Board games are a fantastic way to bond with friends and family, exercise your critical thinking skills, and escape from the mundanity of life. There is nothing more rewarding than sitting around a table with a group of people, sharing stories, laughing and arguing with each other.
In fact, many studies have shown that playing board games benefits mental health and wellness in multiple ways: it improves attention span, promotes socialization, and encourages the use of both sides of the brain. Additionally, some games require the player to make touch decisions, weigh their options, and even engage in strategic planning. They also help develop hand-eye dexterity, math skills, and reading abilities.
But what makes a good board game? Is it the idea, the theme, or the mechanics? In truth, it’s all of those things, plus one other element that is often overlooked: storytelling.
Storytelling in board games is the element that turns a simple game concept into an engaging, lived imaginative experience for the players. Theme, mechanics, and rules are all part of the storytelling process, but they work together harmoniously to create a live experience in the players that goes above and beyond the sum of their parts.
Measuring the quality of a factory can be difficult, but there are a few key indicators to look out for: