As one of the more popular mechanics in the board gaming world, area control games are certainly here to stay. In essence, area control games or area majority games are a genre in which players fight for control over a region or territory. This is usually symbolized by having the dominant player’s meeples or figures positioned on top of a specific area.
Games like Risk initially popularized the genre. Since then, many games have spawned over the decades and have combined with other mechanics to create new experiences. However, with over a hundred board games that feature this mechanic, players may be overwhelmed with so many choices. The good news is that several games consistently rank at the top and should be experienced by any hobbyist who enjoys this genre. Honorable mentions that aren't mentioned below include Star Wars Rebellion, War of the Ring, Ankh, Rising Sun, Cthulu Wars, and Chaos in the Old World.
7 Dune (2019)
Initially released back in 1979, Dune has players assume 1 of the 6 great factions featured in Frank Herbert’s Dune. Each faction will try to dominate the various regions of Arrakis whilst collecting the spice Melange. The game places emphasis on player negotiation, bluffing, politics, and fighting, and has high player interaction. Each faction comes with its unique powers and abilities (Fremen can move about easily whilst the Space Guild is vital for deploying troops) that dramatically influence each game.
Though the game can be played with 2 people, it ideally shines at the higher player counts (5 and 6). The game also has received a reprint and visual update, with an expansion featuring new mechanics and factions. Players will end in multiple confrontations as they attempt to become the ultimate power in the universe.
6 Ethnos
A fantasy game from CMON games that combines area control with card drafting, Ethnos is a fantastic addition to any collector interested in this genre. Though the game may not visually impress anyone, its smooth mechanics and flow make it an extremely addictive and fun experience.
The game features several fantasy races, with members of each race from various regions on the board (there are 6 regions in Ethnos and each game will feature 6 fantasy races). To become the new leader of Ethnos, players must play bands of mercenaries that are either of the same race or from the same region. The bigger the band, the more points a player will receive. Every band that is played will allow a player to add a token to a particular region, signifying the player's presence there. The more tokens on a region, the more dominant that player is. Combined with each race having a special ability and the game having 3 rounds, players will delight in this fast-playing and easy-to-learn area control game.
5 Root
Cute woodland fantasy creatures vying for control over the forest is one way to describe Root. First released back in 2018, Root has since taken the world by storm, making the area control genre more popular than ever. Supporting up to 6 players and featuring over 10 different factions,(if they have the expansions) Root is a delight to the eyes as much as it’s a delight to play.
However, the game isn’t as easy as it looks. Each faction has its mechanics and will play very differently from one another requiring players to have to learn the rules for each. Though seemingly overwhelming, the game is also quite accessible to veterans and newcomers alike, making it a great addition to any fan of the area control genre.
4 Cyclades
In a game of war, city building, and paying tribute to the gods, Cyclades will transport gamers back in time to Ancient Greece and have players race against time to be the first to build 2 cities on an ancient archipelago. To achieve victory, players must each pay homage to the greek gods featured in the game. However, each god can only favor 1 player per turn and a player is limited to receiving the favor of 1 god per round.
Featuring detailed miniatures that represent armies and mythological monsters, Cyclades offers a great combination of area control, auction/bidding, and dice rolling that will make players come back to the table again and again.
3 Blood Rage
Ragnarok has come, and the world is near its end. It's time for the remaining clans to go on an all-out offensive to attain eternal glory in Valhalla. Blood Rage is an area control game that features multiple strategies and pathways to victory. Losing a battle can sometimes earn a ‘defeated’ player more points and glory.
The game combines incredible miniatures and card-based combat, as players will invade portions of the map, upgrade their units or ships, and acquire monsters to tip the scale of battle in their favor. With so many options to score points, the only losing strategy in Blood Rage is to shy away from battle and avoid a glorious death.
2 Inis
Inis is an area control game that is deeply inspired by Celtic lore and mythology. The aim is for each player to become the elected king of the island (Inis). To do so, players must achieve victory through 3 different victory conditions: Land, Religion, and Leadership.
Whilst the game features combat, Inis is primarily more of an area influence game that has a stronger emphasis on maneuvering and positioning rather than direct conflict. The game also features exploration and constructing citadels and sanctuaries, adding a nice contrast to its more confrontational aspects.
1 Kemet
Set on the blood-stained sands of Egypt, Kemet is an area control game that encourages players to fight it out, acquire special powers, and upgrade their pyramids to gain boons. Similar to Blood Rage, the game features a card drafting system in its combat and allows players to deploy special monsters such as the Sphynx and War Elephant.
Its recently revised edition, Kemet: Blood and Sand features new art, more detailed figurines, and upgraded gameplay/rules making the game even more streamlined, intense, and a blast to play. This game is a must-have for any player that loves area control games.