7 Hidden Gems: Underrated Board Games You Should Try
Some board games become household names, such as Catan or Ticket to Ride. But beyond the big hits, there’s a world of fantastic games that often fly under the radar. These hidden gems offer clever mechanics, strong replayability, and unique themes that make them standout additions to any collection. At More Than Meeples, we love shining a spotlight on games that deserve more attention.
Contact us for more recommendations or browse our online board game shop to discover your own hidden gems.
Our Favourite Hidden Gems
Buy The Quacks of Quedlinburg Board Game
The Quacks of Quedlinburg
Mixing potions has never been this fun or this risky. In The Quacks of Quedlinburg, players build their bags with ingredients and push their luck to brew the best potions without their cauldrons exploding. It’s colourful, chaotic, and deeply satisfying. The catch-up mechanic also means no one feels left behind, keeping games tense until the final round.
Average Playtime: 45 minutes
Recommended Age: 10+
Number of Players: 2-4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 1.94/5
Parks
Celebrate the beauty of nature in Parks, where players hike through trails inspired by US national parks. It’s visually stunning, thanks to incredible artwork, but also plays beautifully with resource management, set collection, and clever decisions each turn. Parks is relaxing yet competitive, making it a gem for players who want strategy in a serene package.
Average Playtime: 30-60 minutes
Recommended Age: 10+
Number of Players: 1-5
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 2.12/5
Buy The Parks Board Game
Buy the Cartographers Board Game
Cartographers
If you enjoy puzzles and creativity, Cartographers is a must-try. This flip-and-write game has players drawing maps of fantasy lands while adapting to random terrain cards and sneaky monster attacks. It’s quick to teach, endlessly replayable, and scratches both the strategic and artistic itch. The combination of drawing and strategy makes it unlike anything else.
Average Playtime: 30-45 minutes
Recommended Age: 10+
Number of Players: 1-100
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 1.87/5
Draftosaurus
Ever wanted to draft dinosaurs instead of cards? In Draftosaurus, you’ll place cute dinosaur meeples into pens on your board, trying to create the best dino park. It’s a light, 15-minute game that’s perfect for families and casual nights, but it also hides plenty of strategy in its placement rules. With adorable components and fast turns, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Average Playtime: 15 minutes
Recommended Age: 8+
Number of Players: 2-5
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 1.25/5
Buy The Clank Board Game
Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure
Clank! blends deck-building with dungeon-crawling in a fast-paced, push-your-luck adventure. Sneak into the dragon’s lair, grab treasure, and escape before it catches you. The deck-building gives you control, but the dragon attacks keep everyone on edge. It’s a brilliant mix of accessibility and depth that deserves more attention than it gets.
Average Playtime: 30-60 minutes
Recommended Age: 12+
Number of Players: 2-4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 2.23/5
Century: Golem Edition
A beautifully produced twist on the classic Century: Spice Road, Golem Edition replaces spices with colourful crystals and wraps everything in whimsical artwork. The gameplay is smooth, easy to learn, and highly strategic as players trade and upgrade resources to complete contracts. It’s light enough for beginners but satisfying enough for seasoned gamers.
Average Playtime: 30-45 minutes
Recommended Age: 8+
Number of Players: 2-5
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 1.71/5
Buy the Century Golem Edition Board Game
Buy the Isle of Cats Board Game Board Game
Isle of Cats
In Isle of Cats, players rescue cats and fit them into their boats using polyomino-style tiles. It’s a clever mix of drafting, puzzling, and resource management, wrapped in a fun theme. With both family and standard modes, it works across a wide range of groups. It deserves far more recognition for being one of the most engaging and approachable tile-laying games out there.
Average Playtime: 60-90 minutes
Recommended Age: 8+
Number of Players: 1-4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 2.36/5
Why Hidden Gems Belong on Your Shelf
Exploring beyond the big names is one of the most rewarding parts of board gaming. These underrated titles often surprise groups, spark conversation, and keep people asking to play again. Adding a few hidden gems to your collection ensures you’ll always have something fresh to bring to the table.
Discover Your Next Favourite
Don’t just stick with the classics, as some of the best board game experiences are waiting just off the beaten path. Explore our range of unique and underrated games and find the next title to surprise your group.
Buy board games online today with More Than Meeples or contact us for personalised recommendations.
