Topics
What Are Engine Building Games?
Engine building games are all about creating efficient systems that generate resources and victory points. Think of it like building a machine that gets better and better as the game progresses.
Why We Love Them
- Satisfying Progression - Watching your engine grow is incredibly rewarding
- Strategic Depth - Multiple paths to victory
- Replayability - Different strategies each game
Our Top 5 Engine Builders
1. Wingspan
The bird game that took the world by storm. Beautiful artwork, fantastic production, and genuinely interesting gameplay.
Best for: Beginners, bird enthusiasts, medium weight gamers
2. Terraforming Mars
Transform Mars into a habitable planet while building your corporate engine. Deep, complex, and incredibly thematic.
Best for: Experienced gamers, sci-fi fans, 3-hour game sessions
3. Splendor
The gateway drug to engine building. Simple rules, quick gameplay, but deceptively strategic.
Best for: New gamers, quick games, teaching engine building concepts
4. Race for the Galaxy
Fast-paced space-themed card game with incredible depth. Once you learn the iconography, it flies.
Best for: Card game fans, experienced gamers, shorter playtimes
5. Gizmos
Marble-powered engine building with a fantastic table presence. Build weird machines that generate bonuses.
Best for: People who like shiny things, marble enthusiasts, medium complexity
Tips for New Players
- Start Small - Don’t try to do everything at once
- Focus on Synergies - Look for cards/actions that work together
- Don’t Neglect End Game - A good engine means nothing if you can’t score points
- Practice Makes Perfect - Your first game will be rough, but it gets better
Final Thoughts
Engine building games scratch a particular itch that few other genres can match. There’s something deeply satisfying about building an efficient machine and watching it produce results.
Got questions? Hit us up at game night!