Board games are the ideal entertainment for a chilled night in.
It’s great to shun the screens for a night and focus on hanging out with the people who are right there in the room with you.
Share some food, have a Green Monké or two, and try not to get too competitive.
Here are some of our top 5 board games for a Green Monké fueled games night.
5. Scythe
Players: 1-5 (7 players expansion available)
Est. Playing time: 90-120 mins
This one is for the proper hardcore boardgamers out there. The first time you play through Scythe may well take 4+ hours. But don’t let that deter you, once you’ve played it once and everyone knows the rules, then it typically lasts 2 hours or under.
Scythe is set in a dystopian Europe on an alternative post World War I timeline. The environment has an awesome sort of steampunk meets romanticism visual style. Each player is a character from one of five competing factions of Eastern Europe who are trying to claim land and earn their fortune. Players must compete to conquer territory, acquire resources, gain villagers and recruits, build structures and activate monstrous mechs. Players must utilize their faction's unique abilities, develop a strategy and rely on a little bit of luck to win the game.
The great thing about Scythe is that there is no player elimination, and there are no rounds or phases, meaning that if everyone knows what they're doing, the game actually moves quickly.
So don't be put off by the initial complex appearance of Scythe, it doesn't take that long to get to grips with and once you do, the reward is an awesome game that will keep you coming back for more.
4. Kingdomino Origins
Players: 2-4
Est. Playing time: 15-20 mins
If the complexity of Scythe has you scared then Kingdomino Origins might be the game for you. It’s super easy to learn the basics and quick to play, but once you get going you’ll still have to think about your strategy.
Players are transported back in time to a prehistoric era, build your tribe and try and rule over all kingdoms! Use volcanoes to bring fire to your regions, gather resources and recruit fellow cavemen to expand your tribe and hunting territory.
While it's a fairly simple tile laying game, it is quite addictive. And it's sure to be a hit on a more relaxed games night, perfect with a few cans of Green Monké.
3. Skull
Players: 3-6
Est. Playing time: 15-45 mins
Skull is a really simple game, and it’s a lot of fun. But warning, it will break the trust in the room. It’s a card game that is all about bluffing and bravado, a real test of who can read who in the room.
Each player is given a set of cards, with some being roses and some being skull cards. Everyone in the room takes it in turn to place a card face down, this continues until one person is brave enough to claim a number of cards they think they’ll be able to overturn without uncovering a skull card. Other players are free to outbid them. The highest bidder must then overturn the number of cards they staked, if they reveal a skull they lose a life, if they avoid a skull they win the round. The first player to successfully win two rounds, wins the game.
Get practicing your poker face for this one.
2. Cosmic Encounter
Players: 3-5
Est. Playing time: 60-120 mins
In the expanse of space, the alien races of the Cosmos vie with each other for control of the universe.
In Cosmic Encounter, each player becomes the leader of an alien race, each with its own unique power. On a player's turn, they become the offense. The offense encounters another player on a planet by moving a group of their ships through the hyperspace gate to that planet. Both sides can invite allies and play cards to try and tip the encounter in their favor.
Matthew Bolton over at T3 described Cosmic Encounter as the Mario Kart of board games and we totally agree. While there's lots to master in the game, there is enough simplicity and elements of luck that even a novice can win against seasoned players. It has such unpredictability about it, and there's plenty in the game that allows you to break the rules and wreak havoc.
This combination of complexity, simplicity, strategy, luck and chaos make Cosmic Encounter an ideal board game for a Green Monké board games session.
1. Wingspan Board Game
Players: 1-5
Est. Playing time: 40-70 mins
So, the first thing you need to know about Wingspan is that it’s a work of art, to be honest we could happily just spend the evening looking at it. The second thing you need to know about Wingspan is that it’s actually quite relaxing to play.
Players play the role of bird lovers, working to bring the most birds to your wildlife yard. The reason it’s so relaxing is that it’s not overly competitive, there’s no sabotaging your rivals, it’s all about focusing on your own space and trying to accumulate more points than everyone else.
Wingspan is a great balance of competitiveness, simplicity and strategy and if anyone does have their phone out, it will make a great insta pic for the night, just make sure you get a Green Monké in shot too ;).