Monopoly has ruled game nights for generations by turning friends into rivals. The game was originally designed to teach economic principles, however, due to its attractive gameplay, it quickly earned the title of the world’s most famous board game where fortune can change with a simple dice roll.
But what if you are bored of playing it and crave something different? While Monopoly is a classic, no doubt, there are plenty of other strategy-driven board games that capture the thrill of buying, selling, and outsmarting your opponents. If you are a gaming enthusiast or a casual gamer just looking for a fun alternative, these Monopoly-style games bring fresh twists, new challenges, and hours of entertainment. Let’s know the top board games like Monopoly that you should play in 2025.
Here are the top board games like Monopoly that unlock the fun of strategic gaming.
Brass is a strategy board game similar to Monopoly. It is all about building industries and trading in England during the Industrial Revolution. The gameplay involves players taking their turn to construct properties like factories, coal mines, and ports while managing money and resources on the other hand.
The primary goal of the player is to earn the most points by expanding networks and producing goods. Here they need to plan smartly as the industries grow and change over time. This game is more complex than Monopoly, but the plus point is that it rewards the players for careful decision-making. If you enjoy economic games with long-term planning then Brass is a great choice.
Catan is a Monopoly-like game where the player aims to make cities and roads on a resource-rich island. Here, players collect resources like wood, brick, and wheat to expand their territory, trading with others to get what they need. The game demands smart strategy from players for managing resources and negotiating trades. The first player to reach 10 points becomes the winner.
Unlike Monopoly, where it is all about money making, Catan is more leaned towards resource management and cooperation. The game is easy to learn and one of the best alternatives to Monopoly.
This monopoly alternative takes players on a journey of major life events ranging from college and career choices to marriage and retirement. Players spin a wheel to move across the board in order to make decisions. The decisions affect their future like buying a house, having kids, or investing money. The game is unpredictable as there are surprises that come midway such as job promotions, unexpected expenses, or lucky windfalls.
The player who retires with the highest amount wins the game. Instead of property trading, this Monopoly like board game is more about luck and life choices which is why it is a fun and family-friendly game.
Slay is a simple yet strategic war game where players compete to take over an island by controlling territories and managing gold. In each turn, players decide whether to recruit soldiers, expand their land, or attack opponents. The key to winning this game is to create a balance between offense and defense while keeping an eye on enemies.
Though it’s not about money like in the case of Monopoly, it shares a similar competitive and strategic feel. The game is easy to learn but offers deep strategy which makes it fun for both casual and experienced players. If you enjoy games where you outthink opponents then Slay is a great choice.
Talisman is a fantasy adventure board game. Here, players take on the roles of heroes, wizards, or warriors on a quest to claim the Crown of Command. The game combines dice rolls, card draws, and character abilities to go through a magical world filled with challenges, monsters, and treasures.
Here, players move across different board regions, growing stronger as they progress. This monopoly like game is all about adventure, luck, and character development. It is a great option to try in 2025 for those who really enjoy storytelling filled with unpredictable and exciting twists.
It is one of the best board games like Monopoly that demands players to work together to explore haunted locations, solve puzzles, and survive terrifying encounters. The gameplay is set in a weird fictional universe. The storytelling blends strategy and suspense as players uncover dark secrets and battle supernatural threats. Monopoly, which is competitive and about making money, Mansions of Madness on the other hand is a cooperative game that focuses on teamwork and immersive storytelling.
Each round feels like a different mystery adventure. The game is perfect for those players who love horror, mystery, and strategy games and enjoy solving puzzles and facing eerie challenges.
Immerse yourself in maps and mysteries in this Monopoly alternative. It features a world map, where players can select a nation, create a defense strategy, and defend their territories while dominating the entire world. The main objective is to fight your opponents and conquer other nations while completing all the levels of the game.
Here, players need to earn points to unlock weapons, tools, and other in-game items to create a dominant nation. Some of the most significant features include game tutorials, online real-time gameplay, customization, rating systems, and much more.
Othello is one of the strategy-based multiplayer board games like Monopoly Go, where players can immerse themselves in turn-based experiences. The game can be played between two players and the main goal is to have the most discs of your color on the board by the end of the game.
Players take their turns by placing discs, flipping over the opponent’s pieces by trapping them between two of their own. The game starts simple but requires a deep strategy to control the board. On the whole, Othello is purely about strategy and skill. It’s easy to learn but challenging to master which is why this game is even played till now, making it a timeless classic.
Want a business-themed game like Monopoly? Check out Food Chain Magnate. In this game, players are tasked with growing their business through market purchases, trade, and other business expansion strategies.
The player needs to purchase the goods to satisfy the people’s desire while keeping a watch on its competitors. The game features interactive and engaging gameplay with a lengthy playtime.
Brass: Birmingham is all about building industries and trading in England. It is set during the Industrial Revolution. In this game, players develop networks, construct buildings, and manage resources like coal and iron to grow their businesses. It builds on the original Brass with new elements like beer as a resource and more diverse economic strategies.
The gameplay is similar to that of Monopoly, all about making smart financial decisions but with much more strategic, and complexity. For those, who love deep economic games, Brass: Birmingham is a playful choice with high replay value.
Machi Koro is one of the top board games like Monopoly where players roll the dice to earn money, buy properties, and develop their town. The main aim of this game is to be the first player to construct four major landmarks. During each turn, players earn coins from their buildings and sometimes collect from opponents. It is similar to the rental earnings in the Monopoly.
However, Machi Koro is much quicker and it relies on dice rolls and strategic purchases to build an efficient economy. With simple rules and engaging gameplay, the game is perfect for families or casual players who seek a lightweight yet competitive game.
Concordia is another strategy game on the list of board games like Monopoly. It is set in ancient Rome, where players compete with each other to expand their trade empire across the Mediterranean. Instead of dice or luck, the game relies on strategic card play allowing players to establish colonies, produce goods, and earn points.
The game focuses on long-term planning and resource management. The game has no direct conflict which is why it is a great choice for those who enjoy economic games with a peaceful focus.
A simple yet strategic game that is all about trading and collecting spices to fulfill valuable orders. Herein, the players take their turns intending to acquire spices, upgrade their resources, and complete contracts to earn points. The game is all about efficiency like managing actions wisely to get the right resources at the right time.
This game is more about smart trading and optimizing your moves, unlike trading properties in Monopoly. If you are a fan of tactical economic games, then add this game to your list to play in 2025.
Chinatown is an economic-based board game set in 1960s New York. If you are craving some negotiation Monopoly like games, this is the perfect option for you. Players represent business owners trying to grow their businesses by placing tiles on the board. Basically, players have to negotiate throughout the entire game.
It is the perfect board game for players who like social board games with a strategic factor. Played in just six turns, the game has amazing replayability, making it one of the most engaging Monopoly alternatives.
Acquire
Created in 1964, Acquire is known as “The Game of Corporate Acquisitions” and that’s exactly what players have to do. Players invest and carry out takeovers to gain control of various companies. This Monopoly alternative also resembles Scrabble, as players have to place tiles on the board. When two tiles join up, a company can be formed. Moreover, players also get additional tiles to purchase additional stocks in the company.
The businessman can reinvest the stocks into other companies to flourish their business. The fun part about this game is the investor can exchange the stocks with the cash. The prime objective is to become the wealthiest player.
Power Grid is the most complex game on this list, but those who embrace the challenge will find a rewarding economic experience. Players manage money (elecktro) to build a network of powered cities, balancing power plant upgrades, resource purchases, and electricity supply.
Turn order shifts based on performance leading players to bid first on power plants, while those behind get first access to cheaper resources. It is easy to learn but tough to master which is perfect for experienced board gamers. If you enjoy strategy and economic mechanics, this game offers a deeper, more engaging alternative to Monopoly.
The last name on the list is Monopoly Deal. It is a fast-paced card game that captures the essence of Monopoly in a quick and strategic format. Players collect property sets, charge rent, and use action cards to disrupt opponents. Instead of rolling dice on the board, gameplay revolves around drawing and playing cards wisely to complete three full property sets before others.
With unpredictable twists, deal-making, and steal moves, no two games feel the same. Unlike traditional Monopoly, which has a bit lengthier gameplay, the Monopoly Deal takes only 15-20 minutes. For this reason, it is a great choice for game nights or during travel. It is perfect for those who love strategy and competition without the lengthy playtime.
Monopoly remains a beloved classic, holding a special place in the hearts of board game enthusiasts. While it is an iconic board game that cannot be replaced, board games like Monopoly offer similar fun and serve as great alternatives if you are looking for a fresh change of pace. Games like Catan, The Game of Life, and Acquire serve as great strategy options while Brass and Machi Koro offer relaxing gameplay. If you are looking for the best games like Monopoly for a joyful experience with your friends and family, choose the one that suits you and start playing it today!
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Ans. Some of the most common games like Monopoly include Brass, Catan, The Game of Life, Slay, Talisman, Mansion of Madness, Twilight Struggle, and Othello.
Ans. To develop a game similar to Monopoly, you can hire a reputed game software development company that will bring your game idea to life. The typical development process starts with research and analysis, conceptualization, hiring developers, creating a prototype, game development, testing, and finally game launch.
Ans. The development cost varies from $5,000 to $8,000 with basic features and functions. However, it may go up to $15,000 with advanced features and functions. To know the exact Monopoly game development cost, share your idea with BR Softech.
Ans. Monopoly-like games enhance strategic thinking, negotiation skills, and financial management. They also promote social interaction and teamwork, making them ideal for group entertainment.
Ans. Yes, many games similar to Monopoly are available in digital formats. Games like Brass, Catan, and The Game of Life have online versions accessible via mobile apps or PC platforms.
Ans. Board games like monopoly are designed to play between 2 to 8 players.
Ans. The average gameplay time is around 15~30 minutes.
