Our Top 50 Board Games of All Time - (#21-30)

[@warpo007]

Monic's wave at the start is always just so wholesome and sweet! *waves back

[@AgentKuo]

If you guys haven't tried it already, there's a fun variant to biblios where you roll all the dice at the beginning of the game, so they all start with randomized values. It adds an interesting bit of strategy, because some players may not go for dice with lower values, but you can sneak in there and increase the values and stuff. I recommend it

[@edwardhughes2186]

I reckon I'll try that out! Do love a three player game of Biblios 😁

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Oh my goodness that sounds awesome! We had never heard of that variant before but it sounds like it would add a lot to the table politics lol. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@tamaravanheel3758]

I’ve thought of this rulechange, but haven’t tried it. I think it is a nicer way to play it.

[@codyalbaugh7240]

Love your passion for games. Its felt in your videos.

[@ramonosuke]

Been out of the loop with board games for about two years due to my game group(s) moving away or moving on with life and culled so much of my collection. Now with an inkling to play (even solo) has sort of come back so I for one am enjoying this top 50. Hoping one day I could be friends with people as cool as you two, keep up the great work!

[@erikao5416]

Thank you for sharing your lists. We have really been enjoying this series! Your kindness and charisma always shine so bright. It is an absolute pleasure to watch you. Thank you for your positive attitude and infectious love of board games. Looking forward to more!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Aww thanks Erika!! You are so sweet. We really appreciate all the love and support 😚.

[@sinnylong]

Loving this video series! Very eager to see the top 20 titles. Thanks for taking the time to set up and photograph some of the games (I know how much extra time that takes)!

[@susanscandles]

So enjoy these videos on top 50 games. Space Base is in my top 10. Great game.

[@BobbyReichle]

Always love seeing the next part of your lists! My top 30 - 21: 30. The Bloody Inn 29. Memoir '44 28. Power Grid 27. Wingspan 26. The Quest for El Dorado 25. Terraforming Mars 24. Viticulture 23. Unmatched 22. The Crew 21. Vindication

[@xandermichael78]

So great to see the games getting sweeter and sweeter. Here are my 30-21: 30. Concordia ( I was surprised how much this dropped in my ranking, but so many other games have been entertaining me even more) 29. Petrichor 28. The 7th Continent 27. Arboretum 26. Hanamikoji/Jixia Academy 25. Black Sonata 24. Tapestry (controversial, I know, but I have so much fun playing this with my one friend that it is always up in the top 25) 23. Rajas of the Ganges 22. Gùgōng 21. Paris: La Cité de la Lumière (new to my collection this year and highly loved)

[@SunnyNeuroshima]

You guys are so cool, love your channel and really enjoy watching your top games lists.

[@Felipe.curiel]

I'm really enjoying these videos! Let's continue with the countdown. Here's my 30 to 21: 30 Dinosaur Island 29 7 Wonders Duel 28 The Gallerist 27 Railroad Ink 26 Karuba 25 Istanbul 24 Chronicles of Crime 23 Trekking the World 22 Lisboa 21 Cartographers

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Great list Felipe! We’re fans of pretty much all of them. 😊

[@sinnylong]

Okay, I'll play. Thanks for mentioning Pub Meeple in a previous video, by the way. I decided to take the ranking engine for a spin. Not sure how I feel about it, once it's all said and done and laid out in front of me; but according to that engine, these would be my 21-30 picks. 30: Mysterium 29: Terra Mystica 28: Bruges 27: Scythe 26: Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia 25: T.I.M.E Stories 24: Orleans 23: Wasteland Express Delivery Service 22: Vikings 21: Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar

[@sarareed6897]

You two are inspiring me to look into Lacerda games. I just received Escape Plan and Lisboa is on my shelf of shame. Clearly, I will be watching your videos on those games! And I am grateful for an entry for Mr. Lacerda’s latest. ❤️. Thank for this video of top games!

[@Matthew-tt6tg]

Glad to see Space Base on your lists. Such a fun, easy, yet competitive game.

[@stephenjones4002]

Continuing my list of top 50 games: 30 - Navegador - the expansion of the Portuguese Empire in the 15th and 16th Centuries. 29 - Tribune (2nd edition) - patricians in ancient Rome game. 28 - Agricola - the original farmyard game. 27 - Merchant of Venus - trading and exploration in space. 26 - Ora et Labora - building a monastery in medieval Europe. 25 - Martian Rails - crayon rails on a fantasy Mars. 24 - Union Pacific - rail building and share acquisition in the USA. 23 - Yokohama - merchant trading in late 19th Century Japan. 22 - Tzolk'in: the Mayan Calendar - worker placement game in the Mayan Empire (play with all the expansions). 21 - Brass: Lancashire - one of the best designs by Martin Wallace on the industrial revolution in Lancashire.

[@malachor5ve]

Awesome video! You guys should do a top 10 or 20 list of the best card games

[@BeforeYouPlay]

That would be a great list!

[@MCJesse-hu4ru]

Yay for Calimala! This is in my top 5. This game doesn't get enough love. The scoring is so interesting and so tactical. Glad this one got some love here and some exposure that it deserves.

[@lukemusgrave8503]

Hey Monique and Naveen, I'm very new to the board game hobby and finding your channel has been incredible! I was feeling so lost with the sheer number of games out there but seeing your lists and playthroughs has made things so much clearer for me! I was wondering if you guys could possibly make a top # video for games to play with 2? I mostly play with my partner right now since I don't know others who like board games so that would make choosing games so much easier for us. Thanks!

[@SpicyLordWade]

Hearing you talk about Agricola being the OG Farming Game sent me down memory lane because I grew up playing an old copy of the 1979 "The Farming Game". It's Monopoly-esque so not a wonderful game, but sure is nostalgic to think about. Thanks for that little memory trip!

[@mrcoaster1]

One of the things I love about these lists is the chance to find some hidden gems or lesser known titles in there to explore. Calamala and Lowlands sound pretty interesting. Would love to give those a try sometime. Looking forward to finishing the last two videos in the Top 50.

[@Raphaelus13]

Enjoyed the shout-out to Clans of Caledonia, one of my group's favorites. On Mars seemed too intimidating when I researched it back when it came out.

[@omnitheus5442]

You're not missing anything with On Mars. I got it and moved it on after 3 plays. Too fiddly for what you get out of it. Lowlands is a far more fulfilling game if you like Clans.

[@adamtracey286]

Always find gamed. I've never heard of from this channel. Added 4 to my list. Thanks

[@HnefataflModern]

Enjoying the lists! My 30 through 21: 30. Memoir '44 29. Dominos 28. Power Grid 27. Southern Rails 26. Castle Panic 25. Alhambra 24. For Sale 23. Machi Koro 22. Dice Town 21. Incan Gold

[@rossjaax]

Finally! I’ve been waiting for this to drop. :)

[@xEppy033x]

Fun list, excited for the top 20!

[@tbahr123]

Some cool picks in this episode! My 30-21: 21 Stratego: Star Wars 22 Terraforming Mars 23 Blood Rage 24 Ticket to Ride 25 For Sale 26 Cribbage 27 Kingdomino 28 6 nimmt! 29 Secret Hitler 30 7 Wonders Duel

[@davekoehnlein4575]

Biblios, arboretum AND parade all in one list! Good stuff. I feel like people don’t talk about parade enough…such a great game. Biblios is in my top 5…it’s a perfect game in my opinion. I’m loving your lists!

[@meaghanobrien]

Love Space Base! We actually ended up giving our copy to my parents because they loved it so much too. Might have to buy another copy for myself.

[@jeffreyday1940]

Thanks for these videos - they're great!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Thanks for checking them out Jeffrey!!

[@theamazingpj]

Way back when you first announced your Uwe Rosenberg series, I made a comment predicting that Naveen would love Agricola! So far I haven't seen Agricola show up on his list yet, but it's on Monique's... fingers crossed Agricola will show up again in the Top 20... :) Great video as always! :)

[@aliglidden6708]

Love your channel! I'm really enjoying the series, too ... it's great to know your favorites and I love all the card games I'm seeing. I need to try Parade and Arboretum! Thank you for your content and hard work! Happy Holidays!!

[@jonathansaah9163]

Thanks for the list. What a mix of different weights (I.e complexity of games! 😀)

[@michaeldarling7169]

Great content, as always. Looking forward to the next one!

[@Cissewis]

Great list, thanks as always you lovely people!

[@sohailsadaqat6684]

Awesome video guys. Love Pandemic Legacy, space base and Paladins, Here is my top 21 - 30 30 Outlive 29 Vindication 28 Dominion 27 Dixit 26 Hero Realms 25 Unlock!: series 24 Underwater Cities 23 Chronicles of Crime 22 Dice Forge 21 Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures

[@Mentat1231]

Could not agree more about Biblios. Such a fantastic game.

[@Gathanokos]

Oooo Low lands...one of my favorite farming games :D Because I've only played less than 200 games, I thought the top 30 would be a good place to start for me. 30 - Lewis & Clark: The expedition (2nd edition) 29 - Twilight Struggle 28 - The crew: Mission deep sea 27 - Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the cursed island (2nd edition) 26 - Mexica 25 - Pandemic (just love the original because it got me into all the other variations) 24 - Scythe 23 - Tikal 22 - Dominant Species 21 - YINSH (I'm a big fan of totally abstract strategy games)

[@Jagkt]

Very interesting list. There many games in that portion of your top 50 that I didn’t know, and it is always a pleasure to discover good new games. Thanks for that :) Here is my 30-21: 21 Dinosaur Island 22 Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion 23 Wingspan 24 Project L 25 Skull King / Wizard 26 Space Base 27 Catan 28 Watergate 29 Unforgiven: The Lincoln Assassination Trial 30 Architects of the West Kingdom

[@sarahpaul3293]

Ooh finding many great recommendations. Best birthday treat xD

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Happy birthday!!!!

[@sarahpaul3293]

@@BeforeYouPlay Thank youuu

[@Feldingor]

So many games I love in this list. Thanks for the video 😊 I admire you all content creators doing ranked lists because I’d be in a really bad spot if I had to rank the games I love. I definitely can rank some, but I’m sure I’ll be left with 20-30 which it’s pretty hard to rank because each of them I love for different reasons.

[@petergross7235]

I love your lists, all good stuff there. If they made a new board for Kanban that only used different variations of Brown....I think it would drop into someone's top 10.

[@bearhustler]

Happy to see Lowlands, it's SO underrated.

[@angelafortunato87]

#30 - Almanac: The Dragon Road #29 - The Isle of Cats #28 - Unfair #27 - Oceanos #26 - Subastral #25 - Forgotten Waters #24 - Quetzal #23 - The King's Guild #22 - Clank! #21 - Smartphone Inc.

[@umlasp]

Great videos guys ! I pretty much follow all your content… keep it going 👍

[@juneau827]

I played clans of caledonia on board game arena originally. When I ordered the hard copy, I was similarly surprised at the "small" box size. Money is definitely tight in that game! I'll have to check out lowlands, sounds interesting!

[@bigwhoopdave]

We're not seeing the giveaway links on this one either? 🤔 [UPDATE: full description for videos is not showing on desktop, but they are visible in KZbin app on iPad! So anyone else having issues, and with access to a different device or the YT app, maybe try that?!] Loving your positive energy and thoughtful comments on all these great games (as always) ❤

[@dramajoe]

30 - Concordia 29 - The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 28 - Gloomhaven 27 - Android: Netrunner 26 - Dune: Imperium 25 - Blackout: Hong Kong 24 - A Few Acres of Snow 23 - Lost Ruins of Arnak 22 - Le Havre 21 - The 7th Continent

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Great list!! We’ve heard so many great things about Android: Netrunner and we’ll have to check out A Few Acres of Snow! Thank you for sharing

[@dramajoe]

@@BeforeYouPlay Netrunner's hardcore asymmetry is fascinating considering what type of game it is. It's too bad the game was unceremoniously murdered because it's super expensive to get into now. Hopefully you can find someone who has a collection and would be willing to build some decks for you to try. A Few Acres of Snow has severe balance issues like many Martin Wallace games do, but it's excellent nonetheless. It's weird that it doesn't get mentioned more as the progenitor of deck building plus. Considering that genre is the most popular right now with Dune and Arnak, I would expect the game that laid the groundwork for them to be more a part of the discussion, but it is extremely out of print.

[@readilium3432]

@@dramajoe Nisei

[@FunkyFoxGaming]

A few games on this 10 that I haven't tried yet but want to. #30 Ganz Schon Clever #29 Elysium #28 Betrayal at House on the Hill #27 Gravwell: Escape from the 9th Dimension #26 Dice Forge #25 Takenoko #24 Tokaido #23 For Sale #22 Alhambra #21 Century: Spice Road

[@Jootie_de_Kop]

About adding photos... Maybe from now on, everytime you play a game, before playing: take a quick shot of the setup. After a while you'll have a nice amound of footage you can use in your top 100's. Cheers!

[@Axel_Vrarimor]

I have to say, I'm really excited to see the end of Naveen's list, as he keeps listing these amazing games further down. Certainly Mombasa is going to be very high up, and clearly Monique has all of Vital Lacerda's coming up. I'm guessing that Trickerion and Anachrony are up there. Can hardly wait to see, and also for that Anachrony playthrough :-)

[@jadam42]

Back again with my #21-30: 21 Spirit Island 22 Glory to Rome 23 Puerto Rico 24 SpaceCorp: 2025-2300AD 25 The Gallerist 26 The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 27 Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure 28 Archipelago 29 Everdell 30 Euphoria: Build a Better Dystopia

[@wiirown_gerrard]

Thanks always for the great videos!! I'd like to try CO2 and Russsian Railroad :)

[@stevewithington1787]

Some brilliant games on your list, some that I'm not familiar with that I'll have to check out. My list: 30. Fort 29. Dixit 28. Tobago 27. Azul 26. Root 25. The King is Dead (2nd Edition) 24. Wingspan 23. Pandemic 22. Roll Through the Ages: The Bronze Age 21. Burano

[@UnlimitedBrettWorks]

Quick video editing tip that may help if you're not already aware: You can quickly add scale keyframes to the beginning and end of your photo to push in or out, giving it some movement over time. It can help you get more screen time out of your photos without it feeling as awkward, it may help a bit since you guys mentioned having limited resources.

[@beakerkell]

I just played Glory to Rome yesterday! The art design was a bit strange, but it was really enjoyable!

[@jadam42]

Glory to Rome is a great game! Also, WHAT!? On Mars only made it to #21. I’m blown away!

[@mikaelhansson9613]

My 21-30: 21 Through the Ages 22 Tzolk'in 23 Trajan 24 Targi 25 Advanced Civilization 26 Caverna Cave vs Cave 27 Castles of Burgundy 28 Firefly 29 Tiny Epic Galaxies 30 Terraforming Mars Ares Expedition

[@lauramasters524]

I just checked my junk folder - nothing from you guys but someone is trying really hard to fix my prostate… 🧐

[@RickKoeppen]

Some of my favorite games on this list! Great seeing Calimala getting some love! Calimala, CO2, and Agricola are top 5 for me of all time. Also really enjoy Clans of Caledonia and Space Base!

[@chinwhat]

Calimala is so great. And i'd love to try Lowlands, but its so hard to find up here in Canada

[@deanlowdon8381]

We always enjoyed Isle of Skye as a 2 player game, but the Journeyman expansion certainly improves it at that count by upping the options and complexity.

[@afrank525]

Decrypto: I love it, but cannot figure out how to teach it. Agricola: yes, it is SO good. There is a new solomode in this year's BGG solomode contest you might enjoy.

[@bearhustler]

Decrypto is so weird, very simple but a nightmare to teach. No idea why but I've heard many people say the same.

[@alfredo101109]

Happy to see Biblios in! So underrated

[@elit529]

I love The crew as well (we're 40 levels in) and recently got to try the second version of the game, which is even better! I think it adds a lot of variety to the missions - I think you'll really enjoy it!

[@eihsa]

Your lists are reminding me of so many games I haven't played in awhile and really need to break out. 😅

[@jongreisz8340]

As usual, great list.

[@saxmason]

You two must really love Vital Lacerda games! I haven't played any of them yet.

[@pinlight97]

My game group loved Pandemic Legacy: man it almost got us at one point but we worked it out! Thankfully that was before the actual pandemic as we went through a very long lockdown here; we were mid-Charterstone when that happened.

[@lunabear99]

Would love to see y'all do a top 10 where you don't know each other lists. That way we can see your reactions on camera when the reveal happens :)

[@alexbove106]

Clans of Caledonia is a top 10 game for me. I remember playing it in First Looks at the first PAXU. I pretty much camped out for the entire weekend!

[@Feldingor]

Yeeee! Russian Railroads is a fantastic game. The big box you’re talking about is Ultimate Railroads which contains everything already published for this game including the solo mode and mini expansions plus a new “full” expansion (Asian Railroads). It already available in German, slated to release the English version sometime in Q1 2022 I believe

[@banaa9463]

This one's mine: 30 Terraforming Mars 29 Kingdomino 28 Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu 27 Point Salad 26 Sheriff of Nottingham 25 Dixit 24 Takenoko 23 Coup 22 Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition 21 Codenames We don't have any crossovers :(

[@martinprivat5908]

Could it be the surprisingly 'low' ranking of Pandemic Legacy is also a theme thing? I mean we all have had way too much of it recently, didn't we? Also: So happy to see Space Base that high, since I got it for my nephews this Christmas. You guys are awesome, keep it up! I especially like the playthroughs.

[@Boardgametherapist]

I’ve done all 50 missions on The Crew, over the course of 3 months or so? I played it with coworkers during lunch

[@sakabra6352]

thanks for the vids!

[@arvi8843]

Thank you! 💙

[@TheDarktater]

Clans and Paladins are somewhere in this range, Kanban and On Mars are both in my top 10. Space Base I have a love/hate relationship with.

[@coltonbeatty6117]

That's because you're a m o r o n. Or were, since it's an old comment

[@paulhamrick3943]

Honest question: are Vital Lacerda games actually “games” or are they a collection of branching procedural tasks that people with OCD enjoy?

[@alecgalbraith5604]

What makes a game a game?

[@frantz2000]

You just defined life and games....add victory conditions and yep.

[@coltonbeatty6117]

Lacerda designs are such trash

[@samc2890]

Naveen - have you played De Vulgari Eloquentia? Seeing your love for Calimala made me think of this and wondered if you'd ever taken a look!

[@monstermash4324]

Thanks for sharing, it's great to see your actual faves since you showcase a lot of other games that come to you for other reasons (ie teaching!). Outnof curiosity, when you made your list, how many games did you rank to get your top 50? And these are games you dont necessarily own correct? Looking forward to the rest of the list

[@annagunawan7329]

If you enjoy a betting style game, have you tried Cursed Court? It's not very heavy, but lots of fun.

[@geriatricstone]

Do we have giveaways winner?? :)) love ur content guys!!

[@franciscorojas8088]

Low lands sounds interesting. Reminds me of the GOT version of Catan

[@BigLowry]

about 10 minutes before watching this video I almost impulse bought a copy of Lisbosa off of BGG. I guess I'll take my chances on the give away first! Thanks for the content as always guys!

[@HuntressMedia]

Thanks for the video! Two takeaways for me - I will re-visit/continue my search for On Mars and Clans of Caledonia, two games I really want to play (good reminders, thanks!). Also, I do love Glory to Rome, so glad to have an original copy (trade for On Mars??? haha jk)

[@HaniOveissy]

Guys, I hope you will include PAX PAMIR Second Edition. It is a masterpiece, and I think it deserves much more attention. It could be easily in the top 10 strategy list and in the top 10 overall rankings at BGG.

[@omnitheus5442]

PaxRen is better

[@stevegeorge7773]

@@omnitheus5442 1st or 2nd edition?

[@annanbirkett6139]

I can't see how to enter the competitions but would like to ever both if that's available to the uk.

[@icex7312]

Top 21-30 21) Twilight Struggle 22) Merchant of Venus 2nd Edition 23) El Grande 24) Caylus 25) Rail Baron 26) Terraforming Mars 27) Puerto Rico 28) Pillars of the Earth 29) War of the Ring 2nd Edition 30 Power Grid

[@LaraBlancoSantos]

have you played Barrage?? definitely in my top 10!

[@markv6988]

Me on 30th December: THERE’S A LACERDA GIVEAW... oh.

[@rickhatcher9640]

Nice countdown.

[@Mentat1231]

Trusting PubMeeple results, here's my 21-30: 30) Yamatai 29) Biblios 28) Tybor the Builder 27) Tapestry 26) Arboretum 25) The Mind 24) Raiders of the North Sea 23) Sushi Go Party 22) Istanbul 21) Evolution: Climate

[@MickRissling]

My wife and I did the 50 Crew missions and are now working through the new Crew game. Have you tried it? Very good and/but more challenging.

[@allenzimmerman4091]

I received The Crew for Christmas and thought that it looked like an interesting game. My wife and I play games with another couple on a fairly regular basis, and we often play trick-taking card games, so I thought it would be a good fit. Two of the people disliked the game pretty intensely, so I am not sure if I will ever get the chance to play it again. 😢

[@crivgil]

Love the list, btw I love Russian Railroads, you should get Ultimate railroads, it comes with all expansions and new one, Asian railroads it's an explosion of combos and points, you should try it on bga, I need to play American and German railroads yet...

[@troyrobinson440]

Hi. I'm curious about wanting the green original Arboretum. Is the game play any different ? .... or do you just like the cards or artwork better ?

[@guandjs]

You are both such great presenters! Well done on doing this list. I am so happy that Ultimate Railroads is coming out as the German Railroads expansion add so much variability over the base game, which I also think is fantastic. Also nice to see Space Base, Glory to Rome and Space Base being mentioned. Happy holidays!

[@kenaguasa7305]

So maybe at DTW 3Con we can create some macro video rail shots of some of the games for future use.

[@RedEyedGhost1]

Another great list of games. Clans of Caledonia is great, but I do prefer both Terra Mystica and Gaia Project - the latter two are definitely top 20 games for me though, so Clans is very high on my list as well. I do not get the love for Space Base though; it just fell so flat for me. Only played it twice, but each game lasted well over two hours for what should be a sixty minute game tops.

[@orhan7255]

Nice list again. If it's an option to you. Glory to rome is easier to obtain in europe as it was released in some countries later. If you have shaped wooden figures you have the revised edition of Agricola. As i have the german version I can't differ through the box.