MCR board games guide - player counts and complexity

Oct 6, 2026

Upload by Sarah

Guide for choosing board games in the MCR collection, organized by maximum player count from fewer to more players. Explains how player count can affect enjoyment, noting that lower counts may reduce interesting complexity while higher counts can become chaotic or slow. Covers game duration with guidance for first-time learning, plus complexity assessment using grouped ranges rather than precise numbers. Includes recommended player counts, durations, and complexity levels for listed games and ends with submission contacts and source references.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryComic

FormatPDF

Pages43

Reading Time16 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Player count

Duration

Complexity

2 Players

4 Players

Introduction Welcome to the MCR board games guide. The intent of this guide is to help you find games in the MCR you might like to play. Games are listed below in sections based on the maximum number of players, sorted from lowest to highest complexity. Player count While games often list a range of players they are designed to work with, they may not work equally well at all player counts . For example, some games may say they work with two players, but it may become less interesting because it’s easier to calculate all possible outcomes. On the other hand, the upper limit on players may be high, but become too chaotic or take far too long with many players. Duration How long a game takes is very dependent on how well the players know it. It’s very helpful to have someone who already knows the game to help you learn it. If it’s everyone’s first time playing, you should probably add an extra 50% on top of what’s listed while everyone learns. If you have people who try to play optimally and like to think a long time about their turns, add another 25% on top of that. Complexity The exact numbers for the complexity ratings are not very helpful so the table groups them into categories as below. It’s difficult to boil the complexity of a game down into a single number, but generally complexity refers to things like how many rules it has and how complex they are, the number of different systems in the game, the options available to you on your turn, and how far ahead you might need to think in order to work out what your best option is. | Low | Medium | Medium high | High | Very high | Extreme | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1-2 | 2-2.5 | 2.5-3 | 3-3.5 | 3.5-4 | 4+ | Please send comments, requests, or recommendations to the Video and Board Games Subcommittee Chair: Michal Staniaszek ( [michal.staniaszek@keble.ox.ac. uk](michal.staniaszek@keble.ox.ac. uk)) Recommended player counts and complexity ratings come from [boardgamegeek.com](boardgamegeek.com). 2 Players | Name | Box | Players | Duration | Complexity | Description | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Klask | | 2 | 10 | 1.05
low | Dexterity game where you win by hitting a ball into your opponent’s goal with a magnetised striker while avoiding the magnetic obstacles. Hit the obstacles to narrow your opponent’s field of play while avoiding the dreaded KLASK – moving your own striker into your goal. Fast, fun, and tactical. | | Codenames Duet | | 2 | 15-30 | 1.36
low | Two-player version of the classic party game. The same word-association clue giving, but players alternate. Also playable with bigger groups as a more cooperative version of codenames. | | Jaipur | | 2 | 30 | 1.46
low | Vie for the title of best trader by picking and selling goods. The earlier you sell the more points you get, but selling more at once gives you a bonus. Use camels to your advantage to sweep up multiple goods in one turn. Can you strike the right balance between collecting and selling? | | Royal Visit | | 2 | 20-30 | 1.66
low | The king and his guards are in town, and you need to persuade him to visit your chateau over your rival’s. Select the cards you need to move characters, or use the wizard or jester’s powers to drastically shift the game. Speedy tactical positioning, and beautifully illustrated to boot. | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Air, Land & Sea | | 2 | 20 | 1.68
low | Battle it out in three theatres of war, taking turns deploying cards which allow you to interfere with your opponent’s plans or surprise them. Quick, easy to learn, and tactical. Try it out even if the theme doesn’t seem like your thing. | | Fungi | | 2 | 30 | 1.74
low | Pick mushrooms from the forest into your hand and cook them in a pan (optionally with butter or cider) to get points. The more the better! Collect the right cards and pay attention to what’s coming up to get the better of your opponent. Bonus: pretty drawings of mushrooms. | | Star Rea

FAQs

How does player count affect game suitability?

Games may list a range of players, but they often work better at some counts than others. Too few players can make outcome calculation easier and less interesting, while too many can feel chaotic or take much longer.

What should you do if it’s everyone’s first time playing?

Add about 50% to the listed duration so there is time for everyone to learn as they play.

Why are complexity numbers grouped into categories?

The guide notes that exact complexity numbers are not very helpful as a single measure. Complexity generally reflects how many rules and how complex they are, the number of systems, available options, and how far ahead players must think.

Oct 6, 2026

Upload by Sarah