In my last post, I mentioned wanting to play all of the BGG Top 100 games. I figure, if I am going to talk about that I should start off by listing the ones I have already played. So, here is a quick and dirty rundown of which ones I have marked off the list (as of November 2015) and my general thoughts on them.
Twilight Struggle
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: I am not normally a two-player guy. I have a handful of games that work for two players, but I prefer a good 4-6 player game. However, this is #1 on the site for a reason. I found this game very fun, with a lot of difficult decisions. I loved how everything is a tug-of-war with no definitively good play at any time. Every single turn was a struggle to offset the gains I was giving my opponent. I lost horribly, and loved it.
Terra Mystica
My Rating: 10
Thoughts: I originally bought this because it was so pretty. A large box with colorful pieces drew me in. I stayed for the rich gameplay. The idea of an area control game where you are better off being close to your opponents is a nice change of pace. The player boards are gorgeous, and tell you everything you need to know about how to play (once you learn the symbology). I am also a sucker for variable player abilities. Solid game, and one of my Top 10.
Puerto Rico
My Rating: 9
Thoughts: A classic game. As far as I can tell, the first one to use the idea of one player choosing an action and everyone else getting to do it. I like how that plays out in the game. Not only does it limit what is done in any given turn, but it also makes you have to plan just how you choose your actions. Knowing what your opponent wants to do is crucial.
Agricola
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: This was my first taste of worker placement. Not a very forgiving game, but so much fun to learn. I can credit this game with my love of boardgames.
Android: Netrunner
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: I played the original version of this, when it was a collectible card game. At the time, the rules were to complicated for me to fully get. In the years since, I have experienced far more games of much higher complexity. Now, I see how brilliant this game is. Asymmetrical gameplay is something I find I enjoy a lot. Plus, I am a sucker for the setting. I loved Blade Runner as a movie, and this scratches that itch nicely.
The Castles of Burgundy
My Rating: 7
Thoughts: A game I held off on buying for a long time. The box and components do not immediately impress. However, the game plays very well. Of course, I should have known this would be the case. Stefan Feld always makes good games.
Power Grid
My Rating: 7
Thoughts: I rate this higher than I feel I should. Not a game I am any good at, or even really enjoy much. What I do love, though, is the way the market works. The ebb and flow of resources as supply and demand shift is very inspired. Worth owning, even if it is one I don't play much.
Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: I love co-op games. I love games that tell stories. This one does both. Nothing more need be said. :p
Le Havre
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: Another worker game with a very interesting trading mechanic. I have noticed I am really bad at any sort of game dealing with trading or economic factors. However, the possibilities in this game are so varied that I can't help but love it.
Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: The only thing I love more than a co-op is a co-op with a possible traitor. This game serves that up well. Even better, every player has their own individual goal as well as a group objective. Even if there isn't a traitor, you may have players working against the best interests of the group just to fulfill some unusual goal. The only thing holding this game back for me is the theme. I love zombies, but have enough zombie themes games that I have no need for this. Now, when other Crossroads games come out, I will likely be all over them. Sci-fi or some other horror scenario would fit well with this mechanic.
7 Wonders
My Rating: 10
Thoughts: Any game that can play as fast with 2 players as it does with 7 is a great game in my opinion. With the right group, that is exactly how this game works out. You add in the theme (always been a lover of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and variability in player boards and I am sold. The first few expansions only helped to make this a perfect game to me.
Dominion and Dominion: Intrigue
My Rating: 10
Thoughts: I am an old school Magic player. I was never good, but I loved the game anyhow. So, naturally, deckbuilders are a thing I love. This is the originator of the genre, and still one of the best. While I love the original set, I do think Intrigue is more my style. I love being sneaky and duplicitous, and that set is about as good as it gets for Dominion. Even though, really, that was not my favorite set of them all.
Dominant Species
My Rating: 9
Thoughts: Such a fantastic game. I have always wanted to make a game related to evolution, and this is one of the better takes on that theme. This is one of the few games long games I have played more than once or twice. Every play through has been fabulous.
Race for the Galaxy
My Rating: 7
Thoughts: Taking what I love about Puerto Rico and distilling it into a card game. Even better, making it science fiction. Of course I would love this. I would have rated it higher, but the reliance on symbols makes learning and teaching this game a very difficult task. I am also less impressed with the progression as new expansions came out.
Eldritch Horror
My Rating: 10
Thoughts: I love Cthulhu. I love story in my games. Arkham Horror was one of the games that got me interested in the hobby. This is basically that, but quicker. I appreciate the larger scale as well as the smoother play experience.
Lords of Waterdeep
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: A very thematic euro. As a recovered D&D addict, I had to try this game. Especially since i was a fan of the Forgotten Realms setting back in the day. There is a friend of mine who loves to play games, but struggles with all of the complex rules in modern board gaming. He is a Fluxx/Apples to Apples kind of guy. He dominates at Lords of Waterdeep. That is proof to me of a great game.
Battlestar Galactica
My Rating: 7
Thoughts: Yet another co-op, with a traitor. My first dip into that pool, actually. I just played it again this week and it is still fun.
The Resistance and The Resistance: Avalon
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: I used to love hidden role games. They are not my thing as much anymore, because my play group can read me too well to make the game enjoyable anymore. However, these games are still a ton of fun. Any time you can get a deduction game like this, without player elimination, it is impressive.
Tigris & Euphrates
My Rating: 7
Thoughts: I will be honest, I have only played this in app form. It is a very interesting game, but not one I am terribly familiar with. I do enjoy the app though.
Roll for the Galaxy
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: This game takes an existing game I enjoy, and turns it into a dice game. All of the difficulty with the symbols in the card game are mitigated with this variation. I think this is actually superior to the cards game for this very reason. I hope the game is supported with a few more expansions to really flesh it out.
Five Tribes
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: Meeple Mancala. Seriously, who would have thought that would make such a good game. Sure, there is a bit more to it than that. But, still, at its heart, that is what this game really is. Yet, I absolutely adore it. Enough so that even though I have friends who own it, and can play with them whenever I want, I had to won a copy for my own collection.
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game
My Rating: 10
Thoughts: A game of war and politics, where the politics are subtle. I can really get into that. I am horrible at war games, but excel at games where you can ally and play other players against each other. This game allows me to do just that. The Wildling Track means there is a bit of co-op in there, but not enough to lose focus of the fact that only one person can take the throne and win. I loved the first edition when I played it years ago, and find this edition to be even more fun.
Wow, this post is getting a little longer than I intended. I will have to split this up into a second part, to be posted later.
Twilight Struggle
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: I am not normally a two-player guy. I have a handful of games that work for two players, but I prefer a good 4-6 player game. However, this is #1 on the site for a reason. I found this game very fun, with a lot of difficult decisions. I loved how everything is a tug-of-war with no definitively good play at any time. Every single turn was a struggle to offset the gains I was giving my opponent. I lost horribly, and loved it.
Terra Mystica
My Rating: 10
Thoughts: I originally bought this because it was so pretty. A large box with colorful pieces drew me in. I stayed for the rich gameplay. The idea of an area control game where you are better off being close to your opponents is a nice change of pace. The player boards are gorgeous, and tell you everything you need to know about how to play (once you learn the symbology). I am also a sucker for variable player abilities. Solid game, and one of my Top 10.
Puerto Rico
My Rating: 9
Thoughts: A classic game. As far as I can tell, the first one to use the idea of one player choosing an action and everyone else getting to do it. I like how that plays out in the game. Not only does it limit what is done in any given turn, but it also makes you have to plan just how you choose your actions. Knowing what your opponent wants to do is crucial.
Agricola
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: This was my first taste of worker placement. Not a very forgiving game, but so much fun to learn. I can credit this game with my love of boardgames.
Android: Netrunner
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: I played the original version of this, when it was a collectible card game. At the time, the rules were to complicated for me to fully get. In the years since, I have experienced far more games of much higher complexity. Now, I see how brilliant this game is. Asymmetrical gameplay is something I find I enjoy a lot. Plus, I am a sucker for the setting. I loved Blade Runner as a movie, and this scratches that itch nicely.
The Castles of Burgundy
My Rating: 7
Thoughts: A game I held off on buying for a long time. The box and components do not immediately impress. However, the game plays very well. Of course, I should have known this would be the case. Stefan Feld always makes good games.
Power Grid
My Rating: 7
Thoughts: I rate this higher than I feel I should. Not a game I am any good at, or even really enjoy much. What I do love, though, is the way the market works. The ebb and flow of resources as supply and demand shift is very inspired. Worth owning, even if it is one I don't play much.
Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: I love co-op games. I love games that tell stories. This one does both. Nothing more need be said. :p
Le Havre
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: Another worker game with a very interesting trading mechanic. I have noticed I am really bad at any sort of game dealing with trading or economic factors. However, the possibilities in this game are so varied that I can't help but love it.
Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: The only thing I love more than a co-op is a co-op with a possible traitor. This game serves that up well. Even better, every player has their own individual goal as well as a group objective. Even if there isn't a traitor, you may have players working against the best interests of the group just to fulfill some unusual goal. The only thing holding this game back for me is the theme. I love zombies, but have enough zombie themes games that I have no need for this. Now, when other Crossroads games come out, I will likely be all over them. Sci-fi or some other horror scenario would fit well with this mechanic.
7 Wonders
My Rating: 10
Thoughts: Any game that can play as fast with 2 players as it does with 7 is a great game in my opinion. With the right group, that is exactly how this game works out. You add in the theme (always been a lover of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and variability in player boards and I am sold. The first few expansions only helped to make this a perfect game to me.
Dominion and Dominion: Intrigue
My Rating: 10
Thoughts: I am an old school Magic player. I was never good, but I loved the game anyhow. So, naturally, deckbuilders are a thing I love. This is the originator of the genre, and still one of the best. While I love the original set, I do think Intrigue is more my style. I love being sneaky and duplicitous, and that set is about as good as it gets for Dominion. Even though, really, that was not my favorite set of them all.
Dominant Species
My Rating: 9
Thoughts: Such a fantastic game. I have always wanted to make a game related to evolution, and this is one of the better takes on that theme. This is one of the few games long games I have played more than once or twice. Every play through has been fabulous.
Race for the Galaxy
My Rating: 7
Thoughts: Taking what I love about Puerto Rico and distilling it into a card game. Even better, making it science fiction. Of course I would love this. I would have rated it higher, but the reliance on symbols makes learning and teaching this game a very difficult task. I am also less impressed with the progression as new expansions came out.
Eldritch Horror
My Rating: 10
Thoughts: I love Cthulhu. I love story in my games. Arkham Horror was one of the games that got me interested in the hobby. This is basically that, but quicker. I appreciate the larger scale as well as the smoother play experience.
Lords of Waterdeep
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: A very thematic euro. As a recovered D&D addict, I had to try this game. Especially since i was a fan of the Forgotten Realms setting back in the day. There is a friend of mine who loves to play games, but struggles with all of the complex rules in modern board gaming. He is a Fluxx/Apples to Apples kind of guy. He dominates at Lords of Waterdeep. That is proof to me of a great game.
Battlestar Galactica
My Rating: 7
Thoughts: Yet another co-op, with a traitor. My first dip into that pool, actually. I just played it again this week and it is still fun.
The Resistance and The Resistance: Avalon
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: I used to love hidden role games. They are not my thing as much anymore, because my play group can read me too well to make the game enjoyable anymore. However, these games are still a ton of fun. Any time you can get a deduction game like this, without player elimination, it is impressive.
Tigris & Euphrates
My Rating: 7
Thoughts: I will be honest, I have only played this in app form. It is a very interesting game, but not one I am terribly familiar with. I do enjoy the app though.
Roll for the Galaxy
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: This game takes an existing game I enjoy, and turns it into a dice game. All of the difficulty with the symbols in the card game are mitigated with this variation. I think this is actually superior to the cards game for this very reason. I hope the game is supported with a few more expansions to really flesh it out.
Five Tribes
My Rating: 8
Thoughts: Meeple Mancala. Seriously, who would have thought that would make such a good game. Sure, there is a bit more to it than that. But, still, at its heart, that is what this game really is. Yet, I absolutely adore it. Enough so that even though I have friends who own it, and can play with them whenever I want, I had to won a copy for my own collection.
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game
My Rating: 10
Thoughts: A game of war and politics, where the politics are subtle. I can really get into that. I am horrible at war games, but excel at games where you can ally and play other players against each other. This game allows me to do just that. The Wildling Track means there is a bit of co-op in there, but not enough to lose focus of the fact that only one person can take the throne and win. I loved the first edition when I played it years ago, and find this edition to be even more fun.
Wow, this post is getting a little longer than I intended. I will have to split this up into a second part, to be posted later.