Best Board Games on Steam
In the ever-expanding digital world, no one is safe… not even board games. Ever since the first computers were built, some of the earliest programs were digital versions of tabletop games, like chess.
One of the defining moments in the advancement of technology was when a computer program was able to beat the World Chess Champion and the World Go champion at their respective games. These are our picks for the best digital/PC board games on Steam!
Our Top Picks for Best Board Games on Steam
In a hurry? Check out our favorites below.
The Digital Advantage
Skynet and our inevitable computer overlords aside, this cyber-takeover isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Digital/PC board games have some distinct advantages.
- The rules are programmed in and you can’t cheat or play the game incorrectly.
- A game that would be impossible to travel with can now fit on a laptop or phone.
- You can play with friends and family around the world.
- Graphics, soundtracks, and animation can add to the experience.
The Digital Downside
Digital board games come with their own issues, however. They can have shoddy programming that runs inefficiently, crashes, or has irritating animations and sounds. Just as all board games aren’t created equal, the same can be said for their digital counterparts. I don’t think the digital versions will ever push the physical versions out of existence, but I definitely think they have a place in today’s world, and should be on any gamer’s radar.
Scythe
Players: 1-5
Playing time: 90-115 minutes
Ages: 14+
Digital Version | Asmodee Digital | 2018
Set in a grim alternative reality, Scythe is a fantastic board gaming experience. From the ashes of the First World War, a new era has emerged. Five factions in Eastern Europe vie for supremacy in this new world. Players aim to conquer new territories, build armies, develop resources, and achieve regional domination.
Scythe is an engine-building Eurogame built upon a great concept and awesome artwork. There’s a low amount of randomness in the game so a superior strategy is needed to win. Beginners beware because there is a steep learning curve. But once everyone’s up to speed, then Scythe can be an excellent, immersive gaming experience.
What we liked
The artwork and design are incredible and capture the theme perfectly. The theme itself is fascinating and provides a fantastic backdrop to an excellent game. Engine-building is key to victory and it’s extremely rewarding to see your engine beginning to purr. Victory feels earned and rematches are almost certain.
What could be better
There are a lot of decisions to be made on each turn. This is great when it’s your go, but once the baton moves on you’ll spend a lot of time waiting for others to make their move. There can be a lot of downtime if any of the players are likely to suffer from analysis paralysis.
How it stacks up on Steam
First of all, it’s much cheaper to play Scythe on Steam than as a board game. This makes it a pretty appealing choice.
In terms of the gameplay, one of the most obvious differences is in the speed of the AI. They’re way faster than humans. This can actually be a blessing and a curse. There’s way less downtime and it’s your turn way more often, which is great. But, you can’t see how the AI calculated its move. For beginners, it can be hard to follow all the different moving parts as they change in the blink of an eye.
I don’t think it acts as a total substitute for the board game, but it allows you to play a huge number of games in the same amount of time. You can get a ton of practice for when you play the actual board game.
Istanbul
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 40-60 minutes
Ages: 10+
Digital Version | Mobo Studio | 2018
Istanbul is a worker placement game in which you’ll play as a merchant in charge of a bunch of workers (who would’ve thought?). Your workers are not the brightest crayons in the box, however, and you need to take them to their locations and come back to pick them up if you want them to do something else.
What we liked
Istanbul is a great game for a mixed bag of players. You need to think about what you’re doing, but not too hard. Individual games aren’t too long. The mechanics are straightforward and engaging. Strategy is important, but players are unlikely to suffer from analysis paralysis. This makes it accessible to all kinds of players.
What could be better
It all comes down to the simplicity of the game. If you’re looking for a complex worker placement game where you agonize over every choice and feel like you fully earn your victory through superior strategy, Istanbul will not satisfy you.
How does it stack up on Steam?
This is probably one of the best board-game-to-digital-recreations on the market. It has online multiplayer, single-player, and the AI isn’t half bad. The system keeps track of all your workers, resources, and points. It’s very easy to learn and tons of fun to play.
If you’ve played Istanbul and liked it then you’ll appreciate the lengths the developers went to in order to ensure that it still feels like the tabletop game.
If you’ve never played Istanbul and are interested in the game, then you’ll also definitely appreciate the game.
Lords of Waterdeep
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 60-120 minutes
Ages: 12+
Digital Version | Playdek, Inc. | 2017
Step into the shoes of one of the Lords of Waterdeep and use your influence and power to gain control. Lords of Waterdeep is set in the fictional Dungeons & Dragons town of Waterdeep, from the setting of the Forgotten Realms campaign. As a D&D game, it has all of the usual elements. As a resource management and worker placement game, you’ll hire fighters, clerics, rogues, and wizards to complete quests for victory points.
What we liked
Lords of Waterdeep works brilliantly as a gateway game. It introduces players to the world of Dungeons & Dragons and the worker placement genre. The theme is present but isn’t overpowering, and there’s nothing too complicated to throw off new players. You can just set up, jump in and play with minimal previous knowledge.
What could be better
This depends on how much of a D&D theme you are expecting. The theme just works as a superficial veneer. There’s nothing specifically Dungeons and Dragons about the gameplay or the mechanics. This isn’t exactly a problem, but something you should definitely be aware of before you purchase the game.
Lords of Waterdeep is one of my favorite worker placement games. Being a longtime D&D nerd, I love the theme of the game. Be sure to check out our in-depth review of the physical board game too!
How does it stack up on Steam?
The PC version has some distinct advantages over some of the other games on this list. There is online multiplayer as well as local multiplayer. The game is very polished and looks excellent. The only issue you’ll really find is that there’s a timer for the game built into online multiplayer that ends the game whether you’re done or not, so make sure you check your settings.
The mobile version is just as good, but I’d rather play it on a larger screen like a tablet over a phone, just so that you can really see everything.
Gloomhaven
Players: 1-4
Playing time: 60-120 minutes
Ages: 14+
Digital Version | Asmodee Digital | 2021
Welcome to the grim world of Gloomhaven, where danger lurks in every murky corner. This is a world where heroes are forged in a deadly battle with ferocious monsters. It’s a sprawling epic where players can venture into the unknown, battling deadly enemies and discovering valuable treasure.
Gloomhaven is not for the fainthearted. It’s a vast stage where your character will take on truly heroic quests. There’s a huge cast of characters and a phenomenal number of storylines to find here. It blends legacy-style elements into the game so the campaign will commit you to months of epic gameplay.
What we liked
The sheer scale of Gloomhaven is barely fathomable. It includes over 70 different campaigns and is essentially a legacy game. If you’re up for the challenge, Gloomhaven will offer months of immersive gameplay and leave you blown away at the end of it all. Plus, when you’re finished, you can technically reset the whole thing and start again.
What could be better
Gloomhaven is not for the casual gamer. Make sure that you’re ready to commit. Find some friends who are also ready to make the commitment. Gloomhaven will play out over the course of a few months and it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Just be prepared for that.
How it stacks up on Steam
Gloomhaven on Steam is an adaptation that includes everything from the board game. The game is narrated throughout which adds some depth to the experience. If you’re a fan of the campaign in the board game version, Steam’s adaptation offers much the same experience. You can also check out Guildmaster mode, which is a new way to play the game. It lets you choose a random scenario and play it with friends or alone.
There are a few drawbacks in the Steam version. The rules aren’t actually very clear and there’s no undo button, so you can easily make a mistake due to a misunderstanding and then have to deal with the frustrating consequences. But overall, Gloomhaven on Steam is a lot of fun and offers a much more streamlined and faster way to play the game.
Wingspan
Players: 1-5
Playing time: 40-70 minutes
Ages: 10+
Digital Version | Monster Couch | 2020
I’ve loved Wingspan since I first played it. The theme itself isn’t immediately appealing to me but the overall execution was just so well done that I found myself really enjoying the game and learning a lot about birds in the process. If you are actually interested in ornithology as well, this game should be a match made in heaven.
The aim of the game is to spot as many birds as possible and attract them to your bird sanctuary. Each card includes excellent artwork and fascinating information on each bird. Throughout the game, you’ll find yourself laying eggs, gathering food, and discovering different birds along the way.
What we liked
Wingspan’s theme is unique and masterfully executed. The artwork on the cards is fantastic and the game is educational. You’ll genuinely learn a lot about birds and their habitats while you play. It is also easy to teach and a lot of fun to play. Overall it ties together to create an excellent board game.
What could be better
Although the game is actually easy to teach, the rulebook is pretty tough to decipher. It’s better to play with someone who knows the rules rather than trying to learn from the rulebook. It lacks clarity and there are ambiguities and unclear rules throughout. Either get someone to teach you or watch a youtube video.
How it stacks up on Steam
Wingspan on Steam is a great adaptation. In the board game, the artwork is great and on the Steam version, this has been extended to include some fantastic animations. As I mentioned earlier, the board game’s rules can be tough to decipher, so it’s great that the Steam version includes an easy-to-follow tutorial.
One of the best aspects of the Steam adaptation is that you can play against different levels of AI depending on your skill. This covers the gamut from incredibly simple to pretty tough so any level of player can find their right level of opponent.
Boss Monster
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 30 minutes
Ages: 13+
Digital Version | Plain Concepts Corp. | 2016
Boss Monster is the perfect candidate to be digitized. In Boss Monster, you take on the role of the boss of a dungeon and build rooms to murder adventurers who are trying to steal your stuff. The reason why it works so well as a video game is that it’s based on retro video game bosses. The card artwork is pixel art and reminds me of playing Castlevania on Super Nintendo.
Each card represents a room in a dungeon that has different abilities to kill off intruders. It’s a bit complicated and therefore easy to lose track of everything. The digital version keeps track of all the cards, victory points, and health in an easy-to-see way, and the art and soundtrack all add to the experience.
What we liked
The retro artwork is great and evokes nostalgia for a bygone era of NES games. Whether you actually lived through this era, or just want to experience a little bit of what it was like, Boss Monster does a great job of capturing the vibe.
What could be better
Boss Monster is going to be too random for some players. An unlucky draw can have devastating consequences. Players can be eliminated through no fault of their own. Also, there isn’t much player interaction in the game. You can interact using spells, but beyond that, you’re focusing on your own goals.
How does it stack up on Steam?
Boss Monster is one of the few games I actually prefer the PC version over the physical one. My brother was one of the first to get a physical copy by backing it on Kickstarter, and it’s really fun. However, with some games, I’m just lazy and the digital version takes care of all the tedious bits that I don’t feel like dealing with.
Can’t get enough Boss Monster? Check out our full review of the physical version here.
Ticket to Ride
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 30-60 minutes
Ages: 8+
Digital Version | Days of Wonder, Asmodee Digital | 2012
Ticket to Ride is one of the modern-day classics. Its seemingly simplistic mechanics of “build a train line” veils a very strategy-heavy game.
- When do you pick up a new goal?
- What colors are you going for?
- Is an opponent going to block you out?
- Should I go for longest route?
There’s a ton of strategy to be had with this fantastic game. The simplicity of rules combined with heavy strategy makes it a lot of fun on a digital platform. It really shines digitally, however, because you don’t have to keep track of all the tiny train pieces!
If not for the PC version, this game would be impossible to play on the go. Even when I’m playing at home I always knock someone’s train route off the board by accident (I’m not graceful).
What we liked
Ticket to Ride works great as a family game. It’s short, it’s educational and it’s accessible. It’s also got a lot of replayability if you enjoy the theme. Once you’ve learned the basics, there are a lot of strategic choices that you will need to make. So, each game is going to be a bit different and leave you wanting more.
What could be better
Really it all comes down to the theme. This will make or break the game for you. If you buy into the theme, everything else falls into place nicely. But if it’s not that appealing to you, it’s going to be very hard to move beyond it. Everything revolves around the fact that you’re building a train, and if you don’t feel like doing that then no amount of strategy and mechanics will make up for it.
How does it stack up on Steam?
Ticket to Ride is one of the more successful PC adaptations. The rules are simplified and it’s very easy to travel with, especially on a smartphone. I used to ride the subway to work and always got a game in on my commute.
Ready to ride the train? Get the lowdown with our full review of the physical version here plus all of the other versions and expansions!
Twilight Struggle
Players: 2
Playing time: 120-180 minutes
Ages: 13+
Digital Version | Playdek Inc. | 2016
During the Cold War, the USA and the USSR emerged as the two global superpowers. They were in direct competition for global hegemony. It was an incredibly precarious period where any major mistake between them could have resulted in nuclear war and MAD or mutually assured destruction. A tense time indeed.
This is what Twilight Struggle captures. Two players will take charge of these two superpowers and compete for supremacy through a combination of proxy war, espionage, and political machination. Overall Twilight Struggle is quite a complex game and it offers players a lot to think about. You have a lot of strategic choices to make so it makes victory that bit more rewarding.
What we liked
Twilight Struggle is a game that rewards history buffs. The more you know about the Cold War, the more this game will appeal to you. Cards are replete with historical events and this game will constantly reference things that really happened. If you want to know more, the rulebook actually includes more information about each event.
What could be better
Twilight Struggle suffers from two main drawbacks, which compound each other. First, there are a lot of rules in this game. They need to be respected because otherwise, the game becomes unbalanced quickly. For new players, this means the rulebook will be consulted a lot. And the rulebook is poorly written and tough to decipher. It’s much better if someone can teach you the rules in person.
How it stacks up on Steam
Steam’s adaptation of Twilight Struggle does a great job of capturing all the rules and mechanics of the board game. If you have played one then the other will be second nature. On top of the mechanics, the Steam version offers lots of useful visual information that allows you to tell at a glance where the balance of power lies.
There are also some great sound effects that provide an immersive backdrop to the experience. Flying aircraft, cheering crowds and air-raid sirens create a Cold War-esque atmosphere throughout.
Elder Sign
Players: 1-8
Playing time: 90 minutes
Ages: 13+
Elder Sign: Omens | Digital Version | Fantasy Flight Publishing Inc. | 2011
Step into madness (again) with Elder Sign. There are a ton of Cthulhu and Lovecraft-based board games and video games, most of them coming from Fantasy Flight Games. If you like cooperative board games, Arkham Horror and Eldritch Horror are great places to start.
In Elder Sign, you take on the role of an investigator and go searching for clues to bring down the Ancient Ones before everyone is devoured or lost in time and space.
What we liked
The dice-rolling mechanic manages to keep the game fresh and engaging. Everyone needs to work together and when you complete some of the tougher challenges with successful dice rolls, the collective achievement feels brilliant. It’s a shared victory that everyone can celebrate.
What could be better
Although eight players can technically join in, I definitely wouldn’t recommend it. It actually works best as a two-player game. This way, it’s fast-paced and engaging. It also plays well with three or four people. But as you up the numbers, the gaming experience becomes more negatively affected.
How does it stack up on Steam?
Elder Sign: Omens is a very faithful recreation of the board game. The game mechanics and artwork are all pulled directly from the game.
The biggest advantage of the digital version is that it teaches you how to play. I’ve found that with games like Arkham Horror, Mansions of Madness, and Elder Sign, the instruction booklet is more of a tome. It can be a pain to read through everything, and even more of a pain to teach other players the rules. The Steam game distills all of that down and makes it very simple to learn.
I’d almost suggest playing the PC version first before you play the physical version, just to learn the ins and outs of the game. That being said, Elder Sign: Omens does not have online multiplayer, so if you want to play with others you’ll have to sit around a shared screen or pass your phone back and forth.
Pathfinder Adventure Card Game: Rise of the Runelords
Players: 1-4
Playing time: 90 minutes
Ages: 13+
Digital Version | Asmodee Digital | 2017
Pathfinder Adventures is another game that works really well as a digital version. If you’re not familiar with Pathfinder, it was an alternate version of Dungeons & Dragons when they split from the 3.5 rule set to 4th edition.
Since nobody liked the 4th edition, Pathfinder as a tabletop RPG became wildly popular and actually outsold D&D for several years. It’s since spawned its own lore, novels, cult following, and board games.
Pathfinder Adventures is best described as a deck-building RPG. It’s an interesting twist on the whole genre. In the physical game when you buy the box it comes with everything you need… for one adventure.
Granted, that’s about 10 playthroughs, but to move forward you’ll need to find the correct expansion for that adventure set. It gets expensive, and it gets difficult to keep track of your character’s cards.
What we liked
There’s a lot of content in Pathfinder. If you are ready to commit, it can provide tons of game time across many sessions. With the expansions included, you can expect to get dozens of sessions out of Pathfinder before you exhaust its content. There are lots of regions to explore and many different ways to develop your character. Pathfinder can offer a really rewarding gaming experience.
What could be better
Character development is actually really slow and you’ll only achieve it if you play Pathfinder over the course of a few months. This, coupled with the need for expansions, means that it’s not the most accessible game. It’s quite expensive and takes a big time commitment to really get your money’s worth from it.
How does it stack up on Steam?
The PC version is much easier to handle. The setup, which usually took quite a bit, is now instant and completely mobile. You can play it on your desktop/laptop or on a phone/tablet with the mobile version. They’re both pretty identical.
I loved the physical version of the game, but it is a complete pain in the butt to set up and keep organized. It was easy to find the first few expansions to the adventure, but the further along you go, the harder it is to find the last 1-2 expansions.
To complete the entire questline with a physical board, you have to buy the base game and 6 expansions to complete one adventure. Each expansion adds about 10-15 playthroughs. It’s a lot to keep track of, which is why I prefer the digital version of the game.
Small World
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 40-80 minutes
Ages: 8+
Digital Version | Days of Wonder, Asmodee Digital | 2013
Kendra got Small World for her birthday a few years ago and it’s one of her favorites. She’s a huge fantasy nerd (and nerd in general) and Small World mixes up the generic fantasy tropes in such a fun way.
In Small World, you’ll pick a race, mixed with a random ability, and begin to conquer the map. You’ll quickly find out that the map doesn’t have enough space for everyone to live peacefully; it is a small world after all.
You gain points for controlling territories, and for special abilities mixed in randomly with your race cards.
What we liked
The fantasy theme is executed really well in Small World. There are 14 different races to choose from and the components and artwork do a great job of immersing you in the game. Also, the game offers just the right amount of strategy without being too complex. This means anyone can join in with minimal experience.
What could be better
The base game is fun but ultimately you’ll become very familiar with the different races and powers in the game. If you’ve played through it several times, you’ll know what the optimum strategy is in any given situation. While it’s nice to master a game, it does reduce its replayability quite a lot.
Small World has tons of exciting expansions for the tabletop version that really spice things up if you’ve been playing the original for a while.
How does it stack up on Steam?
I love the artwork for this game. It’s so goofy and fun, and they recreated the artwork faithfully in the digital version. There are no fancy 3D effects or reworkings for the PC version. They went with a simple recreation that works really well.
I had a lot of fun and was able to hop online and play with some friends who live in a different state. We got onto Discord (a free VoIP) and were talking trash and slinging insults to each other as if we were in the same room.
I tried playing some solo games and random matchmaking games, but it didn’t have that same feeling I was looking for from a board game. However, playing with people I knew online was absolutely a blast.
There were some people online who had issues with bugs in the online version, but I was perfectly fine and didn’t run into any issues.
Pandemic
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 45 minutes
Ages: 8+
Digital Version | Asmodee Digital, Z-Man Games | 2018
Pandemic is one of my favorite games. It’s cooperative, has an incredible theme, and has enough challenge and variety in playing styles that I always find myself drawn back to it. You can check out our full review of the tabletop version here.
In Pandemic, you take on the role of an emergency response team. Each character has a different ability and you’ll have to work together with your team to cure all the viruses threatening the extinction of the world.
What we liked
Pandemic is an excellent roleplaying game that allows for a lot of player interaction. The tension can be palpable and every player has something vital to offer. Each role is essential and the way that players can combine forces and work together to achieve common goals is really satisfying.
What could be better
On the surface, Pandemic looks really easy. But it can be deceivingly difficult if players don’t work together, or if you get a number of bad draws in a row. While it’s a lot of fun to win collectively, you also lose collectively and this can be really frustrating. Sometimes losing can just come down to bad communication.
How does it stack up on Steam?
As a board game, Pandemic is one of the greats. As a PC game, it has a few issues. There is no online multiplayer and no AI. So, if you wanted to play on your laptop or desktop, then you’re either playing alone, or you’ll want to hook it up to a TV so that everyone can see it at once.
If you do want a digital copy, I highly suggest a mobile option. It’s much easier to pass it around in between turns, and it’s a fantastic way to play on the go, especially while traveling.
Ready for some tabletop Pandemic? Check out our in-depth review of the Pandemic board game and the best Pandemic expansions before you dive in.
Ogre
Players: 1-3
Playing time: 45 minutes
Ages: 10+
Digital Version | Auroch Digital | 2017
Steve Jackson is one of the big names in board games. Before he created the spoof-filled Munchkin games he created a tabletop game called Ogre.
It was simple to learn and fun to play tabletop wargame where you would control the massive hover tank known as an Ogre and blast away your enemies to bits.
Ogre has solidified its place in tabletop history, and there have been several reprints of the game, but it’s also been very difficult (for me anyway) to find a workable copy of the game. One of the great parts about digital games is that they’re never out of stock. A new copy can always be made.
What we liked
Ogre is a great introductory war game. Plus it’s a classic. It’s a great way to connect different generations of gamers. Sure, it’s a little dated in terms of artwork, but that gives it a nice vintage feeling. The gameplay and mechanics are simple but clever. Ogre has stood the test of time and is a classic for a reason.
What could be better
Ogre has been entertaining people for half a century. It doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon. But, it’s going to feel too dated for some gamers. Of course, for those who feel nostalgic about previous gaming eras, the appeal is obvious. But the appeal to the modern gaming community will be limited.
How does it stack up on Steam?
The PC version of Ogre uses all of the original rules of the physical edition and the models and textures are based on the classic artwork from the game.
If you weren’t around in 1977 when it was first released, then the digital copy will always be available to find so you can relive or discover the classic.
Ascension
Players: 1-4
Playing time: 30 minutes
Ages: 13+
Digital Version | Asmodee Digital | 2014
Ascension is an interesting take on a deck-building game. It was actually designed by Magic: The Gathering champions as an alternative to the very high entry cost of Magic.
I really like PC deck-building games. Having deck builders digitally rendered makes the setup incredibly quick and easy. Also, they’re still a lot of fun even when you end up playing single-player against the AI.
What we liked
Ascension is a great introduction to deck-building games. There are so many deck-building games out there now, so Ascension introduces players new to the genre without overwhelming them. The artwork on the cards is also great, which increases the appeal of the game a lot.
What could be better
Given how many deck-building games there are these days, it’s hard to see what makes Ascension really stand out. If you want to play a classic deck-building game, Dominion has more to offer overall. But, Ascension does have the Steam version, so that is appealing.
How does it stack up on Steam?
Ascension worked well online and I was able to play with friends without any issues. Having the decks auto-shuffle and set up is really nice. You can get quite a few games in within a short amount of time.
Star Realms
Players: 2
Playing time: 20 minutes
Ages: 12+
Digital Version | White Wizard Games | 2016
Star Realms is an inexpensive Sci-Fi deck-building game and one you should absolutely go and add to your Steam library right now. It’s an incredibly fun game, has the rare Sci-Fi theme in a deck-builder, and most importantly, it’s free.
What we liked
The price and the portability make it an extremely accessible board game. Star Realms is really cheap. It’s free on steam and the board game won’t set you back much at all. And for the money, it’s a bargain. You don’t need to buy expansions to get the full enjoyment out of the game. Everything is there in the box. It’s also very portable so you can bring it anywhere.
What could be better
Star Realms is good but not amazing. It knows what it is and doesn’t pretend to be anything that it isn’t. It isn’t a complex game or a deep game. It’s a quick filler that you can play between other, heavier games.
How does it stack up on Steam?
The Steam version was actually my first encounter with the game and, as mentioned, it’s free. There’s no reason not to download it.
With the free version, you get access to the base game and single-player AI fights. You can’t go on to multiplayer unless you actually purchase the game, but it’s a great way to test-run the game and see if it’s your cup of tea.
The game is very user-friendly, and they do a really good job of teaching the game. I actually didn’t mind playing single-player and put quite a few hours into the game with just the free version, so it definitely is worth the entry cost.
Splendor
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 30 minutes
Ages: 10+
Digital Version | Days of Wonder, Asmodee Digital | 2015
In Splendor, you take on the role of a gem merchant during the Renaissance. You’ll draft resources, take control of mines, shipping, and craftsman to create gems and win influence with the nobles.
Splendor is a relatively lightweight game that is very fun to play. It’s easy to learn and has enough strategy to keep me entertained. I’ve always liked the physical game because I think the gem tokens included are really well done and have the feel of solid poker chips.
What we liked
Splendor is spectacularly easy to learn and incredibly quick to play. Beginners can jump right in with very little difficulty and enjoy the game immediately. In this way, it also works as a great gateway game. It can engage people who never play board games without scaring them away. Once players have mastered this game, they can move on to something more complex.
What could be better
The scoring can be quite underwhelming sometimes. You can be in the middle of the game, not aware that there’s any tension or possibility that someone is just about to win. Then, out of nowhere, they announce they have enough points and have won the game. It can all feel a bit sudden.
How does it stack up on Steam?
The Steam version just recently updated the game to include online multiplayer capability, which was one of the major complaints about the game previously.
Just recently, Kendra and I were traveling for a wedding and spent quite a lot of time playing Splendor on a tablet while waiting for one of our fights (40 hours total of travel time). It was the perfect way to pass the time as we listened to our flight being delayed.
Carcassonne
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 30-45 minutes
Ages: 7+
Digital Version | Asmodee Digital | 2017
Carcassonne is one of those games that looks really complicated until you play it once. The first time it was described to me, I had no idea how I was going to keep the different ways of scoring straight. After about 5 minutes into the game, however, you’ll have it all figured out.
Carcassonne is a tile-placement game in which players slowly build out the map and place meeples on specific locations that score when that section of the map is completed. It’s much easier than it sounds, I promise.
What we liked
Carcassonne is an extremely versatile game. It’s basically good for any situation. If you have a few minutes to kill, you can play a quick round. If you want a relaxing filler between more complex, stressful games, Carcassonne fits the description. It’s also portable, so you can always bring it along as a backup, and it doesn’t matter if you don’t get around to playing it.
What could be better
Player interaction can be quite limited. Technically you can all talk to each other, but in general, players just focus on what they’re going to do next. If you’re looking for something that is more social and has more interaction, Carcassonne might disappoint a little bit.
How does it stack up on Steam?
Steam has a re-released 3D version of the game with updated graphics and features, giving the game an overall fresher and more modern look. Instead of a user interface like most other games, the game has you looking down on a virtual tabletop, which gives it a fun feeling of still being a tabletop game.
If you love the original and need more, be sure to check out our rundown of the best Carcassonne expansions!
Catan
Players: 3-4
Playing time: 120 minutes
Ages: 10+
Digital Version | United Soft Media | 2017
Catan is one of my favorite games. If you’ve never played it then stop reading this right now and go play it. It’s that much fun. When I first played it on Christmas Day years ago, I was hooked.
I literally spent the next 3 days at the table playing one game after another with friends that would drop in and out as the days went on. I got a little carried away.
What we liked
Catan is the game that got a lot of us into board games in the first place. It worked as the ultimate gateway game, showing a whole generation that there are far superior and more complex board games out there than Monopoly. There will always be an element of nostalgia with Catan. But it’s also a great game with engaging mechanics that make it worth going back again and again.
What could be better
Once you’ve played through it a good few times you begin to notice that it’s not as complex as it first seems. If you’re hoping for a Eurogame that offers more choices and strategy then Catan does have its limits.
How does it stack up on Steam?
The Steam version plays just like the physical board game, and it’s free… kinda.
The base game is free to a point and then has microtransactions to purchase the full game and expansions. The 3D models of the players aren’t the fanciest I’ve ever seen, but I really like the board, which is more important.
Players have ridiculed the game for being very buggy. There are a lot of complaints about crashes and dice rolls not being random.
I’ve also heard that the odds of each dice roll change depending on the board setup. I’ve experienced the dice rolling, but without looking at the code of the game, I can’t be certain if they really did mess with it or not.
With all of the issues, you have to keep in mind that it is free so you can get a feel for the game before you decide if you can ignore the bugs for the sake of Catan or if you’d rather stick with rolling the dice yourself in person.
Virtual Reality Catan
If you do decide that this version isn’t for you, there is another option to play online. Catan has a VR version developed by a different company. I’ve played quite a few VR games and they are way more fun than you think they’d be. Catan VR is very polished. The graphics are great and the motion controls are very fluid.
There is only one downside. If you had all your friends in a room and asked everyone with a VR headset to raise their hands you’d probably only see one… maybe two. VR is still a new technology and is getting cheaper, but the user base for any VR game is still limited.
Dungeons & Dragons: Tomb of Annihilation
Players: 1-5
Playing time: 60 minutes
Ages: 14+
Digital Version | BKOM Studios | 2017
Dungeons & Dragons probably benefits most from being a digital board game. The game is based on the physical tabletop game of the same name.
What we liked
The campaign in Tomb of Annihilation is excellent. The leveling system and upgrade mechanics are really satisfying. Winning requires a lot of effective cooperation and communication between players so it adds a social element. The miniatures also look great and help immerse you in the Dungeons & Dragons universe.
What could be better
Although the campaign is a lot of fun, players will spend a lot of time reacting to events rather than taking proactive steps to advance the game on their own terms. Creatures spawn and the encounter phase constantly puts you on the back foot. The best you can usually hope for is to overcome these encounters with minimal damage and frustration.
How does it stack up on Steam?
With the Steam version, you get the advantage of not having to read a massive rulebook or set up a huge dungeon by hand, and you get really cool animations for spells, monsters, and attacks.
It plays very faithfully to the actual board game and looks fantastic. There are some drawbacks, however. There is no multiplayer… at all. Without multiplayer, it does seem to cross into the realm of a pure video game as opposed to a digital board game.
I feel torn about this game. I really like Dungeons & Dragons, but it’s so hard to get everyone together to play. This version fulfills my D&D fix and is a great game. However, it doesn’t act like a board game and I sometimes feel like I’m just playing a computer game.
Love Letter
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 20 minutes
Ages: 10+
Digital Version | Asmodee Games | 2018
Yes, there’s even a digital version of Love Letter. The 16-card game that you can fit into your wallet, has gotten even smaller.
I absolutely love Love Letter. It’s simple, fun, and very portable. It’s a great 2-player card game and cheap to boot. In the game, you are a potential suitor of the princess and the cards in your hand represent who currently is holding your love letter for her.
The object is to be the last player standing or to have the highest-numbered card at the end of the game. It’s an easy time-killer if you’re heading out and want something fun to play.
What we liked
Everything about Love Letter makes it really accessible. The box is small and the game is portable. It can be brought to any gaming event with minimal fuss. The rules are exceedingly easy so anyone can join in. Each game is over in 20 minutes so it works great as a filler. There’s also a great amount of depth to the gameplay so you can easily play several games in an evening and not get bored.
What could be better
Love Letter is great for what it is, but it has some obvious limitations. If you’re not a fan of the theme this is quite a hurdle to overcome. You could probably suspend belief and play for a couple of rounds, considering it’s so quick. But it would lose a lot of its replayability.
How does it stack up on Steam?
Because the original game is so small already, I don’t necessarily see the need for a digital copy of it, but the PC version is very nice. It uses all of the artwork from the game and the interface is both lovely and user-friendly.
It’s a great port of the game, but maybe I’m just lucky and always have Kendra to play Love Letter when the fancy strikes, so a digital version just doesn’t make sense to me.
Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small
Players: 1-4
Playing time: 30-120 minutes
Ages: 12+
Digital Version | Asmodee Digital | 2017
In Agricola, you’re in charge of growing your farm from an empty field into a thriving agricultural center. As you may imagine from our website name, Kendra and I like animals. The first time we played Agricola, Kendra went a little nutty and tried to have all of the animals on her farm. Did I mention she really likes animals?
What we liked
One of the best things about Agricola is that every game is going to be different. This gives it huge replayability. Your actions will be guided by your starting deck and you’ll need to constantly adapt to what other players are doing as well. Your strategy will constantly evolve and what worked in one game won’t carry over to another.
What could be better
The obvious problem with having to adapt strategy on the fly is that it can result in analysis paralysis. If you’re playing with an indecisive bunch then gameplay can begin to drag and you have to wait a long time between turns.
How does it stack up on Steam?
The Steam version of Agricola is not the full version of the game. It’s only the two-player version and isn’t as heavy as the original. I like the game, but I found myself drifting away from it after only a few plays.
One of the big drawbacks to playing board games online is that you tend to lose a lot of the social interaction that makes the games so compelling.
Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small is only a two-player version so you feel as if you’re in a duel with a robot and miss out on all the fun animal noises Kendra likes to make whenever she gets a new one.
Through the Ages
Players: 2-4
Playing time: 120 minutes
Ages: 14+
Digital Version | CGE Digital | 2017
Sometimes there’s a game that’s just incredibly deep, but requires a lot of pieces and components to keep track of.
Through the Ages is one of those games that is full of strategy and depth, but absolutely intimidating to get to the table. However, CGE (Czech Games Edition) has made a pretty amazing port of the game.
Sometimes when a game is ported over it gets convoluted when the original game is forced into a digital format, kinda like forcing the square peg through a round hole. The exact same game you get from the board game is exactly what you’re going to play on the digital version. That’s a pretty big achievement in its own right.
The best part is you can play a well-balanced A.I. to refine your skills anywhere you want.
CGE was nice enough to send us a digital key to try it out on Steam, but I enjoyed it so much I bought a copy for my phone too.
What we liked
Through the Ages is a very complex game. There are a lot of moving parts. This can be overwhelming, but if you’re up for the challenge it can also be immensely rewarding. At any given time there are so many different things to consider. When you pull it all off it provides a great sense of accomplishment that less complex games can’t achieve.
What could be better
It’s a tough one to introduce beginners to. The first time they play, they’re not going to be competitive. It’s up to you how you deal with this. You could destroy them and make them learn the hard way, or you could have a practice run and play nicely. Either way, you need to train them, and this takes time.
Wrap-Up
There’s no escape. Plug in or get out.
We hope you enjoyed our picks for the best board games on Steam. Making this list was much more difficult than I thought it would be. I like board games, and I like playing video games.
You’d think that it would be a pretty easy match finding board games that work well as video games. Right?
Wrong.
That’s not always the case. Part of what I love about board games is the social interaction and the shared storytelling you get when a group of people comes together. There are surprisingly few game developers that make those aspects a priority when they adapt a game for the computer screen. Their priorities are usually to make the rules flow easily and to enhance the games with graphics and soundtracks.
I do think that some games really shine in their digital forms. The rule-heavy, long setup, and deck-building games, in particular, make fantastic PC versions.
Luckily for us, I don’t think video games will ever be able to truly push out board games. There’s something magical that happens when a group of friends get together and roll some dice, but it’s also really nice to be able to catch up with old friends and be able to play the same game with someone on the other side of the world.
What are your favorite Steam board games? Did we miss any that you think we should have covered? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop us a comment below and school us with your digital expertise.
2 Comments. Leave new
Some other greats – Twilight Stuggle, Root, and Talisman. Twilight Struggle in particular is a super challenging and well presented.
Gordian Quest is a must-play masterpiece card battle dungeon crawling RPG epic fantasy dream game for old school D&D, Malazan Book of the Fallen, and Wizardry fans. It’s arguably SORT OF a board game. It does include dice and navigation on a series of game boards . . .
Multiplayer video games with board game vibes – Burnstar, For the King, Overcooked.
Awesome list, thanks for adding!
I haven’t actually played for the King, but I’m definitely going to pop it on my wishlist to give it a try.
Cheers,
Bryan