How to Pick the Right Game for the Right Crowd
There’s nothing worse than pulling out your favorite three-hour strategy game and realizing half your guests are just being polite.
Picking the right game is an underrated skill. It’s part intuition, part psychology, and part knowing your people. Whether you’re hosting family, friends, or coworkers, the goal is the same: keep everyone engaged, laughing, and having a good time.
Here’s your cheat sheet for matching the right game to the right crowd and saving game night before it even starts.
For the Overthinkers
These players love optimization, combos, and saying “just one more turn.”
Wingspan
Wingspan is a beautiful engine-building game where players attract birds to their wildlife preserves, carefully balancing food, eggs, and habitats for the most efficient ecosystem. It’s serene, strategic, and stunning on the table.
7 Wonders
If you’ve got players who love building civilizations, 7 Wonders is a smart, fast-paced drafting game that rewards planning and synergy. Both are perfect for thinkers who want a challenge that feels rewarding, not overwhelming.
Dixit
Dixit turns simple image cards into poetic, imaginative storytelling. One player gives a clue, and everyone guesses which surreal image matches. It’s artsy, funny, and always reveals who the real dreamers at the table are.
Mysterium
Mysterium adds a layer of mystery. One player becomes a ghost, sending cryptic visions to help others solve a murder. It’s cooperative, spooky, and just theatrical enough for groups who love a little drama in their games.
Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens is fast-paced and ridiculous, full of cats, explosions, and absurd humor that appeals to all ages.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is pure chaos in card form — quick reflexes, silly mistakes, and guaranteed laughter.
Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride lets players build train routes across a map — simple to learn but deeply satisfying as your network expands.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne has that same peaceful, tactile appeal: players build medieval landscapes one tile at a time, watching cities and roads grow together.
Outfoxed!
Outfoxed! is a cooperative detective game where players work together to find clues and catch the sneaky fox before it escapes — fast, friendly, and fun for even the youngest players.
Zombie Kidz Evolution
Zombie Kidz Evolution adds a twist. It’s a legacy-style game where rules and content evolve over time as kids complete missions. Each win unlocks new powers and surprises, making it a great pick for families who want something replayable that grows with their kids’ skills and confidence.