Do you love good strategic games? Then scroll down because the work placement games are perfect for strategy-loving game players, and we have just the list.
The work placement games are extremely strategic-based. The players have to develop complex tactics for every move they make. Similarly, unless the players have good devise plans, they can not win.
Every worker placement games have its unique designs and concepts. No matter how many you have played before, every new game will always give you the feel of the originality.
However, today, among all the worker placement games, we bring you the six we feel are the top worker placement games for this year.
These games are perfect for beginners at work placement games and experienced, well-seasoned players. So let us get right down to the list!
6 Top Worker Placement Games for This Year
We have come up with this list primarily with the help of internet sources like BoardGamesWizard. But, let us look at the overall list beforehand.
| Game | Age Group |
| 6. Le Havre | 12+ |
| 5. Lords of Waterdeep | 12+ |
| 4. Viticulture | 13+ |
| 3. Tzolk’in the Mayan Calendar | 13+ |
| 2. Rajas of the Ganges | 12+ |
| 1. Agricola | 12+ |
6. Le Havre
- Players: 1 – 5
We are starting our list with a resource shuffling game, Le Havre. Uwe Rosenburgh is the game designer and is one of the complex worker placement games on our list.
Therefore, the game has a simple ruleset, making it easier for beginners to learn the game quickly. However, the game is not easy as the players will have to develop complex plans and tactics.
Le Havre is one of the heavy economic resource management games. Each player advances their ship to the harbor to the open supply title in their turn. The game can run from 30 minutes to 150 minutes.
During the game, the players can grab a single pile from the dockside, move their piece, a “worker,” to a new building card, and use its action. The players need sound balance tactics throughout the game.
Likewise, the players can also freely buy and sell a building or ship. The game ends after the players take a final round card. At the end of the game, the player with the most fortune wins the game.
Compared to other worker replacement games, Le Havre provides a unique experience to the players. Simple at a glance, the game gets complex as the game progresses. Le Havre is guaranteed to give the players a fantastic experience.
5. Lords of Waterdeep
- Players: 2 – 5
If you are a fan of Dungeon & Dragons (D&D), this worker replacement game is the best one. But even if you are not a fan of D&D, Lords of Deepwater will give you the best strategy game experience.
The game revolves around the forgotten realm where each player attempts to become the most powerful secret ruler.
Lord of the Waterdeep’s playtime is between 60 minutes to 120 minutes. The game has moderate complexity; hence, it is idle for players from age 12+.
Each player will get a set number of “Agents” working for them. In their turn, players place the agents in one of the many buildings on the boards. Similarly, through the gameplay, the players can also purchase buildings.
Since every building has its unique power, three-game layouts and options are different every time. The players will have to go on quests and build and play cards to achieve the resource cubes.
All-in-all there are eight game rounds where the players can gain the cubes. At the end of the game, the winner will be the player with the most victory points.
The Lords of the Waterdeep is one of the lighter worker placement games. As a result, the game is idle for beginners or those who do not have much experience playing modern board games.
4. Viticulture
- Players: 1 – 6
On our number 4 of the top worker placement games, we have Viticulture. The game is themed after economics and farming. Additionally, it has phenomenal graphics and has one of the best gameplay.
Jamey Stegmaier, Morten Monrad Pedersen, and Alan Stone are the master designers behind the board. The players’ main objective is to own the most successful vineyard in Tuscany.
The game’s run time is between 45 to 90 minutes. The board has three sections and is divided into different seasons. The players’ role in the game is to harvest grapes, make wines, complete contracts, and collect points.
Viticulture game pack comes with 36 Mama & Papa cards, 18 Field cards, and 24 Automa cards. It also contains another 154 cards, among which the visitor cards provide various bonuses.
The game’s complexity is rated as a medium; hence, any player age 13 and above can enjoy it. Other than strategy, the game also depends on a bit of the lucky draw of the cards.
Viticulture is one of the worker replacement games with beautiful graphic details and pleasant gameplay. Therefore, the game is undoubtedly one of the top worker placement games you need to try.
3. Tzolk’in the Mayan Calendar
- Players: 2 – 4
If you are into ancient civilization-themed games, then the award-winning game Tzolk’in the Mayan Calendar is just the one for you. The game has a brilliant visual and is idle for aged 13 and above players.
Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini are the designers of the game. Aside from the visual, the game also features a mechanical game board with spinning inter-connected gears that add to its appeal.
The board features three god tracks where the players need to deliver crystal skulls to Chichen Itza. Similarly, the players also need to construct monuments and gain points during the gameplay.
The running time of this game is around 90 minutes, and time management is one of the crucial parts of the game. The game ends after the central gear makes one complete rotation. Then the player with the most points wins the game.
Tzolk’in the Mayan Calendar is a game where poor planning can lead to players missing out on huge opportunities. The game is one of the complex and heavy worker placement games.
The players will need to be innovative with their thinking and strategies. There is no better game than Tzolk’in the Mayan Calendar if you want to challenge yourself and your playmates.
2. Rajas of the Ganges
- Players: 2 – 4
Rajas of the Ganges is a game designed by Inka & Markus Brand and our number 2 of the top worker placement games. The game is attractive and has a clever twist that hooks the players.
The game has playtime between 45 minutes to 75 minutes. The most exciting feature of the game is its score tracking system. The standard score track has been entirely made upside-down.
Rajas of the Ganges is an economical, territory-building game typeset in 16th-century India with two tracks mainboard: a money track and a fame track. The players move in the opposite direction as the trail is progressed.
Players will have to perform various actions and acquire dice. Since the dice are random, the players may have to modify the dice by spending Karma, replacing dice, or acquiring new dice.
When any player’s fame and money markers cross each other, the end of the game is activated. The player with the money and fame markers past each other by the highest amount wins the game.
The complexity of the game is set as a medium. Therefore, it is idle for new players as well as seasoned players. Rajas of the Ganges will give you the best worker placement game experience with beautiful graphics and a twist of difference.
1. Agricola
- Players: 1 – 5
Our number 1 of the top worker placement games goes to one of the earliest worker placement games, Agricola. One of the earliest and best, Agricola is an animal and farming theme game.
Uwe Rosenburgh is the game designer and set in the post-plague Central Europe setup. The players play the part of the farmer and have to build, farm, and breed animals.
Similarly, the players need to develop strategies to plan and manage the resources. As the game progresses, action spaces also widen.
The game’s total playtime is between 30 minutes to 150 minutes. It has 14 rounds altogether, and the game’s difficulty will rise as it progresses. After the game is over, the score is tallied.
The players will get points for fields, houses, stables, improvements, and bonus points. However, they will lose points for every undeveloped spot on the player’s farm. The one with the highest score will win the game.
The game will prove difficult for beginners and can be rather punishing. It will also be quite a challenge for seasoned players as well.
However, the difficulty and need for innovative tactics is the selling point of Agricola. The game is an all-time classic favorite of many and will give you one of the best exhilarating worker placement game experiences.
Honorable Mentions
- Caylus 1303
- Stone Age
- A Feast for Odin
- Alien Frontiers
Conclusion
The work placement games are perfect for children and adults alike. They will test every player’s tactical skills and innovation. It will need a strategy from earning points and resources to assembling your team.
It will be a perfect challenge to pick up with your friends and family on game night. Whether a new gamer or a seasoned player, these games will provide you with an exhilarating and unique experience.
So, why not challenge each other to see who possesses the best genius mind on the team?
