Arcane Wonders: Board games everybody needs in their collection

As I’m sure you are all aware, my family and I LOVE board games! We have over 250 board games in our collection, and we still have more on the way! Arcane Wonders recently sent us a care package and today I will be unpacking what's inside.

Arcane Wonders: Board games everybody needs in their collection

World Wonders

World Wonders is a polyomino game like no other in my collection! It is hands down one of my top 10 favorite games at the moment and I love how quickly it can be played! In World Wonders, players will be competing to build the best map of tiles and monuments. There are elements of resource management in the game as you have to work with a set budget each round. 

The game is adorable and the perfect weight for a family game night! There are tile placement rules that need to be followed such as where roads can be placed, as well as specific conditions that each monument needs to be placed. These monument placement requirements are one of the things that add to the theme the most in my opinion as the placement has to do with the monuments setting in the real world. 

Through all of the games that I have tried, World Wonders is one that I will keep coming back to!

World Wonders: Mundo Expansion

The Mundo Expansion of World Wonders introduces new monuments to construct, with even more replayabilty being added to the game!

Arcane Wonders: Board games everybody needs in their collection

Arcane Wonders: Board games everybody needs in their collection

Furnace

Furnace is a strategic economic board game where you will take on the role of an industrial tycoon racing to build the most successful factory among your peers. Furnace is set in the Industrial Revolution, before the wars. You must invest, negotiate, and outsmart your opponents to gain wealth and power.

Players will first start with a rather modest factory and a not-so-generous hand of resources. This will soon change, however, as you expand operations, and upgrade your facilities to become the ultimate tycoon. 

The Interbellum expansion brings new components into play as players are lunched into the 20’s and 30’s.

SmartPhone Inc.

SmartPhone Inc. is a board game that puts you in the shoes of an entrepreneur competing in the world of Smartphone technology. In this game, you will need to juggle the market, product development, marketing, and distribution, to become the dominant force in the industry, securing your name as the ultimate smartphone mogul.

You will start with a small startup and a few resources to get you on your feet. Through careful decision-making and planning, you can use your resources, research new technologies, and out-mogul your rivals. Make sure to plan, as your resources are very important to your business.

If that isn’t enough, the market is always changing, and so will your business plan to keep up. Success requires strategy and adaptability as well as flexibility. Your original technique will most likely not be your last.

SmartPhone Inc. Update 1.1 helps to add a bit more depth to the game, as well as simplify the game for 2-3 player setup.

Arcane Wonders: Board games everybody needs in their collection

Aquatica

Aquatica is a captivating board game set in the ominous depths of the ocean. In this game, you will take on the role of an undersea explorer looking to build the greatest underwater empire. You will accomplish this by recruiting sea creatures, building cities, and discovering lost treasure.

Aquatica is unique for its dynamic card-based action system, where you must carefully manage your hand and trigger powerful effects that can ultimately be a turning tide of the game. All the while, you must contend with your rivals, sea monsters, and other underwater hazards. Make sure to plan, to stay ahead in this ocean-themed game.

Four Gardens

Four Gardens is a visually stunning hand management board game that invites you to immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of the gardens. While there, you must cultivate and work to beautify your surroundings to earn the emperor’s favor. Four Gardens is a beautiful game inspired by traditional Asian art and culture.

An aspect that makes Four Gardens unique is the rotating central board. This serves as the focal point of the game, presenting you with a unique challenge. It is imperative to rotate the tower to display the correct sequence for your gameplay while sabotaging others along the way.

Make sure to stay creative, and to focus on fulfilling the Emperor’s requests to have the most beautiful garden in the end.

Arcane Wonders: Board games everybody needs in their collection

Overall, Arcane Wonders sent a very generous selection of games and I am so excited to try out their next ones! Make sure to check out Arcane Wonders for your next board game purchase!

– Stacie & The Board Gaymer

About The Board Gaymer:

Joey is a student, board gamer, and content creator based in Atlanta, Georgia—most days, he’s somewhere between a study session and a cardboard filled game night. When he is not spending time with his partner or family, you can find him sharing about his favorite board game moments on social media as @TheBoardGaymer. One of Joey’s favorite accomplishments was being named one of Best Self Atlanta’s 40 Under 40 Inspiring Innovators alongside his partner.

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