{"title":"Top 5 Board Games 2023","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"root","title":"Root","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a game of adventure and war in which 2 to 4 (1 to 6 with the 'Riverfolk' expansion) players battle for control of a vast wilderness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nefarious Marquise de Cat has seized the great woodland, intent on harvesting its riches. Under her rule, the many creatures of the forest have banded together. This Alliance will seek to strengthen its resources and subvert the rule of Cats. In this effort, the Alliance may enlist the help of the wandering Vagabonds who are able to move through the more dangerous woodland paths. Though some may sympathize with the Alliance’s hopes and dreams, these wanderers are old enough to remember the great birds of prey who once controlled the woods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeanwhile, at the edge of the region, the proud, squabbling Eyrie have found a new commander who they hope will lead their faction to resume their ancient birthright. The stage is set for a contest that will decide the fate of the great woodland. It is up to the players to decide which group will ultimately take root.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoot\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003erepresents the next step in our development of asymmetric design. Like\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/boardgamegeek.com\/boardgame\/170416\/vast-crystal-caverns\"\u003eVast: The Crystal Caverns\u003c\/a\u003e, each player in\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoot\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ehas unique capabilities and a different victory condition. Now, with the aid of gorgeous, multi-use cards, a truly asymmetric design has never been more accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cats play a game of engine building and logistics while attempting to police the vast wilderness. By collecting Wood they are able to produce workshops, lumber mills, and barracks. They win by building new buildings and crafts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Eyrie musters their hawks to take back the Woods. They must capture as much territory as possible and build roosts before they collapse back into squabbling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Alliance hides in the shadows, recruiting forces and hatching conspiracies. They begin slowly and build towards a dramatic late-game presence--but only if they can manage to keep the other players in check.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeanwhile, the Vagabond plays all sides of the conflict for their own gain, while hiding a mysterious quest. Explore the board, fight other factions, and work towards achieving your hidden goal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoot\u003c\/em\u003e, players drive the narrative, and the differences between each role create an unparalleled level of interaction and replayability. Leder Games invites you and your family to explore the fantastic world of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoot\u003c\/em\u003e!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Leder Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":35267776708765,"sku":"","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/pic4254509.jpg?v=1595522872"},{"product_id":"stm-901-wingspan-european-expansion","title":"Wingspan: European Expansion","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this first expansion to Wingspan, we increase the scope of the world to include the regal, beautiful, and varied birds of Europe. These birds feature a variety of new abilities, including a number of birds with round end abilities, abilities that increase interaction between players, and birds that benefit from excess cards\/food. The European Expansion also includes an additional tray for storing the growing collection of birds (past, present, and future), as well as 15 purple eggs, extra food tokens, and a colorful new scorepad designed for both multi-player and single-player scoring.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stonemaier Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":35273241165981,"sku":"STM 901","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/73346.jpg?v=1595553465"},{"product_id":"stm-910-wingspan-revised","title":"Wingspan: Revised","description":"\u003cp\u003eYou are bird enthusiasts - researchers, bird watchers, ornithologists, and collectors seeking to discover and attract the best birds to your network of wildlife preserves. Each bird extends a chain of powerful combinations in one of your habitats (actions). These habitats focus on several key aspects of growth: Gain food tokens via custom dice in a bird feeder dice tower. Lay eggs using egg miniatures in a variety of colors. Draw from hundreds of unique bird cards and play them. The winner is the player with the most points after 4 rounds. If you enjoy Terraforming Mars and Gizmos, we think this game will take flight at your table. To make Wingspan easier to learn for the new gamers who have flocked to it, in the upcoming and all future printings of the game we`re including a `swift-start promo pack` of first-round walkthrough guides and specific new bird cards to use with them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stonemaier Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":35273241231517,"sku":"STM 910","price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/73348.jpg?v=1595553466"},{"product_id":"tsuro-of-the-sea","title":"Tsuro of the Sea","description":"\u003cspan\u003eIn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eTsuro of the Seas\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, you will sail the treacherous waters of the Mystic Seas in an engaging game of adventure and suspense! As the captain of a mighty ship, you will navigate the seas by placing wake tiles to direct your vessel. Take great caution to avoid your opponents’ ships… and the dangerous \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003edaikaiju\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (monsters) lurking under the surface. Guide your ship with a steady hand and be the last captain sailing to survive the Mystic Seas and win!\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Calliope Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":35503295824029,"sku":"","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/pic1301853.jpg?v=1596658587"},{"product_id":"tsuro-phoenix-rising","title":"Tsuro: Phoenix Rising","description":"\u003cspan\u003eIn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTsuro: Phoenix Rising™\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 2-8 players each control an agile Phoenix. Each turn, you will create a path in front of your pawn – either by placing a new tile, or by flipping and rotating the tile in front of you. Following your path, you will transform Lantern markers into Star tokens to score them, then choose the locations of new Lanterns.  As a Phoenix, you have the power to Rise From The Ashes once per game – use this ability to return in a strategic position that will allow you to score multiple stars!  The player who collects a constellation of seven stars – or is the last Phoenix in the sky - wins the game! \u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"calliope games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":35503320727709,"sku":"","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/91tpKxQZ1YL._AC_SX425.jpg?v=1596658785"},{"product_id":"wingspan-oceania-expansion","title":"Wingspan: Oceania Expansion","description":"\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWingspan: Oceania Expansion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e focuses on birds in Australia and New Zealand. It's designed by Elizabeth Hargrave and features birds illustrated by Natalia Rojas and Ana Maria Martinez.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Stonemaier Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":37386711826589,"sku":"","price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/pic5685481.png?v=1608233840"},{"product_id":"tsuro-the-game-of-the-path","title":"Tsuro: The Game of the Path","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA beautiful and beautifully simple game of laying a tile before your own token to continue its path on each turn. The goal is to keep your token on the board longer than anyone else's, but as the board fills up this becomes harder because there are fewer empty spaces left... and another player's tile may also extend your own path in a direction you'd rather not go. Easy to introduce to new players,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTsuro\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003elasts a mere 15 minutes and actually does work for any number from 2 to 8.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTheme:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTsuro has an Asian spiritual theme - the lines representing the \"many roads that lead to divine wisdom\", and the game as a whole representing \"the classic quest for enlightenment\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis theme is very light and the game essentially plays as an abstract.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGameplay:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe game consists of tiles with twisting lines on them, a 6x6 grid on which to lay these tiles and a token for each player. Each player has a hand of tiles. On your turn you do two things: place a tile from your hand onto the board next to your token and move your token as far as it can go along the line it is currently on, until it is stopped by an empty space with no tile in (yet), the edge of the board or colliding with another player's token. If your token reaches the edge of the board or collides with another player's token, you are out of the game. The aim of the game is to be the last player left with a token on the board. Strategy therefore consists of trying to drive your opponents either into each other or off the board whilst extending your own route in directions that will make it difficult for your opponents to do the same.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Calliope Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":37393600675997,"sku":"","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/pic875761.jpg?v=1608318180"},{"product_id":"root-the-clockwork-expansion-2","title":"Root: The Clockwork Expansion 2","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Clockwork Expansion 2 is a standalone expansion that lets you square off against four automated factions. Add one to round out a game with few players, or team up in cooperative play!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach bot has four difficulty levels and four trait cards, giving them special powers and strategic quirks. Also included is a new Better Bot trait card for each faction from the first Clockwork Expansion.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Leder Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42814309269661,"sku":"led01020","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/Root_CW2-Expansion_Left_newangle_640x_8b6d8cec-482a-43e8-bf28-e8ac79392f05.png?v=1661978808"},{"product_id":"root-underworld-hirelings-pack","title":"Root: Underworld Hirelings Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eproducts separately if you would like your other items sooner.*\u003cbr\u003e\nNeed allies? Just dig out a gold coin! Discover unique strategies and make the Woodland wilder by adding hirelings. Best with fewer players, great with more!\u003cbr\u003e\nHirelings can be added to games at any player count. With fewer players, the hirelings add new pieces to the map, ramping up the tension and giving you more tactical options. With more players, some hireling cards will flip over to reveal new special abilities to gain, letting you explore unique and powerful strategies.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Leder Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42814309335197,"sku":"led01022","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/Root-Underworld-Hirelings-Pack.png?v=1661978810"},{"product_id":"root-marauder-hirelings-hirelings-box","title":"Root: Marauder Hirelings \u0026 Hirelings Box","description":"\u003cp\u003eNeed allies? Here they are, fiery and fierce. Discover unique strategies and make the Woodland wilder by adding hirelings. Best with fewer players, great with more!\u003cbr\u003e\nHirelings can be added to games at any player count. With fewer players, the hirelings add new pieces to the map, ramping up the tension and giving you more tactical options. With more players, some hireling cards will flip over to reveal new special abilities to gain, letting you explore unique and powerful strategies.\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Hirelings Box is an easy way to store and organize all your hirelings, and the Marauder Hirelings Pack includes three sets of hirelings\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Leder Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42814309499037,"sku":"led01023","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/Root_Hirelings-DeluxeBox-RetailWrap_Left_newangle_640x_31f22613-ffee-4a6d-8af2-ab94dd96fdf7.png?v=1661978811"},{"product_id":"flamecraft","title":"Flamecraft","description":"\u003cp\u003eArtisan dragons, the smaller and magically talented versions of their larger (and destructive) cousins, are sought by shopkeepers so that they may delight customers with their flamecraft. You are a Flamekeeper, skilled in the art of conversing with dragons, placing them in their ideal home and using enchantments to entice them to produce wondrous things. Your reputation will grow as you aid the dragons and shopkeepers, and the Flamekeeper with the most reputation will be known as the Master of Flamecraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn Flamecraft, 1-5 players take on the role of Flamekeepers, gathering items, placing dragons and casting enchantments to enhance the shops of the town. Dragons are specialized (bread, meat, iron, crystal, plant and potion) and the Flamekeepers know which shops are the best home for each. Visit a shop to gain items and a favor from one of the dragons there. Gathered items can be used to enchant a shop, gaining reputation and the favors of all the dragons in the shop. If you are fortunate enough to attract fancy dragons then you will have opportunities to secure even more reputation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cardboard Alchemy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43051747934365,"sku":"lkyca03001","price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/pic6605448.jpg?v=1666211663"},{"product_id":"wingspan-asia-expansion","title":"Wingspan: Asia Expansion","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn this third expansion to\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWingspan\u003c\/strong\u003e, we welcome new species to our habitats by exploring the vibrant, intriguing, and magnificent birds of Asia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA new Flock mode is included to expand the base game of Wingspan up to 6 or 7 players. \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWingspan Asia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis also a stand-alone game for 1 player (solo mode) or 2 players (Duet mode).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stonemaier Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43124613808285,"sku":"","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/3Dbox_d958ae02-e494-48bf-84a9-aff263b25b8b.webp?v=1667403719"},{"product_id":"apiary","title":"Apiary","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn a far-distant future, humans no longer inhabit Earth. The cause of their disappearance (or perhaps their demise) is unknown, but their absence left a void ready to be filled by another sentient species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOver the span of untold generations, one species of the humble honeybee evolved to fill that void. They grew in size and intelligence to become a highly advanced society. They call themselves Mellifera, and they have made substantial technological advances in addition to the technology they adapted from human ruins, up to and including space travel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn Apiary, each player controls one of twenty unique factions. Your faction starts the game with a hive, a few resources, and worker bees. A worker-placement, hive-building challenge awaits you: explore planets, gather resources, develop technologies, and create carvings to demonstrate your faction's strengths (measured in victory points) over one year's Flow. However, the Dearth quickly approaches, and your workers can take only a few actions before they must hibernate! Can you thrive or merely survive?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Stonemaier Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47243455496476,"sku":"STM750","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0402\/5411\/1901\/products\/3D-box-768x915.png?v=1699907543"}],"url":"https:\/\/thedorkden.com\/collections\/top-5-board-games-2023.oembed","provider":"The Dork Den","version":"1.0","type":"link"}