Top games that aren't too complicated?

[HungryHippos]

Hi,

I really enjoy the occasional board game, and I own a few, but the people I play with aren't in to really complicated games or anything - not as much attention span as me.

Normal group size is 3-4 people.

Games that go down well are things like:

Alhambra
Carcassonne
Catan
Ticket to Ride
7 Wonders

I think it's fair to say the best games are ones where individual performance is key, with some opportunities to influence other players, but in a limited fashion that means you can't completely screw other people over.

We've played co-op games like Pandemic and Forbidden Island and they are alright, but they don't get played as much.

I was looking at Small World but it looks like it may be a bit too complicated to setup and play, also Sheriff of Nottingham looks decent but I am a terrible liar!

 

[HungryHippos]

Lords of Waterdeep? Dixit?

I actually have both of these games! To my shame I have not yet played Lords of Waterdeep - I think I will learn it and play it next!

Maharani: Mosaic Palace, Fresco, Evolution, Versailles, Bomarzo and Viticulture Essential Edition are all good games at 3-4. I've put them in roughly ascending order of complexity (Evolution is mechanically simpler than Fresco but has more strategic complexity).

Once you've got them hooked on those, it's time for The Gallerist.

I took a look at most of these, Maharani seems a bit like Alhambra, the others didn't interest me as much, except for Viticulture! That looks like the kind of thing I'd enjoy, the Essential Edition is on my watch list.

Hungry Hippos?

Hello, that's me!

More Rules = More Fun

Serious reply or not, I don't necessarily agree. Enough rules to keep it interesting, but not too many rules.

I love board games and have a small collection but only really get to play the light ones - Mrs isn't huge on rules and have two teenage girls so attention span is limited.

However, our most successful game so far has been Colt Express. Towards the end of the first game everyone had a handle on the game mechanics.

Colt Express actually does look good, and looks like like it could be fun, it's also on my watch list.

 

[HungryHippos]

Do it - will take about 20 minutes to learn and 5 to teach. Really well set out game board means you're never reaching for the rule book.

Takenoko might fit the bill as well

Thanks played it tonight with 3 people including me, and I agree really enjoyable so far once I learnt what the hell everything meant! Would play even better with 4 people I think.

I think one of these two might be my next purchase:

Viticulture EE (looks good, just need to find it for cheap enough)
Kingsburg (same as Viticulture, need to find it cheap enough)

 

[HungryHippos]

Isle of Skye fits this and has just been nominated for the Spiele des Jhares

Saw a video of that yesterday looks quite interesting. The tile graphics were not as good as those on Carcassonne though.

Anyone played Caverna? I've heard it's kind of like a less harsh version of Agricola.