I can't really argue with any of these on the list. Sleeping Gods was every bit of Red Raven's usual stellar production quality and Oath (whether you loved or hated it) was a great production too. While it came out very late in the year (still possibly not done fulfillment of the KS) Seize the Bean would probably take the #1 spot on my list. It's not just the fancy bits, like coffee beans, milk cartons, sugar cubes, and assorted pastries, but each of the 600+ cards has unique art, each of the 100 or so customer review tokens as a unique comment. So many little touches make it stand out even amongst other games of stellar quality.
I'm honestly blown away that Oath wasn't included here. Even without the kickstarter resin books, metal coins, and faux leather journal, the game comes with a neoprene mat and fantastic production with card art and iconography.
I’ll jump on that. Radlands is a perfect production. Cards art and finish is amazing. Tokens are perfect. Box fits the mats and they are stitched. It’s top tier.
I haven't played most of the games on the list or mentioned in comments but I was most impressed with Jamaica. Everything comes punched and snug in a well designed insert. Great rulebook and solid art. I got that and Terraforming Mars in the same order which was a dizzying juxtaposition.
Wanted to say Kohaku, those acrylic tiles have led to a lot of play requests, but it was 2020. I can kinda say Steampunk Rally Fusion cause of the really cool dual colored translucent dice, the little metal gears, and the fantastic inventor histories/thematics of their playstyles, but it was a follow up game that had it's original game release in an earlier year. So, I think my nomination will go to The Golden Ticket Game, it was just such a joy to put together the little chocolate bars, to see how much of a replica the little golden tickets were, and the excitement of going through your bars at the end of the game. That game is definitely a looker and a tactile funhouse that gives me the nostalgic warm and fuzzies. Also was excited to see and totally agree with Tom on Juicy Fruits and Merchant's Cove both of which I have purchased.
Everyone has their favourites, and Tom did mention that it's getting harder and harder... but Clash of Cultures: Monumental Edition was a stellar production. Artwork, miniatures for both units and buildings, gold wonders... the works!
Cryo is definitely a great production, the art and the conponents are so nice, sadly Cryo didn't receive much of attention, maybe an expansion may help it. Anyway, it's a good worker placement gateway game I show to new people entering the hobby.
Unsettle: “Really good rules”. I thought that it was more or less a consensus that this wonderful game was let down by the very lackluster rule book. Otherwise. Great list. Need to take another look at Cryo.
@@michaelcreek3813 yes. Several even had it in their top games of the year on that list. They had a limited first print, the full print is coming but hundreds of copies have been sold already.
its The Great Wall,....Great Wall was in 2008. I do agree thou, it was a much better mini's but was only a Kickstarter and you cant even get it anymore in the same year as it's release so I would have nix it as well.
Okay, it appears Tom didn't want to repeat from other lists, but how do you not put Descent: Legends of the Dark on this list?! I know Tom didn't like it much and some had issues with the art, but this is simply the best produced board game this year, maybe ever. The miniatures are almost GW quality (and I dont say that lightly, I KNOW what GW quality is). The terrain is VERY well done, if a bit too bland. The art is subjectively dull (I think it's fine), but the card and tile quality is top notch, linen finish and thick. Even the dual layer box with storage solution is absolutely high quality (not game trays quality, but not far off). The app integration is also the best I've ever seen, very clean, colorful and presented extremely well (voice cast would have been great, but they had to have limits somewhere). Subjectively I can see issues with this production, but objectively you cannot find fault with this game. 100% should be on this list! 😀
I can't really argue with any of these on the list. Sleeping Gods was every bit of Red Raven's usual stellar production quality and Oath (whether you loved or hated it) was a great production too.
While it came out very late in the year (still possibly not done fulfillment of the KS) Seize the Bean would probably take the #1 spot on my list. It's not just the fancy bits, like coffee beans, milk cartons, sugar cubes, and assorted pastries, but each of the 600+ cards has unique art, each of the 100 or so customer review tokens as a unique comment. So many little touches make it stand out even amongst other games of stellar quality.
I'm honestly blown away that Oath wasn't included here. Even without the kickstarter resin books, metal coins, and faux leather journal, the game comes with a neoprene mat and fantastic production with card art and iconography.
It wasn't included in the top 10 art list either. It's like Dice Tower forgot it exists, such a bummer
I would add Mind MGMT, Meadow, Surrealist Dinner Party, Aqua Garden and Oath :) fun list!
Excellent list as always. I’d personally add The deluxe edition of Radlands with the mats and larger box. 👍
nah just retro style pink and purple highlights plus out of print till next year ....doesn't touch half the games on here
@@scottmcfarlane7524 it's out of print until 2023?!
I’ll jump on that. Radlands is a perfect production. Cards art and finish is amazing. Tokens are perfect. Box fits the mats and they are stitched. It’s top tier.
2:55 I didn't play Wonder Book, so I don't know what the spoiler is, but I feel like it can be seen in the image.
I would have put Oltree high on this list. Just gorgeous.
I haven't played most of the games on the list or mentioned in comments but I was most impressed with Jamaica. Everything comes punched and snug in a well designed insert. Great rulebook and solid art. I got that and Terraforming Mars in the same order which was a dizzying juxtaposition.
Terraforming Mars is by far the better game but man is it ugly
Wanted to say Kohaku, those acrylic tiles have led to a lot of play requests, but it was 2020.
I can kinda say Steampunk Rally Fusion cause of the really cool dual colored translucent dice, the little metal gears, and the fantastic inventor histories/thematics of their playstyles, but it was a follow up game that had it's original game release in an earlier year.
So, I think my nomination will go to The Golden Ticket Game, it was just such a joy to put together the little chocolate bars, to see how much of a replica the little golden tickets were, and the excitement of going through your bars at the end of the game. That game is definitely a looker and a tactile funhouse that gives me the nostalgic warm and fuzzies.
Also was excited to see and totally agree with Tom on Juicy Fruits and Merchant's Cove both of which I have purchased.
Everyone has their favourites, and Tom did mention that it's getting harder and harder... but Clash of Cultures: Monumental Edition was a stellar production. Artwork, miniatures for both units and buildings, gold wonders... the works!
We are missing Bitoku on this list!
I was convinced Bitoku would’ve been here. On the flipside I wondered if his 5/10 rating would go against Unsettled…
Great Wall ?
no Meadow ?
Fun list! Was surprise necromolds wasn't on it given all the praise it's gotten on other lists :)
I went bonkers and splurged on everything for Canvas including the deluxe pieces. Hope it’s worth it!!
Hoping "Block and Key" and Titan shows up on the list for this year!
Great list. Thanks.
Cryo is definitely a great production, the art and the conponents are so nice, sadly Cryo didn't receive much of attention, maybe an expansion may help it. Anyway, it's a good worker placement gateway game I show to new people entering the hobby.
Cryo definitely under the radar
What about Honey Buzz? That game looks amazing, all the components look delicious!!
I must say it is strange to not see Oath on there
Messy set up, not a great game and other then colorful and a great box the game is ok at best!
Deluxe version of The Night Cage. I'd also include Project L.
nope the keys don't match the pictures, all dark and the art is ok at best....im not emo I don't feel it at all !
Caper Europe arrived just a bit too late for this list, but it would probably make it as number one. It is amazing. Panda Mfg just nails it.
No Iki?
My humble opinion but Sleeping Gods,Destinies,Mind Mgmt and After the Empire could have been on the list.
Definitely surprised not to see Mind Mgmt
Cascadia
I think Atlantis Rising 2e ought to be on this list .. but I'm not sure if it's a 2021 release
BGG has it as 2019.
I can't even find a place to buy Canvas or that list it
I was certain After the Empire would be on this list.
I was wrong.
Great list, but I don’t see how it’s possible to leave final girl off the list. Some of the best production ever in my estimation.
In this case, Final Girl showed up after the list was made.
Thank you for the reply!
Merchants Cove is as good as the production. One of the most innovative and unique games on the market. Try it for yourselves folks.
There is nothing innovative in Mechants Cove.
@@Marek_Kosciak interesting. Honestly, I’ve never played anything like it before. At least for us it was innovative.
Unsettle: “Really good rules”. I thought that it was more or less a consensus that this wonderful game was let down by the very lackluster rule book.
Otherwise. Great list. Need to take another look at Cryo.
A bit surprised Vagrantsong wasn’t on the list.
Is it out yet? BGG has it listed as a 2022 game.
@@michaelcreek3813 yes. Several even had it in their top games of the year on that list. They had a limited first print, the full print is coming but hundreds of copies have been sold already.
I thought The Great Wall was going to make this list.
Coffee traders takes Meadow's place in this top 10 :(
No Great wall on the list? Hmm...
its The Great Wall,....Great Wall was in 2008. I do agree thou, it was a much better mini's but was only a Kickstarter and you cant even get it anymore in the same year as it's release so I would have nix it as well.
Meadow
Sleeping Gods!
I thought it was top 10 _predictions_
Okay, it appears Tom didn't want to repeat from other lists, but how do you not put Descent: Legends of the Dark on this list?!
I know Tom didn't like it much and some had issues with the art, but this is simply the best produced board game this year, maybe ever. The miniatures are almost GW quality (and I dont say that lightly, I KNOW what GW quality is). The terrain is VERY well done, if a bit too bland. The art is subjectively dull (I think it's fine), but the card and tile quality is top notch, linen finish and thick. Even the dual layer box with storage solution is absolutely high quality (not game trays quality, but not far off). The app integration is also the best I've ever seen, very clean, colorful and presented extremely well (voice cast would have been great, but they had to have limits somewhere).
Subjectively I can see issues with this production, but objectively you cannot find fault with this game. 100% should be on this list! 😀
lol
@@MarioHuizar10 care to elaborate on your brilliant response?
ankh does have great models sure, but if you didn't get the kickstarter you're stuck with awful flat cardboard buildings and they suuuuccccckkkk