Video game studios are not exactly known for transforming their bestselling titles into 2D relics.
Yet, from time to time, there come certain titles on the board game scene that carve an identity of their own, while also reminding you of what made the original video games popular.
Here are seven board games that perfectly captured the spirit of the original to become tabletop treasures:
The Witcher: Old World
Set aeons before Geralt of Rivia's time, this adaptation lets you play as a witcher from one of five schools. It sees 2-5 players travel across a vast map, embark on well-translated quests, make grey choices, and fight monsters (or sometimes other witchers!).
The first player to obtain 4-6 trophies wins the game.
Dark Souls: The Board Game
Prepare to have your patience tested: this one's punishingly tough!
This exploration-based board game for 1-4 players quickly immerses you, building a danger-ridden world around itself that calls for strategy to survive.
Teams dive into dungeons and face bosses with pattern-based attacks, while maintaining stamina along the way, making it stand in a class of its own.
Fallout: The Board Game
This dystopian adventure game for 1-4 players sees a number of scenarios, all inspired by the plotlines in the 'Fallout' games.
Players traipse through the world of the game with not just aggressiveness and skill, but also caution, because if a single faction rises to power too quickly, they will own the wasteland, and the survivors along with it.
Gears of War: The Board Game
Very closely based on the third-person shooter from Epic Games, the 'Gears of War' board game features 1-4 players as COG soldiers taking on their last stand against the Locust horde.
The point of the game is to fulfil one of seven randomly constructed missions and work as a team throughout the game's furious firefights—all while reliving nostalgic bits from the original games.
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game
This miniatures-heavy tactical action game for 1-4 players features a lot of hunting machines—a beautiful callback to the original games.
Combining innovative pattern-based plots with strategic deck building, this game doesn't just draw you into its gorgeous world—it makes sure you won't want to leave.
BioShock Infinite: The Siege of Columbia
Deviating from the shooter nature of the original games, the 'BioShock Infinite' board game is more strategy-based, giving (2 or 4) players the chance to play as one of two factions battling for control over Columbia, USA—the Founders, and the Vox Populi.
Blending area control with political manoeuvring, your team must stop at nothing to reach 10 victory points to win the game.
Stardew Valley: The Board Game
This is a much more calm, cooperative board game on farming and friendship, better suited to younger board game players.
Your goal is to complete Grandpa's Goals and restore the Community Center before the 20-card Season Deck is depleted.
In doing things like watering crops, fishing, exploring and more, the board game manages to capture the idyllic charm of one of gaming’s most relaxing worlds.