There are quite a number of subtypes board games fall under, yet competitive and cooperative board game types seem to be overarching most others. If you like the feeling of competition and rivalry between players, competitive is definitely the way to go. On the other hand, if you like teamwork and working together cooperative board games are worth your look. If you are looking for suggestions check the top-rated coop board games from Board Games Land.
To learn better, the differences between the coop and competitive board gaming world, here are the main factors to keep in mind:
1. Concept of losers and winners: -
One of the significant distinctions between the two types of board games is the entire idea of losing and winning. In the case of a competitive board game, there will be a definite winner and a definite loser at the game.If groups are playing against groups in that case, also a group will enjoy a proper victory and the others will suffer an adequate loss. But that is not the same as the cooperative type of board game. Here you don’t have a concrete decision. Rather the players are almost like playing together to defeat the challenges of the game other than between themselves.
Therefore the entire bunch of players loses or the game wins. Cooperative board games are a kind of win-win in nature.
2) Growth of mentality: -
As the temperament of the two board game types is different, thus the spirit of two differs equally. In the case of a competitive board game, the mood is kind of aggressive and competitive as the name itself suggests. Sometimes people become quite hostile while playing the game for each and every player wants to win through, but then there can only be one winner in this case.But the scenario isn’t so with the cooperative board game. Players maintain certain subtle and mild attitude while playing it since you aren’t competing with another player but the game itself the winner here is either all or none.
3) Use of Randomizing devices: -
Randomizing devices are those that work to add different twists and turns to the game. These devices can either be drawing cards or dice or maybe an added feature of sound. Competitive board games make almost no use of such devices for games like Chinese Checker, Chess, etc. do not need the use of randomizing devices. Such games have no cards drawn, or dice tossed, rather they are played under simple rules.But for cooperative board games randomizing devices form an integral part of the game. Games like Pandemic, Forbidden Island, etc. are totally based on this feature or else the games would not have been constructed.
4) Mode of the game: -
It may seem that competitive board games are much tougher and grasping than cooperative board games. But there lies a little diversion from that. Competitive board games are less difficult and complicated than cooperative board games. The former one is a one and only straight game that is to be played by abiding by some set and same book of rules.But for the latter, the next step is always ambiguous, and your action remains unpredictable for you have the least idea as to what the card or dice is going to provide you with.
The former have to play the game following some rigid rules, which makes it much easier and allows you to act upon according to your convenience. But for the latter, you are to mould your decisions and moves according to some random instructions.