There’s something about sending out a bunch of dudes on a map and conquering other opponents' territories that has board gamers always coming back for more. While many people are familiar with Risk and games of that ilk, there is a whole world of area control games publishers have created.
While most war games are about area control, not all area control games are war games. The term “area control” encompasses a variety of game mechanisms such as “area majority” and “area influence.” Essentially, these terms can be used interchangeably. So, with that in mind, here’s some of the best area control games on the market right now.
Blood Rage
Align with the Gods to gain glory
Blood Rage is a Viking-themed game in which players take on the role of a clan and try to battle Ragnarok. Players can complete quests, invade villages, and fight to the death.
Blood Rage is all about the bloody battle. Not just battling other players, but battling Ragnarök. Players draft cards, or “Gods' Gifts” provide aid to their clans. Meanwhile, these cards align with a particular god which can help your strategy. But be careful as other players can detect which god you are aligning with and navigate ways to foil your strategy.
Scythe
Little Bit Of Everything
In Scythe, each player chooses a faction and tries to work their way across the map, claiming sections and gathering resources.
Scythe is not only an area control game, it also has action selection, engine building, combat, and resource management. This game has a little bit of everything. It is a phenomenal game for those who want a little something more than just sprawling across the map and battling other players. The best part of the game is that you don’t have to engage in combat if you don’t want to. There are other paths to victory. Plus, it has mechs!
Twilight Struggle
Aggressive, but lucky
Twilight Struggle is set during the Cold War. In this game for two people, one player plays the United States, the other plays USSR. The game starts after World War II. Players work to try to place influence in different countries.
Politics and the Cold War. Twilight Struggle is an interesting board game with a lot of strategy and planning involved, but also has some luck. The main goal is to have the most influence on the world map. Cards can be played for either action cards or events. If you play a card for action points and the event helps your opponent, you must give them the card. Players must pick and choose what would benefit themselves, but not help their opponent TOO much.
Spirit Island
Save The Tribe, Scare The Invaders
In Spirit Island, players work together as spirits and try to stop the Invaders from taking over their land. Each spirit has a unique power they use to drive the Invaders away.
Spirit Island gives players a rewarding feeling as they work together to use their spirit powers to spread their essence and instill fear in colonizers who threaten to take over the land and displace the islanders. However, it is not an easy game. In order to win, players must destroy every settlement and city created by the Invaders. But, if any spirit is extinguished, players lose the game. This is a cooperative game for those who desire a challenge.
Kemet: Blood and Sand
Thank The Gods
In Kemet: Blood and Sand, players act as Egyptian Gods and battle for control of Egypt. Players build up their army and power, and the God with the most fame points at the end of the game wins.
What rocks about Kemet: Blood and Sand is the theme. Instead of trying to win favor with the gods, you ARE the gods. As players move across the Egypt map, their goal is to control different temples to earn fame. It’s an easy game to get into as you build pyramids and recruit creatures into your army. The theme definitely stands out.
Small World
Entry Level Into Area Control
In Small World, players use their race of creatures with special powers to vie for dominance over a map. The player with the most victory “coins” at the end of the game wins.
The best element of Small World is the ability to choose your special power that will go with your race of creatures. Each race has its own unique ability, but then you are also able to choose a power that combos with that race. These powers can range from earning extra victory points at the end of a round if you complete an objective, to deploying extra tokens. When played smartly, specific combos can allow you to dominate your opponents.
FAQ
Are area control games good for introducing new people to the hobby?
It depends on the person, but generally, no. Area control games tend to be pretty confrontational, which can be a turn-off for some people. But once someone starts to really enjoy gaming, then introduce them to the world of area control games.
How can someone tell if a game is an area control game?
The best way to tell if a board game is an area control game is if it has a bunch of miniatures that look like “armies” for players, or the box uses the word “control” or “dominate” on it.
