Online Nasters during quarantine. What to play through Tabletop Simulator

Despite all the disadvantages of self-isolation, she has one big plus: this is a good time to try something new or catch up. Read books that have long been dust on the shelf, listen to lectures, watch movies or find a new hobby. For example, board games.

Isolation of the hips is not a hindrance, because you can safely play PC in them. All that is needed for this is Discord or Skype and the utility for the game itself. In our case, this Tabletop Simulator: virtual "Game table", available in Steam. In it you can swarm alone (there are no usual AI in the hilies, but some include the rules for one player), or you can create a server and invite friends. Or random people from intra -game chat.

The program, to put it mildly, is far from the ideal, but it supports integration with the workshop. Thanks to the modders, the TS library in TS includes all the best tables of the last twenty years. Moreover, both those that have long ceased to be published, and those that simply painfully beat finances: the hobby is not the cheapest. And in TS you need to pay (419 rubles) only for the game itself; Content in the workshop is free.

TableTop Simulator works on a physical engine, so there is even an option to turn the gaming table with anger – just like in life

Typically, newcomers are recommended to the tables of easier – those that can be mastered in one evening (by the way, we also have such a selection). But this time we decided not to score the list with casuals: it, first of all, included standing games. With a curious theme, competent mechanics and excellent gameplay. It is more difficult to master any of them than others, but nothing superheavy is expected. We also note in advance that not all of the presented games have localization. But the Russian -speaking rules of some sweatshirts can be easily found on the Internet; And even in TS itself, Russian versions are periodically found (which, however, sometimes work poorly). So be prepared for English.

Economic strategies

Economic games are one of the most popular genres in the industry. Here you do not just earn money, but rather engage in solving problems – preferably, with a minimum of losses. Almost like in computer system simulators.

Bargain Quest

A small town is besieged by the army of monsters, and the only thing that can save the situation is capitalism. You and your comrades are the owners of the stores where the adventurers are equipped to combat evil spirits; The task is to serve customers and at the same time become the best merchant of the city. But each hero hero has its own requests, and monsters have vulnerability. So you need to not only get rich, but also make sure that you did not send the hero to certain death, selling him beautiful, but useless armor. And you can also get caught on the sale of magic weapons just on the day when the inquisitor arrived in the city. Or forget to put your best lot on the window and miss the buyer … In general, there are a lot of problems – but you can handle.

Agricola, Caverna and A Feast for Odin

It is best to talk about these projects in conjunction: one developer has been responsible for all three, and all of them are devoted to managing management. The difference, for the most part, only on the scale. IN Agricola You are busy on a small farm, in Caverna equip the life of a tribe of cave people, and in a Feast for Odin – Trying to feed a whole Viking clan. You constantly need to take care that the wards do not die of hunger, but otherwise it is surprisingly meditative games. Know for yourself growing cattle, collect the crop and slowly develop technology – but the process is drawn up by a large scope for tactics. In addition, all games, despite their similarities, are extremely different dynamics, so at least one of them will probably like. In Agricola, you will often conflict with other players for rare cards and resources, while there are almost no confrontation in A Feast for Odin – you can send your Vikings to at least another continent.

Food Chain Magnate

Food Chain Magnate Sometimes they call ““ monopoly ”on maximums”, and, in fact, this is not so far from the truth. The difference is that in the "Monopoly" you can at any time go bankrupt from the throwing of the cube, and here – from your own decisions. Or from the fact that another player decided to suddenly sell Duelz sister sites his cheap burgers on your territory.

In the role of the owner of the restaurant, you need to hire employees, arrange advertising campaigns and make sure that there are enough goods in the warehouse and there is a demand for them. That's just the market in Food Chain Magnate: the game does not make handouts to those who are lagging behind, and does not insert sticks into wheels to those who are torn forward. Therefore, the only way to survive in a small city is to act effectively. Manipulate prices, cut opponents, use someone else's marketing for your own benefit, feel the situation in the market. The rules of the game are quite simple, but the gameplay itself is absolutely ruthless: it is not without reason that Food Chain Magnate is known as one of the best dimensions in the genre.

Wargam

The name of the genre speaks for itself: in these games you need to manage your own armies in order to defeat strangers. Or to take important points on the map faster than rivals. Most often, just the second one – and here is not only tactics, but also the ability to agree with the opponent in time.

Inis

Inis – Extremely dynamic wargam, where bloodshed does not always solve all the problems. In the role of the leaders of the clans of ancient Celts, you and your comrades will compete for the king's title. You can earn it in one of three ways: showing your strength by taking possession of the lands or constructing enough temples. But there is one catch – there is not enough space on the map, so you will have to push your elbows at every step and adapt to the situation.

Inis – the game is not so much about the war, but about the tactics and the ability to "read" the opponent at the right time. At the beginning of the round, four cards are distributed to everyone, and the players gradually exchange them – new cards do not appear. That is, everyone knows in advance what can happen on the field, the number of events is strictly limited, and you definitely have at least some information about who got which cards. It remains only to figure out who and when will inevitably make you a pile. But this riddle does not have the correct answer, and it becomes more and more difficult with every new batch.

Forbidden Stars

If you ever thought like a series Dawn of War would look in the format of a step -by -step strategy, then do not pass by Forbidden Stars. In it, Ultramarins, Orcs, Chaosites and Eldars clashed in the war for the Sector of Graakon according to all the canons Warhammer 40 000. Infantry, equipment, fleet are going on to battle-you can even control the warp-stamps to block the road to the targets. The units of all fractions, of course, are unique: each has special properties and different ways for pumping. Moreover, in all this meat grinder, bluff plays a significant role, because orders to the troops are distributed in a closed one: you see where opponents are going to act, but do not know what exactly they will do. In short, the gameplay is full of nuances – manyoven employees value Forbidden Stars for tactical depths. And the binding to the famous franchise is just a pleasant bonus.

Twilight Imperium 4 TH Edition

Legendary Twilight Imperium – One of the most ambitious games in the history of the industry. This is a full-fledged 4x strategy, and made with such a scale and attention to the details that even some computer analogues can only envy. Seriously, it has almost everything that comes to mind at the words “space strategy”: almost two dozen races with unique abilities and technologies, battles of huge fleets, interstellar trade, politics, secret alliances and betrayal. The interweaving of these mechanics makes the game completely unpredictable; Each party is an event that is remembered for a long time. Twilight Imperium is not easy to master, and sometimes it requires unacceptably a lot of time – but, believe me, it's worth it.

Cooperative games

Another popular niche in the industry. As in the case of Wargams, the name fully reflects the essence of the genre: in cooperatives you do not compete with friends, and together try to "defeat" the game. Which, as a rule, is extremely difficult – but there are all the sweeter victory.

Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 And Season 2

In the background are dozens of boxes, where you get new components from. And the field itself will change beyond recognition

Perhaps the most topical game in the list. In the role of specialists of the Center for Control of Diseases, you are trying to develop vaccines for four viruses that cover the entire planet. And for this you need to rush throughout the globe to collect enough data and simultaneously help infected cities-otherwise the situation may get out of control. The main feature Pandemic Legacy The fact that this is a “plot” game: history is conditionally divided into twelve months-party, and each next introduces new mechanics, nuances and opportunities. In addition, the consequences of your decisions are also preserved between parties. If you made a mistake by stupidity, then it will come to you more than once. At the same time, the plot does not cease to surprise until the finale – you really can't wait for unexpected turns here. Only if that, play both tables in order. The second season is one big spoiler for the events of the first.

Spirit Island

The theme of colonialism is unusually popular in board games: on its basis it is easy to do projects over and over again, where white people master the resources of third world countries. Spirit Island flips this idea upside down. Here you play not for the invaders from the great land, but for the ancient spirits who are trying to drive off the invaders from their native island. While you are gradually gaining power, waking up after a centuries -old sleep, the colonists controlled by the game are also not asleep. They constantly send scouts into new lands and lay settlements, along the way, of course, destroying your temples and killing local residents. The parties are more than dramatic due to this: at first you will fight off your last strength and constantly balancing on the verge of defeat, but if you hold out for a long time, you can play large cities from the face of the earth. In a word, Spirit Island is an unusual view of a hackneyed topic: in a good way thoughtful and insanely reigree.

Tragedy Looper

Tragedy Looper The easiest way is to describe with one analogy: imagine that "Surka Day" would be (good) anime triller. Three protagonists fall into a city where typical schoolchildren, Yakuza, pop idols and aliens calmly get along calmly. Something terrible should happen to someone from the inhabitants of the city, and the fourth player-the master-should organize this “something terrible” to win. For example, to adjust the accident or reduce the killer and his victim together. Heroes do not know which of the inhabitants it is better for them to shun, and who needs to be saved at all costs; Moreover, the rules prohibit them to discuss their moves and openly coordinate actions. Just here, temporary loops come to the rescue. Every time the protagonists lose, the round begins again: everything returns to its own circles, and the players have a few minutes to share the guesses. In words, all this may sound too confusing, but in fact, Tragedy Looper is an incredibly tense Murder Mystery. Protagonists and the master play with each other in cat mouse: the former try to understand what is happening at all, and the second-not to give out their plans ahead of time. If you like detectives and competent social puzzles, be sure to try.

Recommendations with one line

If we undertook to talk about all the board games that are worth paying attention to, this text would have turned out too much – even if you write about each all the paragraph. Therefore, there will be literally a few words about good projects that are not included in other categories, but they can still entertain well.

If you need something for two players, then you can look at 7 Wonders: Duel. Roughly speaking, this is a very compact version of the computer Civilization : develop the economy, study technologies, passively aggressively fighting with a neighbor. In depth, the game is not inferior to big strategies, and the party lasts only forty minutes-the very thing is to arrange gatherings for 3-5 matches in a row.

If you want something on two players, but more serious, then ask yourself the question: what you like more- "Star wars" or "Lord of the Rings"? If the first, then look at Star Wars: Rebellion , And if the second is on War of the Ring. Both allow you to survive the events of their movie trilies from a different angle, or even completely outplay them in a new way. The hatch may well go to the dark side of the force, and the hobbits company can disappear a stone's throw from Shir.

I need entertainment for the crowd? Throw out to Tournament at Camelot : She gives a tournament with the heroes of arthurian legends in the lead roles as a card game for bribes. And illustrations inspire memories of memes about the "suffering Middle Ages".

You need something more spoken or social? Then Codenames or Decrypto. Both tables are tied to guessing words by associations, but they have enough differences to provide players with completely different experience.

Perhaps this list should be enough to meet this list. Talk about impressions and your favorite tublies in the comments! And write if you are interested in this topic: there will be demand – we will advise another pack of games in the next material.

• What is Dungeons & Dragons and how to play it. Brief reference for beginners

• How computer clubs survive in quarantine? Tells the owner of the Moscow network