Abstract strategy games strip things down to pure decisions, no luck, no theme, just you trying to outthink your opponent. There’s nothing hidden, no dice to blame, just clean moves on a board that punishes every mistake and rewards every bit of foresight.
Some examples of abstract games are Oxono, The Ludos Collection and Garden.
Underwood – There’s Not Mushroom for Everyone
There’s quite a lot happening underneath a forest that we normally never see. Mycelia spread through the soil, mushrooms appear above ground, and different species compete for the same space. Underwood takes that idea and turns it into a game…
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Sandcastles – A Little Competition at the Beach
Going to the beach and building a sandcastle is usually a fairly relaxed activity. In Sandcastles, apparently somebody decided we needed to turn that into a competition as well. The game has everyone building their own castle from square tiles,…
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Azure – An Engine Built on Position
Across the land run the Lung Mei, invisible dragon paths connected to the Four Auspicious Beasts: the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger and Black Tortoise. Energy builds when these paths continue in straight lines, while mountains interrupt and diffuse…
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Quagmire – More Than Just Hopping Frogs
A pond full of frogs probably doesn’t sound like the setting for a game that makes you stop and think. That was certainly our first impression. Quagmire looks cheerful, colourful and very approachable, with frogs following their own paths across…
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Tatsumi – More Puzzle Than Dragon
The islands of Tatsumi have fallen out of balance. Elemental rifts have appeared across the land, and the people are relying on their guardian dragons, known as Tatsu, to put things right. You’ll fly across the surrounding sea, gather rings…
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Gingham – The Sweetest Things Rarely Stay Yours
A picnic blanket has been abandoned with cookies, cupcakes, pies, cherries, and other sweets still sitting on it. For us, that would probably raise a few questions. For the ants in Gingham, it’s simply a good day. Each player controls…
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Kuroshio – Route Building on the Open Ocean
The Kuroshio Current carries warm water north through the western Pacific, along Taiwan and Japan. It attracts large schools of fish, followed by bigger predators, whales and fishing boats hoping to find a valuable catch. In Kuroshio, we add sea…
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Himizu – Fire and Water Fight for Every Space
Sometimes a game arrives in a small box and you immediately think, “Alright, this should be quick.” That was pretty much our first reaction when we opened Himizu. The board is tiny, there aren’t many pieces, and the rules aren’t…
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Madcala – Wonderland Mancala
When I first saw Madcala on the table, I expected something chaotic. Colorful gems, twisted Wonderland characters, glowing cats with creepy smiles, oversized tea-party artwork… it gives the impression that the game is going to spiral into nonsense after a…
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Tanbo – Harvesting in Circles
When we first saw Tanbo, we thought it was going to be one of those small farming games you play while relaxing with a cup of tea. Cute rice paddies, colorful wooden pieces, countryside vibes… you know the type. But…
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