Top 10 Board Games of 2025 with Tom, Mike, Zee & YOU

[music] [music] [bell] Good [screaming] Afternoon everybody. I'm Tom Vassel. >> I'm Z Garcia. >> I'm Mike Delisio. >> Welcome to the top 10 of 2025. >> Yes, the top 10. Can you believe >> uh can you [laughter] believe we've made it so far? >> We are here. We have arrived, guys. >> We have arrived. >> This is a quarter of a century into this new millennium is a thousand a century.

Yeah. >> Yeah. It's the new millennium. It's still a quarter of a century into the millennium. >> That's true cuz it's the beginning of a new millennium. That is true. Q nerds were like, "Well, technically, >> well, technically the pyramids were actually around by the time that the Romans pillaged [laughter] Ohio." >> Yeah, I don't know history.

Okay. >> 2025. >> Yeah. We want to say thank you to the sponsor of the Winter Spectacular, IV Studios, and we and lots of other sponsors. We've been playing lots of different games. We have a just a couple games left tomorrow. >> Yep. >> And uh a few more small top 10. And then our blooper video of the year.

>> Yes. >> And an announcement from the Dice Tower, which will go live tomorrow at 2 p.m. >> Would you say it's a major announcement? >> I would say it is a semi- major announcement. >> Okay. All right. One that's worthy of a major award. >> I like how someone said in the guesses people were guessing.

Someone said, "I think Mike's coming back." Mike, we we'll announcement right now. >> That's not the Yeah, that's not the major announcement. I will be back in March. Yes, >> that is a minor announcement at best. >> That's right. Patreon Patreon users will get the announcement two hours early. I forgot about that.

>> Okay, so we're taking a look at the board games of 2025. We've been doing that all week really. We've been doing all these short lists and all. >> 2025. Every year >> when we talk about the end of the year, I often say this was an amazing year, better than last year. >> I think it's an amazing year, >> but and I hesitate to say this because people always read it the wrong way.

I don't think it was as good as last year. >> I agree with that. I third that. >> That doesn't mean there wasn't many amazing games that came out. I think these are 10 great games on my list. >> You could say this this year you don't feel as good as last year without saying these games on my list are not as good as last year's games.

There's two separate things. >> I agree. I agree. Those are not There's no correlation there. I think overall it was a weaker the year than last year, but >> there were still plenty of good games. >> Sure. I think it came into focus for me when we did our top 10 of 10 years ago. We looked at 2015. Oh my goodness.

And I was like, "Yeah, this is not 2015." >> Right. >> Again though, I I really despise when people are like, "Well, that gaming's on the downswing." No, just can't Not every year can be the best year at all, but I still have a good time playing games. >> Yep. >> A lot of different things. Um, >> so other than that, I mean, >> the We already did our top 10 surprises.

>> Yes. >> So that you know, those won't be on this list. >> That's right. There is no crossover from that list with this list. >> Correct. >> I don't think between the three of us, we're going to have a ton of crossovers regardless because that's one of the things about this year. There's so many games every year.

There's more games that come out. >> Yeah. >> And there's so many like I would think >> I agree. I don't think we're going to have many crossovers at all. >> I think we might have two. Maybe >> I'm going to have three crossovers with Mike. >> Wow. >> And maybe one with Z. >> I'm going to say two with you, Tom.

And I'm going to say fewer than that with Mike. >> Okay. >> I'll say two with Tom, one with Mike. That's my prediction. >> You think you'll cross over with the people? >> Oh, >> probably not. I don't think I will. I don't think I will very much. >> I think I will cross over with the people on two. I cross over with the people on three.

>> I think I might one maybe. >> All right. All right. Well, here we go. Let's get started. [music] Go. >> All right. Whoa. All right. Thank you, Father Christmas. Well, um, >> times a [laughter] >> Until that beard turns white, I'm still in that middle. >> Feel like Uncle Chris. Yeah. Yeah. >> Sweet Christmas.

All right. My number 10 is Sweet >> Christmas >> Lands. My number 10 is Sweet Lands. >> Wow. This is a I thought this would be higher for you actually. >> Well, it's it's because it came out later in the year. I did get to play earlier versions, but I'm only counting from the production. I've I've been able to play it a few times with the production copy.

This is a >> So, the game came out later in the year. It's lower on your list is what you're saying. There's a correlation as much as some of the other games. Yeah. >> That's unus. >> Also, it's a heavier game. Now, this is >> I've skewed um you know, not completely, but away somewhat from big, heavy, complex, longer games.

This is one of those. This is a heavy complex game, long, but it is just really satisfying. It has great combo type of actions. It's got tiling if you like that. It's got route building if you like that. It's got very strong card play if you're a fan of multi-use type cards that do different things.

It has that uh has player powers that are slightly asymmetric. It's doing a lot of different things, but it does them all very well in a beautiful package. An incredible production from the publisher Uchcoya who's known for very fancy nice productions. They're probably best known at this point for AIA even more so maybe over Aqua Garden.

>> Yeah, I think so. >> Yeah, I think so. I'm hoping to get this one played maybe next week. This is one I did not get played. >> Mostly because of the time length. >> It's not one I expect to like very much to be fair, but uh but but it looks interesting. Yeah. >> Yeah. So that's my number 10. A heavy complex euro.

Sweet land. Sweet. I >> expect to see a heavy complex. Zero is your number 10. >> Now, my number 10 is a very uh it's a midweight game, but it is a a type of game that there have been many of traversal games. You know, traveling around, completing going places, but Photo Tour North America. >> Whoa.

>> Does it in a really punchy quick way in a very interesting way. You are going to be moving around a board. you are going to be taking pictures of places is the idea. U but it has a really cool drafting mechanism in which on your turn you take a card that you want to visit and and you know take that photo or you can take a dye and that die is a type of travel.

Mhm. >> You can travel by train, by uh by, you know, plane, whatever. Or you can take a little token there below the dice, and that lets you juice up your pictures. When you take that photo, if you do did it with a specific type of token that's worth more points. The really cool part of all this is if you take the last thing in each of those, you replenish the entirety of the line for the next player.

Mhm. >> And I love that tension cuz when you have a single die that shows a bus, >> you don't want to be the sucker who takes the bus cuz then Tom after you gets to roll all the dice again and he gets a full swath of of choices. >> And it's such a fun little push your luck, you know, game of chicken you play with everybody else.

The whole thing is so fast and so punchy. You you take these photos and and they give you little abilities as you are completing them. You can, you know, get bonuses. Now, when your opponent does this, you get a little bonus. When you travel this way, also do this at the end of that travel. Neat. Very well put together.

It's in the same camp as trekking the world, as Ticket to Ride even, I would say. But it combines some really good interest with a very short playing time. And I love that combination. So, Photo Tour North America winner this year for >> Would you say that the main message behind this game is that only suckers take the bus?

Is that what they're trying to get across with this game? >> I don't know if it's the main message, but it is a message. >> You don't like traveling by bus? >> I do. I like Oh, >> actually, no. Let's be I'm going to be real. No, I don't like traveling by bus. >> Would you rather travel by bus or or train?

>> No. Train 100%. >> 100% the best. >> You like train a lot. >> Much more than bus. >> Buses are very It depends. If you're like if you rent a tour bus like and you have a group and that person drives you, that's one of the best ways to travel, >> right? If >> buses, >> if I'm on a major world tour with my band, [laughter] then bus is the way I want to go.

>> Wow. >> Uh yeah. >> What's the name of your band? >> The name of my band, I can't come up with something clever this quick. Okay. >> Trains or Us. [laughter] >> All right. My number 10 is a very big game actually. A roll and right. And this is tend. >> Wow. Oh, right out the gate. >> 10 is 10. >> Right out the gate.

>> Come on. >> You didn't figure that. >> You're so punny. >> 10. >> I >> I can't wait to see what number nine is. [laughter] >> Nine of your business. Nine. Anyway, 10 is a a game that is Every time I play this, I played this for how big is this? I played this quite a bit this year. Every time I play this, it is I feel like I'm doing something different and I'm exploring this land.

And I'm always amused by the fact it's called tend and tend is easily my least favorite thing to do in the game. >> That's funny. I've heard that. Yeah. >> I like fishing better and I like mining and chopping better. But there is so much. This feels to me like a more manageable version of the heavier rolling rights.

Like what's the one? Adrian's wall, right? >> I mean that's that's there, but this one I understand the stuff I'm doing better. >> Yeah. >> Um and yeah, I just think it's a lot of fun. There's a lot of moving parts to it. >> It's a little video gamey, isn't it? It's like a little like >> Yeah. >> You know, Nature Valley or what a Stardw Valley.

>> Stardw Valley. It's very much It's a series of mini games and I do like that a lot and I think that also maybe helps it a little bit. Sure. >> So, you kind of discreet mini games. You just kind of have to figure out how those work and then you're good. >> So, a lot of fun. >> Yeah, it's good. The people's choice number 10 is a game that I was not particularly fond of, but a lot of people have enjoyed this one.

He's back. Donald X Vagarino. This is Moon Colony Blood Bath. >> This made the people's top 10. >> Yes. And I should mention, by the way, a lot of people voted. The the number one was a number one by a mile, >> but these all were on the list. And I I know that this is a somewhat divisive game because a lot of people don't like, but there's a lot of people who really do.

I I think we can all agree it's not a looker. Um >> I think it's true of most Donald Xarino games is that they're very divisive. >> Well, I thought you said that they're not a looker and I was like I agree. >> No, [laughter] the the people that like those games love those games and I can see this being one of those games that people are going to be playing this like you know over and over and over [laughter] is more divisive than say Dominion.

>> It is. Yeah. But what it is is it's a game in which you are building a a you're you're building your own sort of tableau and things as the game goes by, >> but after like five turns or six turns, the game takes a sharp turn and your tableau gets destroyed and everything you're just everyone's dying and you're just trying to die the slowest.

>> Okay, >> there's basically a robot rebellion. You just there's a deck you go through that lets you build things, but every turn you add another card to that deck, which is something negative and then more and more and you're just trying to you will die. >> Okay, I see. You want to die last. >> You will.

That was the original name of the game was you will die, but focus testing, you know. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. >> So that's Moon Colony Bloodbath. Your number 10. All right. My number nine is a game that is more in the purview of my esteemed associates here, Z Garcia and Tom Vassel. This is a two-player abstract game.

>> Okay. >> Oh, wait. Wait. Two player. >> Is it a Canitia game? >> Do we really need to ask that question? Exactly. >> Well, then no. Put isn't our perview. This is yours. >> This is your purview. >> But this is a fantastic two-player. >> Guess which one it is. >> Which one is it? I think it's the one you like less of the two.

At least Tom does. >> I is that the one? I forgot which Iliad's my choice. Yes. >> Which one's which? >> We liked IRO better. >> Yeah. Okay. Right. >> Yeah. Yeah. They're both tremendous. and and iicor would be in my top 20, but Iliad is my favorite of the two. This is >> Okay, this is the one that's more like uh >> kingdoms.

>> Kingdoms. Yeah. Okay. >> So, basically each player there are two players, you know, the red and the blue. It's actually the uh what what is it again? The >> the Hector's and the >> the Achilles. Why not? Yeah. >> Anyway, yeah, Greek. That's not a thing. >> Um >> you are playing out tiles that have numbers on them, one to five, correct?

And then um most of those tiles will have some type of an ability, although the fives will not because they're the strongest value, right? So strong. >> And so every player is placing down one of these tiles, taking an associated action if that is applicable. And then you're going to be evaluating if a row or a column and or a column has been completed.

And by doing that, you're going to be looking at the values. And if that happens and they complete the row or the column, whoever has the most kind of influence will choose one of the scoring condition tiles that are on the opposite, you know, on opposite ends of that row or column. It sounds very simple because it is very simple.

And every single turn from the very beginning is incredibly impactful feeling, tense feeling. you know what the other players can do. Their tiles work the same as yours and you just a lot of times there's this like you're trying to drag things out. Very similar to what you were talking about about not wanting to be the one to go on the bus.

You don't want to be to set some the one to set somebody else to close out a row or a column, but eventually it's going to have to happen, right? And so it just so tense when you get two players of um you know pretty equal skill level. I know that probably, you know, you can't play with me, but uh it becomes incredibly tense.

>> Um my mom told me to be nice to people who were not as good as that was. >> Is that right? Yeah. >> Did your mom specifically say that? That's a strange thing for any mother to say, be nicer to the idiots. >> Well, look, if you're going onto the bus, it's a really handy piece of advice to have. Anyway, this is a fantastic looking game, [laughter] too.

Great art by Harry Conway. Tremendous production by >> by the board. Mhm. >> Not a board. Well, again, this is a publisher thing. They've done a lot of these cloth boards. They have >> Sure. I get that when it's a small game and you're trying to fit the box. Pretty decent. This is like this big. A board would have fit right in there.

>> The board probably would have fit. And they're actually going to be offering boards now for people that want them that don't like the uh the cloth. Yeah. >> Oh, weird. >> That's That's me. Yeah. >> Thank you, Ryan Stewart, for the super chat. >> Thank you very much. >> It is a good game. I like it.

I just like the other one better. That's >> Yeah, that's all good. >> Oh, that was all right. The other one was a better game. Um, >> you're wrong. [laughter] If you liked Mike's description, you would like it, I think, because it's like very dry. It's like there's numbers one through five. You put them here, you line up the thing.

>> Yes. You know, I'm I'm all of Twitter. >> Uh my number nine is a game that I know Tom liked, though. I don't know if it made your surprises list or if it might make this list or neither. It's a two-player game though. Well, it's a two or four player game. It's really a two-player game called Zenith.

And Zenith here is uh >> this I think was on my surprise. >> Was it? Okay. I wasn't sure. It's a tugof-war style game with you playing cards on your side of the table there, trying to pull the planets towards you, bank enough of those planets, you win the game. But you don't only have to do that. You can also play these cards to an area that's going to move you up on tech uh tech trees, unlock special abilities for you.

You can also play them on the third area there, giving you a a tile and that lets you hold more cards and a special ability. You can also as you play more cards in the same color, they become cheaper. And I love that mechanism in anything. That idea of if you commit to something, it always feels good to play a card that costs eight and you're like, I pay two.

That just you just you just feel so good. It just feels so so good. Um, really like this one. Again, great tugofwar feel. Really nice production. The bits in this have that rewood uh concept where it's >> not plastic. They don't feel wooden. They're the sort of kind of wood compost in between. I really like the the feel of this one.

It's a great two-player games. It was a fantastic game, a fantastic year for two-player games anyway. And this I thought was one of the best. As soon as I saw this, my first thought was, "Oh my god, Z's going to love this." >> It has it starts with a Z. >> Well, no. Just cuz it's that tug-of-war thing that playing multiple colored cards to a colored column is giving me like that Deus vibes a little bit.

>> That's true. >> You know what I mean? Like it this really looks like it's right up your alley. >> Yeah, it is indeed. >> All right, my number nine is a uh a game I actually expected to dislike. I played it because uh thanks Rodfather for the super chat. Um >> Rodfather Prime. Oh my >> wow. I like that name.

>> Mhm. >> But uh I the first game that this was based on I thought was pretty good, but it was so complex. This one's still complex, but the theme helps it a lot. And this is Star Trek Captain's Chair. >> Really? >> Oh, you're on this uh >> I really love this game, man. >> Did you play Imperium? >> I did.

>> Yeah. Okay. You didn't like Imperium, right? >> No, I thought Imperium was okay, fine. It just I never want to go back and play it anymore cuz there's so much going on. And also, I was like, why would I ever want to play with more than two? Well, Star Trek Captain Sher was like, it's just two. >> Yeah, that was smart.

>> Which really helped. Oh, I see. Okay. >> But I think the theme I'm not a huge Treky um but I, you know, I like Star Trek fine like a normal human being. And [laughter] >> u I like having these characters. like saying I have Picard or I have this person and each of the different um the species in this game they play very differently that's very much back and forth.

It feels like you have such a wide swath of actions every turn. There's so much you want to do and you can't and you're just trying to, you know, solely get victory points. You can fight the other player, you can ignore the other player. Very Star Treky, you know, you might fighting them might not be worth your time.

Okay. I do a lot of ignoring the other players to be fair in any game I play. >> And it's one of those games also I think that you'll get better at. And it has a surprisingly good production good quality from Whiz Kids. That's why I'm saying surprising. So >> is there a cloaking mechanism like a mechanic that the Klingons can cloak?

>> There is something that I would hope so. So you have your own decks of this but there's also decks in the middle of just different various people and oh I got this person on my ship. I have this android. Okay. But it's a there's a lot going on and it is two player. It's one or two players, but I really really like this one.

>> Wow. I did not know you like this that much. >> I enjoyed it a lot. So, thank you. Oh, and I sue for the super chat. >> Yes. Now, people >> people are have a crossover. >> All right. >> With you. >> Whoa. Really? >> Yes. >> You're kidding me. >> What is it? >> Either of these games would have surprised me.

I'm going to say they went with Sweet Lands. >> They went with Sweetland. >> Wow. >> Are you kidding me? Are there even enough copies of Swedlands out in the wild? >> Do you know how many people back to this game? >> Do you know? >> Yes. Thousands. >> That's [laughter] not very specific. I could have guessed that, too.

>> Thousands and thousands of people. >> Do you know how many people live on the planet? >> And then if you knew the exchange rate between Japan and America, that changes the whole player count, too. The amount of people that bought it. >> I don't think that's how that works. >> No. >> Math kids. [laughter] >> A lot of people back this game.

Might as well charter [cough] school. Anyway, [laughter] >> okay. Sweet lands. Interesting. Okay. >> Yeah. No, that's very surprising to me. >> It's surprising me because heavier games often don't make it on this list. Yeah. And this one is also not particularly new. Uh because the people just like Mike tend to prefer games that came out earlier in the year.

Yeah. Not because like Mike, they have more time to play them, but because they have more time to even have it at all. >> Right. >> So, I was I I am surprised at this one. And this reinforces me wanting to play it. >> Yeah. And I think the theme was a major draw for a lot of people and and you know because usually heavy Euro games don't have a theme kind of like this.

It very much plays against type. >> All right. Well, thank you. [music] >> Thanks Tommy for Texas. >> All right, >> Texas. My number eight is one that I'm surprised isn't on Tom's list. And I know it's not on Tom's list because it was on his surprises list, I believe. >> Oh, >> okay. >> It's unbelievable.

I know. >> Unbelievable. My number eight is a legacy game. >> Oh, it just didn't make my top 10. That's >> all right. Well, Reicide Legacy did make my top 10 because >> it's like 13 or something. >> Yeah. Yeah. This game really surprised me because I had heard about Standard Regicside for a couple of years in and amongst the solo groups, you know, that I'll frequent from time to time.

I knew it had a very good kind of reputation. It started as a print and play. You can play it with a standard deck of cards. >> But then this company, you know, kind of like printed some really neat looking cards, right? It was still kind of a standard deck, but with some neat art, right? Now, Regisside Legacy, I thought, okay, how are they going to take this very basic system that is, you know, with a regular 52 card deck, how are they going to take this system and really make it a legacy game?

I thought I was like, man, they are going to have to stretch, right? Because it seems like such a narrow decision space. And then I played this and I was like, wow, did they come up with some neat innovative ways to take a system, >> you forgot diabolical >> and diabolical. It is remarkably hard. Um but but they really did some very very cool things that I would that you know I never would have expected.

Um it has some of the standard, you know, legacy tropes you might expect. You know, new cards being added, cards getting removed, things along those lines. But man, was it neat. Like I I was just so impressed. Now, >> will this be a game that's going to be on a lot of my list in the future? I don't know.

I've played through it now. You know what I mean? They do have a really cool way to keep playing the game. >> Yeah, that's what Tom was saying. Yeah, but but I don't know the just the way I play games. I don't know that I'm going to have a lot of chance to be >> I might be with you there. But I do like it.

One of the things I like about this game a lot is the >> if you lose, >> they give you you get to pick like you buy from a market deck another card to put in your deck to help you out. Okay. And then if you lose again, you keep that card and now you get more money to buy eventually. If you lose, you're just stupid.

>> Oh, I see. Okay. So many good cards to your deck. >> You're going to win eventually, but yeah, it could take a while. So like I guess the thing is like how many times take it bit scenario you beat in the first one it took a seven sort of thing. Okay that's cool. >> Yeah. It's not a cloth mat. Someone in the chat is asking.

It's a neoprene. >> Nice. And it is a solo only game, right? >> No no no. >> You can play more players but it's a I think it's a very different experience because you have to >> with solo you it's it's a very puzzly with multiple people. It's still puzzly but there's that >> you should play this card at this point.

>> Okay. Yeah. Okay. That's great. All righty. My number eight is a sequel to a game. Uh, this is Above and Below Haunted. >> Wow. Stillow played this one. >> Yeah, it's very good. It takes Above and Below and uses a lot of that DNA, but it gives you new stories, new writing. It uses the the core mechanism the sort of the the main engine of above and below was that in my opinion that's sort of collecting tokens of various types.

>> Mhm. >> And if you got something earlier that was worth less, the more of that you got was not as good. But then if you got things later and got a lot of that thing later, your score would go up through the roof. Right? A lot of games have done this. Right? Mandala has a very similar mechanism at its core, a card game.

Uh, but on top of that, then you have, like I said, brand new stories, some new Titanup mechanics and the idea of these ghosts that haunt your board. And I remember reading about this when they were doing the crowdfunding and being terrified, thinking, what is this company doing? This sounds awful cuz when you clear the ghosts, they go to another player.

I don't want that kind of interaction in a game like this. >> But it is not nearly as punishing as I was thinking. It's very dynamic. You are clearing your ghosts, yes, but you are sending one to someone else >> who then, yes, haha, has to clear that ghost, but it's not that bad. And it forces you to deal with a new aspect of of game play.

Really like this one. I I was worried again that Above and Below as a game system had been eclipsed by the more storydriven ones that came after, >> right? But going back to the simpler frame, the simpler stories, it's almost cozy and quaint in a way. >> Yeah, I was going to say that. Yeah. >> And I really like that.

I I think this is a superb release from uh from Red Raven here. And if you don't have Above and Below, especially this is a f this is a shoe in. >> That was going to be my question because I haven't played this one. What percentage would you say of this is above and below? Well, if you don't count the you you'd have to not count the writing because the writing I imagine is all new.

I believe the writing is all new, >> right? But is the writing similar to Above and Below was. >> Is it similar? Yeah. Yeah. You're going down in this underworld and encountering weird. >> There's no overarching story. It's just little vignettes. >> It's little moments of you exploring these caverns beneath you.

Yeah. Um >> I would say they share a decent amount of DNA. I don't know if you need both. You know what I mean? >> Okay. Okay, >> but if you don't have the first one, don't even bother. This is the one to get. I think it's great. >> All right, my number eight is a another somewhat divisive game here.

>> Not everyone here liked it. I liked it the most and I really think it has also some superb artwork. This is the old King's Crown. >> Yes. Yes. This is my cosmic encounter of the year of sorts because I really think the crossover between those is pretty high as you're playing cards next to each of these different sections and the higher card wins.

And that's the game except there's a lot more involved and there's ways to change cards and ways to react to cards and I the more I played this the more I was just fascinated by everything in this game. I really >> This is another game I kind of went into because the initial reviews I saw were so high on it that I was like, "No, >> there's no way, right?" >> I I really shouldn't feel that way, but you know, just it's general humidity, >> especially from crowdfunded projects, >> right?

It's amazing. But I really do think it's amazing. I really like it. it. I like the asymmetrical nature of it, but it's also a game that's going to reward multiple plays because knowing what you possibly could have is going to help me out a lot. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I've have met a lot of people in the game group who really do like it and I and I enjoy that.

I think it's a lot of fun to play back and forth. >> This is one that I would not be surprised to see on in the people's top 10. I agree. I agree. >> I think it's getting a lot of love. Well, speaking of that, that's not the People's Number eight. >> People's number eight is a much much simpler game.

This is one of those games that doesn't look like much >> and but it's been getting like a ground swell of buzz is a two-player game. And this is toy battle. >> Yes. >> Like if you saw that, you would think that's a dorky >> K game that's at KB clearance for the for the winner. You know, the popup KB for [laughter] Christmas.

Like buy a toy. Looks It looks like a children's. >> It looks like a game for babies. Yeah. >> Well, the cover I think the board looks better. And >> it's it's a pretty good strategic strategical game. I know. Chris really loves it. He says he's played it 700,000 times. >> Thank you. >> Oh, 800,00. >> He's in the top.3% of all toy battle players.

[laughter] >> Rod says, "How comes makes me play all the weird crap with him? If you were here all the time, you played the good stuff, too. [laughter] >> Um, Toy Battle, by the way, I it it's it works really well. And you mentioned kids, it's a game kids can play. >> Yeah. >> And it just has that kind of it's almost mobile strateg.

>> Oh, that's interesting. Yeah, I could see that. Okay. Yeah. >> And it's just another, you know, Paul my he has all kinds of different games, right? It's crazy, you know. >> Yeah, >> he really has. So, that's your number eight. My number seven is a game that I think could actually raise in my esteem of it the more I play it because I first played it towards the last part of the year.

Rise. Rise. >> Sorry. Yes, sir. Okay. Father Christmas. All right. >> Um, [laughter] >> so I think it could it could rise in my in my estimation because like I said, I played it towards the end of the year. I played it plenty of times, but it's a worker placement game that has a lot of replay value.

And this is Kinfire Council. >> Oh wow. Yeah, >> man. This game is so good. >> You guys need to play next week. >> Good. So, I guess my elevator pitch for this would be like this is the next step. And I know some people said this about River of Gold, but I haven't played this. I suspect this is a little heavier than that to me.

>> Heavier than River of Gold. Yeah, by far. >> Well, this would be a step up from like Lords of Water Deep. It gives me It gives me some Lords of Water Deep vibe. >> Okay. You're >> Yeah. With its um worker placement elements, with its, you know, adding locations types of things that you can do or or upgrading locations, I suppose, is more accurate.

Um, but man, this is so good because not only does it have some of those classic worker placement elements, it also has some semi-ooperative elements that actually work and feel organic, don't feel tacked on, don't feel kind of clunky and weird. Um, >> and the game setting does a good job of making you care about actually saving this city from cultists or whatever.

You know what I mean? >> Exactly. because there's all there's there's a cultist faction that is out there that at the beginning of the game is really just kind of competing with the players. But you do have the option at some point in the game if you want to throw in with the cult and that means that if the cult wins then you win with the cult and you can start you know helping them move along.

>> Yeah. It's a little bit like Kingsburg Tom too. You might like it with because it's a little Kingsburgie. >> I think I was the most excited about this game and then I'm the one who hasn't played it yet. >> Yeah. No, I think this game is terrific and and any you the deluxe edition is fantastic, but even the retail edition of this is terrific.

It's really really nicely done. >> Just a super solid worker placement game. And I think it's hard to make a worker placement game that stands out at this point. So there you go. >> Yeah. All right. My number seven is a game that I believe neither one of you has played yet. Um and it is from it came out of nowhere.

um from DMZ Games and this is called Urban Sketchers. >> I wanted to play this. >> Urban Sketchers is a Spanish game and in it you are a an an artist traveling around. >> Oh, do we have this? >> Yeah, we have it. Came from Essen. Um this is a game in which you're an artist. You are traveling around sketching in a sketchbook.

You can be working on two multiple sketchbooks at the same time. You see one there with like four or five cards and then that person could have another one going at the bottom. You are going to be moving around on the board on the side there picking up cards and then spending those cards to, you know, uh uh to sketch your thing.

And then whenever you feel like you've got enough sketches in in place to, you know, finish the book, then you you scoop that up and you score it. And you are, this is all driven by a dice placement sort of system that you see at the top left there. Really like it. Gorgeous look. Very beautiful. >> Pretty simple game.

It's kind of a midweight euroy kind of game. Um, >> but yeah, I like the way it comes together a lot. It's one that I like I said, I saw it at Essen. Mike actually and I saw it at their booth. They had they didn't quite get them in time to to sell them there, but they had a couple of copies and we ended up with one of those copies and it's just really clever and interesting.

I I I love the way it comes together. So yeah, this is one that came out of nowhere for me and I am so happy >> to discover and so happy that that the company has a game like this in their repertoire now cuz I think DMZ Games has had some interesting games in the past. Yeah. But nothing that for me personally has been kind of a slam dunk like this.

>> So yeah, or Urban Sketchers is a winner. Uh that's my number seven. >> I hope this gets wider distribution. It's the kind of game that I could see easily getting picked up by somebody else and being put out again or put out, you know, worldwide. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. Some companies know how to pick winners almost every time.

I don't know how they do it, right? And I think one of those companies is Scorpia Mask >> because they just keep eat consistently putting out games that >> Scorpion Maske just fire. I mean, tag team was like the game of the year three years in a row. Yeah. >> Uh, but this Did I say tag team? >> Sky team.

>> Sky team. >> But now we have >> now we have tag team. This is my number seven. >> If they put out a game that has the word team in it, watch out. >> Sky tag. >> Scorpion team. >> Next game. >> So team. >> Anyway, in this game you have it's a twoon two game and it's an auto deck battler where you just put the cards.

You have two cards you start with and each round you're adding another card and you stick it in that deck somewhere. Then you just flip them over and see who knocks the one of the other opponents out. Yeah, >> they're all very asymmetrical. They all have very different powers and different hit points and different values.

And the combos of the two of them >> are pretty good. It's a It's a really fun back and forth and I am really hyped because they're coming out with another eight characters or so for in this year. >> This is a game that's going to keep on giving for a while, isn't it? I I suspect because I think it's selling well, too.

>> It is. It's amazing to me how many auto battlers have become. I mean, this is a thing now. There's been more than one or two over the last few years. >> Pretty huge in video games. Like, if you play a game on your phone, the chance of it being an auto anything is really high at this point. >> Yeah.

Yeah. >> Yeah. And then now the new thing also is combining two things, >> two fighters together, two whatever together. This this hits both of those. >> And it's so easy to play. It's a lot of fun. Um I don't know. Just I just really enjoyed it. I've played every character multiple times and the combo it just there's a lot to it.

So, I'm very excited about it. The People's Choice number seven is another game that I don't I doubt will actually be on any of our lists. >> Okay. >> Um although the theming of it is very very popular and this is Lord of the Rings Fate of the Fellowship. >> It will not be on my list. >> Right. I didn't I was in the minority I believe by not liking it as much as I expected to or wanted to.

>> I I actively disliked it. >> Oh, really? Okay. Yeah, >> but there's a lot of people who love it. >> Yes. >> And I know there's a lot of people say, "Well, it's not as good as War of the Ring." But also, most people haven't played War of the Ring at this point. >> So, this is the Eurogame version of that that uses the pandemic system.

>> And there's, you know, different complaints, but a lot of people I just talked to someone yesterday told me this was one of their favorite games of the year and how strong the theming was for them and they were excited. So, I get it, you know. >> Yeah. And there's a lot of variability in that box.

>> There is. I do wonder if there's anybody who would have this as one of their top games of the year that is not a Lord of the Rings fan. >> Okay. Well, first of all, I don't understand this not a Lord of the Rings fan thing. >> They exist, Tom. >> What? >> They do. The anti- Tolkeners. [laughter] >> That's Yeah.

Yeah. >> It doesn't really flow off the tongue. That's why they never really picked up a lot of >> ste. >> Isn't his name J.R. Tolken? >> There's three R two Rs, right? Oh, you you you missed the middle one to just show. >> What if he had a junior? Would it be JR R JR? >> What? [music] >> What's not to understand?

That makes that joke makes no sense. >> JRR Tolken, right? Yeah. He has a kid. Oh, son. [laughter] Yeah. >> Calls him Junior. [laughter] >> Yeah. All right, let's move on. >> JRR Jr. >> It doesn't help the more you explain it. >> Who killed JR? All right. Wow. Now you're dating yourself. >> Hey kids, here's a reference for you.

All right. My number six is a game. I want to say for the last three years maybe there has been a uh this publisher puts out one game a year and they've all been on my top 10 of the year list I believe. Okay. >> Or they have small Japanese publishers. >> They're not. No, I think they're a Canadian publisher actually.

>> One game a year. >> They may be. >> Oh oh oh this is Mr. Jay Cormier, isn't it? >> Yes. And Senfung Lim. This is Core of Discovery from Off the Page Games. So the first game they came out with was Mine Management. >> Yes. >> Love Mine Management. Made my top 10 of the year. Next game they came out with was Harrow County.

>> Love Harrow County. Was on my top 10 of the year last year. And now this year, Core of Discovery. >> This is my favorite of the three. >> And they're all very different. >> For me, it's my favorite of the three by far. >> Yeah, they're all very different. This is a logical deductive game or deduction game I should say where you are playing in this kind of intellectual property from a comic that was known as manifest destiny.

It's an alternate history of you know Lewis and Clark and you know the the the >> core of discovery. >> Core of discovery. Yes. And so um while I knew nothing about the comic before just like the previous two games uh I came to love this comic and the game does a really good job. If you do like it it's going to have some good thematic connection.

But even if you know nothing about it, it's a really really smart cooperative game where you are using logical rules to try to kind of complete, you know, you said recipe fulfillment when you when you described it and I bristled against that, but it's kind of true. >> It's kind of like, yeah, you're on the clock to get like one rock and two sticks and moss or whatever.

Yeah, you're kind of that's what you're doing, right? A little bit, >> but there's an overarching thing, too. So you're you're you're having to do these like individual little things, but they're all for a greater purpose. And so there's different kind of modules. There's different things that you're having to do.

Um and this one is also one that's going to be ripe for expansions because you just add a new map in there. They've been releasing them for free. Actually, they've done several of them. >> So I should print some out. >> Yeah. Yeah. So a really really good logic deduction cooperative game, Core of Discovery.

a minor 2026 pred prediction >> that their next game will also be in Mike's top 10 of the year. >> Yeah, right. >> They've announced it and we already it's Grenle. >> Yeah, that's it. That com has a good chance of making mine. It looks >> great. It looks >> Mike and I actually got a little look at that at Gen Con, was it?

>> And it looks very good. >> It looks really good. >> Looks very good. >> I I I just This company makes me so happy with just their >> I love what they're doing. >> Yes. It's cool to have a plan and stick to that plan and put it into effect and deliver. >> It's like they remind me of restoration games.

There's not that many companies that are like this is what we're going to do and then a year and a half later they're like, "Well, we want to reprint that, too." It's like that's not part of your your >> So anyway, I'm with you. Uh my number six is a game I played I was going to say with Tom. I did not play with Tom.

I reviewed it with Tom. Um, and it came out of absolutely nowhere for me. >> You're playing that a lot this year, by the way. >> Yeah, it's true. Cuz it was kind of that year. It was sitting around. I finally got around to playing it and it just blew my mind. It is a solo only game called Storyfold Wildwoods.

>> Wow. Storyfold Wildwoods here is from a company Open Owl, I believe, I believe is their name. Um, >> yes. >> Whose last game I was not a super fan of. I thought it was a little clunky. I thought it was a little meandering. Uh, this one is nothing like that. This is razor sharp in its delivery, in its storytelling, in its drive and forward momentum.

Uh, I love the production here where you have this, you know, this idea of the story fold where you open this book, flop open a couple of side pages and you are ready to go and start playing. It is a dice driven system with some cards that are the it's like a river feel where you're triggering a card trying to get successes on the dice, but then once you trigger that card and do the thing it does, it goes all the way to the back of the river and now it's really hard to make that thing happen until it makes its way back to the front.

They're going to mess with that system by introducing baddies and monsters and these like creatures of the forest that mess with you. Love that. Feels great. The whole thing has a AI and the Will of the Wisps kind of vibe and look. Uh, it's just so different, so unique, and yet when I say all those things about a board game, I am expecting it to be a little clunky, a little indie feeling.

This does not feel unfinished at all. It's so polished. It's so well made. Uh, I applaud it for that. So, yeah. Storyfold Wildwoods is really great. >> Haven't played this one. Is this essentially like a game, like a campaign game? Will you play through it once? >> Yes, you can come back and you won't have the surprises of something you, you know, haven't seen before, but you can replay this.

Yeah, >> I think you could replay it, but yeah, you're right. It and there's some different, you might not go to some pages based on decisions or things that have happened. >> And you won't draw the exact same cards in the same order. So, there is that, you know, but >> about how long does it take to play through the whole book?

>> Six hours, maybe. Maybe. What do you think? Eight, six. >> Depends if you lose or not. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. All right. Hm. >> All right. My number six. This did not come out of nowhere because for the first time in a long time, this publisher announced the game a year ahead of time. Usually he announces a game and says you can buy it next week.

>> Oh, okay. >> This is from Stonemire Games. And this is Vantage. >> Wow. >> The first time he announced the game a long time. This is a very divisive game for sure. >> I was curious if this is going to end up on anybody's list this year. I figured it would. I'm curious if again it's the kind of game that ends up on the people's list.

But man, it was divisive. >> Very divisive. >> I haven't played it yet myself. >> A guy in our game group, Jake, he loves the game and so a couple weeks ago he played it here. He brought it and taught it to a table. Very excited. Barry taught it and they all hated it [laughter] >> and you know that's just how it works, right?

But I like it. >> Do I think it could be better? Yes. They >> Man, if they just punched that story up some more, it would be a 10 out of 10 and would be in my top 20 games of all time easy. There's so much in there, but there is. And I love that feeling. I wish more board games just let me explore and just do stuff.

>> Okay, >> I actually understand the complaints against the game. I do >> uh that it that it is meandering and you might never get to your goal maybe so and I just don't care because that's how I play video games and I'm okay with this in that same way. As long as I'm finding new stuff and getting new stuff, I'm happy.

>> So going in and knowing that I just get a kick out of this. I like finding stuff. Yeah. >> And this game, I'll never find everything in it. There's so much. So, Yep. >> Yeah. It's a lot of fun. Vantage. >> Cool. The Peoples. >> The people is a crossover with me. This is tag team. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.

Yeah. This has been super hot this again. I these guys just know that >> how to find a game that hits people. You know that party game that where you're rolling a dice. >> Um >> Don't panic or something like that. What's that called? Uh, >> LCR. >> No, no, you roll the dice and and and you have to spell out the words of two people before asking you a question.

Stay cool. Stay cool. >> They sold like several hundred thousand copies of that. They just know how to pick games and sell a ton of them in an industry where that's really hard to do these days. >> And so I just I this was not a surprise to me. Also, the art is phenomenal. >> Yeah. >> And I'm just excited to see where this goes.

>> I agree. Yeah. All right. Well, I think Z may have uh bailed me out on this one a little bit because I was a little concerned with my number five because it is a reimplementation of a of an older game. >> Don't worry, I got >> However, I think that significant changes have been made to them. So that's why I was kind of drilling you for how much DNA is shared, all that kind of stuff.

Don't worry about that. My list, if you want to if you want to punch down, get ready. Save it. >> Um well, I mean, I think we can all agree this was a year for reprints and redone. >> It was a year for that kind of thing. Is the if the best ones of the year are that kind of game, I'm putting them on my list.

>> I have mine on a separate list. Check it out. So, uh, this was part of a, it was a crowdfunding campaign, this game, and it was part of three games that were all released at the same time from >> Cania space [laughter] games. >> I can just guess. Throw a dart. >> And I think for most people, this was their least favorite of the three, but it's my favorite of the three, and this is Ego.

Not >> for Chris. >> Um, yeah, I adore this game. I adore this game. Ego is a game that was based off of what? Bailwolf, the movie. So look, no one saw the movie. >> No, it wasn't the Bewolf the movie. The Beaywolf the movie >> board gamed kingdoms. Yeah, but this right this was Bowolf something, right?

It was just Bowwolf the the board game. >> Look, no one cared about Bowwolf. No one read the book. No one saw the movie. Nobody [laughter] cares. All right. >> Back a thousand years ago. >> That's right. So, hey, let's go into space. This is a game that is primarily a push your luck auction game. two things I love by a designer that I think does both of them very well.

I think auction games, he's the best auction game designer out there and he's way up there with Push Your Luck, too. And the idea on this is that you are going across, you know, these boards and you're going to be doing some risk mitigation, risk management. You're going to be auctioning the cards that you're gaining to be able to do different actions at different uh strengths to get ultimately get points.

And I like that the fact that only the starting and ending boards are fixed. The boards in the middle are variable. They can be in diff just the order they come out can make a huge difference. Which boards come out can make a big difference. And um it's just >> it's so snappy. It's so quick. I love games where the where the flow of the game is like visually right there in front of you.

It's like you know I'm going here and we're doing this. We're doing this. We're doing this. Then we're doing this this. And you can see it from the beginning of the game >> to the end of the game. You know exactly what's happening in what order and that therefore you can plan for it. So um you can plan for it in a game where things can just blow up.

Sure. You know what I mean? So there's I'm not saying it's a highly strategic game by any means. It's very tactical, but I love it. >> Ego. >> Yeah, it's there. [laughter] >> You're so wrong. >> All right. Number five is another two-player only game. This is Duel for Cardia. >> One of the worst titles of the year.

One of the best card games of the year. >> This is almost a micro game. Um, >> yeah, you're right. It is. >> This is you can play. It comes with a little more than this, but it's really 16 cards for one player, 16 cards for the other player. Now, the game gives you that twice because there's two decks in there with different abilities, but both players are going to have an identical deck of cards.

You play a card simultaneously and face down. You reveal them. The high card gets one of these rings that you're seeing there and you get five of those bad boys. You win the game. But the low player gets to trigger the ability on the card. And that's where things get fun cuz those abilities are very well put together.

Really interesting. They can manipulate the upcoming uh head-to-head combat. They can go back in the timeline and mess with something that already happened. They could let that player pick up a card that happened earlier and put it back in their hand, replay it for that ability or or to win a fight.

You can have an instant win the game moment if you manipulate a couple of things just right. >> Yeah, I love >> there's some cards in this game, a couple of them that can make this happen and you better be on your toes and not let your opponent pull this off on you. This one is brilliantly put together.

It's a really good exercise in in minimalism. Um, it's so engaging with again very few moving parts. Really like this. If you like that kind of card game, simultaneous, you know, head-to-head fighting kind of games, you want something quick and punchy, dual for cardio was really, really good for that this year.

So, that's my number five. >> My number five is a game that I'm surprised is not on more just not that well known comparatively. Even they they had a second Kickstarter this year and it didn't do amazing when I every Eurogamer I've taught this to has loved it. Some in our game group more than others for sure.

And that's Cretaceous Rails. >> Oh boy. Yeah, you have been championing this game. >> But it's not just I mean this is a game that I have almost 100% success rate teaching. Every time I teach this people go that was really good. Part of it I think is the look is not amazing. >> I'm expecting to not like it.

I think >> I think it looks terrible. >> Yeah, it does. I'm I'm sorry. I'm just going to put it out there. I think it looks terrible. >> I do like those those plastic dinosaurs, but yeah, they could have been meeples, too. But the game is about building train routes through here so that you can take people so that they can see the dinosaurs that they're interested in seeing back in time and then collecting those dinosaurs and bringing them back with you.

And >> is that a time travel theme? >> Yeah, I think so. You're like taking these trains in the past and going through. But it's a mix of building train routes, but also the main function of the game, which you can see in the bottom uh right there, where you put a worker between two tiles, and those are the two actions you get.

I love that. That's just one of the best >> straight up mechanisms for a game like this. And you because you don't know the combo every time you put those 16,000. >> That's just fun. One worker placement gets you two things. It's just a fun >> That's a cool mechanic, >> you know, based on geometry. That That's just fun.

>> Yeah. And then you're loading your train in front of you with dinosaurs. You're trying to collect dinosaurs of a certain color, but you also want people to see them before you pull them off the board. There's just a lot of cool things in this one. I think it's pretty fantastic. >> I just wonder if they could partner with another more established publisher maybe and come out with a second edition that that just changes the look.

>> Well, it reprinted or rather they they crowdfunded just recently or it's happening now. So, that wouldn't be happening for a while if at all. >> I don't have a problem with the publisher. I just think the publisher needs to get better with their next game in that regard. >> Okay. >> Uh people's choice number five is another large game.

Several large games on the people's choice this year. And this one is Luierre. >> Distilled was very popular. And Luier, this is one of those games that promised something and then delivered it. Hey, you're going to get this big box with all this cool stuff added to it. It's a big Euro game with a very strong theme.

>> Um I like it. Not as much as the people do, but I think it's a pretty fantastic. >> Everything in it. It's unique. >> The action selection stuff is cool. You've not played this? >> I have played You have played it? >> Yeah. No, I like it. I I It's It It didn't get close to my top 10, but I probably also needed to play it more for it even to be in contention for that.

>> I do like that. Like you said, Tom, it it it promises something on the cover and it delivers that thing. If you know what you what to expect, that's what you're going to get. It's nice and crunchy and it's beautiful. I'm just really glad that we live in an era where I used I mean years ago remember my joke was always trading in a Mediterranean and that's really a thing of the past now we're seeing Euro games come out >> that are this and I like that a lot.

>> Yeah. >> You're number five. [music] Hello. >> Can you hear us? >> Hello. >> Can you hear us? Comments are saying that there's no sound. >> Hello. >> If you refresh, >> audio is fine for >> It will fix, >> Jordan. >> If you refresh, you click. You go click click click click. Then you're good. >> I just want >> There was a hiccup.

It's fixed. >> All right. All right. >> All right. Number one. [laughter] Number one is my number four is um my >> By the way, if your audio is messed up, just refresh where you're at. >> Yes. My number four is my one and only trickt taking game. >> How about that? On my top. Last year I had predicted Mike had four of them on his list.

>> Yes. But would you predict from Ry Kitzia? >> It is not from RER Canitzia. >> I know. I know what it is. >> You do? >> I think I do. >> Yeah, >> I think I superhero themed. It is superhero themed. Yeah, this game really, really surprised me. This is origin story. Why did it surprise me? It surprised me because when I heard what it was doing, when I kind of heard the pitch on the game, I thought, "Okay, this is really not going to be a trick-taking game.

It's going to be one of those things that they call themselves one, but it's doing all of these other things, so it's not going to really feel like a trick-taking game." This is a game where they are doing a lot of different things, but it still feels like a trick-taking game. It's a trick-taking game where you have all of these powers, but not every power is active at all times.

I think that's very clever. The fact that you are spending resources essentially that uh you know, you can potentially mess with, but you're usually going to be getting one a u you know, one a round. You can trigger different powers. And I just love the fact that basically every round, right, there's five rounds in the game.

People are saying, "Here's what I can do now. Here's what I can do now." And so you you have to re-evaluate every round, but it's still essentially a trick-taking game. It's so smart. I think thematically it actually works, right? This idea of you're getting equipment, you're getting, you know, you know, allies to help you, you even >> trick taking after that makes no sense.

>> Sure. Of course. But the theme that you have abilities and and sort of they blossom or don't. Yes. >> Right. Right. Right. Yeah. And I get that the the the look of the game might throw people off. I mean I and I can't be hypocritical because the look of Cretaceous Rails throws me off of that one.

>> Do you like this look? >> I I don't love it. >> I don't like the look. >> I don't love it. But I agree that it is one of the >> I think this might be one of the best if not the best rules change from round to round >> trick taking games. >> No, it's really really good. >> Special I do a thing you don't do that.

This might be one of the best at doing that. >> It can be chaotic, but I don't think it ever devolves into chaos. >> Yeah. No, I I don't think so. >> Um Yeah. I I just think that this was a really clever design that does some different things, but still feels like a trick taker. So, man, origin story knocked me out.

I was very surprised. >> Yeah. Yeah. All right. My number four is a sequel, a spin-off, a I don't know, a game in the universe of Everddale. This is Everddale Silverst. >> Everell Silver Frost >> is one that Tom doesn't like. >> No, it's not that. It's just >> This is just Everell again, man. >> It's not It's not at all.

>> Um, [laughter] it's Everddale with snow. >> It's Everddale with snow at least. and it has abilities and actions and places that don't exist in Everddale. Uh there's no more of that whole this you have to have the watchtower to be able to play the hunchback or whatever. There's no more of that. They've really eased up on those rules which I think are kind of they're just too punishing in Everddale.

the specificity of how you go from how you ling from one card to another card and you might never see that card or ever have a chance to draw it or play it >> is punishing. Yeah, >> this one a couple of times in the game you can just play a card from another card. >> You can just be like, I don't have the resources, but I have this chimney and bam, I can play this card and get it into play.

Yes, it is more punishing than any of the other Everdells. It is tighter. It is colder in a way. >> Colder. No, I agree. That's good terminology. You're right. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, but I did enjoy it. It would not be the the ever do I pull out every time, but if I'm playing with a the more of a sort of Eurogamer you are, the more I think you might like this one.

I I think >> Can I ask you something? No. >> This might just be my perception. >> Yeah. >> I have a perception that you liked Everdell when it came out. >> Yeah. But you weren't a huge fan of Everddale if I remember right. It seems like the more of these that have come out. >> Everdell itself. >> Yes.

>> Or Everddale the family of games. >> I feel >> Everell for me was definitely a bell curve. It was like I liked it. Oh, I really like it. I really like it. Oh, I'm seeing the flaws. There's other Everell games that are doing things that Everell didn't do and they're clearly like >> better designs because they're taking cues from the original thing and going, "Well, that wasn't great." >> That must be it.

Because I feel, like I said, it feels like you never really talked about ever all that much, but now recently you've really gotten into this kind of like iterations of a system type of a thing. >> I think the spin-offs are >> That's the name of my band, by the way. You were wondering the name of iterations of a system.

Yeah. Go ahead. >> So, uh, I think all of >> I can't pronounce it. I'm not [laughter] >> I think all of the spin-offs, except for the children's game, Yeah. >> which isn't really for kids, but >> are better than Everddale. >> Okay. >> I think Everdell Silver Frost is better. I think Everdell Duo is better.

And I think >> uh the >> spire crest. >> No, that's an expansion. Um >> the water one. What? >> Farore. >> Far shore. Thank you. Yes. >> I think they're all better. >> Okay. >> My number four is a direct crossover with Mr. Mike Delisio. >> Yeah. >> Also, I like this except for the art origin story. >> Wow.

Look at Was that the same number? Right. >> That's why I said direct crossover. >> Direct crossover. >> Direct crossover. Man, >> I love it. >> Yeah. I I like trickt games a lot. I think a lot of them try to be too clever and this one is trying to be too clever. The theme helps a lot. It's very similar in many ways to one of my favorite trick tank games, if not my favorite one, Rebel Princess.

Um I just >> I just like trying to figure out your superpower versus my superpower versus Z superpower. I'm trying to figure out how all that's going to work in each trick. And I find it to be really fascinating. Yeah. I'm like, "Okay, you get extra, you know, that that suit, you get plus one to the cards of that suit." [clears throat] So, I got to be careful how I play that suit.

>> But also, I get some extra cards that you don't get. And I don't know, there's just there's some neat stuff >> in this regard, and I think it's it's a lot of fun. So, that's my number four. >> I have a little uh I think I told Maybe I did tell you, maybe I didn't tell you this. So, so I played this first and I had played it a few times.

Origin story. And >> like before anyone >> before anyone at the studio did >> in the world >> before Jamie did. And um [laughter] and Tom was curious about it and he asked my thoughts on it. >> Mhm. >> I could not have underplayed my opinions more. [laughter] >> He really does. He's like, >> I I it was it was almost like I was being interrogated and I was afraid that whatever would be said would be used against me in a court of law.

>> I was just like I don't know what you I said I I don't know. I'll be interested to hear what you think. I have no idea what you'll think about it. Cuz I was just like I really liked and I and I knew that you were going to be like really strong one way or the other. >> So I just like wait you were gonna be like I hate Mike.

That's correct. I will disagree. >> That naturally happens to me. But I just that the artwork in a game I'm very so so on. The artwork in a cover I despise. >> And I really feel like a lot of people are going to see that and pass right on by. >> It's not a good cover. Just straight up. >> You can barely read the title.

>> That's also not great. >> That's unfortunate. >> It's just not a great cover. >> Yeah. >> All right. The people's choice number four is another Stone Meer game, but one that's not been mentioned yet >> and I didn't put it on my list because I consider it almost a reprint or a sequel. This is Finsspan.

Oh, Finsspan. Yes. >> Now, Finsspan, which has a gorgeous cover, so you know this company can make them. >> Finsspan is well, Wingspan with Fish. Now, it's not just Wingspan with Fish. There's a lot more changes. And if you thought I think it's the easiest of the series. >> Yes. >> It's the quickest of the series.

>> It's the quickest. If if it's one of those games when I played, I'm like, "Huh, rolling dice and getting resources and wingspan. I got rid of that." Yay. I didn't realize I didn't like it as much as not having it. >> But I also like fish better than birds, too. So, that helps. >> This game lets you do more.

You can you can fill your board if you put your mind to it. >> Yeah. >> And so, this is my favorite of the three, I believe. >> I agree. I think it's finan. I used to say worms span, but I think wingspan has wormed its way back up [laughter] there. >> I see what you did there. >> Also, fish gives you worms.

Yep. >> It does. >> Mind if it's in sushi? >> I don't know. >> Disgusting. >> Depends where you get your sushi. >> You don't eat fish, though. You don't have no opinion on >> I only eat sushi from gas stations. [laughter] [music] All right. So, my number three is is uh one of the games that I like more probably than anybody.

I'm sure. No, not not >> I don't know if I played it first. Actually, I probably did. Here we go. Here we go. Here we go. >> Cuz you know in in Sunday school if you ask a question they ke be like Jesus. And this whenever Mike's like what? And we're like >> this is not a How about this? >> Okay. How about a Japanese game?

>> How about this? >> Is it a Japanese game? And it's not a Japanese game and it's not a Kinesi game. There are no more Kinesia games on my list. All right. Um >> I'm coming home. >> Yep. So my number three is a game that is primarily card driven. Although it does have a central board where you are going to be doing some tile placement, but it's mostly about playing cards onto your board.

And these cards are going to be moving. And as they move, they might be triggering things. And as they fall off your board, they might be triggering things. This is emberleaf. I I really feel like, >> oh, I I don't get why this hasn't had more buzz. And maybe it's just because maybe I like it more than everybody else.

I don't know. But I think this is a really really solid game that gives you some uh really clever card play. So, the one thing I don't like about it, quite honestly, is the marketing behind it because they're calling it card dancing. I don't love that as a a way to describe it because there's no dancing.

But what I think it's trying to >> just mean they're sliding out. >> Well, yeah, they're sliding and falling off and there are ways you can kind of manipulate it and and it really is smart because there's timing elements because unlike a game like uh what was the game? >> Ancient Knowledge. >> Ancient unlike ancient well no I guess in ancient Knowledge you can kind of choose where it goes on your board too.

It does that where you've got spots on your board and you can choose where it goes but that decision can be very impactful. very important. Um, just a really, really solid game and it has the scoring that people that will be familiar with that have played other games by the designer, at least co-designer here, Frank West, where you've got kind of different conditions and if you fulfill those conditions, you get this number of points.

>> I think that's where this game actually is going to not hit for a lot of people, and that includes me, is that those conditions are very difficult. Unlike unlike a lot of these like out of be like, "Oh, I can do that. I can do that. I can do that. I can do that. This one, it's harder to pull them off.

Much harder. >> It can be. It can be. I mean, it depends. It depends on when you choose the card. If you choose cards that give you early in the game and give you a lot of time to complete it, then it's not as hard. But yeah. Um, no, I just think this is a really solid game and it feels unique. It does not feel like a cookie cutter card game with a board, you know, that shared board out.

This is one I've not played. I'm curious to play it. Especially cuz you're saying it does not feel like a cookie cutter game. >> I'd be curious what you think of it. I just like Tom with this. I think you'll have a strong opinion one way or the other. I just don't know what it will be. >> Yeah, >> that cover hasn't inspired me to try it.

I don't >> I don't think it's a bad cover. It's It's looks like a lot of other covers right now. >> Yeah. Um I didn't like the the cat game. >> This is nothing like I love cats other than the scoring cards. >> Okay. Okay. >> Yeah. It's nothing like that at all. It's one I gotta try. It just unfortunately it passed me by this year.

>> All right. >> All right. My number three is also a card game. Uh a card game that is uh very similar to a game that I cannot think of right now. So I don't know why I am going down this rabbit [laughter] hole. >> It is Ether Stone. Resarchana. It's like Resana. >> It's done. Oh, you don't like Resana?

>> No, I think it's mid. I think it's mid. >> I don't think you would like this game then because >> this is very similar to Resurana. you are working with a small deck of cards. You maybe have eight cards or something. The way in which those cards are going to interact is very interesting. And this then goes and does a couple of things that Resarchana doesn't do that I think add to the experience.

You are going to be drafting a die. You know, a bunch of the time you draft a die, that die is going to give you resources. The number on the die, like if I take that red six, the number doesn't actually matter. I still get two red resources or whatever, but a six might matter. Some of my cards might trigger on me getting a six >> or or a red and then the number doesn't matter.

And there's all these neat combinations of things you can do. And then on top of that, instead of fighting each other like you might do in Resortana, you there is a display of baddies up there and you can attack them. You get victory points for doing that, special abilities for doing that. It goes away.

you flip over a new baddy. I really like that. I like that the focus is on building your tableau, your special abilities, what have you, but then not tearing each other down or or hindering each other in any way. It's choosing to do this thing in front of you really well or attacking over there really well.

>> Uh has a great strange kind of look. It has these sort of weird tall cards. It feels different this year for me. You know, it's the the closest thing is Reser, but Resana really wasn't like anything else. So, >> it's its own vibe. It's its own thing. Really was a banger this year for me. So, either Stone number three.

Was this Is this Thunder Griff? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. They they misses for me. >> I was going to say it's been a while since they've had a game that I think has hit with any of us here. >> I agree. >> Yeah, >> this one's good. >> I would try this one even though you're comparing it so much to Resarchana, which I didn't dislike.

I just thought it was mid. But this looks great. Like I really like the look. The visual appeal of this is high for me. >> All right, big three here. My number three. I had a hard time putting these in order, but three is a game that when I first got it, I thought it was a ripoff of another game. That game being Gloom Haven.

But this game stands on its own and I think I like it better than Gloom Haven. >> Whoa. >> And this is Grove. Wolf is a game like if you saw this, you would think this is an expansion for [clears throat] >> No, I would think it's a terrible cover is what I would think. >> Okay. Well, I'm not going to argue that.

What I am going to argue though is how much the combat is. >> The sliding cards is cool. Yeah, I like that. >> So, you have four basic actions that are very specific to your character and you can slide two of them every turn. You pick which two you're going to slide. Those are your two actions you get.

And then you can also play one of your seven cards and then when you're done playing that card, you flip it over to the other side. The cards scare me, but I like the tiles the tile. >> And at the beginning of the game, you choose what side those cards start face up. >> So, I really I really like that each mission.

And then as the game goes by, you'll get better cards, you'll get better actions. Those two slots in the bottom will open up. But that's it. The enemies are also work really well. You roll a dieice >> and that die moves a token and whatever the token stops, that's the action they'll take. So, you see where it might happen.

>> Is this a huge campaign game? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Look, it's not for everybody. >> No, no. I just I wasn't asking that. I was like, look, like I know it's not for me, but I do like some of the things I'm seeing. >> I think the combat in this game is just so much fun. >> It's fun because some some of the actions on those cards cost dice.

You'll see there's little rows of dice at the top of a card. Like this card I'm showing here has two dice on it. >> And so I need to get those dice. So other cards give you dice that are not as good of action. So I take some of those. And then I'm like, now >> I'm just gonna lay lace everything on the board.

>> You feel good. You feel powerful. The enemies are powerful. I'm not saying it's an easy game by any means. People have said it's easier in Gloom Haven because it is. And the rule book's like, "Here's how you can make it harder." And I ripped that part out of the rule book and threw it away. I like the level it's at.

>> Okay. >> It's just a lot of fun for me. That's Rove. >> Nice. >> Okay. >> People Oh, no. We're going to Z. Let's skip Z and go to the people. >> This is Oh, we are skip. We already did Z. >> That was me. >> Let's go to the people. That's the people. >> The people's choice is the game that got played the most times at Dice Tower East.

And this is Hot Streak. >> Oh, >> no surprise on this one. >> Oh my goodness. >> Oh, it is a surprise cuz it was on my surprises list. >> This is unstoppable. >> It is. This game is a phenomenon. >> I think we played it. Was it today? >> We played it live yesterday. >> That was like three days ago, guys.

[laughter] >> Was yesterday I think it was like two weeks ago. So, >> I heard a lot of shouting coming from the back studio. >> Yes. >> Was that the first time? No, you I keep asking the same question. >> No, he loves it. >> Yeah. Hot streak. Great game. You're number three. >> Good call. [music] [laughter] >> No, I'm just So, here's the thing.

I know one of your top two games. >> Okay. cuz you haven't mentioned it yet and I know it's there. >> I just don't know if it's two or one and I don't know what the other one is. >> Oh, >> also you had no more Canas left. So that narrows down the field by 90%. >> No more kinesias left. [laughter] >> Um >> and no trick taking you say >> no more trick taking.

No, a lot of people a lot of people I think thought this game is a trick taking game and it's not. >> Oh, here we go. [laughter] >> It's not a trick >> taking It's not even It's not even marketed as one, but I think people that saw it thought, "Oh, this looks like a trick." And it's not. Okay, this is my plea and I This [clears throat] is my plea.

I'm doing you a favor, North American publishers. I'm begging you to make money, print money by making distribution deals with this Japanese publisher and bringing Eternal Decks to a wider audience. This game is so good. It's so unique. It is the type of game that is very popular right now. It's a cooperative limited communication game.

Those games are hot. This game does it like any other game I've ever seen. Every player starts the game with a very few number of cards in their hand. And you lose the game if any player runs out of cards. How do you get more cards? >> How do you get more cards? >> You get them by playing cards in this center area according to a particular type of restriction.

either cards ascending, descending, you know, things along those lines. But you can never have two colors of the same color or two cards of the same color next to each other. You can never have cards with two numbers of the same next to each other. And you get them by playing the last card in one of those rows and picking up one of those decks, which are guardian decks, which give you new and better cards.

>> Okay? >> And then when you get that guardian, you flip it and you put it at the top and it has some kind of a curse. That curse might be, hey, you can't play fours anymore. >> Yeah. Or you can't play, right? Or you can't play cards that are blue anymore. Yeah. >> Right. Until you break that curse, which takes that restriction away.

It is so [snorts] smart and it is very much a puzzle game. But that's just the basics. what you're looking at right there. There's like eight different ways to play this that have new twists, new turns, new but they all kind of use the same card play system. >> Okay. >> So, you're not having to learn a ton of new rules.

They just keep throwing new twists and turns at you. >> Okay. Okay. >> It is a really really unique game that I think could have very wide appeal if it was brought to a wider audience. A plea >> money for you. >> North American North American distributors, a plea to you >> when you publish this game in America.

Please >> add artwork to the cover. >> I think the Actually, I thought about this. You convinced me to say that. I think the cover is fine. I think this look has a very unique aesthetic. People are going to like it or not like it. Whatever. I think it it's very, you know, striking. >> Looks really good.

>> I'm just not sure about this cover. That's all right. Here's the thing. I don't know that I hate the cover. I don't know that it would make me buy the game. I'd come and be like, "Oh, is this a tea set?" >> No, but it it but it fits because the game is This is not going to be a game that necessarily is gearing to find at a Target or something.

Right. >> I don't want Here's my plea for those of you watching. Please stop yelling at us for Mike's picks that you then can't find. Right. Look, >> we're just telling you right now, this is out of print. Someone in the chat said, I think it was Jordan said that Portland Game Collective is picking this up.

They are. Yes. >> Then just hang on and then I'll pick it from my one of my top 10 in 2026. >> Right. They are they're going to be I think they're going to they're they're going to be doing some for the North American audience. I don't think that they're like doing a big print run with them or anything.

So, >> it's the same exact game. They're just bringing some I mean I'm sorry. They're not reprinting. >> No, I think they're taking some of the reprint that the Japanese publisher is doing and just just >> bringing [laughter] them over here. Okay. >> Yes. This is a stamp set from Hobby Lobby. Yes. That's what that cover looks like.

>> Yeah. A little bit. And I could be wrong about that relationship between Portland game. Who knows? I'm not sure. But that's where I got it from. I got my copy from Portland Game. >> Oh, you did? Okay. Okay. But it was a while ago. So, yeah. Fantastic. Fantastic. >> Got to play. I heard somebody put it on their surprises >> yesterday.

Chris put it on his surprises. >> Got it for us to play next week. >> Yeah. I don't Yeah. >> And yeah, I want to I want to I want to try it out for sure. So, that'll happen. Um, okay. My number two is Yes. Hang on to your hat, Vassel. It's a second edition of something, but it is a very different. I said, "Hang on to that." [laughter] It's a very different >> very very getting itchy and and warm under there.

>> Turning redder somehow. [laughter] >> Um, this is Parks second edition. And I think Parks second edition is a very different game from Parks. It's a very different game from Parks with expansions. Uh though it includes some aspects of what expansions did. There you go. Yeah. Jeez, that was quite the throw.

Nice catch though. Uh parks compared to Park Second Edition. It's it's it follows the trend that this company key master has been following for a while now where they they'll put out a game and after a few years they streamline that game and they kind of put it out again >> and then after a few years they sort of hack away even more things simplify it even more >> creatures game they did right >> they've done it three times with that game they've done it twice now with this >> do you feel like you're in the minority on this one though I noticed in reviewing the stuff a lot of people said they like the first edition better >> the first one maybe.

Yeah, >> I think a lot of people are pushing against the art. >> That could be. >> They lost the rights to the art. You can't you can't yell at someone for using art they can't use anymore. >> That could that could be that people don't like the look of this one. I I think the look is fantastic and it is very congruent.

>> It is. It all looks like it fits the same game. If you play >> real words congruent, >> if you played Parks with a couple of the expansions mixed in, you start to get funky looks mixed together. Yeah, I didn't love that. Um, but yeah, this one is just simpler without losing any interest. >> Part is already super simple though, right?

>> Till you play this game and then you realize, yeah, that was kind of annoying and clunky. Like, why four seasons when three works? This is only three. Why is the track get longer each season by one tile when the same length every time without having to shuffle the tiles and set them out again? Works.

This does that. >> Why is the canteen such a garbage action where you're giving up one token or water token to sometimes get one token? That kind of sucks. Here, a canteen is made up of two tiles next to each other. And a single water triggers both abilities. And you get to pick where they go on your display.

So, you can couple any two things together. >> Yeah. You convinced me with the buffed canteen. Now you got me. >> I really like what this does. And all of those things are simpler than the original one. Um, so I really like Parks second edition. >> Yes. Again, if you love parks, you don't care for a second edition, play parks.

It's it's a great game, but if you never have played, I don't think they're doing you a disservice here in my opinion by not making that available and making you play this worse edition. This is cleaner, simpler, and you will be able to play with more people. >> Wow. Big announcement. I'm changing my band name to Buffed Canteen.

Mark it down. >> This is like like the covers of the canteen with a six-pack. [laughter] >> All right, my number two. I I I certainly considered putting at number one because this is my most played game of 2025 by a mile >> and I love playing it. I play it all the time. And this is >> Crossover with People, right?

>> Yeah, Crossover with the People. Hot streak. >> Yes. >> I I just love this game. Of course, >> the question is, do I love it better than >> um >> Ready Set >> Ready, Set, Bet. >> I definitely in 2025, I definitely have. I played this more than Ready Set Bet. >> I don't know. I'm going to sit and think about it.

I'll probably play Ready Set Bet just to see. Um >> I like them both a lot. But this one, I think, is easier for people to play because it doesn't need anyone to run it. There's no math involved. You're just watching these things do stupid stuff the whole time. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think this is much sillier than ready set bet and and I think that >> yes because Ready Set Bet is exciting but not necessarily >> silly.

Yeah, this is silly and that's why I'm I would choose this over ready set Bet in a heartbeat >> and this has the simplicity that Ready Set Bet doesn't have. Ready Set Bet plays this energy frenetic d. But before you get to that, you got to go, >> okay, let me explain everything you need to know about this game because once we start, you can't interrupt me.

You can't be asking stuff, >> right? This is faster bangtobullet kind of game. >> Yeah. Also, if you're running this game, quote unquote, you're still playing the game. >> Yes. Right. >> Yeah. It's a lot of fun. So, my number two hot streak, people's choice number two is another crossover with me and maybe maybe just me, but we'll see.

This is Yes. It's divisive, but very, very popular, and that's Vantage. >> Wow. >> Vantage still has that the magic touch. Now, I will say there was a huge gap between two and one. Okay. >> But this I mean there was also a big gap between two and three and so on. But this game I'm not surprised when he announced it.

When he announces a game that's coming out in three weeks, he sells a ton. He announces a year ahead of time, he's going to do even more so. >> And even though a lot of people don't love it, >> I think so many people play his games anyway that the amount of people who love it are still going to be high, right?

>> Even just percentage wise. >> So yeah, Vantage very very popular. >> [music] >> I'm sorry I cut that Vantage stuff so short. We'll talk about it at some a point later on. Mike, what's your number one? >> It's not often I get a three-way crossover for my number one because a lot of times I get accused of picking weird games, but yeah, my number one is Vantage.

And I'm going to say, >> you expected this? I did not realize you >> expected to be as number one, >> but I knew he liked it a lot. Yeah, you guys hit the review. >> I believe I rate I I reviewed it at a 9.5. Um, it may have been a nine, but it would be Yeah, at least that if not higher now. Um, >> Vantage, talking about Vantage is like talking about politics.

Don't bother. You're not going to convince the other side. >> Okay. >> But I don't even know if I want to. That's what I'm saying. All right. So my number one then you're not talking about Oh you are talking about [laughter] >> I'm saying there's no point in no one should be trying to convince you know uh you know I already see in the comments people putting a game with putting game in quotes look >> you're never going to like the game that's fine don't >> discount the people that do because what it does it does so well it you want to talk about really being dropped into a world and you could do anything you want right that's appealing to me it's not going to be appealing to a lot I 100% understand why people are bothered at the fact that >> what do you have to do to win it.

It's not as clear. It's not one of those games where it's like you play five rounds, you do this, this, this, this, and this, and this is most points wins, right? This is not that game. It's never going to be. It's not trying to be that game, right? Um, so I don't argue with people that don't like it.

I'm like, "Okay, yeah, this one isn't for you. I get it. But I'd like it to work the other way, too. >> I agree. Right. That's what it is. You got to have the grace to also be like, I don't like that or I don't think it's a game even. >> Right. Yeah. >> But Mike loves it and it's his game. >> Some of the other people do too, you know.

So, I would be nice if it works both ways on my list. I like [laughter] people's number two. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, >> also I think you might be in the minority actually if you don't like it, you know. >> Yeah. And I would say if you see videos and you hear people talking about and if you don't think you're going to like it, you're probably not.

>> That's good. And that's important to know, you know, >> and vice versa. So there you go. My number one and a very impressive achievement. I think that that this game you could tell years of work went into it. >> Wow. >> There you go. >> All right. My number one. You ready? >> Ready. >> Is another is another followup to a thing about a thing.

Wow. These were the best games of the year. I don't care. Okay. I want Here's what I want. I want some grace from [laughter] >> He's gonna plea plea to North American publishers. Yes. No. My number one is >> a game I gave a 10 to. >> Oh, >> it's Unmatched Adventures Teenage Mut Ninja Turtles. >> I just >> So, some people like, why is this not people's list?

I'm like, we're not putting on our list because it's a repeat of a game. Thanks for making me a liar. >> That's right. You know, you shouldn't have said that without consulting the rest of us. Um, Unmatched Adventures is my favorite game this year. It is a game, a box you can buy and play from that box without needing anything else.

That's called a standalone game, people. Yes, it's based or similar to the previous Unmatched adventures and similar to Unmatched and it's compatible with Unmatched, but it's its own thing. I can play it just from this and it is fantastic. Yes, liking the theme is going to help a ton. You hopefully you'll like Teenage Mut Ninja Turtles if you're going to, you know, play this.

But, uh, I I love what they've done with the system here. The fact that you can play against these bad guys. The fact that there is extra content you can choose to put in like little people that help you or little villains like mini villains that show up and mess with you as you are playing. You're jumping around New York here fighting some bad guys or on the other side of the board against Crang trying to do his whole, you know, pushing your world into his dimension X or whatever.

It's just fun. It's it has a it packs that energy that old school Teenage Mut Ninja Turtles has >> where sort of vibrant and kind of silly and sort of has that cowabunga energy to it that comes through like you can feel that they they cared about having the personalities come through in the card play and I I'm I I find that fascinating.

So yeah, that's my number one of the year. I'm loving it. I think it's fantastic. Shut up. I'm not asking it as a gotcha question because I haven't played this one yet, but like does it play significantly different to the other adventures? Gotcha. >> No, no, [laughter] I'm there's only one other Unmatched adventures, right?

Is the Moth Man and the whole, you know, thing. Does this do different stuff than that one does? Other than obviously different IP, different map. >> I guess the question is like does one unmatched do different stuff to another one? >> Kind of the same question. Yeah. >> Now I'm asking you cuz you've played those.

>> I have. No, no. I'm just saying I'm I guess but I I'm afraid to answer it because I don't think they do things all that different. I think it's basically the same system. >> Yes. >> But they're going to have different powers on the cards. >> They'll have some little unique thing that's thematically tied to that character.

>> This has a little more than that because there's more systems. >> Okay. That's kind of what I was getting. >> There's a couple of systems that don't exist in the previous one. >> That's what I'm getting at. Okay. >> It's small >> and it's optional actually. >> Yeah. But you can throw some things in it that the previous game just didn't have.

>> Right. Okay. All right. Cool. Yeah, I'll definitely try it. You know, I'm >> And if you liked, then >> I do, but I was I was like a generation before. You know what I mean? I I I was there when ninja rap was super hot. Go ninja. Go ninja. Go ninja. Go. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> I've always thought lyricists are >> master lyricist.

really goes dung dung dung dung dung. >> All right. [laughter] All right. My number one is I think a masterpiece of a game. It's It's so amazing. >> Make a plea. >> Um No, I'd love to make a plea if you you like it or not. [laughter] This is to shut up. >> There's too many >> There are too many giant games out there, but sometimes a giant game hits that spot.

And for me, this is Aridia. >> Oh, wow. >> Uh Aridia. What's the full name of it? this also gorgeous cover, but this game which just allows you, it's not so I I talk about Rove and Rove is basically a Gloom Haven game where you go in and have really awesome combat. >> Yeah. >> But Aridia is more the whole experience.

You're moving around a map. You run into people. You talk to those people. Those people have conversation. You go kill their brother and come back. They're going to treat you differently. You know, whatever it might be. >> Escalated quick. >> Yep. >> But or or something will happen. and you'll come back and someone's gone.

It has all these maps there. There's a larger map, but then it zooms in. You go to a house and there's giant ants walking around. Why are they walking around? There's a story behind that. >> Correct. >> And I like it. I think the stories are fun. It's very, very basic fantasyesque stories, >> but the freedom to go wherever you want on these maps and fight whatever monsters.

and the combat system which is a little similar to sort of the red raven. >> It's a little sleeping gods with the slashes and the sort of angles you up pretty quickly. It keeps you interested and it's a fullblown story. This is the best I've seen like a Balders's Gate or one of those games >> brought to a board game.

I think it's a masterpiece and I I mean when I talk to people I just was I I called a friend of mine yesterday and was talking about games and he he playing through this and he was just raving about it and I I think it's the kind of game you can and it stands out to me amongst unfortunately so many other ones that are good but I think this one is the best in that genre.

>> Wow. I'm glad I had a chance to play it because you know I I think just I haven't didn't play through much. I played it with you guys, but um I can definitely I got the feel of like >> one of course he has help, right? Just like Jamie has help and whatever, but >> but it's mostly him. >> This is like that that that this is really the the >> the game you're saying first from from a person is really impressive.

Really impressive. >> Yeah. >> All right. People's Choice has not been mentioned yet thus far, BUT LIKE I SAID, it won by a mile and I was surprised at it because of again how heavy this game is and I need to play it next week. Also, this is Galactic Cruise. >> Oh, I should have thought of this. Yeah, I should have thought of this.

I still need to play this. >> This makes me happy though because this game is a big grandio Euro game that's from a new company. Yeah, right. They're >> they're there's a lot of that this year, right? A lot of the games we've mentioned are not from >> some of them are from ASMina and other big companies, but there's a lot of newcomers to the list here.

>> And this one, you wouldn't know it looking at this game that this was their first game. >> I want to know what it is about this game that makes it so like spectacular as a Euro game. I That's why I need I need to play it. I am I am tired of not having played this game. >> Yeah, I'm in the same boat.

>> It's long. That's the one thing that's kept me from playing it. I tried to play it on Board Game Marina and I got lost in a tutorial. I think it might be easier to learn in person. >> Wow. >> Really? >> Well, I'm not blaming the game for that. I just think that this is probably not a game to learn a tutorial from.

>> It's that complicated. >> Yeah, it looks it looks pretty heavy. I mean, I don't know. But it looks pretty heavy. Is it like heavy like evolution heavy or >> Ask Chris. Yeah. >> I mean, play. >> No, he hasn't played that. Okay. >> It's like the lighter end of Lerta. >> Lighter end of Lerta. >> Lighter end of Lerta's.

That's the name of my band by the way. Lighter end of Lerta was the name of my band in middle school. >> It's the upper end of me is the lighter end of Lernerta. So >> the upper end of me was one of the songs. >> Stop staring at the upper end of me. [laughter] >> My eyes are down here. >> Every year we do these top 10 and then at the end of the year we review them again.

But we play a lot of games. Um hundreds of games. There's a hundred or so we haven't played. And you guys have both mentioned I think this year you're going to see more different games amongst people's lists than you normally would. >> I agree. Which is actually useful. >> Find find your angel and align with them.

>> A plea. [laughter] >> Please find your angel. >> Find your angels >> and align with them. >> All right. Well, this is the end of the It feels like the last day, but we have another day. Tomorrow's a shorter day, but it will be fun. We're going to start off in the morning with a couple games for you.

Some a few more top 10 list. And then we're going to end with the goofs and the mess ups. >> Bloopers, bloopers, and >> hula balloon. >> Although I'm starting to wonder how many of them are goofs and not planned moments, >> silly stuff. Maybe. I think it's more like a collection of >> best moments, silly stuff, that kind of thing, right?

>> Yeah. Used in our trials [laughter] as video >> that will be held against us in a court of law. >> All right, we'll see you then. Until then, I'm Tom Bassel. >> I'm Garcia. >> And I'm jumping all over [laughter] this guy. What was your name, sir? >> My name is Z Garcia. >> I'm Mike Delisio. >> And you're the people.

See y'all. [music] [music] >> [music] [music] >> Hey [music] folks, I'm Tom Vassel. Thanks for watching this video. Check out our channel. We have a lot of videos on [music] our channel. We have live videos that go up each week from live Q&As's to videos where we take a look at the newest stuff on [music] Kickstarter crowd surfing to top 10 lists and more.

There's lots of stuff on this channel. [music] We encourage you to explore it. You can find out more at our website dicetowwer.com. I'm Tom Bassel. [music] Thanks for watching another video on the Dice Tower.