Variant: Go to Games for on the Go Gaming
Image via store.alderac.com
I consider myself something of a board game proselytizer. Like a respectful human, I don’t push games on people who don’t want to play. After all, the goal is to have fun. But just in case someone mentions gaming (I do have that reputation among friends and family), I typically will be able to bring something out. In other words, I almost always pack a few games along for any social gathering.
Generally, I’ll tailor the bag to the group and context. Larger gathering? I’ll bring something with a high player count like Werewolf. Non-gamers going to be there? Maybe something accessible like Sentinels or something interactive like Bohnanza. If people are going to be sitting around, maybe 7 Wonders gets tossed in or Wits and Wagers for fun atmosphere.
But there are a few games that always make it into the bag. They are so versatile that they are my “go to” games for any non-gaming specific event. Birthday parties, pie making parties (we celebrate Pi day at my house), Boxing Day, visiting family, what have you.
Here are my top picks:
The Resistance. The game box is small and highly portable. It works incredibly well from five to ten players. It’s interactive, exciting, and allows you to call the other players “filthy spies.” It keeps a large group entertained and works well as a social lubricant to incorporate new folks.
Tsuro. I have yet to play a game of Tsuro where someone didn’t enjoy themselves. The game has an interesting puzzle aspect for the cerebral crowd, an interactive piece for the spiters out there, and enough tactics and and strategy to satisfy just about everyone. Plus the whole game lasts between five and fifteen minutes depending on number of players, and it can handle up to eight. It’s hard to think of a gathering where Tsuro wouldn’t work out.
Nuns on the Run. Nuns is a fantastic game with larger groups. The hidden movement element keeps things tense and exciting. Plus, it can have up to six novices playing without taking substantially longer. As long as I play the guards (and thus only have to explain one part of the game), its easy to understand and can be very entertaining for all of the players.
What about you? Do you have go-to games that you always take with you?
If it’s not awkward for me to have a carry-on, I usually bring For Sale and Incan Gold, or sometimes Pit and The Resistance (if the crowd is right). Regardless, I bring No Thanks and FlowerFall (both are in tiny boxes that can easily fit in pockets or hoodie pouches).