The Dog Days of Summer are upon us, and what better way is there to beat the heat than with a grand board game? Long summer days were made for long gaming sessions! Enjoy the heat from a distance and grab a frosty beverage as you immerse yourself into other worlds.
Star Wars: Rebellion (2-4 players, 180-240 minutes playtime) it is a period of civil war. Wield the iron fist of the Empire or strike from the shadows as the hidden Rebellion as you pursue the Galactic Civil War. Each faction plays differently and has differing win conditions. As the mighty Empire, you control a vast fleet of ships, reliable infrastructure and the dreaded Death Star as you bring the Galaxy to heel. The plucky Rebels begin vastly outnumbered and outgunned, but from their hidden base they will begin winning the hearts and minds of the cowed citizens, eventually winning enough support to become a major threat. Of course, this conflict is also the story of celebrated heroes, and the missions they undertake can tip the scales in familiar ways.
Frosthaven (1-4 players, 90-180 minutes playtime) is a game where you’ll build up a remote settlement at the frozen edge of the known world. Your band of mercenaries will have to solve various threats and build the outpost into something more permanent and thriving. Over the course of many sessions, you’ll encounter hostile races in the wilderness that you might be able to invite into your burgeoning town. You’ll need to craft almost everything you use out here, as trade routes and resources are scarce. But if you succeed, you will have told an epic story about community and rugged survival.
Descent: Legends of the Dark (1-4 players, 120-180 minutes) pits you and your companions as heroes on a series of sixteen quests to complete a campaign-length story. Use the free app to add complexity to your encounters. Breathe life into the dangerous and fantastical world of Terrinoth by placing 3-D terrain to build your environment. Descent is one of the closest experiences to a tabletop roleplaying game that you can get. If your group includes someone who has been looking to dip their toes into TTRPGs, this is a good starting point.
