By: Blaze Aldrich | July 21, 2025

(TopcowRaven BGG, 2024)

11 Best Board Games I'd Rate 10/10: All Gamers Must Play

Do you keep "accidently" buying the newest hyped board game then to be very disappointed at the end of playing them. Don't worry, that will never happen again... Well I mean if you play all 11 of these games and need more, than you just may have a problem aka board game aficionado. Regardless, these 11 games will elevate your game nights and will make you want to play them over and over again. On this list are many heavy games, but there are also light hearted party games as well. These board games are not listed in any particular order.

1. Gloomhaven

Why it’s a 10/10: Gloomhaven is the king of cooperative dungeon crawling epics. This legacy-style game blends tactical combat, character progression, and a sprawling narrative into a 100+ hour campaign. Each scenario feels like a puzzle, with hand-management and card-driven combat forcing tough choices. The world evolves with your decisions, and unlocking new characters keeps things fresh. It’s a beast to set up, but once you’re in, you’re in.

Best for: Fans of RPGs and cooperative strategy who don’t mind a hefty time commitment.

Playtime: 60-120 min per scenario | Players: 1-4

2. Twilight Imperium (4th Edition)

Why it’s a 10/10: If Gloomhaven is a marathon, Twilight Imperium is a galactic opera. This sci-fi behemoth delivers unmatched depth with diplomacy, warfare, and politics across a sprawling universe. Every game is a unique story of betrayal, alliances, and epic space battles. The 4th edition streamlines the experience without losing its grandeur, making every 6-8 hour session feel like a saga.

Best for: Hardcore gamers craving a full-day, immersive experience.

Playtime: 4-8 hours | Players: 3-6

3. Brass: Birmingham

Why it’s a 10/10: Brass: Birmingham is an economic masterpiece set in the Industrial Revolution. Players build industries, manage resources, and compete for market dominance in a tight, interactive system. The card-driven mechanics and network building create a perfect balance of strategy and adaptability. Every decision feels impactful, and the gorgeous art seals the deal.

Best for: Strategy gamers who love economic depth and competition.

Playtime: 60-120 min | Players: 2-4

4. Forbidden Stars

Why it’s a 10/10: Warhammer 40k fans, rejoice! Forbidden Stars is a brutal, strategic wargame set in a grimdark universe. Players command factions vying for control of key objectives through dice based combat and clever order placement. The asymmetry of factions and the tense, chess like planning make every match a thrilling showdown.

Best for: Fans of thematic conflict and deep strategy.

Playtime: 2-3 hours | Players: 2-4

5. War of the Ring (2nd Edition)

Why it’s a 10/10: Tolkien fans, this is your holy grail. War of the Ring captures the epic scope of The Lord of the Rings with asymmetric gameplay. One player controls the Free Peoples, balancing military defense and Frodo’s quest, while the Shadow player unleashes Sauron’s might. The event cards and dice driven actions create a cinematic, unpredictable saga every time.

Best for: Fans of thematic, narrative driven wargames.

Playtime: 2-3 hours | Players: 2-4

6. Barrage

Why it’s a 10/10: Barrage is a masterclass in tight resource management and cutthroat competition. Set in a steampunk world, players build dams and powerhouses to harness water for energy. The worker placement and water-flow mechanics are ingenious, forcing you to outwit opponents while managing scarce resources. It’s punishing but rewarding.

Best for: Fans of heavy Eurogames with high interaction.

Playtime: 60-120 min | Players: 1-4

7. Stockpile

Why it’s a 10/10: Stockpile distills the thrill of the stock market into a fast, accessible package. Players buy, sell, and manipulate stocks to amass wealth, using insider knowledge to outsmart opponents. The bidding and bluffing mechanics keep everyone engaged, and the quick playtime makes it a perfect gateway game with surprising depth.

Best for: Fans of economic games and light bluffing.

Playtime: 45-60 min | Players: 2-5

8. Wonderland’s War

Why it’s a 10/10: Wonderland’s War is a vibrant, chaotic delight. Set in a twisted Alice in Wonderland universe, it blends bag-building, area control, and push-your-luck mechanics. Players draft quirky characters, build armies, and battle for control of Wonderland. The colorful art and accessible yet deep gameplay make it a standout.

Best for: Fans of thematic strategy with a touch of whimsy.

Playtime: 45-90 min | Players: 2-5

9. Dune: Imperium

Why it’s a 10/10: Dune: Imperium nails the Dune universe with a brilliant mix of deck building and worker placement. Players fight for control of Arrakis, balancing spice production, alliances, and intrigue. The tension between short term gains and long term strategy, plus the thematic immersion, makes every game a spice fueled thrill.

Best for: Fans of deck-builders and thematic strategy.

Playtime: 60-120 min | Players: 1-4

10. Two Rooms and a Boom

Why it’s a 10/10: Two Rooms and a Boom is the ultimate social deduction game for big groups. Players are split into two rooms, with a President and a Bomber on opposing teams. Through card exchanges and secret negotiations, you must figure out who’s who before the final round. It’s fast, chaotic, and endlessly replayable.

Best for: Large groups who love social deduction and laughter.

Playtime: 15-30 min | Players: 6-30

11. Santorini

Why it’s a 10/10: Santorini is abstract strategy perfection. Players build a stunning Greek island while moving workers to climb towers. The variable god powers add asymmetry and replayability, making every match a quick, thinky duel. Its simple rules and gorgeous design make it accessible yet deep.

Best for: Fans of quick, strategic head-to-head games.

Playtime: 20-30 min | Players: 2-4

Bonus Mention: Decrypto

Why it’s a 10/10: Decrypto is the ultimate word based party game. Teams give cryptic clues to convey secret codes while intercepting the opponent’s signals. It’s a brilliant mix of deduction, creativity, and tension that scales beautifully with any group. Every round feels like a mental chess match.

Best for: Word game lovers and party game enthusiasts.

Playtime: 15-45 min | Players: 3-8

Why These Games?

Each of these games excels in its niche, whether it’s immersive storytelling (Gloomhaven, War of the Ring), strategic depth (Brass: Birmingham, Barrage), or quick, social fun (Two Rooms and a Boom, Decrypto). They cater to different moods and group sizes but share a knack for creating memorable moments. From galaxy-spanning epics to quick abstract duels, these are games I’d happily play again and again. What’s your favorite from this list? Got a 10/10 game I missed? Drop a comment or hit me up on X (#) to share your thoughts! Happy gaming!