Top Worker Placement Board Games of 2023

As an adult, it's surprising to admit that work can sometimes be fun and games. In worker placement tabletop games, this concept comes to life, where you guide your team through various tasks and adventures, striving towards end goals. These games offer diverse worlds and themes to explore, depending on your choice. Here's a curated list of my current favorite worker placement games, featuring both new and classic titles.

TLDR: The Best Board Worker Placement 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 prefer to skip the detailed descriptions, you can browse all the games listed in the convenient side-scrolling catalog above. For those interested in learning more about each game, continue reading.

Viticulture

### Viticulture

0See it at AmazonAges: 14+Players: 1-6Play Time: 45-90 minsViticulture, designed by Jamey Stegmaier, offers a delightful journey to Tuscany, where players manage their family's inherited vineyard to create successful wineries. The game involves building your vineyard, harvesting grapes, bottling wine, and selling it to fulfill orders across multiple years. Viticulture can be played competitively in its original form or cooperatively with the Viticulture World edition (see at Amazon).

Yokohama

### Yokohama

0See it at AmazonAges: 14+Players: 2-4Play Time: 90 minsYokohama immerses players in the bustling port city near Tokyo, Japan, where they build their business empire. Use your team of workers to strategically gather resources, develop technologies, and complete orders. While the game can be complex, turns flow smoothly once you understand the mechanics. It's best enjoyed with three players according to Board Game Geek.

Unconscious Mind

### Unconscious Mind

0See it at Asmodee StoreAges: 12+Players: 2-4Play Time: 60-120 mins (or longer)Unconscious Mind delves into the themes of psychology and grief, offering one of the most visually stunning games available. Its complex gameplay allows for deep strategic planning in movement and timing. The Nightmares expansion adds more challenging elements, although it can be softened with pieces like the fireworks and gramophone. Be prepared for a longer game session than the box suggests, as setup and teaching time can extend playtime significantly.

Wayfarers of The South Tigris

### Wayfarers of The South Tigris

0See it at AmazonAges: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 60-90 minsWayfarers of The South Tigris combines dice rolling with worker placement, offering a surprisingly enjoyable experience. The game's strategic depth, tied to dice rolls, provides rewarding combinations of actions and decisions. Though initially intimidating, especially for those new to heavier Euro games, it offers substantial replayability due to its tight resources and multiple decision points. Don't miss out on this fun and engaging game.

Darwin’s Journey

### Darwin’s Journey

0See it at AmazonAges: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 30-120 minsDarwin's Journey allows players to explore and discover like the famous scientist himself across three islands. Easy to learn and highly replayable, this game is visually appealing and accessible both in physical and online formats. It's a hit with both seasoned and casual players, making it a worthwhile addition to any collection.

Fromage

### Fromage

0See it at Allplay StoreAges: 14+Players: 1-4Play Time: 40 minsFromage offers a light-hearted and quick game about crafting and selling award-winning cheeses across France. Build structures, manage livestock, and fill orders in this enjoyable game perfect for gatherings. Its Italian counterpart, Formaggio, will satisfy any cravings for Italian cuisine.

The Gallerist

### The Gallerist

0See it at Eagle-Griphon GamesAges: 12+Players: 1-4Play Time: 120 minsThe Gallerist challenges players to run an art gallery, discovering artists, displaying their work, and attracting patrons with discerning tastes. Be warned, this game ranks highly in complexity on Board Game Geek, making it less suitable for beginners. It's a fitting representation of the art world's challenges.

Septima

### Septima

0See it at Mind Clash GamesAges: 12+Players: 1-6Play Time: 50-100 minsSeptima captivates with its extraordinary art and witch-themed gameplay. Build covens, gather herbs, brew potions, and survive witch hunters and trials in this engaging and accessible game. The expansion adds shapeshifting, enhancing the game's already impressive artwork. It's enjoyable both in multiplayer and solo modes.

Rock Hard: 1977

### Rock Hard: 1977

0See it at AmazonAges: 14+Players: 2-5Play Time: 90 minsRock Hard: 1977, created by Jackie Fox of The Runaways, lets players live out their rockstar dreams. With stunning components and an amp-shaped player board, it was a fan favorite at Gen Con. However, be aware that the game includes heavy themes that might not be suitable for all players due to its realistic portrayal of the rockstar lifestyle.

Age of Comics: The Golden Years

### Age of Comics: The Golden Years

0See it at AmazonAges: 13+Players: 1-4Play Time: 50-120 minsAge of Comics: The Golden Years lets players build a comic book catalog during the Golden Age. Hire artists, writers, and inkers to create and publish comics, competing with other players to reach fandom. The pulpy art style is appealing even to non-comic fans, and the game's mechanics allow for creativity without needing original ideas. It's easy to learn and playable solo or with up to four players, best enjoyed with three.