Your effort through this entire top 100 series of videos could not be lauded enough, but you have definitely delivered on all counts of a proper reviewer, and well beyond that, of one who cares about the hobby. This was fantastic to the end. I understand that your top 100 is a 'dynamic' list...but it is still a good experience to see what you deem a 'worthy' entry into it today, even if it won't be there tomorrow. Your very insightful thoughts on each game helps me to discover and understand my own feelings on games or gaming. 'A Beautiful Life' is certainly a comparable film to a game that invokes painful truths about our histories, but they also encourage us to preserve and embrace the part of our humanity that is full of heart. I know of no other game besides the one you mentioned that can do that, but that sort of game probably should and will be developed more. Thank you for the amazing amount of yourself that you gave to us for this list. Your a Prince in the hobby Joel.
Thanks for putting in the work to do this. It looked like it took a toll on you to make this list. It was really entertaining and I appreciate it. The mad man Eddy rant at the end was awesome. Keep preaching the word and I'll keep watching the videos.
I liked the analysis section a lot. It's refreshing to hear a reviewer not hold much stock in top 10s (as much as I love The Dice Tower's run downs) and as much as it's almost a natural human instinct to rank and sort things as better or worse - but you are right, Joe. Games can sit with all types of audiences for many different scenarios. And there so many games to convey so many different types of interactions and strategies with fellow companions.
Awesome list, Joel! Lots to chew on. You're easily my favorite reviewer on BGG. There's an earnest and insightful quality that you bring to your reviewers that really helps solidify various thoughts and feelings that I have towards this or that game. Keep on doing what you're doing and I'll keep on watching and listening and maybe even making a purchase (or two or ten) from your recommendations :)
Thanks so much for this Joel -- I got a lot out of watching your top 100 runthrough -- thanks very much for putting so much time and effort into it. I particularly enjoyed the variety in the list and how you got to the kernel of what you enjoyed about each one. You really did manage to paint a picture of the game (or the experience of the game), for you, in many cases -- which was great. I consider myself quite a newbie to the hobby and your list has put a lot of interesting games on my radar. I appreciate this list and all your reviews -- thank-you and keep up the good work.
I enjoyed the list Joel. Your tastes are about as close to my own as any reviewer. I don't have near the kinds of groups you have so the ones that don't match make sense. I have enjoyed doing my own top 100 over the years if for no other reason to look back and see how my own tastes have changed. You hit the nail on the head for a new gamer. They'll try things and learn what they really like and eventually really learn what they like. But it is important to try different stuff because you never know. Thanks again!
TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews It's perfectly tough. I don't think I mentioned that. Harder than Pandemic, not as ridiculous as Ghost Stories. Another feather in it's cap.
Joel, great job. I got into the boardgaming hobby just a few years after you did. It was about 2005 or so. My oldest son was 10 at the time. I wanted to get the family more involved with each other and off the tv and videogames a bit. Its been a great ride. My collection is up to almost 150 games now (Tekkor on BGG). A few nights ago I had all three of my kids (Son 19, son 14 and daughter 6) all sitting and playing Rampage and had a smile on my face the whole time. I probably lean towards card games a bit more then you and your a bit more on the heavier euro side then me but our lists would be pretty similar. Id probably say the most significant game that would be in my top 10 that wasn't in yours would be Darkest Night which is a very popular game for us. On the suggestion side maybe next year or whenever cut it down to a top 50 or even less so its not such a chore for you and then just have a bit longer discussions on each. My sons and I this year are going to our 3rd Dice Tower Con in a few weeks. If you ever happen to make it to Florida for one I will demand you play a game with my sons and I. =) Best wishes for you and your family.
Thanks for making these videos Drive Thru Review. I love tabletop games and your videos have helped me more than any other to decide on which games to give a try and which ones to pass on. We appreciate all the time you spend working on them.
Great thoughts on Freedom: The Underground Railroad--I haven't hear this sentiment I share with you articulated so well. Also, nice thoughts on trying to compare Sushi Go and TI3. So true. Thanks for the effort into these lists. And loved your closing thoughts.
Joel, great job as always. Enjoyed you counting down your Top 100 over these last weeks. I got into the hobby in 2000 and Puerto Rico, Acquire, T&E, Princes of Florence were some of those that I played a lot in the first 5 years. I'm sure you've commented on this elsewhere, but just wondering what are the things about PR and PofF that make you not like those two games? Thanks if you can take the time to respond. Keep up the good work!
I'm quite "new to boardgaming", i.e. I always looked these great boxes with temptation but never really had the opportunity to buy one. however things have changed and actually you really helped me with the choice which games to buy, and which don't deserve that much of the attention. what I wanted to say is just that I really like watching your videos and I am really thankful to you for the indirect help you gave me. thanks also for the last few minutes in this video, because they really help for the better understanding of what is called "boardgaming" and what exactly one can expect from it.
out of all the top ten board game lists, I think I was looking forward to this one the most. Mainly because I seem to have the same tastes. Wow I did not see a lot of these coming. Now I have to add a few more games to my collection. Freedom the Underground Railroad just looks awesome. Kids will like the history of it as well. Caylus I have almost purchased a few times as well. Thanks much.
Thanks for sharing your top 100! Always liked games, but only recently - this year - the board gamer in me was released. The lists and reviews help me out immensely as to get a sense of the games and genre. Blind buying is overrated :)
Great list and thanks for your thoughts. On Eminent Domain, is the biggest thing about the expansion the scenarios? I'm kind of on the bubble about picking it up, and the designer shared some scenarios that work with the base game, so you can have those without it.
Hey Joel, I've been asking this question around and I would love your opinion. What do you think about all the Spyfall websites/apps around? I really like the idea of this game as an app (it just works better) but I haven't found any connection between this websites and the designer or publisher, so they make a bit uncomfortable...
Not sure if you've explained it somewhere else, but I recently watched your Aquasphere review where you compared it to both Trajan and Bora Bora as being a top Feld, but it doesn't appear anywhere in your top 100. Just wondering why that is, and where you would rank it overall?
Drive Thru Review Gotcha. Just checked the review again, around 13 minutes you say it would fall behind BB and Trajan but it's up there, could be 3rd. I guess now we know that would be CoB :)
I really appreciate the ponderous "Calandalian" reflection at the end; I have great respect for people who can make contradictory statements with confidence (e.g., "This is very important, and at the same time totally worthless.") It demonstrates an ability to see beneath the surface. Paradox and irony abound. I also want to draw attention to your note about labels being pragmatically appropriate, but somewhat illusory in the sense that they do not communicate the *experience* of playing a game in its totality. Way t' be!
This is the weirdest Top10 list I've ever seen, except for Caylus, Tigris and maybe PG. In a world full of repetition, please take that as a compliment! ;) Nice vid, BTW!
Drive Thru Review Good list, Joel. Thank you for taking and investing the time and emotions to do this. It is a great addition to our community. Cheers! :D
Great list and very interesting to hear your final reflections. It's been a joy to follow this countdown. I think it's hard to compare board games with for example music and movies, since board games are social mediums and are dependent on who you share your experience with. With music I wouldn't care if I was the only person alive who liked Bob Dylan. It wouldn't take away any enjoyment from listening to him. But with some games, that I highly respect and love, I couldn't put them on a top 100 list since I never manage to have fun playing them due to my gaming groups not liking/understanding them. So I agree with you that Sushi Go could be a better game than Mage Knight.
I agree with much of your reflections in the end. ("Gaming is like music") ... but I think the problem most people have with making a "top100" is that the last 50 games on the list will primarily be there because they have been played and are known, then because they have actually been compared to anything. Heck... I barely have 100 games if you subtract trivialities.
After you explained it, I also like how one is able to buy a cheap version of Sentinel Tactics to try it, & if they get into the game they can pay the difference for the miniatures. However, would you say you preferred Sentinel Tactics over HeroClix, or Heroscape?! If so why, & have you played Arcadia Quest yet? I feel Arcadia Quest is like a lighter version of Heroscape.
Drive Thru Review Ok. I like those games, but haven't tried Sentinel Tactics yet. What I like about Arcadia & Heroscape are players can move & attack in a single turn (without using an ability). What I liked about Heroclix are the variety of special abilities, & changing stats. What I didn't like about HeroClix are the changing rules due to power creep new additions to the game, & the time creating a team in Heroclix, & setting up the terrain in Heroscape (along w/ that game's line of sight). With Arcadia Quest I might just want to allow a person spend movement pts on more than 1 character on a turn.
Awesome that DotR gets a little love :) it's in my top 3. Though not perfect; wish the cards had a little mini map (so you know where the cities are located), the graphic design is terrible (and then some), the hero miniatures could've been somewhat better..... but boy is it fun!!
So awesome to follow along on your journey through your favorite games! And a good ending to the journey as well. Thank you sir! Only wish there would be another experience like this to look forward to in the future. Maybe in 2025... ;)
Thanks Linus. I may do one next year. I'm currently enjoying some more variety in the types of games I typically play. So I want to let that simmer in my system for a bit and see if it sticks.
I just got Caylus and i love it, great and mean game. a little confused about the kings favor chart. bottom row, last favor, you get a free prestige building? (10-25 points?) those require a lot of resouces, why would it be free to build?
Drive Thru Review so if you still have to pay for it the only benefit is that you dont have to place a worker on the architect building, or when there is no architect building in play. but you still need to have a residential building
Your effort through this entire top 100 series of videos could not be lauded enough, but you have definitely delivered on all counts of a proper reviewer, and well beyond that, of one who cares about the hobby.
This was fantastic to the end. I understand that your top 100 is a 'dynamic' list...but it is still a good experience to see what you deem a 'worthy' entry into it today, even if it won't be there tomorrow. Your very insightful thoughts on each game helps me to discover and understand my own feelings on games or gaming.
'A Beautiful Life' is certainly a comparable film to a game that invokes painful truths about our histories, but they also encourage us to preserve and embrace the part of our humanity that is full of heart. I know of no other game besides the one you mentioned that can do that, but that sort of game probably should and will be developed more.
Thank you for the amazing amount of yourself that you gave to us for this list. Your a Prince in the hobby Joel.
Drive Thru Review - Top 100 Games of All Time #1-10 th-cam.com/video/KmrSvdC8ogM/w-d-xo.html Enjoy!
Thanks for putting in the work to do this. It looked like it took a toll on you to make this list. It was really entertaining and I appreciate it. The mad man Eddy rant at the end was awesome. Keep preaching the word and I'll keep watching the videos.
I love your game breakdowns..i own a bunch of these and this makes me want to play them all
Awesome! Thank you.
I liked the analysis section a lot. It's refreshing to hear a reviewer not hold much stock in top 10s (as much as I love The Dice Tower's run downs) and as much as it's almost a natural human instinct to rank and sort things as better or worse - but you are right, Joe. Games can sit with all types of audiences for many different scenarios. And there so many games to convey so many different types of interactions and strategies with fellow companions.
Awesome list, Joel! Lots to chew on. You're easily my favorite reviewer on BGG. There's an earnest and insightful quality that you bring to your reviewers that really helps solidify various thoughts and feelings that I have towards this or that game. Keep on doing what you're doing and I'll keep on watching and listening and maybe even making a purchase (or two or ten) from your recommendations :)
Nice work with the 100 Joel. I dig the music taste analogy. Perfect!
I loved listening to your insight...especially at the end. GREAT top 100 list Joel.
Some interesting surprises in here. Joel Eddy is old school. Getting Tigris and Euphrates off the shelf is such a daunting thought...
Joel, your list looks pretty much nothing like mine, but I really enjoyed watching the last ten videos on this. Thanks for posting these!
Thanks so much for this Joel -- I got a lot out of watching your top 100 runthrough -- thanks very much for putting so much time and effort into it. I particularly enjoyed the variety in the list and how you got to the kernel of what you enjoyed about each one. You really did manage to paint a picture of the game (or the experience of the game), for you, in many cases -- which was great. I consider myself quite a newbie to the hobby and your list has put a lot of interesting games on my radar. I appreciate this list and all your reviews -- thank-you and keep up the good work.
Claire Richardson Thank you Claire!
Great video, love the analysis. Great list, I really appreciated the time you took to discuss why each game was where it was.
I enjoyed the list Joel. Your tastes are about as close to my own as any reviewer. I don't have near the kinds of groups you have so the ones that don't match make sense. I have enjoyed doing my own top 100 over the years if for no other reason to look back and see how my own tastes have changed. You hit the nail on the head for a new gamer. They'll try things and learn what they really like and eventually really learn what they like. But it is important to try different stuff because you never know. Thanks again!
Great list! And great production values as usual. :)
Good Series--appreciate your taking the time to do this list and share your thoughts.
Wow! I'm surprised Freedom was so high. I love it too. Finally beat it for the first time a few weekends ago by 1 turn.
TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews It's perfectly tough. I don't think I mentioned that. Harder than Pandemic, not as ridiculous as Ghost Stories. Another feather in it's cap.
Joel, great job. I got into the boardgaming hobby just a few years after you did. It was about 2005 or so. My oldest son was 10 at the time. I wanted to get the family more involved with each other and off the tv and videogames a bit. Its been a great ride. My collection is up to almost 150 games now (Tekkor on BGG). A few nights ago I had all three of my kids (Son 19, son 14 and daughter 6) all sitting and playing Rampage and had a smile on my face the whole time.
I probably lean towards card games a bit more then you and your a bit more on the heavier euro side then me but our lists would be pretty similar. Id probably say the most significant game that would be in my top 10 that wasn't in yours would be Darkest Night which is a very popular game for us.
On the suggestion side maybe next year or whenever cut it down to a top 50 or even less so its not such a chore for you and then just have a bit longer discussions on each.
My sons and I this year are going to our 3rd Dice Tower Con in a few weeks. If you ever happen to make it to Florida for one I will demand you play a game with my sons and I. =) Best wishes for you and your family.
Tekk's Tavern I plan on attending the Dice Tower con at some point. Not this year, but one day.
Thanks for making these videos Drive Thru Review. I love tabletop games and your videos have helped me more than any other to decide on which games to give a try and which ones to pass on. We appreciate all the time you spend working on them.
Thank you sir!
Great thoughts on Freedom: The Underground Railroad--I haven't hear this sentiment I share with you articulated so well. Also, nice thoughts on trying to compare Sushi Go and TI3. So true. Thanks for the effort into these lists. And loved your closing thoughts.
I understand that it was hard to do 100 games in one list. But I really enjoyed every video in this playlist
lordpalle1 Thank you!
Joel, great job as always. Enjoyed you counting down your Top 100 over these last weeks. I got into the hobby in 2000 and Puerto Rico, Acquire, T&E, Princes of Florence were some of those that I played a lot in the first 5 years. I'm sure you've commented on this elsewhere, but just wondering what are the things about PR and PofF that make you not like those two games? Thanks if you can take the time to respond. Keep up the good work!
Glen Just Lots of things. Too much list in a brief comment. But, both of them feel extremely stale to me when I play them.
I'm quite "new to boardgaming", i.e. I always looked these great boxes with temptation but never really had the opportunity to buy one. however things have changed and actually you really helped me with the choice which games to buy, and which don't deserve that much of the attention. what I wanted to say is just that I really like watching your videos and I am really thankful to you for the indirect help you gave me. thanks also for the last few minutes in this video, because they really help for the better understanding of what is called "boardgaming" and what exactly one can expect from it.
saimunchi Thanks for taking the time to put that down. I appreciate it!
out of all the top ten board game lists, I think I was looking forward to this one the most. Mainly because I seem to have the same tastes. Wow I did not see a lot of these coming. Now I have to add a few more games to my collection. Freedom the Underground Railroad just looks awesome. Kids will like the history of it as well. Caylus I have almost purchased a few times as well. Thanks much.
Thanks for sharing your top 100!
Always liked games, but only recently - this year - the board gamer in me was released. The lists and reviews help me out immensely as to get a sense of the games and genre. Blind buying is overrated :)
you do great reviews, and our tastes mostly line up. I used to live in Spokane, its a great town.
That was a lot of work Joel. Great to see your list. I agree though 100 is a lot. But it was enjoyable all the same. Cheers, Jeff
Completely Board Thanks Jeff!
Great list and thanks for your thoughts.
On Eminent Domain, is the biggest thing about the expansion the scenarios? I'm kind of on the bubble about picking it up, and the designer shared some scenarios that work with the base game, so you can have those without it.
zeroisnine For me it is, but the extra tech is also worthwhile after you've played the base game a bunch.
Hey Joel, I've been asking this question around and I would love your opinion. What do you think about all the Spyfall websites/apps around? I really like the idea of this game as an app (it just works better) but I haven't found any connection between this websites and the designer or publisher, so they make a bit uncomfortable...
Javier Perez I think they are sanctioned. I am not 100% certain, but I thought I remembered reading that.
Freedom:TUGR is a wonderful game. I enjoyed your 11-20 more than your 1-10! Thanks for making these videos
Not sure if you've explained it somewhere else, but I recently watched your Aquasphere review where you compared it to both Trajan and Bora Bora as being a top Feld, but it doesn't appear anywhere in your top 100. Just wondering why that is, and where you would rank it overall?
Bag Not sure I compared it as a Top Feld, but as comparable in style. I still own and enjoy it. There are others I enjoy better for sure though.
Drive Thru Review Gotcha. Just checked the review again, around 13 minutes you say it would fall behind BB and Trajan but it's up there, could be 3rd. I guess now we know that would be CoB :)
Bag I think I meant 3rd of the "heavy salad Felds". I was most likely not very clear on that point though. :)
Great work on the list!
You are so cool - I dig your reflections - you need to do more of that.
Totally agree. Your final thoughts, especially the comparison to music was flat out beautiful.
Mark Besada Thanks for the sentiment Mark and Seth.
I really appreciate the ponderous "Calandalian" reflection at the end; I have great respect for people who can make contradictory statements with confidence (e.g., "This is very important, and at the same time totally worthless.") It demonstrates an ability to see beneath the surface. Paradox and irony abound.
I also want to draw attention to your note about labels being pragmatically appropriate, but somewhat illusory in the sense that they do not communicate the *experience* of playing a game in its totality. Way t' be!
+Brian Blackwell Thanks Brian. I appreciate that. Sorry for the delay. Catching up on some comments.
This is the weirdest Top10 list I've ever seen, except for Caylus, Tigris and maybe PG.
In a world full of repetition, please take that as a compliment! ;)
Nice vid, BTW!
Thanks!
Drive Thru Review Good list, Joel. Thank you for taking and investing the time and emotions to do this. It is a great addition to our community. Cheers! :D
"I play at work" cracked me up. By the way, I do too :)
Great list and very interesting to hear your final reflections. It's been a joy to follow this countdown.
I think it's hard to compare board games with for example music and movies, since board games are social mediums and are dependent on who you share your experience with. With music I wouldn't care if I was the only person alive who liked Bob Dylan. It wouldn't take away any enjoyment from listening to him. But with some games, that I highly respect and love, I couldn't put them on a top 100 list since I never manage to have fun playing them due to my gaming groups not liking/understanding them. So I agree with you that Sushi Go could be a better game than Mage Knight.
Daniel Bylund Good point Daniel!
About vintage aventure feeling when talking about Defenders of the Realm(my fav coop game)...ever tried Tomb ?
Laurent Gitton Haven't tried that one. That's the one from AEG?
Yeah from aeg tomb and tomb cryptmaster
I agree with much of your reflections in the end. ("Gaming is like music") ... but I think the problem most people have with making a "top100" is that the last 50 games on the list will primarily be there because they have been played and are known, then because they have actually been compared to anything.
Heck... I barely have 100 games if you subtract trivialities.
After you explained it, I also like how one is able to buy a cheap version of Sentinel Tactics to try it, & if they get into the game they can pay the difference for the miniatures.
However, would you say you preferred Sentinel Tactics over HeroClix, or Heroscape?! If so why, & have you played Arcadia Quest yet? I feel Arcadia Quest is like a lighter version of Heroscape.
Jake Kamps I definitely prefer it over both of those. I haven't played Arcadia Quest though.
Drive Thru Review Ok. I like those games, but haven't tried Sentinel Tactics yet. What I like about Arcadia & Heroscape are players can move & attack in a single turn (without using an ability). What I liked about Heroclix are the variety of special abilities, & changing stats.
What I didn't like about HeroClix are the changing rules due to power creep new additions to the game, & the time creating a team in Heroclix, & setting up the terrain in Heroscape (along w/ that game's line of sight). With Arcadia Quest I might just want to allow a person spend movement pts on more than 1 character on a turn.
Awesome that DotR gets a little love :) it's in my top 3. Though not perfect; wish the cards had a little mini map (so you know where the cities are located), the graphic design is terrible (and then some), the hero miniatures could've been somewhat better..... but boy is it fun!!
Thanks a lot for the list and Your thoughts on the matter. I really appreciate that ;)
So awesome to follow along on your journey through your favorite games! And a good ending to the journey as well. Thank you sir!
Only wish there would be another experience like this to look forward to in the future. Maybe in 2025... ;)
Thanks Linus. I may do one next year. I'm currently enjoying some more variety in the types of games I typically play. So I want to let that simmer in my system for a bit and see if it sticks.
surprised Hegemonic didn't make your top 100.
Jason Wayne Speicher It was one of those "almosts" but has fallen a bit on the wayside unfortunately.
Drive Thru Review I was just hoping to see you get Rahdo to play the game with you someday
Jason Wayne Speicher I still own it! :)
I just got Caylus and i love it, great and mean game. a little confused about the kings favor chart. bottom row, last favor, you get a free prestige building? (10-25 points?) those require a lot of resouces, why would it be free to build?
Shlomi Ben-Naim You still got to pay for it :)
Drive Thru Review so if you still have to pay for it the only benefit is that you dont have to place a worker on the architect building, or when there is no architect building in play. but you still need to have a residential building
No you still need to have a residence.
Loved it!!
I agree caylus is the best board game created.
Like Artemis... was the other game: Faster Than Light - FTL?
amidamaru24 Spaceteam, but FTL is a good one.
Missing on top 10 : Phantom Leader and Legendary Aliens
Not top 10 material : Defenders of the Realm .
Just my 2 cents .
J Oliveira Phantom Leader was a bit up the list. #75
Freedom: The Underground Railroad. Yes.
This rocked!
Thanks!