What are Area Control Games?
At their core, area control games revolve around one simple (yet incredibly engaging) concept: players compete to control specific areas on the game board. These areas can represent anything from territories on a map to spaces on a grid. Sometimes referred to as “Dudes/things on a map” boils the concept down to its most basic concept. In an area control game the gameplay usually involves:
- Claiming Territory: Players use various methods to claim control of areas, such as moving units, placing pieces, or fulfilling certain conditions.
- Contesting Control: Players often clash over control of valuable areas, leading to exciting conflicts and strategic maneuvering.
- Scoring Points: Controlling areas usually grants players points, and the player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Examples of Area Control Games
Area control games come with a variety of depth. some are incredibly complex and some much simpler
- Risk: This classic game is arguably the most well-known area control game. Players draft armies and conquer territories on a map of the world, battling for global domination. Risk is surely the best known area control game out there.
- Cyclades: In this game, players control ancient Greek city-states and vie for control of islands in the Aegean Sea, using their influence to build temples and summon mythical creatures.
- Kemet: This game plunges players into ancient Egypt, where they control powerful gods and lead their armies to conquer the Nile Valley, utilizing special powers and strategic alliances.
- Small World: In this imaginative game, players lead fantastical races (like Dwarves, Amazons, and Giants) to conquer territories and then retire their race before it becomes too powerful. Many years ago i happened accross a video for Small World with Wil Wheaton and Sean Plott (Day9, I was playing a lot of Starcraft 2 at the time) in it. That video was one of the things that kickstarted me getting back into table top gaming after years away. I’ll link the video below
The video also includes Jenna Busch and the late, great Grant Imahara
Why are Area Control Games so Popular?
The appeal of area control games lies in their:
- Accessibility: Many area control games are easy to learn, making them perfect for both new and experienced players.
- Strategic Depth: Despite their simple premise, these games often offer surprising depth and replayability. While they are easy to learn the commonly used phrase easy to learn, hard to master fits well with many area control games. They offer a wide range of strategic decisions and give lots of replayability.
- Engaging Themes: Area control games can explore a wide range of themes, from historical conflicts to fantastical realms.
- Social Interaction: The constant competition and negotiation make area control games highly social and engaging.
Ready to Conquer? Why not take the Risk (Pun Intended 🙂 )
If you’re looking for a strategic board game experience, I highly recommend trying an area control game or two. With so many fantastic options available, there’s sure to be something for everyone! Now go forth and conquer!