Updated on 10 January 2023
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
The editorial team’s recommendations
Our Choice The must-have At the heart of the mystery In touch with nature Who will cry out, Wolf! Fill your imagination 
Pandemic Carcassonne Mysterium Wingspan The Werewolves of Millers Hollow Dixit Odyssey Will you be able to stop the advance of four different diseases in the world by trying to find cures? You will have to combine forces, but there is no certainty of success... By placing your pieces, you shape the board and score points. Play wisely with your knights, monks, bandits or peasants and try to become the master of Carcassonne! Take part in a spiritualist séance and comfort an old lost soul as you try to solve a murder that took place years ago within the walls of Mr. MacDowell's house. The goal of Wingspan is to attract the most beautiful birds to your aviary. Each bird on the board triggers a combination of actions. You have to accumulate the most points to win. In this game, villagers and werewolves are pitted against each other. Depending on your status, you will have to unmask and kill all the wolves, or eliminate all the villagers without being unmasked. Dixit is a poetic game that asks you to find the image implicitly revealed to you by the narrator (played in turns). To win, you have to reach 30 points on the game board. £ 28.45 on Amazon £ 28.05 on Amazon £ 35.19 on Amazon £ 100.13 on Amazon £ 15.99 on Amazon £ 30.84 on Amazon
Will you be able to stop the advance of four different diseases in the world by trying to find cures? You will have to combine forces, but there is no certainty of success… Pandemic
Although this cooperative game is known for its fun, it can also be very complex. It will put the brains of all players to work. Its immersive theme, combined with increasing difficulty and team participation, makes Pandemic one of the best co-op games on the market. In our opinion, it is best played with 3 or 4 players, although it can also be played with 2. For ages 10 and up, its games last about 60 minutes once the rules are well understood. We recommend it more to connoisseurs than to beginners. The best thing? It is not repetitive.
By placing your pieces, you shape the board and score points. Play wisely with your knights, monks, bandits or peasants and try to become the master of Carcassonne! Carcassonne
With several million copies sold, this game (and its various expansions) can be called a classic. Its secret lies mainly in its simple rules and the use of pure strategy. It is suitable for ages 8 and up and requires 2 to 5 players, but, in our opinion, it is more interesting with 3 or more. Although it is a real building game, the length of the game is not affected by this, as it is 45 minutes maximum. The game is very entertaining, even if it does not always encourage interaction between participants.
Take part in a spiritualist séance and comfort an old lost soul as you try to solve a murder that took place years ago within the walls of Mr. MacDowell’s house. Mysterium
Voted “Game of the Year” at the 2016 Golden Aces ceremony, this cooperative game not only boasts qualitative graphics but also great replayability, to constantly vary the pleasures. It is a game with an immersive atmosphere. It is aimed at an audience of 10 years and older, and can be played by 2 to 7 players. Each match is designed to last between 40 and 45 minutes. Many users highlight the concept involving seers and ghosts. Although some complain that the rules are a bit difficult to understand, many videos on YouTube explain them more clearly. Finally, some users also point out some similarities with Dixit.
Wingspan
The goal of Wingspan is to attract the most beautiful birds to your aviary. Each bird on the board triggers a combination of actions. You have to accumulate the most points to win.
Whether you are an observer, a researcher, a collector or even an experienced ornithologist, this innovative card game convinces thanks to a smooth mechanism. The educational scope of the game is also evident in its accessibility, as it is suitable for ages 10 and up. 1 to 5 players can play and each game lasts about 1 hour (with the rules well-learned). With the basic game, you will discover the birds of America. Each card represents a different bird. We particularly liked the illustrations of each bird, the beauty of the material and the educational dimension of this game. And if you wish, there are also the Oceania, Europe and Asia extensions (to be released in December 2022) to represent the birds of these continents.
In this game, villagers and werewolves are pitted against each other. Depending on your status, you will have to unmask and kill all the wolves, or eliminate all the villagers without being unmasked. The Werewolves of Millers Hollow
The bronze medal at the Ludexpo fair, the Golden Ace and the Grand Prize of the Public at the International Game Fair are some of the awards won by this atmospheric game that combines originality, friendliness and simplicity. Accessible from the age of 10, it can be played by 8 to 18 players. This makes it the perfect card game for groups, whether they are families or friends. Depending on the number of players, games can last 30 minutes or much longer. We highly recommend it for an exciting and fun-filled social time for young and old alike.
Dixit is a poetic game that asks you to find the image implicitly revealed to you by the narrator (played in turns). To win, you have to reach 30 points on the game board. Dixit Odyssey
A worthy sequel to the original Dixit, the “Odyssey” version is characterised by an attractive, friendly and sometimes even joyful mechanic. We recommend it for families or friends without moderation! Accessible from the age of 8, it is played by 3 to 12 players and offers games designed to last no more than 45 minutes. We found this game very “poetic” thanks to its inspiring graphics and simple rules. It brings together all types of players for a pleasant and relaxed time. Please note that there are many extensions to Dixit and that they can all be used with the classic version. Each card is different, so you will never have duplicates.
How have we made the selection?
To help you choose the best board games, we have taken into account some of the biggest names in the gaming world. We have also based our results on the knowledge and opinions of a wide audience (such as the reviews of BoardGameGeek, among others).
We have also analysed renowned publishers and were able to test most of the games mentioned in the editorial office and at home with family and friends.
Other board games we recommend
Similo Animaux (£18.72 upon publication): a little cooperative game. Far from the big strategy games, Similo is a cooperative game in which you have to make the other players discover your secret animal among the 12 available using only the differences and similarities existing with the animals in your hand. You should know that the range covers several different themes to best suit your audience.
Azul (£42.99 upon publication): a real gem. You are in charge of a tile project to embellish the walls of the palace of King Manuel I of Portugal in the 16th century. If the plot doesn’t seem appealing at first glance, be aware that it doesn’t really show the fun at all! With Azul, you and 2-4 other friends will enjoy a 45-minute hair-pulling session.
Translated by Ramsés El Hajje
