Top 5 Board Games Played | Discovering Your Favorite Game For The First Time? | July Edition

It is one of my favorite games to teach as you're playing it because you all have that six cards. Flip your >> Hello everybody. My name is Ilia >> and my name is Tyler. Together we make up co a couple that loves to play board games. >> And today we're here to tell you about our top five games of >> July.

Can you believe the summer is almost gone? >> I cannot. It makes me a little sad. >> Makes me big sad. >> But that's okay. We'll enjoy it while it lasts. >> That's true. The sun is shining and we're here with games to talk to you about. >> Now this type of video we do every single month. We tell you the games that really bring us a lot of joy in the month.

Five different ones or sometimes >> sometimes there's crossovers for sure. >> But we all have different We both have different tastes. So we got to tell you about the games that we like. >> Exactly. >> In hopes of inspiring you to play some of them and also hear about the games that you have been playing too.

>> Now we are on a goal this year to play 365 different games. And how many different games have we played so far? >> I don't know. 200 and something. I think it is 200 something. I think it's 215 >> if I remember correctly. So, we are on track. >> Mhm. >> There's still five months to go >> and quite a lot of games to be played.

>> Yes, I guess counting August. Yeah. Yeah. >> Now, July was a bit of a roller coaster month for us. So, we actually did not get to play as many games. >> I don't even know if I would call it a roller coaster month. It's just summertime and we often are doing other things outside in the summer, >> like running around in the field with our ladies, >> our dogs.

Yeah. >> Um, so we didn't get to play as many games this month, which is okay. Ailia was also at Gen Con at the end of the month. So that was a little bit of a um me not I did actually play games. That's a lie. >> And I did too. But there's a lot of prep before going to Gen Con. So I think we were just both busy.

So we ended up playing 28 different plays of 20 different games. >> 20 different There you go. There you go. >> 23 different games. >> Oh, but you know what the wild thing is? We've played with 20 different people. >> Oh wow. Actually, that's really awesome. So, we almost played with as many people as we played different games.

>> Maybe that can be our 2026 goal is play with 365 different people. >> I don't know about that one. >> We can make so many new friends. >> No, that would spread myself too thin. Spread myself too thin. >> Come on over. Play a game with us. >> I would be in such a mental drought. I don't have the emotional capacity for that.

Sorry, folks. >> And that is a Okay. Well, with that said, if you're new to our channel, click that subscribe button, follow along for more joyful board game content. And uh stick around because we did do a giveaway about a month ago, and we're going to be announcing our giveaway winners at the end of this video.

>> Exactly. >> Without further ado, here are my eight honorable mentions. >> Not a chance. You watch yourself. >> Can I do five? >> We can't do any. None. >> You get five games top of July. You'd be basically talking about half the games we played anyways. >> That's true. >> You get five games. That's it.

>> Okay. Five this time, but maybe I'll have a few honorable mentions next month. >> Maybe a couple. >> Well, let's get to it. My number five is Octo Cube. >> Nice. >> Now, this is a game where you have a little octopus. >> Mhm. >> And on your turn, it's very simple. You either move your you >> the cube your octop >> you move your octo cube or you collect your oct and place all your pieces.

So there's a little bit of set collection. The movement is really unique >> cuz you really have to plan of how you want to move everything so you can collect everything and how you take things off. Has a gorgeous table presence. It's a >> very unique in its aspects because of the magnetic I thinkish cube.

It attaches. >> They are magnetic. Yeah, >> it must be magnets if they attach. >> Uh but there's also layers where you can begin a really kind of familyfriendly version and then kind of scale up to a more advanced scoring version. Mhm. >> The set collection is really interesting and the game is very simple but quite enjoyable.

>> Yep. I agree. It's fun. I think it's the cube thing kind of like burns my brain sometimes when I'm like thinking of planning ahead um because I have to remember what sides are going to be actually picking up the piece and whether or not they already have something on it is interesting. But yeah, it's cute.

It's >> And it's quite difficult to think that way as well because especially when Tyler decides to block your pieces. >> Mhm. That's true. There's there's blocking that can happen or pass that can be manipulated. >> Yeah, you could pass and wait for the other octa cube to move through so you can go through, but that's wasting a turn.

>> Exactly. Might not be worth it. >> Might not be worth it. But that is my number five. And that is Octo. My number five is a game that we actually got to play out camping. I think it's like one of those perfect games to play like around the campfire. I guess it's called just one. Was there just one campfire?

>> There was just one, but we weren't actually playing around the campfire because we were playing it under a canopy. It was raining. Uh, but that's that's perfect. We can get together in a group, play this game. It's not too uh everybody can kind of hold their stuff in the h their hands and go from there.

And it's just a lot of fun. You're trying to get as many possible answers out of the 13. If of course you're playing like the um the the round rules, but you can kind of just keep going and see how many you can get right. and see how many you get wrong. But as the guesser, it's stressful, especially when you have like seven extra clues.

>> All of the clues. >> Tyler let us down once. >> I did. >> Mhm. >> He had such a good spread of clues. Do you remember the way >> it was too good of a spread? >> It was way too paradise. Yeah, it was paradise. There was like a lot of music references, a lot of like vacation, holiday. Yeah. >> But sometimes it's tough when there's a lot of clues out there.

And we have yet in our over 50 plays of this game had a perfect game. >> M >> we were close on one point. I think we got 11 points once. >> Yeah. Of the 13. >> Of the 13. We were super close. >> And there you go. That's just one. >> A true classic. Now my number four is Tyler's >> higher number. >> Higher number.

>> I was going to say it. >> So we will pass to Tyler for his number four. >> My number four is this polyomino game called Junk Drawer. I don't know why I like this one so much, but it just like Well, I know why. It's like one of those Polyomino games where you're going to be placing into four different drawers, but the four cards are like drawn out and you'll reveal one by one which of those tiles you'll be placing into well, whichever junk drawer you choose.

But every player is doing it differently, trying to kind of like optimize the scoring that's in front of the like public scoring. But the fun part about that is it doesn't have to be perfect. And I think that's what it twisted on it head its head a little bit is you don't have to try and fit everything perfectly into your junk drawer.

You have to fit it so that it works with the scoring and >> which is sometimes perfectly >> or sometimes absolutely terribly cuz you want to be like making not so great pairs cuz you want to score like for the empty spaces that are there. So it's interesting in making those decisions and I kind of like I like that.

>> I think this is an extremely underrated game and more people should be talking about it. More people should be playing it. It's such a fantastic introductory to those puzzle polyomno type of games. >> Well, it's all simultaneous play, so it's pretty fun. It's goes by really quickly and rounds are often like there's probably only 12 cards that are drawn during a game and you all have the same pieces.

It just depends on how you decide to place them. >> Yeah, the theme is so wonderful. Who doesn't want to place their tangled ear pieces? >> Yeah. Your phone charger >> or a little scotch tape. >> Mhm. Don't forget about your buttons. >> Buttons in here. >> That's junk drawer. My number three is the Ace of Spades.

>> Nice. Now, this is a poker mechanic type of game, cooperative game where you are in the Wild West and you're trying to make your way through the enemies in order to face the final enemy and defeat them with the Ace of Spades. >> Mhm. >> Now, in this game, you're going to be playing poker hands in order to defeat the enemies.

You only have a certain amount of hands you can play each round. Uh although you do have a little bit of redraws if you want to do that as well. And as you defeat enemies, you'll gain cards that give you abilities that power you up and make you stronger. Uh if you ever played Bellatro, the video game, this game definitely has nods to that as well and gives vibes of that, too.

Uh and it's extremely difficult in a two-player setting. >> Yeah, the two-player version is pretty hard. I feel like I understood how it would flow as a I haven't played it solo, but it feels like it would be more or better at a solo cuz you have more control. Yeah, easier. easier would be the right word.

>> So, if you are a solo gamer, definitely check this one out. >> This one was also really hot at Gen Con. I believe it was one of the first games that was sold out. There's huge lines and it's just so fun because you take something that's so familiar like poker, uh, if you've played before. Uh, and if not, it's a great way to learn the poker hands and kind of utilize all that in a really fun way.

And there's a lot of scalability. There's a lot of variability between game to game and there's ways to layer your difficulty or make the game easier. So, it really has different ways to approach it and it is just a fantastic game that I can't wait to play more of. That's Ace of Spades. >> Okay, my number three is well, it is number four, as I may have not said before, but it is this game called Flip Tunes.

>> Flip, flip, flip, flip, flip. >> Yeah. Basically, in this game, you're going to be making a cast of cartoon characters to star in your film and the best film, basically. And the way you're going to be doing that is you're going to be revealing a bunch of cards. Six to be exact. Well, maybe more than that depending on what's happening.

But you'll reveal a 2x3 or 3x two grid. And cards will be placed on that. You'll gain fame and you'll spend that fame to either bring in new workers or new cartoon characters and then dismiss old cartoon characters that maybe aren't performing as well. >> You're fired. >> Exactly. And then this game essentially you'll play until somebody reaches 30 fame.

But the interesting thing is it really depends on what cards come out cuz there's a lot of different strategies that go on in this game. There's a lot of different combos you can try and uh put together and then at the end of the day what it does come down to well what does sometimes come down to is a bit of luck in the draw and we appreciate those types of games.

>> It's also super fast. It's and the art style is so fun. It's such a unique game that I do feel, especially with a small footprint, it can be held in anyone's collection and you can really show it to anybody because it is one of my favorite games to teach as you're playing it cuz you all have that six cards.

Flip your six cards. This is what you do with the cards and by the time you're in your second round, everyone already knows how to play. >> A lot of the text is on the cards themselves. So, you really get to discover the game as it continues and see all the fun different abilities and how they interact with each other.

Uh, it's a fantastic game. We've played quite a bit of it now already, too. And you're not going to get through the entire deck either. So like a lot of the cards that do come up, you have to be very accommodating in your strategy and see how they can work. And also at times maybe you don't even bother taking cards.

So it's a it's a it's something to think about when you're playing this game. >> It sure is. And that is Flip Tunes. >> My number two is >> Red Carpet. >> Nice. >> I am so excited to talk about this game. Now, we did talk about briefly in our Gen Con preview, >> and all I have to say is we saw this I saw this game.

>> Yeah, I didn't see it >> earlier this year at Gamma Expo, and when I first saw it, I was not sure. >> I know you told me about it >> because you're using your phone as one of the key tools in the game. You place it on a little phone holder, you do 2x in your camera, and that's a key mechanic in the game.

>> Yes. Cuz what you're doing in this game is you're paparazzi trying to capture photos of celebrities. And if the celebrities are facing you, if there's ads in the background, if they're in a particular way, >> they're like, what are their chauffeers, their bodyguards? Entourage entourage, they have to be looking away from the camera.

>> Yeah. No, no additional faces. You got to get the celebrity. So there's a lot of kind of fun elements like that. Uh so I wasn't sure because sometimes using your phone takes away from the tabletop experience and doesn't fully contribute to it. >> Uh and then we played it. Yeah, it was really cool.

>> It was so much fun. I feel like I remember there was a point in the game where all of us were standing and we're like >> trying to get the perfect picture. >> How do we position everybody correctly? Cuz the way you play in this game is you actually use cards to move the celebrities along or reposition your camera or vote for potential influence nominees and the winners of certain awards.

So, there's a lot of layers, strategic layers of this game. But then there is a photo taking phase where you place your camera and you go click click >> and see how you do. Uh and that's really fun because are there shoulders showing? Maybe they are. Are there additional faces? Are there ads? Uh and it was really interesting to see how everyone did and how they position the camera.

And a key moment of the game I remember is when someone at the table had the perfect shot lined up >> and another player decided to call over the celebrity to face the other way and ruined it. uh which was funny and I like moments like that and I think there's still a lot of ways to catch up points-wise.

Our point spread was pretty close. Uh I can't wait to share this game more with everybody. The production value, everything in it was just Yeah. And that's not the end of it either cuz like you can still get away with scoring a lot of points that way and by manipulating the voting it actually works out really well.

So it's not just about taking the pictures. There are layers that are that add to this game that make that photo thing important, but not as like a major major piece of the game. You still have to be you still have to make some decisions. >> You got to make some good decisions and that is >> red carpet.

All right. My number two is a game that is definitely a classic. It is called Castles of the Castles of Burgundy. >> The castles of what? >> Yeah, the burgundy. The castles of Yeah. Burgundy, you know. Anyways, this is a Seinfeld game. It is, how do I even describe this? You are building out a map and you are placing different buildings and farms and etc., etc., onto this board.

But the way you're doing that is through dice and you'll use your actions to place tiles or draft tiles from the center. So, you'll draft the tiles from the center, they'll go into your storage, and then you'll play those tiles onto your board using the dice. But there are tiles that will add different abilities to your game.

There are tiles that will score you lots of points. There are different sections that you need to fill up in certain amount of time to score yourself bonus points. And there's just a lot going on in this game. But it's also really straightforward. And I think that's what my favorite part about this game is is once you get going, it is simply rolling two dice and deciding how you want to use them, potentially manipulate them, uh, and draft your tiles or play them onto your board.

And you can do that. Timing is super important. And the way you do it is also really important. You've got to make sure you're well timing it right. >> Mhm. >> It's been so long since we played this game. >> I play this one a lot on BGA, but we don't count my BGA plays. So, uh, this but but but I was really excited when Ilio was like, "We should play Castles of Burgundy." I was like, "Yes, absolutely, we should." >> Because I don't play as much on BGA, so I also want to be part of the fun.

>> And it was like it was so much fun to bring it back and cuz it's cuz I think we first played this game kind of early on in our hobby discovery. So, it's kind of almost nostalgic to keep bringing it back and to celebrate it and see how fun how how much fun it still is. >> Yeah. This was like one of the few games, I think, that I ended up teaching.

um as a well we've played it before but I was doing I >> I had to do the reminisce teach. >> Yeah. I forgot about a lot. >> Yeah, exactly. So >> So that is my number two definitely probably up there in my favorite games. So Castles of Burgundy. >> And my number one >> and Tyler's number one >> is >> this game right here called Forest Shuffle Darkmore.

Now for a shuffle. >> Have you played this copy? >> No, >> we just got this from I think it's just open. >> Well, we have played it. >> We've played a few times. Yes, we played this game, but I mean like this copy in particular. >> I I actually might have. We might have. I might have played it cuz I did play it at Gen Con.

I just don't remember if we played my copy or somebody else. >> Ah, okay. Okay. >> So, for Shuffle is one of our favorite games. >> We We absolutely love it. We love showing it to people and it's quite simple because what you're doing is you're either drawing cards or you're using cards in your hand to play cards >> and the resource to play cards is cards.

>> So it's all card based and then you build a beautiful forest filled with critters, plants and just happiness. >> Yes. >> Now the reason Forest shuffle for me is the top of my list this month is because this is now first of all this is a standalone game. Yes. >> So this is not an expansion. This is a new game in the forest shuffle univer universe universe.

Don't get it confused because you can't actually combine the two games. >> You cannot combine the two games. They're they're different. >> Separate game. Sheep forest shuffle dart war. >> Now the reason this game's top of my list is when we first played for shuffle it was a very magical feeling. >> It was >> because you play the cards and you'd be reading all the cards, discovering all the abilities, discovering the synergies and seeing what could potentially happen.

And I thought I would never get to experience that again. Yes. >> But I was wrong because when I played this game, I did. And it was really neat because you could see like, oo, this card would be really good with that card. Ooh, I can't believe Tyler discarded that card. It works so well for me. I'm going to draw it right away.

And it was all those feelings that I really, really enjoying for a shuffle. And now there's two for me to enjoy. So I can keep going back and forth. And then the strategies are just endless. They are very different too because this has what called moors and they're like another type of tree for those of you who have played the original tree.

>> No, they're like they're they're a different type of tree cuz like the things that you add to the cards, you have to have that in order to be able to play them. But mors can have two things on the top and two things on the bottom, but nothing on the right and left. Uh so they add like different layers and then in this game particularly there are restrictions.

So, like some cards that you'll play have to be played on >> Moors >> or they'll give bonus benefits for like being active there. And I just think that like the discovery aspect of the game was fantastic. I think that this is different enough from the other forest shuffle that I really like it. I actually do think that this is a little bit h maybe I'd have to play them like at the same time.

this one. I think Forest Shovel Dartmore is a little more um like entry level. Like you I think it's easier to get into Dartmore than it is to get into the other Forest Shovel. But I could be completely wrong because I might have like recency bias uh having played this um the most recent. And I also really like base force shuffle.

So then I might be biased there. Anyways, anyways, this gave me the exact same feeling I was really excited about. It was fun to discover the new um new abilities and everything like that, but it still gives a similar vibe with being different and I appreciate it. >> And one thing I like too is you can no longer place one of your cards face down.

>> You there's only one way to There's only >> Well, there's ability. >> Yeah, there's many ways to play mors, but they cannot be played from your hand. >> Actually, the more I think about it, maybe it is a little but no, they're like equal. the more you think about it. >> Dart, more I think about it.

Anyways, >> well that is for shuffle dartmore and it is our number one game of July >> and July. >> Not August yet? >> No, we'll have >> I haven't even played this in August. >> Well, what the heck have you been doing? >> Uh, I'm playing it on BJ. >> I'm playing both of them on BJ. That one and the regular one.

>> Are you winning either? >> I don't know yet. Well, that has been our top five of July. They've been putting some pretty good games in there. >> Uh, yes. And I think there's going to be more. So, the nice thing is is Gen Con just happened. So, our goal of 365 different games might be a little bit easier.

That being said, I'm away for a week in August. I won't be I will be playing games actually. So, maybe those those will count. >> Um, >> well, they will count cuz you would have played them. >> Yes, exactly. But if I haven't if we played them already, then they don't count. >> Oh, I see. I see. I But what I'm trying to say is Gen Con, we got a bunch of new games, so we're going to be playing those and we're going to be showing those to people.

So, we're kind of excited to get through those. Well, we definitely are excited to get through those. >> Is our goal for August to play all of our Gen Con games? >> No. I can see the pile out there and it is a lot. I don't think we actually play that many games in a month very often. >> I think it's a very reasonable goal.

>> No. >> Well, for our question of the day, we have, what games have you played in July? What are you excited to play in August? Has there been a recent favorite you've rediscovered like we have? Or is there a new game that you were looking forward to playing? Tell us about your gaming habits. Tell us about what's going on and leave a comment down below.

>> Comments, comments, comments. >> Now, we did do a couple of giveaways. We did about a month ago for Ovation and 1:00 a.m. Jailbreak, which we did in our top 10 games we often recommend. >> And we have our winners here today. >> We do. >> Now for Ovation. All right, our winner is Congratulations. And for jailbreak, our winner is >> Yay.

>> Congrats. >> Now, when we do giveaways, the only way we'll contact you is on YouTube or through email, which is contact.com. So, if you do not if you get any contact any other ways, ignore it. >> I think the first way we'll reach out is in the comments. in the comments. >> That is how you will know.

For sure. >> For sure. So, keep an eye out and we'll be doing more giveaways in the future to come. >> Yay! Giveaways. >> Yay! Giveaways. >> Until next time though, we hope you enjoyed our top five of July and we will see you in the next one. >> Bye >> bye.