Top Worker Placement Board Games of 2023

Something I didn’t expect to say as an adult is that sometimes, believe it or not, work can be fun and games. In worker placement tabletop games, they literally can be. In this form of gameplay, you take your team through different tasks and adventures as you build toward end goals. There are many different worlds you can choose to embark on, or themes to try, depending on the game you choose. This list has some of my latest favorites, including both newer and older worker placement games.

TLDR: The Best Worker Placement Board Games to Play Now

### Viticulture

0See it at Amazon### Yokohama

0See it at Amazon### Unconscious Mind

0See it at Asmodee Store### Wayfarers of The South Tigris

0See it at Amazon### Darwin’s Journey

0See it at Amazon### Fromage

0See it at Allplay Store### The Gallerist

0See it at Eagle-Griphon Games### Septima

0See it at Mind Clash Games### Rock Hard: 1977

0See it at Amazon### Age of Comics: The Golden Years

0See it at AmazonIf you don't need no stinkin' blurbs, you can see all the games in this article in the handy side-scrolling catalog above. If you do want to read about the games, however, just keep on reading.

Viticulture

### Viticulture

0See it at AmazonAges: 14+Players: 1-6Play Time: 45-90 minsViticulture, designed by Jamey Stegmaier of Scythe fame, is a delightful journey to the region of Tuscany, where players take their family's inheritance to create successful wineries. The game revolves around building a vineyard, harvesting grapes, bottling wine, and selling it. To achieve this, you’ll need to use your workers wisely during the available time in the season. Players play across multiple years, building their wineries and aging wine to fulfill orders. Gather your friends and raise a glass to Viticulture, which is playable competitively in its original iteration or as a cooperative board game in the Viticulture World edition (see at Amazon).

Yokohama

### Yokohama

0See it at AmazonAges: 14+Players: 2-4Play Time: 90 minsYokohama is a board game set in the bustling port city near Tokyo, Japan. Players manage a team of workers to build their business, strategically gaining resources, developing technologies, and completing orders to grow their trading empire. The game is moderately complex, but once you get the hang of it, turns flow smoothly. It can be played with two to four players, but according to Board Game Geek, it’s best enjoyed with three.

Unconscious Mind

### Unconscious Mind

0See it at Asmodee StoreAges: 12+Players: 2-4Play Time: 60-120 mins (or longer)Unconscious Mind is a deep Euro game centered on psychology and grief, and one of the most visually stunning games I own. Gameplay is intricate, offering layered strategies in movement and timing to execute moves effectively. The Nightmares expansion adds further complexities for those seeking a challenge, while pieces like fireworks and the gramophone lighter provide a softer experience for others. A heads-up: this game requires significant setup time, teaching time, and gameplay time, often more than the box suggests. Be prepared for a longer gaming session when you sit down with this one.

Wayfarers of The South Tigris

### Wayfarers of The South Tigris

0See it at AmazonAges: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-90 minsWayfarers is a delightful mix of dice and worker placement that pleasantly surprised me with its fun factor. The worker placement mechanics are tied to dice rolls, adding an element of chance to your actions and decisions, which can be highly rewarding when they align. The game offers a vast decision space, which can initially seem daunting, especially for those new to heavier Euro games. I was initially intimidated but thoroughly enjoyed it when I played a three-player game. With tight resources and multiple key decisions, it provides ample replayability. Don't pass on this game – you'll miss out on a lot of fun.

Darwin’s Journey

### Darwin’s Journey

0See it at AmazonAges: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30-120 minsIf you've ever dreamed of being a scientific explorer like Darwin, you'll love playing Darwin’s Journey. Compete against fellow explorers and the legendary Darwin across three islands by boat and land to discover nature and science for your museum. This game is easy to navigate and highly replayable. It's visually appealing on the table and also accessible online. However, a physical copy is well worth it, as it's a hit with both seasoned and casual players.

Fromage

### Fromage

0See it at Allplay StoreAges: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 40 minsIf you're craving a new game perfect for friends or dates (including solo ones), Fromage is a great choice, especially with its food-themed gameplay. This relaxed simultaneous board game involves making and selling award-winning cheeses across France. Players build structures, tend to livestock, and fill orders in this quick-to-play game. The Italian version, Formaggio, further satisfies my taste buds, making me crave Parmigiano even more.

The Gallerist

### The Gallerist

0See it at Eagle-Griphon GamesAges: 12+Players: 1-4Play Time: 120 minsTrue to its name, The Gallerist is a board game about managing an art gallery. Players discover artists, display their art, and attract sophisticated patrons to their gallery. A heads-up before you grab a bottle of vino and your cheeseboard to open shop: this is not a beginner-friendly game. It ranks at a 4.24 out of 5 for complexity on Board Game Geek, so consider yourself warned. Just like the real art world, it can be challenging to get into.

Septima

### Septima

0See it at Mind Clash GamesAges: 12+Players: 1-6Play Time: 50-100 minsSome games have art that truly captivates, and as a colorful goth, I found the art in Septima extraordinary. This accessible and user-friendly game revolves around the theme of witches. Players build covens, collect herbs, brew potions, and survive witch hunters and trials. Despite the challenges of losing allied witches to an angry mob, I loved it. I highly recommend finding your own coven to play it. It's also enjoyable solo. Plus, the expansion with shapeshifting and animals adds even more beautifully designed artwork.

Rock Hard: 1977

### Rock Hard: 1977

0See it at AmazonAges: 14+Players: 2-5Play Time: 90 minsRock Hard 1977 is a worker placement game that lets you unleash your inner rockstar. Created by legendary bassist Jackie Fox of The Runaways, it features stunning components that help players rock their way to stardom. The player board is shaped like an amp, paired with your favorite head icon. It was a fan favorite at Gen Con. A user warning, however: this game deals with heavy themes and is not suitable for those unprepared to encounter some potentially distressing content, which, while part of the rockstar life, can be unsettling if you're not ready for it.

Age of Comics: The Golden Years

### Age of Comics: The Golden Years

0See it at AmazonAges: 13+Players: 1-4Play Time: 50-120 minsIf you're a fan of comics, like me, you'll appreciate Age of Comics: The Golden Years, where you build a catalogue of comics during the Golden Age. Hire artists, writers, and inkers to design your books and race against other players in their publishing journeys to create and sell comics to reach fandom. The art is full of pulpy goodness, but you don't need to be a comic book fan to enjoy the game. You don't even need original ideas to produce books in the game – sometimes, you have to fake it until you make it. In Age of Comics, you can do both. This game is playable with up to four players but is best with three. Like Septima, it can also be enjoyed solo. It's one of the easiest games on this list to learn.