The modern board game scene is overflowing with great titles — and that means some truly excellent games get buried under the hype. Everyone’s heard of Catan, Wingspan, and Gloomhaven, but what about the quieter hits that never get the spotlight?
Here are 10 underrated board games that may not dominate top-10 lists, but absolutely deserve a place on your table in 2025.
1. The Search for Planet X – A Deduction Game with Real Science
Designer: Matthew O’Malley & Ben Rosset
Players: 1–4 | Playtime: ~60–90 min
This smart deduction game combines logic puzzles with astronomy. Using an app that simulates a night sky, players race to locate the mysterious Planet X by gathering clues and drawing conclusions.
If you enjoy games like Clue or Cryptid but want something with more depth, this is a must-play.
Related reading: Inference and Deduction Games
2. Meadow – Tranquil Card Drafting and Nature Collecting
Designer: Klemens Kalicki
Players: 1–4 | Playtime: ~60 min
Meadow is one of the most beautiful games you’ll ever see. You collect cards representing plants and animals, building a tableau that feels like a walk through nature.
It’s relaxing yet thoughtful — perfect for fans of Wingspan who want something equally cozy but slightly more strategic.
3. The Guild of Merchant Explorers – Fast and Addictive Exploration
Designer: Matthew Dunstan & Brett J. Gilbert
Players: 1–4 | Playtime: ~45 min
This clever flip-and-write-style game blends map exploration with network building. Each round feels like an adventure as you connect towns and discover new routes.
It’s light, replayable, and far more engaging than its simple presentation suggests.
4. Endeavor: Age of Sail – Elegant Area Control with Real History
Designer: Carl de Visser & Jarratt Gray
Players: 2–5 | Playtime: ~60–90 min
Endeavor deserves way more love. It’s an elegant mix of area control, engine building, and resource management set during the Age of Exploration.
Turns are snappy, and every choice — from building to colonizing — feels meaningful. It’s a deep strategy experience that plays fast once you know the rules.
5. Point Salad – A Quick Card Game That’s Smarter Than It Looks
Designers: Molly Johnson, Robert Melvin, & Shawn Stankewich
Players: 2–6 | Playtime: ~20 min
Don’t let the name fool you — Point Salad is a brilliant filler game. Every card is both a vegetable and a scoring rule, forcing you to adapt your strategy each turn.
It’s fast, funny, and endlessly replayable — a hit with casual gamers and strategists alike.
Related reading: Top 10 Beginner Board Games
6. Obsession – A Victorian Strategy Gem
Designer: Dan Hallagan
Players: 1–4 | Playtime: ~60–90 min
If Downton Abbey had a board game, this would be it. Obsession puts you in charge of an English estate where you host events, court wealthy guests, and improve your household.
It’s a surprisingly rich Eurogame wrapped in excellent theme and narrative detail — one of the most thematic strategy titles you’ve probably never played.
7. Skull – Simple, Sneaky, and Always Tense
Designer: Hervé Marly
Players: 3–6 | Playtime: ~30 min
Skull might look like a casual bluffing game, but it creates incredible tension with just a few cards. Players try to win challenges without revealing a dreaded skull — a perfect mix of reading people and taking risks.
It’s minimal, fast, and fantastic for social groups.
Related reading: Bluffing Card Games
8. The Red Cathedral – Compact Euro with Big Decisions
Designers: Isra C. & Shei S. (Llama Dice)
Players: 1–4 | Playtime: ~60 min
This small-box game feels like a full-sized Euro. You’re constructing St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow by collecting resources and managing dice in clever ways.
It’s affordable, portable, and incredibly tight on strategy — ideal for players who love Splendor or Stone Age but want more depth in less time.
9. Canvas – The Art of Layered Strategy
Designers: Jeffrey Chin & Andrew Nerger
Players: 1–5 | Playtime: ~30 min
In Canvas, you’re an artist creating layered paintings using transparent cards. It’s a light, visual puzzle that’s both creative and strategic.
The art is stunning, the playtime short, and the experience surprisingly satisfying — perfect for players who enjoy peaceful competition.
Related reading: Cozy Thematic Board Games for Fall & Winter
10. Heat: Pedal to the Metal – Racing Done Right
Designers: Asger Harding Granerud & Daniel Skjold Pedersen
Players: 1–6 | Playtime: ~60 min
While it’s gained quiet popularity, Heat still flies under the radar compared to other racing games. It perfectly balances push-your-luck mechanics with tactical decisions, giving every turn momentum and excitement.
It’s easy to teach, beautifully produced, and a guaranteed hit for competitive groups.
Why Underrated Games Deserve Attention
Some of the best gaming experiences come from titles that never make “Top 100” lists. These hidden gems often feature innovative mechanics, unique themes, or just the right blend of simplicity and depth.
If you’re looking to refresh your game nights in 2025, try one or two of these. You might discover your next favorite game — and surprise your friends with something new.
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