Interaction with other players is relatively low, meaning 'Eleven' also makes for a great solo game. — Photo: Portal Games/dpa
BERLIN: What fascinates on the screen often also works on the table top – that's why popular computer games are increasingly being turned into successful board games. Here are six recommendations for those who want to give analogue gaming a go:
For Tetris fans: Project L
The colourful, high-quality polyominoes in Project L, which must be skilfully assembled into as many puzzles as possible, are reminiscent of Tetris, the well-known classic from the 1980s. For each completed shape, players are rewarded with a new, usually larger puzzle piece and victory points. In addition, the pieces can be upgraded.
The colourful, high-quality polyominoes in 'Project L', which must be skilfully assembled into as many puzzles as possible, are reminiscent of Tetris. — Photo: Asmodee/dpa
When playing Project L, everyone at the table has to plan slightly ahead, but the rules are simple enough. Even though there is hardly any interaction, the game is entertaining and impresses with a simple, chic design.
For combiners: Unlock! Game Adventures
The Unlock! series, which has been available for a few years, cleverly combines elements from classic point-and-click adventures like Monkey Island and escape rooms. Gamers have to search for clues and link up different cards.
The latest box of Game Adventures opens up a witty meta-level: The content of the three adventures is based on the modern board game classics Ticket to Ride, Mysterium, and Pandemic. Expect strong stories and tricky but solvable puzzles.
For building strategists: Anno 1800
The board game version of the popular computer game series Anno is about satisfying the needs of the population first for simple and later for more fancy goods. The focus of the more complex economic simulation is on production chains: Industries produce resources with the help of workers, creating new industries.
The board game version of the popular computer game series 'Anno' is about satisfying the needs of the population first for simple and later for more fancy goods. — Photo: Franziska Gabbert/dpa
As in the PC game, the player's own island can be expanded and new islands discovered but this aspect is less of a focus in the analogue version. Conflicts and the topic of colonialism are also left out. Instead, gamers race to establish their island as a centre of industrialization.
For adults: This War of Mine - The Board Game
Board game spin-offs of video games don't always manage to bring the feel of the original to the table. This War of Mine - The Board Game, however, conveys the same sense of trepidation in the analogue anti-war simulation as does the original.
'This War of Mine - The Board Game,' conveys the same sense of trepidation in the analogue anti-war simulation as does the original. — Photo: Heidelbär Games/dpa
The focus is not on any particular new mechanics but on the story which traces the survival of civilians in war. In the individual episodes of a storybook, players are faced with sometimes drastic decisions. This War of Mine is not a game for every evening or every mood and really only suitable for adults.
For diehard football fans: Eleven
Leading your football club to fame and titles – fans have long been able to do this on screen. In Eleven, too, you are tasked to put together the best team, expand the stadium and sell advertising space while facing matches every weekend.
In 'Eleven,' gamers are tasked to put together a football team, expand the stadium and sell advertising space while facing matches every weekend. — Photo: Portal Games/dpa
Even without an official licensing deal and thus without original player and club names, the game has a real managerial feel. Besides the league position, a developed stadium and a successful youth programme, for example, also help you win. Interaction with other players is relatively low, meaning Eleven also makes for a great solo game.
For civilisation founders: Through the Ages
Turn-based civilisation games have been an absolute staple in computer gaming history for more than 30 years. Among board games, Through the Ages is an outstanding representative of this genre. The players develop their civilisation over up to three ages from ancient times to the present.
A very complex game, Through the Ages is aimed at diehard gamers and is played using cards which allow you to build so-called wonders while historical leaders give players special abilities and advantages. A complete game with several players can last six hours or more, but shorter versions are available as well. – dpa
