The title should have been '10 essential games for light or family gamers' (OK Wingspan isn't), I don't think I would have any of those in my collection (Batman Love Letter being the exception).
Yeah it's a great list but feels a bit off. It's really a top X games to lure players into the hobby while also having a decent amount of fun, even if you're a jaded gamer who craves richer experiences. The games from this list don't feel essential in the "play for the rest of my life" sense because most of them, even if in theory are endlessly replayable. To be fair there is something to be said for "simpler" games like Azul or Sushi Go Party as they have a high level of player interaction. And if you're stranded on an island and have only one game to play, high player interaction might trump initial complexity and richness.
I just got into gaming with my wife and the Century Golem series gets the most table time by a mile. Fox in the Forest is another good one. I try the get one game from each genre such as Clank, Hive, Forbidden Island, Root, Camel Up, Fantastic Factories, Scythe, and Jaws of the Lion. I might check out Kings of Tokyo based on your recommendation. I wonder if you would suggest any good deduction style games. I was thinking of backing Pagan on kickstarter but I'm skeptical on how much fun it will be.
Some of the games on our list like The Resistance, Coup and Love Letter fit have deduction elements. You might also look at Cryptid, Deception: Murder in Hong Kong or The Search for Planet X. There are a lot of good ones!
If you are looking for a good deduction game, the one I hear consistent praise for and is definitely See Garcia's #1 pick from Dice Tower, is Deception: Murder in Hong Kong.
Great list! I would add Horrified! Easy to teach better in today’s world then pandemic and everybody can relate because everybody knows the monsters. It’s a very good co-op
I have just started gaming too. I was glad to see that a few of your picks are one's I have in my collection. I could offer a couple more suggestions. Ohanami, similar to Sushi Go in drafting style got a lot of repeat play. Archeology, New Expedition is really fun and has variable treasure components that can keep the game feeling fresh. And, if you are looking for a good abstract strategy game, Santorini.
Here to Slay UnStable Unicorns 🦄 [15-20] minutes a game , Endogenesis Beyond [45 minutes 1 hr 30] Foundations of Rome [60 minutes] (James R Eads - Open Portals Poker Decks) [30-45 minutes] butterfly 🦋 Gilded editions by ondrej psenicka or Travis Kevin Yu Card Mafia are a most have outside of Theory 11 and Kings Wild Project Decks... Jean Luc Bertrand is doing a Smart marked Magic Deck as well.. < GloomHaven or Frosthaven if your into survival mode games > "Sugar Heist is ok and fun Deadly Desserts 🍨 is like noc off game Psycho Chicken 🐔 is pass the trash 🗑 so don't me about those" Munchkin you play 1 once great after the second game sell to a friend your done with it
Interesting topic, difficult answers... Essential does not mean easy gateway games, but some that will appeal to most and are kind of classic while being actually interesting. You mentioned two that I think are kind of essential if you start playing with friends or family, I would add a third: - 7 Wonders - Clank! (I prefer Clank In Space, but any is good) - Orléans
I can honestly say the only game that was mentioned in this video that I own is King of Tokyo. I can say this, games like Catan are really not for everyone. Some people wanna feel like they are doing cool stuff, but when you sit there, cant build anything, and no one will trade, the game is dull and agonizingly slow. I feel great intro games that can be a great time are King of Tokyo, Disney Villainous, DC Deck Building Game, Smash Up, Welcome to the Dungeon, I guess I could say Sagrada but there really isnt much going on and it might not keep people's attention. I played one game of it and I can honestly say, it's not gonna have a place in my collection
Those are all great picks! I also see where you're coming from for Catan, as I had that exact situation happen to me a while back. But it's an important game in terms of the new board game golden age we are in and was worth the shout-out.
I'm dissagreeing from the start on which versions to get. You don't buy Azul, you buy Azul: Sintra, then print the azul mats from BGG and you can now play both games with a single box and a single purchase. Also don't buy Mysterium, buy Mysterium:Park it's the better option and cheaper. Also Dixit is really fast to outgrow, so I'd just recommend going with Park from the start. Also Horrified is a better starter and more flexible than base pandemic IMO. You also shouldn't buy sushi go, when sushi go: party exists, almost the same price with 5x as much game.
Lol. I have almost all of these in some way. Only been in the hobby for a few years now. Actually, just donated King of Tokyo ‘cause I just played it out! Good vid guys!
Hmmm It was two years since we initially published it. I feel this would be better to update maybe 5 years down the line, but if there is enough demand for it of course I will make an updated version!
I was like yep azul should be the first one you need to talk about. Then I was like where is wingspan... glad I wasnt disappointed. But no Horrified? You needed a man vs monster game. Horrified is probably the easiest of them to get to the table. So light and easy to teach and so fun to run around the board trying to save villager and take out the monsters.
Here to Slay UnStable Unicorns 🦄 [15-20] minutes a game , Endogenesis Beyond [45 minutes 1 hr 30] Foundations of Rome [60 minutes] (James R Eads - Open Portals Poker Decks) [30-45 minutes] butterfly 🦋 Gilded editions by ondrej psenicka or Travis Kevin Yu Card Mafia are a most have outside of Theory 11 and Kings Wild Project Decks... Jean Luc Bertrand is doing a Smart marked Magic Deck as well.. < GloomHaven or Frosthaven if your into survival mode games > "Sugar Heist is ok and fun Deadly Desserts 🍨 is like noc off game Psycho Chicken 🐔 is pass the trash 🗑 so don't me about those" Munchkin you play 1 once great after the second game sell to a friend your done with it
No worker’s placement game on your list? That is a flaw! Viticulture should be on your list. Or at least another WPG (Everdell, Raiders of the North Sea, etc...) As other have said, Quacks should have made it on your list. And my third missing game, maybe a bit heavier, is Terraforming Mars. That game is a gem, despite it’s poor quality production.
Champions of midgard is the best wp game that is still accessible. Although viticulture is great for the spot as well. I know champions needs Valhalla to be perfect but viticulture needs Tuscany too.
