SEED GAME#380 BGG all-time

Innovation(2010)

★ 7.3 BGG2–5 players20 minWeight 2.78
FollowHand ManagementLayering

Games like Innovation

Looking for games like Innovation? It's a strategy game with real decisions on every turn — built on the ever-present threat of a sudden-death ending and the squeeze of wringing the most out of a limited hand. This page rounds up 12 of the closest alternatives, scored on mechanical overlap with the original (45%), complexity match (35%), and player-count fit (20%), then weighted by BoardGameGeek community ratings so every pick is one players genuinely rate. The strongest matches come first; the further down you go, the more a game trades exact overlap for a fresh take on the same core appeal.

How ISO scores this list:Mechanic overlap 45%·Complexity proximity 35%·Player-count fit 20%·BGG quality multiplier applied

12 recommendations · scored by ISO

Innovation Ultimate(2025)

★ 8.52–5 players30 minWeight 3.2
ISO Match
85/100

Shares Follow + 6 more

FollowHand ManagementLayering

Uchronia(2012)

★ 6.52–5 playersWeight 2.8
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Follow + 4 more

FollowHand ManagementMelding and Splaying

Guns & Steel(2015)

★ 6.32–4 playersWeight 2.4
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Hand Management + 2 more

Action RetrievalDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingHand Management

The Flow of History(2016)

★ 6.72–5 playersWeight 2.6
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Melding and Splaying + 2 more

Auction / BiddingEnd Game BonusesIncome

Eminent Domain(2011)

★ 7.02–4 players45 minWeight 2.5
ISO Match
62/100

Shares Follow + 3 more

Deck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDelayed PurchaseFollow

Race for the Galaxy(2007)

★ 7.72–4 players30 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
62/100

Shares Follow + 2 more

End Game BonusesFollowHand Management

Babel(2000)

★ 6.62 playersWeight 2.4
ISO Match
62/100

Shares Hand Management + 3 more

Hand ManagementLayeringMatching

Seasons(2012)

★ 7.32–4 players60 minWeight 2.8
ISO Match
61/100

Shares Hand Management + 2 more

Closed DraftingDice RollingDie Icon Resolution

Path of Civilization(2023)

★ 7.21–5 players60 minWeight 2.8
ISO Match
61/100

Shares Hand Management + 2 more

EventsHand ManagementSimultaneous Action Selection

Glory to Rome(2005)

★ 7.52–5 players60 minWeight 2.9
ISO Match
61/100

Shares Follow + 2 more

End Game BonusesFollowHand Management

Kuiperium(2024)

★ 8.12 players30 minWeight 2.7
ISO Match
60/100

Shares Hand Management + 2 more

Hand ManagementOwnershipPush Your Luck

Progress: Evolution of Technology(2014)

★ 6.51–5 playersWeight 2.4
ISO Match
60/100

Shares Hand Management + 1 more

Action PointsHand ManagementOpen Drafting

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