The HFoG Buyer's Guide

Games for Teens

I am often asked to help pick out a game for a teen.  I'm not exactly sure why this demographic seems to be so frequently singled out.  Perhaps it's because parents are looking for something to lure them away from the computer.  Perhaps it's because teens are in that sweet spot of life where they're old enough to play a deep game and yet young enough to have enough leisure time to actually do it!

Teens are hard to pin down, their tastes vary so much, but here are some games that I think would be appreciated by a teen.  (My apologies for being so "boy heavy" but I have lots of them and that's what I identify with the most.)

Age of Empires III (Tropical Games - 2007) Age of Empires III is based on the popular computer game and for that reason alone it's bound to go over well with teens, who are certainly familiar with the source. However, what the teens don't realize is that hidden in the computer game theme is a very solid and very fun Euro-game. Before they even know what's hit-em they'll find they're playing and enjoying a great strategy game.

Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Fantasy Flight Games - 2005) Descent: Journeys in the Dark is a lavish 3-D dungeon delving game that is sure to get your teen's blood pumping. The lavish pieces and monster figures are enough to send any self-respecting fantasy lover into shock. Add to it some of the expansions and you may find that you've won your teen over for life.

Runebound: Second Edition (Fantasy Flight - 2005) Runebound is a fantasy role playing board game.  It manages to capture the feel of a dungeon crawl and condense it into a two and a half hour game for up to six.  Players choose an adventurer and then move from location to location on the board attempting to vanquish evil while improving their abilities and filling their coffers.

Queen's Necklace (Day's of Wonder - 2003) Well, we have to put at least one title in here that fits the girly stereotypes. Queen's Necklace is a fantastic card game about building jewelry to sell to the nobility in the French court during the decadent years right before the French Revolution.  Instead of drawing cards blind, cards are purchased.  Cards that are passed over become cheaper for the next player.  Eventually it will be time to sell your jewels and then whoever made the wisest choices about what to buy and what to sell will emerge as the winner.

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