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Favouritefoe
Big box games are very exciting. But big box games are also usually big budget (not to mention big space hoggers!). My IKEA Kallax cubes can squeeze in a few biggies, but my budget often trumps capacity. So, I get super excited when a smaller, less expensive version of a big game comes out.
Isle of Cats Explore and Draw is a great example. The OG is brilliant. But the price tag is as hefty as the weight of the box. The lid actually doubles up as a convenient bed for your favourite feline to rest! Never fear, however, as the smaller flip and write version is faster, cheaper, and (dare I say it) even better!
The original game is a polished, polyomino tile placement optimisation puzzle. In the Explore and Draw version, the close drafting (pick and pass) is dropped in favour of open selection from a tableau of cats, goals, and jewel cards. Which row/column of cards you can select to use is restricted. Similarly, the goals you can use to boost end game points must be carefully curated. But the process of drawing polyomino shapes on your drywipe boat board works towards the same goal as the OG: a ship full of colourful cat families
Since getting a copy of Explore and Draw, we haven’t actually played the original. It has also inspired me to seek out the more economical versions of games which capture and distil (sometimes even improving) the main theme and thrust of bigger ones. If we can squeeze more fun games into our limited budget, then that’s definitely a win-win!
Sophie Jones
Board gaming isn’t a cheap hobby to have, especially if you like games with a lot of moving parts. Most of the time board games will set you back an average of £35 per game. If you are someone that loves big box games, like me, you could be looking at games over £60.
When I first embraced the hobby, I learnt pretty quickly that I wouldn’t be able to get all the games on my wishlist. But then I spotted a great deal at Zatu, which was able to help me out. I became a blogger. As a blogger at Zatu I write articles about video games and board games. In return, I get a lovely 10% discount code and I get the opportunity to win gift cards through a monthly raffle and snag review copies.
After I became a blogger, my shelves steadily filled with games I had acquired through my raffle earnings, and through review copies. My favourite review copy, so far, has been Kutna Hora: City of Silver. This game isn’t cheap, and I was fortunate enough to get it for free in return for an informative review. Kutna Hora has interesting mechanics with dual use cards and cardboard computers which control a dynamic economy. It’s a great addition to my collection and I love the stylised components.
On top of review copies, every article earns you raffle points which improve your chances of winning gift cards. I’ve blogged for Zatu for over 2 years and have won lots of raffles, many of which have helped feed my collection and also been great for buying presents for friends and family who love the hobby!
So, if you play games often, enjoy writing and want to meet like minded people, writing for Zatu is brill! It’s really helped me keep my board gaming hobby on a budget
Game & Chai
Board games are an expensive hobby. Even if you purchased the most modern, most recommended, highly reviewed board game out there, that does not guarantee you will enjoy your time with it. That's why it's a great idea to play it safe and hold back on buying the latest copy.
- Try heading out to conventions or board game meet-ups in your city. This is a cost-effective way to not only make new friends with like-minded players and also try out the latest board games. There are plenty of cafes and shops that have rows of tables for you to play on with your group. If you don’t like what you are currently playing, then don’t fret! You can just end the game and pick up and try something else. Conventions also are a great way to potentially meet the creators/developers at their stalls for their board games, with plenty of staff available to help explain the rules and conduct games at the tables.
- The internet is a great tool for first-timers to start getting into the hobby. Board Game Arena (BGA.com) is a free online platform to play many new and old board games digitally, and these are constantly updated. If you cannot get your hands on a physical copy of a game you want to try, this is the best alternative way to get familiar with the game’s rules without setting it up yourself. Wait times for some games can be an issue because not all games are equally popular. There is even a premium membership available if you wish to reduce your wait times.
- Besides BGA there are sure to be separate websites for online versions of traditional card games and board games. You can even download them on your iOS or Android smartphones, or even on your PC or consoles. I tend to find that I like the digital versions of board games far better than their physical printed counterparts. Quite often, the digital versions of the board games you want are cheaper and can very easily be purchased on seasonal sales. So overall, there is almost no excuse here to try before you buy!
Emma Hunt
Luckily, with the popularity of board gaming on the increase since the pandemic, board game cafes are popping up left, right and centre. So, what’s the benefit of paying for a membership at a board game café and why is it cost-effective?
For me, it’s been an amazing social hub for me to meet like-minded people who love board games within my local area. Board game cafes have a wide range of board games that you can play and if you join a board game club, people will bring in their own games for you to play. Some brand new, some old that you may not have heard of. The best though, is when someone brings their new Kickstarter purchase in to play! This is saving you a cost of having to buy a board game, figuring out you don’t actually like it and then moving it on. It’s a really good way to try before you buy.
As well as board games, board game cafes tend to also branch out into RPGs! If you haven’t delved into the world of RPG’s, a board game café is the best place to go and learn! Wanted to play D&D for ages but can’t seem to get a campaign of people together? A board game café is the best place to find those people!
With board game café memberships, you pay an annual fee and this will include getting your table fees for free as well as any other events. Some board game café’s will offer their own individual rewards if you purchase a membership with them. For example, the board game café where I have a membership offers 15% off food and drink for members.
Check out if there are any local board gaming cafes or bars in your local area. You will not be disappointed!
Tom Goodhand
Try before you buy…
It’s oh so easy to get sucked in by a compelling Kickstarter, a buoyant blogger or a passionate podcaster. And we all build a mental list of game designers or publisher that we trust.
Often, your impulses or the reviews will end up spot on. Maybe you’ll read a write-up on this very blog, add the game to your basket, unpack it, try it and love it. But sometimes you might shell out a fair chunk of cash on a game and be underwhelmed, confused, or maybe even angry.
So, my advice when it comes to board gaming on a budget is ‘try before you buy’.
There are numerous ways to meet up with fellow gamers and give games a test drive - without ever exploiting a generous returns policy.
The biggest - and most obvious way - is to visit a boardgame convention. UKGE is on next weekend and will see thousands of gamers descend upon Birmingham, some bringing bags-upon-bags of games they want to play, others planning to rock up to publishers’ stands and give their games a go. Many conventions have incredibly well-stocked boardgame libraries, where you can grab a game, bring it to your table, have a play and then bring it back.
Obviously conventions come but once a year - and may be geographically challenging for some. But boardgame clubs are often weekly or monthly and tend to be scattered liberally across the UK. Try a quick google, or a search on Facebook and see what comes up.
These clubs are often free to attend (or cost but a few pounds) and come with a library of games to try out, along with a load of gamers looking for people to play games with.
And your next step is obvious - I hope - just give some games a try, see what catches your imagination and which games drag on. And presto, now your next purchase isn’t informed just by a nicely designed box or an enthusiastic reviewer - it’s informed by your experience, and, we have to assume, that you know your likes and dislikes better than anyone else..
Lewis Ralston
SIZE DOESN’T MATTER
The size of your collection isn’t important, it’s how you use it. Okay, jokes aside, if you’re working on a tight budget, don’t feel pressure to fill that board game shelf. I currently have around 30 games in my collection. This collection has taken me around 8 years to build. If I had the means, that collection would be HUGE...however not having the means has forced me to be specific. Do I have a game like this already? Am I only wanting it because it’s new to me? What’s the replayability like? Can I consistently find a group big enough for a game like this?
I know you see these big stacks in the background of reviewer videos and your eyes light up. Mine too! Let’s be real though, how many of those games do you think are played regularly? A collection that cost thousands, but only worth hundreds. I don’t have games of all genres and play-styles, but I have games that I love to play. At the end of the day, that’s why you’re here. To have fun and play board games. Take your time, be patient, save for that game you’re desperate for. Having 5 games that were £10 each and helped fill that shelf aren’t as valuable as one £50 game that you play over and over again. Plus, that feeling when you can finally open that box after waiting months is a magical one. Savour it.