I'm not a regular board game player, but it's never too late. I've recently re-discovered Magic Maze, which is really fun and interesting!
The main idea of that cooperative game is that the tokens don't belong to players, each player only has one or several specific roles (move up, move down, take the stairs, ...) that he/she applies to any token (called heroes), the goal is to make them move to specific locations in a dungeon-like scenery, to steal objects then escape.
No turn, everyone moves any hero that needs moving whenever they want - or must, really, to reach the next destination. So the players have to apply those actions to the heroes in a coordinated manner. Typically, one player moves up, another left, and so on.
Significant caveat: players can't communicate with one another, and there is a time limit. So you really have to constantly watch all the heroes, have a good idea of the plan, and understand what the other players are expecting of you in order to progress.
Those are short games, typically 15 minutes or less.
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Hey there! Recently, I had a blast playing a board game called "Ticket to Ride" with some friends. It's a super fun strategy game where you build train routes across the US, and it can get surprisingly competitive! We had a great time strategizing and trying to outdo each other. I've also been diving into "Settlers of Catan" quite a bit lately. It's a classic for a reason, and it's always a good choice for game night. The trading element really adds a fun twist to the gameplay. Oh, and speaking of card games, my buddies and I have been getting into spades recently. It's a great card game that requires some serious teamwork and strategy to win.
I just played a round of Catan last night with some friends. Always a blast, the trading and building make it super engaging.