If you’re looking for a great collection of board games that take a long time to play, you’re in luck. We’ve scoured the popular game forums, played our own copies, and reviewed the chatter to find this amazing list of nine board games that not only take a long time to play but are actually worth the effort. Board Game Geek is an excellent resource for gathering insights on games and their mechanics. Dig through the list and see which ones might be right for your game night crowd.
Introduction to Long Board Games
Long board games are a unique category of tabletop games that demand a significant time investment, often spanning a few hours to several days or even weeks. These games are celebrated for their complexity, strategic depth, and immersive gameplay, making them a favorite among dedicated game groups and tabletop gaming enthusiasts. Unlike shorter games, long board games provide a rich, detailed experience that allows players to fully engage with the game mechanics and narrative.
Whether you’re navigating the intricacies of a civilization-building game or unraveling a complex mystery, long board games offer a rewarding challenge that can turn a typical game night into an epic adventure. They are perfect for those looking to dive deep into a game world and enjoy a prolonged, engaging experience with friends or family.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Long Board Game
Selecting the right long board game involves several important considerations to ensure it fits your group’s preferences and dynamics. First, think about the number of players and their age range. Some long board games are designed for solo play, providing a solitary yet immersive experience, while others require multiple players, making them ideal for game groups or family gatherings.
Next, assess the complexity level of the game. Some long board games are straightforward and easy to learn, making them accessible to beginners, while others are intricate and require a significant amount of time to master. It’s crucial to choose a game that matches the skill level and patience of your players.
Finally, consider the theme and gameplay mechanics. Long board games come in various genres, from strategic and competitive games to cooperative and narrative-driven ones. Whether you prefer building empires, exploring new worlds, or solving mysteries, there’s a long board game that will captivate your interest and keep you engaged for hours on end.
The Nine Best Board Games That Take a Long Time to Play
Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization
Age: 12+ (Community 14+) Players: 2-4 Time: 120+ minutes
In case the title isn’t enough of a giveaway, Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization is a long-haul civilization-building game for two to four players ready to tackle at least two hours of game time. Each player’s goal in the game is to build the best civilization possible through resource management, election of the right political leaders, building wonders, discovering new tech, and controlling a strong military force. All areas of the civilization must be grown and nurtured, or a stronger, more well-rounded enemy could take you down.
Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization begins in the days of antiquity and carries the story all the way into the modern age. This occurs largely through card drafting over the various rounds, enabling players to develop their wonders, tech, and leaders. The game design emphasizes complexity and strategic elements, requiring players to balance technological advancements and military prowess through experience, scientific research, and proper resources.
The game uses no map, but rather players gain and lose control through population numbers, leader deaths, military size, and resources grown, kept, or stolen. Ultimately, whoever develops the most cultured, powerful nation wins the game.
Twilight Imperium: Prophecy of Kings
Age: 14+ Players: 3-8 Time: 240-480 minutes
Running anywhere from four to eight hours, Twilight Imperium: Prophecy of Kings is a board game expansion built for those eager for regular game nights among a steady group of friends. The expansion has grown the galaxy of Twilight Imperium by huge leaps, with seven new factions entering the game. While the initial gameplay may serve as a learning round for players to grasp the mechanics, the shift to an actual competitive game is more approachable due to the structured playtime. Each faction has its own weaknesses and strengths, and all the gene-altering powers of the Mahact that you’d expect. The expansion also includes forty new systems, hyperlane tiles that add planets, and two new player colors to expand player counts to eight people from the original six.
New leader cards also add more textures to your chosen species, supporting every faction in the game and unlocking new powers. New exploration decks also seed new planets, fill outer space with new discoveries, and contain exciting new relics. Every new component adds richness to the core game and makes it well worth the many hours of play ahead.
Arkham Horror
Age: 14+ Players: 1-8 Time: 120-240 minutes
If you’re looking for a ghoulishly dark cooperative game for your game night, look no further than Arkham Horror, the board game that has a significant playing time as you sink into the terrifying world of the Cthulhu Mythos by H.P. Lovecraft. The adventure game leads 1 to 8 players through the streets of Arkham, where one of the eight Ancient Ones lies in wait. Players become the investigators, aiming to keep the creature from ending the world. Throughout the game, players may upgrade their characters by collecting items, allies, new skills, spells, and weapons. Then they must use these artifacts and alliances to rid the town of any monsters that break through from the other dimension. If too many of the gates open, where the monsters emerge, something far worse – the Ancient One – escapes and all is lost.
Also Read: Best Horror Board Games: Our Top 9 Picks
Junta
Age: 16+ (Community 14+) Players: 2-7 Time: 240 minutes
Junta places players in the Republica de los Bananas (Banana Republic) as families seeking power. The game accommodates 2 to 7 players, ages 14 and up (according to the board game community), and lasts about 4 hours total. At the start of the game, players elect their El Presidente (president for life), and that president then allocates roles for the other players and proposes a budget for the game, which the other players vote on.
Throughout the game, foreign aid money may be sought, locations are chosen, and assassination attempts and coups are thrown. The bank may or may not be open and all the crazy may break loose. This is just the first round!
As the game plays out, El Presidente must run voting episodes, which are done through cards that represent only a certain number of votes per player. Players may not like the way the game is going (or just enjoy the excitement of an insurrection!), and so may attempt to assassinate El Presidente or other players, start a coup and see if they can take over, or any other number of actions that could throw a wrench in the works for the other unethical characters in the game. If someone succeeds in an assassination attempt, they gain the player’s unbanked money, which they may then place in their own Swiss account or hold on to for supplies and protection.
Whoever is assassinated is not eliminated, but rather starts over as a new member of the family, with new cards, and keeps the family’s hidden funds in their Swiss account. However, players can lose points through various punitive measures, such as failed coups or unsuccessful assassination attempts. Ultimately, whoever has the most money in the Swiss bank account wins the game.
Diplomacy
Age: 12+ (Community 14+) Players: 2-7 Time: 360 minutes
A favorite among board games that take a long time to play, Diplomacy has been around for over 60 years. During this game of struggle among the “Great Powers of Europe” (Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, Italy, Russia, Turkey, and Germany), 2 to 7 players, aged 12 and up, find themselves in the world just prior to the Great War (World War I). In the Spring of 1901, play begins, and everyone must negotiate their way to expanding their borders and seizing control of whatever territory they can. This is done through military fleets and armies. On any turn, each military unit has limited options: supporting an allied unit, moving into adjoining territory, or holding its position. Orders are given to each unit by writing them out – and the outcomes are determined by the total strength of units involved as gameplay rolls out.
The game sounds fairly complex, but when you’re playing, rules become clear and simple enough that folks can easily learn in a short time, and the long game becomes immensely fun for anyone looking to take over the world.
Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game
Age: 14+ Players: 3-6 Time: 120-180 minutes
Lasting between 2 and 3 hours, every play of Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game means the whole crowd is having an amazing time. Even if you’re not specifically a fan of the science-fiction show, the game offers loads of intrigue and strategy to keep gamers focused the entire time. Players must use their deduction skills to work out who among them is human and who is Cylon, the great enemy of the human race.
Three to six players take on one of the roles of characters from the popular TV show – but don’t be fooled into thinking they’ll play out like the show. The dynamics of how players play involve being dealt a loyalty card at the beginning of the game, meaning it’s all up to luck who is and isn’t a Cylon. These Cylons then work against the humans in secret to prevent them from making it back home to Earth again. Those who are humans must deduce who the traitors are and expose them before it’s too late.
But loyalties change as at some point mid-game, new loyalty cards are handed out and the traitors multiply. The remaining humans must maintain their supplies, fend off the Cylons, and continue their journey home. If the Cylons succeed, the humans will lose everything.
Risk 2210 A.D.
Age: 10+ (Community 12+) Players: 2-5 Time: 240 minutes
The long-time classic board game of Risk finds new terrain in the updated version Risk 2210 A.D. Here, not only can players conquer the world, but they can take over underwater cities and moon bases for a more than the usual global reach. The game variant plays much like the original game of Risk, but now machines (or MODs) do the battling, with human commanders leading the troops. Every commander has their own unique abilities and powers, which come through the Command cards.
Ultimately, the game is still Risk at its core, just with an instituted 5-turn limit, economic factors in the form of energy, and even more strategy needed to conquer more than just the world. As one of the long games, Risk 2210 A.D. offers an immersive and engaging experience that appeals to dedicated players seeking a deeper gaming experience.
Roads & Boats 20th Anniversary Edition
Age: 14+ (Community 10+) Players: 1-6 Time: 120-240 minutes
Roads & Boats has been around for more than 30 years and now comes with the &Cetera expansion as part of the package. The game suits 1 to 6 players, and the game takes between 2 and 4 hours, with players as young as 10 able to enjoy the long-form play successfully.
During the game, each player aims to build a civilization over a long period of time, but warfare doesn’t come into it like in so many other games. Instead, population growth, city building, and logistics propel the mechanisms forward. Every player begins the game with a pile of wooden boats, some stones, two geese, and three donkeys. These resources must supply players with their needs to develop their corner of the world. They’ll develop roads, boats, mines, stock exchanges, and woodcutters, but there’s no territory in the game, so they won’t own the land or buildings and anything they construct could be used by another player.
Terraforming Mars
Age: 12+ Players: 1-5 Time: 120+ minutes
Another board game that takes a long time to play – and is well worth every minute of it! – is the innovative Terraforming Mars from Stronghold Games. The setting: 2400s, after humankind’s launch into space exploration has become viable for real change and salvation of the species. Giant corporations on Earth, as sponsored by the World Government, have initiated projects to make Mars habitable. This means raising temperatures and oxygen levels and cleansing the ocean to make it viable for wildlife. These tasks fall to the intrepid scientists and explorers headed there to work together to bring life where once it was impossible.
Each player takes on the role of a project manager, set to advance infrastructure and technology in this bid to make Mars a new home for humankind. You must acquire project cards (from over 200 options), increase resource production, and play your hand to move these scientific processes along. But buying these cards is costly and you’ve got to balance purchases and playing them to meet your needs.
The full game consists of several generations (rounds), which consist of specific phases:
Player order shifts clockwise.
Research ensues, with all players buying cards.
Actions begin, with players taking turns doing 1 or 2 things: play a card, claim a milestone, use a Standard project, convert a plant into greenery tiles, convert heat into a temperature boost, or fund an Award.
Then, production kicks in, with players earning resources according to their terraforming rating and production guide rails.
When the temperature, oxygen, and ocean levels meet their required standards, Terraforming Mars is complete and the game ends after that generation. At this point, players combine their victory points and terraforming ratings to determine who has won the game.
Enhancing Your Long Board Game Experience
To make the most of your long board game sessions, consider these tips to enhance your experience. First, take the time to thoroughly read and understand the rules before starting the game. This preparation will help prevent confusion and ensure smooth gameplay, allowing everyone to enjoy the game without interruptions.
Investing in a dedicated game table or other gaming accessories can also elevate your experience. A spacious table with ample room for all game components can make a significant difference, especially for games that require a lot of table space. Additionally, accessories like card holders, organizers, and play mats can help keep everything in order and enhance the overall aesthetic of your gaming setup.
Finally, joining a gaming group or community can provide valuable opportunities to connect with other gamers, share strategies, and discover new games. Engaging with a community of like-minded enthusiasts can enrich your gaming experience, offering new perspectives and techniques that can make your long board game sessions even more enjoyable.
By considering these factors and tips, you’ll be well-equipped to choose and enjoy the best long board games, turning your game nights into memorable adventures.
Conclusion
The choices in this collection of board games that take a long time to play will definitely keep your crowd busy for hours – days, even. So, if you’re looking for a great option for that dedicated game night crowd or want something for the family to really connect over, you’re in luck. Most are best suited for folks 12 and older, but you’ll definitely find some games on here that the community says kids as young as 10 will get, enjoy, and often beat you in. Enjoy!
FAQ
1. What are some of the longest board games mentioned in the article?
The article highlights several long board games, including Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization, Twilight Imperium: Prophecy of Kings, Arkham Horror, Junta, Diplomacy, Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game, Risk 2210 A.D., Roads & Boats 20th Anniversary Edition, and Terraforming Mars.
2. How long does it typically take to play Twilight Imperium: Prophecy of Kings?
Twilight Imperium: Prophecy of Kings can take anywhere from four to eight hours to play, making it one of the longest board games featured in the article.
3. What is the main objective in the game Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization?
In Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization, the main objective for players is to build the best civilization possible through resource management, electing political leaders, building wonders, discovering new technologies, and maintaining a strong military force.
4. How does the game Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game incorporate the theme of loyalty?
In Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game, players receive loyalty cards at the start, determining whether they are human or Cylon. Loyalties can change mid-game when new loyalty cards are distributed, adding an element of intrigue and deduction as players try to identify the traitors.
5. What is unique about the game Roads & Boats 20th Anniversary Edition compared to other long board games?
Roads & Boats 20th Anniversary Edition is unique in that it focuses on building a civilization through logistics, population growth, and city building without involving warfare. Players do not own territory, so constructed resources can be used by others, emphasizing shared development.