Hey fellow board game lovers! June has come and gone, and July’s already in full swing. I’ve spent the past month diving into a bunch of board games, both fresh releases and some old favorites. From intense strategy games to chill tile-layers, June brought some real gems to the table. Here are my top five picks for June, each with its own special flair and playstyle.
1. Ezra and Nehemiah
Description:
Ezra and Nehemiah is the newest offering from Garphill Games. Set in ancient times, this worker placement game is all about rebuilding Jerusalem and its walls after the Babylonian exile. You play as leaders overseeing the reconstruction, managing resources, allocating labor, and defending against external threats.
Review:
This one quickly shot up my favorites list (check out the full review here). The board might look busy with all its elements, but thanks to the clear icons and logical layout, it’s easy to navigate. The strategic depth is fantastic, with multiple actions and victory paths to explore. One standout feature is its solo mode – super easy to understand yet challenging enough to keep you hooked. It really captures the feeling of playing against a real opponent. All in all, Ezra and Nehemiah is a must-try for its rich theme and engaging gameplay.
2. Harmonies
Description:
Harmonies is a beautiful tile placement game where you create harmonious habitats to score points. Drawing inspiration from nature’s beauty, you place tiles featuring different terrains and wildlife to build a balanced, diverse environment. It’s got that Cascadia vibe with its aesthetics and strategic depth.
Review:
Harmonies wins you over with its simplicity and stunning artwork (full review here). It’s easy to learn, making it perfect for newbies, yet it offers enough strategy to keep seasoned players interested. The solo mode is great, offering a relaxing but challenging experience. Plus, it scales well with different player counts, making it a versatile choice for any game night. Quick to explain and easy to grasp, Harmonies is a delightful game I love for its elegant design and enjoyable play.
3. Nova Roma
Description:
Nova Roma is a strategic board game set in ancient Rome. You play as influential Roman citizens, engaging in trade, construction, politics, and military conquest. The game’s blend of mini-games and action selection mechanics makes for a rich, varied experience.
Review:
I don’t own Nova Roma yet, but I got to play it at a board game meetup. This game’s unique mix of mini-games and action selection mechanics is fascinating. The worker placement is especially cool – placing a worker lets you perform actions in both the row and column, with extra actions if you’ve already got a worker there. Even with three new players at the table, we wrapped it up in 2.5 hours and had a blast. Its depth and variety kept us engaged the whole time. Nova Roma is definitely a must-try for any board game enthusiast, even with the mostly tacked on theme. The art is beautiful though!
4. Beacon Patrol
Description:
Beacon Patrol is a compact tile-laying game where you play as captains mapping the coastline and creating islands. It’s all about exploration and discovery, with points scored based on tile configurations and objectives achieved.
Review:
This game is perfect for solo play. It’s easy to dive into with clear, straightforward rules. The game offers a relaxing yet strategic experience, as you optimize tile placements and hit your objectives. Though I haven’t tried it multiplayer, I bet it’s just as fun, with both cooperative and competitive modes. Beacon Patrol is a charming game I highly recommend for its ease of play and engaging mechanics, great for both solo sessions and group play.
5. Grove
Description:
Grove is a compact solo card game where you create the best grove by laying cards and using dice to count fruits. With only 18 cards, you aim to maximize your score by strategically placing cards and managing your dice.
Review:
This solo-only game is all about crafting the perfect grove using dice to count the fruits. With just 18 cards, you can play two, nine card games back-to-back, making it perfect for short sessions. It’s super easy to set up and doesn’t take much space, ideal for travel. Grove’s simple yet fun mechanics offer a satisfying puzzle-like experience as you strive for the highest score. It’s become a permanent addition to my (work) bag, delivering endless fun on the go. Grove is an awesome travel game that I adore for its portability and addictive gameplay.
Conclusion
These are my top games for June, from compact travel games to deep, multi-hour experiences. Whether you’re hunting for a great solo game or something to enjoy with friends, these picks offer a variety of play styles. I highly recommend giving them a try!