Family Fun - Enjoying Games as a Family

Of course, one of the main reasons I play games...

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I pretty much only play games with my family. I did have a semi-regular kind of group when I lived in the city but moving away to a regional area, commuting, means I don't really have anyone else to play with!

But this is not a complaint.

2 things happily coincided, I think.
One is that I realised it was DUMB to purchase games that I wasn't going to get played. Given that I largely played with the family, this ruled out a bunch of stuff I was interested in and I had to come to terms with that. Which wasn't that hard.
Two though is that I started to appreciate that what I really like in boardgames are the kind of games that actually work pretty well for families. And that is the kind of game that has simple rules, and heads-up kind of play - i.e., where people have to focus on each other, rather than on whatever puzzle the game is trying to get you to solve. I think when games are doing this they are at their best. But that kind of thing is also ideal for a family game. Often, games like that let you adjust the playstyle so you can absolutely go for the throat, or, sit back and chill and enjoy the ride. They are ripe for family drive meta and jokes with regular play. Ther'es nothing to forget when it comes to rules, so when you blow the dust of the cover after a couple of years you can jump straight back in. Or when grandma comes to visit. There's just so many plusses to that kind of game.

Now, yes, my family members like different things, so, depending on who is around, different things will be played - but those features are hallmarks of the best of them.