Aesthetic board games
In the world of board games, beauty goes beyond just looks, touching every sense and emotion
For many, the allure of playing a board game extends beyond mere entertainment; it’s an experience that engages the senses and the intellect, fostering shared moments of joy, challenge, and discovery. At the heart of this allure often lies the aesthetic of the game, a dimension that elevates its appeal.
But what do we mean when we speak of a game's aesthetic?
The term 'aesthetic',
As defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary, denotes a branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of beauty, art, taste, and the appreciation of these qualities. While colloquially, we often equate aesthetics solely with visuals, it's evident that the essence of the term reaches far beyond mere appearances.
Delving into the world of board games, we find that their beauty and allure stem from myriad elements. These range from the intricate mechanics that drive player decisions to the narratives that immerse participants in alternate worlds. The tactile sensation of game pieces, the ambient soundscapes that set the mood, and even the strategic depth and balance - all these elements contribute to a game’s aesthetic, making it an intricate tapestry of sensory and cognitive experiences.
It's worth mentioning the MDA framework here—a concept in game design that breaks down games into Mechanics, Dynamics, and Aesthetics. While mechanics refer to the rules and procedures of the game, dynamics denote the behavior arising from gameplay. Aesthetics, in this context, envelop the emotional responses evoked in the players. This framework underscores the idea that the aesthetics of a board game aren’t solely about its visuals but also how it feels to play, the emotions it evokes, and the stories it tells.
As we journey ahead in this article, we’ll uncover games that beautifully exemplify these aesthetic dimensions, from their minimalist visual designs to the profound depths of their gameplay.
Board game aesthetics beyond visuals
Considering all the above, what else can be aesthetic in a board game? You will be surprised!
Mechanical Elegance
The beauty of a board game often lies in its rules and mechanics. When a game's rules are clear, concise, yet deep in strategic potential, it allows players to dive in without feeling overwhelmed. A mechanically elegant game tends to have a balanced play, where every move or strategy feels consequential and engaging.
Go: An ancient game originating from China more than 2,500 years ago, Go boasts simple rules that contrast sharply with its complex strategy. Players place black or white stones on a grid, trying to capture the opponent's stones or surround empty spaces to create territories. Go - More info
Azul: In Azul, players take turns drafting colored tiles from suppliers to their player board. The rules are simple, but the strategic depth and need to anticipate opponents' moves make it engrossingly elegant. Azul - More info
Tactile Experience
The physical feel and heft of game components can significantly enhance the gaming experience. Quality materials that are pleasant to touch, manipulate, or even listen to (like the click-clack of mahjong tiles) add to a game's allure, elevating it from mere recreation to a sensory delight.
Splendor: This game of gem trading is known for its heavy, poker-style chips used as currency. Players have often remarked on the satisfying feel of the chips as they’re stacked or traded. Splendor - More info
Quarto: This abstract strategy game has 16 wooden pieces, each with four dichotomous attributes. The tactile nature of the wooden pieces, combined with the game's strategic depth, offers a satisfying physical and mental experience. Quarto - More info
Soundscapes
While not traditional, the auditory ambiance can dramatically enhance board gaming. Soundtracks or apps that offer thematic background noises can pull players deeper into the game's world, making the experience immersive and atmospheric.
Mansions of Madness: This horror-themed board game is enhanced by its accompanying app, which provides atmospheric sounds and music, heightening the tension and mystery as players explore the haunted locales. Mansions of Madness - More info
One Deck Dungeon: While primarily a card game, it's accompanied by a digital soundtrack that immerses players in the dungeon-crawling experience, adding layers of tension and excitement. One Deck Dungeon - More info
Temporal Beauty
Games that evolve and change with each play session offer a unique form of beauty. The game board, rules, and even player relationships can develop and transform, leaving a lasting legacy of previous encounters and decisions.
Risk Legacy: Unlike the classic Risk game, this version evolves with each game session. Players make permanent changes to the board, write on it, and even open sealed packages that alter the game's very rules. Risk Legacy - More info
Pandemic Legacy: Over the course of a "year" (or 12+ sessions), this cooperative game evolves. Diseases mutate, cities fall into chaos, and the board itself bears scars of past outbreaks, making each campaign unique. Pandemic Legacy - More info
Harmony of Elements
The pinnacle of board game beauty is arguably when every aspect—visual design, mechanics, story, and sensory experiences—meshes seamlessly. When these elements harmonize, the game transcends its components and rules to become a cohesive, engrossing work of art.
Scythe: This game combines a rich alternate-history storyline, striking artwork, intricate miniatures, and deep strategy. Every component, from the board to the player mats, works in tandem to transport players to a post-war Europa. Scythe - More info
Wingspan: A card-driven, engine-building game about attracting birds to habitats. Its stunning artwork, thematic mechanics, and tactile egg components create a harmonious experience that's both educational and engrossing. Wingspan - More info
Games with visual aesthetics
But let's keep our focus on the visuals for now.
Onitama
An elegant and simple game, Onitama encapsulates the spirit of martial arts, delivering a swift and incisive chess-like experience. Each game lasts a mere 15 minutes, with players moving their pieces based on cards that dictate movement. Its minimalist design, with its understated board and strikingly sculpted pieces, is a nod to its Asian inspirations.
Onitama - More info
Tokaido
Journeying across the historic Tokaido road in Japan has never felt more serene than in Tokaido. Each player takes the role of a traveler, experiencing the most enriching journey possible. Its board and card illustrations exude calmness and simplicity, embodying the zen aesthetics of Japanese art.
Tokaido - More info
Santorini
Inspired by the cliffside towns of its namesake Greek island, Santorini is a strategy-based game where players build towers. The game's 3D board and pure white buildings, combined with the azure blue of the sea, capture the idyllic beauty of the Mediterranean.
Santorini - More info
Carcassonne
A modern classic, Carcassonne requires players to lay tiles and build the southern French landscape. Its minimalistic illustrations, with clear icons and pastel colors, make it easy to pick up and hard to put down, blending simplicity in design with depth in strategy.
Carcassonne - More info
The Mind
A card game at heart, The Mind tasks players with playing cards in ascending order without communicating. The game's design is deceptively simple, with numbers and minimalistic illustrations, but the tension it creates is palpable, a testament to its genius and beauty in simplicity.
The Mind - More info
Tak
Derived from the literature of Patrick Rothfuss, Tak is a pure strategy game with simple rules but deep tactical play. The wooden pieces and board recall an old-world charm, emphasizing substance and strategy over flashiness.
Tak - More info on BGG
Hive
A bug-themed strategy game, Hive is all about placing hexagonal tiles with various insects, aiming to surround the queen bee of the opponent. Its monochrome pieces and lack of a board give it a minimalistic yet visually distinct look.
Hive - More info
Element
Element is a strategy game where players use the four classical elements — fire, water, earth, and wind — to trap their opponents. Its board and pieces are understated, with simple symbols and a neutral palette, allowing players to focus on the evolving strategies within.
Element - More info
