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The criteria
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Should you buy
It’s our job at GamesRadar+ to advise you on which products are worth your hard-earned cash (or not, as the case may be), so how we test board games is an important piece of the puzzle. Our reviews are supposed to help you decide whether you should or shouldn’t buy something, after all, so it’s vital that they’re up to snuff.That means a rigorous testing methodology is needed, applied in as objective a way as possible for every brand, use-case, genre, and price point. You can swot up on our entire process here, including how we justify what deserves a place amongst the best board games. While there’s some crossover with our wider review policy, you’ll also find specific details on the way in which we tackle this unique and vibrant industry. Simply put, our tabletop coverage is designed for everyone. Yes, we cater to longtime fans who know the difference between Prospero Hall and Avalon Hill. But we also strive to serve newcomers and more casual players as well. This means we won’t ever assume knowledge or lean on insider references that may leave any part of our audience feeling lost. As with all GamesRadar+ content, the goal is to educate, entertain, and inform without judgment.”Inform without judgment” doesn’t mean we avoid criticism, though. Board games can be expensive and are also a significant time investment, so we will always be honest about the lows of a product as well as its highs. Keeping it topical It’s worth pointing out that we revisit reviews on an annual basis, especially if updates are added to the original game. Tabletop is a world of constant iteration, and it’s common for new additions to hit the shelves with quality-of-life improvements. As such, it’s only fair to make sure our critique reflects this.We don’t limit ourselves to the biggest and most expensive projects by well-known studios, either; part of our job is to surface lesser-known gems you might have missed. By the same token, we won’t rigidly stick to tried and tested options. Our team is always on the hunt for cool new ideas to shake up games night, and it doesn’t matter whether these products are from AAA developers or indie publishers. We’ll look at both premium titles and value-for-money budget games too – what matters is getting the best products in front of you.On much the same note, we cover games that are readily available in your area. It’s all good and well waxing lyrical about a beloved classic, but that advice isn’t much help to anyone if the product in question has gone out of print.A final note before we dive in; all reviews are someone’s opinion. It’s impossible to be completely, dispassionately objective about any product, so even though we strive to be as balanced as possible, it’s OK if you disagree with our decisions. Ours isn’t the final word on a game – it’s just what we, the GamesRadar+ team, think. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter