Sandbox Games
I love games with seemingly endless options. This is easier to do in video games, but there are some good board games that do it as well. At least, they do it as best as tabletop limitations allow.
One I've played only once but really enjoyeed for the "sandbox" experience is Western Legends. There's no one-right path to victory, and you could go about doing a horde of different things to get points. I think it's fantastic.
But I want more.
What are some open-world, sandboxy board games you can think of? I'd love to hear suggestions!
4 | 37 comments | report | subscribe
BenjaminK 13 months ago
I’ve heard some good things about this one. Still, it’s not one I’ve ever been too keen on playing. But, knowing it’s sandboxy, I may have to take a closer look!
Marshwiggle92 Supporter13 months ago
I have heard good things about Star Trek: Ascendancy as a sandboxy game. I haven't played it. I think it only supports three players. BUT it is on Amazon right now for $40 USD.Â
It appears like that is a historic low. I want to credit BGA historic low tracker for pointing this out to me.Â
BenjaminK 13 months ago
I’ve never been big into Star Trek, but am certainly not opposed to a game with the theme. Is it playable with less than three? Or does there always have to be three players?
Marshwiggle92 Supporter13 months ago
I believe it is three person only. I haven't played it, and some time has passed since I last looked at it.Â
sdirrane Supporter13 months ago
I love me some Western Legends. Although I do think there needs to be a way to mitigate the mine and deliver option. I know we can attack that player but once they have a fast horse they can basically mine and deliver in one turn before being attacked. Have you had that issue?
But overall I think it's so fun. It's a much more social game because of the Sandbox and I love that you get to control NPC's upping the player interaction.
BenjaminK 13 months ago
The mining can be OP, but I guess that makes the player interaction (ie attacking him) more important. It’s sandbox, yes, but that just means others can do what they want, too, and if you don’t like it, then you gotta deal with it. Still, I wish you could blow up the mine or something. That’s one way to stop them! Haha
sdirrane Supporter13 months ago
Totally, the biggest problem I've had is that it's hard to attack them when they only get gold right before they can run to the bank. I mean that person hasn't wont yet when we've played so I guess there's that. I know some people don't love house rules, but I'm all about them.
BenjaminK 13 months ago
Thank you so much for finishing my Star Wars quote haha I’m so pleased. It’s actually a quote I use frequently, including yesterday and this morning, ironically enough. I just can’t help myself hahaha
my Mom has stopped asking what I want for Christmas and gets me some small stuff and some money to get whatever game I want. It’s great, but it also puts a lot of pressure on me haha
BenjaminK 13 months ago
Yup, it certainly is. Maybe that's why I like it so much. I love the freedom it brings.
Marshwiggle92 Supporter13 months ago
Space Biff is my favorite game reviewer. He wrote an article highlighting his top ten. I don't necessarily agree with it all. I have at least demoed most of the games and I think that he is mostly right about it. I'll link the article below.Â
https://spacebiff.com/2018/05/16/easier-than-feudum/#more-11586
BenjaminK 13 months ago
Wow, thanks for the link! I'll have to peruse this in my spare time :)Â
Rob, Dan's cohost (at least, former cohost) on the Space Biff podcast is one of my friends, and actually is 85% of why I'm in this hobby to begin with haha He put on the best game nights, hands down.Â
Marshwiggle92 Supporter13 months ago
It is I who must thank you. I didn't know there was a Space Biff podcast. I think I will have a very good weekend listening to it.Â
BenjaminK 13 months ago
I don't think they did a lot of them, so you may get through them faster than anticipated haha Here's the BGG link to the podcast:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepodcast/39574/space-biff-space-cast
Marshwiggle92 Supporter13 months ago
So, they don't do one anymore? Ah well. I guess I can have fun hearing what they did do. Thanks for the link.Â
BenjaminK 13 months ago
I know Rob left to do a show with Jason Tagmire (Button Shy Games), and that was some time ago. But, even old podcasts are better than no podcasts haha I hope you enjoy them!
nealkfrank 13 months ago
Feudum (super heavy and fiddly) is another game that comes to mind, even Pipeline has aspects of Sandbox gameplay.Â
BenjaminK 13 months ago
R0land1199 Supporter13 months ago
Merchants and Marauders would definitely be in the Western Legends category.Â