Top Worker Placement Board Games Revealed - News

As an adult, you might be surprised to find that work can indeed be fun and games, especially in the world of worker placement tabletop games. These games allow you to lead your team through various tasks and adventures, working towards end goals in diverse and themed worlds. This list showcases some of my latest favorites, featuring both new and classic worker placement games that are sure to captivate players of all levels.

TLDR: The Best Worker Placement Board Games to Play Now

Viticulture

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Yokohama

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Unconscious Mind

0See it at Asmodee Store!

Wayfarers of The South Tigris

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Darwin’s Journey

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Fromage

0See it at Allplay Store!

The Gallerist

0See it at Eagle-Griphon Games!

Septima

0See it at Mind Clash Games!

Rock Hard: 1977

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Age of Comics: The Golden Years

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If you're eager to dive straight into the games, check out the handy side-scrolling catalog above. For those who want to delve deeper into each game, keep reading.

Viticulture

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Ages: 14+
Players: 1-6
Play Time: 45-90 mins

Viticulture, designed by Jamey Stegmaier, takes players on a delightful journey to Tuscany. Here, you step into the shoes of a winemaker, inheriting your family's legacy to create a successful winery. The game involves building vineyards, harvesting grapes, bottling wine, and selling your products. You'll need to manage your workers effectively throughout the seasons, playing over multiple years to age your wine and fulfill orders. Gather your friends and enjoy Viticulture, which can be played competitively in its original version or cooperatively with the Viticulture World edition (see at Amazon).

Yokohama

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Ages: 14+
Players: 2-4
Play Time: 90 mins

Set in the bustling port city of Yokohama, Japan, this game challenges players to build their trading empire. You'll recruit a team of workers to gather resources, develop technologies, and complete orders. While the game is moderately complex, turns flow smoothly once you grasp the mechanics. It's playable with two to four players, but Board Game Geek recommends it for three.

Unconscious Mind

0See it at Asmodee Store!

Ages: 12+
Players: 2-4
Play Time: 60-120 mins (or longer)

Unconscious Mind is a visually stunning Euro game that delves into psychology and grief. Its gameplay is intricate, offering layered strategies in movement and timing. The Nightmares expansion adds further complexity, enhancing the challenge while providing softer options for some players. Be prepared for a longer setup and playtime than advertised, as this game requires patience and time to fully enjoy.

Wayfarers of The South Tigris

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Ages: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 60-90 mins

Wayfarers combines dice and worker placement in a surprising and fun way. The worker placement is tied to dice rolls, adding an element of chance to your decisions and actions. While initially intimidating, especially for those new to heavier Euro games, it offers a lot of replayability and strategic depth. Don't miss out on this engaging experience.

Darwin’s Journey

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Ages: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 30-120 mins

If you've ever dreamed of exploring like Darwin, this game lets you race across three islands to discover nature and science for your museum. Easy to navigate and highly repeatable, Darwin's Journey is both beautiful on the table and accessible online. A physical copy is recommended, as it's popular among both seasoned and casual players.

Fromage

0See it at Allplay Store!

Ages: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 40 mins

Perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying solo, Fromage is a relaxed game about crafting and selling award-winning cheeses across France. Build structures, tend to livestock, and fill orders in this quick-to-play experience. The Italian version, Formaggio, will have you craving Parmigiano in no time.

The Gallerist

0See it at Eagle-Griphon Games!

Ages: 12+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 120 mins

The Gallerist puts you in charge of an art gallery, where you'll discover artists, display their work, and attract patrons. Be warned: this is not a beginner-friendly game, ranking at a 4.24 out of 5 in complexity on Board Game Geek. It mirrors the challenging nature of the real art world.

Septima

0See it at Mind Clash Games!

Ages: 12+
Players: 1-6
Play Time: 50-100 mins

Septima's art is stunning, especially for those drawn to gothic themes. This user-friendly game revolves around witches, where you'll build covens, gather herbs, brew potions, and navigate witch trials. Despite the challenges, it's a highly recommended experience, playable solo or with friends. The expansion adds shapeshifting and more beautiful artwork.

Rock Hard: 1977

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Ages: 14+
Players: 2-5
Play Time: 90 mins

Unleash your inner rockstar with Rock Hard: 1977, designed by Jackie Fox of The Runaways. With an amp-shaped player board and your favorite head icon, you'll rock your way to stardom. This fan-favorite from Gen Con includes heavy themes, so be prepared for some intense content.

Age of Comics: The Golden Years

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Ages: 13+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 50-120 mins

For comic lovers, Age of Comics: The Golden Years lets you build a catalog during the Golden Age. Hire artists, writers, and inkers to design your books and race against other players to publish and sell. The pulpy art appeals to everyone, and the game is easy to learn, making it enjoyable for solo play or groups of up to four, with three being the optimal number.