Board Game Hot Takes recently did a poll discussing if the unthinkable happened, and you lost your entire board game collection, how many of your games would you re-acquire. I think every game in my top 30 would be strong candidates for re-acquisition!
30 – Bärenpark
My favourite thing about Bärenpark:
It’s an easy, relaxing polyomino tile placement game. What sets Bärenpark above Patchwork in my mind is the fact that someone actually get to complete their park. Beyond that, BEARS!
29 – Tokyo Highway
Previous Rank: 24 | Full Review
My favourite thing about Tokyo Highway
Dexterity games hold a special place in my heart, as I really love the tension they deliver. I love seeing the highways rise up amongst the grey spires, and they duck and weave over and under each other. Then in an instant, it all comes crashing down.
28 – Super Motherload
Previous Rank: 16 | Full Review
My favourite thing about Super Motherload
The shared tunnel system creates a fascinating leapfrog effect. You’ll strike out in one direction, nabbing some juicy gems, but that gives your opponents a springboard to leap even further, collecting even better resources, which in turn sets you up on your turn.
27 – Jaipur
My favourite thing about Jaipur
Panda camel. Just kidding. I love the push and pull as you and your opponent pick at the shared market, swapping cards from your hand and trying to decide if you want to sell early to get the most valuable token, or if you should hoard cards to net that amazing 5 card bonus tile.
26 – Paperback
Previous Rank: 12 | Full Review
My favourite thing about Paperback:
I like building up my deck in Paperback with a wide variety of powers, and the natural growth of the amount of money you’re able to generate. At the start of the game, earning 5 cents feels like an achievement. Then by the end of the game, dropping a casual 21 cent hand feels super satisfying.
25 – Thurn and Taxis
My favourite thing about Thurn and Taxis:
A classic from 2006 about picking up cards and building mail routes. There’s enough short term benefits to distract you from your long term goals to create some very interesting decisions. Honestly, it’s hard to poinpoint what exactly I love about Thurn and Taxis, as it’s just a very fun and satisfying game to play. It’s light, it’s easy, I feel engaged. It’s lovely, and it’s moving up in my rankings!
24 – Vikings
Previous Rank: 18 | Full Review
My favourite thing about Vikings:
The engine building of trying to get the right vikings to earn money and points is quite satisfying. You want all the vikings possible, but obviously you can’t take them all, plus, they might be paired with an island tile that you really can’t use! Also, the way the market dynamically adjusts based on the vikings that are getting purchased is unique and awesome. It’s a great game over-all.
23 – Lost Cities
Previous Rank: 17 | Full Review
My favourite thing about Lost Cities:
The push-your-luck aspect of putting down the handshakes and just HOPING that you’ll pick up more cards of that colour is amazing. I love getting 3 handshakes down, knowing that every card I pull could be the one that launches me into the stratosphere of points. More often, my hubris leaves me in a hole that I can’t dig out of, but I have fun none-the-less.
22 – Flamme Rouge
Previous Rank: 21 | Full Review
My favourite thing about Flamme Rouge:
I like that throughout the race you’re shedding cards from your deck, so in the final stretch you might be running right out of cards. It feels thematic in that sometimes at the end of the race you just don’t have the juice to make it over the finish line.
21 – Arboretum
Previous Rank: 14 | Full Review
My favourite thing about Arboretum:
The cutthroat nature of the scoring, being able to deny others the ability to score their best lines just by holding one card in your hand is amazing. That said, every card you hold on to, to deny your opponent is one card that isn’t helping further your own goals. Every time I have to discard in Arboretum, I’m in anguish, and all the cards are ones I want to keep. And I really love that feeling!
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