The Best Modern Strategy Board Games in India

New Delhi: In the growing world of modern board games, Zenwood Games is a standout from India. Offering thought-provoking and beautifully designed tabletop experiences, it focuses on unique gameplay, deep strategy, tons of replayability, and grounded storytelling. Zenwood is quickly becoming a favorite among Indian gamers and is gaining international recognition.

Zenwood Games has created an exciting array of modern board games, offering engaging mechanics and diverse themes that appeal to a wide range of players.

Parikrama – A Travel Card Game

Zenwood’s debut game, Parikrama, launched in 2022, takes players on a journey through India’s landscapes. Aimed at 2-4 players, this card game combines exploration with strategic planning, where travelers aim to complete a pattern of nine tiles while traveling across landscapes by playing journey cards and experiencing sights along the way. The game’s combination of set-collection and card management makes it a standout in India’s board game scene.

GridL

GridL is a fast-paced word-based deduction game perfect for parties or family gatherings. Suitable for 2-8 players, this game demands quick thinking and teamwork as two teams attempt to outmaneuver each other on a 5×5 grid. With simple rules but rich and hilarious gameplay, GridL showcases how Indian board games can blend social interaction with tactical decision-making.

Fortify

For fans of chess and territory control games, Fortify offers a challenging blend of strategic planning and tactical maneuvers. Players must enlist, attack, and fortify battle pieces of Infantry, Tanks, and Battleships while controlling key territories to win. Fortify has been praised for its replayability and deep strategy, making it one of the best Indian board games for lovers of 2-player tactical competition.

Kursi – A Political Strategy Game

In Kursi, players navigate the complex landscape of Indian politics, vying for control of the Kursi (political seat of power). This strategy board game simulates candidate appointment, election campaigns, rallying and governance. It is ideal for players who enjoy political intrigue and strategic decision-making and is available to order now!

Special Feature: Tycoon: India 1981 – A Kickstarter Triumph

Zenwood’s crowning achievement is Tycoon: India 1981, a game that explores the economic boom of 1980s India. Players become entrepreneurs, competing to build industrial empires across a map of 80s India. The game’s combination of money management, bidding, shareholding and strategic expansion makes it a favorite among fans of economic board games. Tycoon: India 1981 is considered the best economic strategy game to come out of India so far, with rave reviews from the international gaming community!

The Kickstarter campaign for Tycoon: India 1981 was a major success, raising approx 60,000 USD and selling over 1000 copies on pre-order, highlighting the growing global appeal of Indian-themed games. The campaign exceeded its funding goals, reflecting the excitement for Zenwood’s innovative designs. The game’s detailed historical context and immersive gameplay have cemented its status as one of the most anticipated tabletop games of the year.

Zenwood’s Impact on Indian Board Gaming Culture

Zenwood Games is helping to elevate Indian board games onto the global stage, creating experiences that are not only entertaining but also deeply connected to Indian history, politics, and culture. Their titles, like Parikrama, GridL, and Tycoon: India 1981, are setting a high standard for game design and production in the country.

Zenwood is contributing to the development of a burgeoning board game culture in India. The company’s focus on fun, strategy, and cultural relevance is introducing more people to the world of tabletop gaming, helping the hobby grow among new audiences.

Best Indian Board Games and Most Anticipated Releases

Zenwood’s games are quickly becoming some of the best Indian board games available, earning praise for their thoughtful design and engaging mechanics. Upcoming releases, such as the deluxe edition of Tycoon: India 1981 and Kursi, are highly anticipated by gamers both in India and abroad.

The driving force behind Zenwood Games is Sidhant Chand, a Mumbai-based designer whose passion for storytelling and game design began in childhood. Chand founded Zenwood to bring Indian culture and strategic depth into the board gaming world. His designs balance creativity and intellectual challenge, making Zenwood Games a rising star in the industry.

As Zenwood continues to grow, its role in shaping the future of tabletop gaming in India is undeniable. Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or a newcomer, Zenwood’s games offer something unique and engaging for everyone. Keep an eye on this company as they continue to produce some of the most anticipated board games in the industry, cementing India’s place in the global board gaming scene.