Online Board Games To Play With Friends

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• Fun Games To Play With Friends Online
• Online Board Games To Play With Friends Free
• Online Board Games Multiplayer

Here are some of the best online games to play with friends that are guaranteed to bring you and your clan together for some fun during this time of social distancing. Best Online Games. If you’re looking for online board games to get you thinking, try Secret Hitler. This is a popular social deduction game that you can now play online. With this game, you can put your and your friends’ deception and deduction skills to the test. Players must separate themselves into two groups: liberals and fascists. 12 classic board games you can play online with friends and family Here are 40 fun, free things to do online while you're stuck at home 28 ways to leave home without actually leaving the couch, from virtual zoo exhibits to museum gallery tours.

For geeks like me, nothing beats getting some friends together for a good old-fashioned game night. Unfortunately, these days, it’s not as easy to hang out in person with friends.

That doesn’t mean you need to give up on the idea entirely. Things may be a little more complex now, but if you’re willing to put in a little effort, you can easily host a virtual game night with everyone playing from the safety of their own homes.

Here are several ways you can play board games online with friends, including video options and non-video options.

1. Over Video Chat

In some ways, just calling up your friends over Zoom and video chatting while playing a game and calling out your moves is the simplest solution. Most group video chat apps are good enough for this so feel free to use the one your group is most familiar with. (Most people have Zoom now, so that’s always a solid fallback option.)

Fun Games To Play With Friends Online

There are two ways to do this, each with its own pros and cons.

The first method
One person acts as the host and sets up the physical board game, and everyone else plays by calling out their actions. Only the host gets the tactile sensation of actually handling game pieces, though, which can result in a disconnected experience for everyone else.

The second method
Everyone has their own copy of the game and keeps the game state synced as each player acts. This can get pretty complicated with advanced games, though, and it’s really only feasible if everyone is a board game fanatic. (How often is everyone going to have their own copy of the game in play?)

Not to mention the biggest drawback that exists with both methods and has no workaround: video chat just doesn’t work for any board game where players have their own hidden hands that are drawn from a shared pool. A game like 7 Wonders or Sushi Go would be a nightmare to play this way.

2. Digital Versions

The easiest way to play board games online with friends is to play the digital versions of board games. This addresses all of the extra complexity that comes with playing over video chat, making the process as simple as logging in together at the same time.

This is our recommended method—as long as a digital version exists.

While most board game publishers are starting to put out digital versions of their best hits, the sad truth is that most multiplayer board games don’t have online digital versions. And to make things even odder, some multiplayer board games only have single-player digital versions. (What the?)

3. Tabletop Simulator

Tabletop Simulator is a digital board game simulator that uses a shared physics sandbox to replicate the tactile experience of board games. All game pieces, including cards, are represented by actual 3D models that you can move, flip, hide, etc. There’s no actual game logic; players are in control of when to move things, bring things on, take things out, etc.

This is our runner-up recommended method—as long as everyone in the group have past experience playing PC games or VR games.

Tabletop Simulator has a bit of a learning curve, so it’s not a viable option for players who’ve never gamed with a keyboard and mouse. (There’s a VR edition of Tabletop Simulator that’s easier to use, but obviously you’d need access to a VR system.)

And every player needs to buy their own copy of Tabletop Simulator. It comes with several basic games (or, more accurately, the 3D assets for several games) but you’ll need to buy paid add-ons for additional 3D assets to play some of the more modern and/or popular board games. Fortunately, only the host needs to buy the paid add-on!

4. Board Game Arena

If you want to play digitally but your friends are somewhat averse to board games, try Board Game Arena. This site advertises itself as the “largest boardgame table in the world.”

You can play versions of games like Carcassone, 7 Wonders, Terra Mystica, and others, all within your browser. Board Game Arena is also available as an app on smartphones and video game consoles, so everyone you know should have some way to play.

While Board Game Arena is techniaclly free, some board games are only available to Premium subscribers. (But when a premium game is hosted by a Premium player, anyone can join, even non-Premium players.)

5. Video Game Clones

Now we’re at the bottom of the barrel, but sometimes you’ve got to take what you can get.

If your friends don’t want to play over Zoom and your game of choice isn’t on Board Game Arena and doesn’t have a digital version or assets on Tabletop Simulator, you may be able to find a knock-off digital clone that’s somewhat close. Some of these board game clones are free, possibly even open source.

But keep your expectations low. If a board game isn’t popular enough to warrant an official digital version or inclusion on Tabletop Simulator, it may not be popular enough to clone. And even if a clone exists, it may be quite rough.

Can’t Get Friends to Play? Go Solo!

Of course, one of the biggest killers of game nights is that you can’t get everyone to agree on a time to get together. Even if you’re playing together virtually online, you still need to find times that work for everyone, and sometimes busy schedules just don’t allow this.

You can still get some game time in, though… if you’re OK playing by yourself. Take a look at our roundup of the best solo board games!

Are you looking for a way to spend time with your friends?

Businesses are now beginning to reopen after a few long months in the pandemic. However, many health officials still advise people to stay at home. Social gatherings remain limited, along with travel.

Because of these trying times, it can be difficult to stay in touch with friends and loved ones. However, technology makes it easy for us to stay connected. Are you looking for a way to bond with friends online?

Consider trying online board games! Board games are a great alternative if you’re not into battle royale games. Read on to discover the best online board games to play with your friends or family members.

Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride takes you through a train ride across the globe. This online board game is available across five digital platforms. If you’re familiar with the physical game, you’ll find that it operates the same.

You and other players must collect matching train cards for railways. If you’re willing to make some in-app purchases, you can find maps featuring Asia, Europe, and India. You may even explore Nordic countries, Germany, UK, and France.

Dune

Dune is one of the best online board games, taking after the 1965 science fiction novel. Players take names of noble families, religious orders, or guilds. This online board game takes you through a journey to conquer the land of Dune.

To play the virtual edition of Dune, you need to download Tabletop Simulator. With this, you may even create 3D models of your favorite games.

Monopoly

Online Board Games To Play With Friends Free

Monopoly is one of the oldest multiplayer games, now available on digital platforms. You can find this on your Apple App Store, Google Play, Pogo, and even Tabletop Simulator.

This classic real estate game takes you through a game of finances. The goal is to become rich and drives others into bankruptcy. The app features 3D animations, customizable house rules, and different player modes.

Villagers

Villagers place you and your friends in the medieval age, in the aftermath of a plague. Players must help a hard-hit region to thrive by populating the community. You must strategize your placements of settlers and balance your food rations.

To play Villagers, you need a basic Tabletopia account. Tabletopia is similar to Tabletop Simulator, with over 900 games. You can play Villagers for free, but you may need a premium subscription to try other games.

Secret Hitler

If you’re looking for online board games to get you thinking, try Secret Hitler. This is a popular social deduction game that you can now play online. With this game, you can put your and your friends’ deception and deduction skills to the test.

Players must separate themselves into two groups: liberals and fascists. An algorithm will decide the role of the Secret Hitler. The selected Hitler will be unaware of their teammates.

However, the fascists can win by passing six fascist policies. They may also win after passing three, then getting Hitler elected for chancellor. On the other side, liberals must pass five liberal policies or kill Hitler.

Pandemic

This online game may seem like a funny jab at our current situation. However, some may find it befitting of the current pandemic. This game calls for players to cooperate and save the world from deadly viruses.

You can play Pandemic with up to five people. Playing as a team of experts, you must contain all viral outbreaks. Each player has a unique role with a certain set of abilities.

Players must travel between research centers and cities. You and your friends must contain the outbreak of four diseases while looking for cures. If you find all four in time, you win Pandemic.

Clue

Clue is one of the best online multiplayer board games for people who enjoy murder mysteries. Clue is one of the oldest of its kind, placing you in the center of a party where there’s been a sudden murder. You must determine who did it, where they did it, and what weapon they used.

You can find the official Clue game under steam, Apple App Store, or Google Play. If your friends are unavailable, you can play against the game’s AI. If you’re looking to play more murder mystery games, you can unlock Clue’s season pass.

The Game of Life

The Game of Life takes players through a simulated version of life. Users play the Game of Life by getting degrees, jobs, properties, and loved ones. Players must race to reach the end goal: retirement.

Online Board Games Multiplayer

Whoever has the most wealth upon retirement wins. You can find the Game of Life in your device’s app store, under the same studio responsible for Clue and Monopoly. You may also access the “fast-mode” version or gain access to app-exclusive minigames.

Uno

Uno remains one of the most popular card games of all time, and it’s now available to play online. You can play this game with friends or use the game’s online matchmaking feature. The game recreates the act of drawing cards.

However, you’re unable to stack Draw 4 and Draw 2 cards, as per the game’s official rules. If you’re looking to enjoy an online game with friends without learning a new one, Uno is a classic choice.

Roll20

If you’re looking for a more interactive game, consider playing Roll20. If you’ve always wanted to try a roleplaying tabletop game, Roll20 is the place to go. Roll20 offers a variety of games and rulesets, including Dungeons and Dragons.

You may even create unique campaigns and games. Its versatile interface may confuse new players at first. If you’re looking to try Roll20 with your friends, we recommend starting with a module.

The Best Online Board Games to Play With Friends

Looking to spend some time with friends and loved ones without leaving your home? Try out these online board games! From murder mystery parties to the classic game of Monopoly, here are many games for you to try.

Looking for other ways to spend time with your friends online? Check out our other blog posts and discover more ways to leverage the internet for bonding and entertainment.