Highlights

  • The greatest board games challenge players' critical thinking and strategic skills, offering interactive stories and meaningful choices.
  • Impressive and complex board games often require long hours to complete and force players to depend on their skills and handle losing.
  • Board games can be as engrossing and entertaining as video games, offering a social and immersive experience with a wide range of rules and tactics.

The greatest board games not only have interactivity and imaginative stories, but they also challenge the players to make meaningful choices and improve their critical thinking and strategic skills. Board game fans can choose from a wide variety of impressive and complex mysteries, thrillers, and of course, from some of the best WW2 board games and other spy and war board games.

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These inventive and difficult board games push their players mentally and even physically since they often require many long hours to complete. There are even fun, banned board games that change how people view these experiences. These board games force players to depend on their skills over blind luck and learn how to handle losing and act and make the right choices under stressful circumstances.

Updated February 17, 2024 by Alexandra O'Leary: Board games are a brilliant source of entertainment, and there's a massive range available to cater to almost everybody. While some people want a light and breezy board game night, others are after more of a challenging game with more rules and strategies - maybe even multiple sessions.

No matter how complex, board games can be just as engrossing and entertaining as video games, and they're usually more social. For table-top enthusiasts, there's an unending selection of brilliant board games with a whole load of rules, tactics, and world-building to invest in.

1 Dominant Species

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 4.04

Dominant Species board game cover and piece set up
  • Creator: Chad Jensen

Dominant Species is a board game that very much says what it is in the name. In this tile placement game, players each take the role of a species in 90,000 BC - shortly before the Ice Age. Whether players are in charge of mammals or birds, their goal is to move around the earth, plan how they will survive above all others, and then execute their plans perfectly.

While it may sound simple, there are a lot of different elements at play in Dominant Species. Although players are trying to plot their victory, they are also trying to prevent the other players from winning. Additionally, the tile placement nature of the game means the map will be random each time. There's also a selection of actions players can take to strategically secure the win - all of this means that although it's incredibly fun, Dominant Species is not for the faint of heart.

2 Oath: Chronicles Of Empire And Exile

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 4.10

Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile box art

  • Creator: Cole Wehrle

Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile is a legacy-style game in that every time it is played, the outcome will influence the next game - however, it doesn't require the same set of players each time like most legacy games, thus the "chronicle" part of the title. Because of this, the actual gameplay shifts each time players begin a new game, adding further complication to an already complicated experience.

When playing Oath for the first time, players will assume a role that either asks them to maintain their already-gained power or plot to overthrow another player in pursuit of said power. The standard setup includes 4 players, with one as the Chancellor and 3 as Exiles, but this can change as more games are played. Play begins with the Chancellor, and moves in clockwise order, where a player will wake up, take an action, and then rest, all before play moves to the next person.

There are many different actions available, and there's a limited economy to consider that largely influences what players can do. Not to mention how roles and objectives will change depending on how many games have been played, and who won those games. Overall, everyone is in pursuit of power, but like most legacy-style games, there's a lot more going on than meets the eye.

3 Sword & Sorcery

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 4.11

Sword & Sorcery board game cover

  • Creators: Simone Romano & Nunzio Surace

Sword & Sorcery is a fantasy board game that relies on cooperative play against the game system itself, rather than PvP. Like all epic fantasy, players must assume the roles of heroes who are fighting to build their strength to take down an ancient and evil power. If there was ever a board game that replicated a high-fantasy RPG or MMORPG, Sword & Sorcery is it.

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In terms of play, it's a dungeon-crawler-style game with a scenario system that will help players level up their character. There are multiple decks to pull from that will dictate enemy encounters as well as other events. As they move around the board, players may discover different story points that they can then refer to the manual to learn more about.

Sword & Sorcery takes some dedication to learn, although, like most board games, it's easier to understand once one player knows what they're doing. It's a great choice for D&D players, or those with some understanding of the dimensions of dungeon crawling.

4 Tak

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 2.46

cover of Tak
  • Creators: James Ernest and Patrick Rothfuss

Tak is one of the most challenging abstract strategy games that was inspired by the world of Patrick Rothfuss's novel, The Wise Man’s Fear. While this board game might be fairly simple to pick up it's also very complex and players will have to make their decisions wisely as they can easily lead to catastrophic failure.

Tak's difficulty lies in its open-ended strategy, requiring players to think several moves ahead and anticipate their opponent's intentions. It's a great choice for players who love beautiful board games with great stories that'll still challenge them.

5 Captain Sonar

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 2.19

cover of Captain Sonar
  • Creators: Roberto Fraga and Yohan Lemonnier

Thanks to Captain Sonar, board Game fans can dive deep into aquatic warfare. This thrilling board game lets players engage in epic submarine battles. Players will take on various roles including Captain, First Mate, Engineer, and Radio Operator as they try to work together seamlessly to locate the enemy sub while also evading detection.

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Captain Sonar's challenge is multi-faceted since players will have to make decisions in real-time while efficiently communicating with their team, as well as deducing enemy locations while being under the pressure of potential deep-sea destruction.

6 Innovation

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 2.76

cover of Innovation
  • Creator: Carl Chudyk

Innovation is perfect for those board game fans who love challenging but fun educational games. This fascinating game transports players back in time to then take them on an epic adventure and teach them about human history. Players will start their journeys as cavemen and will have to lead civilization into the tech-savvy future.

During their journey players will have to juggle evolving tech cards, and unlock cool achievements, while also trying to get used to the ever-changing strategies. Players will not only learn about history but can even reshape it to their liking.

7 Antiquity

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 4.32

cover of Antiquity
  • Creators: Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wiersinga

Antiquity takes players on an eco-adventure that's mixed with old-world charm. Board game lovers will have to build their cities in a dystopian world where pollution's on the rise and their people have to survive and deal with famine.

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Players will have to rely on their strategic skills as they gather resources and try to keep Earth happy and healthy. However, Antiquity is not just about building but about surviving and thriving. It's perfect for players who love complex city builders and survival games that immerse them in a dark but fascinating world.

8 Arkham Horror

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 3.58

cover of Arkham Horror
  • Creator: Richard Launius

Arkham Horror is considered one of the most challenging horror board games inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. This cooperative, highly unpredictable game is set in the spooky Lovecraftian universe. Players step into the shoes of investigators who have to stop ancient evil beings from destroying the world.

Thanks to Arkham Horror's complex rules, players will have to rely on their strategic thinking and team-playing skills as they embark on their dangerous journey and try to overcome a wide range of fun but challenging obstacles.

9 Robinson Crusoe: Adventures On The Cursed Island

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 3.82

cover of Robinson Crusoe Adventures on the Cursed Island
  • Creator: Ignacy Trzewiczek

Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island is one of the most challenging survival board games out there. It's inspired by Daniel Defoe's classic novel, Robinson Crusoe. Players will be transported to Crusoe's famous island, where they'll have to plan carefully and use strategic decision-making skills to stay alive.

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While it's an immersive and entertaining tabletop game, it's also difficult and unpredictable with many unique challenges. Players will also have to work together to build shelter and gather resources. Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island is a great choice for families who love engaging but difficult board games that help them improve their communication skills.

10 Kingdom Death: Monster

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 4.26

board and pieces of Kingdom Death Monster
  • Creator: Adam Poots

Kingdom Death: Monster is one of the hardest board games with monsters. Set in a dark fantasy world, players will have to embark on a dangerous adventure as they lead a group of survivors through a series of battles against terrifying monsters.

It's one of the most beautiful and complex dark fantasy board games, featuring many rules, a huge number of cards, and stunning miniatures. The gameplay requires its players to think strategically and plan ahead. During their journeys in this brutal land, players will not only have to defeat deadly monsters but manage their resources, craft weapons, and gear, research new technologies, and make difficult decisions that will impact the outcome of their battles.

11 Pandemic Legacy

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: Season 0: 3.15, Season 1: 2.83, Season 2: 3.25

board and pieces of Pandemic Legacy
  • Creator: Rob Daviau and Matt Leacock

Pandemic Legacy is one of the most thrilling cooperative board games. It's set in a post-apocalyptic world where a deadly virus is spreading rapidly. Players will have to think strategically and work together to find a cure to save themselves and the world they live in.

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During gameplay, players will not only have to try to control outbreaks and find a cure but also manage resources and deal with unexpected events and setbacks. While Pandemic Legacy is a challenging board game, it's also one of the most immersive thanks to the ongoing storyline that keeps players engaged.

12 Mage Knight Board Game

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 4.36

board game pieces of Mage Knight Board Game
  • Creator: Vlaada Chvátil

Mage Knight Board Game is one of the most complex board games for adults who love fantasy RPGs. It's one of the most difficult board games that gamers can not only play in teams but solo as well and go on an unforgettable adventure while exploring and conquering the cities of this dark fantasy world.

Players will have to get comfortable with the game's many and fairly complex rules to learn how to build their Knight's abilities. It's also one of the best board games for Catan fans, who loved that game for its complexity and wonder. Gamers will get to travel and explore caves and dark dungeons while building their army and casting deadly spells to defeat their enemies and conquer the Mage Knight universe.

13 Magic Realm

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 4.55

board of Magic Realm
  • Creator: Richard Hamblen

Magic Realm is one of the oldest and most complex RPG board games that will take its players on a suspenseful and thrilling fantasy adventure. Players will get immersed in a meticulously crafted fantasy world filled with treasures, monsters, and of course, powerful warriors and magicians.

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Gamers will get to become true adventurers and become one of the sixteen major characters of this magical realm. Even though it's a complex and often difficult game, it's also a deeply immersing and entertaining one that's perfect for fantasy lovers who are ready to make a name for themselves while battling monsters and hunting for the treasures of a lost civilization.

14 Gaia Project

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 4.39

cover of Gaia Project
  • Creators: Jens Drögemüller and Helge Ostertag

Gaia Project is one of the most complicated board games for adults who love complex space and sci-fi tabletop games. It's a great option for sci-fi lovers who are looking for tougher and more challenging board games that'll not only entertain them but test their skills.

Gamers will get to explore many different factions, interesting planets as well and alien species while developing, researching, and terraforming neighboring planets as well as competing with other groups. Thanks to Gaia Project's complexity and the fascinating variety of its alien species, it has a great replay value too.

15 Gloomhaven

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 3.90

cover of Gloomhaven
  • Creator: Isaac Childres

Gloomhaven is one of the most popular and complex board games for adults with a dark and adventures-filled world. Players will have to defeat monsters and use their strategic thinking skills if they want to survive and win this tactical combat game.

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Gamers will get to explore forgotten ruins and dark dungeons and deal with ever-shifting motives while taking the place of an adventurer who has to use their special abilities while exploring the darkest corners of this dangerous but thrilling game. Players will also have to make tough decisions that will determine how their story continues. Gloomhaven is a difficult but highly entertaining board game that'll keep even the most experienced gamers on their toes at all times.

16 Scythe

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 3.44

board game cover Scythe
  • Creator: Jamey Stegmaier

Scythe is one of the most beautifully designed and fairly difficult board games for The Witcher fans. It's set in an alternate version of Europe in the 1920s. It's a complex board game for adults about war and farming in which players will have to use their courage and ingeniousness to represent and restore their honor and lead their people to power in Eastern Europe.

It's a fairly short game; it takes around 115 minutes to complete, but it's hard to play correctly because of the difficult rules. Players will have to perfect their strategic and engine-building skills while trying to control as many territories as possible and use resources wisely.

17 Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 2.30

board game items in Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
  • Creators: Raymond Edwards, Suzanne Goldberg, and Gary Grady

Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective is one of the greatest detective board games of all time that lets its players experience some of their favorite Sherlock stories and even go after iconic serial killers like Jack the Ripper. It's a beautiful and entertaining game that's filled with mysteries and requires the players to use and improve their deduction skills.

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Players will have to get lost in these intriguing stories and solve clues, examine objects, and talk to characters to collect more information and evidence. What makes the game especially difficult is that players will have to figure out which information matters and what's just clutter. While it's a difficult board game, it's also a highly entertaining and immersive one.

18 Through The Ages: A New Story Of Civilization

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 4.44

historical characters in Through the Ages A Story of Civilization
  • Creator: Vlaada Chvátil

Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization is one of the most complex board games where players progress through ages and have to build their empires. This complicated civilization-building game requires its players to focus on managing a wide range of resources, food, science, and of course, military progression, so they can win their wars and progress faster.

Players will be able to visit five different Ages, and they will have to find new and creative ways to progress their civilization in ways that work best for that time period. Fans will also have to construct buildings, colonize new territories, and create workers who will build their impressive empire.

19 Eldritch Horror

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 3.32

board game contents in Eldritch Horror
  • Creators: Corey Konieczka and Nikki Valens

While Eldritch Horror is complex, it's still one of the spookiest and most fun party board games for Halloween that'll both challenge and entertain adult guests. Players will go on an unforgettable Lovecraftian horror adventure filled with mysteries and supernatural creatures.

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Gamers can step into the shoes of some of the most world-renowned traveling investigators and will have to solve complicated mysteries while collecting clues and defeating monsters during horrifying adventures. Eldritch Horror's difficulty level can be controlled to some degree since players can choose to use or not use the easy mythos cards.

20 Dead Of Winter

BoardGameGeek Complexity Rating: 3.01

characters in Dead of Winter
  • Creators: Corey Konieczka and Nikki Valens

Dead of Winter is one of the most difficult and popular horror board games for adults. This meta-cooperative psychological board game transports its players into a horrifying post-apocalyptic world in which they will have to fight for their survival under the harshest of conditions.

In this dark wintery world, most of humanity is dead or has become murderous zombies, and only a few humans survived. Players will have to overcome mind-boggling challenges, so they can lead their faction of survivors and help them survive in a world that has become unlivable for humans. It's an atmospheric and challenging game that's perfect for those gamers who love tense and dark psychological games.