Board 8 > thirty-one tabletop games, ranked

(+) Yeah! (+)

VintageGin posted...

Never played Time's Up so I can't really comment. Although I'm reminded of a game in the pictionary/charades category where one team sees the word first and orders the methods for describing that word by point value (so something like acting = 1 point, drawing = 2 points, etc). Then one person on the other team chooses a method and tries to get their team to guess the word. Anyone know what game this is? (Hopefully it's not on the list...I'd feel a bit silly)

Games I would have liked to see on this list:
City of Iron: 2nd Edition (or any of the games by Red Raven Games)
Castles of Mad King Ludwig
Vitaculture
Yomi

There are definitely a lot of games in this category. Your description reminds me a bit of Cranium - which I've played enough of and recently enough to make this list at this point - but that one's color-based as well. Giving and guessing arbitrary, trivia-related clues is a fun mechanic overall for me, but only Time's Up has really been able to tie them into a satisfying enough game package for me.

I've only played Castles of Mad King Ludwig on that list. I really liked it because of the Master Builder system - player-defined marketplaces are awesome. Neat components, too.

Viticulture I've heard a lot about and would like to try for sure. But I don't know about buying a worker placement game before playing it - hardly the genre that best appeals to me.
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Yeah, a lot of the games I've played have been because I live close to a board game cafe with a huge selection.

I definitely recommend City of Iron: 2nd Edition-- it's a pretty neat take on deckbuilding combined with economic/city building. But I've liked most of the games Red Raven Games has put out-- Eight Minute Empire: Legends is another good one for filling a short time period.

Yomi is also really cool, and it's probably the 2 player game I've played the most. It's essentially a fighting game where each deck of 52 cards represents a different character. Technically you only need two character decks, but the game really shines when you have access to all of the decks, since it's nice to be able to try out different characters and see how each one plays relative to one another. Each character has attacks, throws, dodges, and blocks (plus some special abilities on cards and the character card). The basic premise is out-thinking your opponent since attack beats throw, throw beats dodge, and dodge/block beat attack (in different ways).
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My favorite game is probably 7 Wonders Duel (with the Pantheon expansion). Base game is great too.

I should get around to playing the original game, but I never play with more than 4 people, and even that's incredibly seldom. 2-player is easy to pull together.
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You've played this many games and you haven't played Gloomhaven yet? Amazed that wasn't on the list

Gloomhaven isn't exactly an easy game to acquire right now if you don't already know someone who has it.
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Didn't realize how hard / expensive it was since 3 people in our group have it

VintageGin posted...

I definitely recommend City of Iron: 2nd Edition-- it's a pretty neat take on deckbuilding combined with economic/city building. But I've liked most of the games Red Raven Games has put out-- Eight Minute Empire: Legends is another good one for filling a short time period.

Yomi is also really cool, and it's probably the 2 player game I've played the most. It's essentially a fighting game where each deck of 52 cards represents a different character. Technically you only need two character decks, but the game really shines when you have access to all of the decks, since it's nice to be able to try out different characters and see how each one plays relative to one another. Each character has attacks, throws, dodges, and blocks (plus some special abilities on cards and the character card). The basic premise is out-thinking your opponent since attack beats throw, throw beats dodge, and dodge/block beat attack (in different ways).

thanks for the recs! i'll look for them at our cafe, which i go to 1x-2x a month. it's not an endless selection, but they've got tons of staples and tons of games i haven't played or even heard of.
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Lots of excellent games on that list. I have Title Recall but Ive never really had the opportunity to bring it out.

Now that this is over I might start getting together the 2018 edition of my top 50.
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Great_Paul posted...

Now that this is over I might start getting together the 2018 edition of my top 50.

I'll read!

The Mana Sword posted...

Gloomhaven isn't exactly an easy game to acquire right now if you don't already know someone who has it.

Yup. Not only is it hard to get a hold of, though, it's also very time-expensive from what I can see - pretty massive opportunity cost if you're into trying lots of new games like I am!
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Folklore is another one that's hard to come by and I want it!
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Yeah Codenames Duet is one of the coops I do like, because, no quarterbacking!
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tag so I can look at recommendations
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Through the Ages looks interesting and I saw that it recently got a video game version on Steam. Anyone play that? How is it?
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Eerieka posted...

Through the Ages looks interesting and I saw that it recently got a video game version on Steam. Anyone play that? How is it?

I haven't played the Steam version (or even the App version), but it is a long and fantastic game. I enjoy it because you really feel like you are building an empire and you have to balance all of your different resources. It creates a lot of internal tension (in a good way) because you never seem to have enough of anything to do what you want. However, it's got plenty of interaction between players so it doesn't feel like solitaire. Downtime between turns can get rather long, but it is a very engrossing Strategy game.
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Interesting choice for Number One that seems to coincide with your love of social and party games. I have never played Time's Up, but I was actually just looking into it last weekend. As much as I thoroughly love my dry math-filled Euro games, I do enjoy good party games - Especially with a large group or a bunch of non-gamers. Time's Up looks like a good party game option.

SeabassDebeste posted...

Bonus question - What is your favorite game (or favorite X games), and why?

If I had to pick one to be my favorite of all time, it would have to be Epic Duels. The original Star Wars Epic Duels was somewhat unbalanced and the standard royal rumble setup generally rewarded the player who sat there and watched everyone else fight it out. It was cool, but far from perfect.

However, using the optional 2 vs 2 team rules makes Epic Duels an entirely different beast. Not nearly enough games split you into teams. Playing 2 vs 2 really brings out the best of both worlds - playing cooperatively AND competitively at the same time. My core gaming group discovered the game when it was clearanced out at Kay-Bee Toys for $5 shortly after Star Wars Episode II came out. Several of us bought copies (I think we had 8 copies floating around our group at one point) and we played it 2 or 3 times a month for a couple of years.

Then, things ratcheted up to the next level when one of my friends discovered the online community of custom Star Wars deck and the Deck Designer program. We tried out all kinds of characters - some were great and others were garbage. All of it was a total blast. Then, I took it to the next level - I made my own custom set of decks.

Using the Deck Designer program, I made my own custom Super Smash Bros Epic Duels. Creating unique, fun and true to character decks for the different Nintendo characters I grew up with has been satisfying in a way that no other board game has ever been for me. Even better - the game is actually a ton of fun to play and it really captures the feeling of Smash Bros in board game format. There is no better feeling than introducing a game to friends or strangers and having them ask, "Where can I get this game?!" after they play it. Well, I suppose it does get even better when the game they want is the version you made.

I don't play Epic Duels nearly as much as I used to, but I don't think any board game will ever bring as much joy and fun to my life as Super Smash Bros. Epic Duels.
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Wow, I had almost forgotten about epic duels.

That game led to possibly my most bitter gaming argument as a child ever.

We were playing Yoda vs. Vader, and I think Yoda had some kind of spell that read "target enemy is knocked down and can't move or attack for X turns" or something to that effect. Maybe it was a force whirlwind.

My memory is fuzzy, but this game used cards for actions. I think they would be labeled things like "movement", "attack", or "special".

So the Yoda player knocked Darth Vader over. The Vader player argued he could still use the Force Choke power, because it was a "special" and not an "attack".

I don't even remember which player I was, or what the final result ended up being. I just know it took forever and everyone was unhappy
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great list
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KamikazePotato posted...

tag so I can look at recommendations

sub-lists impending!

Eerieka posted...

Through the Ages looks interesting and I saw that it recently got a video game version on Steam. Anyone play that? How is it?

I haven't played the Steam version but if it's anywhere near as good as the smartphone app, then it's worth it. A game versus the AI will take less than two hours, possibly even less than that. And the tutorial is spectacular.

cyko posted...

If I had to pick one to be my favorite of all time, it would have to be Epic Duels. The original Star Wars Epic Duels was somewhat unbalanced and the standard royal rumble setup generally rewarded the player who sat there and watched everyone else fight it out. It was cool, but far from perfect.

Ah, man, I played this once at a meetup. I'm quite the hater of people and IP-based-games that I'm not super-into, and I noted most of the issues. But I think that making it a team-based game, with people that I know, would definitely have made it better (like you said, both cooperative and competitive!) I love the enthusiasm you guys had for it, making your own version. Back in the day, my friends and I made Yu-Gi-Oh! decks based on rules from the show in addition to the ones we had with actual cards.

banananor posted...

I don't even remember which player I was, or what the final result ended up being. I just know it took forever and everyone was unhappy

When I play in almost any setting (bigger AGOT LCG tournaments excepted), the #1 goal is to have fun (and if possible, for everyone to have fun). As a result I'll point out rules that are missed, but if people start to argue and there's no consensus, I'll just give in for harmony. A protracted argument really does make things suck.

MajinZidane posted...

great list

thank you!
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So these aren't necessarily my favorite games, but here's what I'd reocmmend from my list in each genre.

The lower a game within a tier, the more I like it relative to the others.

Hidden role/team vs team party games
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Two Rooms and a Boom
BANG: The Dice Game
Werewords
Blood Bound
The Resistance: Avalon

Other party-ish games
Dixit
Wits and Wagers
Dracula's Feast
Codenames/Codenames Duet
Time's Up! Title Recall

Light strategy games
Sushi Go
Ticket to Ride
Settlers of Catan
Machi Koro
Tokaido
Takenoko
Karuba
Acquire
Ra
Small World
Century Spice Road
Splendor
Dominion

"Filler" games
Coup
Welcome to the Dungeon
Love Letter
6 nimmt!
No Thanks!
Ghost Blitz
For Sale
Celestia
Bananagrams

Slightly heavier strategy games
Roll for the Galaxy
San Juan
7 Wonders
Isle of Skye
Scythe

Cooperative games
The Grizzled
Mysterium
Hanabi
Forbidden Island/Desert/Pandemic
Codenames/Codenames Duet
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oh yeah, i should add that this has been a great couple of topics.

Bonus question - What is your favorite game (or favorite X games), and why?

Dungeons & Dragons is the greatest cooperative game of all time. It's structured make-believe, and through that it transcends the normal handcuffs that video and board games impose upon you. Pen & Paper RPGs are the only games where you actually can "do anything", in contrast to every video game that advertises that exact phrase.

There are plenty of other pen & paper RPG systems, but I think certain editions of D&D do a good job of treading the fine line between being too structured (RIFT, GURPS, arguably Pathfinder) and not structured enough (Nobilis, Exalted, World of Darkness, BESM). The key is to be free-flowing enough to have fun and reward comedic timing, but to also be structured enough to add weight and reward to the world and your actions.

Of course, your mileage varies by the people you play with. And if you have zero interest in a fantasy setting, you'll have to look for a different game in the pen and paper sphere.

I don't think there's any better way to keep a lasting bond with someone than to have shared memories of the fictional world that you all created together.
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I would recommend all euros all the time
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so should I pick up:

Avalon
Time's Up!
Dominion (I already had this slated as my next purchase)
Bananagrams
Scythe
Codenames (I already have this tho, but not duet)
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I obviously love all of those games, but depending on you and your groups' dispositions, they may not fit. So I'll cover the caveats for why you SHOULDN'T buy these games:

Avalon is a game that plays best at 7 or 8 and can get confrontational, and it's best when everyone is engaged.

Time's Up! is best with 4-6 and is definitely best with people who are at least somewhat familiar with American culture.

Dominion is a classic as long as people are into strategy games at all. You want to play at 2-4.

Bananagrams is a maybe. It's perfect for a quick "filler" game (the more players, the faster it'll go). But you won't have fun if people don't like spelling (non-native English speakers will have a tougher time), and it's not a centerpiece game - Bananagrams alone doesn't really make a game night. It supplements a collection but doesn't anchor one.

Scythe is a massive step up in complexity versus all of these other games. It can take a while to set up and will take about 2-3x as long to play. So consider whether it will get played before buying.

I assume you're interested in Codenames Duet because you love Codenames and sometimes you'll play with small groups. DEFINITELY GET IT.

banananor posted...

I don't think there's any better way to keep a lasting bond with someone than to have shared memories of the fictional world that you all created together.

this was really fun to read! makes me want to join a group online or something, as I just feel like my groups won't be able to "lose ourselves" in the role-playing aspect
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SeabassDebeste posted...

Maniac64 posted...

Im going to convince my mom to get it. Then I can play it during the holidays at least

The hype machine works!

tbf, this was the plan before this topic existed. I first brought it up to her at Christmas.
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Does anybody here play Descent? Im looking for advice. Ive recently demo'd the first quest to a bucnh of friends and they seem interested in a campaign. But I've also got some expansions that add stuff. Do I just toss em in? I have everything except Labyrinth of Ruin and the Trollfens. I dont know how much the difficulty will skew.
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SeabassDebeste posted...

this was really fun to read! makes me want to join a group online or something, as I just feel like my groups won't be able to "lose ourselves" in the role-playing aspect

Thanks! And I think as long as the people you know are reasonable and actually want to play, things are bound to go well.

I think there are some d&d podcasts/streams that set impossible standards for voice acting/immersion/whatever, that really isn't necessary at all. I've never tried playing online, but supposedly it can be good

I think if people can get "into" a board game they can get "into" an RPG, if only because there are objectives (treasure, xp, plot hooks)
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makes me want to join a group online or something

What are some of the better board games that you can also play online with others?
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My main takeaway from this has been that I really need to get Codenames
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Girugamesh posted...

My main takeaway from this has been that I really need to get Codenames

My main takeaway is that I missed out on Codenames all night every night when I was in Europe.
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people
*shudder*
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I should post some fave games at some point

no-prize for guessing #1
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i'd read!
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yay
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Id read because it would probably have better games on it !!
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your first mistake was assuming I have taste
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your second is assuming it won't just be dominion fifty times
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Since Tom's keeping this topic alive I guess I don't have to feel bad about posting some purely egotistical other lists.

Here are some games that didn't make it because I didn't find them interesting enough to put on the list, but technically I've played:

- Chess, Checkers, Go, Tic Tac Toe, Connect Four, etc. - They don't really feel like "hobby games" to me. The former of these are zero-luck, deterministic games that don't appeal to me. They require skill to enjoy or even understand, and that's not something that particularly interests me.

- Monopoly, Clue, Pictionary, Cranium - These mass-market games I don't find interesting for a list like this. I haven't particularly played them a ton or developed attachments to them. Judging them based on designer game standards also feels kind of unfair, since they have different aims. I love the laughs in some of these games, but they're not remotely concerned about balance or decision points or player agency.

- Mafia - Played the bajesus out of these on B8 and AIM and played a decent amount IRL, but I don't think of it as a tabletop gaming experience. Its focus on player elimination is core to it, and plus it's a game that almost plays best without a purchased game, and there are unclear voting conventions subject to house rules. I also haven't touched it IRL in years.

- Cards Against Humanity, Apples to Apples, Joking Hazard, etc. - Games where a player-judge awards points don't feel "games" to me.

- Heads Up! - a guessing/clue-giving game - I really like this app, but it's not "game-y" at all.

And here's my collection:

Bananagrams
Blood Bound
Codenames
Codenames Deep Undercover
Codenames Duet
Dracula's Feast
Forbidden Island
Ghost Blitz
Glory to Rome
Hanabi
Kemet
Moriarty's Machinations (a transparent Avalon rip-off that doesn't seem to add much)
Pandemic
Play Me! (a simple dice-roller)
Resistance: Avalon
Settlers of Catan
Splendor
Through the Ages
Time's Up! Title Recall
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I know I already posted my BGG profile earlier, but I like posting lists, so here's my collection (non-hobby, non-mass market)

7 Wonders
7 Wonder Duel
The 7th Continent
Above and Below
Adventure Time Love Letter
Among the Stars + Ambassador Expansion
Ascension + Return of the Fallen Expansion
Ascension: Storm of Souls
Carcassonne + The River + Inns and Cathedrals
Codenames
Descent 2nd Edition
Five Tribes
Garden Dice
Hey, That's My Fish!
Isle of Skye
Karmaka
Kingdom Builder
Kingdomino
Libertalia
Lords of Waterdeep
Puerto Rico
Race for the Galaxy
Risk Legacy
Sid Meier's Civilization + both expansions
Splendor
Tales of the Arabian Nights
Terra Mystica + Fire & Ice Expansion

Been a while since I've actually bought something new. I should probably get Gaia Project.
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what is defined as a "hobby game"
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Sorry, I meant no non-hobby. So like stuff like Chess and Checkers and things that SD listed.
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I'm still fuzzy on the exact definition tho!

I mean I have an idea in my head but I can't explain it
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i'm not sure either

to me a hobby game is like... warhammer. where the majority of the "activity" isn't actually playing the game, but rather painting pieces, building armies, and reading up on tactics and the setting. CCGs are like that, too

but that might be a limiting definition

i guess with chess you would spend a lot of time studying up outside of the game
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but i guess that means any game can be a hobby/lifestyle game, assuming you take it seriously enough
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ah man I had a definition typed out yesterday, but must not have posted it

I'd say that any designer game (where a designer's name appears on the box) is almost by definition a hobby game. Often they have to be "discovered," as opposed to being part of general pop culture.

or maybe - games that you're not likely to play if board gaming isn't a hobby of yours.

very circular definition, but hopefully you have some idea of what I'm saying.

warhammer and CCGs are hobby games for sure, but they're their own hobby. I wouldn't consider Avalon a hobby, but Magic the Gathering is a hobby. I'd call those lifestyle games.
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banananor posted...

but i guess that means any game can be a hobby/lifestyle game, assuming you take it seriously enough

technically true. I'd say that a big component of a game being a lifestyle game is the community.
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fair enough
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Played Deception Murder in Hong Kong last night. A hidden role game that wasn't mafia that I liked! :O
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also played a game that was like Apples to Apples but with shipping

and enjoyed it more than I care to admit
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that's all the games I played on Sat
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been playing a lot of through the ages my last few weekends!
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