TOP 20 best board games according to imago

We admit it, we’re a playful bunch. imago started as a group of friends who kept attracting like-minded people. And even though we’ve grown to the point where we inevitably have to implement adult work processes and corporate manners, the spirit is still in us. We still regularly meet up for board games after work and spend our free time together. Gladly and voluntarily!

Over the years, a great collection of board games has formed here at imago that we love to return to. I went around the whole company and gathered the best tips for board games that belong in our company's golden fund. So, here are the TOP 20 best games according to imago!

Party fun

We have plenty of hardcore gamers willing to spend hours at a board game. But even they like to play something lighter occasionally, perhaps at a company party or during regular “meetings” over a beer. Plus, we can use these games to subtly infect previously uninitiated victims. When they come back for another dose of fun, we know where to send them. To our e-shop! Muhehe!

Bang - A Wild West classic where players take on roles of outlaws or sheriff's deputies and try to shoot each other down. A simple, extremely fun game that relies on cooperation, communication, and a healthy dose of bluffing. It's a small game at its core, but you can tune it up with a ton of expansions to satisfy your craving for a more complex experience.

Codenames - Brilliant ideas are often very simple. Just like this deep Czech cut into the board game world. The game's author, Vlaada Chvátil, came up with it in a few minutes at a cottage, and he probably had no idea what he had achieved. This fun word game became a hit that we always love to return to.

Kluster - Such a silly thing, yet so much fun, especially towards the end of beer “meetings”. A loop of string lies on the table, and players take turns placing magnets inside it. If a magnet connects to another, you take both. The winner is the one who gets rid of their magnets first. Anyone who can manage not to stick magnets up their nose during the game can play. There are no other restrictions.

Party Alias - A typical party game in the style of Activity and similar games based on explaining a concept to others. When explaining, you use synonyms, antonyms, look for rhymes, describe famous people, or find as many words as possible starting with a specific letter.

Ubongo - A favorite game of our colleagues from the shipping and warehouse department. How to correctly fit Tetris-like pieces into the required shape and get the most diamonds? Packing your orders often works quite similarly. Just try packing a poster, a few bow arrows, and a mug!

For casual players

When we don't feel like a quick snack and want to play something a bit more complex, we reach into the board games category, where you don't need a PhD in mathematics or tactics to win, but you still get to rack your brain a little more.

Azul - A beautiful combination game where you try to assemble a mosaic of gorgeous game tiles as efficiently as possible to score the most points. The game really gets your brain working, but it's also suitable for the whole family. An ideal combination.

Heat - There are several racing games on the market. From the completely primitive ones where it's just about finishing first, to more complex ones where players have to deal with gear shifting, oil temperature, and checking if the wipers are wiping and the washers are washing. Heat is beautifully somewhere in the middle. It offers simple yet pleasantly complex rules and plenty of fun and tension.

Karak 2 - The first Karak was a successful adventure game for the whole family. Players take heroes into the dungeon to fight monsters and find treasure. The second installment expands and improves this concept.

Sky Team - A surprising, relatively new game that unexpectedly made it among our favorites. A pair of players attempts to land a commercial airliner at an airport. It's not easy, but it's extremely fun. More in our blog review.

Zombicide - The zombies won't give up. They keep crawling out of their holes and trying to eat every player walking by. But all it takes is simple rules, a band of volunteers with weapons, and you've got yourself some fun! A fast-paced action slaughter that we love.

Small World - Simple rules, a decent dose of tactics, and replayability. What more could you want! Small World is a beautiful game about fighting for territory that doesn't get old. It's a truly great board game that is also very accessible.

For the gamer heart in us

The kids and non-gamers are tucked away; it's high time to bring something complex to the table that you can sit at all night long. Nothing beats those beautiful hours of strategizing, arguing over rules, fragile alliances, and backstabbing. We love this!

Bestie - One player against everyone, one monster and hunters trying to catch it and complete the mission. The hunters are outnumbered, but the beast is hiding and lurking in the bushes, waiting for an opportunity to attack. A beautiful asymmetrical game that you can learn everything about in our blog review.

Cthulhu: Death May Die – At imago, we like tentacles. That's why Cthulhu must be included! Death May Die is a beautifully crafted miniatures board game based on challenging scenarios and a thick atmosphere.

Everdell - A game that is truly a joy to look at. However, behind the cute design and even cuter animals lies a dense strategic card game that will challenge even experienced players.

Scythe - A game that ranks among the most played board games at imago. And that's despite a few design flaws. Scythe is also a game that set a new standard for top-tier produced games years ago. Fighting for resources has never been so much fun!

Terraforming Mars - A staple of all sorts of top charts. Mars is quite possibly the future of humanity, and in this city-building game, you can prepare for it. Mars is both fun and educational, and thanks to a series of expansions, it can grow into a truly complex piece for many hours.

Nemesis - Our beloved Aliens without the Aliens. Nemesis is a semi-cooperative staple on our shelves that we always love to return to. A spooky spaceship, an unsuspecting crew, and space scum craving your blood. A recipe for hours of fun!

War of the Ring: The Card Game - A Lord of the Rings card game where good faces off against evil. The game is fast-paced, beautifully crafted, and uses an interesting game system that forces you to think both strategically and tactically. More in our blog review.

This War of Mine - A successful computer game, and an equally successful board game. This War of Mine is a complex cooperative game with a thick and heavy atmosphere about the lives of civilians in the middle of a war. Whenever we feel like life is too beautiful and sunny, we play this. It's demanding, but it's worth it.

Lost Ruins of Arnak - An adventure board game about searching ruins, the jungle, and finding the treasures of a long-lost civilization. Arnak is a game that no one at imago says no to. A beautiful thematic euro board game that is among our most beloved.

author Karel Krajča