u/Alternative-Cry1628

Ive been exploring a strategy board game concept where the goal is to minimize randomness and make decisions feel meaningful.

One challenge I keep running into-

If every move matters too much, the game starts to feel punishing for new players.

But if you add too much flexibility or randomness, it loses that strategic depth.

Sharing a rough board design here for context.

For those who’ve worked on or played strategy-heavy games:

How do you balance depth vs accessibility?

What design elements help new players stay engaged without simplifying too much?

Would really appreciate insights or examples of games that handled this well.