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The principle of strategy games is very simple: develop a tactic to achieve victory.

They are a great hobby for adults and an interesting way to boost logical sense in children.

Exercise your brain, make thoughtful decisions, be cunning… In these parts of the game, intelligence and anticipation are required.

There are strategy games for all ages and in different themes: card games, cooperative games, war games, escape games... 

Selection of the best strategy board games in 2023

  • 7 Wonders: a toy library classic;

  • Catan: an exploration game;

  • Living Forest: a magical strategy game; 

  • The King's Dilemma: a narrative strategy game;

  • Risk: a timeless;

  • Azul: an accessible strategy game;

  • Splendor: an excellent competitive game. 

7 Wonders: a toy library classic 

7 Wonders is a competitive game, which has become a great classic of strategy games.

At the head of one of the 7 greatest cities of Antiquity, you must make your civilization prosper.

In this card and strategy game, players progress on different levels: military, commercial, scientific... Manage your resources as well as possible, build impressive wonders and win victory over your opponents. 

Most :

  • A masterpiece of strategy board games;

  • Beautiful graphics;

  • No latency: all players play together at the same time.

The lessers :

  • Price a bit high;

  • Played from 3 players (from 3 to 7 players).  

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Catan: An Exploration Game 

Welcome to the medieval world!

Catan has become a classic strategy game.

At the head of a small group of explorers, you settle on the island of Catan.

From raw materials and resources present on the territory, you explore the surroundings and become a real builder.

To achieve this, you must collaborate with other players.

Catan is accessible from 10 years old. 

Most :

  • No elimination during the game;

  • Easy to understand game rules;

  • Possible extensions: sailors, barbarians & merchants, cities and knights;

  • A fluid game, with fairly quick games.

The lessers :

  • A part of chance is to be taken into account. 

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Living Forest: a magical strategy game 

Your mission in this game: save a sacred tree in flames.

You are in the shoes of a spirit of the forest and you must do everything to save the forest.

For this, you rely on the guardian animals.

Use reflection to carry out relevant actions allowing you to progress.

3 types of actions are possible: plant protective trees, harvest sacred flowers or put out fires.

Make the good choice !

This superb game won the As d'Or for Game of the Year in the "Initiated" category at the 22nd edition of the Cannes International Games Festival. 

Most :

  • A beautiful, very poetic universe;

  • A game of observation of others;

  • Several game mechanics: deckbuilding, stop or even collection.

The lessers :

  • Reading the rules may seem a bit complex at first. 

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The King's Dilemma: A Narrative Strategy Game

This strategy game is a card game.

You draw events and you must make and assume decisions.

Throughout the game, you are faced with different dilemmas.

The story advances little by little, to the rhythm of your political, military, social or even economic decision-making.

You are the head of a House of the Kingdom, like all the other players.

It is up to you to move forward between the good of the Kingdom and the good of your House.

A masterpiece in the field of legacy games, for a truly unforgettable gaming experience. 

Most :

  • A very accomplished and very addictive narrative game;

  • Exciting games;

  • A very immersive universe.

The lessers :

  • The price rather high. 

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Risk: a timeless

Risk sits on the game shelves of many families.

And for good reason, it is an unbeatable strategy game.

Accessible from 10 years old, this board game and conquests promises great games.

The goal: conquer the world with your army.

For this, you make decisions, move or fight battles.

Every action you take has consequences! 

Most :

  • A great classic to discover strategy games;

  • Accessible to children from 10 years old. 

The lessers :

  • The design has changed little over the years, but remains effective. 

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Azul: an accessible strategy game 

You are immersed in the 16th century!

King Manuel I of Portugal returns from a trip to Spain.

He discovered the famous Alhambra there and was seduced by its earthenware tiles.

He wishes to decorate his palace with these azulejos.

You must complete a line of tiles to form your own azulejos.

This strategy game is accessible from 8 years old. 

Most :

Simple rules to understand;

  • A game for everyone, very fluid;

  • Quality material;

  • Short games of about thirty minutes.

The lessers :

  • A surprising theme, that of tiling, but which nevertheless promises thrilling games! 

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Splendor: an excellent competitive game

Splendor is a quick and easy to understand game.

The rules are apprehended in less than 5 minutes.

It can be played with 2 to 4 players.

You are the head of a team of merchants.

You buy cards and you anticipate the moves of your opponents.

The goal of the game is simple: get the most points.

The theme quickly becomes quite secondary and the players concentrate on the principle of the game, relying on the mechanics of engine building.

The more you master how the game works, the more strategic the games become.

An exciting game, accessible to all.  

Most :

  • Easy to understand rules;

  • Short games of 30 minutes;

  • Possible extensions: cities, trading posts, the west... 

The lessers :

  • Slightly repetitive game sensations after several games. 

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What is a strategy game? 

Among the crowd of existing board games, it is not always easy to navigate.

Strategy games occupy a special place. 

In strategy board games, tactics and decision-making are the basis of how a game unfolds.

They rely as little as possible on chance.

On the contrary, anticipation, logic, intelligence are the keys.

The object of the game is to achieve a victory, either over the other players or over the game itself (if it is a cooperative strategy game). 

They are experiencing a real craze on the part of toy library fans.

Some have also been developed on smartphones or consoles. 

What are the different types of strategy games? 

There are strategy games, based on different game mechanics:

  • Military games: it is then a question of beating enemies or conquering territories.

  • Puzzle games: the goal is to discover a treasure or to solve an investigation.

  • Card games: they are often used to make decisions.

  • Management games: you may have to manage resources correctly to win a game. 

  • Escapes games: thanks to clues, you must escape from a place. 

Throw yourself into a game of strategy board games and exercise your brains!

Anticipate the behavior of your opponents, develop tactics, do not rely on chance... In short, let yourself be caught up in the game! 

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