Are you looking for fun and engaging board games with friends and family? Look no further! This article will reflect on some of the best board games released in 2014.
Board games have been a popular form of entertainment for centuries, but with the rise of technology, they’ve taken a backseat to video games and other digital pastimes.
However, board games have returned recently, with new and exciting games being released yearly.
2014 was a particularly great year for board games, with various titles that catered to all ages and interests.
From strategy games to party games, there was something for everyone.
Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or just starting, these games will provide hours of fun and entertainment.
In this article, we’ll showcase some of the best board games of 2014, including their features, gameplay mechanics, and what makes them so enjoyable.
So grab your friends and family, clear off the table, and get ready to enjoy these fantastic board games of 2014.
1. Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game
Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game, designed by Jonathan Gilmour and Isaac Vega, is a cooperative board game that puts players in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.
The game features a unique narrative structure, with each player controlling a group of survivors who must work together to complete objectives and avoid the undead hordes.
The game’s most innovative feature is its “Crossroads” cards, which introduce unexpected events and choices that can drastically alter the course of the game.
Also, with its tense gameplay, immersive theme, and high replayability, Dead of Winter is a must-play for fans of horror and strategy games.
2. Kanban: Driver’s Edition
Kanban: The automotive revolution is produced on a production line.
Players are aspirational managers vying for the company’s highest position by impressing the board of directors.
At the factory, promotions bring benefits like more room to store priceless materials and more prestige to hasten your ascent.
Furthermore, you must work hard to stand out among your peers through effective management.
This 90- to 120-minute economic strategy game is for 2 to 4 players—a fantastic selection for racing fans on the list of the best board games of 2014.
3. Splendor
As designed by Marc André, Splendor is a simple but elegant strategy game that has become a modern classic in the board gaming world.
In Splendor, players play the role of Renaissance merchants, collecting gems and building their economic empires.
The game’s mechanics are easy to learn but challenging to master, with a perfect balance of luck and skill.
The game’s gorgeous artwork and tactile components add to the overall experience, making it a joy to play.
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just looking for a fun and engaging way to spend an evening, Splendor is a game that won’t disappoint. Splendor is one of the best board games of 2014
4. Abyss
Abyss, designed by Bruno Cathala and Charles Chevallier, is a strategy game in a mysterious underwater world.
Players take on the role of powerful lords, recruiting allies and negotiating with other players to gain control over the various locations in the game.
Furthermore, with its stunning artwork, immersive theme, and deep gameplay, Abyss is a great choice for fans of strategy and exploration.
5. Power Grid Deluxe: Europe/North America
Normally, you wouldn’t include a deluxe edition with only a few extra pieces and modes on the list of the best board games of 2014, but Power Grid made a significant comeback.
When someone’s network reaches a certain size, Power Grid aims to power most cities.
Following the marking of pre-existing routes between cities for connection, players compete with one another in bidding for the power plants required to power these cities.
Newer, more effective plants are made available as power plants are purchased, which can be risky.
Games last about 120 minutes and are for 2 to 6 players. Power is one of the best board games of 2014
6. Sheriff of Nottingham
Sheriff of Nottingham, one of the best board games of 2014, designed by Sérgio Halaban and André Zatz, is a lighthearted and hilarious game of bluffing and negotiation.
Players take on the roles of medieval merchants trying to smuggle goods past the watchful eye of the sheriff.
Players must decide which goods to declare and which to keep hidden each turn while trying to convince the sheriff that they’re telling the truth.
The game’s social dynamics and playful banter make it a great party game.
At the same time, its strategic depth and replayability ensure that playing with a dedicated gaming group is just as fun.
If you’re looking for a game that will have you laughing and scheming for hours, Sheriff of Nottingham is the one for you.
7. Xia: Legends of a Drift System
Every player begins as a meager but optimistic captain of a little starship.
Players maneuver their ships through the system, completing various tasks, discovering new sectors, and engaging in ship combat.
The players can mine, salvage, or trade valuable cargo while navigating dangerous environments.
Captains compete with one another for titles, wealth, and fame above all else.
One captain will stand out and beat death by becoming a legend! Games are for three to five players and last one to three hours.
8. Five Tribes
Five Tribes, designed by Bruno Cathala, is a strategy game in the mythical city of Naqala, where players compete to gain control over the land’s five tribes.
Players must move meeples around the board, strategically using their powers to collect resources, claim territory, and score points.
Moreover, the unique gameplay mechanics, including the “Mancala” style movement system, make it stand out from other strategy games.
With its colorful artwork, engaging gameplay, and easy-to-learn rules, Five Tribes is a great choice for casual and experienced gamers. Five Tribes is one of the best board games of 2014
9. Imperial Settlers
Imperial Settlers, one of the best board games of 2014, designed by Ignacy Trzewiczek, is a civilization-building game with players competing to build the greatest empire.
Players choose from one of four factions and use resources to construct buildings, recruit troops, and gain victory points.
The game’s most innovative feature is its faction-specific card decks, which add an element of asymmetry and replayability.
The game’s artwork and components are top-notch, with a charming cartoonish style that will delight players of all ages.
Also, with its strategic depth and endless possibilities, Imperial Settlers is a must-play for fans of civilization-building and card games.
10. La Granja
On the Mallorcan island of La Granja, players take control of small farms by the Alpich pond, close to the community of Esporles.
The players build up their farms over time while supplying the village with goods.
Players are vying for the “La Granja” title for their rural estate! Players will increase their farm’s size over the course of six game rounds by adding fields, farm extensions, market barrows, and helpers.
Games for 1 to 4 players last between 90 and 120 minutes. With a little farming, the top board games of the 2014 list would stay strong.
11. Spyfall
Spyfall, designed by Alexandr Ushan, is a social deduction game that puts players in the shoes of spies trying to uncover each other’s identities.
Also, the game is played with a deck of location cards, each representing a different setting (such as a bank or a spaceship).
One player is secretly designated as the spy and must try to blend in with the other players by asking and answering questions about the location.
The other players must figure out who the spy is before time runs out.
With its fast-paced gameplay and high-stakes deduction, Spyfall is a great party game that will engage everyone. Spyfalall is of the best board games of 2014
12. Castles of Mad King Ludwig
Building a magnificent, extravagant castle for King Ludwig II of Bavaria is the objective of the tile-laying game Castles of Mad King Ludwig. one space at once.
The King, you see, loves castles, so he has given you the order to construct the biggest, best castle ever.
In this building competition game for 1 to 4 players, pieces are distributed among all players. Each game lasts roughly 90 minutes.
This game has gained popularity over time and is unquestionably one of the more recognizable ones on this list of the top board games of 2014.
13. King of New York
King of New York, designed by Richard Garfield, is a follow-up to the popular King of Tokyo game, with players taking on the role of giant monsters battling for supremacy in the city that never sleeps.
The game features new mechanics and components, including buildings that can be destroyed for points and military units that can attack the monsters.
With its fast-paced gameplay, colorful artwork, and engaging theme, King of New York is a great choice for fans of monster movies and competitive games.
14. Legendary Encounters: An Alien Deck Building Game
A Legendary series spin-off appears right in the middle of the list of the best board games of 2014.
In the deck-building game Legendary Encounters, players must work together to survive in the face of hordes of aliens.
Players take turns selecting cards for their deck from a central selection to strengthen their deck and eliminate Xenomorph cards added to the main game board.
Also, players assume the roles of protagonists like Ripley, Dallas, Bishop, and Corporal Hicks. Games for 1 to 5 players last between 30 and 60 minutes.
15. Arcadia Quest
In Arcadia Quest, players command guilds of gallant heroes in a titanic battle to overthrow the vampire lord and take back the mighty Arcadia.
Players must fight each other and the terrifying occupying forces because only one guild will ultimately hold the leadership position.
This game is included on the list of the top board games of 2014, and it’s all good.
This campaign-based game has a play time of about an hour and is for 2 to 4 players. Arcadia is one of the best board games of 2014.
16. One Night Ultimate Werewolf
One Night Ultimate Werewolf, designed by Ted Alspach and Akihisa Okui, is a fast-paced social deduction game you can play in 10 minutes.
Players take on the roles of villagers and werewolves, trying to figure out who is on which team before time runs out.
The game’s most innovative feature is its use of an app, which provides a narrator and sound effects to enhance the gameplay experience.
Also, with its short playtime and engaging mechanics, One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a great choice for parties and gatherings of all sizes. This is one of the best board games of 2014
17. Alchemists
Alchemists, designed by Matúš Kotry, is a deduction game with players competing to become the most renowned alchemist in the land.
Players must use their knowledge of alchemical ingredients to deduce the properties of various potions and then sell those potions to earn points.
With its unique theme, challenging gameplay, and clever deduction mechanics, Alchemists is a great choice for deduction games and science fiction fans. This is one of the best board games of 2014.
18. Roll for the Galaxy
Building space empires is the goal of the dice game Roll for the Galaxy.
Your dice represent your population, which you command to create new technologies, colonize planets, and transport goods.
The winner is the player who controls his workforce the best and creates the most prosperous empire!
The duration of this 45-minute deck-building and dice-rolling strategy game is for 2 to 5 players.
19. Panamax
Panamax, designed by Gil d’Orey, Nuno Bizarro Sentieiro, and Paulo Soledade, is a strategy game with players running shipping companies and transporting goods along the Panama Canal.
Players must manage their ships and cargo, negotiate with other players, and deal with the ever-changing economic landscape.
Furthermore, with its immersive theme, deep gameplay, and engaging mechanics, Panamax is a great choice for fans of strategy and economics.
Panamax is one of the best board games of 2014.
20. Dragonwood
Dragonwood, designed by Darren Kisgen, is a family-friendly adventure game with players exploring a magical forest and battling monsters.
Players must use their cards to defeat creatures, gather resources, and earn points.
However, with its whimsical artwork, simple gameplay, and engaging theme, Dragonwood is a great choice for families and casual gamers.
Dragonwood is one of the best board games of 2014.
21. Star Wars: Imperial Assault
Following the destruction of the Death Star, Imperial Assault places you in the middle of the Galactic Civil War between the well-known Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance.
The Galactic Empire’s boundless forces and resources are pitted against a strong team of elite Rebel operatives in the campaign game as they attempt to break the Empire’s hold on the galaxy.
Also, the skirmish option allows you and a friend to engage in head-to-head combat over divergent goals.
Games last between one and two hours and involve tactical combat and missions for two to five players.
22. Deus
Deus, designed by Sébastien Dujardin, is a strategy game that has players building civilizations and expanding their empires.
Players must manage their resources, construct buildings, and engage in battles to gain control of the board.
With its beautiful artwork, elegant mechanics, and deep strategy, Deus is a great choice for fans of civilization-building games. Deus is one of the best board games of 2014
23. Orleans
To achieve dominance through trade, construction, and science in medieval France, you must assemble a group of farmers, merchants, knights, monks, etc., during the events around Orléans.
You can create trading posts and travel to other cities to collect sought-after goods.
You need their skills and followers to increase your dominance by putting them to work.
Also, This worker placement strategy game lasts roughly 90 minutes for two to four players.
Without this classic game, the list of the best board games of 2014 would not have been complete.
24. Concept
Concept, designed by Gaëtan Beaujannot and Alain Rivollet, is a party game with players trying to guess words or phrases using a series of icons and symbols.
Players must work together to communicate ideas without speaking, using only visual cues.
With its innovative gameplay, intuitive mechanics, and endless possibilities, Concept is a great choice for parties and family gatherings. The concept is one of the best board games of 2014.
25. Istanbul
Istanbul, designed by Rüdiger Dorn, is a strategy game with players running merchant operations in the bustling bazaar of Istanbul.
Players must manage their resources, acquire goods, and navigate the busy streets to gain wealth and prestige.
Furthermore, with its unique theme, engaging mechanics, and beautiful components, Istanbul is a great choice for fans of strategy and commerce.
26. Star Realms
Star Realms, designed by Darwin Kastle and Rob Dougherty, is a deck-building game with players battling each other in outer space.
Players must use their cards to attack opponents and defend their ships while managing their resources and upgrading their decks.
With its addictive gameplay, endless replayability, and engaging theme, Star Realms is a great choice for deck-building games and science fiction fans.
27. Patchwork
Patchwork, designed by Uwe Rosenberg, is a two-player game with players competing to create the best quilt.
Players must manage their resources, purchase patches, and fit them together to create a beautiful and functional quilt.
Also, with its simple mechanics, strategic depth, and charming artwork, Patchwork is a great choice for couples and solo gamers.
