Time for my next chunk of favorite games of all time! Next is 80-71. This year I have played two of my top 10 all-time games once each…including the number one game…well, technically earlier today. We played until almost 7am…Anyway…to the list!
Also-worth reminding the last list number 81 was Between Two Cities. I may have a reason that is worth mentioning.
40. Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle
TheOp
Designer: Forrest-Pruzan Creative, Kami Mandell, Andrew Wolf
Owned: Yes
Why it is on the list: A well done, campaign style deck builder with a Harry Potter theme. There is no part of that sentence I dislike. This is an excellent deck builder where you play through each book of the series (and four more chapters in the expansion.) It is a solid deck builder (although it took to the expansion for the ability to add a “destroy cards” mechanic.) Solid, difficult-this is a great cooperative deck builder.
Who may like it: Fans of Harry Potter will adore this game. Add in people who have a regular small group who can play through-this is extremely well done for many people.
39. Alien Frontiers
Game Salute
Designer: Tory Niemann
Owned: Yes
Why it is on the list: I played this after Euphoria but the concept of a dice/worker placement game is still not the most common and is extremely well done. I enjoy worker placement as a mechanic (side note for those who have been reading regularly…I have played Caverna again now and it is as good or better than I remember) and the concept that the number you roll impacts what you can do is good. I have discovered I DISLIKE this game at 2 players (it is really mean at two) but overall I really enjoy this game.
Who may like it: Fans of space theme, cool components and worker placement. Of note…Starting with my second list I started wishing i hadn’t put this part (who may like it) because…well..it is pointless. However…I started, I finish.
38. Burgle Bros
Fowers Games
Designer: Tim Fowers
Owned: NO
Why it is on the list: A friend who now designs games for Wyrd Games pulled this one out and it kind of blew me away. The concept of the modular rooms, the cooperative Ocean’s-esque heist, the variable player powers, the awesome mechanics…this game was a home run for me from the start. Since that time I’ve played the physical game a handful of times and the app version of the game dozens of time and have a great time. This IS a co-op I think I fully prefer to play solo, however. It is fun with others…but I just enjoy this one by myself.
Who may like it: Have you ever wanted to pull off the heist of the century and escape with all the loot? This game is for you.
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37. Tiny Epic Galaxies
Gamelyn Games
Designer: Scott Almes
Owned: NO
Why it is on the list: I mentioned I think Quest is second and Kingdoms is third…anyone who knows the Tiny Epic games knew this would be the best. Universally praised as the best of the series this space colonization game has been great every time I have played. Keeping all of the Tiny Epic trademarks (following others actions, etc.) this game feels good while playing even if you don’t win.
Who may like it: Fans of good, solid mechanics and space colonization.
36. T.I.M.E. Stories
Space Cowboy
Designer: Peggy Chassenet, Manuel Rozoy
Owned: NO
Why it is on the list: Quantum Leap, the board game. NOTE: I have NOT finished this campaign style game; we have only played through the first four cases. However, the concept of Quantum Leaping back in to bodies to solve a mystery in a limited amount of time is awesome. I would say more about why I like this game, but SPOILERS.
Who may like it: Fans of time travel, campaign games, and AWESOME narrative.
35. Wasteland Express Delivery Service
Pandasaurus Games
Designer: Jonathan Gilmour, Ben Pinchback, Matt Riddle
Owned: Yes
Why it is on the list: The last game was Quantum Leap…this one is Mad Max the game. This post-apocalyptic pick-up-and-deliver is over the top in an amazing way. We sat down at Origins to demo and I was very impressed with the fun mechanics, asynchronous drivers, varying missions to get points…and was sold when I learned the game trays come WITH the game. Game Trays (and anything that helps with quick set-up and great storage) are a bonus and this game has it all.
Who may like it: This game is over the top but with strong strategy…and dice that can make or break your game. For real one player was ahead and kept getting stopped by the dice to deliver a nuke and it cost him the game…so your fate isn’t always in your hands.
34. Alchemists
CGE
Designer: Matúš Kotry
Owned: Yes
Why it is on the list: When I was in elementary school I was put in the gifted program. It was, for the most part, pointless. We played Oregon Trail and did Logic Problems. The thing I take from the program…I really enjoy logic problems. They are fun to figure out. While a lot of the games I mention (including in this list) are “this IP, the board game” Alchemists is “logic problems: the board game.” That is what this game boils down to. The theme is fun (but not as important) but this is a good game of logic and deduction.
Who may like it: Do you like to think A LOT and sit while people figure things out? This is the game for you! For real-this may be the most thinky game on the entire list.
33. Five Tribes
Days of Wonder
Designer: Bruno Cathala
Owned: Yes
Why it is on the list: Five Tribes is the 4 player game with six Tribes. None of that necessarily makes a ton of sense but the game is excellent, strategic…and one of the games where you stare at the board, have a plan…only to get it ruined by your opponents. The AP is real in this game but it also an amazing mancala game with a fun theme on top.
Who may like it: Fans of having a strategy, planning ahead…and then adapting on the fly when your strategy is utterly wrecked by others.
32. Seasons
Libellud
Designer: Régis Bonnessée
Owned: Yes
Why it is on the list: I remember the first time Jennifer and I played this. It was at a monthly game night and Chris Beeman taught us. It was rather late (1 or 2 am) and he was…a bit intoxicated. The draft didn’t go well for Jennifer or I as we knew nothing but quickly the draft, the dice rolling, the resource gathering…every aspect of this game just clicks. We need the expansions because we now know the cards we want, the cards we hate and what to ignore. And the dice are so chunky.
Who may like it: This game has BEAUTIFUL artwork that lures people in and, with the 3 years/4 seasons approach a good chance to plan early but change things on the fly.
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31. Shakespeare
Ystari Games
Designer: Herve Rigal
Owned: Yes
Why it is on the list: I was a theatre minor and love going to the theatre. Shakespeare is awesome. So this action point based game of putting on the best play is right down my alley. I enjoy the theme, the game is fun, the references are great-all around just a wonderful experience to play.
Who may like it: Fans of the theatre and in particular of Shakespeare who will get the references on the cards.
You did an excellent job teaching-clearly it made the game last for me for years since! That was July 26th, 2015 and I’ve played 17 since then.
This is a very solid list of games, makes me very curious whats upcoming. TEG is great, Alchemists is Grad school: The game and arguably the them is very very strong.
As for Seasons, I remember that teach. Of course the way I remember it was that despite it being late and me having a drink (or two…) I managed to teach a game I had never played in person. I had only ever played it online. Still a good game.