Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it, as the famous saying goes. Human history is a treasure trove and strange hodgepodge of interesting stories, daring adventures, great tragedies, and unbelievable occurrences, which in turn has inspired numerous novels, films, and video games.
Interestingly history has made its way into board games. Fans of history will be delighted to know that there are teachers out there that introduce history to their students through interactive and carefully curated board games. So whether one is looking for fun games to delve into, or alternative educational tools, players can delight in this list that will showcase some of the best games with historical themes.
Updated February 20, 2023, by Via Erhard: History fans of all ages can find fascinating board games that'll transport them back in time and let them explore and learn about history as well as ancient mythology. While many of these board games are more historically accurate such as the Brass Birmingham board game, but players can also explore more fantasy and myths inspired games that help gamers learn about ancient cultures.
Thanks to these fun and beautiful board games, players can travel back in time and get fully immersed in fun gameplay while exploring some of the most important events in human history as well as the most fascinating historical periods.
14 Paleo
Paleo is one of the best prehistoric games that's perfect for board game fans who love to play co-op games with their friends and family. Thanks to this fun exploration game, players will be transported back to the Stone Age where they'll have to work together if they want to survive.
Board game fans get to go on an epic adventure while trying to keep the humans in their care alive and well. Gamers will have to find ways to feed and clothe them while also keeping their group safe. However, the ultimate goal is to create woolly mammoth paintings on the cave's walls for future generations to see. Paleo is an entertaining adventure game that's a great choice for history fans who want to try a fun board game set in the prehistoric era.
13 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar is one of the best board games for history lovers who enjoy farming, and economic games inspired by Ancient civilizations and mythology. Thanks to this fun Mayan culture-inspired board game players will be transported back in time to explore this fascinating culture while also learning a bit more about its customs, gods, and pyramids.
Players will have to build up the iconic Mayan monuments while leading their Mayan tribe and trying to get on the good side of the gods who can grant them favors. Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar is a fun and family-friendly board game that's a great choice for those history fans who love mythological tales.
12 Blood Rage
Blood Rage is one of the best modern Viking board games that's fun for adults and teens alike. Thanks to this fun fighting board game players will be transported to a Viking mythology-inspired fantasy realm where they'll have to join epic Viking battles to make sure that they have a place in Valhalla.
Thanks to Blood Rage players can become heroic Viking warriors and show their courage before the world ends. Gamers will not only get to participate in epic battles but will have to go on fun quests to increase their clan's stats while learning about Scandinavian mythology as well as Viking customs.
11 Teotihuacan: City Of Gods
Teotihuacan: City of Gods is one of the best strategy board games that transports its players back in time and lets them build one of the greatest cities in Mesoamerica. Players can become the builder of the Pyramid of the Sun while also learning a bit more about this fascinating Ancient civilization.
Gamers will have to strategize wisely while managing their workforces, and resources while also building houses for residents and developing new technologies. Players will also have to try to increase their wealth to be able to please the gods, so they can build their Pyramid in the center of the city.
10 The Grizzled
In this cooperative card game experience, 2-5 players must work together to ensure that a band of soldiers survives the trenches of World War I. Each round has a team leader that determines the number of cards drawn by each player. Players will then either play a card, or back out of the mission. Cards come in the form of negative personality traits (frightened or depressed) and threats (bad working conditions or artillery shelling). Players must deplete their hands and the draw deck without letting time run out. If one particular negative trait comes out too quickly, the team loses.
Information about player hands is kept secret, and players must plan and read the movements of others to win. The game attempts to showcase the difficulties and harsh realities that frontline soldiers faced during that time.
9 Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack The Ripper & West End Adventures
Ever wanted to feel like Sherlock Holmes? This game is the ticket. Players will get to experience being a detective in Victoria-era London with this gem. However, it’s less of a board game and more of a mystery. Players will receive 10 cases to solve revolving around the infamous Jack the Ripper, and will have to use their wits, a map, newspaper archives, and a "London Directory" to figure it all out.
Many of these mysteries are to be extremely difficult to solve. Players will be scratching their heads and swearing at Sherlock Holmes as they manically flip through the materials provided. If there’s a game to test one’s intelligence, it’s this one.
8 Freedom: The Underground Railroad
In this game set in the early era of the United States, players will step into the shoes of abolitionists attempting to topple the institution of slavery. It's a cooperative card-driven experience where players must simultaneously raise support for their cause, acquire funds, and help escaped slaves reach Canada.
However, the game offers a steep challenge, as negative card events and slave catchers roaming the map of America hamper and nullify player efforts. Enlightening, educational, and fun, players will learn about the abolitionist movement and, if successful, end slavery in their respective playthroughs.
7 Pax Renaissance
Set in the 15th and 16th centuries, players assume the role of bankers who will finance kingdoms, voyages, secret societies, or religious crusades depending on their choices. The game allows players to shape Europe politically and economically through trade and player interaction by utilizing a market that will allow them to purchase or sell cards.
The game offers four distinct end game victories: trade globalization, imperialism, enlightenment, or religious totalitarianism. Depending on player strategies and styles of play, the realm of Europe can be dramatically affected.
6 Tigris & Euphrates
Set in the ancient Mesopotamian region, players will assume different civilizations, building their civilizations through tile placement. Players will utilize four different leaders to collect various victory points in their respective categories. The catch is that at the end of the game, players will only score points in their weakest category. This means that players will need to ensure that they diversify their playing styles and not tunnel vision into a single category.
Conflict is inevitable as civilizations will meet on the board. Players must be crafty and strategic to ensure that their leaders survive. A popular "euro" game with many strategies to choose from, Tigris & Euphrates is a delight for any board gamer or ancient history fan.
5 Brass Birmingham
Fast-forwarding into the future to the dawning of the British Industrial era, Brass Birmingham has 2-4 players competing to become the most powerful economic tycoon. The game is played in two eras, canal and railway, and has players building various industries in the mid and north areas of England. Players must strategically place their industries and networks whilst observing the actions of their opponents to get ahead.
The game encourages both strategic and opportunistic play as players can steal or deny resources from one another. Thematic and beautiful to look at, fans of history and strategy will marvel at the complexities and opportunities this game has to offer. The game is currently ranked at number 3 overall out of thousands of other board games on Board Game Geek, the leading site for all things board games.
4 John Company 2nd Edition
In John Company, players take control of wealthy and powerful English families trying to further their ambitions using the British East India Company. Instead of controlling individual organizations, players will be part of the same company and will use their influence and power to cajole and squeeze their way into securing high positions within the company. In these positions, players will attempt to steer the company in a way that benefits them individually.
The game begins with the company having a small presence in India, but depending on player actions, the East India Company can grow into a powerful and insidious corporation, or collapse under the weight of its own greed. The game engages deeply with its subject matter as it provides commentary on state-sponsored monopolies and imperialism. John Company is a serious game that highlights the powerful and dysfunctional nature of the historical enterprise, and its theme may not be suitable for everyone.
3 Sekigahara: The Unification Of Japan
Set at the end of Japan’s Sengoku Jidai, two players will replay the events leading up to the climactic showdown between two powers: Ishida Mitsunari, the protector of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s legacy; and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the most powerful and influential daimyo at the time. Historically, both sides were deeply worried about the loyalty of their allies, as several daimyos did abstain from fighting and did switch sides during the conflict.
The game recreates that sense of doubt and anxiety as players must acquire the loyalty and motivation of their units through cards to deploy them and have them fight. Players on each side must capture key strategic locations (castles and economic centers) and gather or recruit their armies to prepare for war. Hopefully, treachery can be avoided.
2 Pax Pamir 2nd Edition
Another game from the Pax series, Pax Pamir takes place in 19th century Afghanistan during a conflict known as the Great Game. With the fall of the Durrani dynasty, British, Russian, and Afghan remnants are attempting to carve out their domains and influence. Players don’t represent these powers, but instead take on the role of Afghan tribal chiefs vying to become the most powerful and influential warlord.
Players will play cards and align themselves with a particular coalition (British, Russian, or Afghan) to further their influence. However, certain decisions can have players switch allegiances and wreak havoc on their rivals. The game is designed to encourage awareness of the history of the region and highlight the ramifications of the century-long conflict, whose effects are still felt to this day.
1 Twilight Struggle
Imagine a highly complex tug-of-war between the United States and the Soviet Union in a box. Twilight Strugglerecreates the tense showdown between those two superpowers vying for global domination during the Cold War. Players will engage in a dance of intrigue throughout the 45-year-long conflict and will attempt to gain influence in various parts of the globe.
The game features detailed event cards that capture real-life historical moments that span from the Arab-Israeli conflicts to the Chernobyl disaster. The game also features a space racetrack, and players must ensure that nuclear war never breaks out. It's a must-play for anyone who enjoys 20th-century history.