19 Board Games You Can Play with Friends from Afar

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This 19 virtual versions of classic games, available through the Apple App Store and Google Play, are ideal for social distancing, according to 24/7 Tempo.

Source: Courtesy of 7 Wonders via Facebook

7 Wonders

In 7 Wonders players take on the role of leader of the seven greatest cities of antiquity as they accumulate and use cards depicting ancient civilizations, military conflicts, and commercial activity. Players must build up their realms through a variety of means in a race for dominance. The game allows for two to seven players and takes 30 minutes on average.

Where to download: https://en.boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=sevenwonders

Source: Zbynek Pospisil / iStock via Getty Images

Backgammon Classic

Backgammon is one of the oldest board games still played today, born nearly 5,000 years ago in ancient Persia. The classic game can be played on hundreds of websites and apps. In the game, two players use dice to maneuver their “men” or tokens in a race around and then off the board.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=backgammon.classic.free.online.live.gamao&hl=vi&gl=US

Source: Courtesy of Board Kings via Facebook

Board Kings

Board Kings is an online-only game where players use dice to move around the board and collect coins. Coins are used to make in game decisions in order to win. The game allows people to play alone or with friends and offers a range of awards. Users can also unlock new boards and other ways to modify the rules and experience.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jellybtn.boardkings&hl=en_US&gl=US

Source: Courtesy of https://catanuniverse.com/en/

Catan Universe

Since its release in 1995, the original Catan has become a massively popular board game, and its creator has added several expansions over the years. In Catan, players compete for resources and control of a newly settled island. Players can set up the board however they want, creating a new game experience every time. Catan Universe allows players to enjoy Catan on PC, tablet, and mobile devices.

Where to download: https://www.catan.com/catan-universe

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Dominos

The classic tile game is popular to play on numerous websites and apps. Many people enjoy dominos because it is easy enough to play, combines strategy and luck, and doesn’t involve a massive time commitment. Some form of dominos existed in ancient China but the modern game originated in Italy a few hundred years ago.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.senspark.android.domino&hl=vi&gl=US

Source: Courtesy of Four in a Row - Classic Games

Four in a Row

Four in Row, otherwise known as the generic version of Connect 4, is the classic vertical connection board game. The game is simple and fast enough but also has a lot of depth when it comes to strategy and forethought. Players must maneuver to line up four of their pieces while being careful not to leave any openings for their opponent to beat them to four-in-a-row.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

Source: Courtesy of lichess • Free Online Chess

Lichess online chess

Lichess is a popular online chess site that offers the game in a variety of play styles, including blitz, bullet, and classic. The variations differ in time limit and other aspects, which can have considerable impact on the game. (Chess is a whole different thing when moves are made with limited time instead of with meticulous planning.) The site also offers tournaments, leader boards, and professional chess news.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

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Mahjong Games

Mahjong was developed in China in the 19th century and has grown to have global popularity. The game and its derivations have a variety of rules and ways of playing, all using tiles with colorful characters on them. Mahjong Games is a website and mobile app that allows users to play everything from the original mahjong to mahjong solitaire and more.

Source: Courtesy of Monopoly

Monopoly

Based on the map of Atlantic City, New Jersey, the classic game of Monopoly has players scramble to buy land and eventually develop houses and hotels. Players aim to take control of the board and drain their opponents of money. There have been countless Monopoly spinoffs, adapting the board to everything from university towns to “Star Wars.” The game can be played online with friends and strangers or alone against the computer.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

Source: Courtesy of Mysterium

Mysterium

Mysterium is a cooperative game set in the 1920s, in which players must work together to solve a murder. One player takes the role of a ghost who gives clues on the murderer and weapon used. The others are playing as a group of psychics and must work to understand the ghost’s cryptical clues. The game can have two to seven players and takes around 45 minutes.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

Source: Courtesy of Pandemic- The Board Game

Pandemic: The Board Game

In Pandemic players work together to stop a deadly outbreak that’s ravaging the planet. Sound familiar? Turns out it’s even more difficult than you’d think. Players use different specialties and limited resources cooperatively to control the outbreak and stop it from spreading to new geographic locations across the globe. All players either win or lose the game together.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

Source: Courtesy of Raiders of the North Sea

Raiders of the North Sea

Raiders of the North Sea is set in the age of the Vikings and is all about plundering unsuspecting settlements for gold, iron, and livestock. Players must first work out the logistics of a raid by gathering provisions, assembling a crew, and traveling north. Resources acquired in raids are then offered to the chieftain to gain victory points or used for further raids. The game is designed for two to four players and takes 60 to 80 minutes.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

Source: Courtesy of Risk

Risk

The classic game of Risk can be a behemoth undertaking as players vie for control of the entire world through a mix of strategy and luck. Playing online and using automatic dice roll generators can speed up battles and considerably cut down on play time. Players also have the option to leave and come back to the game easily and to choose from a variety of boards.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

Source: Courtesy of Scrabble

Scrabble

The world’s most famous word game has a massive player base and can be as frustrating as it is fun. The game will truly test and expand anyone’s vocabulary as well as wit and strategic skills. Scrabble can be played online with friends, strangers, or bots. The game has led to tons of spinoffs like Words with Friends and more.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

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Terraforming Mars

Players take on the role of CEO’s in the 25th century aiming to make the Red Planet habitable. They must work together to transform Mars, but are awarded victory points for their contribution to the process and for building infrastructure throughout the solar system. The game uses a combination of deck building, resource acquisition, and controlling and modifying areas of the board. The game is designed for one to five players and on average takes two hours to play.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

Source: Courtesy of Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride is a cross-country train adventure. Players compete to build train tracks across North America using cards to expand their network and overcome their rivals. Points are gained in a variety of ways, including creating the longest routes and fulfilling specific destination challenges. The original game has also been expanded from North America to other continents.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

Source: Courtesy of Woody Block Puzzle ®

Woody Block Puzzles

The name sums it up; Woody Block Puzzles uses 10 x 10 jigsaw puzzles for entertaining brain games that are also meant to relax the mind. The puzzles are designed to de-stress players, help them emotionally recharge, and increase their positive social interactions. The game is easy enough and has no time limit or excessive challenges. It’s not meant to be so challenging that it’s frustrating but instead is designed to be just distracting and engaging enough to give the brain a break.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

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Words with Friends

Words with Friends took the world by storm at the beginning of the 2010s and has managed to stick around. Similar to Scrabble, the game uses a crossword-style puzzle where players earn points by completing words. There are some small differences including different locations for bonus point squares and different point values for letters. The game incorporates a chat feature, allowing players to connect socially.

Source: Courtesy of YAHTZEE® With Buddies Dice Game

Yahtzee

Yahtzee is all about rolling dice and trying to get as many points as possible. Players aim for different combinations of dice to maximize their score. With each turn they have the option to re-roll multiple times and keep the dice they want. Yahtzee is easy enough to play and even easier if a machine is doing all the counting and scoring.

Where to download: https://play.google.com/

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