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Here at Devolutions, one of the ways we foster teamwork, build community, and have FUN is by playing board games—usually after work at the nearby Randolph’s gaming pub, even during our lunch breaks!
Back in 2020, we highlighted some of our favorite board games, and then in 2022, we looked at some more. Today, we’re delighted to continue the tradition with a tour of some of the board games we’re currently trying out—and might soon add to our permanent roster. Here they are in alphabetical order:
Ark Nova
If you’ve ever dreamed of planning and designing a modern, internationally acclaimed zoo—or if the idea just appeals to you—then Ark Nova is the game for you.
The gameplay is driven by a set of five action cards that feature different animals, specialists, unique enclosures, and conservation projects. Each card grants a special ability that players use to enhance the reputation and appeal of their zoo while collecting conservation points.
A big reason why Ark Nova is so fun is that every turn offers something significant and satisfying to do. And one of the world’s most recognized board game reviewers, Tom Vasel, heralded it as the #1 game of all time.
Complots
If Ark Nova is too sweet and charming for your mood, and you’re looking for something more ruthless and cunning, then you’ll probably enjoy Complots as much as we do.
Complots is a slightly older game (2013), set in a city riddled with corruption, vice, and greed. Each player controls two characters, and the goal is to use trickery, manipulation, and bluffing to eliminate all opponents (or better yet, get them to eliminate each other), and ultimately seize power.
The game uses a 24-card deck, with each card enabling actions like spying, bribery, stealing money—or even attempting assassinations. The goal? Be the last player standing—and solvent.
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
If you’re a racing fan, you’ll probably love Heat: Pedal to the Metal. It’s fun, exciting, risky, and highly entertaining.
Gameplay is card-driven. Players receive a hand of cards at the beginning of each round and use them to control their car’s speed as they jockey for position around the track.
Using high-value cards might seem smart, but just like real racing, knowing when to slow down through the turns is as important as knowing when to (as the title suggests) put the pedal to the metal. Go too fast, too soon, and you’ll risk overheating or spinning out. But playing it too safe? That’s a great way to finish last.
To spice things up, players must deal with dynamic elements like weather, road conditions, and events—all of which change from race to race. You can experience the thrill of a single race, or use the Championship System to play an entire season in one sitting, customizing your car before each race as you aim for the podium.
Love Letter
Love Letter is an older game, released in 2012—but it’s new to us, which is why it’s on the list!
Here’s the setup: a princess is searching for the perfect partner to rule by her side once she takes the throne. The twist? She’s locked herself away in the palace, and the only way to win her heart is (you guessed it!) by sending her love letters.
The game uses a 16-card deck, and each player draws and plays one card per turn, trying to expose and eliminate opponents. Some cards are powerful—but using them too early or too often makes you a target. Weaker cards are safer... but might leave you out of luck in the end.
Secret Hitler
Secret Hitler is a political deduction game set in 1930s Germany. Each player is secretly and randomly assigned to be either a fascist or a liberal—and one player is the “Secret Hitler.” Liberals have the majority, while the fascists know who each other are.
Each round includes an election to form a government, a legislative session to enact a new policy, and an executive action to wield government power.
The fascists win by passing six fascist policies—or, alternatively, by passing three fascist policies and electing Secret Hitler as chancellor. The liberals win by passing five liberal policies or successfully assassinating Secret Hitler.
Unlike the other games we’re featuring, Secret Hitler isn’t sold in stores. Instead, it’s licensed under Creative Commons BY–NC–SA 4.0 and available as a print-and-play version (original), or playable online (in a web-modified version).
Sky Team
Most of the games we’ve shared so far are competitive (especially Complots, which might require some post-game apologies!).
But Sky Team is a refreshing change—it’s cooperative. This two-player game puts a pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit of an airplane, and they must work together to land safely at various airports around the world.
Gameplay is dice-driven, simulating flight elements like axis control, speed, flap deployment, landing gear extension, and communication with the control tower. Along the way, players face challenges like turbulence, icy runways, fuel leaks—and each airport throws its own unique curveballs into the mix.
It’s tense, immersive, and a great trust exercise!
Feedback and recommendations
Have you played any of these games? What did you think—did they exceed expectations, or leave you underwhelmed?
Also, feel free to share some of your favorites—whether they’re classics (Risk, anyone?) or newer discoveries. What should the board game geeks here at Devolutions play next?
