Table of Contents
Due to the fact that best legacy board games combine the most entertaining elements of both traditional board games and the more deep campaign-style gameplay, I have found that playing these games to be an extremely enjoyable experience. These video games feature an innovative twist in the form of ever-evolving rules and components, which are frequently complemented with gripping stories to keep players interested in their experience.
Legacy board games are almost always of a cooperative nature, which encourages players to work together and prepare strategically. One such example is the first season of Pandemic Legacy, which begins with a game of Pandemic that players are already familiar with but then progressively introduces new rules, surprises, and secret content as the player advances through the campaign.
The decisions and deeds you carry out during one session of a game have repercussions for subsequent sessions, giving the experience a feeling of continuity and allowing for more personalized gaming. The adventure and discoveries made along the way make a legacy board game’s experience one that is really unforgettable and engaging even after the game has reached its conclusion and lost its potential for further playthroughs.
Best Legacy Board Games Comparison Table
The very greatest legacy board games are not only incredibly thrilling to play, but also offer players an experience that is very different from that offered by standard board games. The following is a list of the most recommended Legacy Board Games that you can play.
Game | Players | Playing Time | Complexity | Genre |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gloomhaven | 1-4 | 60-120 minutes | High | Fantasy, Adventure |
Jaws of the Lion | 1-4 | 30-60 minutes | Medium | Fantasy, Adventure |
Betrayal Legacy | 3-5 | 45-90 minutes | Medium | Horror, Mystery |
SeaFall | 3-5 | 90-180 minutes | High | Exploration, Civilization |
Risk Legacy | 3-5 | 60-90 minutes | Medium | Strategy, War |
Gloomhaven
![Best Legacy Board Games](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image-784.png)
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Players | 1-4 |
Playing Time | 60-120 minutes |
Complexity | High |
Genre | Fantasy, Adventure |
Let’s start with what I think is one of the best board games with a long history and my favorite board game of all time. Yes, Gloomhaven is as good as all the buzz says it is. In Gloomhaven, you play as a standard adventure party that goes into dungeons. You go into the dungeon, kick some monster butt, and then go back to town to heal, gain levels, and buy new gear.
Each player is in charge of a hero, which is portrayed by a miniature and has its own stats, equipment, and everything else. The cards that you use as both your skills and your tools really make the game stand out. This means that you can blow up monsters left and right, but if you move too quickly, you might die before the scenario is over. The fun part of the game is figuring out how to play your cards and work with the other people in your group.
The Good
- Immersive and deep gameplay experience
- Rich storyline and character development
- Large variety of scenarios and content
The Bad
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Requires significant time commitment
Jaws of the Lion
![Best Legacy Board Games](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image-782.png)
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Players | 1-4 |
Playing Time | 30-60 minutes |
Complexity | Medium |
Genre | Fantasy, Adventure |
It comes before the first Gloomhaven game in the story, so it’s a great place to start. The game makes Gloomhaven easier to play by getting rid of the game board and letting you play straight on a map in the campaign book instead of on a board. This makes the experience much easier and faster. It also makes the game cheaper.
The character from Jaws of the Lion can be used in Gloomhaven, and characters from Gloomhaven can be used in Jaws of the Lion. You won’t have any personal quests, fame, or prosperity, and there won’t be any way to improve your character. This is still a legacy game, though, because it has stickers, miniatures that can be unlocked, and campaign choices that can change the game.
The Good
- Beginner-friendly introduction to the Gloomhaven universe
- Streamlined rules and tutorial scenarios
- Affordable and compact compared to Gloomhaven
The Bad
- Less content and scenarios compared to Gloomhaven
Betrayal Legacy
![Best Legacy Board Games](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image-781.png)
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Players | 3-5 |
Playing Time | 45-90 minutes |
Complexity | Medium |
Genre | Horror, Mystery |
The legacy version of the game is based on Betrayal at House on the Hill, which is a do-it-yourself scary house builder where you can also kill your friends. It adds an ongoing story to the game. In this, you go all the way back to the start of the cursed house’s history and follow the horror from one family to the next. In total, there are 14 parts and games that go from 1666 to 2004.
You’ll make the past of the house your own, and each time you play, you’ll add a new bloody chapter based on what you do. Plus, there are a lot of terrible lies. In the end, your choices will shape the house. Unlike some “once and done” legacy games, Betrayal at House on the Hill can be played over and over again as your own customized version of the game after the campaign is over.
The Good
- Unique blend of legacy and horror elements
- Story-driven gameplay with evolving narrative
- Replayability with different legacy outcomes
The Bad
- Some legacy elements may lead to imbalanced gameplay
- The learning curve can be steep for new players
SeaFall
![Best Legacy Board Games](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image-780.png)
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Players | 3-5 |
Playing Time | 90-180 minutes |
Complexity | High |
Genre | Exploration, Civilization |
SeaFall is the first legacy game that was made from the ground up. It takes place in a world that is just starting to learn how to explore the ocean. You’ll each be in charge of a mainland empire that has to find, protect, and build new islands. Most of what happens in each round will depend on how the dice are rolled and where the ships are placed.
But from a story point of view, you’ll be able to choose your area, a unique character (like “The Brute and the Madman”), and the names of your ships and islands. In addition, you will often read from the Captain’s Booke, which has information about a huge number of one-time events. It also has locked “chests” that you can open to find new things.
The Good
- Deep and immersive exploration and legacy experience
- Evolving world and persistent player decisions
- Offers a unique blend of Euro-style mechanics and narrative
The Bad
- Gameplay pacing and balance issues reported by some players
- Requires a committed group for the full campaign
Risk Legacy
![Best Legacy Board Games](https://www.compsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/image-778.png)
Specification | Description |
---|---|
Players | 3-5 |
Playing Time | 60-90 minutes |
Complexity | Medium |
Genre | Strategy, War |
Risk Legacy takes the main parts of Risk and turns them into a 15-game series where new parts and rules are added as the game goes on. At the start of the game, each player chooses one of the five armies and places a special ability sticker on the bottom of their group card. They then destroy the sticker they didn’t choose. Inside the game box are envelopes with directions on how to open them when certain things have happened.
For example, “Open the first time a faction is eliminated from the game.” Something that changes the game will be in the envelope. There are also some blank spots in the rulebook that will be filled in later with new rules that change the game.
The Good
- Classic Risk gameplay with legacy elements
- Evolving map, factions, and game rules
- Creates a personalized and unique gaming experience
The Bad
- Some legacy elements may lead to imbalanced gameplay
- Requires a consistent group of players to fully experience the legacy aspects
Questions and Answers
A: A classic board game campaign’s length can be very different. Depending on how hard the game is and how often it is played, some campaigns may only last a few rounds, while others may last several months or even longer. Before starting a memory game, you should think about how much time it will take.
A: Legacy board games are usually made for older players, like teenagers and adults, because the game changes over time and is hard. But there are some old games that are made for younger players or have versions that are easier for kids to play.
A: It’s not a good idea to mix parts from different old board games. Each legacy game is made to have its own campaign or storyline that is special and flows well. Mixing parts could cause confusion, make the story less clear, or have other unexpected effects on the game.