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3,5 years of gaming: my top 25
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Three and a half years ago I started gaming rather fanatically. I have put lots of effort in getting to know many games (151 new in 2005, 135 in 2006, 109 in 2007, played 2044 games in total 2005-2007) and doing lots of research to find more games of my taste. BGG and buddies have been a great help in that process! I have now become a father recently, so my life has been changing quite radically with new challenges to raise my son to become a future geek. I don't play as much anymore, so to mark the period, it is an good time to put my best 25 games in order. I prefer games with lots of interaction. Many games I find too solitary. For that reason you won't find Puerto Rico, Princes of Florence, Caylus, Pillars of the earth or Agricola in my list. They are all solid games and I enjoy playing them sometimes, but they don't make it into the top 25. Other criteria are that the games must include challenging decisions with plenty of strategy and tactics involved. Also games should be playable in one night. I did not include two player games or pure cardgames in the list. I have the feeling that I am reasonably caught up with the past right now, although I suspect that Die Macher could make the list when I get to know it. And I am definitely interested in any additional recommendations you might have. Anyway, I put this list together so other gamers perhaps can discover and check out a game or two if they have a similar taste, while it is also a nice landmark for myself.
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:35:40
Edited On: 2008-05-12 15:03:36
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Nr. 25
Excellent little game. Knizia is a master in designing games with simple rules that yet have depth. Of course the theme is pasted on, but who cares. I go for the underlaying games and this one is a classic.
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:11:10
Edited on: 2008-05-12 10:13:10
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Nr. 24
Another relatively short game. I like this a lot for its simplicity of play: play a cards, put pieces, draw cards. But for just 45 minutes it has surprising depth and strategy. One that hits the table often.
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:14:28
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Nr.23
One of only three games of 2006 to make the list. This is one of the best and most intense auction games I know. A true gamers game that should not be underestimated. I don't agree with people who complain about getting only low cards. Play well and make sure you get enough cards to choose from! Most important decisions are when you decide which cards you want to buy. You have to make the plan for the next round. Which auction(s) do you want to win? Very well designed game.
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:17:00
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Nr. 22
The mother of all auction games. Such a clever but simple design. I enjoy the choices and the calculated gambles to be made. It is great fun playing it too, when the players get into it with smooth selling talk |
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:17:56
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Nr.21
I love the mechanism of this game. It is a cardgame with a board and there are various ways to score. The game is extremely well balanced, a beauty out of Knizia's mathematical brain. Everyone is continuously involved, there is no down time. Still underrated here in my opinion.
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:19:14
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Nr. 20
Actually I prefer this to Age of Steam, which I find a bit too abstract and artificial in its mechanics. Railroad Tycoon plays easily and is at its best with a full board of six players. |
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:24:12
Edited on: 2008-05-12 10:24:33
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Nr.19
One of the very best and innovative games of 2006. Lots of interaction when you hinder scoring chances of others or steal their villages. A true gamers game, good concentration is needed to spot the chances. Yet the rules are easy: moving beads around following the Mancala principle of leaving one in each square. It needs the right players who enjoy this sort of puzzling challenge. Check this out!
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:20:44
Edited on: 2008-05-12 10:24:44
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Nr.18
This game is the exception to rule that I prefer games with lots of interaction. This game grabs me, keeps you focused how to do your planning in advance. Difficult decisions, very intense and challenging game. |
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:27:53
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Nr.17
This one and only co-production of the gentlemen Schacht and Colovini is better than each has done individually in my opinion. Much has been said about the production "everyone plays with yellow", those type of remarks. It is true that the artwork and the coloring could have been a lot better, but once you start playing you forget about that and it doesn't bother my anymore. The game is quite abstract but I love it. Building and landscape development games are a favorite category of mine as will become clearer further down. Optimizing your points by building efficiently and making sure they're well connected.
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:29:47
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Nr. 16
One of several Kramer games on this list. Excellent gamers game: managing your money, your roads to travel and your building activities. You choose the character that will offer you the best advantage needed. Not so great with two, but any other number is excellent and challenging. Various mechanics used from different games. Great choices to be made. Simultaneous blind action selection.
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:30:52
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Nr.15
Leonardo da Vinci is not so much a worker placement game. It is rather a majorities game and that category I like a lot. Once you place your worker, the actual price you have to pay for an action is still uncertain. Very tight and challenging game when you play with four or five. You need everything, but you're very limited in your choices. |
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:34:10
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Nr.14
I have rediscovered La Cittá recently. A very special game with a unique game system. Very tense, I love it. Building up your city economy, aiming for growth by tempting citizens of neighbouring towns into your city. However, you don't want too much of them, because you have to feed them all, or they would die from starvation. There is democracy involved too. As I said very nice mechanics, a game unlike any other. |
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 10:35:25
Edited on: 2008-05-12 14:32:15
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Nr.13
The second Kramer in the list. Torres is building simple blocks, but in such a way as to optimize your points and doing things just a touch smarter than your opponents. The aim is to be the highest in the towers. I prefer the Masterversion with all of the special actioncards in hand and a joint missioncard open, that can offer you many bonuspoints in the end. In the Masterversion you really exclude any form of luck. |
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Posted On: 2008-05-12 14:34:38
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