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9 Board Games for History Lovers

9 Board Games for History Lovers

Board games provide infinite hours of entertainment. They cater to everyone’s interests, from popular word options like Scrabble to strategy games like Settlers of Catan. Board games can provide an immersive experience of different fields and worlds.

If you are a history lover, read on to find out which board games include a detail-rich view of different time periods.

Axis and Allies 1941

A great entry point to the Axis and Allies game series, the 1941 version from Avalon Hill provides up to 120 minutes of immersive WW2 strategy. It fits from 2 to 5 players and includes 16 new multicolor designs.

In the game, players can control five Axis or Allied powers. They will have to strategize both military tactics and a fragile wartime economy. This game allows you to change history based on your decisions, the victories you claim, and the cities you conquer.

While most other games in the series have a huge scope, this is ideal for beginners.

Chronology

Chronology is a popular history-themed card game that lets you create a timeline of events. In turns, a player will read out a historical occurrence. Other players will get to determine where they think it occurs in the timeline. If they guess correctly, the card is kept.

The winner is the player who first reaches a 10-card timeline. Chronology fits from 2 to 8 players and is recommended for those over 14. It includes double-sided cards that accumulate 858 historical events.

This entertaining card game is a great way to keep your knowledge of history fresh and to add to a wealth of trivia.

Castles of Burgundy

This 20th-anniversary edition of Ravensburger’s classic Castles of Burgundy transports players to the life and times of a prince in the 15th century. Set right after the Hundred Years’ War, this historical strategy game uses individual hex boards with tiles.

Players have to make their lands, represented by the board, flourish. This can be done through effective city development, sound agriculture, and plentiful trade. Castles of Burgundy is ideal for 2 to 4 players and can be played for between 30 to 90 minutes.

Castles of Burgundy is ideal for intermediate-level players.

History of the World

An excellent historical conquest game for 3 to 6 players, History of the World provides entertaining escapism. This strategy game involves building a civilization and helping it thrive while exploring the impact of different eras and industries on society.

At the end of the game, the player with the most points will get the victory and the glory of having made history. Each civilization available to play in the game comes with its own unique attributes, so make sure to choose wisely.

There are five total historical periods included in this board game that leads into the 20th century. The beautiful illustrations will help you fully immerse yourself in the historical aspects.

The Oregon Trail

An ideal choice for those passionate about early American history and the computer game of the same name, the Oregon Trail is great entertainment for the whole family. The board game takes you back to 1848, where you start your adventure in Independence, Missouri.

The game fits from 2 to 4 players, and it is suitable for those 14 or older. Winning the game entails surviving the journey to Willamette Valley in Oregon, where the gold rush is thriving. Players will be able to discover various locations while making sure to strategize for survival.

Timeline

Another great family game that’s useful to display historical chronology knowledge, Timeline is a fun-sized choice that provides innovative gameplay. Each turn, players will place a card from their hand on the board. They will then turn it face down to reveal the date on the back.

If they have successfully placed it in the correct order in relation to the other cards on the table, the card can remain. If not, it will be removed, and another will be played. This game is excellent for 2 to 6 players and includes 55 cards with eco-friendly packaging.

Pandemic: Fall of Rome

A great cooperative board game for 1 to 5 players, Pandemic: Fall of Rome is a fascinating way to explore the height of the Roman Empire. The average playtime is between 45 and 60 minutes.

Teamwork is essential to the success of the players, with unique skills and strategies required to defend against the invading hordes of enemies. Single players can entertain themselves with the uniquely-crafted solo mode.

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective

History lovers passionate about Victorian England will adore the Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective board game. Featuring the Thames Murders & Other Cases, this is an ideal choice for 1 to 8 players over the age of 14. The average playtime is 90 minutes.

This historical mystery game will transport you to19th century London, where you will have to use cooperative strategies to solve ten cases.

Pax Porfiriana

Providing great insight into the time of the Mexican revolution, the Pax Porfiriana card game transports players to the era between 1898 and 1920. It is suitable for 1 to 6 players, and the beautiful collectors’ edition adds even more content to the base game.

Pax Porfiriana includes amazing illustrations, as well as a mounted map and a beautifully designed rulebook.

Conclusion

History lovers have plenty of choices when it comes to exploring their favorite subject through board games. From the Roman Empire to the 20th Century, there’s something for everyone!