2015 was an exciting year, in fact, I probably made more gaming purchases in the second part of 2015 than I have the two years before combined. We got awesome epics like Star Wars Armada and Forbidden Stars, we saw the release of some cool expansions and many great re-prints. It really was a fantastic year for gaming.
The first part of 2016 is already shaping up and there are a number of great games on the horizons worth bringing to your attention!
1. Star Wars: Rebellion
FFG just can’t seem to stop making awsome games!
Recently announced, once again leveraging their hold over the Star Wars license Fantasy Flight Games is going to add yet another “insta buy” game for me in 2016. Star Wars: Rebellion information is fairly limited at this point but what is known is that players will be in essence playing out the war between the Empire and Rebel alliance with over 150 plastic miniatures, the complete cast of the original trilogy in a seemingly War of the Rings style multifaceted strategic board game.
A combination of area control, specialty dice, card play, countless miniatures all hunched over a galactic star map in the Star Wars universe. What can I say other than “yes please!!”
2. Star Trek Frontiers
Vlaada games are hit and miss, but when they hit, they hit big.
One of the most successful board games WizKids has is Mage Knight, largely popularized by its complex competitive adventure style mechanics with incredible depth. While I consider Star Trek Fleet Captains another huge hit by WizKids, the announcement of Star Trek Frontiers, a Star Trek adventure game based on the Mage Knight mechanic certainly caught my attention. It’s really a perfect marriage as WizKids has collected considerable experience with Mage Knight as a board game and Star Trek as a franchise. There is going to be a lot of experience applied here and while Fleet Captains has cleaned out the taste of never ending failure in Star Trek based boardgames for me, that haunting feeling of hope and disappointment that has existed for years as far as Star Trek board games are concerned is still there. I am as they say, rooting for them, it’s certainly looking good so far.
3. Through The Ages 3rd Edition
Let’s hope that 3rd edition of Through The Ages gets a much needed visual upgrade as well!
I’m really excited about this one for one very huge reason. I really love Through the Ages but it is soooo bloooooody looooong that I simply never play. At this point, in modern design, despite sitting pretty in the number 4 spot on boardgamegeek.com, if this game was released today in its 2nd edition form it wouldn’t make the top 1000 let alone the top 10 on boardgamegeek. It has aged terribly. Thankfully Chivatil agrees and he is working on a new edition of the game that promises to be streamlined and faster, which to me simply means that awesome concept and Idea of a Civilization game in a much tighter package. Now to me that game already exists, it’s called Nations and it’s very good, good enough to make my own top 10 list, but I love Chivatil as a designer, I think he is one of the best in the business and when he makes something, I pay attention. I really hope that Through The Ages 3rd edition is everything its promised to be, because I’m a huge fan of all the ideas in it, just not 8-12 hours’ worth of it.
4. Star Wars Armada
It made my top 5 most anticipated games of 2015 and now it has crashed into my 2016 list as well!
You know I love my X-Wing but one of the most exciting releases to hit in 2015 was Star Wars Armada and its future in 2016 is looking very bright. Not only is there a new Star Wars movie being released from which Armada will no doubt feed, it has already proven itself as a popular concept and the game is clearly succeeding financially. This can only mean one thing, lots of new Armada stuff! While we really have no information what 2016 will bring for Armada, if you want to peek into the crystal ball you need to do nothing else but buy movie tickets to Force Awakens in December and keep an eye out for big capital ships! Force Awakens may as well be an advertisement for Armada at this point.
5. Fury of Dracula 3rd Edition
Thank you FFG.. seriously, thank you!
Ok so technically if you live in America this just released and will be available within days for us living in Europe this is basically a super late 2015 very early 2016 release. I can’t say enough about how excited I am about this one, in particular because I won’t have to wait for it too much longer. Fury Of Dracula 3rd edition promises to be a more streamlined and touched up version of 2nd edition which to me was very nearly perfect. In fact, I was almost worried that it wasn’t a straight reprint but my understanding is that most of the changes revolve around non-core mechanics like expediting the combat mechanic, cosmetics like new art and a few other minor streamlining improvements. It all sits fine with me, I was never able to secure my own copy of Fury of Dracula despite it being in my top 10 list for years so I’m super psyched for this one. A wonderful one vs. all deduction game with adventure elements combined with one of my favorite themes.
I recently scrolled through my top 10 table top games list from March of this year and came to a startling realization. Things have changed! Dramatically. In fact that list almost doesn’t make any sense at this points as there have been quite a few new additions and drop offs. This list needs an update so here we go!
1. Star Wars X-Wing
The undeniable king of the hill, X-Wing just gets better with time.
Ok this is the one thing that has not changed, in fact, X-Wing’s position on this list is strong than ever. I can’t think of a single game that could even be a contender at this point. Its fast, furious, star fighter combat in the Star Wars universe and FFG’s commitment to constantly push out new ships and improve the game is making this wonderful gem better and better. Which says a lot if your at all familiar with miniature games as a hobby, it is very typical for games to become bloated over time, unbalanced and in some cases a great game can be turned into a terrible game. Not so with X-Wing, it just keeps getting better and better. I don’t know what else to say other than when it comes to table top gaming, given the option I always rather play X-Wing than anything else.
2. Game of Thrones
Slowly but surely Game of Thrones has crawled up the ladder of this list proving it has legs. A Classic at this point.
Game of Thrones is one of those games that I have realized has surpassed all others in group play. It’s got strategy, diplomacy, resource management and above all else treachery. I didn’t find it difficult to edge out Twilight Imperium, which has been in my top 2 since release, most of that time in the number one spot. It would be dishonest at this point however to allow it to sit above Game of Thrones on the list. We play it more often and it’s far more engaging, far more approachable and frankly far more clever than Twilight Imperium. It’s earned it stripes through repeated plays as I constantly uncover more and more of its brilliance. It’s been a long time coming but Game of Thrones deserves to be up here with the best of the best.
3. Star Wars: Armada
It made my top 5 most anticipated games of 2015 and now it has crashed into my top 10 list. Yet another smash hit from Fantasy Flight Games.
This one has made a big splash on this list and made a big impression on me, in fact its without question the first game that I have played where after the first game I thought to myself, holy shit, I can’t believe how awesome this game was. I dare not compare it to my beloved X-Wing but in truth much of what appeals to me about Armada is the same as X-Wing, though the shock and awe of Star Wars Armada far outweighs the gradual appreciation I gained for X-Wing over time. In fact when I got my X-Wing core set I recall thinking to myself, this might be good if there was more variation and my prediction ultimately came true. In the case of Armada it was a big smash hit right out of the gate. Perhaps it’s because I got into it a little later when more toys are available for it, but regardless, it hit on every piston for me. I do find it a bit more complex and considerably less approachable which will probably prevent it from ousting X-Wing from the top spot. As a gamer, I tend to seek out games that I can actually put on the table, which is exactly what X-Wing is, but with Armada its really more of a self-contained hobby than a game, a more common way miniature games tend to be. Games that have a big splash on my list do have a tendency to slip as dramatically once the novelty wears off, but right, I’m super into it. Fantastic strategic and tactical game of capital ship warfare in the Star Wars universe, as a gamer I can only say “Fuck Yeah!”
4. War Of The Rings
As much a visual story experiance as a game, War of the Rings deserves every word of praise it has ever recieved.
When it comes to games on this list, no game sells its story better than War of the Rings. This has always been and always will be one of my favorite ways to spend an evening with a gaming buddy. It’s an intimate experience that win or lose always makes for an awesome night. Over time this has been a slow riser, much like Game of Thrones, its earning it stripes through repeated plays which is typically the type of game that holds on my top 10 list for extended periods of time. My only complaint about the game is that it is rather lengthy, not a huge problem given the company it keeps on this list. An amazing game that belongs in the collection of every gamer in my humble opinion.
5. Twilight Imperium
For nearly a decade this game has sat in the number 1 spot, to watch it slip now is almost like saying good bye to an old friend. I never thought I would see it dethroned let alone slip so far down on this list. Still an amazing game.
Ok so after nearly a decade of being in the top 2 on this list the great goliath that is Twilight Imperium has slipped from its grace. It had a great run and it’s certainly no push over in the number 5 spot, but TI3 is no longer resurfacing as often as it once did. I think it’s really largely due to the fact that while no specific game has replaced the epic space empire building genre of games for me, Twilight Imperium is becoming less and less approachable as an evening of entertainment by comparison to the many games out there. For example Game of Thrones might not have anything to do with space but it does share that big box game feel while being considerably more approachable and current. I still love Twilight Imperium and will gladly play it but over the years the group of gamers In my gaming group willing to slug it out in a 6+ hour complex strategy game is becoming smaller and smaller. I foresee an eventual slip from the list for Twilight Imperium, for the same reason games like Shogun (MB version), Axis and Allies or Fortress America eventually slipped. I love those games but the commitment they demand, pressed against the alternative options constantly being added in designer board game is making it less and less relevant. Still, looking at it from a pure fan perspective, despite alternatives, Twilight Imperium remains the best big box epic science-fiction game ever made.
6. Nations
I knew Nations would make this list the first time I played it. Its a niche game, but it rubs me the way I like.
Very few Euro’s grace my top 10 list but without reservation I add Nations. Most Euro games that make the list do so for relatively brief periods of time and this is largely due to the fact that Euro’s just lack the theme to really stick, they just don’t have those long term legs. Civilization building however is a theme I really love, but have watched fail in many’a’game, so I’m very happy to have finally found one I truly enjoy playing. I know this is a “Through The Ages Light” variant and truth be told I would love to be able to put Through The Ages on this list, but this list isn’t just about what I love, but what I actually get to play. Nations is one of the few Euro games I have brought to my gaming group that got their attention despite its Euroish roots. It’s got the interaction and the stressful intensity of a great game Euro or not. It also has a fun theme most gamers can get behind and fantastically fluid mechanics that are easy to understand, but impossible to master. It’s a brain teaser but I love it, a well-deserved addition to the list.
7. Star Trek: Fleet Captains
Definitly the biggest suprise of the year for me despite being released quite a while ago. I really didn’t have high hopes for Fleet Captains as I very impulsevly hit the Buy button. Not only did it not disapoint me but it smashed into this list with a vengence.
When I first picked up Star Trek Fleet Captains I thought to myself, it looks great but there is a long line of board games in the Star Trek universe that suck balls. From the first test play I did with myself I was relieved to discover that this was a fantastically thematic adventure game, well designed, that represents the Star Trek universe beautifully. The real test would be introducing it to my gaming group who told me when I bought it and I quote “Dude we are never going to play that with you”. The reason is simple; my gaming group HATES all things Star Trek. It was going to be a hard sell at best with very little chance of success. Still I managed to twists some arms and in truth the game just sold itself. Despite not being fans of the franchise, Fleet Captains is such a fantastic game that every person I introduced it to, no matter how reluctant, ultimately liked and in some cases, like me loved the game. A game so good that even if you very specifically don’t like Star Trek you will still like, that’s amazing. For me personally as a Star Trek fan this was the game I have hoped someone would make for years and they did. Fantastic, love it!
8. Fury of Dracula
No doubt the oldest member of this list by a wide margin, Fury of Dracula is a classic that just refuses to go away. Soon to get a whole new fresh start with FFG releasing a new edition.
Sometimes I wonder if Fury of Dracula is on this list out of nostalgia. After all of all the game on this list, it’s one I play the least, in fact its been a long time since I played it and rightfully for that reason it has slipped on this list. Fortunately that is about to be remedied as Fantasy Flight is about to release a new version of the game which I’m eagerly anticipating. I’m hoping to rekindle my love for this one and add it to my collection. I can say however that if its nostalgia, it’s for good reason. I recall my games of Fur of Dracula as far back as five years ago with perfect clarity. It’s got a distinct storyteller like mechanic that just sings and creates unforgettable game sessions. For that reason it sits pretty on this top 10 list.
9. Kemet
The newest member to the family, perhaps I’m being impulsive here but I fell in love with this one the moment I laid eyes on it.
Ok Kemet is a rising star, I got into this one a little late (2nd reprint) and have actually only had one play but I have had my eye on it for a long time, in fact it would have been number 6 on my top 5 most anticipated games had that list been a top 6 list (duh). It’s got an awesome theme, it’s a sort of cross between Euro mechanics and Ameri-Trash, yet it’s a pure wargame. There is so much going on in this game it’s amazing, especially considering how simple the concept and mechanics actually are. It is after all a very fast and furious war game, but it just hits on all pistons for me, scratching an itch that is often hard to scratch because so many games like it require a far bigger time commitment. Kemet does what many other games take 4 to 5 hours to do in just under 2 hours for your average game, yet it’s a very full bodied experiance. Fantastic mechanics, great theme, perfect balance, simple to teach , impossible to master … it’s got all the makings of a great game and I see it as a rising star on this list.
10. Shogun (Queen Games Version)
What can I say, I love that damn cube tower. Shogun is just fun in a box for me.
I’m always surprised about this one remaining on this list because it is so different than what usually makes the cut. The truth of it is, and this may be a bit childish of me but it’s simply fun to throw cubes into that chaotic tower. I mean I love the strategic, contemplative part of the game as well, but its icing on the cake. The combat is just so frantic and fun to execute that you can’t help but rise to your feet during play. It’s a game that creates great atmosphere at the table with this amazing blend of contemplative strategy and explosive anticipation. It’s a strategic game and I’m not going to deny it that honor but to me it falls in a line of games along with Galaxy Trucker and Zombicide where sometimes there is not real explicable reason why I like a game other than its simply fun to play. I especially like it with max players, the more you have the more chaotic it is. Great game, a worthy addition to the list, slipping to the bottom list is hardly a reflection of its quality and far more a tribute to its staying power.
A couple of notes on games that exit the list.
Dominion for me was a really easy removal, in fact, Dominion’s fall from grace was almost as dramatic as its rise, once sitting in the number 5 spot (long ago), not only was it removed from the list this time around its on the chopping block as a cannidate for being culled from my collection all together. It just wore out its welcome, I haven’t played it in almost two years and have no desire to. It just doesn’t have legs.
Tide of Irons, Lords of Waterdeep and Formula D all make their exists and frankly its less a reflection on them and more a reflection of the fact that so many new, great games are being made. I still love all three and they are in no danger of collecting dust on the shelf.
This next list is going to be all about HYPE! This list is comprised of games or expansions I’m super excited about in 2015. All of these games are already in a playable form, some even have imminent release dates, others are reprints. Get psyched!
1. Star Wars Armada
There is absolutely no question that Fantasy Flight Games is on fire right now and Star Wars Armada is just another “holy shit I can’t believe it” product that adds to their already extensive library of awesomeness. Star Wars Armada despite just being eye poppingly awesome looking is already being described as one of the “best games ever made” by those who played it at different conventions and trade shows. That is a bold statement considering the company Armada keeps like Star Wars X-Wing and Imperial Assault.
Before the game even hits stores the expansions for Star Wars Armada have been announced. FFG has also confirmed an extension on the Star Wars license which will allow them to include material from the upcoming movies!
Star Wars Armada is a miniatures game, though the word “Miniature” might not be entirely appropriate as some of the ships are quite large. Like Star Wars X-Wing it is a game of space combat using the “flight system”, though the existing flight system of X-Wing has been adapted to include a unique flight tool which is used to maneuver the large ships in Armada. It’s a dice game as was X-Wing and includes a variety of cards presumably equipment, pilots and stuff like that. While it seems to have a lot of similarities with Star Wars X-Wing, the word on the street is that it’s a very different game, which is good, because X-Wing is a dog fighting game and dog fighting Star Destroyers would not make much sense. It’s also a much longer gamer, most estimates put it at around 2.5-3 hours, so quite epic in scale and commitment. I think the biggest concern people have about Armada is the price point, its … well let’s just say it, super expensive. A single box set does not appear to be enough to really get the full flavor of the game (as was the case with X-Wing) so we can expect to spend several hundred dollars on a satisfactory collection. This might hold Armada back from being embraced whole heartedly by the community but for me personally, I mailed them my credit card to save time. Yeah… it’s like that.
2. Forbidden Stars (Warhammer 40k)
The 40k franchise has been gaining success while failing miserably simultaneously. It’s miniatures business run by Games workshop reported some of the worse loses in the companies history triggering mass layoffs recently, which included mass drop in share prices and scaring the hell out of fans as they watch a beloved franchise failing. The good news is that while the miniatures lines are doing badly, 40k board and card games are going through something of a renaissance and one upcoming game in particular is building a lot of hype, Forbidden Stars.
Forbidden Stars is an epic sized war game ready to trade paint with FFG classics like Twilight Imperium 3rd edition.
We already got great games like Relic, Space Hulk: Death Angel not to mention the living card game conquest which has already proven that FFG can make 40k work, but Forbidden Stars is looking to top all those by a mile as it fully commits to the 40k universe with an asymmetrical design that puts the unique factions of the Warhammer 40k universe under a microscope.
Forbidden Stars is a straight up war game using the very clever command token system we saw in games like StarCraft and Games of Thrones, as well as unique card systems and a big focus on asymmetrical gameplay giving each of the factions in the game a very unique and distinct feel, not to mention opening it up for plenty of expansions. The game was recently played at the Gama Trade Show and is being reported as “awesome” building the excitement for me
This game may prove once and for all that the problem with Warhammer 40k is that it’s an awesome franchise burdened by a shitty company (Games Workshop) that writes shitty rules for games (The Warhammer 40k miniatures game). Under the right company and the right rule systems, the 40k universe is a uniquely epic game world upon which many great games can be built and Forbidden Stars appears to be the next installment that will prove that, again. The game is slated to be released at the end of the summer 2015… exciting!
3. Fire and Axe (Reprint)
Generally reprints aren’t something I get too excited for, but the truth is that Fire and Axe is one of those very underrated games that went out of print under the radar and only a lucky few where able to get their hands on it. It’s actually a fantastic game and with the update to components treatment and art style it’s getting perhaps it will get the attention it needs to rise out of obscurity.
Its getting a face lift with improved art and components, but according to the developer they are not touching the rules, they are perfect as they are!
I had the pleasure of playing Fire and Axe a few years ago and fell in love with the game instantly, but was not ever able to secure my own copy. It’s a game that is fantastically thematic, though its worth saying that the theme is less about “Viking combat” and more about “Viking life”. You raid, you trade, you settle and compete to raise wealth (victory points and gold). Still the game has atmosphere and many unique mechanics that just fit really well into this unique Viking theme. I really loved it and was hugely disappointed that I was unable to secure a copy, now with the reprint you get bet your bottom dollar I WILL have it. This game would easily make it into my top 10 list if I owned (and was able to play it) but as is the case quite often with gamers and games, you play with who and what you have. My friends have never played this game say they are not aware of what they are missing out on, something I fully intend to remedy in the near future.
If I had made a wish list of games I hope would be reprinted Fire and Axe would have been number one on that list. See… wishes sometimes do come true!
4. Imperial Assault
Imperial Assault has already been released and it is an amazing game that blends the experience and great gameplay of Descent with the thematic and charismatic Star Wars universe. A match made in heaven, one that can only get better with expansions and expansions is exactly what we are getting. In fact, FFG’s roll-out for Imperial Assault in 2015 looks to be the most well thought out and biggest one of any game they have ever put out. There is so much coming down the pipe Imperial Assault that if your already a fan of the game, you better start thinking about taking that second job.
With the paint not even dry on the release, FFG is already “assaulting” us with expanded material that doubles up the amount of miniatures, cards and awesomeness available for the game!
The list is long and distinguished and the Imperial Assault expansions that have already been announced, of which there are many, is just a small taste of what is coming. More importantly however is the fact that FFG has kept quite a few things about Imperial Assault under raps right up to the imminent release so there is no telling what treasures they have in development. Rumors abound, but one thing is true regardless of what is coming, if you’re a fan of Star Wars Imperial Assault, you are about to have an amazing gaming year. It is the year of Imperial Assault.
5. Mage Knight Expansions (Reprint)
Like Fire and Axe, Mage Knight is a game that came and went rather quickly and it’s a huge disappointment that a game sitting in the top ten on boardgame geek, in particular one as awesome as Mage Knight is out of print! I have been waiting impatiently for a reprint for far too long and having it played it only twice was just enough to wet my appetite.
Is Mage Knight awsome? I know don’t know, does a bear shit in the woods? Is the pope catholic?
The good news is however since Mage Knight is about to get an expansion in the near future, the word on the street is that Wizkids are going to be reprinting the game and rumor further has it that they may be working on a revised edition that will upgrade the components and art. Now it’s all rumor at this point (other than the expansion which was announced and is set to release). Given that the last print sold out in about 20 days (according to the Wizkids website), rumor or not, the odds of Wizkids putting out a reprint are quite good.
Mage Knight is a unique adventure game that takes things to a much higher level of complexity than something like Descent or Talisman and adds a number of layers of strategic depth that suck you into its bodaciously thematic game world. I put this game last on the list because its imminent reprint in 2015 has not been confirmed, but if Mage Knight is not reprinted this year it would be unquestionably idiotic of Wizkids to miss the opportunity, stockholders would be right to complain because it’s like printing money. Expect an reprint announcement any time!
I’m having fun with lists so I thought I would continue it with this next little gem, the top 5 games that where almost great. These are games that where innovative, creative or otherwise on the brink of something amazing but botched it in some way like poor application of mechanics, balance, theme or something to the effect. These are games I want to love, I wish were great, but just came up short and we just have to accept that they missed the mark.
1. Starcraft The Board Game
When fantasy flight announced a new coffin sized epic scale board game based on the Starcraft franchise to say that the hype was overwhelming is an understatement. In fact there are still many that insist that this game is great (the I spent too much money not to like it effect) but, by all reputable accounts Starcraft the board game was a failure. It went out of print and has since been removed from the Fantasy Flight Games website which means there are no future re-prints planned.
Like a sail boat the most exciting times with Starcraft is the day you buy it and the day you sell it.
Starcraft had everything going for it. Two of the best designers in the business in my opinion, particularly well known for making amazing big board games (Corey Konieczka & Christian T. Petersen). It had a beloved and well known franchise which was begging for a great board game interpretation and it had a company with a reputation for creating amazing big board games with some of the best components money can buy. It was really a perfect marriage, the stars where aligned, it really wasn’t a question of whether or not I would be dropping the dough on this game, it was just a question of how quickly we could get our hands on it. With promotion and hype in full gear the game lands and with held breath we dove deep into the world of Starcraft the board game.
The result. While having some very clever mechanics, amazing components and superb art, Starcraft the board game was a complete dud. Unbalanced with an all but broken card combat and a stiflingly small game map, whatever potential greatness was put into the game it was killed by a clear shortage of play testing. Perhaps Fantasy Flight just got over confident, perhaps there was pressure from the licensee, who knows, but the game just sucked. Some claim that the expansion solved a lot of the problems of the game and I believe that is partially true, with the expansion the game is “playable”. Still of all the games that used the combat card mechanic FFG was putting into their games during this period which was a burden to other games FFG as well, Starcraft was the unquestionable king of disappointments and rightfully earns its number one spot as one of the biggest “should have been great” duds among games on this list.
2. Rune Wars
The fantasy world on which Fantasy Flight Games has based a number of games was exciting and different. We had become familiar with many of it’s personalities, monstrosities and legends in games like Runebound, Battle Lore and Descent, but Rune Wars represented the first time we were able to play in this world on a more global scale. Rune Wars was another coffin sized board game that used a very clever role-selection like mechanic, had amazing miniatures and art and again Corey Konieczka. He’s a great designer and it clearly shows, because despite its short comings, Runewars had a lot of potential. Like Starcraft it had that damned combat card mechanic and it just burdened this game unfortunatly. More than that however one of the factions in the game (The Elves) was completely and utterly broken, something that should have been fixed in testing. With house rules and if you could look beyond the card combat mechanic, Runewars had a lot going for it, but the combination of the two short comings overwhelmed the game. It was so close, that it actually pained me to cull it from my collection but the reality was no one ever wanted to play it out of fear of being stuck with the Elves. We tried a few house rules that made them more manageable but in the end even with fixed Elves the combat mechanic was just bad.
The Elf faction should have never been approved for release, this was clearly a play test failure.
Unlike Starcraft however Runewars was not abandoned and got a revised edition with some rules updates that did improve the game somewhat. The Elves remain the least favorite faction however still considered by many to be completely underpowered (myself included) and card combat mechanic is still there of course which is the worst part of the game in my humble opinion.
I want to love Runewars I really do but it’s just one of those games that sits on the shelf and never gets played because when it’s time to pull out a big fantasy war game there are just much better options available (some of them from fantasy flight games) and it’s just hard to justify it. So close, but yet so far away.
3. Letter’s From White Chapel
I feel like I’m picking on Fantasy Flight Games with this list as all but one of the games on this list are published by FFG. Perhaps its expectations, they are after all, the unquestionable king of amazing game publication hence held to a higher standard. Letter’s From White Chapel however does not deserve an excuse, it is, simply put, a terrible game and it’s shocking considering that it’s mechanics are pulled directly from one of the best games ever made (Fury of Dracula). I don’t understand why they would create a sub-par version of an amazing game they could have just reprinted, which notably a shockingly large amount of gamers are begging for. Perhaps it was a licensing issue or something, but the magic of Fury of Dracula simply does not exist in Letters From White Chapel. Which is odd, given that chasing Jack the Ripper is as awesome thematically as chasing after Dracula.
This addition is as stupid as it is boring, if I want to fill out paper work I will file my taxes not play board games.
Letter’s to White Chapel is a watered down yet oddly more rules heavy version of Fury of Dracula, missing some of the most interesting elements and streamlined mechanics that made Fury great, while including convoluted rules and utterly stupid ideas (like adding a pencil and notepad) to the game. Fury of Dracula was a seamless, streamlined gem that was both dynamic and exciting at every stage. Letter’s From White Chapel feels more like doing homework on a Saturday night.
I don’t know why they messed with a good thing, but what should have been a new exciting version of Fury of Dracula with an amazingly appropriate theme like Jack The Ripper has been turned into what I considered one of the worst games in FFG’s library of games. The fact that it is visually butt ugly just adds insult to injury, as this is one area, good game or bad, FFG always get’s right and they dropped the ball on this on top of everything else. If anyone tells you “it’s like Fury Of Dracula”, immediately dragon punch them, this is NOT at all like Fury of Dracula and to utter those words is heresy.
4. Eclipse
Eclipse already made it to my list of top 5 list of games you can skip, but it makes this list as well because while it’s certainly a game not worth your time, it really should have been. Eclipse is a game which fringes on greatness as it side swipes its thematic potential and sells out to Euro-bore roots. Let this be a lesson to all Euro game designers, if you’re going to make a game in a genre of games that already has amazingly thematically rich games, you WILL be compared and judged on that comparison. Eclipse looks amazing, it sounds amazing and when you sit down to play it, you get that sense of “oh my god, this will be amazing”. Than the game step by step misses the opportunities to turn great mechanics into thematic gameplay. It’s a shorter game than Twilight Imperium and yes, thank you, that is a really great, but 3 hours of gaming is 3 hours of gaming, you have to make it worth my time.
It looks amazing on the table, if only the play was as exciting as the image.
Eclipse is a dull game and really while the theme is clearly present, it’s so thinly done, the game never really feels like an epic space opera, but instead feels more like Agricola in space. I always look forward to adding new science-fiction games to my collection and I really thought Eclipse was going to make it, but while it has all the appetizers of a great game, the meal is empty and superficial. It is far better to play a six hour game of Twilight Imperium, than to suffer through three hours of Eclipse. There is just no reason to play it and really it was so close, just a bit more American thematic design influence in this game and it would have been amazing.
5. Sid Meier’s Civilization
Another FFG game and another game from the top 5 games you can skip, it was one I was hesitant to put on this list since I have already said my peace, but the truth is that, this one was a real disappointment to me because of its great potential which should have been very easy to tap into. So much so that I sometimes play it despite its flaws because I so badly want it to be good. Like most of the games on this list, it had so much going for it that it really should have resulted in an amazing game, but like Runewars and Starcraft it was utterly ruined by the combat card mechanic. It should have been less so than any other game on this list because in Civilization combat is not the main goal. Unfortunatly every game of Civilization I have ever played has resulted in a very un-climatic military victory and I have yet to play it where everyone at the table didn’t utter these words.
No amount of wishful thinking is going to make this game good, no matter how much we want it to be.
“Really great game except for that combat mechanic, that’s just stupid”. – Everyone (all the time).
As a veteran gamer, we love to play with other veteran gamers if for no other reason than simple shared interest. Veteran gamers don’t shy away from complexity, they are as excited about the hobby as you are, it makes for a perfect match. That said as gamers we are always trying to sneak in ways to do more gaming and certainly we have all been in that position where we have a room full of people looking to be entertained that aren’t really gamers. Pulling Twilight Imperium out and introducing them to it isn’t likely to yield particularly good results and when someone suggests Monopoly I immediately have the urge to roll my eyes to the back of my head. Fortunately there are lots of really great entry level games, sometimes known as gateway games that are perfect for introducing people to the hobby without scaring them off or making them feel like they aren’t going to do very well in the game. The following top 10 list is made of such games, each one better than the last for introducing people to the wonderful hobby of designer games.
1. Small World
When I started making this list Small World was the unquestionable king of introductory games, not only because it’s very easy to teach and learn, both because it’s simple and streamlined, but because gamer or not, it’s a fantastic game in its own right. I find Small World is as popular among non-gamers, casual gamers and veteran gamers a-like. This is a game that simply caters to everyone and thanks to its cute fantasy art, very clever concept and versatility, playing as well with 2 players as it does with 3, 4 or 5, its ideal. Now I will admit that I did not review this game particularly high on boardgamegeek but it’s largely because I am a veteran gamer, I prefer to play games aimed at guys like me and Small World is really, well simple. It’s clearly not a game aimed to capture my attention and preferences, but I have never passed up the opportunity to play it and I find it hits the table a lot more often than any other light strategy game with my usual game group which is made up of largely veteran gamers. That says a lot about Small World as a game.
A game for everyone, that’s all that needs to be said about why Small World is at the top of this list.
2. Ticket To Ride
This list would be incomplete without Ticket to Ride on it, it is the Monopoly of our generation. Rightfully so because it is the premiere family game and it has done beer and pretzel fun without that endless slog that old school family games like Monopoly or The Game of Life had. I find more than any other game on this list, Ticket to ride is great because it requires ZERO instruction ahead of time. You can simply setup the board and the explain the game as you play which I think is a huge benefit to using this game as an introductory game. It’s also a lot more kid friendly, I have played with kids as young as 6 and it works just fine. It has an appeal to kids as well, who doesn’t love playing with miniature toy trains. Simple, fun and actually does have a bit of umpf for those who dig into the nuisances of the games potential strategies, there really is some game here below the surface that might satisfy a more gamy group. It’s a classic, it belongs on this list.
The perfect family board game night game, looks amazing, it’s simple enough for kids of pretty much any age yet offers sufficient strategy and gameplay to keep veteran gamers from getting bored.
3. Carcassonne
I think the first few games on this list I realized when I was writing it are almost kind of obvious to gamers, I would imagine that any gamer who would form a list like this would have Caraccassone on it. It’s such an obvious choice, easy to learn difficult to master it’s a game that draws you in if you have even the slightest interest in board gaming. There are various expansions for the game, but for the purposes of an introductory game the original Caraccassone is best. Though most of the expansions add only slightly more complexity so really any of them would work. Most gamers have their favorite, but for me personally, I like regular plain old Caraccassone. It’s a simple game and personally I have never felt it needed any expansions. I actually play this game quite often, It seems like every gamer I know has a copy so I think of all the games on this list, its really up there in terms of games I play regularly.
Very strategic for such a simple game and really such a classic gateway game the list would be incomplete without it.
4. Dominion
This is probably where opinions will start to diverge. Dominion is slightly more complex than most games on this list, but it’s a game I think is very easy to grasp the rules of. Learning the strategies is another topic, it has some less than obvious ones and can take many plays to get your head around. I like Dominion as an introductory game however because it has this addictive “lets play again” nature to it. I have never introduced Dominion to any group that didn’t ultimately end up playing several games back to back. The bonus is that I love playing Dominion, so when I bring it out to casual gamers it feels more like a board game night with the guys, than an introductory game night and I really like that. I tend to stick to the core game for introductions, the rules for expansions tend to be a bit too complex for an introductory game.
The addictive nature of Dominion paired with its simple and streamlined gameplay makes it ideal as a gateway game.
5. Railways Of The World
This game lands on a slightly more complex level than the others, but I have had a lot of great results introducing it to non-gamers and getting them excited about the hobby. I find that sometimes, non-gamers are a bit put off by the “fantasy” or “kids” like art of most introductory games. After all most non-gamers have played more complex games anyway like RISK, Chess, Stratego and things of that nature. Just because someone is a non-gamer, doesn’t mean there stupid and I think that’s why Railways of the World is such a great introductory game. It kind of takes the players more seriously, yet is really no more complex than any other game on this list to teach. It has the benefit of looking amazing on the table, which is a really great treat for people who don’t ordinarily play games because it has this “wow” effect. It also has this thing where it looks complicated but isn’t, I find that non-gamers pick the strategy up really quickly and do quite well even in their first game and by the end of it do the classic gamer thing “I should have done X or Y”. A clear indication that they where into the game and are thinking about how they will do it next time, exactly what you want when introducing someone to gaming.
A meaningful relatively deep strategic game that is easy to teach and learn. The fact that it looks amazing on the table is just a bonus.
6. Cosmic Encounters
I was hesitant to add this to the list because while it’s a fairly simple game, it does have a science-fiction theme, it can get a little mean and some of the specific races can make the game a bit complex. Still I find that when people come over to my house, see my game collection, Cosmic Encounters gets that “what’s this” query from non-gamers. There is a draw to it, perhaps it’s the art but I have pulled it off the shelf by request from non-gamers more often than I have pulled it off myself as an introductory game. Cosmic Encounters does have that social negotiation element to it and people seem to like that, even though I would have not guessed that. I always imagine that non-gamers want to avoid confrontational games but quite to the contrary, I often get the comment from non-gamers or casual gamers that they want to play something with more interaction, which might explain why RISK is often requested. While familiar, I think people like games like RISK because it’s a confrontation game so there is something to it. Cosmic Encounters is a really great game, I love playing it with my own gaming groups so if it’s requested and there is interest in the science-fiction theme, there certainly is no reason not to use it as a gateway game. It is after all very easy to teach and grasp, so it’s not the complexity that would be a turn off. You just have to feel the room because that confrontation element can get quite nasty in Cosmic Encounters.
I was a bit hesitant to add this one to the list. It’s a science-fiction game, it looks complicated and it can be kind of mean in the negotiation element of the game. It is however easy to teach/learn and it’s on the list because it gets requested by visitors to my gaming dungeon. I think there are more science-fiction fans out there than people realize.
7. King of Tokyo
Simple games like Yahtzee are often requested and my eyes immediately roll to the back of my head. For the love of god if you want to roll dice there are far better games than Yahtzee to do it with. King of Tokyo is a perfect example. A very simple, dice chucking game that is actually fun and has a great theme that everyone can get behind as well. It’s a really great game for kids as well, in fact, this is the premiere “family game night” game because as parents we often want to let our kids win but don’t give them the impression that we are letting them win and as strange as it sounds, King of Tokyo is fun to play even if you intentionally throwing the game. There are lots of big moments and take those moments, plenty of gotcha’s and I have found that it really hits that almost party game level in terms of board games. Great, simple, dice chucking fun, perfect for those dinner parties when you’re trying to entertain guests with something other than boring conversations about politics.
A far better alternative to boring classic dice chuckers like Yahtzee. To answer your question, yes, it’s as much fun as it looks.
8. Pandemic
Pandemic takes on a pretty unusual topic for a board game (viral outbreak) in which players cooperate in an effort to stop a global catastrophe. Not exactly what I would call an easy concept to sell to new players. It might almost be too much from a theme perspective alone, but there is no denying Pandemic’s streamlined, easy to learn design which fits perfect on this list as an introductory game. More importantly, in terms of “gamer games” that work well with non-gamers it’s ideal because it’s purely cooperative, so no one suffers at the hands of more experienced players. It’s a game where the actions of players have a lot of impact, but since your cooperating it’s not strange or insulting to offer advice and talk strategies at the table. The subject matter might work to your benefit as well as non-gamers tend to get put off by the “fantasy” element of most board games, where Pandemic is really kind of a “this could actually happen” type of subject matter which might register with more serious people who see board gaming as “play time for kids”. This game is oddly enough family friendly as well, as everyone at the table is working together, promoting a kind of team spirit thing, though perhaps children shouldn’t be too young. I often wish there was a Pandemic game with a lighter theme, but what Pandemic does best is provide a very challenging gaming experience without overwhelming you with rules so it really is a great introductory game. You just need to feel he room and make sure the subject matter is appropriate.
The subject matter might be a turn off for some, but I find there are certain groups of people who don’t mind playing a board game as long as they don’t have to be a Wizard or a space marine which excludes a lot of board games. Be selective, but for the right group it’s a perfect game.
9. Kingdoms
I have always loved this game for its extremely easy to teach and learn rules, while simultaneously being immensely deep strategically. It’s a pretty fast game too boot which is always a consideration for introductory games and many games on this list might be a bit too long for some introductions. Kingdoms is a really great game in particular when dealing with “casual gamers” rather than non-gamers. Casual gamers are generally people who do sometimes play games or might have played games in the past like RISK or Stratego for example, it has that same simplicity, yet offers some depth and mastery that can be attractive to casual gamers. It’s easily one of my favorite short games, in fact, after you play it once and have explained the rules, it’s practically a filler game. Really solid design, versatile in the sense that it’s as much a gamers game as an introductory game and I find once I introduce it to group, they tend to want to replay it which again, is always a great sign that it’s having the desired effect. Highly recommend it In general for everyone, but in particular as an introductory game.
A simple game with a lot of depth. This one will have people thinking, its less “fun fun” as a game so it caters more to non-gamers who are interested in strategy as opposed to a dinner party “lets have some laughs” type of gaming. You have to feel the room.
10. Lords of Waterdeep
Lords of Waterdeep has been mentioned on this blog a number of times and once again I have to put it on a list of games you should be pulling out. I realize I have a strange infatuation with this game, but it really does belong on this list though I will admit it’s really a “taking the next step” kind of game mostly because of its theme. This is a very simple game, in fact, I typically don’t teach it prior to playing but rather teach it during play, it’s that simple. The game has a lot of depth beneath the surface, but this really only comes through once you start and the depth is not complexity of the rules but of potential strategies. Really the only strike against it for this list is its fantasy theme which I find is kind of a turn off for a lot of non-gamers who want to avoid the “nerdy” element of board gaming as its often perceived. It really functions better as a game that you introduce once you have people’s attention and interest and they are over that awkward self-conscious stage where they feel they are being judged on how they spend their free time. It really has that spark as a game that triggers the gamer in all of us, once you get someone to play this game, the door really swings pretty wide in what you can introduce next so while its lowest on this list, it’s definitely to be considered an introductory game for all intense and purposes.
This is a “next step” type of game, though D&D is a familiar theme and I have found people have a tendency to want to play games in familiar territory. Simple enough to teach on the fly however makes this a strong entry at the end of this list.
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