BEST BOARD GAMES: A GAMEMASTER’S CHOICES
2023/08/24

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DECK-BUILDING

In deck-building games, each player starts with identical decks. The cards are self-containedwithin the game itself, but on each turn, players have the option to either add more cards or useone of their card's abilities. The trick is to formulate your own strategy of which card to playwhen. For example, while a card might hold more power in the moment, playing a weaker cardmight pay off in the long run. A deck-building game that I personally enjoy is Dominion. Thisgame has players taking control over their own kingdom, working to build it to be more powerfulthan opponents'.

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Certain buildings are worth more points at the end of the game than others,but finding an ideal playstyle is what makes it fun.

TRADING CARD

Trading card games are actually not the same as deck-building games. The difference betweenthe two comes down to when the players go about altering their decks. In trading card games,this is done prior to play, with each player customizing their decks around one or a specific setof cards. My personal favorite comes from my childhood, the Pokémon Trading Card Game.Much like the handheld and console games, you are attempting to collect them all and formulatethe best team.

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However, you also need energy cards to actually use attacks, which makesgameplay more than just collecting Pokémon.

TRIVIA

Is your head full of random facts? This next category is for you! Yes, there is an entire boardgame category dedicated to knowing such random topics as the names of all the Romanemperors. The most widely known game in this category is Trivial Pursuit. Questions are dividedinto six separate categories. To win, a player must correctly answer a question in each of theseand collect a piece of each color. With literally dozens of different editions covering areas fromgeneral knowledge to specific subjects, you are sure to find something you enjoy.

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RPG

Alright, you knew this was coming. Our game masters are total nerds (there is absolutelynothing wrong with that), meaning we enjoy roll playing when the chance presents itself.Roleplaying games, or RPG for short, are games where the players are encouraged to act out adifferent character (their role) as they explore different settings. Led by the world-buildingdungeon master (sometimes referred to as the game master), players react to events, called"encounters", often rolling dice to decide outcomes. Our favorite? The fantasy world ofDungeons & Dragons. Roll for initiative! RPGs are available in multiple different genres ifmedieval is not your thing.

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For example, superhero and science-fiction RPGs exist. Players helpdrive world-building, making the possibilities often limited only by imagination.

CAMPAIGN

Are you looking to play something like an RPG but want a more structured start? While youcould pick up a prebuilt campaign for your favorite RPG, there is actually an entire category thatrevolves around this idea. Appropriately, they are known as campaign games. Players will beplaying in prebuilt scenarios, but the actions of the players will drastically change the outcome ofthe story.

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A favorite of my family is Betrayal at the House on the Hill. Players go about exploringa house that they construct as they play. Several different outcomes make this game replayablefor countless hours of entertainment.

BOND'S ESCAPE ROOMS 

Looking for a different way to escape the boredom of isolation? Bond's Escape Rooms locations are open physically in Fairfax and Arlington with safety regulations in place! We also have virtual game options if you prefer the comfort of home. 

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