Words by Micah Avry Guiao
Photos by Ian Esteves and Caitlin RodilÂ
Nothing says good wholesome bonding like playing board games with friends and family. However, don’t let yourself be confined to just Uno, Monopoly, Scrabble, and Jenga. While those games have stood the test of time, there are a number of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. When it comes to board games, the more options and variety, the better.
To start us off, let’s check out this game called Quoridor. Quoridor, by Gigamic Games, is an abstract strategy board game that can accommodate 2-4 players. The goal is to get the pawn to the other side of the board through grid movements. With five wooden planks given per player, you’re allowed to place it anywhere near the opponent’s pawn in an attempt to obstruct their path, creating a maze. Don’t let the simplistic instruction fool you–this game is loads of fun!
The problem with board games is that it often requires a certain number of players for it to be fulfilling. In case you find yourself alone or with just one other friend, perhaps this 1992 dexterity and puzzle block game Katamino will keep you entertained, especially if you’re into Tetris. Also an abstract strategy game, it’s a puzzle presenting challenges of progressive difficulty solved through pattern building and pattern recognition.
If you believe you possess the power of mind reading, then Codenames is the board game for you. Published by Czech Games in 2015, it uses memory, words, and partnerships to play a game of deduction and luck. This party game can accommodate 2-8 players, where it is best played with 6 or 8. The version of the game we played was the Philippine edition, where terms like balikbayan box, divisoria, lumpia, and tita added a colorful touch to the otherwise normal list of English words.
For our last one, think Pictionary, except the actual drawing on a blank piece of paper is replaced by symbols on cards. Imagine is a 2015 party game of deduction by Gamewrite, using the language of symbols and partnerships to create an “animated guessing game.” It comes with 65 double sided cards, with each card having different categories like people, place, colors, etc. These transparent cards are then combined and overlapped for the other person to guess. It can accommodate 3-8 players, but it is best played with 4-6 players.
Why deprive yourself of the fun? Get yourself these board games now!Â
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