Have you ever sat down at a board game table, eyes darting over a setup that looks like a small army just rolled in? Pieces scattered, cards fanned out, tokens piled on a dozen spots, and a rulebook thicker than your average novel. Intimidating, right? It might make you think, “This must be some super-complicated strategy game where only geniuses survive.” But here is the kicker: complex setup does not always mean complex strategy. Weird, huh? Like a huge library full of short stories or a fancy cake with just two flavors inside.
There is something magical about walking into a board game with a sprawling, detailed board, mountains of components, and piles of cards…and then realizing you do not have to have a PhD in tactical warfare to have a great time. Some games are masters of disguise, wearing the mask of complexity but letting you breeze through with simple, elegant strategies. And other times, games look pretty chill at first but throw curveballs that turn your head into a pretzel. Game design has a knack for surprising us.
This is not about judging a game by its cover or setup. It is about learning how to spot when a big, busy game is actually gentle and beginner-friendly, or when it asks you to juggle flaming swords from the get-go. Because knowing this can save hours of frustration, and maybe even a friendship or two. Let us unpack this a bit, with some stories, laughs, and cool insights from board games that many people do not talk about but should.
Why So Many Pieces?
Have you noticed that many wonderful games have a ton of bits? If you are like me, you have stared into those boxes with the serious “Where do I even start?” expression. What is all this stuff for?
Sometimes, the setup is a storyteller. Every token, every card, every tiny plastic meeple is part of a world you are invited to explore. The setup performs a show-and-tell. It is like the opening scene in a movie, setting the stage, mood, and possible adventures. Take Scythe, for example—a game that might scare you with its hex tiles, power tokens, and factions everywhere. But once you figure out that you do not have to control everything at once, and that building a small engine gently stacks up victory points, the whole thing feels more like a slow dance than a whirlwind battle.
Board games often pile on components to give you choices and variety. But choices do not have to be overwhelming or confusing. Instead, they offer room for creativity. Think of it like having a big box of crayons, but only needing three colors to make your picture pop.
When Setup Is a Puzzle, But Strategy Is a Straight Line
Okay, imagine you open a box to find dozens of cards, several boards, loads of tokens, and weird little miniatures. You feel your brain quietly panicking. But hold your horses. Many games use complicated setups to build atmosphere and keep things interesting between plays, not to crank the difficulty up. The trick is to learn where your real focus lies.
Look at Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon. Huge board, lots of cards, monsters, gear. It feels like a marathon. But if you focus on basic survival—resting when needed, upgrading your gear just enough, and moving forward on the story—the strategy is straightforward. The complicated setup creates scope and flavor but does not necessarily mean you have to juggle too much at once.
It is like cooking a fancy dinner with many ingredients but following just a simple recipe. You get the experience and taste of something big and bold, but the steps are easy to follow.
Simple Strategies That Win Big
Lots of times, the best moves in games with complex setups are surprisingly simple. “Focus on one thing. Grow small, then bigger.” That kind of wisdom rings true across many obscure and popular games alike. It is the “slow and steady” that wins, not the “all-in and panic.”
- Pick your battles: Try not to be everywhere at once. Choose a path, commit.
- Build a little engine: Collect resources, make small upgrades, repeat.
- Ignore what looks fancy: Do not get distracted by shiny stuff unless it helps you reach your goal.
One hidden gem that nails this principle is Vinhos. It looks dense, with wine tokens, vineyard plots, market cards, and more. But the secret is to slowly improve your vineyard one step at a time. Focus on making good wine, selling it well, and managing your resources carefully. No secret ninja moves required.
In fact, sometimes players get trapped thinking “More components = harder strategy” and end up chasing impossible combos or multi-step plans that break under pressure. The more relaxed approach of making steady progress without sweating every detail often beats “overthinking to death.”
Why Do Designers Bother With Complex Setup Then?
Good question. Sometimes, complexity in setup is about choice, not difficulty—the difference is huge. Imagine a big toolbox. It might look scary, but only a few tools get used for most jobs. The others are there when you want to get creative or try something new.
Game designers often want to deliver a rich playground for players who want different things from the game. That might mean:
- Lots of pieces to customize your play style—or your story.
- Multiple paths to victory, so every game feels different.
- Visual and tactile delights that make the game enjoyable on many levels.
But they also know new players need to start somewhere safe. Many games come with layers you can peel back over time, starting simple and only bringing in more complexity when you are ready. It is like meeting a new person—sometimes you start with small talk before you get into the juicy stories.
A Few Lesser-Known Games That Teach This Lesson Well
Let me introduce you to some games that look like brain-busters but let you cruise on a simple, clever strategy:
The Networks
Setup looks busy: cards everywhere, tokens for viewers, money, action disks… But the actual core strategy is easy: build your TV network slowly, pick shows that earn viewers, upgrade your stations, and watch your audience grow. The setup offers variety, but you do not have to pull off complicated combos to win. Just steady growth.
Between Two Cities
Full of tiles and color-coded buildings, it looks a little like a puzzle marathon. But really, your strategy is “build your city, help your neighbors, score points.” No mind-boggling moves needed, just smart placement and cooperation.
Everdell
This game comes packed with cards, tokens, and a cute critter theme. Players often expect a complex economic dance, but the real secret is to focus on building a nice tableau of cards. You do not have to control the entire board; instead, just pick good combos and keep your resources flowing. And enjoy the adorable art while you are at it.
Does This Mean You Should Always Avoid Complicated Games?
Not at all. Some players live for complexity. They want their brains pushed to the edge, every choice a puzzle. But even if you are one of those people, knowing that setup complexity and gameplay difficulty are not the same can save time and improve your experience.
On the flip side, if you find yourself staring blankly at a complicated setup, wondering how to even start, remember: it might be hiding an accessible strategy underneath. Take a breath, find the core tasks, and treat everything else as window dressing at first. Games are meant to be fun, not a test you dread.
Think about your favorite complicated game. What if the setup was intimidating but your winning strategy was just “grow a little each turn”? That is not cheating or ignoring the game; it is smart playing. Games reward simple, clever moves more often than crazy complicated ones.
So, What Should You Take Away From All This?
Next time you open a board game box and feel overwhelmed by the pieces, cards, and boards, stop. Look for the heart of the game. Find the simplest winning strategy. It is probably right there, under the complex setup, waiting for you to notice.
Complex does not always mean hard. Sometimes, those sprawling setups are big, friendly invitations to play and experiment without stress. Other times, they tease you with depth but let you start small and grow into the full experience. And the best games—the ones you remember long after the final turn—create worlds where you can feel smart and relaxed at the same time.
So, the next time you sit down for a game night, do not let the setup scare you. Look under the hood. And remember: sometimes the trick is not to overthink, but to enjoy the ride and play your own kind of simple magic.