The gaming industry is one of the fastest-rising sectors, with an expected number of 3 billion gamers in 2023, just a little below half of the world’s population. And online platforms allow more people to engage in the fun without having access to a game console or any special tools. One of these platforms is a website called Board Game Arena. Since there are so many games and more constantly being added, we are going to go over some of the best board game arena games.
Board Game Arena is a community-based online platform that allows users to play hundreds of games on their browsers, and the best part is that these games are for free. Creating an account is pretty straightforward, and once you have logged in, you can either choose to play in Real-Time or engage in Turn-Based games where different users take turns to play the game for as long as they want to.
As of now, there are about 354 games available on the platform, and the games work for people of different interests. In this article, we’ll explore the best Board Game Arena games and explain why you should give them a try. So, let’s dive in.
Why Is Board Game Arena Popular?
The beauty of online games lies in their fantastic accessibility. The games on BG Arena are free, and you need nothing but your browser to start a game or join an existing one. Moreover, these games are easy to understand and will help you release stress in a fun way.
There is a premium membership that you can purchase that will let you skip the waiting and play more games, but you will be able to play some of the best games for free without having to purchase a membership.
Board Game Arena offers fun-oriented board games that usually fall within the genre of modern adult European-style games. Compared to other games that might be full of aggressive language or action, these games are suitable for almost everyone in the family.
Moreover, these games are self-explanatory, and in most cases, moving the mouse over an item will explain exactly what needs to be done, so you can spend more time enjoying yourself while playing the game. Here are some reasons why this platform is becoming more and more popular.
- You don’t need to download anything. All the games are available for play once you join the platform.
- Board Game Arena is compatible with almost all the browsers that you might be using on your device.
- More than 6,658,000 opponents are engaging in about 4,180,000 per month, so you’ll never get bored.
- BG Arena is available on all devices in 42 languages and in more than 200 countries.
- If you’re new to the website, signing up won’t take much time or effort. It’s also for free, and you’ll gain full access to the entire platform.
- Browsing the games is easy, as they’re categorized based on several factors to help you find the right one for you.
- The community is monitored, so any aggressive or inappropriate language will be reported, and the player will be banned. As a result, this platform is a good choice for families.
- You can give some beta games a try. This is one of the perks of joining such a friendly online community, as game developers and publishers might be trying to test their games and see how players are going to respond to them.
- There are several playing modes, so you can customize the level of difficulty or even the nature of the game as you can play it alone or against other online players.
- If there’s no player available to play your new game, you can choose the turn-based mode. This mode saves your game until another player joins it, so they can play with you hours or even days later.
Best Board Game Arena Games
The number of games on BG Arena is always increasing, as the game developers usually share their latest creations to get real feedback from online board games lovers. But, we wanted to highlight some of the hidden gems on this platform that you shouldn’t miss for the world.
1. Splendor
This is a resource management game where up to 4 players compete to collect the highest number of prestige points. The game was released in 2014 and would typically take between 25 and 45 minutes to be completed.
The players are merchants who collect gems and other valuable items to progress. The game contains 90 cards, divided into 3 decks, and each card has a symbol of a gem that you can acquire when you collect the card. The winner is the player who collects the biggest number of prestige points.
Why Is It Popular?
The game has a set of straightforward rules, and there’s more than one way to acquire the highest number of points, so you can easily win this game.
2. In the Year of the Dragon
In the Year of the Dragon is a game about intelligent planning where players can play for 12 rounds. Each player can choose between 7 different actions, and if they have a person in their empire that corresponds to that action, they get extra points. However, these actions are categorized, and if the player picks an action that belongs to a group that was already chosen, they have to pay the penalty.
Between 2 and 5 players can play this game, and the people track allows you to progress as you assign roles to different people in your empire. You win at the end if you have the highest number of points related to the number of living people.
Why Is It Popular?
Every time you play this game, you’re in for a new adventure as the events are set up randomly. Every minor change can have a profound effect on your strategy, and you need to think smartly before allocating your resources.
3. Lost Ruins of Arnak
This game can be played by 2 or 4 players who want to spend about an hour engaged in an entertaining game. This game was developed in 2020 and combines deck building with resource allocation, exploration, and discovery.
There are actually several paths to victory, and this means that the game will never be boring. Winning depends on progressing on all these paths at the same time.
Why Is It Popular?
You’ll never get bored while playing this game because there are literally tens of decisions to make and only so little time and resources to make them. This means that you will have to think about the right path to take every time you’re playing. Unlike other online board games, this game takes a long time, so it’s suitable for those who have a lot of free time.
4. Pandemic
Pandemic checks all the right boxes if you’re looking for an entertaining game that you can play by yourself or share with 4 other players to save the world from diseases. Each player receives a role card that determines what they’ll have to do while fighting serious outbreaks.
Although you might think that this is an easy game in the beginning, things get more complicated as the game progresses. For example, while planning actions to fight a disease in a certain city on the map, a new challenge might arise and require your immediate attention.
Why Is it Popular?
This game is not difficult, but there will be several ways to lose if you’re not paying attention. You need to focus on the only way that allows you to win, which is to fight off the diseases. It’s so versatile that it can be an excellent game for a single player or for a family of 5.
5. 7 Wonders
7 Wonders collected more than 30 international awards, making it one of the most popular online games and a must-try for someone experimenting with online board games for the first time.
3 to 7 players can play this game, and in just a few minutes, each player becomes the leader of one of the world’s ancient cities. It’s a great choice for someone who needs a short yet fun game.
You win in this game by adding structures, progressing in scientific discoveries, and winning military conquests. Each game is made of 3 rounds or ages, and players have to focus on winning points in the categories of civilization, commerce, military, and science.
Why Is It Popular?
This is one of the fewest games that can accommodate 7 players at the same time. With lots of cards and options, every time you play, you’ll go through a trip in time. Moreover, if someone is color blind, they can still play this game with their friends because each card has a symbol that corresponds to the card’s color and function.
6. Backgammon
Backgammon is a very popular game in the Middle East and Southeast Europe. The game is simple as its purpose is to remove all 15 checkers off the board.
This online version is played by 2 players and is suitable for those who want to enjoy a quick classic game that needs no tools or prior setup.
Why Is It Popular?
Although the numbers you get when you roll the dice are related to your luck, you need to carefully plan your moves, so you can remove your checkers first. A lot of people love this game as it can provide quick and fun relief in the middle of the day.
7. The Jelly Monster Lab
If you’re looking for a game that you can play with your kids, the Jelly Monster Lab will be the right one for you. While it might sound too simple from an adult’s point of view, it’s quite fun for kids and those who are looking for an entertaining game that doesn’t take much planning.
The game can be played by up to 5 players and usually take about 30 minutes to be completed. The idea is to move between labs to collect the parts needed to create jelly monsters. If you’re in the right lab and have the needed pieces, you will score points.
Why Is It Popular?
The game is luck-driven, so it’s suitable for less experienced players. You might arrive at the right lab with all the needed pieces without having to look for them. It can also be a lot of fun if you’re looking for a game that doesn’t require a lot of planning.
8. The Crew
The Crew is a trick-taking game that can be played by a number between 3 to 5 players and usually lasts a little longer than 30 minutes. The players are astronauts exploring outer space, and there are 50 missions to complete to win the game.
The player with the strongest cards will lead the mission, and the success of missions depends on communication between players, unlike other board games. All the way up to mission 50, the game progresses and becomes harder.
Why Is It Popular?
The game is always changing because even if you play the same mission, the cards are different every time. It’s also a fast-paced game, and there’s a learning curve to it, so you’ll never get bored of playing it. Players also have to process information from different sources to make the right decision.
9. Can’t Stop
It’s funny that a game that was invented in 1980 is still popular today, but this is what makes Can’t Stop one of its kind. The online version was launched in 2011, and the game is quite popular among adults and kids.
It’s a simple yet fun dice game that doesn’t involve any complicated strategies. A number between 2 and 4 players can play this game, and it can be finished in as little as 10 minutes or go on as long as the players are having fun. Your win by pushing the combinations of numbers you’ve got as far as they can go.
Why Is It Popular?
It’s a great game for less experienced players and can be quite fun because you’ll never know which numbers you’re going to get. For example, some of the more difficult numbers to roll have fewer spots, so you might win very fast if you get them.
10. Coup
Coup is a clever bluffing game, and 8 players can join it at the same time, which makes it one of the most fun games for bigger groups. It involves a lot of interaction and strategic thinking, and the winner is the last player standing.
There are 5 different character roles and 3 actions that can be played, in addition to the characters’ main roles. It’s the right game for social gamers who need a challenging activity.
Why Is It Popular?
There’s something fun about figuring out the best way to deceive your opponent, and this game is all about challenging other players and lying to them. It’s a great game for players who like to rely on their intuition, and anyone can learn it fast.
Beta Games On Board Game Arena
Playing Beta Games is a fun experience for gamers and a useful one for game developers. Avid gamers can enjoy a glimpse of the latest additions in the gaming world, although there might still be room for improvement.
At the same time, developers can receive real and relevant feedback about the issues that players might face while playing the game. This feedback will allow developers to improve their games and create a seamless gaming experience.
BG Arena offers many Beta games in various genres, so you can enjoy each one of them whenever you like. Just like all the other games on the platform, these games are free.
11. Agricola
This is a fun game for any number of players between 2 and 4, where they need to plan the growth of their family by managing resources smartly. The game is about building a farm and is full of enjoyable details that guarantee that you won’t get bored of it easily.
It’s a strategy game that involves the perks of long and short-term tactics. Players are always faced with multiple choices. However, the game is as enjoyable as your competition, so you need to make sure that you’re playing it with the right person.
Why Is It Popular?
Although the game starts easily, players are faced with more complicated decisions as the game progresses. Nevertheless, it’s fun and full of amazing details, and you need to think carefully before making a move.
12. Dodo
Dodo is one of the newest games on the BG Arena. It looks like a simple game for two players, as you only have to move your checker one cell forward or diagonally if it’s unoccupied. But the truth is that the game isn’t as easy as it seems.
There’s an unlimited number of possibilities, and there’s only a 50% chance of winning. This means that you need to act fast and plan smartly to win against your opponent.
Why Is It Popular?
This game works for those who get too confused by too many details. It’s a simple game with an easy-to-grasp concept, but you need to act fast and plan ahead to win.
13. Room 25
Room 25 is a game that some gamers believe is based on the movie Cube. Up to 6 players can play this game, and each one of them is a prisoner in a big scary prison. Although players cooperate together to escape this prison, others might actually be the traitors who are trying to keep everyone inside.
The game involves a lot of action and suspense and calls for a lot of interaction and planning. Each player is trying to do the right action before running out of time, but moving from one room to another isn’t as easy as it sounds. The purpose of the game is to leave the prison alive before the guards win.
Why Is It Popular?
The game involves a lot of deception, which can be fun when you’re trying to find a new game to play. However, there are some actions that lead to consequences, as every player will eventually choose themselves. At the same time, you need to pay attention to the actions of other players to find out who is the traitor, until you find the exit room to win the game.
14. Cardiceo
This game is a combination of card and dice games and can be played by 2 to 6 players at the same time. It’s a great game for relaxing with friends because it’s easy to learn and has some straightforward rules. As a result, it’s an excellent choice for kids and adults.
The winner is the player who discards all their cards in the game. Of course, it also involves some math and logical thinking, but if luck is on your side, you will definitely win this game.
Why Is It Popular?
This is an excellent game for those who like to enjoy dice and card games at the same time. It’s not a complicated game, so players with little experience can also enjoy it. It’s also a great one to play with your kids.
15. King of the Pitch
If you’re a sports fan, you’ll definitely fall in love with this game. It’s one of the latest options available on Board Game Arena and can be played by a number of players between 2 and 5. The game takes around 40 minutes or a little more, so it’s suitable for those who want to enjoy their games for a longer period.
Every player will control a team, and they can exchange cards to improve their status or play a game against a competitor to score points. The game involves a lot of interaction, so you won’t get bored while playing it. It’s also easy to understand.
Why Is It Popular?
This game is competitive and will work for those who like to enjoy a game with lots of interaction. You have to plan your moves and progress by scoring points to become the King of the Pitch. You will also have your supporters to boost the spirit of your team while you’re playing against an opponent.
Best Board Game Arena Games
The time you spend exploring Board Game Arena is never wasted because there are lots of hidden gems that you can try. So, which game are you going to try next? The options are unlimited, and we can guarantee that you’ll never be bored.
