Tabletop Games Blog · September 16, 2025 · 10 min
Abstract Imagination - thematic and abstract games (Topic Discussion)
Sometimes I want to become the character on my player board, living out their adventure and experiencing a dramatic story filled with excitement and suspense. Other times, I just want to move some wooden pieces across a plain board, while I am deep in thought, and a giant decision tree that’s unfolding further with every turn fills my mind. Sometimes I yearn for a thematic experience, other times I crave something purely abstract. So in this article, I want to look at how these two board game categorisations shape the gameplay experience. Read the full topic discussion article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/09/16/abstract-imagination-thematic-and-abstract-games-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Betrayal at House on the Hill review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/14/betrayal-at-house-on-the-hill-3rd-edition-saturday-review/ Root review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/02/12/root-a-game-of-woodland-might-and-right-saturday-review/ Music Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot ( https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/ ) Music: https://www.bensound.com License code: HAGPZN8QVBH9PRLB Artist: : Lunar Years Music by Bensound License code: C6OWWPO2VLQBAOCS Artist: : Theatre Of Delays Music I Use: https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License code: LRJMMDLS915XVZ4C Artist: : Vital Music by https://www.bensound.com License code: RSJQEDEJQHLOGU0U Artist: : The Fable Support If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/support/ (Photo by Bruno Ramos Lara on Unsplash)