It is always a good time to gather our friends and family, leave debates aside, and enjoy with the table games. We know that you love video games, but be careful, these types of games are a great leisure alternative.
The best thing about board games is their great variety. There is a little bit of everything: classics and options ideal for playing at Christmas, Halloween-themed games, or even adaptations of video games and movies (like Dying Light: The Board Game).
Without going any further, the DEVIR publishing group has confirmed the launches of up to 60 new board games for 2024, including licensed board games, like the adaptations of Assassin's Creed and Blade Runner.
Many board games are based on popular culture franchises and sagas. In the coming months, in fact, they will arrive licensed products from Diablo, The Witcher or Metal Gear Solid.
If you are tired of the most original proposals and want to enjoy a licensed board game, you will be happy to know that there are tons of examples of this type.
Let's review the 14 best board games based on famous licensesfrom mythical video games to masterpieces of the seventh art, or adaptations of the best fictional literary universes.
Best board games based on well-known franchises and sagas:
Doom: The Board Game
A fast-paced board game based on the Doom reboot that we enjoyed in 2016. It is the oldest example on this list, so It will be difficult to find (it is discontinued on Amazon). Players control UAC Marines against hordes of demons.
The objective is to keep the infernal troops at bay, using action cards, different weapons and other strategies. DOOM: the board game incorporates a wide variety of figures, with the most iconic demons from the id Software saga.
Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game
Studio MDHR's charming platformer takes the leap to the board with this snappy cooperative dice game. Players will have to make rolls to defeat Cuphead's fearsome bosses, before being pulverized.
The run & gun gameplay of the video game translates into quick dice rolls, using different cards to dodge the bosses' attacks. In addition, it rescues Cuphead's retro aesthetic, with unpublished designs, 8 boss decks and personalized dice with Cuphead and Mugman.
Alien: Fate of the Nostromo
A gem of board games, which recreates the oppressive atmosphere of Alien, the eighth passenger (1979), the iconic film directed by Ridley Scott. Each player will take control of a crew member of the Nostromo (Ripley, Dallas, Parker and Lambert).
Throughout the game, each player will have to complete a series of objectives (general and specific), with the help of pieces and cards. Of course, try not to be discovered by the Xenomorph, because then it will be the end of you.
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys through Middle Earth
One of the best board games based on The Lord of the Rings. In this case, it is a cooperative adventure that recreates the events of the book/film trilogywith Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimly and company carrying the One Ring to Mount Doom.
In addition to the main objective, players can complete a series of secondary objectives, through the scenarios we go through on this journey. We have a wide variety of figures, cards, enemies and all the magic of Tolkien's universe.
God of War: The Card Game
CMON is already working on a new God of War board game, which will expand the proposal we already saw with this card game. It's not as ambitious as the next game, but God of War: The Card Game is a great option if you're a Kratos fan.
Players They will face a cooperative mission, embodying the characters from the reboots (led by Kratos and Atreus). The objective is to avoid Ragnarok, overcoming the challenges that each scenario proposes, while we strengthen our deck with new powers.
The Witcher: The Old World
The Witcher: The Old World is a dream come true for any fan of the work written by Andrzej Sapkowski. It is set many years before the adventures of Geralt of Riviarevealing what the universe of the saga was like with hordes of monsters at their free will.
Each player controls a monster hunter, from up to five different schools, and they will have to complete assignments, missions and make key decisions. The player who obtains between 4 and 6 trophies first wins.
Assassin’s Creed Orlog
If you have played Assassin's Creed Valhalla and want to know more about the Orlog, this board game is your best option. It is based entirely on the minigame that we could play in the Ubisoft adventure, but with new elements that make it deeper and more fun.
Orlog is a dice game popularized among Norse and Anglo-Saxons. Each player will make a maximum of 3 spins per round, with the aim of attacking the opponent and obtaining divine favors. The player who accumulates the most divine blessings at the end of the rounds wins.
Trivial Pursuit: Harry Potter edition
Players: From 2. Duration of games: Unspecified. Purchase link
We couldn't leave out Harry Potter on this list. Do you think you are the biggest fan of the magical saga created by JK Rowling? If so, prove it with Trivial Pursuit: Harry Potter Edition, a complete question and answer game based on this classic.
You will face 1800 questions from the book and movie franchise (in its XL edition), some more general and others only suitable for great wizards and witches. As in the original Trivial, the player who accumulates the most cheese wins.
Star Wars: Legion
If you love Star Wars, this may be the best board game available so far. Star Wars Legion is the one that best represents the intergalactic battlefield, Set during the Civil War between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance in the classic trilogy.
Each player will take sides (Empire or Rebellion), and will have to mobilize their troops towards victory. Hero figures are included (with Darth Vader and Luke as standard bearers), infantry, vehicles and all kinds of details from the saga created by George Lucas.
Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne
We can think of few TV series more suitable for a strategy game than Game of Thrones. The adaptation of the novels written by George RR Martin reaches near perfection with The Iron Throne, a fantastic board game that recreates the magic of the television series.
Each player takes control of one of the houses of Westeros, with the goal of reaching the throne. In each turn, a clash occurs between key characters from each house. The victor will expand his troops to new areas of Westeros, until reaching his final conflict.
Sonic the Hedgehog: Crash Course
Do you miss the first Sonic games? Don't worry, because Sonic the Hedgehog: Crash Course is the closest thing, but in board format. This board game created by Sean McDonald proposes us to reach the finish line first, before our rivals.
Set in Green Hill Zoneand with four characters (Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Dr. Robotnik)this Sonic board game is a long-distance race, which will reward the player who gets the most Flicky birds and reaches the stage goal first.
The Godfather: The Last Family Standing
Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece joins the party of board games. If you like the 1972 film and its universe, this strategic card game will surely captivate you instantly, and may be the best option for a night of drinks with your friends.
Each player takes control of a Mafia family, with the goal of forging alliances with other families, and preventing their destruction. But you must be clear that, in this world, it is impossible to maintain a balance. The player who manages to survive at the end of the game wins..
Bloodborne: The Board Game
Every day we dream of a Bloodborne sequel or remaster. If you've already played the FromSoftware game on your PS4, perhaps your best option is to give Edge Entertainment and CMON's board game a try, which recreates the essence of the gothic souslike.
Up to four Hunters will have to free the city of Yharnam from the fearsome Plague of Beasts, defeating the legions of monsters in 4 different campaigns. And be careful, we will also find some final bosses almost as difficult as those in the video game.
Monopoly: Fallout Collector’s Edition
Monopoly is one of the star games at any meeting. There are many thematic editions, but, without a doubt, Fallout is one of the best, for its brilliant recreation of the post-apocalyptic universe proposed by Bethesda. The bad thing is that she is already old.
Players will travel through iconic locations from the franchise, from Vaults to settlements, dangerous caves, abandoned gas stations, military installations and more. Prove that you are the most ''SPECIAL'' Vault Boy and win the game.
If we focus on the launches for this year, in this report we review the 15 most striking board games that will hit stores in the coming months.
Be careful, because in these two months of 2024 a few have already been launched (here we review the best). We also have an eye on the most promising Kickstarter projects.
We love playing board games, and much more if they are based on our favorite games and movies. So now you know: any of these examples will become your new obsession, in case you are a fan of these licenses.