by sean johnson
Since 2009 I have made an annual list of my favorite games. In past years I made this list in May. After my wife posted her list a couple weeks ago I got excited thinking about my favorites, so it is a month early this year. I think I could easily expand the list to 50+ games and still be in the territory of the games that I really like, but I wanted to keep the games on the list lower. I have played nearly 700 unique games, so these 30 represent the top 5% of all games that I have played.
There are several new games on the list this year, and there have been a lot of changing in positions. Obviously it is all subjective, but it is interesting to me how my thoughts on games change from year to year.
The games are listed with a brief reason why I consider the game one of my favorites. The number next the game shows how it has changed compared to last year's list. As always the list is in descending order for dramatic effect.
30. Kingdom of Solomon(-14)Last year this game was still fairly new to me so I am sure that influenced my thoughts quite a bit. In recent years there have been a lot of euro games that mash various mechanisms together, and this is probably my favorite of that lot. It is primarily a worker placement game but it also has resource management, area control, and a marketplace. It all comes together well, and as a biblical theme to boot.
29. Havana(-9)Several years ago this was a top ten game for me. It is probably still my favorite role selection game. I really like how players choose two roles, but one sticks round from turn to turn. The roles selected also determine turn order which is vital in this game. It creates a fun game where plays try to out guess each other and the roles create synergy together.
28. Frontline: D-Day (Same)This is one of only a couple of games that stayed where it is at. This is a very underappreciated game that captures the feel of tactical combat really well. I love the customization aspect and the fact that hand management is the main mechanic makes the game very tense.
27. Settlers of America: Trails to Rails(-6)My parents play 1 to 3 games of Settlers of Catan ever week, and have done so for like the past seven years. They love the game. I think this is the best version of the Catan system. The addition of the trains adds so much to the game. The extra options means there is always something to do on a turn.
26. King of Tokyo-4This game has one of the best themes, and it is really fun to play. A full six player game is guaranteed to be a loud, boisterous, trash talking time. We do not have any of the expansions, and I am not sure if they are needed. I like this game just as it is.
25. Mayfair Crayon Rail Games(-2)I agree with my wife and I tend to think of these all as one game with different maps. Thus far we have played Empire Builder, British Rails, Australian Rails, and Nippon Rails. We both really want to play Lunar Rails, and I am interested in the more historical nature of Russian rails.
24. Hammer of the Scots (same)This is the other game that is in the same spot, and oddly enough it is also a war game. I really like the Columbia block games, and this is my favorite. The fluid nature of the game makes it really exciting. I get to play this game once or twice a year, and if that stays consistent, that would be great.
23. Homesteaders(+5)This is a game that I have had for several years, and I never felt like it got the play it deserved. I have played this one several times recently and that might be why it increased. This game has so much going on in it. It has a great narrative arc as the city slowly gets built and a strategy emerges. There is never enough actions or resources to do everything but it is nice to see things working at the end even if I do not win.
22.
Bootleggers (NEW!)Last year if I had made the list to 35 or so then this would have been there. This is a game I find myself wanting to play, especially with a group of people. This game brings out the gangster in everyone. It is a fun strategy game but it is also a fun experience full of blackmail, strong arming, and back stabs.
21. Yomi(-6)I still really love the idea of this game and the way that it so perfectly captures the feel of fighting video games. However, it has steadily slid down my list of favorite games. This is because my wife does not care much for it, and as a two player game it is hard to get it played elsewhere. I did read an app is coming out for it soon though, so that is awesome.
20. Helvetia Cup(New!)For the past couple of years I had
ElfBall on this list, but Helvetia Cup replaces that game. Both games are miniature games that seek to simulate a fantasy sport and be accessible. Helevtia Cup which does a version of soccer is very accessible and captures the feel of the sport well. Mainly though this game is in, and ElfBall is out because my wife plays this one. Now the new teams just need to come out, like now.
19. Last Night on Earth: The Zombie Game(-5)I think one of the reasons for this game's drop is that it has been over a year since I have played it. This game is always a fun zombie adventure. I do not have them (yet) but it sounds like the two most recent expansions really amp up the adventure feel.
18. Berserk: War of the Realms(NEW!) This is the newest game on the list, and one of the most recent games we have acquired. I absolutely love this game. The combos that come out of the card interactions on the board, the army customization, and the amazing art work make for a great package. I feel that this game is another one that is a bit of a hidden gem.
17. Suburbia(NEW!)Last year when I made this list, I had only played it once. I have played the game more since then, and I really like it. The appeal to me is the common appeal, which is the Sim City feel the game evokes. This is the only game on the list that we do not own, and that really needs to change.
16. Glen More(+1)I am not sure why this game went up one, but that is how it goes. I really like the spatial element of this game. It is fun to build my own little corner of the Highlands.
15. London(-5)This game drops out of my top ten this year. I still really like it, but the play length tends to go a little long. Also, I seem to fall into the same pattern of playing this game so different plays can feel a little samey. It is still in the top half of my favorite game list, so it is still one I enjoy to play.
14. Ninjato(-1)This continues to be one of my absolute favorite euro games. I adore the theme, and I think the way that "push your luck" has been put into this game is novel and really brings out the theme. This is a really tight game, and I feel like I never get the balance right. However, I always enjoy playing it.
13. Star Trek: Attack Wing(NEW!)This game captures the best of both worlds. It is an easy to get into miniatures game, but it is also a customizable game. The fleet building aspect of this game is reminiscent of a CCG, and the game system itself is proven. I was a big skeptic when this game came out, but now I am a believer. This is the next game that I could see myself getting into competitively.
12. Empires of the Void(+7)This game increased in ranking because conquering space is fun. I really like all of the different parts of this game, and I like how it is balanced so by about the half way point people have almost no option but to start fighting. This delivers a combat heavy 4X experience in 2 to 3 hours, and that is the exact kind of game that I want.
11. Bruges(NEW!)This is the final new game to make the list, and I will admit it might be this high because it still has that new game smell. I like this game because the cards can be used for so many things. This ensures that every game is wildly different. This level of replayability is really attractive to me. My wife and I have only started playing Bruges, but we both think this is a game we could end up playing together a lot.
10. Small World(-3)Small World is one of four games that has been on every favorite games list, but this is the lowest position it has been in. Small World is still fun for me, and every game presents new possibilities. There is not much more that I can say about this game that I have not said in previous years.
9. Core Worlds(+3)This game got on my favorites list in 2012, but this is the first time it made the top 10. The difference is the Galactic Orders expansion. This expansion truly makes a good game a great game. The galactic orders add a whole new level of decision making, options, and strategy. The expansion is a must for this game, and when using galactic orders this is one of my top ten favorite games.
8. Dominion(-3)In 2011 (I think) this was my #2 game. I still love Dominion. I love the infinite nature of the game. I love that every time I play it will be different, and I love that I am still discovering new combos. However, my wife burnt out on this game and she only plays it when really prodded to do so. I suppose playing it less has cooled me a bit on it as well.
7. Blood Bowl: Team Manager – The Card Game(+2)I do not know what it is about this game, but I really do enjoy it. I got to play this game four times last year, and every time I remember saying to myself or out loud, "this is such a good game." Last year I also got the expansion for it, and the new teams are fun. I am glad there is another expansion coming out too.
6. A Touch of Evil: The Supernatural Game(+2)One of the reasons why this is gone up for me is because of listening to
The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast. They recently discovered this game, and they like it for the same reasons I do. To put it simply this game is a grand epic. Every time I have played this game an amazing story has unfolded. I also love the pulp horror theme of this game.
5. The Resistance(+1)This is really a combo entry for The Resistance and Resistance Avalon, as they are variants of the same game. This is the best group game I have played. The game works so well, and it always so much fun to play. The conversations, the deception, and the triumph of a good win make this game legendary for me.
4. Warhammer: Invasion(-2)At 580 plays this is easily my most played game, and it is clearly one I like a whole lot to play that many times. However, this game is kind of at a weird spot for me. For years this game was all about creating, testing, and tweaking the best possible deck. Now that the competitive side of this game is completely dead, the appeal to make competitive decks is not there. With nine factions and a multiplayer rules, I still think my best bet is to sit down and make decks that are balanced well against each other and play this like a board game.
3. Race for the Galaxy(+1)While Warhammer Invasion is my most played game, this is probably the game my wife and I have played together the most. It is also her favorite game. I feel like Alien Artifacts as breathed new life into this game for us. We do not care for the orb game, but the extra cards round out the base set really nicely and really make several paths very viable.
2. Memoir '44(-1) For the past three years this was my #1 game. This may be my ideal war game. It is accessible, scenario based, and very adaptable. I am fully invested into this system, and we have everything but the campaign bag. When the new expansion comes out later this year we will get it, and I will call everyone I know to try and make the full six map big mega overlord scenario happen.
1. Federation Commander(+2)Last year when I put this game at #3, I said what was holding it back was that my wife would not play the game with me. That is still true, but despite that it was still my second most played game in 2013. When I told my wife this was now my #1 game she said she was not surprised. She said I spend more time thinking about and playing this game than any other, and she is probably right. This game has so many scenarios for it, that I could play it forever. This game puts me in the captain's chair and after 40 games (each 60 to 120 minutes long) in just two years I feel like I am only scratching the surface. This is my favorite game ever. . .at least for this year anyway.
