Stepping into the world of board games can be intimidating. Especially with the vast array of terminology and mechanisms. It can seem overwhelming, and this article is here to help you navigate this new adventure. If you watch any YouTube videos or read any blog reviews about board games, you've probably heard people say this game is “grid movement” or “pick up and deliver." There are so many mechanisms; this guide is here to help you understand them. In this guide (part 2), we’ll break down seven key mechanics.

In a dungeon crawler game, you will be immersed in dungeons. Your goal is to explore them; it will often come with battling monsters and collecting loot. Often, these games will come in modular boards (evolving and changing with every game you play). Every player will often have a unique character with unique abilities and different goals. A classic game you may have heard about that uses dungeon crawlers as a mechanism is “HeroQuest” (1989). In this game, your goal is to go on quests in the dungeons. For a more recent take on the mechanism, you should try is “Paper Dungeons: A Dungeon Scrawler Game” (2020). In this “roll and write” (another mechanism we will talk about in a later article), you control a group of medieval characters with the goal of having glory. You will achieve glory by exploring the dungeon, collecting loot, and fighting monsters. In short, if you want a “video game” experience, dungeon crawler games are for you. Exploring and battling are the core of those games.  

The engine-building game revolves around creating and optimizing a system that generates resources and/or points. Your goal is to make it as efficient as possible. In these games, players will start with all the same resources or a similar starting point. You will then take action to set up a more powerful move every time. A popular game you may have heard about is “Wingspan” (2019). In Wingspan, you play as a bird enthusiast. Your goal is to discover and attract the best birds. The more birds you have on your boat, the more powerful your engine will be. Another game you should try if this mechanism is talking to you is “It’s a Wonderful World” (2019). In that game, your goal is to make the biggest empire by developing faster and better than your opponent. In short, in the in the engine builder game, you will choose cards or tiles to create the most powerful engine that will generate points.  

In grid movement games, you will move your components or characters on a grid-based board. This grid will often be square or hexagonal. You can have many different goals, such as reaching a destination, capturing your opponent, completing a task, etc. The most classic of the board games that comes to mind is “Chess” (1475). This game does not need any explanation. You must have played it or learned it at some point in your life. If you like chess, you should really give “Onitama” (2014) a try. In Onitama, your goal is to take the opponent's “main pawn." You will have 4 different movement cards in play; once you play a movement, the card becomes available to your opponent. Another interesting grid movement game is “The Quest for El Dorado” (2017). In the quest for El Dorado, your goal is to be the first to reach the bolder border. It is a race game on a hexagon-style grid. In short, grid movement games can have many different goals, either to get rid of all your opponent's pieces, to race to the border, or to collect resources. 

In hand management games, you will play with a hand of cards. Your goal is to make strategic decisions about which cards to play and in which order to play them. You will have to choose if you play, discard, or save your cards for later. While you may be tempted to play the powerful card every turn, in hand management games, you will have to plan for a long-term strategy. A classic game using that mechanism is “Uno” (1971). Another game that does not need any presentation. If you like Uno, I would recommend you investigate “Res Arcana” (2019). In Res Arcana, you will gather essences, craft artifacts, and summon dragons. Each turn, you play your hand of cards, one player at a time. It is the best example of a game where you will have to plan for your most powerful cards; playing them too soon could be done in vain. In short, hand management games are high in strategy. You will have to plan every turn and sometimes sacrifice some cards for later turns.  

Network and route-building games involve creating connections between different sections or points on the board. You may have different objectives, like controlling the most paths, delivering goods, or connecting important locations. By placing your component on the board, you may even sometimes gain bonuses, like resources. A classic example of a route-building game is “Ticket to Ride” (2004). Ticket to ride is such an easy game to learn, which is why, in my opinion, it is loved so much. In a ticket to ride, your goal is to claim the most railway route, thus earning the most points. If you have ever played ticket to ride and would like something similar, or if that mechanism is talking to you, you should try “Next Station London” (2022). In Next Station: London, your goal is to create the most efficient underground train network. In short, network and route building are as simple as their names; your goal will be to create the best route out of your opponent's.  

In a pick-and-deliver game, you will have to transport goods or maybe passengers from one destination to another. The challenge in those games is to optimize the planning of your route to maximize efficiency and profit. Sometimes a good “delivery” will earn you resources on top of the points. If this mechanism sounds interesting to you, you should try “Maglev Metro” (2021). In Maglev Metro, you are building a rail system with the goal of transporting workers. As the game progresses, you will be able to upgrade your rail systems to bring passengers faster to their desired location. In short, pick-up and delivery games are often simple to understand; your goal is to deliver goods or passengers in the most efficient way possible.  

Race games are all about being the fastest to reach a goal. The goal can be different in many ways. It can be the classic of being the first to cross the finish line or the first to complete a specific task. A classic board game all about races is “Snakes and Ladders." A more recent take on the race mechanism would be “Cubitos” (2021). In Cubitos, you will roll your previously acquired dice (with special powers) to run and get to the finish line the fastest. But be careful; if you roll too much, you could “bust” and lose the chance to move and acquire new dice. For a different take on the race game, I would recommend you look at “New York Zoo” (2020). In the New York Zoo, you race to be the first to finish your zoo. Your only goal is to be the first to cover your grid. Each turn, you will either place a tile or aquire new animals. In short, race games are not always about who crosses the finish line first. Sure, physical races are fun, but racing toward an objective is as rewarding as achieving it first. 

BGG. (n.d.) Chess. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/171/chess

BGG. (n.d.) Cubitos. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/298069/cubitos

BGG. (n.d.) Grid Movement. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamemechanic/2676/grid-movement

BGG. (n.d.) HeroQuest. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/699/heroquest

BGG. (n.d.) It’s a Wonderful World. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/271324/its-a-wonderful-world

BGG. (n.d.) Maglev Metro. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/301257/maglev-metro

BGG. (n.d.) New York Zoo. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/300877/new-york-zoo

BGG. (n.d.) Next Station: London. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/353545/next-station-london

BGG. (n.d.) Onitama. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/160477/onitama

BGG. (n.d.) Paper Dungeons: A Dungeon Scrawler game. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/291962/paper-dungeons-a-dungeon-scrawler-game

BGG. (n.d.) The Quest for El Dorado. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/217372/the-quest-for-el-dorado

BGG. (n.d.) Res Arcana. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/262712/res-arcana  

BGG. (n.d.) Ticket to Ride. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9209/ticket-to-ride

BGG. (n.d.) Uno. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2223/uno

BGG. (n.d.) Wingspan. Board Games Geek. Retrieved June 2024, from: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/266192/wingspan