Discovery board games are board games that are designed to teach players about a specific topic or theme, often through the use of educational content and activities. These games may be designed for a specific age group or educational level and may be used in a classroom or at home as a learning tool. Today we'll be looking at 10 of the very best, as voted for by the players!
The Very Best Discovery Games
1. Betrayal at Baldurs Gate
Betrayal at Baldeurs Gate is a board game founded on critically acclaimed Betrayal at House on the Hill game. In this activity, players must cooperate to fight monsters and other challenges ahead.
There are 50 scenarios in this set, allowing for different possibilities and outcomes. Players in the team may turn into traitors and enemies whose goal is to prevent the whole journey from succeeding.
This fantasy-themed activity involves 3-6 players aged 12 years or above to roleplay in order to create an immersive gaming experience. There are several dice and cards as well as user manuals that dictate what challenges to overcome.
2. Resident Evil 2: The Board Game - Malformations of G
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game – Malformations of G is an extension of the previous Resident Evil 2 Board Game with the Birkin Stage 2 and Birkin Stage 4 bosses added.
The objective is for 1-4 participants aged 14 years or above to work together in a team and run away from Raccoon City. Challenges along the way include fighting monsters.
This game has the same setting as the Resident Evil 2 videogame, meaning that bosses like the Licker will need to be taken down. There are the same rules as the previous Resident Evil 2 Board Game.
3. Betrayal Legacy
Betrayal Legacy is a spin on the classic Betrayal at House on the Hill board game. This is an immersive activity where 3-5 participants aged 12 years or above roleplay as certain family members, each with their own narrative.
Players work together in order to build a haunted mansion piece by piece. However, there is a traitor in the group and the team must find out who that traitor is before the mansion is ruined.
This game requires strategy and team coordination to an extent. This is a suspense and mystery filled pastime, ideal for families with teenagers.
4. Cooper Island
Cooper Island involves 2-4 players aged 12 years or above to compete against one another. In this game, the goal is to colonize an island and develop areas by building structures, status and employing workers.
Resources need to be gathered in order to do so and barriers need to taken away to enable more exploration on the island. Players can also travel to other islands and progress from there.
Development can be shown using ship markers. After 5 rounds, the person who has the biggest expansion and travelled the most distance wins. Contents include resource and building tokens as well as other essentials.
5. Master of the Galaxy
Master of the Galaxy is a fast-paced strategy game where the objective is to conquer the Galaxy.
There are many ways to do so, namely through establishing 9 space bases, killing opponents or being smart in science, diplomacy or economics matters. 2-4 players aged 10 years or above compete against one another to expand their race and collect resources to be stronger, having full control of the Galaxy.
There are ‘Progress’ and ‘Political’ cards to help outsmart enemies and gain more resources. This is a space and science fiction themed game that focuses on finding different ways to win.
6. Die Hard: Nakatomi Heist
Die Hard: Nakatomi Heist is a board game based on the movie series of the same name. The objective is for John McClane, the main character to save hostages in the Naktomi Tower.
However, there are thieves who want to prevent the character from doing so. This is for 2-4 players aged 15 years or above. Scenarios in this activity include iconic scenes and enemies from the movie series.
One player plays John McClane with the others pitted against him. There are cards which dictate stealth, attacks and thief action cards. Additionally, there are cards which show the objectives that need to be completed.
7. HEXplore It: Valley of the Dead King
HEXplore It: Valley of the Dead King is a fantasy board game where the goal is to defeat the Dead King and save the Valley.
1-7 players aged 10 years or older work together in order to level up heroes and use their special abilities to complete goals, getting more strength.
Goals need to be completed before the Dead King takes over too many cities and gets too powerful. Players need enough strength to take on the villain.
There are additional challenges that prevent powering up. The strengths and weaknesses of each hero needs to be kept on paper or using markers.
8. Prowler’s Passage
Prowler’s Passage involves 2 competitors aged 12 years or above going against each other. Treasure needs to meet located and objectives must be met in order to dominate certain regions in the city.
The player who steals the most treasure, creates the longest underground networks and gains the most influence in key areas win. This game requires strategy and focus in order to map out a plan to win.
Contents include 27 object tiles, 10 board hexes, 26 passage sections, 15 achievement cards and additional items to play. A scoreboard needs to be kept of the progress made for each player.
9. Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Curse Island requires 1-4 players aged 14 or above to work together in order to survive on a deserted island. Players can roleplay as the soldier, cook, explorer and carpenter.
There are 6 different scenarios which contain certain objectives that need to be met such as rescuing a damsel in distress or becoming a treasure hunter. Players need to forge weapons and build shelter.
Furthermore, participants need to avoid challenges and fight predators on the island. Contents include event and structure cards which display what needs to be completed and built.
10. 504
504 contains 504 different activities. The premise is that scientists were able to create 504 different versions of Earth. 1-4 participants aged 12 or above can choose 3 or 9 modules available, showing that the permutation 9*8*7 = 504.
The modules are pick-up and deliver, race, privileges, military, exploration, roads, majorities, production and shares. Each module has a specific purpose, like the military where the objective is to defeat enemies.
The modules can be arranged to create unique situations like a racing game with an exploration and technology background. For each of the 504 versions, there are unique rules that citizens must obey.
The best discovery board games can be a fun and engaging way to learn about a variety of subjects, and they are often used as a supplement to traditional educational methods.
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