Nemesis is definitely #1. Played it again twice last week, both games were great. Such a good game. A game that should be on this list is My Father's Work.
Nemesis, Dune and Spirit Island make that list for me. Nemesis being by far first. The stories it tells on its own is just incredible. Dune, because there's just so many mechanics (SO MANY) that feel like the game could do without, but they are there for the theme. If you know the story, you know why they are there, you understand why that gives someone an advantage and you see how the reasoning in the book/movie went the way it did and can choose to do against. Lastly, Spirit island shines through the spirits and the cards. You'd likely be able to tell which spirit is being played by just checking how it's positioned on the board, let alone by how it actually plays and what it does. Nice list though!
Starship Troopers is a great movie, a widely misunderstood parable about fascism. The list is very solid (glad that Obsession receives the much deserved praise). You guys should totally try John Company 2nd Ed. - extremely thematic and exceptionally good!
This war of mine sure is super thematic! Also, I feel like Spirit Island would have been a great pick for this list, since every spirit integrates its thematic to its mechanics!
Starship Troopers is my fauvorite movie of my childhood memories , watch this movie maybe 30 times. I bought Feed The Kraken but havent played it yet . can you guys do a playtrough with maybe some friends and/or family , must be great times !
Would love a video talking about team based games for example 3 teams if 2 all competing against each other and working with their partners, your description of feed the kraken made me think of that
Based on one of your previous movies I bought Final Girl. It's soooo good. The frustration that your plans !again! didn't work. Feels like you are in the movies ❤
Starship Troopers is a brilliant movie and great work of satire from Paul Verhoven. Lots of people write it off as a cheesy sci-fi b movie but the anti war, anti military, anti autocracy message behind it is powerful stuff. Love that movie.
💯 Starship Troopers is one of the best science fiction action movies of all time that contains all emotional aspects! Gosh, I was almost crying like a baby on time when Dizzy was murdered by one of the creepy aliens
Nemesis - yes, masterpiece! Very thematic with minimum flavor text. Even characters do not have a story or even names. Dead of Winter and Battlestar Galactica would also fit here, but people started forget already about these games.
Every year thematic games seem to get bigger and every year we're reminded of how small our table is and if our bookshelves can hold the weight of another game.
I comment on about three TH-cam videos per year. I'm using one of them to do my part and say that Starship troopers is a great film and infinitely rewatchable.
Marvel United game system. You can relive almost any comic book battle. This game is so thematic. But you have to have the all in KS pledge for the game to shine. Also vampire the masquerade chapters. - this game was the most themactic game I ever played it’s incredibly immersive.
A couple other thematic games you might want to check out: Kanban EV (totally thematic if you like project management). Who Goes There (from Certifiable Studios) which is a great recreation of John Carpenter's The Thing. They call it a growing paranoia game because it starts out cooperative and ends with a ton of suspicion being thrown around.
Everybody Fights, No One Quits. I have actually read the book. And did not enjoy it. However now I am older and might. Have to give it one more go. /JG
My super-thematic games are probably not on others' lists (except SW: Rebellion w/expansion of course.) Since Janis doesn't dig SW, I'll add another one for him: Outer Rim w/Unfinished Business. 😄 One that blew my mind with its theme is John Company 2nd Ed. Another is Skies Above Britain. One more, although it is nearly unobtainable: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Game (the old 2000 edition.)
Nemesis is definitely first by a far margin. Surprised Hegemony is this high already. PS. Spirit Island should be in here, though I guess this is more of thematic story like games.
Looking good in that new merch👌🏻 can't wait to get mine. I really think I should try out Nemesis, it sounds like a game I would love. P.S. Jānis is right - Star Wars is overrated. P.P.S. Jānis is also right - Gloomhaven is overrated.
Watched 'Troopers' for the 12th time (I think) only last week with a buddy that had'nt seen it...new convert! Great list. It still failed to convince my partner that Nemesis should be in my house. Dang it!
Our gaming group has had this conversation several times before, and for us, 'thematic' is kind of a hard thing to nail down. For some (like me) it means how the game's mechanics relate to the game's setting/theme/artwork, but for some (like in this video) it might mean something more like 'how immersive the play feels'. I'm ashamed to say I've only played Obsession from the titles mentioned here, and it is certainly a fantastic game. It does feel more 'thematic' than most worker placement games, as the workers have different roles and become 'expended' after use, the tiles you add to your house/tableau are rooms with distinct purposes, etc. The one game that always stands out in my mind with respect to theme, is Photosynthesis. Not one of my favorite games, but the design of that game, and how the mechanics of the game relate to its theme/setting is pretty much unparalleled IMO. The sun revolves around the board, the trees grow and cast shadows on what is behind them (at the cost of VP/light points), seeds can drop from a tree a certain distance based on how tall the tree is, etc. It is a really impressive design, and has always struck me as unique among thematic board games!
*Wakes up to go to work* *Drives to work listening to the radio* *Logs into my office computer and boots up TH-cam for background noise* *Sees a new Board Game Hangover video* Today is going to be a good day.
Starship troopers is an absolute classic. A true satire about the military and the role of the media during a time of war. Would you like to know more?
I get what you say about Eldritch Horror, but dice luck spoiled the game for me. I felt like I had zero agency to make meaningful choices. Often characters who are strong on Lore, for example, would be forced to test their Strenght or Observation - and I had no power to change that, which felt... unthematic to me. I mean, if I were role playing Cthulhu investigators, I would send people to places where their skills matter. So for me, EH did not feel very thematic. King's Dilemma does look awesome. Thanks for making this video. I always enjoy your work. Keep it up!
Starship troopers is amazing, I just rewatched it a few weeks ago and still great. Cannot say the same about the sequels but the original is the best. Almost as good as Final Girl the board game.
Star Ship Troopers rules ❤
Starship Troopers is a true cult classic. I need to watch it again! Great vid, guys and love the recommendations.
Starship Troopers all the way! One of the cinema classics 💕
Nemesis is truly the most thematic game. Great list.
Hi, cant find it anywhere .... is it Still possible to buy it in Europe ?
@@bL1nK400 It is here in the States! But I don't know about availability in Europe.
Starship Troopers are awesome one of my favorite childhood movies, still watch it once in a while
Nemesis is definitely #1. Played it again twice last week, both games were great. Such a good game. A game that should be on this list is My Father's Work.
Totally agree about My Father's Work. Immersive and fun. I'm curious about Nemesis: Lockdown (primarily as a solo game....)
I have no Interest in Downtown Abbey/pride and prejudice but I have to say, somehow I find Obsession super fun to play!
Nemesis, Dune and Spirit Island make that list for me.
Nemesis being by far first. The stories it tells on its own is just incredible.
Dune, because there's just so many mechanics (SO MANY) that feel like the game could do without, but they are there for the theme. If you know the story, you know why they are there, you understand why that gives someone an advantage and you see how the reasoning in the book/movie went the way it did and can choose to do against.
Lastly, Spirit island shines through the spirits and the cards. You'd likely be able to tell which spirit is being played by just checking how it's positioned on the board, let alone by how it actually plays and what it does.
Nice list though!
agreed on this
Starship Troopers is a great movie, a widely misunderstood parable about fascism. The list is very solid (glad that Obsession receives the much deserved praise). You guys should totally try John Company 2nd Ed. - extremely thematic and exceptionally good!
This war of mine sure is super thematic! Also, I feel like Spirit Island would have been a great pick for this list, since every spirit integrates its thematic to its mechanics!
I want to buy this war of mine, but i'm not sure how many people to play it with, what would you recommend? solo? 3? 4?
@@leovelezbetter at solo mode
Spirit island is so, so well made... Every mechanic and card fits thematically
@@leovelez i agree with enigmaticpizza; i consider This war of mine to be solo game
Just play the video game and get a better experience.
Great list guys.
I like Starship Troopers. "I'm doing my part!"
By far my favorite channel. Camera work is great, and I love the humor. Ty!
Starship Troopers is a national treasure! Cheesy as hell but damn do the props and CGI hold up today. 🔥
Starship Troopers is my fauvorite movie of my childhood memories , watch this movie maybe 30 times. I bought Feed The Kraken but havent played it yet . can you guys do a playtrough with maybe some friends and/or family , must be great times !
Excellently done guys really good video. I frigging love Starship Troopers
I was surprised at how many games I own from the list (6/10)! Great list overall.
Moreover, Starship Troopers is a classic.
You have a great collection!
Hegemony is amazing. Our first game lasted 6 hours haha
Would love a video talking about team based games for example 3 teams if 2 all competing against each other and working with their partners, your description of feed the kraken made me think of that
Love Star Ship Troopers, and I actually want to rewatch it because of this video.
Starship troopers is a classic. You’re missing out if you haven’t seen it.
I love Starship Troopers. I'm doing my part!
I saw Starship Troopers and I like it :-), quite a nice popcorn afternoon film.
Based on one of your previous movies I bought Final Girl. It's soooo good. The frustration that your plans !again! didn't work. Feels like you are in the movies ❤
Starship troopers is a CLASSIC
Great job guys! Love Feed the Kraken!
It's a great game
Just here to make sure Nemesis is on the list. Well done :)
I love starship troopers ❤. Its an amazing film and it still holds up today. They dont make movies like they used too.
I LOVE the good old Starship troopers ❤
Starship Troopers is definitely 'sci-fi meets pure-joy' royalty!
Everybody Fights, No One Quits.
Yep, I think Starship Troopers is fantastic! 😆 Much like this list!
Nice list! I missed Robinson Crusoe, it's one of the most thematic games I've played.
Starship Troopers is a masterpiece. Denise Richards 😍
Have to say I love thematic games. A few on the list I really want to play. Also congratulations on 20k subs! 🎉
Thank you! 😁
Love the movie and the book.
Starship Troopers is a brilliant movie and great work of satire from Paul Verhoven. Lots of people write it off as a cheesy sci-fi b movie but the anti war, anti military, anti autocracy message behind it is powerful stuff. Love that movie.
💯 Starship Troopers is one of the best science fiction action movies of all time that contains all emotional aspects! Gosh, I was almost crying like a baby on time when Dizzy was murdered by one of the creepy aliens
Spoilers... now I definitely won't watch it 😅
@@janisbernans6541 sry..But this movie deserves at least 3 re-watches, so should be not a problem with that kind of spoiler
@@maxwell6563 okay, then I'll add it to my watch list 👍🏻
@@janisbernans6541 Starship Troopers is 26 years old man lmao
@@JLDP666 Alien is almost 45 years old and it's still amazing sci-fi movie. I don't think we should judge movie just by it age.
Nemesis - yes, masterpiece! Very thematic with minimum flavor text. Even characters do not have a story or even names. Dead of Winter and Battlestar Galactica would also fit here, but people started forget already about these games.
Every year thematic games seem to get bigger and every year we're reminded of how small our table is and if our bookshelves can hold the weight of another game.
This War of Mine FTW! One of the few games that I've actually had an emotional response to. Fabulous!
Starship Troopers ftw! Squash dem bugs!!!!
Starship Troopers is amazing and still worth watching today and multiple times
I comment on about three TH-cam videos per year. I'm using one of them to do my part and say that Starship troopers is a great film and infinitely rewatchable.
I love Starship Troopers!
Great list! War of the Ring, Nemesis, Eldritch Horror - simply amazing games. Need to try Final Girl.
Totally agree on number 1 and 2!
I love Starship Troopers!! 😂 Seen it a dozen times lol
Starship Troopers is amazing!! It is rightfully a cult classic.
Star Ship Troopers! Love it!
Marvel United game system.
You can relive almost any comic book battle. This game is so thematic. But you have to have the all in KS pledge for the game to shine.
Also vampire the masquerade chapters. - this game was the most themactic game I ever played it’s incredibly immersive.
The t-shirts are gorgeous. Specially the one Janis is wearing.
A couple other thematic games you might want to check out:
Kanban EV (totally thematic if you like project management).
Who Goes There (from Certifiable Studios) which is a great recreation of John Carpenter's The Thing. They call it a growing paranoia game because it starts out cooperative and ends with a ton of suspicion being thrown around.
i love Starship Troopers unapologetically
one more vote for Starship Troopers, both movie and book is great - be aware, they are different.
Everybody Fights, No One Quits.
I have actually read the book. And did not enjoy it. However now I am older and might. Have to give it one more go. /JG
great topic, love your energy and humour. your channel is very fun to watch. thank you!
Thank you for the kind words!
I love the whole verhoeven trilogy. Starship troopers, robocop and total recall. Absolut classics
Oh man, they sure are. Movies from my childhood. /JG
I just bought final girl because my game store knows me and reccomend it. Damn it is fantastic. For all solo players, go buy it
My super-thematic games are probably not on others' lists (except SW: Rebellion w/expansion of course.) Since Janis doesn't dig SW, I'll add another one for him: Outer Rim w/Unfinished Business. 😄 One that blew my mind with its theme is John Company 2nd Ed. Another is Skies Above Britain. One more, although it is nearly unobtainable: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Game (the old 2000 edition.)
"It's a card driven game. Where you have cards." - A quote for the ages :) Seriously though love the video.
Nemesis is definitely first by a far margin.
Surprised Hegemony is this high already.
PS. Spirit Island should be in here, though I guess this is more of thematic story like games.
I like Starship troopers, I saw it in the movie theater at that time, then I bought it, and my sons saw it a home, more than once!!!
Looking good in that new merch👌🏻 can't wait to get mine.
I really think I should try out Nemesis, it sounds like a game I would love.
P.S. Jānis is right - Star Wars is overrated.
P.P.S. Jānis is also right - Gloomhaven is overrated.
Pax Pamir, Outlive, Black Rose Wars and Western Legends are also verry thematique.
Starship Troopers movie and book are great
Just a dead Bug is a good Bug!
Watched 'Troopers' for the 12th time (I think) only last week with a buddy that had'nt seen it...new convert!
Great list. It still failed to convince my partner that Nemesis should be in my house. Dang it!
I'd have included Scarface 1920 in this list. Agree with many of the others.
I just finished a Starship Troopers rewatch the other day.
Our gaming group has had this conversation several times before, and for us, 'thematic' is kind of a hard thing to nail down. For some (like me) it means how the game's mechanics relate to the game's setting/theme/artwork, but for some (like in this video) it might mean something more like 'how immersive the play feels'.
I'm ashamed to say I've only played Obsession from the titles mentioned here, and it is certainly a fantastic game. It does feel more 'thematic' than most worker placement games, as the workers have different roles and become 'expended' after use, the tiles you add to your house/tableau are rooms with distinct purposes, etc.
The one game that always stands out in my mind with respect to theme, is Photosynthesis. Not one of my favorite games, but the design of that game, and how the mechanics of the game relate to its theme/setting is pretty much unparalleled IMO. The sun revolves around the board, the trees grow and cast shadows on what is behind them (at the cost of VP/light points), seeds can drop from a tree a certain distance based on how tall the tree is, etc. It is a really impressive design, and has always struck me as unique among thematic board games!
I do like starship troopers, it is Starcraft the movie
Starship Troopers with RiffTrax is awesome.
Thematic is the only way to go! Great list guys.
Starship Troopers: movie AND book are amazing
*Wakes up to go to work*
*Drives to work listening to the radio*
*Logs into my office computer and boots up TH-cam for background noise*
*Sees a new Board Game Hangover video*
Today is going to be a good day.
Starship troopers is an absolute classic. A true satire about the military and the role of the media during a time of war. Would you like to know more?
Awsome video shot for project elite!!! ♥
Starship troopers - we love it 😍
Where is Spirit Island (except behind on the wall) ?
Love starship troopers, actually I watched it again a few month ago.
I ❤ starship troopers
I really like Starship Troopers!!!
I get what you say about Eldritch Horror, but dice luck spoiled the game for me. I felt like I had zero agency to make meaningful choices. Often characters who are strong on Lore, for example, would be forced to test their Strenght or Observation - and I had no power to change that, which felt... unthematic to me. I mean, if I were role playing Cthulhu investigators, I would send people to places where their skills matter. So for me, EH did not feel very thematic. King's Dilemma does look awesome. Thanks for making this video. I always enjoy your work. Keep it up!
Starship Trooper is so cool, great film
As a thematic gamer, I can't say anything negative about your list. Good job! 😄
Starship Troopers is a classic. Good movie.
Starship Troopers is fantastic! Now I will have to watch it again!
Hahahahaha I knew that Nemesis will be on the first place!!!
Starship troopers rock
Starship Troopers is my best movie ever!
"Death from Above" ahul
Everybody Fights, No One Quits.
I like Starship Trooper!!!
I will say that Star Wars Rebellion is a good one to try. Even my friends who don’t care for Star Wars really love it.
I played hundreds games but only the #1 of your list! So many games, so little time!
Starship troopers is amazing, I just rewatched it a few weeks ago and still great. Cannot say the same about the sequels but the original is the best. Almost as good as Final Girl the board game.
How can you even be friends with someone who does not love Starship Troopers?!?! Bugs, bombs, bullets and boobs!
Epic movie.
Starship Troopers is a modern classic!
Star Ship Troopers
Starship Troopers has aged quite well, a cult classic for sure!
I love Strarship Troopers!!!!
Starship Troopers is so good! I’ve done my part…
Lol I literally just watched Starship Troopers last weekend!
Oh my, obviously obsession is game for me)) im one of those who drink tea like that😂 thx for great top!
...And yeah nemesis numba one!
Love starship troopers! Watched all of them