Are you eager to play board games but your friend group isn’t quite on board? We propose another way to approach this situation. There is a game out there for every kind of fan and fandom. From sci-fi enthusiasts to fantasy lovers.
When fandoms come to the table
One of the hardest parts of playing board games is not learning the rules — it’s convincing your friends to sit down and play.
Start with what they already love. If your friends like Star Wars or Lord of The Rings, there is a board game that brings those worlds to life. By tapping into familiar stories and playing their favourite characters , you can turn even the most reluctant friend into an eager new gamer.
Fandoms have always been about connection, and board games take the same energy and give it a new mechanic: interaction. Board games based on shows, books and film, give the fandom a unique opportunity to become a part of those worlds, take part in the action and even change the story.
Whether you are a strategist or a storyteller, casual player or a weekly board game player, these games let fans step into their favourite world, live epic battles and magical adventures.
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
👥 Players: 1 – 5
🕑 Average duration: 120 min
🤝 Co-operative & app supported
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth is a co-operative and app supported adventure that takes players to J.R.R. Tolkien’s world. Each individual play of this board game is a single adventure in a larger campaign. The players explore the vast landscapes and scenarios of middle-earth, using their character’s skills to survive.
How to play
If you are interested in playing The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth here is a brief explanation of how the gameplay will go:
- First, each player selects a hero to portray and takes the corresponding hero board, along with the miniature and skill deck.
- This game comes with a companion ap. An app that will guide the players through scenarios and track back story progression.
- When the characters are ready, health, stamina and resource tokens are distributed to each player, the game can begin.
- The gameplay will alternate two phases:
- Exploration/Journey: The heroes move across the hex-based board to explore the locations. They interact with NPC’s, uncover events and items. During this phase, players also manage resources and items.
- Combat/Encounter: Begins with the encounter of an enemy and the switch to the battle map. Heroes use skill cards and items during battle to attack enemies or defend themselves. The app controls the enemy actions and outcomes.
💡Tip for players
In this game, it is highly recommended to replay scenarios, to explore different paths and options, make new choices and experience different outcomes.
A Game of Thrones: CATAN — Brotherhood of the Watch
👥 Players: 3 – 4
🕑 Average duration: 75 min
⚔️ Competitive – Asymmetric
In this adaptation, players will take the roles of the brothers in the night’s Watch and strive to become the new Lord Commander. While Catan core mechanics remain the same, A Game of Thrones: CATAN — Brotherhood of the Watch introduces unique features that will create a new asymmetric experience.
How to play
A Game of Thrones: CATAN — Brotherhood of the Watch follows the classic CATAN game. Trading and managing resources to build rodes and cities, but add some new features:
- Players can recruit guards to defend the wall.
- Wilding threats introduces another layer and dynamic of challenge. These figures appear one by one each time a player rolls a 12. Certain dice rolls and event cards in the wildling deck cause them to advance one step toward the wall.
- Players can win by accumulating 10 victory points or by having the most guards on the Wall when the wildlings breach it three times.
💡Tip for players
The breach of the wildlings through the wall transforms this game from competitive to a semi-cooperative game. This creates the opportunity to retry the classic game for those who did not like it at first.
Star Wars: Rebellion
👥 Players: 2 – 4
🕑 Average duration: 240 min
⚔️ Competitive – Asymmetric
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…
It is a preiod of conflict. Rebel forces struggle against the tyranny of the Galactic Empire. Admist daring missions and epic battles, heroes rise and destinies are forged across the stars.
A game in which players can Command the Galactic Empire or Lead the Rebel Alliance. Star Wars: Rebellion makes the players relive the Galactic War in a board game, in which two to four players play opposing sides. The perfect board game for Star Wars fans.
How to play
In this asymmetric game, each side plays with different mechanics:
While the Rebels rely on stealth, sabotage and democracy to persuade other planets to join their cause, the Empire uses its massive fleets , storm troopers, even the Death Star to crush the resistance.
- Players take the role of iconic characters like: Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader or Emperor Palpatine.
- Players deploy ships and troops across the galaxy, expanding influence and control.
- When both sides meet, battle occurs using dice and tactic cards.
💡Tip for players
Some retailers list this game as “sold out” or have very limited stock. Because of this prices could vary from second hand to new copies. Keep an eye on second hand markets and independent board game stores.
Star Trek: Ascendancy
👥 Players: 3 players
🕑 Average duration: 180 min
⚔️ Competitive – Asymmetric
Space: the final frontier. These are the voyagers of the players, their mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before.
A grand strategy game in which players command the galaxy’s major civilizations, the Federation, the Klingon Empire or the Romulans. Players will explore, expand and conquer other planets.
How to play
Each faction of this board game offers a unique playstyle that reflects their culture. A unique game where diplomacy and battle are decisive. With a board that reveals itself during each turn, depending on the player’s moves.
- After choosing their factions, players send ships into unexplored star systems to reveal planets, anomalies and resources.
- The players expand their influence to other planets, claim resources and build outposts to strengthen their faction’s power.
- Choose between diplomacy or battle when encountering other players. Battles are resolved using dice.
💡Tip for players
Star Trek: Ascendancy has other expansions that include other civilizations like The Breen Confederacy, or The Dominion War, with which players can choose to play the role of the dominion.
Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery
👥 Players: 3-4
🕑 Average duration: 180 min
⚔️ Competitive – Asymmetric
Based on the STARZ original series, Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery, takes the players to the ancient city of Capua. Each of them takes the role of a house (Dominus) competing for influence to gain the favor of Rome. Players engage in political schemes, manage gladiators and participate in arena battles to be the Dominus with most influence.
How to play
This asymmetric game has different rules and advantages for each house. Depending on who the player chooses to play they’ll have advantages using guards, gladiators or earning gold.
- After choosing their houses, the players engage in the Intrigue Phase. During this phase players protect their resources against sabotages and gain influence.
- During the market phase, players bid on gladiators, slaves and weapons drom a random selection. The last bid determines the dominus who will organise the games.
- The arena phase, in which two selected players are invited into the arena to play with one of the gladiators, with the winner gaining influence and gold.
💡Tip for players
Dear Gamers, consider checking local stores or second-hand markets, as this game is currently out of stock in most countries.
From fans to players: embark your friend group on a fantastic adventure
Show your friends the bridge between board games and their favourite stories, or join a community of players that are just as excited about the same fandoms. By choosing these fandom-based board games, players step into familiar worlds and fandoms.
Tap into the stories you all love, embody iconic characters, fight epic battles and, who knows? Maybe even change the story entirely. Bring your fandom to the table top, because in these games, everyone has a role, and every choice shapes a new destiny.
Game on!