In this post, we provide you with our recommended list of the top 10 Abstract Strategy Board Games. Abstract Strategy games are usually 2 player games, with simple and elegant rules but require deep strategy and tactics. These games have minimal randomness. Check out our list.
If you want to find out more about Abstract Strategy, read our What are Abstract Strategy Games article.
Azul
In Azul, you take the role of artisans tasked with decorating the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora with ornate tiles. Each round, you select tiles from a central market, aiming to strategically place them on your board to score points based on patterns and set completion. I found the game strategically challenging as it requires thinking and planning of your tile selection to optimise your tile placement as well as disrupt your opponent’s strategies.
All you need to know more about Azul – Game overview, what makes it fun and videos
Patchwork
“Patchwork” is an engaging two-player board game where players compete to build the most aesthetic and high-scoring quilt. This game blends abstract strategy with puzzle elements, as players select tetris-like patches, paying in buttons—the game’s currency—and time on a shared timeline to construct their quilt. What makes “Patchwork” fun is its unique economy and the strategic challenge to efficiently manage both resources and space, offering a deeply satisfying and replayable experience.
All you need to know about Patchwork – Game overview, what makes it fun and videos
Santorini
“Santorini” is a visually striking abstract strategy game that challenges players to construct buildings on the eponymous island. Each turn, players move their builders and add a building level, aiming to reach the third level to win. What sets “Santorini” apart is its simplicity paired with deep strategic depth, enhanced by god cards that grant unique abilities, ensuring a dynamic play experience that remains engaging through multiple sessions. This combination of easy-to-learn rules and strategic complexity makes it an excellent game.
All you need to know about Santorini – Game overview, what makes it fun and videos
Hive
In “Hive” , two players compete to surround their opponent’s queen bee with tiles representing different insects, each with unique movement abilities. The game stands out due to its lack of a board, allowing pieces to be freely added, creating a dynamic playing field. Its simple rules, combined with deep strategic possibilities and quick gameplay, make Hive an excellent choice for strategy enthusiasts looking for a portable and thought-provoking game.
All you need to know about Hive – Game overview, what makes it fun and videos
How to play Hive
Buy Hive on Amazon
Onitama
“Onitama” is 2 player game themed around martial arts tactics. Players command a sensei and four apprentices, aiming to capture the opponent’s sensei or maneuver their own to the opponent’s temple arch. It features a unique mechanism where a shared pool of movement cards govern how the pieces can move on the board. This combined with swift gameplay, makes “Onitama” a deeply strategic, replayable and accessible experience.
All you need to know about Onitama – Game overview, what makes it fun and videos
Reef
In “Reef”, players build colorful coral reefs using different patterns on cards to score points. Choosing the right cards and place the pieces effectively to form powerful combinations can lead to high scores. Its accessibility for all ages, vibrant design, and quick gameplay make “Reef” an excellent choice for both casual and strategic gamers.
All you need to know about Reef – Game overview, what makes it fun and videos
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Sagrada
“Sagrada” is a visually striking abstract strategy game where players compete to create the most beautiful stained-glass window using colorful, translucent dice. It stands out for its unique theme and the spatial puzzle-solving element, requiring strategic placement of dice according to specific patterns and color sequences. This game blends simple mechanics with deep strategic choices, appealing to both casual and serious gamers. The combination of aesthetic appeal and cognitive challenge makes “Sagrada” a captivating experience.
All you need to know about Sagrada – Game overview, what makes it fun and videos
How to Play Sagrada Guide for those who hate rulebooks
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Sequence
Sequence combines card play and board positioning elements. You take turns placing chips on a board based on your drawn cards, with the goal of creating a sequence of five chips in a row. The game requires strategy as well as a bit of luck. This mix makes Sequence engaging for players of all ages, fostering critical thinking and planning skills.
Find out more about Sequence
How to play Sequence guide for those who hate rulebooks
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Kingdomino
In “Kingdomino”, you build a 5×5 kingdom by connecting dominolike tiles featuring various landscapes. Each tile has different terrains and crowns; points are scored by multiplying the number of contiguous terrain squares by the crowns it contains. The game’s is appealing because it is simple to learn with strong strategic mechanics, and plays at a fast pace, making each playthrough both quick and challenging.
Find out more about Kingdomino
How to play Kingdomino guide for those who hate rulebooks
Buy on Amazon
Qwirkle
“Qwirkle” is an abstract strategy board game that challenges players to match colors and shapes by laying tiles in a line. Each tile has one of six shapes in one of six colors, and the objective is to build lines that share a common attribute without duplicating a color or shape. Scoring is based on the complexity of lines created. Its simplicity in rules yet depth in strategic execution makes “Qwirkle” a captivating and accessible game for all ages.
Find out more about Qwirkle
How to play Qwirkle guide for those who hate rulebooks
Buy on Amazon
