Why Gamers are Falling In Love with Hybrid Board Games

Technology is here to stay and will continue to evolve. So, it’s no surprise at the development of Hybrid Board Games.

Basically, Hybrid Board Games is the combined use of the integration of physical components with digital elements in board games. For example the use of an apps for narratives, real-time decision-making, timers, etc.

It seems to be around 2016 when hybrid board games showed a huge rise in sales, showing that hybrid board games were becoming more popular.

There is lots of talk about the harm of too much technology; however, technology can provide a unique and diverse gameplay to board games.

Benefits of Hybrid Board Games

Enhanced Gameplay: Apps can streamline complex rules, manage hidden information, and provide dynamic challenges, enhancing the overall gameplay experience and making score-taking easier.
Immersive Storytelling: Apps can provide atmospheric music, sound effects, and narration, creating a more immersive and engaging story.
Increased Accessibility: Apps can provide tutorials and rule explanations, making complex games more accessible to new players.
Variety and Replayability: Apps can generate different scenarios and challenges, increasing the game’s replayability.

Chronicles of Crime

Unraveling the Mystery: How to Play

In Chronicles of Crime, you and your fellow players become investigators tasked with solving a variety of intriguing cases. The game utilizes a unique combination of physical and digital components:

Physical components: The game includes a board, character cards, location boards, and evidence markers. These elements create a tangible connection to the game’s world.
Companion App: The heart of the experience lies in the companion app. Here you will scan locations, characters, and evidence categories. There is also a pair of 3D glasses you can use when searching for evidence.

When you scan a location card, you are able to move to this location. Character card scanning lets you interrogate this character. They will answer any questions about another character or evidence once you have scanned these cards. The character will talk about these people or evidence. The evidence card allows you to pick up a piece of evidence, and if it is important, the character will tell you to place it on the board.

When you scan a forensic contact card, this will allow you to call your contact. Again, when you scan other contacts, this contact will talk about that topic.

It is recommended to talk with each other about which card to scan as a group.

Once you have solved the case, you can pass this onto your superior. They will then ask you questions to see if you are correct and win. This is done by scanning the cards that relate to the questions.

How many scenarios does Chronicles of Crime have?

The game comes with 1 tutorial and 5 scenarios. Each session lasts around 1h to 1h30 minutes and many scenarios are connected to each other in order to tell a much bigger story.

XCOM: The Board Game

XCOM: The Board Game delivers a cooperative, real-time experience where players become the XCOM defense force, battling an alien invasion. Using a software application available online and on most mobile devices to control the invasion, players must collaborate. You’ll assign interceptors, send soldiers on missions, and research advanced technology to overcome the alien threat.

Each round starts with a real-time phase where the app relays information about the invasion: UFOs appear, crisis cards are drawn, and aliens attack.

Players then deploy soldiers, interceptors, scientists, and satellites. After this, deployments are resolved using a push-your-luck dice system. Unchecked UFOs increase global panic, and players must replace defeated interceptors and soldiers to save humanity.

Each player takes on a specific role with unique responsibilities. These roles are;

The Commander will keep track of the XCOM budget and deploy interceptors to repel alien UFOs.
The Chief Scientist holds authority over technology research and upgrading XCOM forces.
The Central Officer controls the app and relays information back to everyone.
The Squad Leader leads the XCOM forces during missions and while defending the base.

Once you have set up the board, you open the app, choose the options and can push tutorial for first time playing.

XCOM: The board Game expansion

XCOM: Evolution expands XCOM: The Board Game with a more complex and dangerous war against the aliens. New missions, enemies, and invasion plans are introduced, along with mechanics that increase the peril. The narrative deepens as the human organization EXALT emerges, seeking to exploit the chaos, infiltrate XCOM, and destroy it from within. Their treachery results in new crises, sabotage, and threats to your crucial resources. Fortunately, XCOM has also made progress. The discovery of Meld, a mysterious alien substance, promises breakthroughs in biomechanics, giving you the chance to gain powerful new weaponry in the form of MEC Troopers.

Alchemists

Step into the world of Alchemists and dive into magical experimentation.

Your goal is to uncover the properties of ingredients, showcase your expertise by selling potions, and use your earnings to acquire artifacts that boost your research. Advance your reputation by publishing your findings, securing grants, and disproving the theories of your rivals.

Alchemists is a game of strategy, calculated risks, and deduction. Will you prioritize experimentation to expand your knowledge or publish early to gain points? Will you invest in endorsing the latest toad theory or save up for a powerful artifact? And should you really sell that untested potion to the burly barbarian?

Played over 6 rounds, your decisions will determine if you become the greatest alchemist the world has ever known and achieve the most points to win.

The game uses a free app, turning your tablet or smartphone into an ingredient card reader. The app is available for iOS, Android, and Windows. If you prefer not to use the mobile app, you can use the web-based version or play with one player acting as the game master.

These games are generally for older family members; if you’re looking for family games for young families, head over to our age groups page and find other alternatives.