I outlined how our game days work in this previous post. If you are looking for inspiration for hosting themed game days of your own, check out the lists below for themes that we have already hosted. Included with each list is the theme and a menu of games along with player count information and a link to the game’s page on BoardGameGeek. Themes we choose range from genres, mechanics, designers, holidays, etc.
Our group has enjoyed theme days for various reasons:
- Faster decision making means more time for playing
- Focus on getting unplayed games to the table
- Someone has already read the rules and is ready to teach
- It is fun to see the variety within some of the themes
Alchemy & Magic: games that feature witches, druids, alchemy, and magic
Area Control: games that feature area control as a mechanic
Fairy Tales: games that feature classic stories and characters from The Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, etc.
Fantasy: games that feature fantasy elements such as dragons and magic
Great Old Ones: games features stories and monsters (C’thulhu, elder gods, etc.) from the worlds of H.P. Lovecraft
Medieval: games that feature elements from this time period
Mythology: games that feature gods/goddesses, religious aspects, creation stories
Nostalgia: games that first got us into the hobby/first gaming loves
Pirates: games featuring buccaneers sailing the open seas and looting treasure
Space: games about exploring space, worm holes, piloting spacecraft, etc.
Stonemaier Games: games from this publisher
Superheroes: games with comic book-like superhero characters
Tile Placement: games that feature tile placement as a mechanic
Tiny Boxes: great games that comes in tiny boxes
Vine & Hops: games that feature wine making, beer crafting, prohibition, and taverns
The Written Word: games about books/words and games based on books