I love board games — here's 7 early Black Friday game deals I recommend

Red Rising: was $24 now $14 @ Amazon
This card game is based on the popular Red Rising book series, a YA dystopian society featuring color-coded castes. A lot of reviewers were lukewarm, but I think this game is a lot of fun. With gorgeous artwork, you start with a hand of 5 cards and play them on locations to earn rewards, more cards and raise your color. Plus, the turns are quick and once you learn how to play games can last between 15 and 20 minutes. It's a nice filler before that family dinner or a bigger game.

Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game: was $38 now $17 @ Amazon
Unlike many of the games on this, this Star Wars game is strictly 2-player only. In it you play as either the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire where you each have a deck of cards representing your faction. As you play you build up your deck with new cards and bases. You win by destroying three of your opponent's bases. It's a fast game with smooth gameplay and not to be confused with Fantasy Flight Games' other Star Wars card game Star Wars Unlimited (also good).

Horizons of Spirit Island: was $29 now $19 @ Amazon
Horizons is a beginner friendly version of the epic Spirit Island. In the game you play as a an island spirit defending the land from colonizers trying to push your people out and build cities. Each spirit has different powers that enable them to push, defeat or spread out on the island. And if you end up enjoying the game you can incorporate it into the bigger, harder Spirit Island. Plus, if you're looking to try solo gaming, it has a mode for that as well.

Disney Villainous (base game): was $39 now $29 @ Amazon
The fun twist with Villainous is that you play as one of several classic Disney villains. The core box includes Maleficent, Captain Hook and Jafar to name a few of the six baddies. The game is asymmetric meaning each villains goals are different and are accomplished differently. While the box does say 10+, I recommend this one for teens and older as it requires some strategy and planning, there is also some 'take that' with the ability to throw heroes at opponent villains to delay their plans. There are several expansions that add more evil doers including Scar, Cruella and Gaston.

Dune: Imperium - Uprising: was $60 now $50 @ Amazon
Dune: Imperium - Uprising is a sort of second edition of Dune: Imperium that streamlines the experience adds a few new mechanics that keep the game fun. The game itself is a mix of deck-building and worker placement where you use cards from the deck you're putting together to place workers on various spots on the boards that give you rewards. The game is complex and may not welcome newer players but once you grok the strategy its worth the sit.

Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar: was $120 now $59 @ Amazon
Don't let the terrible movie in the title sway you away from this game. Isla Nublar is a legacy game meaning that as you play choices you make permanently alter the board, sometimes this is unlocking new pieces or cards. Sometimes its writing on cards or throwing away pieces. Trust me, it is a lot of fun. The game can be completed in 12 sessions and anywhere from 2 to 4 players. If you've never tried a legacy game before this one is a great way to test out the waters, especially at half the usual price.
There are a lot of negative reviews of this game, but count me as one of the people who really liked this game and felt it hit the mark.

Star Wars Legion: was $119 now $95 @ Amazon
If you've ever been curious about miniature war games like Warhammer 40K or Warmachine, then the Star Wars Legion base game might be for you. In these games, armies are assigned point values. This kit gives you a small army to dip your toes into the genre. Plus, it's Star Wars. If you find it enjoyable, you can get a complete starter set or tumble down the dangerous road of mini-painting, which is basically 80% of the hobby.