Cooperative games are one of the most popular genres in the tabletop arena. Unlike competitive games, players work together to accomplish a common goal, which may involve defeating an enemy, completing a timed task, or solving a puzzle. The appeal of cooperative games is their emphasis on social interaction and shared experience. Everyone wins together or loses together. Not only are they a great introduction to the hobby for nongamers, but they are also challenging enough for experienced gamers to enjoy.

Pandemic and beyond

In the popular game Pandemic, players race to cure four diseases by collecting sets of cards before infections spread worldwide. Pandemic and its numerous variations include special player powers and multiple loss conditions. Although more luck dependent, Pandemic: The Cure will appeal to anyone looking for a shorter game length in which dice are the primary component. Pandemic: Cthulhu has a Lovecraftian theme, with players combat cultists awaking Cthulhu. Pandemic: Iberia, which takes place in 19th-century Spain and Portugal, adds thematic actions, such as building railroads and purifying water, to fight diseases. Pandemic: Iberia also offers alternative ways to increase the game’s difficulty that regular Pandemic lacks.

Forbidden Island is a great introductory cooperative game for beginners and children. Similarly to Pandemic, players collect sets of treasure cards. Actions include moving around the island and shoring up sinking tiles. If the water rises too high or particular tiles, such as the helicopter’s launchpad, are removed, the group loses. Collect all four treasures and fly off the island to win. In the sequel, Forbidden Desert, players assemble an ancient steampunk ship while contending with a sandstorm that makes the board impassable. Players risk getting buried in the sand or dying from the desert heat.

In Flash Point: Fire Rescue, firefighters save a family from a burning house. On a turn, players extinguish fires, break through walls with an ax, clear smoke, and carry people to safety. Between turns, smoke and fire spread throughout the house based on dice rolls. The firefighting theme is accessible for younger ages. There are advanced rules for experienced gamers as well as a two-sided board for variety.

Real-time games

Real-time cooperative games are a subgenre in which players take turns simultaneously and continuously in a limited amount of time. Be aware that these games are chaotic and may not appeal to everyone. Escape: The Curse of the Temple has a similar theme to the opening scene of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, in which the group must escape a maze in ten minutes. Players roll five dice. Certain combinations reveal unseen rooms, move pawns among rooms, and collect gems. If a curse symbol is rolled, that die cannot be used again until a player or one of their teammates rolls another symbol. Sticking with those companions makes it is easier to acquire gems, but it will take longer to find the exit as a group. The included sound track functions as a timer as well as provides ambiance. If any person is left in the temple, then everyone loses.

In Magic Maze, the goal is to steal four magical items and then exit the mall. A sand timer represents getting caught by security. Each player has an assigned ­direction and/or action. For example, one person can only move pawns west on the board, while another can move pawns up escalators. Unlike with most cooperative games, players cannot talk unless a pawn is on a special timer space. The space both flips over the sand timer and allows the group to speak briefly about strategy. Including multiple scenarios to increase the difficulty, Magic Maze is faster and quieter than Escape: The Curse of the Temple.

Small card games

Hanabi is a pocket-sized game that plays in 15–20 minutes. Players play five sets of cards in increasing numerical value from one to five. They cannot see their own hand of cards. Instead, cards are turned toward teammates, who give clues about either a card’s color or value. Memory and clues allow the group to arrange cards in the correct order. Players score points for each card played for a high of 25. With a Sherlock Holmes theme, Beyond Baker Street will appeal to anyone who is familiar with Hanabi’s gaming mechanics but wants an added layer of depth and ­complexity.

The Grizzled is a hand management game about surviving war. Reveal the peace card at the bottom of the deck and have no cards remaining in hand to win. Symbols on cards represent hazards World War I soldiers faced: bullets, snow, etc. In each mission, participants take turns playing as many cards from their hand as possible. If three of the same hazard symbol appear, the mission is lost. The group offsets hazards by using special player powers or by giving a speech, which removes one hazard from all players’ hands. Hard knock cards are obstacles that hinder the group’s ability to complete missions or work together. For example, the “mute” card prevents one person from talking to everyone else. Gamers who enjoy complicated cooperative games should seek this out, but beginners may find it overwhelming.

Whether winning or losing together, remember to have fun!

Chris Wilkes is Adult Services Librarian, Tazewell County Public Library, VA