The Best of the Best in Expensive Board Games

If you’re looking to invest in some phenomenal games and have the budget to support that, you may want to consider these top eight best board games that are also among the best expensive board games for your collection. Not only do they add monetary value to your collection, but they’re incredibly well-made games that will bring years of delight to you and yours as you play. From stunning artwork and hand-crafted miniatures to immersive 3D experiences, these games are worth every penny.

What Makes a Board Game Worth the High Price Tag?

When it comes to expensive board games, several factors contribute to their high price tags. First and foremost is the complexity of the game. Games with intricate mechanics and deep strategic elements often require extensive development and playtesting, which can drive up costs. These games offer a rich and engaging experience that can keep players coming back for more, making them worth the investment.

Another key factor is the quality of the components. High-end board games often feature hand-painted miniatures, custom artwork, and premium materials like wooden pieces or metal coins. These elements not only enhance the visual appeal of the game but also contribute to a more immersive and tactile experience.

Replayability is another crucial aspect. Games that offer multiple paths to victory, modular boards, or a variety of playable characters can provide a fresh experience each time you play. This high level of replayability ensures that you get your money’s worth over time, as the game remains engaging and challenging even after multiple playthroughs.

Finally, the overall gaming experience plays a significant role. Expensive board games often come with detailed storylines, immersive themes, and unique gameplay mechanics that set them apart from cheaper alternatives. These games can transport players to different worlds, offering a level of escapism and enjoyment that justifies their higher price points.

Factors to Consider When Buying Expensive Board Games

When you’re ready to invest in an expensive board game, there are several factors to keep in mind to ensure you make the right choice. First, consider the type of gameplay experience you’re seeking. If you enjoy complex strategy board games, you might be willing to pay more for a game with intricate mechanics and deep strategic elements. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a casual game to enjoy with friends, a less expensive option might suffice.

Replayability is another important factor. A game that offers a high level of replayability can provide countless hours of entertainment, making it a worthwhile investment. Look for games with modular boards, multiple playable characters, or various paths to victory, as these features can keep the game fresh and engaging over time.

The quality of the components is also crucial. High-quality components, such as detailed miniatures, custom artwork, and premium materials, can enhance the overall gaming experience and make the game more enjoyable to play. These elements can also add to the game’s aesthetic appeal, making it a beautiful addition to your collection.

Lastly, consider the game’s production quality and the reputation of the publisher. Games from well-known publishers with a track record of producing high-quality games are often a safer bet. Reading reviews and watching gameplay videos can also help you get a better sense of whether a game is worth the investment.

The Eight Best Expensive Board Games for Your Collection

War of the Ring Collector’s Edition

Age: 12+ (Community 14+) Players: 2-4 Time: 180 minutes

The War of the Ring Collector’s Edition strategy board game is a beautifully crafted, classically designed strategic wargame set in the fantasy world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth. The game hosts two to four players, ages 14 and up (according to the board game community) with some players in control of the Free Peoples, and the other players controlling the Shadow Armies. Players may win a military victory, either as Sauron or the Shadow Armies when a certain number of Free People cities and strongholds are conquered – and vice versa with the Fellowship and Free People gaining victories. Ultimately, this intricate game may be won by the Free People by completing the Ring Bearer’s Quest and secretly destroying the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom – or evil could prevail and defeat the Fellowship on their quest, stealing back the Ring. And, just as in the stories of origin, Sauron and his minions make secret movements and the Fellowship may hide through unique actions.

Every turn involves players having limited actions offered to them to choose from. The roll of action dice dictates how those actions may be performed, and the players must engage with strategies to use these failures or wins to their advantage as best they can. Choices range from personal character actions to military decisions, political challenges, or other strategic movements that can change the outcome of the game.

The War of the Ring Collector’s Edition not only provides all that the base game includes, but it also introduces previously unplayed factions, new events and characters, and more. You’ll find Galadriel, the Balrog, Siege Towers, Catapults, Corsairs, Dunlendings, Ents, and others now in the complete, expansive game for a deeper exploration into the world of hobbits and elves.

CATAN 3D Edition

Age: 10+ (Community 8+) Players: 3-4 Time: 60-120 minutes

Just about everyone’s familiar with CATAN but CATAN 3D Edition earns its status as an awesome, though expensive board game, for its unique updates on the game. The experience becomes incredibly immersive, with cities resting on the sides of gorgeous mountains, fields filled with crops you can visualize, and much more. The terrain pieces are made from designs hand-sculpted by Klaus Teuber, and hand-painted for vivid color and detail, and all the player pieces have an intricate, antiqued look for that extra boon of historicity and elegance.

The play time for CATAN 3D Edition ranges from 60 to 120 minutes, making it suitable for various gaming sessions.

The CATAN 3D Edition comes with

• 19 hand-painted 3D terrain hex tiles

• 9 hand-painted harbor markers

• 6 hand-painted sea frames

• 18 translucent number tokens

• 1 antiqued robber figure

• 95 resource cards

• 4 sets of antiqued 3D player pieces in 4 colors

• 4 building cost cards

• 2 special victory points

• 2 card trays

• 2 custom CATAN dice

• 25 development cards

• 1 Almanac

• 1 Rulebook

This version of the classic game makes for the ideal collector’s choice, thanks to the intricate details, hand-painted pieces, and stand-out beauty.

Kingdom Death: Monster + Expansions

Age: 17+ (Community 18+) Players: 1-4 Time: 60-180 minutes

Kingdom Death: Monster is a cooperative tabletop game experience like none other. The game is set in a nightmarish world where almost no natural resources exist, and players control a settlement at the beginning of its existence, the dawning of an age if you will. Because of the sparse resources, you must carefully develop your settlement with unique challenges thrown your way, including horrific monsters that must be defeated. The game uses multiple systems to play, depending on what mode you and your fellow players want to take on. Few games can match the uniqueness and quality of Kingdom Death: Monster.

In the Campaign System, solo players or groups of up to four take on a 5-30-lantern-year campaign. Each year of the campaign consists of three cycles: hunt, showdown, and settlement. During settlement, players develop their intricate society through limited resources, training warriors for defense, researching new technology, and developing strategies for survival. During the hunt phase, players encounter a collection of story options in the style of “choose your own adventure” play. Finally, in the showdown phase, players meet the monsters in an arena-style battle in which only one party will survive. If you’re the survivor, you bring home the spoils for further development of your society and ultimately, long-term growth and survival.

If preferred, players can engage with the Monster AI System. 7 monsters, controlled by their own pair of decks, scale to 3 levels of difficulty. Players engage in battle with these monsters in highly variable scenarios. Whenever a player wins, they keep the gear and intelligence for future victories.

You may opt to take on the Gear System in Kingdom Death: Monster instead, in which survivors must craft gear from the limited natural resources and use these weapons to battle monsters and hunt for food. Every survivor uses a 3×3 gear grid and engages with selection and arrangement strategically to garner bonuses and activate distinctive rules for gear, characters, and actions.

Finally, for those more interested in story-driven adventures, Kingdom Death: Monster supplies you with over 40 events and over 100 hunt encounters to shape your campaign. The Story Event system details the evolution of society, reveals new monsters, and strengthens details for campaigns.

Arkham Horror the Card Game + Expansions

Age: 14+ Players: 1-2 Time: 60-120 minutes

Based on the Lovecraft lore set in the town by its name, Arkham Horror: The Card Game combines roleplaying and card play in a unique, horror-filled way that no other game quite hits on. The game may be played solo or with two players – or up to four total if you combine two core sets. Players take on the role of investigators in the New England town of Arkham where terrible things have been happening on the regular. You must use your unique skills to find, understand, and defeat these otherworldly horrors and save the town.

The game is played through custom-built card decks which offer players resources for unraveling the mysteries and fending off the monsters. Similar to disease-fighting specialists in cooperative board games, players in Arkham Horror assume specific roles with unique abilities to combat the challenges posed by the game’s mechanics. And the more often you play, the more in-depth the gameplay becomes, deepening character motives, strengths, and more – or worsening the mental damage struck by all the evils your character has seen. Every choice and action taken changes the landscape of this small town steeped in darkness, so beware, be warned, and be careful, lest you find yourself lost to the evils therein.

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Warcry – Catacombs

Age: 12+ Players: 2 Time: 60-180 minutes

A core set with familiar mechanics but intriguing new changes, Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Warcry – Catacombs brings beautiful artwork with its hefty price tag. The expensive board game is completely worth it, though, as the replayability is endless for two players, ages 12 and up. Warcry – Catacombs is a second edition with new changes and enhancements.

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Warcry – Catacombs sinks two players into the underground dungeons of Varanathax’s Maw, far below the Skullpike Mountains where a challenging “floor is lava” wargame ensues. The dungeons are filled with traps and stretch on for what seems an eternity, filled with blood-thirsty beasts and monsters. The elegant rules engage players through artfully crafted game boards, miniatures, scenery, game books, tokens, dice, and a unique set of levers and doors laid out and used according to gameplay order.

Too Many Bones + Expansions

Age: 12+ Players: 1-4 Time: 60-120 minutes

Helping to create a newer genre, known as dice-builder RPGs, Too Many Bones has taken the board gaming world by storm. You’ll find a fairly expensive board game base, but add on all the expansions and extras, and you’d be able to sink your whole budget into this one unique, ridiculously fun game. It is particularly appealing to experienced gamers.

The fantasy-based RPG has players take on the roles of creatures from new races heading out to battle against the infamous evil forces in the north. The game can be played solo or as a cooperative game for up to four players. The game uses more than 100 unique skill set dice, with 4 to 7 classes to choose from, which take the story through 8 to 12 battles via mini challenges, and a final face-off with the Boss. But it’s not just dice that decide your fate. In Too Many Bones, players must make decisions along their journeys, weighing the risk-reward balance against the odds and all reason, with dice then determining outcomes in some cases. Plus, like any good fellowship journey, you’ll need to determine when the party needs rest, time to explore, and which fights to pursue. Toss in some Encounter cards for plot twists and even some humorous turns, and the story goes on – making Too Many Bones and all its expansions a game with unlimited replayability.

Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering is a popular trading card game that has captivated players for decades. With its deep strategy, diverse card sets, and competitive play, it offers a unique experience for both casual and hardcore gamers. The game is constantly evolving, with new expansions and updates keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting. It’s easy to start playing Magic: The Gathering with the core sets, which include everything necessary to begin the gaming experience.

Age: 13+ (Community 12+) Players: 2 Time: 20+

Technically, Magic: The Gathering is not an expensive game to own. However, if you become involved in the game in any sense beyond casual play, the collection of cards, staying current with competitive collections, or buying specific, favorite packs as they’re released becomes a hefty hobby financially. You can literally spend thousands a year and still never “complete” a collection of the game.

The collectible card game, or CCG, uses categorization for cards including common, uncommon, rare, and mythic. These are denoted by textures, coloring, and special inks on the cards and can easily be identified. Buying a pack from the game store could result in finding a gem in the rough, too, so it’s an enjoyable “risk” for many collectors to try their hand at.

As to gameplay, two opponents build a deck before the game begins. Each takes on the role of a planeswalker – a powerful wizard seeking knowledge, glory, and conquest. The cards in your pre-made deck represent powers, characters, weapons, spells, and creatures that you may summon in battle. To win a game, players aim to reduce their opponent’s life total to zero.

Now, what makes the game so fascinating is the art of deck construction. Using color-coded strategies, players build collections of lands, spells, creatures, artifacts, enchantments, and others that, if the cards are dealt well, result in the deck giving that player more power than the opponent’s. You could win a game with multiplying squirrels, cats, Doctor Who’s Time Lords, vampires, zombies, or fae, among many, many others.

Compared to other games, Tapestry offers a unique blend of strategy and creativity at a competitive price point, making it an attractive option for tabletop enthusiasts.

Tapestry

Age: 12+ Players: 1-5 Time: 90-120 minutes

Designed for one to five players, aged 12 and up, Tapestry is an expensive board game that steeps players in real-world history, alternative realities, and the stunning story of humanity from the beginning into the future ahead.

The game usually runs between one and a half and two hours, with each player beginning the storytelling adventure with nothing but curiosity and a bit of innovation. Players choose one of four advancement tracks to follow (military, exploration, science, or technology) and progress through time in that direction – or opt to take a more balanced developmental approach to the world. As the game progresses, players aim to develop income, build capital cities, gain Tapestry cards, leverage abilities, and earn those all-important victory points that ultimately determine who “wins” history.

The game comes with multiple components to enhance the rich experience, including 18 pre-painted landmark miniatures, 100 income-building miniatures, 16 asymmetrical civilization mats, 6 capital city mats, 5 income mats, 43 Tapestry cards, 48 territory tiles, 3 custom dice, 65 player tokens, and numerous others. Each component engages with the gameplay in unique ways, making the overall experience a very tactile and intriguing journey.

Expensive Board Games for Specific Interests

Science Fiction and Space Exploration

For fans of science fiction and space exploration, there are several expensive board games that offer immersive and engaging experiences. One standout option is Gaia Project, a civilization-building game set in a futuristic world. Priced between $80 and $100, this game offers complex mechanics and high replayability, making it a favorite among strategy enthusiasts.

Another excellent choice is Eldritch Horror, a cooperative adventure game with a horror twist. Set in a science fiction universe, this game costs around $50 and provides a thrilling, cooperative gameplay experience. Players work together to unravel mysteries and fend off cosmic horrors, ensuring a high level of replayability.

For those seeking a more strategic focus, Twilight Imperium is a must-consider. This epic game, priced over $150, immerses players in a vast galaxy where intergalactic empires vie for dominance. With its deep strategic elements and extensive replayability, Twilight Imperium offers a truly grand gaming experience.

Lastly, Scythe is a highly-regarded game set in an alternate history of the 1920s. With a strong emphasis on strategy and engine-building, this game costs around $90 and features multiple playable characters and a modular board, ensuring a fresh experience with each playthrough.

These board games cater to a range of interests within the science fiction and space exploration genres, offering everything from cooperative adventures to complex strategic battles. While they come with a higher price tag, their immersive themes, high-quality components, and replayability make them well worth the investment for dedicated gamers.

Conclusion

You can’t beat these incredible, beautifully crafted, expensive board games. They’re well worth the investment for your ultimate board game collection, even if you can only purchase one a year due to budget.

FAQ on Expensive Board Games