Strategy board games are perfect for regular gamers, because the gameplay can be radically different every time, depending on the players' skills and techniques. These 3 games rank among our favorites, because they not only present a unique challenge to players, but will force you to think outside the box if you want to succeed.
1. Betrayal at House on the Hill
(image copyright Wizards of the Coast LLC)
Perhaps the hottest role-playing board game around right now, Betrayal at House on the Hill follows a set of characters with different stat/ability levels work together as they explore a haunted house. The hook comes through during second half of game play, called "the haunt", when a random player somehow betrays the rest of the team. Players won't know the traitor's motive or what their objective is until the haunt is revealed, and there are over 50 wildly different scenarios. This makes for an incredibly replayable experience, which can be rare for story-based games.
2. Mysterium
(image copyright Asmodee North America)
This Swedish board game has won multiple awards since its release in 2015, and can be most closely compared to the family classic, Clue. Players work together as mystic detectives to solve a murder, which includes deducing the killer, weapon, and location, before a number of rounds have passed. The catch is that they receive clues about the murder from the victim, a "ghost", which is portrayed by a player who is only allowed to speak to the team by showing them scenic images ("visions") that they decide somehow relate to the answers (usually in a very suble way). This game relies entirely on the creativity and artistic interpretation of players, and is perfect for out-of-the-box thinkers.
3. Heroines in time
(image copyright Melina Games Co.)
Heroines in Time is a series of role-playing strategy board games with a sci-fi storyline that features prominent women in history as bad-ass rescuerers who use their unique abilities of diplomacy, battle skills, will power to rescue people from another dimension. Each series covers a different decade, featuring a different cast of women relevant to the time period. Not only does this game features strong prominent female characters, something lacking in the board game industry, but it integrates real historical facts and stories into the game. You'll have a blast, learn a few things, and probably end up with some new heroes.
4. Sherlock Holmes: Consulting detective
(image copyright Asmodee North America)
Thanks to popular demand, there are currently three different versions of "Consulting Detectives" since the original game was released back in 1991. This game is a genuine test of deductive reasoning, as players are given little to no direction in what to do-- you could read about the case, interview whomever you think is worth interviewing, read the local paper, and visit areas of London. You even have to decide for yourself whether you've officially solved the case, or if there is more to the story that you've yet to uncover. One of the best aspects of this board game is that it can be played with as few as one player, so there's no excuse for anyone not to get it.
