Absolutely love this series. The comparison to other options is such a great conversation, and love the steps you're taking to continue to provide a balanced approach to people expanding their collection.
The process usually follows a specific order 1. Do I like the theme / setting 2. Do I have a game that has similar mechanics or fills a similar spot 3. Do I like the gameplay/ mechanics 4. Do I like the art 5. Does it fit in the Budget 6. Throw the other 5 points out the window and back anyways because new and shiny. 7.Get a good scolding...and find a way to make up for it 8. Rinse and repeat
Love this type of input as new to the hobby. Recommend highlighting comparisons to top 200 games and also recommend adding as a specific segment to should you back it/reviews.
I'm really liking this series. I'm at a point where I'm not looking to have multiple games that do almost the exact same thing. So I appreciate your comparisons as they help me identify where games fit in my own collection. Great work, Alex.
Great video... I really feel that you listened to the feedback received in your state of the channel video and applied it here, well done. As more and more games invade the market and people grow their collections, I really feel that this kind of video becomes essential.
As someone for whom area control is my favourite game type Cthulhu Wars manages fit into a niche none of my other DoaM games do. Massive table presence with a 90 minute play time. It’s fifth ranked for me in the genre behind Cyclades, GF9’s Dune, Mezo and Kemet (bests out Blood Rage, Tsukuyumi and Inis). That said the space it takes is insane, and players are going to want the faction expansions and at least one map expansion. That’s a huge cost investment that’s hard to recommend to anyone,
Yeah, you really have to love area control and should not have any money problems otherwise there are other great games in that genre you should buy before this. But I absolutely love this game 🙌🏼
I just recently played Under Falling Skies for the first time and I was pleasantly surprised by the comparison to Bullet[heart]. Definitely a great way to look at the two games and one I hadn't thought of prior. Thanks for the content!
@@BoardGameCo Yeah, Ankh is incredibly good. Was a bit afraid that maybe it could feel a little dry but man. This game is so clever and it makes your brain burning. 😄 But Cthulhu Wars will also never leave my collection. There is NO other area control game in my collection that haa so cool and so different factions that play massively different while having such easy rules at the same time. Root is even more asymmetric but there you basically play different games which I hate. For me Cthulhu Wars hits the perfect spot there :)
@@BoardGameCo Ah, and I'm really faszinated by the game Steamwatchers. The aspect that you're not collecting victory points over the game but that it's more an up and down of your ressources depending on your farms and steam while steam in vanishing over time and raise yout incubation. This has a very interesting balancing aspect and keeps the game tense. I really like that. :)
"This [(Decrypto)], Codenames, and Monikers are going to be my 3 favorite party games to recommend to people." I think you must have forgotten about One Night Ultimate Werewolf! It's absolutely my favorite party game; super easy to explain, very fast, yet by far the most fun I've had playing a party game. I bought it on your recommendation, and now you have the audacity to ignore its virtues. For shame Alex! (For real though, thank you for the recommendation! My group absolutely loves it, and I wouldn't have heard about it without you.)
At first I was confused about why you picked these games. Then I went back and watch the introduction a second time and realized that I shouldn’t read comments while you are talking because apparently I cannot read and listen. I love the idea for this list and thanks!
To answer your videos question: Yes every time. But seriously I use the metric you taught me, will I play this game. There's alot of games out there but if I know the game will be played I will buy it. It makes me leary of heavy games that need the right group and more welcoming of party and family weight games. Alex you have taught me alot about games and how I spend money on leisure activities. Thank you for that.
Have you ever done a video explaining the different games types you talk about? Draft, worker placement, area control, etc. Might be something to think about.
Great video. I wish I could yell out requests. This is something you do well. Also, you have 1 stumbling block that keeps tripping you, it is EMP-pra-SAR-io. There, I went all Hermione.
Great video Alex, I also like the comparisons with other similar games. You can say "you don't need it but you might like it if.." instread of forcing yourself to be more cutthroat.
The only negative i would like to add about bärenpark is that set up and take down takes forever. It makes me think twice about taking it down from the shelf. I recently got an insert just for that reason thou. Where the tiles lay pretty much ready to place. Unsure about the comparison between Century spice road and Flamecraft thou, i guess it is based on weight? Because i really dislike century spice road because it feels like i can do tons of things, but still feel like i’m not going anywhere unless i get the right cards (i dislike res arcana for similar reasons), while my friend loves the pussle it presents. But flamecraft feels like a game with a more straightforward progression which i don’t think he would like, but i do. Solid list overall. Even thou i really dislike a few but i understand your reasoning for them on this list.
I don't need several games, I already have 3 campaign games, currently backing another 2 and it will take me a long time to play them in full. I can always play others on TTS but siren call of owning a physical copy is pretty strong. It does not help that I am also a completionist. XD I am doing my best to resist
Ive started asking myself this question. I end up buying too many games that i play once or twice before they just sit on a shelf. Was going to back Flamecraft for the awesome art, but its a game that probably wouldnt get tabled much. I will likely back Wild Serengeti instead as its much more likely to get to the table. Plus the animeeples. Ive taken this into account more so for expansions. Some games i want everything for, but more often then not, i dont use the expansions. I have to keep telling myself that i dont need expansions at the same time that i buy the base game 😂
@@BoardGameCo Expansions are the Nemesis of boardgame fans during this period of Lockdowns. Us boardgame fanatics are quite literally under 6 Siege. With so many boardgames coming out each year.
Thank you - this is very helpful. I struggle with making decisions like this. For example, I don't need Endless Winter, Arnak, AND Dune Imperium. But which one(s) do I actually need? This is what I find challenging to figure out, when I'm trying to separate the 'good' from the 'great'.
Gotta say Dice throne is an awesome 1v1 dice thrower. with buffs (upgrades) And as i watch this I'm playing Dice Throne Adventures. it's a great entry into dungeons, character development and if you love dice throwning. Then there's Too Many Bones. That is next level. More than a few levels. but dice throne adventures gets me wanting to play too many bones. I think the message here is: Dice.
I realy Love the mind, it's a small fun Game you can get through Like 1-3 tries in a reasonable time and it's our calm down Game for inbetween big Games. After we played Like Lords of Helas, Wing Span etc. It's just an amazing filler Game to get some Rest for our 8+ hours Board Game days.
Dice Throne.. I disagree a little with you.. I think that if you play infrequently you need a battle chest that has 8 characters.. you don’t need more than one chest but only getting two characters would get boring very fast and wouldn’t see the table often. Plus new players would have a few different characters to chose from with the amazing Art by Manny to get them hooked, and the components are some of the best in board gaming.
Don't get me wrong, I like the game and want more characters... But in a series devoted to trying to question what you need or don't need... I really do think two characters is fine if you're playing infrequently.
Really X10 like these series 😁 Still undecided about Merv but it has a strong recommendation from 🐦. Imperium has mixed reviews but probably put it on tier 3 or 4 for needing.
On the Exploding Kittens note, my favorite of those types is Unstable Unicorns, but i don't find that many reviews for it. I always wonder why. I also really like Here to Slay, but that's a little more obscure.
Ohh a lot of Area controls with 5 rating. I strongly suggest a list with all of 'em I like the genre and I always follow your suggestions, although I missed Death Roads and waiting if there's a late pledge for it :(
Great information here- thanks for another helpful video! I wasn’t really drawn in my the theme of Barren Park, but based on how you described the game it seems like it’d be a good fit with my in-laws when they visit. Would you recommend any expansions for it, or should I stick with the base game alone?
I agree with your final thoughts. This is a first world problem, we have too many great games, so we need to raise the bar of excellence. Almost all good games worth mentioning are 4 or 5 out of 5’s. But so what, can’t play them all, so where do you draw the line… I have my own line I’m ‘establishing’ but even that needs to be raised higher, I’m still backing too many games (8 this year so far). I like what Room & Board is doing right now as well. They come up with 5 reason’s not to back a game. Compliments what you are trying to do on this channel.
Also bullets is amazing I'm not sure if under falling skies is the same BTW... Why do you compare them? The one is puzzly with bag building somehow and pattern shifting, the other is a dice placement game The one is beat the boss in 15 min, the other is make a campaign and advance the mechanics
I'm only here to make sure you said decrypto is mandatory to own. Potentially offers more depth? Potentially? I will never, ever play codenames if decrypto is also in play. I only after with you about getting codenames first because you can play decr using codenames cards.
I kinda didnt understand the mote of the series. At first, I thought I got it, but then some game presentations felt out of a certain structure. Summary, there's a bunch of games on the table and you talked generically about them, for some, you presented altenatives. Now, one thing that I think is genial is this "alternatives". I recall joining the hobby 1-2 years ago, watching SU&SD, knowing almost nothing about games, what was new and what existed, and the best part IMO was when they were giving alternatives to a given game, highlighting why you would rather take the other one. I always thought your broad experience was something you could tap into more, making more comparisons, and clarifying as well cases where games are being original.
Yeah I didn't like imperium classics as well, vp based again and too long and bad quality game in general The games of button shy games are awesome! Alex please try spaceshiped as well I think this is thier best solo game Thanks for the video let me know when you will review more games of button shy games BTW
I really like what you are doing here. It’s great for people to know about other options they have - lessens that FOMO as well.
Hey Alex, I love this new series - keep up the good work! The best part is where you compare/contrast each game to other similar games.
Thanks Steve, that's one of the things I want to try to do more in this series. I hope the next one will have even more of that kind of thing.
+1 on this! The comparisons are great
Absolutely love this series. The comparison to other options is such a great conversation, and love the steps you're taking to continue to provide a balanced approach to people expanding their collection.
Thanks :) I need to have more of the comparisons on each of these.
Another great video. I'm surprised you could make it through such a long list in under 40 minutes. ;)
Thanks :)
The process usually follows a specific order
1. Do I like the theme / setting
2. Do I have a game that has similar mechanics or fills a similar spot
3. Do I like the gameplay/ mechanics
4. Do I like the art
5. Does it fit in the Budget
6. Throw the other 5 points out the window and back anyways because new and shiny.
7.Get a good scolding...and find a way to make up for it
8. Rinse and repeat
"Do you need that game? You don't need any game". Ha ha! Great series though Alex, I'm really enjoying so keep up the good work.
Thanks :)
Love this type of input as new to the hobby. Recommend highlighting comparisons to top 200 games and also recommend adding as a specific segment to should you back it/reviews.
I'm really liking this series. I'm at a point where I'm not looking to have multiple games that do almost the exact same thing. So I appreciate your comparisons as they help me identify where games fit in my own collection. Great work, Alex.
Great video... I really feel that you listened to the feedback received in your state of the channel video and applied it here, well done. As more and more games invade the market and people grow their collections, I really feel that this kind of video becomes essential.
As someone for whom area control is my favourite game type Cthulhu Wars manages fit into a niche none of my other DoaM games do. Massive table presence with a 90 minute play time. It’s fifth ranked for me in the genre behind Cyclades, GF9’s Dune, Mezo and Kemet (bests out Blood Rage, Tsukuyumi and Inis). That said the space it takes is insane, and players are going to want the faction expansions and at least one map expansion. That’s a huge cost investment that’s hard to recommend to anyone,
Yeah, you really have to love area control and should not have any money problems otherwise there are other great games in that genre you should buy before this. But I absolutely love this game 🙌🏼
Thanks again for this bunch of content. So many games you play.
Yep :)
I just recently played Under Falling Skies for the first time and I was pleasantly surprised by the comparison to Bullet[heart]. Definitely a great way to look at the two games and one I hadn't thought of prior. Thanks for the content!
"Do you need that game?"
Is it from CMON?
"Yes."
THEN NO.
Yes. So much yes. Ankh is sooo good. Masters of the Universe is excellent ;)
@@BoardGameCo Yeah, Ankh is incredibly good. Was a bit afraid that maybe it could feel a little dry but man. This game is so clever and it makes your brain burning. 😄
But Cthulhu Wars will also never leave my collection. There is NO other area control game in my collection that haa so cool and so different factions that play massively different while having such easy rules at the same time. Root is even more asymmetric but there you basically play different games which I hate. For me Cthulhu Wars hits the perfect spot there :)
@@BoardGameCo Ah, and I'm really faszinated by the game Steamwatchers. The aspect that you're not collecting victory points over the game but that it's more an up and down of your ressources depending on your farms and steam while steam in vanishing over time and raise yout incubation. This has a very interesting balancing aspect and keeps the game tense. I really like that. :)
I just miss Black Rose, in this video with the KS campaign it would be amazing to know your opinion
"This [(Decrypto)], Codenames, and Monikers are going to be my 3 favorite party games to recommend to people."
I think you must have forgotten about One Night Ultimate Werewolf! It's absolutely my favorite party game; super easy to explain, very fast, yet by far the most fun I've had playing a party game. I bought it on your recommendation, and now you have the audacity to ignore its virtues. For shame Alex!
(For real though, thank you for the recommendation! My group absolutely loves it, and I wouldn't have heard about it without you.)
Absolutely fair :) It is a party game but one that I need to first know if you like hidden role games and lying :)
@@BoardGameCo Haha ok, I'll let it slide this time...
These are excellent. Thanks for doing these.
At first I was confused about why you picked these games. Then I went back and watch the introduction a second time and realized that I shouldn’t read comments while you are talking because apparently I cannot read and listen.
I love the idea for this list and thanks!
To answer your videos question: Yes every time.
But seriously I use the metric you taught me, will I play this game. There's alot of games out there but if I know the game will be played I will buy it. It makes me leary of heavy games that need the right group and more welcoming of party and family weight games. Alex you have taught me alot about games and how I spend money on leisure activities. Thank you for that.
I really like this format! Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it :)
Have you ever done a video explaining the different games types you talk about? Draft, worker placement, area control, etc. Might be something to think about.
Great video. I wish I could yell out requests. This is something you do well. Also, you have 1 stumbling block that keeps tripping you, it is EMP-pra-SAR-io. There, I went all Hermione.
Great video Alex, I also like the comparisons with other similar games. You can say "you don't need it but you might like it if.." instread of forcing yourself to be more cutthroat.
The only negative i would like to add about bärenpark is that set up and take down takes forever. It makes me think twice about taking it down from the shelf. I recently got an insert just for that reason thou. Where the tiles lay pretty much ready to place.
Unsure about the comparison between Century spice road and Flamecraft thou, i guess it is based on weight? Because i really dislike century spice road because it feels like i can do tons of things, but still feel like i’m not going anywhere unless i get the right cards (i dislike res arcana for similar reasons), while my friend loves the pussle it presents. But flamecraft feels like a game with a more straightforward progression which i don’t think he would like, but i do.
Solid list overall. Even thou i really dislike a few but i understand your reasoning for them on this list.
I don't need several games, I already have 3 campaign games, currently backing another 2 and it will take me a long time to play them in full. I can always play others on TTS but siren call of owning a physical copy is pretty strong. It does not help that I am also a completionist. XD I am doing my best to resist
Glad you’re making this, it’s a great video!
Ive started asking myself this question. I end up buying too many games that i play once or twice before they just sit on a shelf. Was going to back Flamecraft for the awesome art, but its a game that probably wouldnt get tabled much.
I will likely back Wild Serengeti instead as its much more likely to get to the table. Plus the animeeples.
Ive taken this into account more so for expansions. Some games i want everything for, but more often then not, i dont use the expansions. I have to keep telling myself that i dont need expansions at the same time that i buy the base game 😂
Yep, there are so many games coming out each year, and so many of them are good as well....
@@BoardGameCo Expansions are the Nemesis of boardgame fans during this period of Lockdowns. Us boardgame fanatics are quite literally under 6 Siege. With so many boardgames coming out each year.
Thank you - this is very helpful. I struggle with making decisions like this. For example, I don't need Endless Winter, Arnak, AND Dune Imperium. But which one(s) do I actually need? This is what I find challenging to figure out, when I'm trying to separate the 'good' from the 'great'.
Gotta say Dice throne is an awesome 1v1 dice thrower. with buffs (upgrades) And as i watch this I'm playing Dice Throne Adventures. it's a great entry into dungeons, character development and if you love dice throwning. Then there's Too Many Bones. That is next level. More than a few levels. but dice throne adventures gets me wanting to play too many bones. I think the message here is: Dice.
I realy Love the mind, it's a small fun Game you can get through Like 1-3 tries in a reasonable time and it's our calm down Game for inbetween big Games. After we played Like Lords of Helas, Wing Span etc. It's just an amazing filler Game to get some Rest for our 8+ hours Board Game days.
Yes. The answer is Yes, Alex
Fair :)
Dice Throne.. I disagree a little with you.. I think that if you play infrequently you need a battle chest that has 8 characters.. you don’t need more than one chest but only getting two characters would get boring very fast and wouldn’t see the table often. Plus new players would have a few different characters to chose from with the amazing Art by Manny to get them hooked, and the components are some of the best in board gaming.
Don't get me wrong, I like the game and want more characters... But in a series devoted to trying to question what you need or don't need... I really do think two characters is fine if you're playing infrequently.
Really X10 like these series 😁 Still undecided about Merv but it has a strong recommendation from 🐦. Imperium has mixed reviews but probably put it on tier 3 or 4 for needing.
On the Exploding Kittens note, my favorite of those types is Unstable Unicorns, but i don't find that many reviews for it. I always wonder why. I also really like Here to Slay, but that's a little more obscure.
Check out here to slay it expands on UU and it’s by far my favorite of their games.
New drinking game - take a shot every time Alex says "very unique".... :-) Trust me, it's not going to end well.
Lol fair enough :)
You know you have a lot of games when you can't find the giant boxes that are Dice Throne Seasons :-P
Ohh a lot of Area controls with 5 rating. I strongly suggest a list with all of 'em I like the genre and I always follow your suggestions, although I missed Death Roads and waiting if there's a late pledge for it :(
I think i like Decrypto best with 4 and i wouldn't really want to play with more than 6
I often play with 7/8. Once played with 10. It's just so so good
Great information here- thanks for another helpful video! I wasn’t really drawn in my the theme of Barren Park, but based on how you described the game it seems like it’d be a good fit with my in-laws when they visit. Would you recommend any expansions for it, or should I stick with the base game alone?
What's your top 5/5 area control games?
Will get to it :)
@@BoardGameCo cheers
Best videos keep strong with them
Yeah - maybe go with 2 of the best strategy, euro, light, poly, etc games list ?
Wow… is it just me or you listed the game alphabetically? 🧐 .. well done Alex! Took me only 4 watches to realise it 😂
Great series, thank you
Watching this as I peruse the Mythic Battles pledge manager..
I agree with your final thoughts. This is a first world problem, we have too many great games, so we need to raise the bar of excellence. Almost all good games worth mentioning are 4 or 5 out of 5’s. But so what, can’t play them all, so where do you draw the line…
I have my own line I’m ‘establishing’ but even that needs to be raised higher, I’m still backing too many games (8 this year so far).
I like what Room & Board is doing right now as well. They come up with 5 reason’s not to back a game. Compliments what you are trying to do on this channel.
Also bullets is amazing I'm not sure if under falling skies is the same BTW...
Why do you compare them?
The one is puzzly with bag building somehow and pattern shifting, the other is a dice placement game
The one is beat the boss in 15 min, the other is make a campaign and advance the mechanics
I'm only here to make sure you said decrypto is mandatory to own.
Potentially offers more depth? Potentially?
I will never, ever play codenames if decrypto is also in play.
I only after with you about getting codenames first because you can play decr using codenames cards.
I kinda didnt understand the mote of the series. At first, I thought I got it, but then some game presentations felt out of a certain structure. Summary, there's a bunch of games on the table and you talked generically about them, for some, you presented altenatives.
Now, one thing that I think is genial is this "alternatives". I recall joining the hobby 1-2 years ago, watching SU&SD, knowing almost nothing about games, what was new and what existed, and the best part IMO was when they were giving alternatives to a given game, highlighting why you would rather take the other one. I always thought your broad experience was something you could tap into more, making more comparisons, and clarifying as well cases where games are being original.
"If you need a solid game that isn't fun, get Imperium Classics." Lol
Lol yep :)
This series honestly could have up too 10 parts or more in the end.
I'm backing Arydia, dropping Flamecraft and still on the fence about Lands of Galzyr. 🤔
Arydia is sooo good.
Do I need “that” game? Such a limited question. Do I need ALL the games? That is the question.
THE COURAGE
Love the series
I really liked my city, have you tried resetting?
Why each time I watch one of your video, I end up backing a new game on KS/GF? Why?
I heard more cutthroat, bring it on!!!
This came out 1 day late for Dragonbond ;)
Yeah I didn't like imperium classics as well, vp based again and too long and bad quality game in general
The games of button shy games are awesome! Alex please try spaceshiped as well I think this is thier best solo game
Thanks for the video let me know when you will review more games of button shy games BTW
You're a really nice guy, but the game taste...
Everyone has a different game taste, man.
Doesn't make it the wrong game taste, everyone has a different opinion.
It's all good Wolfan, this is Per Sorlie :) He's very specific in his tastes :)
@@BoardGameCo I'm pulling your leg a bit ;-)
@@diamondmeeple oh I know :)