What board games are alike and different?

You're asking a very broad question! To give you a helpful answer, I need some context. What kind of board games are you interested in? Do you want to know about:

* Games with similar mechanics? For example, are you looking for games that are both strategy-heavy or both cooperative?

* Games with similar themes? Are you interested in fantasy games, historical games, or abstract strategy games?

* Games that appeal to similar audiences? Are you looking for games for families, for hardcore gamers, or for children?

Once you tell me more about what you're looking for, I can give you some specific examples of board games that are alike and different.

For example, let's say you're interested in strategy games. Here are some pairs of games that are alike and different:

Similar Mechanics:

* Chess & Checkers: Both are abstract strategy games played on a board with pieces that move in specific ways. Chess is more complex, with more pieces and more intricate rules. Checkers is simpler, but still requires strategic thinking.

* Settlers of Catan & Ticket to Ride: Both are resource management games where players collect resources and use them to build things. Catan is more complex, with a lot of different resources and actions. Ticket to Ride is simpler, with a focus on connecting cities.

Different Themes:

* Carcassonne & Ticket to Ride: Both are tile-laying games where players build a landscape. Carcassonne is more focused on territory control, while Ticket to Ride is more focused on connecting cities.

* Pandemic & Forbidden Island: Both are cooperative games where players work together to achieve a common goal. Pandemic is focused on stopping a global pandemic, while Forbidden Island is focused on escaping a sinking island.

Different Audiences:

* Candy Land & Ticket to Ride: Both are family games that are easy to learn. Candy Land is designed for very young children, while Ticket to Ride is more challenging and can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

* Gloomhaven & Pandemic: Both are strategy games that can be enjoyed by hardcore gamers. Gloomhaven is a campaign game with a lot of depth and complexity, while Pandemic is a shorter game that is easier to learn.

I hope this helps! Let me know what kind of board games you're interested in, and I can give you some more specific recommendations.