- Ease of play: Choose easy-to-understand games that don’t require much effort from your end. If you don’t want to invest a lot of time understanding the game, you can buy an effortless one with a detailed instruction guide. Options with simple rules are suitable for family game night.
- Age: Consider the age range of the players when choosing a board game to ensure the complexity of the game is compatible with the child’s intellect. Most board games state the recommended age of the players to help you choose an age-appropriate one for your children.
- Number of players: Consider the number of players when buying a board game. While some personal board games allow solo playing or two players, others are suitable for big groups of five or six players.
- Playtime: Ensure to check the playtime of the game. While some quick games last for 30 minutes, others can continue for hours. Choose a board game depending on how much time you wish to spend. Also, games with a longer playtime are more suitable for advanced players.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is chess an abstract strategy game?
Chess is one of the oldest and most popular abstract games. It has no theme or background narrative, and it’s not based on chance, as all the moves have a set pattern.
2. Would a 12-year-old like to play abstract board games?
Most abstract board games are suitable for eight-year-olds and above. Any 12-year-old who likes strategizing would love to play these games.
3. How long does it take to play abstract board games?
Most abstract board games offer 30 to 45 minutes of playtime. However, the duration of the game is subject to its strategic complexity level. Going through the product details provided by the manufacturer can give a precise assessment.
4. At a time, how many players can play these abstract board games?
Most abstract board games are meant for two to four or three to seven players. However, since the number of players may differ as per the strategies involved, reading the game instructions provided by the manufacturer can give an exact estimation.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose specializes in writing about children’s toys and gifts. She researches and reviews multiple products to bring you high-quality items. She has created a list of the best abstract board games that will allow children to develop thinking and problem-solving skills. Priti has considered multiple user reviews to ensure these board games are durable, entertaining, and age-appropriate.
After curating the list, we have shortlisted some of the best abstract board games above. These tactical board games are ideal for spending quality time with your family or engaging in a strategic game in your spare time. They are fun, educational, and can bring the whole family together. Check the length of the playtime and the number of players the game can accommodate. You should also ensure the game is easy to understand for all the players. Also, when buying one for your kids and family, keep the buying guide listed above in mind, as it will assist you in buying a tried-and-trusted game.
Infographic: Tips For Choosing The Best Abstract Board Game
Abstract board games are popular among players of all ages due to their captivating gameplay, interesting design, and strategic skills. So, whether you’re looking for a new abstract board game for your gaming collection or want to introduce this strategic game to someone, the infographic below includes some essential tips to help you navigate and choose the best game available.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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