Co-designer of Twisted Fate: Cowboys vs Aliens here, thanks for the shout-out! I'll definitely be taking a look at some of the other games mentioned, looks like some great stuff.
A game that deserves an honorable mention in my opinion is Legions of Darkness by Victory Point Games. It’s a solo “castle siege” type game where you have to defend the stronghold from constant attacks from oncoming invaders. It has minimalist components and comes in a ziplock bag. It may be hard to find since it’s OOP and VPG no longer exists, unfortunately.
We are chuffed to be mentioned alongside these other amazing titles. Thanks DD. Gonna check out Dungeeoneer, reminds me of the Palitoy Pocketeers from the 80s.
Thanks for this one. As much as I love dungeon games, especially solo, over the years the size of some of them have turned me off due to price and size. Lately I've been finding myself gravitating towards smaller box game. I have quite a fe that you mentioned and then some. Looking forward to looking for some of the ones I don't have.
I recently picked up Gate, by Jason Glover. So small it comes in an altoids box, it's a fun little deck building castle defense game with just a few cards that you could take anywhere and compete with lady luck to get the best score you can defending your gate against a progressively stronger set of monsters
Have you tried Deck Box Dungeons, DIE in the Dungeon, or The Ratcatcher yet? I ended up ordering Rogue Dungeon, can’t wait to try it! I can recommend Mini-Rogue and Desolate for bite size, simple adventures.
Great video! I have quite a few of the titles shown. Thanks for turning me onto a few more. You might find Dungeon Solitaire: Labyrinth of Souls by Matthew Lowes interesting. It is played with tarot cards, though I would get the custom tarot card deck at GC - very evocative art to draw out a narrative. He created a second game in the series called Dungeon Solitaire: the Devil’s Playground with another tarot deck with art from the same artist. The rule books themselves are beautiful and available on Amazon.
@@TheDungeonDive You can actually get the rules for the original adventure (Tomb of the Four Kings) for free at MatthewLowes.com and try it with a regular deck of cards to see if you like the mechanics. For me, it’s the art on the custom cards that really make the story narrative rich with meaning and interpretation when you’re in the mood for that sort of thing. There is definitely a spiritual element to the art that draws you in to a unique world. The designer is a spiritual guy and that really comes though in the rule books.
Barbarian Vince is a charming small box PnP adventure card game I think you might dig. Geek Gamers did a nice overview video on it awhile back that convinced me to try it out.
I love the Warhammer quest adventure card game. I wish it had expansions and stuff. Was thinking about recruiting people to make some expansions or do a total reskin of it with the same mechanics in a different setting. Like maybe Conan or maybe a cyberpunk theme
Loved this video and the comments - totally my wheelhouse - Here are a few others to check into Shards of Infinity (in the Star Realms/Hero Realms zone with a co-op expansion), Chronicles of Frost (with All that Burns), Chobolo, Grimslingers, Haze Islands, Mage Tower, Charm City Blues, and Dungeon Crawler (Unbound? a ccgish game with some new scenario packs). Maximum Apocalypse is a deck box, so a bit long, but also quite narrow - fits this category. DD, you are always welcome to borrow them.
Thanks, Jonathan. Appreciate it. And the BGG message. I need to spend some more time to try to grasp GS. It seems like such a cool little game. The art is to die for.
@@TheDungeonDive For those seeing the list above - I own them and think they are all interesting in different ways, but please don't run out and get them on my word, as I enjoy flawed games that are quirky/offbeat.
Awesome selection of games and a really nice overview! It would be interesting to hear your opinion on Deck Box Dungeons. It seems that it would feet into your collection of small box games perfectly.
wow, thanks for showing all these games, this is exactly what Ive been more interested in I find rather than the large ridiculous mass materials uber-games. I have been looking into some of the new stuff in kickstarters but nothing makes me care about them, nothing interesting really that I can find. They are usually way to expensive also, for the amount of risk I want to take on the probability that the game is going to be a dud for me. I did start collecting those Dungeoneer games back couple years ago as they looked neat and I found two so far that didnt cost a fortune. Some of them are hard to find and sellers want a ton of money for them. Like the one game set in the desert and was something to do with dragons? i think. Then there was an Ice environment setting also. Anyway, several of the games you talked about here looked very interesting to me and I will look into them. I tend to go with games that I think I can easily carry with me and impromptu play with a friend in a cafe setting or at a friends house that are fairly easy to set up and dont take up large amount of space.
FFG didn't abandon Warhammer Quest per se (they might have in time though haha), they lost the entire GW license. Shame about that...it's a great game. Thankfully there are some good fan made adventures to give it some legs. Now, they *have* apparently abandoned their own game based on this engine, Heroes of Terrinoth. Makes you wonder why they put it out in the first place.
Another tremendously enjoyable video. Thumbs up! Also just finished catching up with your videos on Iron Helm and the D series. Many thanks for that as well! Many of your small games also happen to be in my collections. Death Angel is my top small box game. So much tension there and I am so surprised how such a small card game can capture the feel of the big box Space Hulk proper. There are four expansions actually: Mission Pack 1, Space Marine Pack 1, Deathwing Space Marine, and Tyranid Enemy. KS games are often divisive because of the collective hype train and (over-)investment. Criticizing these games makes one feel hurt not just in the backers' pockets but also their fragile online ego. A few more here that you may wish to check out: Citadel of Blood: Built upon the vivid universe of SPI's classic Swords & Sorcery and is kinda its dungeon crawler "expansion" (in fact there is even an official variant to combine the two). The magic system and the tactical aspect are surprisingly rich. Virtually unlimited replayability. Last Bastion: Antoine Bauza's fantasy rethemed version of Ghost Stories with improved mechanics and (slightly) lower difficulty. Heroes of Tenefyr: A KS dungeon crawler card game but heavily overlooked and underrated. IMO far better than Unbroken. Flash Duel (revised edition): A rather old title but can still be found at quite reasonable price. Kinda like a much trimmed down version of Level 99's BattleCon. Plays very fast and the solo/coop mode is pretty fun and challenging. Pixel Tactics: Speaking of Level 99 this is their classic. The solo mode gives a cool arcade and puzzle feel. Regicide: Going smaller, this is a fantasy themed deck of 54 playing cards. The best fantasy game using a set of regular playing cards. Very decent art on the cards. Cheap price. Excellent for solo play. Mini Rogue (PnP): Going even smaller, this 9 card dungeon crawler just has a TON of game in it, even beating many other big brothers. Originally a free PnP title (a winner in the BGG solo contest) and now a KS project to be fulfilled. Fits perfectly in a shirt pocket (or even in your wallet!). Have a good one!
@@TheDungeonDive If you like this game, I also highly recommend its recent expansion (Second Curse), which practically doubles the content of the base game, plus more advanced mechanics and very well made tokens (especially the modifier tokens), while costing even less than the base game! The whole expansion box fits perfectly into the box of the base game.
Hey Daniel, 1. Great video. I suggest that you will give a chance to The Ratcatcher. Some love more, some love less, but the art is astonishing, the concept is unique, and the gameplay is cool (Once you finally understand all the rules, and the small nuances). 2. After Ricky Royal's Renegade, And due to all of your knowledge, perspective, and sense of criticism, How about investing few hours in a week to design a board game? No pressure... Take it easy... Fantasise... dream... write down... consult with people your trust... And step by step... create something of your own. Don't reject immediately. Just consider it. P.S. The person who recommend you of Godforsaken Scavengers should reconsider his recommendation. Unless you really really really like games which you DEPENDS ONLY on the luck of the draw and DIE REALLY FAST without any real option to block that inevitable process. But what do I know? - Maybe for you it will be a gem. And the art is really cool.
1. Thanks! I'll look into that. 2. I am designing a game! I'm designing 3 actually. I'm working on a full dungeon crawl / adventure game, and a solo module for Scarlet Heroes and Mork Borg.
8:17 - Thanks for mentioning that everything actually fits into the small box of Escape the Dark Castle, that's surprising news to me. The big box concerned and already annoyed me. 8:44 - Warhammer Quest TACG is a nice solid game with a good game system. I'm again surprised that you managed to fit both games into one box, quite cool. It's really too bad that both games were cancelled so quickly, I have the feeling the game's system was never allowed to be properly explored and to unfold its full potential. I haven't played the reboot Heroes of Terrinoth, considered buying it, but probably won't, as they overlap too much and I want to keep my collection compact. 9:35 - Totally agree that Elder Sign overstays its welcome at the table, considering what it offers. Also very much agree that the Gates of Arkham expansion makes the game way better, as it fixes some issues of the base game and adds more flavour. It does also add a few more rules though and still overstays its welcome. Definitely a great update to the game and the preferred way to play it. A great small-box adventure game is Arkham Horror: The Card Game. It's an LCG ("Living Card Game") though, meaning that it's also a money sink because of the countless expansions. And there's also the aspect of pre-game deck construction which is to many players an instant dealbreaker, while it's to others a strategic blessing and interesting way of customising the own character. It's one the few games I rate a 10/10. I would recommend to give it a try, maybe by borrowing a copy (just the base game !) from a friend, or even better: By playing a nice 2-player game with him/her.
I have a ton of issues with AHLCG. Mainly in how it's literally impossible to ever get a complete campaign, because the small expansions, which should be available as POD expansions from DriveThruCards, are constantly selling out and are rarely in print. Once a campaign cycle is done, they should simply sell a full set. It's a full time job just to monitor when things are back in print.
Fair point, I know the frustration myself (also with other games). One could argue that it's also a testament to how well the game does, being constantly reprinted and sold out, but public opinion does not affect mine nor your personal opinions in the end. Since you apparently already did give it a try, my job is already done to bring it to your attention. Keep up the good work, Daniel.
If you haven't already you might take a look at Ancient Terrible Things (Yahtzee Cthulhu heart of darkness), After The Virus (...what a title...), So Long My World (dreamscape, beautiful components), Camp Grizzly (if you can find it!), the folio games from Emperors Of Eternal Evil (Cave Evil crew) like Psycho Raiders and Freakface, or Blast City's otherworldy The Mushroom Eaters (hard to find too). All of these have unique indie graphical appeal. A few older magazine format games; Nightmare House from the long gone Ares magazine (SPI), and Death Maze and it's big brother Citadel Of Blood, from SPI/Ares as well, are pretty cool too.
@@BloodyCactus actually you're right that the original base game - as simple as it is - comes in a box slightly over the "legal limits" of this video. But I saw Elder Sign and Escape The Dark Castle (2 cool games) and thought of it immediately..
@@TheDungeonDive Hey cool. Life & Legend just went on my Hunt list. I really enjoy pursuiing the exotic quarry. I'm also eagerly watinging announcement of the upcoming Legends Untold installment.
@@TheDungeonDive I had a physical copy of it that I gave away to someone... I don't know if such a thing is still available. Maybe from drivethrucards? I did not make it myself.
I agree, I have been playing the smaller games, pnp and solo. Dungeoneer is fun, Castle, Hero realms, Star realms, Pocket Landship, bag of dungeons. Unbroken is great. Great list. I have been trying to find rogue dungeon? Game crafter?
@@TheDungeonDive Ty, I also forgot what other people are saying. Deck box dungeon, they also have an app for the game to. That's a good one and check out tiny battle publishing . I have Rifles in the Ardennes, Rifles in the Peninsula, Friday. DVG also has some Excellent Ones
Quick question: You mentioned you had a sell list… Where specifically do you have luck selling your unwanted games? I have about 180+ boardgames right now, many of which don’t get played anymore, and not too many people in my area seem to be looking for board games on the second hand market Just curious if there’s a decent resource you have had successes with selling games you’re looking to unload Thanks in advance And thanks for the awesome content as always :)
So much to look at here! I love small box games! I didn’t like Unbroken either. And I have yet to beat Space Hulk… I *love* my DSD6 PNP - patiently awaiting a reprint. No Tiny Epic Games or One Deck Dungeon? I love Gate and Desolate - interesting that you like Rogue Dungeon more than Iron Helm- will need to check it out before I invest in Helm. Subscribed!
Samurai Spirit is nothing like Ghost Storues. Completely different games, completely different mechanics, completely different theme. Both are great games and unique experiences for solo gamers.
Not at all Dungeon Divey but I really enjoy Railroad Ink. Rolling and drawing a little railroad is very relaxing. I wonder if there's any roll and write dungeons or hexcrawls.
i noticed this an old video, so my question is are you willing to revisit this game and tell us what replaced what? and what game still holds it place for you
I love Grimslingers. The art is superb. Its a quick card game if you play the duel version. Then the solo part is fun too. Shame the expansion is out of print.
Love the art, have both sets, and am completely baffled by how to actually play the game. :) It's one of the most confusing games I've ever tried to learn.
@@TheDungeonDive Agreed. I’ve read the rules multiple times and watched some “How to play . . . “ videos. In the end i filled in the gaps myself. I just love the tone of the game and cards. Its small enough to stay on my bookshelf for sone time i hope. Just wish i could get a copy of Northern Territories.
@@TheMightyFlea-0 I have had some exchanges with the designer about Grimslingers rules questions and he is really helpful, so drop him a line for any help.
Thanks! I am not the person to ask that. :). No kids, and don’t ever play games with kids. My stock answer is usually Stuffed Fables or Mice and Mystics.
@@jonathanfranklin461 there is no ks exp..only one exp the Second Curse which was on ks and now on retail.Also there are no ks exclusives :).Just get the base and exp together, cause exp is almost essential for variety after some plays.I think you will really like the the game.
