The 7 Best Cooperative Board Games to Play with Friends and Family
Board games have been a popular pastime for generations and continue to bring people together for fun, laughter, and friendly competition. The good news is that board games have gotten better and give you more options for play than ever before.
For example, what if you want to play a game that requires teamwork and cooperation instead of competition? Enter the world of cooperative board games. In these games, players work together to achieve a common goal instead of competing against each other in a game that ends in a real estate-related fistfight.
Here are the seven best cooperative board games to play with friends and family.
1. Pandemic
Pandemic is a thrilling cooperative board game where players take on the roles of global health experts, working together to stop the spread of deadly diseases. The game is designed for two to four players and has a playtime of approximately 45 minutes.
Players must work together to treat and contain outbreaks, find a cure for the diseases, and ultimately save the world. With multiple difficulty levels and a high replay value, Pandemic is a must-have for any cooperative game collection. There are also many clever Pandemic variants out there, including the award-winning campaign version, Pandemic Legacy.
THEME WARNIG: Pandemic may feel a bit too real for some people after the COVID-19 era. If so, try the next game for a similar feel with no new outbreaks.
2. Forbidden Island
Forbidden Island is a fast-paced, family-friendly game that requires players to work together to find four sacred treasures and escape the sinking island before it’s too late. Designed by the same fellow who gave us Pandemic, you’ll see similar mechanisms but with a shorter game and more family-friendly theme.
The game is designed for two to four players and has a playtime of approximately 30 minutes. With challenging gameplay and a variety of unique characters to choose from, Forbidden Island is the perfect game for families and friends who love adventure. If you enjoy it, check out the sequel, Forbidden Desert.
3. Spirit Island
Spirit Island is a complex and challenging cooperative board game that requires players to work together to protect their island from invading colonists.
In this game, players take on the roles of powerful spirits, using their abilities to defend their land and drive the colonists away. With its deep strategy, challenging puzzles, and immersive setting, Spirit Island is sure to provide hours of enjoyment for you and your friends.
4. Just One
The lightest game on this list, Just One is a perfect 20–30 minute experience for 3 to 7 players, but it plays best at the highest player counts. Each turn the active player reveals a card with five words, blindly selecting one by number.
The rest of the players then use dry-erase markers to write down a ‘just one’ word as a clue for the active player to say the right word. But, don’t be too obvious because before the active player gets to see all the players’ words, the others compare them and any duplicates are dropped.
Just One is an ideal work lunchtime game, and a fun staple for any party game collection.
5. Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate
Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate is a cooperative game that is based on the popular Dungeons & Dragons franchise. In this game, players work together to explore the dangerous city of Baldur’s Gate, fighting off monsters and uncovering secrets along the way.
With its high level of variability, exciting combat, and memorable characters, Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate is sure to be a hit with both fans of the franchise and board gamers of all levels.
Like the game but would you enjoy a horror theme better? Try out the game that spawned this one, Betrayal at the House on the Hill.
6. Castle Panic
In Castle Panic, players work together to defend their castle from an invading horde of monsters. The game is designed for one to six players and has a playtime of approximately 60 minutes, and was my son’s favorite board game for much of his youth.
With challenging gameplay and multiple expansions available, Castle Panic is the perfect game for families and friends who love a good challenge. The game is out in a new edition with gorgeous new artwork and cleaned-up game play.
7. Flash Point: Fire Rescue
Flash Point: Fire Rescue is a cooperative game that puts players in the role of firefighters, working together to save people and pets from a burning building.
With its fast-paced gameplay, challenging puzzles, and high level of replayability, Flash Point: Fire Rescue is a great choice for families and groups of friends.
Make Time for Games
These seven cooperative board games are sure to provide hours of entertainment and excitement for you and your friends. Whether you are looking for a challenging and strategic game, or simply something fun and lighthearted, this list should have you covered.
So why not gather your friends and give one of these games a try tonight?
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