What makes a board game beautiful to behold? Supposedly within the eye of the beholder. Although most gamers would remark that it is the gameplay that determines the quality of the game, the game in question’s artwork and aesthetics can also make a positive impact on the overall experience, especially the game board itself.
There can be several criteria that focus on what makes a board game beautiful: a strong color contrast with vibrant hues, tangible and even 3-dimensional components, and the shape of the board itself. With board games becoming more popular than ever, designers and artists are pushing the boundaries in creating more games that are increasingly jaw-droppingly beautiful to observe.
10 Kemet
Featuring a sprawling and detailed map of ancient Egypt, Kemet has been a longtime fan favorite of the board gaming community. An area control war game that features factions attempting to control specific areas on the board, Kemet doesn’t just play well, it looks great.
The game board highlights the different player settlements, the sands of the great desert, and a major gushing river with green embankments. Coupled with rich miniatures, pyramid dice, and thematic artwork, Kemet has all the necessary aspects to give it a rich and beautiful aesthetic.
9 Brass Birmingham
A popular game that is ranked highly on Board Game Geek, Brass Birmingham has players acting as Industrial barons that are vying to become the wealthiest and most powerful economic moguls during Britain’s Industrial Revolution. Although one may imagine coal and soot associated with that period, the board is beautiful.
Dark and cold blue and purple hues dominate the color palette, giving off a romanticized aesthetic of that period. Each player also receives their board that houses their buildings with the detail and production involved being truly second to none. The deluxe edition of the game also comes with two variants of the game map, one set during the day that gives off a brighter ambiance whilst the other side, set during the night infuses the game with a calm vigor implying that work never sleeps.
8 Nemesis
Another highly praised game, Nemesis is set on a derelict ship lost in space. The game has players take on crewmembers attempting to resolve personal missions whilst evading and fending off intruders that are slinking around.
Dark, brooding, and grim, the board’s design gives off a utilitarian and metallic ambiance that belies the grave danger lurking in the shadows. As the game progresses, tiles that represent rooms are slowly flipped to reveal rooms that give brighter tones that contrast the earlier darkness. Components that represent damage and noise made also add some colorful dynamics to the board. Meanwhile, the intruder miniatures that eventually show up reveal the sinister horrors that have been there all along.
7 Jamaica
A pirate-themed game that has players race around the island whilst claiming treasure during side goals, Jamaica is a vibrant and bright gem. The board itself features lush islands, white beaches, and cute little ports that would make any viewer think of their next tropical holiday.
Featuring additional components such as cards, dice, and tiny ship miniatures, this game is a visual treat for any player looking for something different in their gaming experience. Relatively simple to play and approach, Jamaica is a fine treat and visual feast for any aspiring buccaneer.
6 Canvas
A wonderful and gorgeous game, Canvas has players compete as artists in a competition by layering transparent art cards together to form a masterpiece. The game even comes with little easels to enhance its theme and adds further immersion.
The game’s art design is reminiscent of Van Gogh’s works but with a lighter and more whimsical tone to it, making it such a joy to behold and a fun game to be played. This game is guaranteed to make even nongamers gush at how beautiful the game appears.
5 Pax Pamir 2nd Edition
A board game centered around the political turmoil of 19th century Afghanistan during a period known as ‘The Great Game’. In Pax Pamir, players play as Afghan chiefs attempting to become the most influential clan as Afghan political remnants, British, and Russian interests vie for power.
Departing from normal boards, the board itself is made of high-quality cloth that displays the regions in the game, the point tracker, and others. The deluxe version of the game comes with a beautiful market board with artwork of an Afghan marketplace that allows cards to be placed and purchased. Despite appearing simple in its aesthetics, this board is gorgeous to play on as it immerses players into its theme and history.
4 Oath: Chronicles of Empire And Exile
Hailing from the same game designer of Pax Pamir, Oath has players guide the course of history in an ancient land. As warlords, players will vie for power until someone is declared the winner. That winner then becomes the chancellor and custodian of the land in the next game and opponents will attempt to unseat that player to become chancellor themselves, creating a tableau of political feuding, diplomacy, and war.
The bold colorful hues of the game's board will draw any beholder to it as the game utilizes strong primary colors to ensnare would-be gamers. Factions themselves come with their color scheme and as the board begins to fill up with player components and warbands, the game’s board becomes a canvas detailing the land’s political struggle.
3 Photosynthesis
In a game that has gamers centered around colorful trees competing to get the most sunlight and dominance within an unsuspecting forest, players immersed in Photosynthesis will feel like they’re not playing a game at all. The game’s cyclical design and exemplified by the rotating sun located at the corners is a treat to look at whilst players engage in abstract strategy.
As seeds are planted and different colored trees soar to new heights, Photosynthesis is a beautiful and easy on the eyes experience that belies its cutthroat and competitive character.
2 Tzolk’in: The Mayan Calendar
Tzolk'in is a unique worker placement game that has players position their workers onto giant connected gears to reach specific action spots. The game has a mesmerizing board populated with intricate rotating gears and cogs that give it a unique and wondrous symmetry.
The game just plays and feels nice as players rotate aesthetically pleasing and well-fitting gears. Despite the base copy of the game not being painted or appearing muted, the game still captures the imagination and attention of players who wander into or are revisiting this game.
1 Everdell
Considered one of or if not the most beautiful board game with a distinct board amongst the board gaming community, Everdell is a work of wonder. Another worker placement game that has players compete to acquire the most points by building a flourishing city before the cold winds of winter set in.
The artwork features beautiful anthropomorphic woodland critters in a bountiful forest environment. The board itself features the Evertree, a towering tree that acts as supports cards and adds to the amazing forest aesthetic. Bright, gentle, and wondrous, Everdell gives one the impression of being in a children’s storybook set in paradise.