10 Board Games That You Loved But We Thought Were S**t

Join us as we run through 10 games that we thought were s**t.

[@mosiah.torres]

This is the type of totally contrarian content I've subbed for 👏🏼👏🏼

[@richardgalati1323]

I have a few of these games on your list and your video put a big smile on my face. Not everyone has the same tastes in game but your take on the ones you hated was great!!😂

[@joncarr5545]

I'll join your FB I hate Wingspan Group.

[@lukewortley4000]

This one was so funny. Wingspan, Root, and Spirit Island are all among my favorite games ever, but nevertheless I loved hearing them roasted. Happy to keep watching as a relatively new subscriber. Thanks for everything.

[@ryokunn1]

This list is perfectly accurate. I agree wholeheartedly with it! Please do a 20-11 🤣

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Ok 👍🏻

[@Trueflights]

Pretty much spot on agree with everything in this video. My only exception is Spirit Island, though I do agree with your complaints about it. I enjoy the puzzle of figuring out how the various spirits work to deal with it. Doesn't hurt that most of the time I play it solo, or with experienced players, so I don't have to worry about teaching it to people (which is one of the biggest complaints I have with almost any asymmetrical game).

[@crimson49er]

hilarious, the wingspan commentary had me legit laughing at the end.. time for my bath!

[@slimyweasel]

That was so refreshingly offensive and nihilistic, beautiful! I just finished my 15th solo game of Pax Pamir (it might be one of my favourite games ever) and your video pops up. I was a subscriber, but now I've also clicked that bell.

[@harveydents]

ROFLMAO "you might like punching yourself in the face" fucking woke up my wife laughing at that. LOL.

[@EvangelionPower]

I am a huge fan of both Root and the new Libertalia, and I also really like Wingspan, but this video was still a treat for me for two reasons: 1. It's funny AF. 2. It has the type of raw honesty that the tons of glittery, euphemistic game "reviews' lack. It's invigorating to hear someone's unpurified opinion right into the face.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

👍🏻

[@enjoythestruggle]

*Me sitting here with all but one deck of Summoner Wars 2nd Edition* "It's okay, he's only talking about First Edition..."

[@freeheeler00]

As far as Wingspan goes, I kinda look at it as a sort of TCG for bird nuts. My kid and I love the cards and the mechanism that constantly flushes out birds and brings in new ones is perfect for people that kinda just want to look at cards and casually play a game where they get to collect their favorites that happen to come along. Perhaps if it was themed with something more up your alley, like sausages or matchbox cars perhaps, you'd enjoy it more. Cheers!

[@kbvt]

If you're tempted to try Dominant Species again but hated the constant check for dominance, you should give Dominant Species: Marine a look. No more dominance cones, game is streamlined and shorter, but has the same core worker placement and hex map. I like a few of the games on your list but enjoyed the video nonetheless.

[@boardgametotears]

I agree. It will fix all your issues with the original. DM: Marine is one of my top games.

[@shawnhilliard]

I got a free copy of Wingspan because i agreed to lasercut a custom birdhouse dice tower before everyone was doing it, got the designer to sign it, then traded it for those impossible to find mansions of madness expansions. Best decision I ever made lol.

[@gregorys9629]

Loved the tone of this video, made me laugh! Always refreshing to see different takes on popular games - not every game is for everyone.

[@Mark-jagger]

This might be your best video yet. So many genuine laugh out loud moments, especially your parting shot! Fan fucking tastic and I actually like a few of these games quite a bit. Brilliant as always just ramped up even more.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

👍🏻

[@toomanybarts]

The best video of yours I’ve seen. Actually LOL. “Top trumps with birds”! Hahahaha

[@bakpakgoblin]

I love Root. I'm the guy in our group who memorizes the rule book for the whole group so we can have a great time. Root was one of the most miserable games to learn I've ever played, and it was even worse to try and teach.

[@helxis]

I always tell people, "if you are only ever going to place Root once or twice, just don't bother". I can teach Root back to front, and I can even do it in a way that makes sense and gets people up and running quickly with it. But I have played it a ton, to get there.

[@siejaiz]

I like Root too, but agreed if you aren't going to play it multiple times just don't bother.

[@rahanpakravan7282]

"drop anvil on your head" 😂 laughed so much I almost woke up the children

[@crippledfoxgaming]

Bravo, mate. Some of these were bang-on correct. I wondered why I wanted to bludgeon myself rather than play Spirit Island or Root.

[@brandonbiondo9208]

Spirit Island fills me with this juxtaposition of extreme rage and extreme boredom simultaneously. I hate it so much.

[@MichaelBomholt]

it's awful

[@28Lost]

7:56 Duuuude, you are hilarious xD This channel deserves more views. I always laugh with your reviews!

[@budsticky]

If you think Wingspan came with too much needless bling just imagine the amount of 3rd party accessories that people buy for the game.

[@halforange1]

This list synergizes REALLY well with your schtick. Love it!

[@konezone]

Wingspan is one of my new favorite games, but I laughed pretty hard at your comments about it. (and others) Love your channel and your reviews. Keep it up.

[@chrisiliopoulos]

Totally enjoyed this one ... not because I agreed with all the picks but because the dishing and cursing of 'cute' games was really funny man! Keep it up!

[@BoardGameBollocks]

👍🏻

[@nappynut]

I watched this entire list with my hands clasped in a praying position, muttering "please don't mention one of my games". I made it to three. And I'll even concede Pursuit Of Happiness because this list was just brilliant.

[@wicaksonoadi1035]

Hahaha same here. My only favorite game on his list is Pursuit of Happiness (#2 of all time, with #1 being Mage Knight which this guy also likes!). Yeah the video is brilliant.

[@metalinmyhead]

I was actually hoping he is going to roast some of my favourite games. He didn't fail me. Well, not favs but I do like spirit Island and root.

[@waitingforvirtue3080]

I'm normally shouting from the back, no bath for me this evening. Fully with you on all of these.

[@simplyviewerforfun]

Man you have no idea how I love your videos, finally something entertaining and honest, having the balls to express negative thoughts about games out there. Too many channels are only influencers in it for the money or blend as hell doing 30min+ videos I can't care about

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Exactly why I started making videos 👍🏻

[@Zunidrap]

So hilarious, and so true! I love this channel. 🤣😂

[@marcusp4278]

Honest contest like this is why I keep coming back to this channel. Keep up the solid work. Man, 7th continent was such trash haha.

[@MisterAbysmul]

This is why your channel is amazing. Well done.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

✊🏻

[@jean-paularends4535]

It's lists like this why i love this channel! That felt so goooood.

[@ifnyou]

Even though I like a couple of these, I was laughing out loud. Great stuff!

[@Puzzu]

Damn other than Summoner Wars I found myself nodding along with everything your list, nice to have someone voice what I’ve been thinking about those other games lol. Insta subscribed after this. I will never get Dominant Feces out of my head now 😂

[@piefcake1]

Loved it, agree with the list completely. 7th Continent and Wingspan I couldn’t agree more!

[@alexmaric4419]

It's Scythe for me! Love your unsavoury comments 😆😆😆

[@matthiascolmelet3064]

Oh, God, Scythe! How I hate it! This lifeless, scripted abomination! It's Frankenstein's monster, if Doctor Frankenstein, instead of pillaging the nearest cemetery, had instead robbed a game store and escaped with Catan, Caylus, Top Trumps, a few wooden shelf boards and a bag full of products made by the fretwork class from the school next door, and with all that stuff he created this monster devoid not only of life but also of the will to live! . . . . (It does look great on the table, though!)

[@wrath231]

Scythe is an abomination.

[@bmrigs]

Scythe sucks.

[@thomasdixon1500]

Lol I loved this! There were a few games I love on the list. Some of your points I agree with and love the game despite this. Great video!

[@scottray1265]

just discovered you today....cant stop laughing.....auto subscribe

[@SortOfBoardGames]

Wow, coming out strong! With Spirit Island and Wingspan I was audibly shocked. I get all the reasons why though. Good video and honestly I’m somewhat with you on Spirit Island. Wingspan… is in my top games but I understand. Stonemaier is about blinging out the games. Keep the videos coming.

[@TheTintinjb]

I love Spirit Island. But I play solo with one and now with two spirits. Probably you could not play 4 players without others being experienced players

[@hugocruz2439]

Wingspan (just like the beloved by the community castles of burgundy) is a multiplayer solitaire. I'm in the niche of people who really hate that kind of games. I prefer interacting with other players like war or negotiation games, but most gamers are averse to cobflict

[@Fatpie42]

​@@TheTintinjbI think the last 4 player game I played of Spirit Island took 6 hours, lol!

[@MrDeadstu]

Just found this video. My kind of channel, no bullshit talk about board games. Subbed.

[@Orochi_001]

The way you feel about 7th Continent is how I feel about all the “--haven,” KDM types of adventure games. I can either press a single button on a videogame controller, or I can draw from five decks, chuck a bunch of dice, and then do maths.

[@johanlotigiers]

I'm dying here! 🙂We need more channels like this. Keep up the fun work and don't hesitate to swear when you feel like you have to! Greetz from Belgium!

[@manducator824]

Is the brother of Helmut a board gamer?

[@johanlotigiers]

@@manducator824, yes, he is 👍

[@johanlotigiers]

@@manducator824, yes he is. He is also known for other incredible achievements 👍😂👍

[@manducator824]

@@johanlotigiers Cool!

[@WriterMcWriteface]

Dude, Sleeping Gods is a giant book of ass where nothing you do matters because after 3 hours, or so, of making meaningless choices, you read a randomly selected ending and congratulate yourselves for burning an evening of your life.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

You’re probably right but I need to finish the thing…

[@fastpoose]

God yeah. Got it out twice so far. The writing is sooo bad, friggin fiddly and huge table hog... Cant face getting it out again...😢

[@user-nh5bh8vb3o]

Lol, I love the blunt truthfulness of this guy

[@adriang6259]

Well, I don’t buy a lot of board games, pretty much only because of budget. Otherwise I’d have a room with a door you couldn’t close. So videos like these are super valuable to me. Thanks for saving me the cash. I only had ‘root’ and ‘Libertalia’ on the radar from this list. Good job, Mate.

[@KingDomsKingdom85]

Banging video mate, you proper smashed this one. Good list and viewpoints.

[@CarbonBallas]

Summoner wars is what got me started in board gaming!! SO SHOCKED! Can't say I agree but this was HILARIOUS. Thumbs up!

[@theshogunstein6475]

Spirit Island is one of those games that reminds me of a movie you are supposed to like because it won a bunch of awards but you are never ever going to watch

[@ianarmelindeharo5524]

I've never laughed so hard at a boardgame-themed video

[@BoardGameBollocks]

👍🏻

[@mikewilliams4443]

Best one yet. Really hitting your stride now, good on you.

[@ImperialGit]

Root being on here hurts, but 10:06 made me laugh so hard I'll let it slide XD Good one XD

[@dallashill23]

I’ve watched maybe 20 different board game channels on KZbin and you were the only one to earn my sub

[@BoardGameBollocks]

An honour 👍🏻

[@Mimgreen]

I read the title of the video and laughed a lot. 🤣

[@kosterix123]

As always highly appreciate your clear thoughts on games. I did print out the demo of T7c and I can see your point. As for Summoner Wars, it reminds me of that game called Space Hulk Death Angel. Massive fan base but all I got out of it was a heavy migraine.

[@rik0071]

Another brilliant, funny video! I've not played many of these games but agree about Spirit Island.

[@hewieedacat6375]

This was hilarious! Loved this. Can't believe I agreed with you on every game, thought it was just me!!!

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Not just you, brother…

[@dangerousbeans2907]

There’s nothing I don’t appreciate about your channel. Truly a fuckin breath of fresh air.

[@Steve_Gold_Board-Games]

Thank you so much for this honest and funny video. 😀. I could agree to three of the games that you are mentioning here. Root, Wingspan and Spirit island. I did play all three but did not get the fun part of them. Some in my board game group like these, and I would play them if I had to but still not get the nice gaming feeling like with some other games. Keep up the good work.

[@baileydelgado6932]

Just found this channel and now I have to subscribe, love this!

[@BoardGameBollocks]

👍🏻

[@carletomarcolino4664]

I'm a big fan of some of the games in the list, but this video is awesome and f*****g funny

[@awakecommonman5291]

Correct, Wingspan is a pretty poor game. Then after you top-trumph for a few rounds, just spam spam spam eggs in the last round. Not a big fan of birds either, one shat on my windscreen last night, it's the last time I take her out!!

[@MichaelBomholt]

wingspan is about as deep as a puddle

[@garryclarke9852]

Well at least I'm not the only one. I hated Wingspan as much as you but I think you've put it far more eloquently than I ever could.

[@th3cha1rmak3r]

I think your body is ready for Oath, Pax Porfiriana and Dominant Species: Next Generation, sorry, Marine. I'm one 100% sure that you're gonna love them all.

[@yourilicht631]

Gotta admire the diversity of the board gaming community. This video was released like an hour apart from Actualol’s “top 50 boardgames of all time - games 20 to 11” and in his list he’s got Libertalia winds of… and modern detective 😋

[@riccardogasparini896]

To be fair, I think their opinions on Libertalia are pretty similar: they both think it’s valid gameplay-wise, the big difference being in the importance given to the questionable artistic choices of the new edition

[@yourilicht631]

@@riccardogasparini896 True

[@Jason_Reynolds]

I got Spirit Island about a year ago and haven’t managed to get it to the table for the same reasons you stated. I wouldn’t be able to teach it to my group. It’s why I didn’t even try Root and like you, I don’t like birds either! Some great choices there. Glad to say I only have Spirit Island.

[@lystic9392]

I loved this. My only defense is for Pax Pamir, because if you don't do much someone will win outright and you won't even get to double scoring. (Four points ahead = instant victory.) (If a player wins the first round of a successful dominance check, then if you let them do it again it's likely an instant victory.) And if you are too far behind in round 4 because you were not getting many points, you will have a hard time to come back because your situation will be bad unless you prepared? The blocks stay on the board when a dominance check is unsuccessful. So when you're set up for victory as the leading player you may want round 3 to be unsuccessful. (Gaining less points maybe, but preparing for round 4.) In that sense, the game is more about (setting up for) the final round, yes. Catching up is often possible but not easy, I think.

[@SootySmoke]

That was A+ diagnosis of Portal Games publishing strategy over past few years xD

[@BoiledEgg74]

Damn we needed this. The herd mentality of loving games based on hype and political correctness steers the consumer away from games that are actually good and worth our money. Love your hot takes and your points... they make total sense!!

[@treytechie]

Completely agree! Herd mentality is totally spot on!

[@TabletopTurtle]

The Board Game Geek Collective. All games are problematic.

[@ChrisSimmons-78028]

@@TabletopTurtle Yep, and you can't get honesty like this on BGG because a moderator with fancy "woke" microbadges will delete your comment.

[@RvLeshrac]

What in the actual fuck are you gits on about? "woke moderators"? "Political correctness"?

[@olanmills64]

Haha based on political correctness? "Woke" 🤣 You guys or sad. What the fuck is woke about Root or Wingspan (I don't like these games either)? 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheAmazingYeti]

Don't agree on all of them of course. However, this is still the type of content this hobby desperately needs.

[@tiredguy2753]

Agreed. It is okay to dislike a game(s) and post videos about it. But you get a feeling that to many board game KZbinrs are in the pocket of X company and don’t want to post a negative video lest they lose access to the newest kickstarter game…

[@TheAmazingYeti]

@@tiredguy2753 Absolutely. They care more about themselves than the people they are allegedly trying to help. I get it, you do not want to necessarily lose money making content. But have some fucking integrity, please.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

@tiredguy2753 absolutely

[@tamasczikora9982]

Most entertaining video I have seen in a long time.

[@cg5380]

I think root is pretty easy to teach when using the walking through root start. Only thing that sucks is that doing it that way creates a bit of an unbalanced game. A good time but it is aguably still not worth it in some aspects

[@nicolebry1120]

Root was… an experience for me. I played the cats but my friend played the mouse, and my other friend was the vagabond. Too often the vagabond was fucking everyone and the mouse was recovering faster than anyone could account for. There was no killing them, and it was frustrating enough that I had to take a shot of tequila mid-game just to force myself to finish.

[@shaneannigans]

Agree with your thoughts on Wingspan and Spirit Island. Can't argue with the others either.

[@jfmcdonald3ify]

Refreshing to here a bit of honesty on these hyped games

[@thomasjulchristiansen8591]

I just love the banter :D

[@Aurion254]

I haven't been able to get root to the table yet because my gaming group plays on a Friday evening and im generally too exhausted to try and explain the rules for each faction.

[@danieldouglasclemens]

Eye opener and honest as f***!

[@Felikios]

You did not make the facebook group for wingspan. I Went to join. You forgot the randomness of the cards and the randomness of dice added together.

[@boardgamespixels]

Mate,I just found myself in 90% of the choices! 🤣🤣🤣

[@dapliff]

From now on this is my favorite board game channel…

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Word!

[@DanielSilva-sr1dm]

Sooo coool!! Quite nice video!! More of those please!!

[@pausaqeno]

Thank God. I felt so lonely hating Wingspan...

[@jemwilli]

I agree with all your critiques surprised you didn't mention the tiny text on all the Pax Pamir cards though, that's what killed it for me probably doubles the game time.

[@thesefiremountains2136]

Fuck me, that was hilarious! Especially the wingspan portion.

[@Vicky-ce6iv]

😂😂 I enjoyed watching this one thank you!

[@akhedena]

I'm a relatively new subscriber, but I'm already a huge fan. Your videos are hilarious and insightful.

[@matthewrichardson1805]

Perfect meeting of persona and topic. Loved this!

[@Fatpie42]

When you said your issue with Spirit Island (where people play in pretty similar ways but have slightly different capabilities and very different starting cards) was that the player rules are too different and take too long to explain, it was inevitable that Root would be on here too. I found Root a slog until a friend who was a big fan showed me the app. I played the hell out of the app and then wiped the floor with everyone on my next three games playing physical Root with other people. It wasn't a good feeling, honestly.

[@jukkaheinanen3914]

Man this made me feel like I am not alone in this World. Precious.

[@drunken_physics]

nailed this list!!!!! YES!!!! just YES!!!! been my unpopular opinion for years its like these games are emprorers new cloths. i knew i liked your reviews but this list just turned you into a legend! thank you just thank you.

[@Keanan_Freeman]

Of course you started with Libertalia, just purchased a week ago😅.. Loved this video and don't ever change sir, I'll go to my room and cry

[@darbyl3872]

Both Libertalias are good games in their own way. The old one had better (great) artwork, and the new one has an interesting mechanic for ties / resolving them, IMO. I wish they had kept the old art, and added the new mechanic. It's odd that the complaint was with the cartoons, but then he goes on to dismiss the good artwork on other games to complain about mechanics. Sometimes people want a good looker above all, and the game just needs to be o.k. (it's worth it just for the looks).

[@riccardogasparini896]

Yeah, don’t worry😊 if you bought the game knowing what it is about and are fine with what it looks like, you’re probably going to have a good time

[@siturl5834]

“Sinking into the magma” lol.

[@KujoPainting]

I like Spirit Island as a solo game but with multiple players it gets way too complex and every turn ends up being a massive headache.

[@mordoten]

I love Root! I also like honesty and hate Wingspan, so thanks for doing this video!

[@user-oj1wi8ix6y]

This was a breath of fresh air and a blast to watch.

[@Boss-zo4lw]

Could never bring myself to play Wingspan, a game about bird watching.... pass, or wine making or quilt making etc.

[@Smurfname]

Oh man, I love Dominant Species, but I feel the criticism with checking dominance. It's a real pain, but I like the game so much I will take it - it's like eating spicy mexican food with hot sauce. You are in pain while eating (and later the day) but it's still worth it cause of all the flavors.

[@elaineabreu282]

Damn you came for everybody lmfaooo!!

[@1346colin]

Good to see some honesty in this industry. Fortunately, I haven't been contaminated by this offering of complete and utter crap. (smug smile to myself!) 🤣🤣🤣