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The roll and write genre has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, offering a fresh take on the classic board game mechanics first popularized by Yahtzee. In these games, players roll dice or flip cards, using the results to mark their individual score sheets. This simple yet engaging concept has led to a variety of innovative and sophisticated gameplay experiences, appealing to a broad audience due to its accessibility and immediate gratification. The genre's success lies in its blend of creativity and structured rules, making it easy for new players to dive in while still offering depth for seasoned gamers. Below, we highlight some of the top roll and write games that exemplify the best the genre has to offer.
TL;DR: The Best Roll and Write Games
- Rolling Realms
- Marabunta
- The Fox Experiment
- Twilight Inscription
- Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up
- Welcome To... Your Perfect Home
- My City: Roll & Build
- Railroad Ink
- Next Station: London
- Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n Write
- Cartographers
- Long Shot: The Dice Game
- Three Sisters
- Fleet: The Dice Game
- Sagrada Artisans
- Motor City
Rolling Realms
See it at Amazon
Rolling Realms stands out by integrating mini-games inspired by other board games, each represented on a card. Players navigate through nine rolls across three realms, then switch to new realms for another round, repeating this process twice. The charm lies in these realms, which are engaging microcosms of their source games, offering family-friendly puzzles. For those seeking more challenges, the standalone sequel, Rolling Realms Redux, introduces even more complex realms that can be played alone or mixed with the original set.
Marabunta
See it at Amazon
Designed by the renowned Reiner Knizia, Marabunta is a two-player roll and write game that captures the struggle between ant tribes over hexes filled with resources like cupcakes. Players use dice to expand their influence across color-coded hexes or gain bonuses that impact the final score. Knizia's signature blend of spatial and mathematical strategy shines here, making Marabunta a unique entry in the genre.
The Fox Experiment
See it at Amazon
Inspired by a real-life experiment on fox domestication, The Fox Experiment, designed by Elizabeth Hargrave, uses dice to simulate genetic heredity. Players breed foxes, aiming to select traits that help meet end-game goals. This game is more complex than many roll and writes but rewards players with its innovative use of dice and engaging theme.
Twilight Inscription
See it at Amazon
Twilight Inscription brings the expansive universe of Twilight Imperium into the roll and write format, condensing the 4X genre's exploration, exploitation, expansion, and extermination into a 90-minute game. Players manage separate sheets representing different aspects of their space empires, choosing actions strategically. This game offers a depth and scope more akin to a full-fledged strategy game, making it a standout in the genre.
Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up
See it at Amazon
Super Skill Pinball: Ramp It Up replicates the thrill of a pinball machine using dice and a pen. Players navigate through one of four tables, hitting bumpers and targets based on dice rolls, with the challenge of not reusing boxes. This creates a fascinating puzzle that combines strategy and excitement, with Ramp It Up being the best of its sets.
Welcome To... Your Perfect Home
See it at Amazon
Welcome To is a flip and write game that involves town planning. Players select house numbers and building effect cards to create suburban streets, balancing house numbers with various bonuses. It's satisfying and strategic, and for those seeking more complexity, there's a sci-fi version, Welcome To The Moon.
My City: Roll & Build
See it at Amazon
Based on Reiner Knizia's My City, this roll and write game features a campaign structure, with each 30-minute session introducing new rules. This gradual increase in complexity is rewarding, and the game remains flexible, allowing players to enjoy episodes as one-offs. It's an engaging game that supports multiple plays.
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
See it at Amazon | Also at Target
Railroad Ink challenges players to create a transport network on a grid using custom dice. The goal is to link exits efficiently, balancing immediate connections with future possibilities. The Deep Blue edition, which includes rivers and lakes, adds variety to the game, though other editions with different themes are also available.
Next Station: London
See it at Amazon
A flip and write game, Next Station: London uses pencil colors to enhance gameplay. Players start from different stations and build their networks, aiming to cross districts and connect lines. The game's simplicity belies its strategic depth, with players swapping pencils and starting anew, creating vibrant and challenging maps.
Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n Write
See it at Amazon
Dinosaur Island: Rawr 'n Write elevates the genre with its complexity and depth. Players use dice to gather resources and build a dinosaur theme park, managing attractions, staff, and security. The game concludes with a tour route, scoring points while avoiding disasters, offering a rich and thematic experience.
Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale
See it at Amazon | Also at Target
Cartographers introduces player interaction to the genre with its flip and write mechanics. Players map out a fantasy kingdom, but must contend with monster cards that force them to draw negative icons on their neighbors' maps. This adds a personal touch and enhances the game's thematic world-building.
Long Shot: The Dice Game
See it at Barnes and Noble
Long Shot: The Dice Game brings the excitement of horse racing to the roll and write genre. Players bet on horses based on dice rolls, with the option to buy horses for special powers and bonuses. The game's interaction and thematic depth set it apart, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.
Three Sisters
See it at Amazon
Three Sisters rewards players for achieving specific combinations of rolls and scores. Players manage a garden, growing crops and flowers, and using action chains to gain bonus actions. This strategic depth and action chaining make it a standout in the genre.
Fleet: The Dice Game
See it at Amazon
Fleet: The Dice Game challenges players to manage a fishing fleet, using dice to buy licenses or launch boats. The interconnected options and thematic elements, including mock mother of pearl dice, make this game a fun and engaging choice.
Sagrada Artisans
See it at Amazon
Sagrada Artisans builds on the original Sagrada, allowing players to color in their stained-glass windows. As a campaign game, it offers ten sessions with increasing complexity, maintaining a Zen-like feel while providing a satisfying conclusion.
Motor City
See it at Amazon
Motor City, from the designers of Three Sisters and Fleet, mirrors car production lines. Players use dice-drafting to coordinate vehicle design, engineering, testing, production, and sales. This innovative approach offers a strategic challenge that stands out in the genre.
For more gaming inspiration, explore our list of the best board games of all time and the best puzzle tables, including a versatile table by Bits and Pieces perfect for cards and board games.
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