Our board game suggestions

Some suggestions of board games to discover with family, group or couple.

Martial Arts

Onitama

This game released almost 10 years ago – and received with great praise – has just arrived on the shelves in its French version. Inspired by the world of martial arts, it offers strategy players a great challenge. The main objective resembles that of chess: to take the opposing master. The difference is that here the masters and pawns move differently with each move, according to patterns illustrated on one of the 25 cards in the deck. These cards pass from player to player, which allows you to anticipate the opponent’s future moves. Better still, the game is beautifully crafted, with its rubberized game board and quality pawns. An elegant game, with great depth.

For 2 players, ages 14 and up, 15 minutes, $42

Stephanie Morin, The Press

Animals

Betta

The object of the game is to arrange the betta cards in different randomly drawn configurations at the start of the game. The more complex the configurations, the more points you score. Be careful, however, because we also accumulate points at the end of the game according to the number of fish that we have been able to place in the different aquariums, not to mention that our cards also include fish of the color of our opponents. You can also play in solo mode or asymmetric mode – a player plays here Betty, the manager of the pet store, who has her own goals to score points. Interest grows after a few games.

For 1 to 5 players, ages 8 and up, duration: 20 minutes, $30

Pierre-Marc Durivage, The Press

well-done

roast

Just for Laughs has decided to take advantage of the current craze for board games by partnering with a first title, Roast. Inspired by the famous well-cooked where you cut into pieces (metaphorically, of course) a public figure, this game of party proposes to make associations of concepts to describe a person around the table. Here, no censorship has been practiced. Be warned: this is very (very!) vulgar. The coronations are abused; the word “fill” comes up repeatedly. You have to like the genre… A game in the vein of L’ostie d’jeu, but rougher.

For 4 to 18 players, ages 18 and up, price: $35

Stephanie Morin, The Press

The pro’s choice

Bora Fruta

A game from the Ludo & Méninge series by Gladius, Bora Fruta is perfect for stretching out the summer. “Like the whole series, the game was designed by specialized educators, but it’s also really beautiful and colorful, we like to eat the little popsicles,” laughs Maryse Talbot, manager of the Griffon store in Brossard. It is designed around several mini-games that make the game change every time, even adults can play it. » The goal of the game is to assemble your popsicle by exchanging it for coupons obtained by taking up multiple challenges that call on observation, memory, deduction, logic or vocabulary, according to two levels of difficulty adapted to the age of the players.

For 2 to 4 players, ages 6 and up, duration: 15 to 30 minutes, $43

Pierre-Marc Durivage, The Press