Yet the game also has a constantly rising skill ceiling. So dive in, and let us know your thoughts - and recommendations - in the comments below.ħ Wonders shines because it’s easy to pick up and understand, especially while playing for the first time. We’ve done our best to hit all the major genres as well, from hardcore strategy games to lighter, family fare. Everything here is still in print and available for a fair price. This is not an aspirational list filled with out-of-print classics or hard-to-find titles. Just as we have done for PC and console gaming, we’ve assembled a comprehensive list of the very best modern board games. That’s where Polygon’s Essentials List can help.

You can’t purchase every hot new title that shows up on Kickstarter, but you also don’t want to be wasting time playing the same old games that your parents keep in the coat closet. But the same churn that has brought so many extraordinary games to market has also made it hard to know where to get started. Even big box retailers like Target are getting in on the action with surprisingly good selections. What was once a hobby relegated to the dusty racks at the back of friendly local game stores has gone mainstream.

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