Thematic Games
Browse all Thematic board games in the Meeple Pulse database.
Styles
Themes
AbstractAdventureAncientAnimalsArtBusinessCard GameCo-operativeComic BookCooperativeCrimeEconomicEnvironmentalismExplorationFantasyHistoricalHorrorHumorIntrigueLiteraryMagicMarvelMedievalModernMuseumMysteryMythologyNatureNauticalPoliticalPress Your LuckSatireSci-FiSocial CommentarySocial InteractionSpaceSuperheroesThematicTravelWarWesternWord-Guessing
Mechanics
3D PlacementActingAction / DexterityAction DraftingAction Point AllowanceAction Point Allowance SystemAction Point SystemAction PointsAction ProgrammingAction QueueAction RetrievalAction SelectionAction/EventAlliancesAlternate ActivationApp-AssistedApp-DrivenArea ControlArea InfluenceArea MajorityArea Majority / InfluenceArea MovementArgumentationAsymmetricAsymmetric FactionsAsymmetric GameAsymmetric PowersAsymmetrical PowersAuction & BiddingAuction/BiddingAuctioningBag BuildingBettingBetting and BluffingBetting and WageringBetting and WagersBiddingBingoBlind BiddingBluffingCampaign / Battle Card DrivenCampaign / LegacyCampaign / Legacy GameCampaign / Mission-basedCampaign / ScenariosCampaign GameCampaign PlayCard DraftingCard DrawingCard DrivenCard Driven ActionCard Driven CombatCard Driven Dice AllocationCard Driven MovementCard ManagementCard PlayCard Play / Hand ManagementCard Play Conflict ResolutionCard SheddingCard-Driven MovementCharacter CreationCharacter ProgressionChit-Pull SystemCo-op PlayCo-operative GameCo-operative PlayCode-breakingCombat ResolutionCombo ChainCommand CardsCommodity SpeculationCommunication LimitsContract FulfillmentContractsCooperative GameCooperative GameplayCooperative PlayCooperative Trick-takingDebateDeck BuildingDeck ConstructionDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDeck-BuildingDeductionDexterityDice DraftingDice PlacementDice RollingDiplomatic InfluenceDraftingDynamic Battle SystemEnclosureEnd Game BonusesEngine BuildingEngine-BuildingEscape RoomEvent DrivenExplorationFarmingFlip and WriteFollowFollow ActionGrid CoverageGrid MovementHand ManagementHex-and-CounterHexagon GridHidden MovementHidden RolesI Cut You ChooseIncomeInfluence / Area MajorityLadder ClimbingLegacyLegacy ElementsLegacy GameLegacy SystemLimited CommunicationLine DrawingLine of SightMancalaMap MovementMarketMarket DraftingMarket ManipulationMarket MechanicMarket SpeculationMatchingMeasurement MovementMemoryMission ObjectivesModular BoardModular Board ConstructionMovement TemplatesMulti-Use CardsMulti-use CardsMultiple ScenariosMust FollowNarrative ChoiceNarrative Choice / ParagraphNegotiationNegotiation MechanicsNetwork & Route BuildingNetwork BuildingNetwork and Route BuildingOne vs ManyOne vs. ManyOpen DraftingPaper-and-PencilPartnershipsPattern BuildingPattern RecognitionPick-up and DeliverPlayer EliminationPlayer InteractionPlayer JudgePoint SaladPoint to Point MovementPolyominoesPush Your LuckPush-Your-LuckPuzzlePuzzle-LikePuzzle-SolvingRaceReal-TimeRecipe FulfillmentResource ManagementRole PlayingRole SelectionRoll / Spin and MoveRondelRoute BuildingRoute-BuildingRoute/Network BuildingSanity SystemScenario / Campaign PlayScenario / Mission / Campaign GameScenario / Mission FunctionSecret Unit DeploymentSemi-Cooperative GameSet CollectionSheddingSimulationSimultaneous ActionSimultaneous Action SelectionSimultaneous Hidden AllocationSocial DeductionSocial InteractionSolo / Solitaire GameSpace ExplorationStat Check / Skill CheckStock HoldingStorytellingStrategic PlanningTableau BuildingTactical Decision-MakingTake ThatTargeted CluesTeam PlayTeam-Based GameTeam-Based GuessingTeamworkTech TreesTech Trees / Tech TracksTechnology & Armament TracksTechnology TreeTension & Aggression TracksTile DraftingTile LayingTile PlacementTime TrackTime TravelTower DefenseTrack MovementTradingTrick-takingTug of WarTurn Order: PassTurn Order: Stat-BasedUnit PlacementVariable Phase OrderVariable Player PowersVariable Set-upVariable SetupVictory Point TracksVotingWord AssociationWord GameWord GuessingWord-GuessingWord-guessingWordplayWorker Placement
BoxNo Cover Art
Embark on a thrilling nautical adventure with the Sails of Glory Ship Pack: Diana 1792 / Proserpina 1797, a game that transports you to the high seas during the Age of Sail. As a captain of your own ship, you'll navigate treacherous waters, engage in intense naval battles, and make strategic decisions to emerge victorious. With detailed miniatures and intricate gameplay mechanics, this game is sure to captivate fans of historical strategy and naval warfare. (1) In this game, players take on the role of captains guiding their ships through a series of challenges and objectives, all while competing against rival vessels. The goal is to outmaneuver your opponents, complete missions, and earn the most prestige points by the end of the game. (2) Gameplay involves managing ship resources, allocating crew members, and executing precise maneuvers to achieve victory. Notable mechanics include ship-to-ship combat, naval exploration, and strategic trade-offs between offense and defense. (3) What sets this game apart is its immersive theme, stunning miniatures, and intense gameplay, making it a must-have for fans of historical strategy and naval warfare. With its rich history and intricate gameplay mechanics, Sails of Glory Ship Pack: Diana 1792 / Proserpina 1797 promises an unforgettable experience for players of all skill levels.
2-4 60m⚖️ 3.0
BoxNo Cover Art
Explore the golden age of sail with Sails of Glory's HMS Hamadryad 1797 and HMS Mahonesa 1796, two historically accurate ship models that bring the thrill of naval combat to life. In this game, you'll take on the role of a naval commander, issuing orders to your crew and making strategic decisions to outmaneuver your opponents. With its intricate miniatures and authentic historical context, Sails of Glory offers an immersive experience that will transport you back in time to the era of sail.
1-4 60m⚖️ 3.5

Set sail for a thrilling new chapter in the acclaimed undead-slaying franchise with 'Zombicide: Dead Men Tales'. Operating as a standalone cooperative board game, this highly anticipated release transports players into a vibrant, swashbuckling fantasy universe originally established by games like 'Black Plague'. Instead of grim medieval streets, survivors now navigate a treacherous tropical archipelago. You and your friends command a diverse crew of one to six pirate heroes—ranging from humans and elves to orcs and goblins—returning home only to discover that your island sanctuary has been overrun by a terrifying horde of the walking dead. Orchestrated by a corrupted mastermind known as 'The Governor', this undead plague threatens to consume everything. The ultimate goal is to work together seamlessly, surviving relentless waves of enemies while completing challenging scenario objectives, unearthing buried treasure, and leveling up your ragtag crew of buccaneers.
The core gameplay loop beautifully retains the accessible, dice-chucking action that fans adore, but it introduces several massive innovations that completely revitalize the experience. Most notably, the classic door-opening mechanics have been abolished; buildings are smaller, and hordes now continuously pour from numbered spawn areas and hidden coffins, creating a dynamic, ever-present threat. Navigation has also drastically evolved with the introduction of dangerous Sea Zones and exhilarating Rope Zones. Since pirates are surprisingly poor swimmers, players cannot safely cross the water. Instead, they must utilize rigging and masts to boldly swing across the map, leaping over flooded areas and unsuspecting enemies in a single bound. Meanwhile, zombies can eerily march beneath the ocean's surface, remaining untargetable until they breach the shores. Combat is further enhanced through the brand-new Baldric system, allowing survivors to strap on multiple archaic black powder pistols. These weapons require careful reloading but can be unleashed in a devastating, multi-barreled volley to clear entire zones of shambling horrors.
What truly sets this title apart is its profound dedication to thematic pirate immersion and narrative evolution. Scavenging for gear is deeply rewarding, featuring dual loot decks that offer specialized heavy armaments in wealthy governor areas or trusty cutlasses in pirate coves. The addition of mystical combat talismans and magical 'Grom' liquor provides players with exciting, temporary bursts of power to execute seemingly impossible stunts. Furthermore, your crew's journey is shaped by a compelling morality system, dynamically altering the campaign based on whether you choose to act as honorable heroes or ruthless scallywags. Coupled with a completely refreshed visual identity and stunning artwork, this swashbuckling adventure delivers a fresh, highly replayable cooperative experience that seamlessly blends tactical grid movement with narrative-rich fantasy horror.
1-6 90m⚖️ 2.5
BoxNo Cover Art
In the Sails of Glory Ship Pack: Bonhomme Richard 1779 / Bonhomme Richard, players take on the roles of naval commanders in a thrilling game of strategy and skill. The goal is to maneuver their ships through treacherous waters, engaging in battles with enemy vessels while maintaining control over the seas.
This game is designed for 3-4 players and takes approximately ~45 minutes to play. With its rich historical context and intricate ship designs, it offers a unique blend of gameplay mechanics that will test your strategic prowess.
The game features advanced rules for maneuvering ships, as well as a variety of scenarios that challenge players to adapt their tactics accordingly. The inclusion of deck guns and cannons adds an extra layer of realism, making each battle feel intense and unpredictable.
Whether you're a history buff or simply looking for a new gaming experience, the Sails of Glory Ship Pack is sure to captivate and entertain.
3-4 45m⚖️ 4.0
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