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Sure, video game systems like PlayStation and Xbox are massively popular for good reason, but there’s nothing quite like sitting down with friends or family to a good old-fashioned board game. Ready for your next game night? Here’s a fun flow chart that, through a series of simple questions, helps you choose the best board game for you.
Let’s see where it takes me.
Are you playing with children? (No.) > Play for more than two hours? (No.) > Are you a huge nerd? (Yes. Well, maybe not huge, but I know the number of the U.S.S. Enterprise.) > Do you want to spend dozens of hours preparing to play? (What? No!) > Do you really like spending money? (No.) > Does the name Boomer give you certain types of dreams? (No.) > My game? Cosmic Encounter:
This game is about alien races taking over the galaxy. Up my alley? No, I don’t think so. Let’s try again and go a different path.
Are you playing with children? (No.) > Play for more than two hours? > (Yes.) Hardest rules ever? (Yes!) > OK, my game is Axis and Allies, which is a World War II-themed board game pitting Germany and Japan (“Axis”) against the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and the United States (“Allies”). World domination at stake—you know, the usual.
OK, let’s try one more.
Are you playing with children? (Yes.) > Younger than 7? (No.) > Let them experience crushing each other? (No.) > Portable? (No.) > One winner or a team effort? (Team.) > And the winner is… Forbidden Island!
According to Amazon, “You and your team can be the first to breach the borders of the Archeans’ ancient mystical empire in the collaborative card game Forbidden Island, by Gamewright. In this game, teamwork proves essential to locate the Earth Stone, the Statue of the Wind, the Crystal of Fire, and the Ocean’s Chalice as the Island floods beneath your feet. Adventure… if you dare!” Kinda has a “Harry Potter” vibe, perhaps? Cool, I’m in.
For what it’s worth, if this flow chart really got things right for childhood me, it would have identified my two favorite games: this NFL game and this Hot Wheels game.
h/t: Mental Floss.