Top 10 Games Everyone Should Play at Least Once

The Dice Tower2 minutes read

The discussion highlights the top 10 games everyone should play at least once, emphasizing diverse options like Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, Chess, Skull, and Pandemic Legacy. These games offer unique gaming experiences, from social deduction to immersive storytelling, and are recommended for broadening gaming knowledge and skills.

Insights

  • Including classic, representative, and unique games in a list ensures a well-rounded gaming experience, as suggested by Z.
  • Trying trick-taking games like Diamonds broadens gaming knowledge and skills, according to Tom.
  • Dixit, a creative thinking game, offers insights into players and fosters unique interactions, suitable for various social settings.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of trying out different types of board games?

    Trying out different types of board games is essential to broaden your gaming knowledge and experience. By exploring a variety of games, you can discover new mechanics, themes, and play styles that may resonate with you. It allows you to appreciate the diversity within the board gaming hobby and find what truly engages and excites you as a player. Additionally, trying different games can introduce you to unique gaming experiences, challenge your strategic thinking, and provide opportunities for social interaction and fun with friends and family.

  • Why should I consider playing a cooperative game like Pandemic?

    Playing a cooperative game like Pandemic offers a refreshing and engaging gaming experience. Unlike competitive games where players face off against each other, in Pandemic, players work together as a team to combat global outbreaks and diseases. This collaborative gameplay fosters communication, strategic planning, and teamwork skills as you strive to save the world from escalating crises. Pandemic's elegant core mechanic and various versions have revolutionized the cooperative game genre, making it a must-try for those looking for a different gaming dynamic and shared victories.

  • What makes Dominion a pioneer in deck-building games?

    Dominion is considered a pioneer in deck-building games due to its innovative gameplay mechanics and foundational role in popularizing the genre. In Dominion, players start with a basic deck of cards and gradually build their deck by acquiring new cards with unique abilities and effects. The game distills deck-building to its purest form, focusing on strategic card selection, combo-building, and efficient deck management. Dominion's success has led to numerous expansions that enhance gameplay and offer a wealth of card combinations, making it a classic and influential game in the deck-building genre.

  • Why is Cosmic Encounter recommended for its unique gameplay?

    Cosmic Encounter is recommended for its unique gameplay that revolves around asymmetrical powers and negotiation aspects. In Cosmic Encounter, players take on the roles of different alien species, each with its own special abilities and strategies. This asymmetrical gameplay creates dynamic interactions and unpredictable outcomes, challenging players to adapt their tactics and alliances throughout the game. The negotiation element adds a social dynamic to the gameplay, as players bargain, form alliances, and betray each other to achieve victory. Cosmic Encounter's blend of asymmetry and negotiation makes it a standout game worth trying for its distinct and engaging experience.

  • What is the value of trying out a game like Caverna?

    Trying out a game like Caverna offers players an entry point into heavier, resource-heavy games while providing a grandiose and immersive gaming experience. Caverna blends worker placement, resource management, and strategic decision-making in a rich and thematic setting. Despite its complexity, Caverna is easier to learn than other heavy games like Agricola and Feast for Odin, making it accessible to players looking to explore deeper gameplay mechanics. Playing Caverna can help players identify their preferences for big, resource-heavy games and appreciate the depth and variety of strategic choices available. Overall, trying out Caverna can introduce players to a rewarding and challenging gaming experience that showcases the breadth of possibilities within the board gaming hobby.

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Summary

00:00

Top 10 Games for Diverse Gaming Experience

  • The discussion revolves around the top 10 games everyone should play at least once.
  • Roy emphasizes the importance of trying out Deception: Murder in Hong Kong for its wide appeal and engaging theme.
  • Mandala is highlighted as a two-player card game that offers a unique and memorable experience.
  • Crokinole is recommended by Mike for its nostalgic dexterity gameplay reminiscent of childhood memories.
  • Z suggests including classic games, representative games, and unique games in the list for a well-rounded gaming experience.
  • Chess is proposed as a game everyone should try at least once for its iconic status and strategic gameplay.
  • Tom advocates for trying a trick-taking game like Diamonds to broaden gaming knowledge and skills.
  • Roy selects Onitama as a solid abstract game with interesting movement mechanics for a diverse gaming experience.

15:31

"Classic party games foster creativity and connection"

  • Skull is a fast and easy-to-teach party game with minimal components, similar to Liar's Dice but simpler.
  • Players place coasters with either a skull or blank side, guessing the distribution around the table.
  • The game focuses on the joy of playing with others rather than the game mechanics.
  • Dixit is a creative thinking game that reveals insights about players, suitable for both new acquaintances and close friends.
  • The game offers a comfortable and pleasant experience, fostering creativity and unique interactions.
  • Catan, a classic board game, is essential for understanding the evolution of modern board gaming.
  • Despite its age, Catan remains a fun and engaging game that can surprise and captivate players.
  • Dungeons and Dragons, often misunderstood, offers a unique role-playing experience that creates memorable stories.
  • The game challenges misconceptions about role-playing games and provides a different and immersive gaming experience.
  • Dominion, the pioneer of deck-building games, offers a solid and engaging gameplay experience that stands the test of time.

30:22

Diverse board games offer unique experiences.

  • Ethnos is recommended to try at least once, despite differing opinions among individuals.
  • Ethnos is praised for its gameplay mechanics and ease of learning, with six different factions to choose from.
  • The game is described as quick-paced, often played faster than Ticket to Ride.
  • Cosmic Encounter is highlighted for its unique gameplay and asymmetric powers, urging players to give it a chance.
  • Werewolves is recommended for its social deduction experience, encouraging players to overcome initial intimidation.
  • Pandemic Legacy is suggested for its immersive storytelling experience, emphasizing the impact of playing it just once.
  • Mansions of Madness Second Edition is praised for its atmospheric gameplay and use of puzzles through an app.
  • Dominion is lauded for its deck-building mechanics and strategic gameplay, considered a classic in the genre.
  • Power Grid is recommended for its economic gameplay, offering a robust experience in resource management and city connection.
  • Power Grid is highlighted for its potential to introduce players to various game mechanisms, even if the game itself may not be their favorite.

45:38

Top Ten Board Games Worth Trying

  • 1. Number six pick is Commands and Colors Ancients, a light war game recommended for trying at least once.
  • 2. Memoir 44 is a similar game but might be sensitive for those with relatives in that war.
  • 3. War games, like Commands and Colors Ancients, are worth trying to see if they suit your style.
  • 4. Rhino Hero is a fun dexterity game involving stacking towers, recommended for a light-hearted gaming experience.
  • 5. Mombasa is a complex game blending worker placement, deck building, and area control, offering a unique interactive experience.
  • 6. Chronicles of Crime is an app-integrated board game that provides a distinct gaming experience worth trying at least once.
  • 7. Crokinole is a social dexterity game that offers a different vibe from typical stacking games, recommended for its unique experience.
  • 8. Puerto Rico, a classic euro game, is suggested for its historical significance and gameplay experience.
  • 9. Gizmos is an engine-building game with intricate combos, ideal for those interested in complex gameplay mechanics.
  • 10. Hansa Teutonica is an older euro game with minimal components but deep gameplay, offering a smooth and engaging experience worth trying.

01:01:30

Top Games Worth Trying for New Players

  • The list discussed is not just about top games but also about trying games you may not have considered.
  • Ethnos is highlighted as a game worth trying, even if initially overlooked.
  • Catan is emphasized as a pivotal game in the hobby, urging players to experience its historical significance.
  • Time Stories is recommended for its captivating first impression and as a gateway to escape room-style games.
  • Viniculture is suggested as a solid worker placement game with diverse elements.
  • Shadows over Camelot is praised for its teamwork and traitor mechanics, making it a fun and engaging experience.
  • Las Vegas is lauded for its simplicity and wide appeal, especially for those new to gaming.
  • Cosmic Encounter is highlighted for its unique asymmetrical gameplay and negotiation aspects.
  • Drop Mix, a music-mixing game, is recommended for its innovative technology and out-of-the-box experience.

01:16:16

"Exploring Board Games: Caverna to Dominion"

  • Caverna is recommended as an entry point into heavier games, easier than Agricola and Feast for Odin.
  • Caverna offers a grandiose experience with many resources and choices, potentially overwhelming but worth trying.
  • Playing Caverna can help identify preferences for big, resource-heavy games.
  • Cosmic Encounter is a cooperative game aiming to secure five planets simultaneously, known for its chaotic and historical gameplay.
  • Through the Ages is highlighted as a heavy civilization game, available in both physical and app versions, offering thematic and strategic depth.
  • Pandemic is praised for revolutionizing cooperative games with its elegant core mechanic and various versions.
  • Cryptid is a unique deduction game, challenging players to pinpoint a specific spot on the board, engaging a different mental aspect.
  • Dominion is lauded as a pioneer in deck-building games, distilling the genre to its purest form and offering expansions for enhanced gameplay.
  • Blood Rage is recommended for its unique gameplay mechanics, involving card drafting, combos, and strategic victory point accumulation.
  • Broom Service is highlighted for its innovative action selection mechanism, resembling trick-taking games and requiring strategic thinking about player actions.

01:31:27

Top Choice: Twilight Imperium 4th Edition & More

  • Twilight Imperium 4th Edition is the top choice on the list, known for its grandiose nature and unique gaming experience.
  • The game is not meant for frequent play, with the narrator having only played it once and unsure if they will play it again.
  • Despite its infrequent play, Twilight Imperium 4th Edition is highly regarded for its popularity and dedicated fan base.
  • Hanabi, a game focused on limited communication, is recommended as a must-try due to its unique gameplay and potential enjoyment.
  • Hanabi won the Spiel des Jahres award and is praised for its cooperative gameplay.
  • Magic: The Gathering, a collectible card game, is suggested for at least one play to understand its influence on the gaming hobby.
  • Magic: The Gathering is considered a gateway game that can lead to a deeper understanding of various board game mechanisms.
  • The game is advised to be played casually to avoid becoming overly competitive and potentially costly.
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