If We Could Only Keep 10 Games + New SHIRTS!

[@AleksandarDaGr8]

So happy to see Spirit Island here. My top 10 would be: 1. Spirit Island 2. Dune: Imperium 3. Obsession 4. Raiders of the North Sea 5. Scythe 6. Cat in the Box 7. Just One 8. 7 Wonders 9. Hadrian’s Wall 10. Wingspan

[@TheBlueFlame112]

Spirit island is a beast. My favorite

[@bookaddict777]

I would never have expected The Game to be on your list. I have well over 200 plays of that one in because my mother absolutely loves it. When I go to visit her, we will play it multiple times in a row.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

It’s so good!! We absolutely LOVE it!!

[@DiceWiseDW]

I just picked up Schotten Totten, because of your recommendation, and played it for the first time. It was a huge hit with my non-gamer friend- they kept saying "One more game!" regardless of the outcome. I won the first few, then they adjusted the strategy and won the next few, then I adjusted and we split the next few. I am surprised at how much easier it became for both of us to mentally process the playing field and possibilities for each combo by the later games.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

So nice to hear that!!

[@brettmartin3529]

Alchemists seems like a unique and fun game. I will have to try it out. 1. Underwater Cities 2. Brass: Birmingham 3. Castles of Burgundy 4. Terraforming Mars 5. Dominion 6. Bananagrams 7. Codenames 8. 7 Wonders 9. Gloomhaven 10. Clank Catacombs

[@melodylake18]

This is such a tough challenge! 1. Everdell 2. Wingspan 3. Catan 4. Castles of Burgundy 5. Azul 6. Viticulture 7. 7 Wonders Duel 8. Santorini I’m still open to learning new games to fill in the list. My collection is small but growing.

[@MarcTelesha]

Keeping it small is the best thing to do. What happens is you have a rotation of a few games and dust collection.

[@tomsule]

​@@MarcTeleshatrue. Have your 50 games, and dont grow it father. 😂

[@Uzi3055]

I love Santorini!

[@laurenherrmann_videos]

I took a 2 week Japan trip with a friend of mine who had loved there for 5 years and one of the places we went was Koyasan, which I highly recommend. You go to the top of a mountain and stay overnight with the monks at one of many monasteries there. THere's an amazing, historic cemetery in a forest full of old, giant moss-covered trees. It's a very magical, sacred place. I think we went between Tokyo and Kyoto, or maybe it was after Kyoto, but it's not far from Kyoto, I believe. It's one of my favorite places in the world! My friend has since been back to Koyasan several times since my visit.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Wow that sounds AMAZING! We hadn’t heard of it before. We love a good mix of city/nature and that sounds like a great little getaway.

[@BoardGamingRamblings]

Thank you so, so much for the shout out! You are amazing 🤩 Also, so many good games!! I don’t think we’d have a problem finding games to play if we where stuck in a cabin for a week 🥳

[@ajeckler]

Love reading others’ lists as what’s there and not there can help me figure out what games I want to try next… here are mine: 1) Spirit Island 2) Through the Ages 3) Brass: Birmingham 4) Terraforming Mars 5) Dominion 6) Klask 7) Dune: Imperium 8) Azul 9) Race for the Galaxy 10) Everdell Was hard to keep The Crew: Mission Deep Sea and Cockroach Poker off as both are great. Cascadia and Robinson Crusoe also honourable mentions.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Yeah totally, that’s what it’s all about! You have a great list, a few we still need to try. We have Klask, but haven’t played in a while. You mentioning it makes me want to set it up tomorrow!

[@appleseiter15]

1. Wingspan (collective favorite) 2. Patchwork (wife’s favorite) 3. Castles of Burgundy (my favorite) 4. Ark Nova (favorite heavy/solo 5. Quacks of Quedlinburg (most fun game/can play with anyone) 6. The Crew (favorite game to play at holidays with in-laws) 7. Spirit Island (endlessly replayable, co-op) 8. Biblios (favorite light card game) 9. Las Vegas (favorite game to play with family) 10. Hansa Teutonica (obsessed with this game right now)

[@daugarten]

You’ve got to try Spirit Island at the harder difficulties! It’s absolutely intimidating, I know, but have trust in the game’s impeccable design… there will be a path to victory (many paths, in fact), and the “tension” of every game you talked about is just amped up to 11! What’s more, each step up in difficulty seems super tough, and it is. I found my sweet spot around 4-6. Anything higher seemed crazy impossible. However, out of sheer curiosity I tried the maximum level 10 difficulty and shocked myself by winning. Lesson: you can probably handle more than you give yourself credit for!

[@kosterix123]

There’s a difference between handling and having a good time.

[@Cosmitzian]

I'm new to the channel and i really love the way the list is constructed as to player numbers and also player skill, from a hosting perspective. I'm a big fan of not just 'gathering' games but having the /right/ games for the right time and for the right people. So many lists of the type just aren't /practical/ or useful, or they are within the context of a game group that's the same every time and the collection kind of is 'the collection for those people'. So, my slimmed down list would be: 1) Cascadia - An absolute requirement for modern boardgaming, fits /so/ many of the starter leagues of 'family'/intermediate and has enough depth of play that even a boardgamer won't necessarily scoff at a game of it. Works at 2-6 with the expansion. Nature theme, no one hates nature. 2) 5 minute dungeon - This is my 'filler'/icebreaker game. Cooperative. It gets people interacting and talking and expressing and it goes quick so even if the table loses, you can spin another game in a minute. Also allows me to 'cheat' for the table to stack less difficulty if i want us to end the game on a high note so we can get on with our gaming night on a positive note. :) Works 2-5 with exapansion. Fantasy theme but it's not overpowering, and the art is sooo funny and good, i can leave the cards on the table and people will chuckle even in dead time during turns at other games. 3) Spirit Island. For the same reasons you guys have it. I also have Horizons of Spirit island as a standalone box when i teach or host to new people. Even if it only goes up to 3, i can make it a 4 game with tiles from my big game, or i can just play from the sidelines, 'captaining' and making sure all the new players understand what they need to do and what's important. Not quarterbacking but.. i've played enough Spirit Island to enjoy the puzzle solving even without a character mat. Makes it more interesting when other people make odd choices for card progression. :) 2-6p. 4) Innovation. The card game for 2-4 people. Can be very heavy, caters to that crunchy end of gamers. Only 4p but i don't think anyone wants 5/6p innovation anyway. 5) Terraforming Mars. I don't have too many euros or games in this genre just because i feel TM does a lot of everything well enough that if there's one game that i'd keep, it's going to be this one. It also works to teach area majority and a whole heap of other gamery concepts. Also helps that it's popular and people have at least heard of it. Makes it easier to table for newer people and less intimidating than a full fat euro about a burgeoise hotel or coal mining. 2-5. 6) Roll Camera!. Another coop but lighter and theme-heavy, uses dice rolling and dice placement. 1-4p, i use it as a relatively easy way to teach people dice mechanics and also action placement. It's nice that there's different skills required for all the elements in it, and different players can shine at different times. 7) Sidereal Confluence. Another big and heavy game, and the only 'free trading' game i'd play and want to keep. Fits 4-9. A weird fit but if i have to have a heavy game, i still want people interacting at my table. At least it fits with the 2-4p innovation to cover the rest of the spectrum of number of players. :) 8) MindMGMT. I want a deduction game (and hidden movement in one go) and if there's a singular game i'd get to pick, i'd want the puzzle to be strange and hard and different everytime, thus, other players (and how the game has a lot of optional modular components for difficulty which directly adresses variability). Works 2-5p, medium-heavy. 9) Ginkgopolis. Versus. The end all and be all of area majority/engine building. Fits 2-5 and works well at all of those levels. Heavy but more due to it being abstract than anything else. 10) Century Eastern Wonders. 2-4p versus. Light enough to teach but can get really thinky. Has its issues but as a medium game that works different muscles than a lot of the above engine builders and works more with the spatial puzzle element.. i really find it fits a lot of uses. (alternatively maybe the Golem version if the theme can cause issues at the table) I feel once people learn the mechanics often thrown around from my hosted games and can enjoy themselves, they'll bring games of the type they found interesting, so i just need the 10 to 'open their minds' to what games do nowadays. Also, i need an 11. 11) Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion. I'm sorry, i just need a dungeoncrawler/legacy. :)

[@Jagkt]

Very Interesting list! I tried and it is very hard to do! Here is my try: 1) Kanban EV 2) Crokinole 3) Spirit Island 4) Terraforming Mars 5) Brass Birmingham 6) The Crew 7) The Castle of Burgundy 8) Hansa Teutonica 9) Cthulhu: Death May Die 10) Gaia Project

[@Duxa_]

Id recommend checking out Concordia if you like Hansa Teutonica. Somehow I get same itch scratched by these.

[@benhoff901]

1. Concordia 2. Horrified 3. Caper: Europe 4. Wingspan 5. Welcome To... 6. Azul 7. Just One 8. Cyclades 9. Aquatica 10. Century: Golem Edition

[@olivierjodoin2283]

Wow, another lover of Action Retrieval and Hand Building (Concordia, Aquatica and Century). Such a cool mechanism.

[@benhoff901]

@@olivierjodoin2283 I (obviously) REALLY love that mechanism. Any other games you know of that have it?

[@itsGabrielaCristina]

Very interesting list! My 10-game collection would be: Spirit Island, The Castles of Burgundy, Wonderland’s War, Ark Nova, Viticulture, Mind MGMT, Wingspan, Final Girl, Carnegie, and Azul.

[@itsGabrielaCristina]

I totally forgot Scout. I would take out Mind MGMT to keep Scout! It's my go-to small game!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

We still haven’t tried Wonderland’s War. Heard lots of good things about it. Same with Mind MGMT (even though you gave it the boot haha).

[@lance5472]

I lived there for a year and a half, 3 months in Kyoto and the rest in Okinawa. Okinawa is a beautiful island but south of it is a must go to destination, an island called Ishigaki which has gorgeous star shaped sand which is sold in tiny bottles. It’s actually comprised of sand washed shells.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

That’s so awesome! Thank you for the recommendation. I think a second Japan trip will be in the cards for us. So many wonderful places to see and experience. Would love to travel to Okinawa next time 😊.

[@3lnin077]

Great list and need to check out Yokai septet now. Sounds exciting and unique artwork. I would take following games with me: - euphrat und tigris - clans of caledonia - radlands - concordia - ark nova - the King is dead - scout - quacks of quedlinburg - Search for Planet X - Inis

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Great games! I think the only one we haven’t tried yet is Radlands. It’s one that’s still on our mind to try.

[@3lnin077]

Oh you should try it as well as mind Bug. Very cool and tactical games that do not take too long in order to play a second round directly after

[@benjamingroen9816]

Great list! Definitely need to check out some of those. I own 10 games exactly, so my only decision was what order to put them in 😅 1. Modern Art 2. Root 3. Everdell 4. Northern Pacific 5. Sushi Go! 6. Dominion 7. Patchwork 8. Tiny Epic Galaxies 9. 8 minute Empire 10. Pandemic

[@susanscandles]

My son is over there now. So exciting. Have fun!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

How cool! We’re super excited!!

[@SynRequiem]

10. Terraforming Mars 9. San Juan 8. Wingspan 7. Grand Austria Hotel 6. Targi 5. Jaipur 4. Sagrada 3. Azul 2. Concordia 1. Castles of Burgundy

[@JeFreeze]

I found picking ~7 games really easy, but then there's just as many on the shortlist competing for the last few slots that are really tough to choose from. A Feast For Odin is a definitely overlap with your list, and Scythe and Kanban EV are both on my shortlist. My other "definites" are: Cartographers, Project L, Foundations of Rome, Meadow, Everdell, and Anachrony. I tend to stick to my prefered "styles" of games, but have a few different options for each weight class.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Great choices! Monique played Meadow recently and enjoyed it. I (Naveen) still need to try it.

[@pjlacey3990]

You should do a Top 10 Games to Host Game Night since you both love to host and because as a viewer I would love some ideas for hosting myself. If not a top 10, maybe a suggestion list with some options for different reasons.

[@Farbulous007]

I lived in Japan for 2 years, and did a good amount of traveling there. Some people love Osaka, but I much preferred Kyoto. By far the most amazing city I have been to in Japan. If you have the time I would recommend taking a day trip to Nara in lieu of Osaka. And the one place you absolutely CANNOT miss is Kiyomizudera in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto. That temple and the views will blow you away. And in Tokyo of course walk around Harajuku and check out all the people and the shops, but definitely make sure you go to the Meiji shrine as well. Also, if you haven't already booked accomodation or if you can change one or two nights, I would highly recommend staying in a ryokan. It's the Japanese equivalent of a BnB but generally family run, old-style buildings with the paper walls and tatami mats. It will help immerse you in the culture. There are good options in both Tokyo and Kyoto. If you want to chat further, I am always happy to talk Japan! Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Have an amazing trip!

[@laurenherrmann_videos]

Off the top of my head, my top ten would probably be: Feudum, Isle of Cats, Castles of Burgundy, Big Boggle, Root, Wingspan, Townsfolk Tussle, Unconscious Mind (after it arrives), Nerts (only to have multiple decks of cards available), Sagrada (give you lots of dice to work with). I'm taking into consideration that the cards and dice could be used to create/play other games. Also including expansions, as long as they fit into the base game. Honorable mentions: bananagrams, anachrony, calico.

[@middleclassboardgamer]

This is kind of tough. In no particular order: 1. Viticulture 2. Castles of Burgundy 3. Brass: Birmingham 4. Mexica 5. Underwater Cities 6. Wildlands 7. Praga Caput Regni 8. Mythotopia 9. Dune: Imperium 10. Hyperborea

[@olivierjodoin2283]

Spirit Island and The Crew are definitely my top 2 for this. Afterward it gets harder. -Isle of Cats (for versatility of family, solo and advanced modes) -Gloomhaven (JOTL and Frosthaven count as expansions, right?) -Hive pocket (for a deep dive) -Just One (best and simplest party game) No clue after that...

[@gregorys9629]

Wow can't believe neither Ark Nova nor Dune: Imperium cracked this list for either of you. It's hard for me to pick 10 games but I would suggest High Society as a filler/auction game; Dune:Imperium as a mid-weight euro-type game; and Wingspan (including expansions!) as an engine builder. Great video as always, love your work :)

[@BeforeYouPlay]

LOVE both of those titles, Ark Nova and Dune were both debated by us. Super excited for the Ark Nova expansion later this year. Naveen is a big fan of High Society too!

[@sohailsadaqat6684]

I think the Alchemist app doesn't need the internet, It already has all the stored combinations, and associated number which ppl around the board to use the particular combination. app acts as an player who knows everything already and don't need to connect to internet

[@paulnewsham]

A great list!! :o) Mine would be (in no particular order): 1/ Finished! - superb puzzly solo 2/ Agricola - one of the best games ever and very nostalgic for me 3/ Awkward Guests - my go-to deduction game (have you played this? if not, you should) 4/ Imperium - my prefered civ game (with not too much take-that) 5/ Darwin's Journey - It's hot right now and I really want to dig into it a lot more 6/ Spirit Island - ... 7/ Weather Machine - really tough, very puzzly - great solo - beautiful 8/ Castles of Burgundy (deluxe - is that allowed? as it hasn't delivered yet) 9/ Verdant - a really accessible beautiful game thats remarkably well balanced with multiple paths - another great puzzle 10/ Fields of Arle - sandboxy fun developing out your (other) farm from the best designer on the planet.

[@paulnewsham]

we can come back from the island at some point though, right? I mean, I forgot to put Scythe in there and that does need to get played. 8/

[@VoidVerification]

My 10 essential games: - Pyramid Arcade - Castles of Burgundy - Scythe - Viticulture - Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra - Cascadia - Fantasy Realms - Skyjo - Everdell - Architects of the West Kingdom

[@joegibbons6535]

The way Monique says "Alchemists" at its introduction and how she hugs the box is infectious. I'm so tempted to go out and buy a copy. =P

[@bearhustler]

Off the top of my head (not at home right now): Brass Birmingham, Cthulhu Wars, Whitehall Mystery, Watergate, Quacks of Quedlinburg, Pax Pamir, Spyfall, Dune Imperium, Galaxy Truckers and Troyes.

[@davidgabriel5446]

1) Explorers of Ixalan 2) Dominion Big Box 3) Witch of Salem 4) Star Realms 5) Tikal 6) Compatibility 7) Skat 8) Lost Cities 9) Battlelore 10) Vampire: The Masquerade - CHAPTERS (Definitive Edition)

[@ioannispaxinos5171]

What I love most about these thought experiment lists is that by the end you just feel grateful that you don't actually have to cull your collection to 10 games. It's kind of life affirming. Like an almost accident that makes you appreciate walking out in the sun or enjoying the cool breeze sitting at your porch.

[@LeRoi81]

My list so far would be: -Lisboa (our favorite couple game) -Kingdom Builder (completely missunderstood masterpiece) -Tichu -Greed (2 players with a special house rule similar to Among the Stars) -Clank! In! Space! -A Feast for Odin -Eminent Domain -Shards of Infinity -Favor of the Pharao -Codenames

[@shanelarsen]

On Schotten Totten (I have Battle Line), I was disappointed to hear you don't play with the Tactics Cards (as called in Battle Line). My wife and I never play without them. We find they add more strategy, not chaos. Just play a few times and you learn there are ways to mitigate the damage of the cards you know are there. It gives you more things to think about, and more ways to strategize. We love them. Thanks for the video. Battle Line is one of my faves!

[@sunsettersix6993]

You guys are the ones who got me into Vital Lacerda games. First, Lisboa, then On Mars and now KanBan is going on the list to check out! I guess I should say, "Thank you!"

[@BeforeYouPlay]

If you’ve enjoyed those first 2 then you’ll probably enjoy KanBan too!!

[@brandobombchu8827]

They also got me into Lacerda games. On Mars first for me (that cover art kept making me look into it) and soon Lisboa.

[@wookiebarista]

Same! Lisboa is en route

[@JesterPrivate]

Lacerda is just so good. His games for me have this way of clicking about 3 turns in. The best way I can describe his games is that it comes full circle. I was afraid to teach my wife one of his games cause it can be so daunting just looking at the board. We played Weather Machine and after the end she's like "yea, this is great." On a side note for trick taking games, what are your thoughts on Scout? Probably one of my top 2 trick takers.

[@281]

@@JesterPrivate better than Cat in the box ?

[@Mentat1231]

This is a tough list to make, since I have to balance thinking of others who will play the games with me, but also picking the ones I find most essential. Also, I really really want to include "Century" as a single game. You can, after all, combine the three into one game ("Century: East to West III"). This would give me three great entry-level games + other excellent gaming experiences (including "From Sand to Sea", which is the combo of game 1 and game 2, and is in my top 10 games of all time!).... Anyway, here's something like what my list would be if I can't have "Century" as a whole, in no particular order.... Castles of Burgundy (1800 plays and counting; it never gets old and it is an absolute classic) Arboretum (I would probably pick Tichu, myself, but you guys are right that Arboretum is better for this list since it seats 2-4 really well). Kingdomino: Origins (great welcoming game and a great competitive puzzle for my wife and me, using the 7x7 grid for two players) Deception: Murder in Hong Kong (I need a party game that doesn't grow stale, though I'd probably choose Dixit with the millions of cards we've accumulated... but, Deception is the one that always hits well with any larger group) Scythe (I'm not a wargame, Ameri-trash player, but this gives some of that feeling of building up and conquering in a more Euro way... I really want to include Eclipse, but, until I find a group that will devote 4+ hours to an epic game, I only get it played once per year or less 😢) Terraforming Mars (with Prelude included, I rate this game a 10; the combinations of cards are endless and the game is excellent as a mid-weight, crunchy engine builder) Gaia Project (my #1 game, even though my wife didn't like it and we traded it away... The solo mode alone is worth it) Crokinole (a crowd pleaser and something I can try to improve in... kind of like a mini sport, really) Troyes (because it's perfect! Lol. I tried not to just have mid-weight Euros, but I can't say "no" to Troyes) Project: Elite (it's this or Forbidden Desert, since my wife doesn't normally like co-ops, but loves these.... and Project: Elite offers more variety and excitement).

[@rikhavok]

So, I decided to do my list to compliment your categories instead of my 10 to keep because I have done that list before. Card - Star Realms Card 2 - Ethnos Dry Euro - Trajan - Love Burgundy which would be a top tenner for me but… Trick Taking - The Crew Deduction - Cryptid Two Player- Taluva Deluxe edition. Yes, you can play 4 player.. but it’s like adding a solo mode to a non-solo game. This game should be 2 players. Heavy Co-Op - Spirit Island Uwe - Hallertau Engine Building - Underwater Cities Lacerda - The Gallerist

[@travisp1026]

Seeing Naveen's pajamas will be a Patreon exclusive. 😂

[@BeforeYouPlay]

LOL

[@HardlyDOTA]

Kanban is so smooth, freakishly so. And it plays quick for its weight. It’s such a great design. I played my 13th and 14th game this weekend and I can’t believe how novel every game feels. I watched your Lisboa video a couple of nights ago - I just got Lisboa - so I can’t wait to try that. Pretty simple right, just play a card, draw a card?

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Yeah, that’s exactly why we chose it. Haven’t played it in a little bit, but just holding the box to film the video made us want to play it so bad…

[@jogumby]

Too bad you guys don't live around here. You would be fun to play games with! Our group started gaming together in 1980 with Dungeons and Dragons but after 5 or so years we transitioned into board games. For a VERY long time we played 18xx titles to death, then moved into more worker placement types. I think my 10 would include Terraforming Mars, Tzolkin, Explorers and Raiders of the North Sea, Le Havre, At the Gates of Loyang, Keyflower, Ora et Labora, Castles of Burgundy and Wingspan. The list is ever changing and your videos have added a few to the list! Special shout out to 18xx fans. We are very niche! Keep up the good work!

[@Duxa_]

1. Spirit Island 2. Arkham Horror 2nd Edition 3. Pandemic (plus 3 expansions) 4. Archipelago 5. Race for the Galaxy 6. Terraforming Mars (plus expansions) 7. Castles of Burgundy 8. Viticulture 9. Concordia 10. Gloomhaven

[@mikealger2341]

When I was in the USMC, I was in Okinawa, Japan for 3 weeks. I spoke no Japanese, apart from Domo Aragatto (not sure of the spelling) but I was trying to learn as much as I could as I interacted with the residents. They were very gracious and appreciated my efforts. It helped that I wasn't the stereotypical "Ugly American". I made efforts to learn and help whenever help seemed to be needed and everyone I dealt with was very gracious and wonderful to me. They really appreciate it when you make a strong effort to adapt to their culture instead of expecting them to be like us. You will have a great time and I am certain you'll do well.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hi Mike, that’s really great to hear you were so culturally aware. Monique has been studying like crazy for about 6 months (she will likely freeze upon landing lol). But we will definitely make the effort to be respectful. Hope you will get to go back sometime in the future!

[@thisguy2678]

My fiancee and I have been playing Spirit Island constantly for the past month. We love it so much, it's so fun and it scales so well. The expansions are honestly unbelievably good and add so much. Especially the event cards. PS. That Scythe box is still looking a little light.

[@Duxa_]

Love SI as well, I just wish there was more than 1 winning condition (terror levels 1, 2, 3).

[@thisguy2678]

@@Duxa_ It can definitely feel a little abrupt sometimes. I'm not sure what else they could do though.

[@Duxa_]

@@thisguy2678 they could do objectives like have presence in X territories, or have presence in all X type, or c number of shrines, or kill X number of cities/villages. All in addition to the terror level. That last one would be especially interesting because you wouldn’t be able to control city spread you would need them to build up first to fulfill the objectives.

[@jonathanbaldauf4761]

My 10 Games to keep on an island... 1. Catan 2. Azul 3. Pandemic 4. Wingspan 5. Viticulture 6. Cascadia 7. Photosynthesis 8. Canvas 9. Ark Nova 10. Terraforming Mars

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Solid list, looks like we’d paddle over to your island 🏝 for game nights!

[@djradojevic]

Wow, as a beginner board gamer I am proud to own and am playing three out of these 10 games (Schotten Totten, The Game and Arboretum 😂). I must say - Schotten Totten is totally different game when played with tactic cards! I mean - you really need to think and play differently! Please try it out sometimes! 😂

[@BeforeYouPlay]

I think we will, I don’t know why we always say “no” whenever we pull it out lol.

[@askapk]

Just out of curiosity... how many games would you two say you play per year? Like, all board game plays combined? Or maybe an easier way of answering that would be how much play time per year in hours? I've gotten alot more into the hobby during the pandemic, and I must admit, I've purchased way too many games. And now it seems like my pile is insurmountable. I don't know if this is a common thing for people in the hobby, but do you ever feel like you have too many games you like and not enough time to put into each of them? Is that when the culling comes in? How many plays is too few to cull a game? Sometimes I feel like there has been a few games I bought that I'll never be able to bring to the table. Should I just cut my loses? Whenever I go to play games, I feel like I should put more time into games I've already played... so I don't open the new ones. Am I odd? 😅

[@0megaD]

I'm not them, but I figured I'd give you some feedback anyway. :p You're definitely not the only one. It's a common thing for people who enter the 'collector' phase. Every game that sounds good is a potential buy, and you don't wanna miss out on the opportunity to play it in the future of course, because it might not get a reprint! I've now made it a rule to play every game I buy at least once or twice, solo if I have to, just to ensure I got the experience of the game I paid for. (But I imagine this can be harder if you mostly buy party games) As for culling, it all depends on whether you can justify owning the game. I usually set a space limit (eg.: 3 shelves) and follow these rules (assuming I still think the game is actually fun): 1.: Do I already have a game in this genre? If so, does this do anything wildly different or make it better? (Do you *really* need trick taking game #30? Big box campaign game #10?) 2.: How likely is it that I'll play this game, realistically? (If you're a shut-in, it's unlikely you'll play all those 10 player party games people have been raving about) 3.: What's the price / gameplay / volume ratio? (The higher value, the more likely I can keep it) I mostly apply this for new buys, but it works for selling as well of course. I've held off of many potential purchases by being more critical of games this way as well.

[@jjtheBaldBoardGamer]

1) Dune: Imperium (with both expansions) 2) Dwellings of Eldervale 3) Raiders of the North Sea (with both expansions) 4) Everdell The Complete Collection 5) Targi 6) Catan (OG and Cities/Knights expansion) *RIP Klaus Teuber 7) Wingspan 8) Flamecraft 9) Endless Winter 10) Puerto Rico 1897

[@terrytoriq]

I honestly expected you to pick Lisboa instead of Kanban. 😅 Here is my list: 7 wonders Fantasy realms Cartographers On Mars Sleeping Gods Parks VAST: The crystal caverns Roll Player Root Alchemists

[@matthughes8380]

Such a hard challenge! So many great games. My 10 would be: Take 5 (6 Nimmt!) Yokai Septet (Have y’all to thank for that one) Blood on the Clocktower In the Year of the Dragon Chinatown Cosmic Encounter Shobu Imhotep King of Tokyo The Lord of the Rings (LCG) Hope you guys have a great trip! Will definitely be checking out that merch 😁

[@danarossa]

Something tells me you might be a big fan of no rolls barred 😂

[@sunnivavarjord]

Great list! You made it even harder than us, only picking 10 games in total (but that’s a solid bunch of games tho) 😅 You guys are the best!

[@Salixalba1000]

I was surprised in thinking that a lacerta might not make your list. Then I thought for sure it would be Lisboa. You got me on that one. Respectfully

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Haha, yeah maybe we should have said 11 games. We had to be strict though 😝

[@BrthrValta]

Plus you can play Arboretum with up to 7 players if you all build only one shared Arboretum in the middle. 6 species = 2-3 players, 7 species = 4 players, 8 species = 5 players, 9 species = 6 players, 10 species = 7 players .

[@oisoyboy]

For board games, there's a lot of board game cafes (Jelly Jelly is the big chain), but I recommend a good MeetUp. My favorite is JIGG Tokyo Board Game group...hit up some of the organizers like Yannis and Goran, both upstanding gamers who've lived in Tokyo for a long time...they even bring out Spirit Island once in a while...hard to do since a lot of them go there by train so it's whatever you can fit in a roller suitcase. (Tell them Stan sent you ;) )

[@ModularLanding]

Great video as always! Kanban is the one Lacerda game I like. It’s easy to connect to the theme and makes more sense to me. Also love many of these other choices. Keep up the good work!

[@davidsocha3765]

Spirit Island, Scythe, Great Western Trail, Pax Renaissance 2nd Edition, A Feast for Odin, Dawn of The Zeds, Terraforming Mars, The Crew: Mission Deep Sea, Dune Imperium, and Robinson Crusoe

[@jamesbrazeal3847]

Luna and The Meeps are fantastic. Tha KS for Sponsering and great design of Dexter!!!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Yeah she’s so talented! Thanks for supporting us for so long James, we truly appreciate you ☺️.

[@tonilittle5480]

Here’s my list! 1. A Feast for Odin 2.Anachrony 3.Ares Expeditions (Terraforming Mars the card game) 4.Fantastic Factories 5. Isle of Cats 6.Love Letter 7.Orleans. 8. The Castles of Burgundy 9. The Lost Ruins of Arnak 10.Ticket to Ride: Europe since that’s the one we currently have. Also, I put them in Alphabetical order, just because. 😬

[@oisoyboy]

Lived next to Tokyo for 10 years (and my favorite place in Japan is Kyoto). For Tokyo I recommend the Yanaka area (access point between Nippori and Nishi Nippori station) for a concentrated blast of old Tokyo in the form of temples, sentos (bath houses), funky galleries, cemetaries, and cats. Inokashira Park in West Tokyo for some funky Venice Beach like creative vibes (it's been in a lot of Japanese movies and dramas), Nakano Broadway shopping center for tons of otaku stuff (manga, anime, toys, old junk/curio shops, muisc, and some boardgames)

[@issa496]

If you like Schotten Totten I recommend Air Land and Sea, it’s a very clever take on the.. genre(?)

[@NameerHaddad]

I've just received my copy of Alchemists yesterday and I bought it because of you 😁. Glad to see it on this list because it's one of the best, (if not the best), deduction games!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Awesome! Hope you have as much as we do with it!!

[@FredrikRibbing]

Love your thoughtful show and this was a really fun list to make. Saw someone else as well get stuck on the three last ones to pick. In the end I stuck to variety before favorites. So my picks would be: Scruples, System Gateway, Brass Birmingham, Decrypto, Alchemists, Tash Kalar, Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space, Pax Pamir, The resistance: Avalon, Untold: Adventures Await.

[@jenniferalmeida5627]

It's indeed a tough challenge... my top favorite games: 1) Coimbra: love the fact that each game is different 2) Cassacadia 3) The Tavern of the Deep Valley 4) colors of paris 5) hike 6) viticultue 8) wingspan 9) gugong 10) great westen trail

[@jenniferalmeida5627]

i do love the newest game flamecraft, its very cute dragon valley and very simple to learn

[@galacticgardevoir9496]

It's so cool to see what other peoples list is, they're all so drastically different based on preferences. I dont have a full list. I'd have to look at my collection, but those that stick out in my mind are Parks, Wingspan, Root, After Us, and Casscadia

[@seniorfiance]

It made me happy to see Alchemists make the cut. I don't hear much about that game, but its a personal favorite of mine.

[@brandobombchu8827]

Top Ten In No Particular Order: Everdell, Dixit, Mansions of Madness, Paladins(WK), Cosmic Encounter, Atlantis Rising, For Sale, Planet X, Star Wars: Rebellion, and lastly Ankh (I painted/upgraded it all and has an AMAZING 2 player).

[@gudkarma1]

When you come to Japan if you visit Nara (and you should as its where it all began in Japan) please let me know. My wife and I would be happy to help if you need anything. We are just outside of Osaka. Enjoy your trip and time here.

[@Sem5626]

yeah i get it, i just got the complete bundle of kanban ev and its my first lacerda now i want to track down all of his games and i've only played EV twice

[@oisoyboy]

For Kyoto...soooooooooooooooooo many places, but nothing beats renting a bicycle in Arashiyama and biking all around the beautiful bamboo groves, river (where you can watch traditional cormorant fishing at night...fishermen swing around a big cauldron of fire to attract the fish, then catch them with cormorants attached to strings)....Tetsugaku no michi (the philosopher's path) connecting two wonderful temples, Nanzenji (my fav temple in Kyoto) and Ginkakuji (much better than it's famous cousin Kinkakuji, respectively, Silver and Gold Pavilion), Gion area if you love anything matcha/green tea and spotting maiko around sunset/dusk. Walking along the famous Kamogawa and seeing what a real river culture looks like (not like our sadly fenced off and concrete encased ones here in SoCal)

[@kennychan6645]

Hi, will you be able to type out the names of the games on your list I am quite interested to find out more about the few little card games you mentioned but I couldn’t quite catch the name.., Thanks!

[@boardgameasia9160]

Thanks for sharing! Thought Cabo would be part of your 10 games to keep!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Cabo is GREAT, maybe we could sneak it into the bag when no one’s lookin 😏

[@mkitten13]

I do envision having all expansions with the games with my list, but even as base games I would probably have chosen the same games if pushed. 7 out of the 10 are from my actual top 10 list 1) Terra Mystica (alltime favourite game, even after 50+ plays) 2) Marco Polo 2 (though Voyages of Marco Polo w/expansions came really close too) 3) Underwater Cities (edged out Terraforming Mars, though both are in my top 10) 4) Everdell 5) Ticket to Ride: Rails & Sails (mom and I always play Ticket to Ride when we visit each other, so one version had to be on my list, and the world map in this one is our shared favourite) 6) Woodcraft (especially for the solomode, which is just so smooth) 7) Star Realms 8) Valeria: Card Kingdoms 9) Newton 10) Boonlake

[@Tennethums1]

1. Lords of Waterdeep. 2. DUNE Imperium 3. Teotihuacan 4. Castles of Mad King Ludwig 5. Castles of Burgundy 6. Pulsar 2849 7. Terraforming Mars 8. Kemet 9. Space Base 10. Thunderstone Off the top of my head…

[@chiproush7480]

I hope it doesn't happen, but if we do get stuck on an island with only ten games, I would happily hang out with y'all. Solid choices. I hadn't heard of a couple, but several would be on my "only ten" list. Also love the Dexter shirts! Have a wonderful time in Japan

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Haha thank you so much Chip!

[@nicolasleborgne4394]

Thanks for the list (and nice t-shirts!) Never played castle of Burgondy or Kanban, but looks intriging. So tough to make a list, but here's mine : Coimbra, my favorite all-time Ark Nova Trickerion It's a wonderful world Wild space Cartographers Nidavellir Ganymede Bunny Kingdom Paladins of the west kingdom

[@PrintMonster-ns9dl]

Wow surprised me with Kanban instead of Lisboa. Great list and video! By the way, here's my list (from someone who haven't played a lot of games yet) 10 Hellboy * 9 Terminator * * The 2 first board games of my collection and have emotional value since me and my fiancee painted its minis 8 Star Wars Rebelion 7 Mage Knight 6 This War of Mine 5 Wingspan 4 Nemesis 3 War of the Ring 2 Terraforming Mars 1 Magic The Gathering

[@markmobley2198]

Some feedback on this video for future editing. You have no list of the games in the more info. I could not see the boxes to be able to read the names on the box. You said the names very fast because you are familiar with them. I could not duplicate the names of two, Yesai Septa and Trotten Cotton? Very frustrating. I don't know where to go to find what look like great games. Mark

[@carolineritchie9642]

Yokai Septet and Schotten Totten.

[@Endeva09]

If they put the list of games in the more info, nobody will watch the video.

[@markmobley2198]

@@carolineritchie9642 Thanks

[@beakerkell]

Happy to hear that you can come to Japan! I was going to try and make it out to Tokyo Game Market this year since I live in Japan, but we'll see. If I see you, I'll say hello! :)

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Hey Evan! Yeah if you do please stop us and say hello!!

[@deanofgames4661]

MY 10 I’d KEEP (all include expansions if there are any) 1.) Vindication 2.) Wingspan 3.) Everdell 4.) Marvel United 5.) Marvel Champions 6.) Dice Throne (w/ Adventures) 7.) Chuthlu: Death May Die 8.) Ark Nova 9.) The Ruins of Arnak 10.) Crokinole

[@alexderosa791]

The Game is a forever keep for us! I've played it in both Vietnam and Israel also so it keeps a special place for me!

[@alexderosa791]

The ten games my wife and I would keep! 1. Flamme Rouge 2. The Game 3. Jaipur 4. Junk Art 5. Qwinto (the game besides The Game that we bring everywhere) 6. Nokosu Dice 7. Through the Desert 8. Sixes 9. Concordia 10. Cyclades

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Great Picks!! Naveen really enjoyed Nokosu Dice too!

[@KGracie261]

I LOVE SCYTHE SOOOO MUCH

[@PlaybyDave]

Loved this video! There's a podcast series called 5 Games For Doomsday (I think that's the name) which is a similar format and there was an episode with Dan Cassar recently that you might enjoy!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Oh no way! Thanks for the recommendation!!!

[@nailee7428]

We are taking a trip to Japan too and about the same time. We will be there from the begining of may for 3 weeks.

[@paulhamrick3943]

Battle Line’s artwork is so much better :) Actually I’m in the minority in that opinion probably :( Also, while I think that this might be your “true” favorite games of all time lost (as opposed to so many top 10 lists which seem to suffer from recency bias), I suspect that I would want to have a game like Root (which I’ve never played) because the asymmetry would mean more replayability.

[@TeutonicSpeedracer]

Similar story with Kanban. Went from Catan, to Power Grid, to Kanban!---Wow!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Can you believe Naveen has still not played Power Grid. It would be right up his alley!

[@longtermerr]

You are coming to Japan? A trip/move? I'll have to watch more videos to find out. Have you spoken about where you are going?

[@lynnburke2266]

Yea! DEXTER 🐶 that's awesome u included him! I just bought a shirt 👕

[@ShaneGelven]

I’m the same with Castles of Burgundy, I find the new artwork too confusing because I am so familiar with the original artwork.

[@imme2763]

Would love to see you guys try a difficult adversary in spirit island! My group recently started upping the difficulty, and when we jumped from Brandenburg-Prussia level 3 (which we felt like was still very manageable) to level 6 (both with blight card) we stood 0 chance. We had absolutely no clue how it was supposed to be even remotely fair :D Definitely cool to learn we still have so much more room for improvement. Anyway, great list, will definitely try some of these!

[@monoludico6166]

Dune:Imperium too long? 😮 Whaaaaaaat! Root would be in my list, no matter what 😊

[@ferrum5]

Yeah, I didn't understand. Too long?

[@mrsamtheman80]

Great list! Glad to see Alchemists, it is so good! I was stunned to not see any Lacerda though, I thought you would put one on the keep list!

[@aaronmullens3858]

Love this idea! Giving it a shot. Going for a variety here, from easy party games to replay-able strategy games: -Clank (with all expansions) -Medici -No Thanks -7 Wonders -Citadels -Werewords -Caverna -Fantasy Realms (Deluxe) -Stockpile (Epic Edition) -Orleans (Trade & Intrigue) Honorable mentions: Castles of Burgundy, Libertalia (2012), Jamaica (with The Crew), Small World. Still really want to try Rococo (Deluxe), A Feast For Odin, Top Ten. Feel like they all have potential to make a list like this.

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Great choices, we are just picking up No Thanks this weekend!

[@marcosseven8872]

If I have to keep ten: Dune Imperium + Rise of Ix Ierusalem Viticulture Wingspan Biblios Rococo Terraforming Mars Splendor + expansions Brass: Birmingham Lords of waterdeep

[@scatter_brain]

Super interesting your guys' angle on not including Root! I love asymmetry games and for me I feel like there's more game in the box because of it. Suffice enough to say: Root would be on my island haha! Love the video and list!

[@BeforeYouPlay]

Yeah we both really like it, Monique more than me (Naveen). It just comes down to all players being fully knowledgeable about the ins and outs of each faction in play.

[@buddywahlquist2467]

​@@BeforeYouPlay yeah, you know what you need to do to make Root a better game? Get rid of almost all your other games so that you play it more and know all the factions better...

[@ronsilva7394]

Thanks guys !

[@PeteQuad]

I have someone in my play group who doesn't like Lisboa because of his experience with the difficulty on his first play. It breaks my heart because I love that game but yes I have to admit it is not super straightforward.

[@emptyay]

My "Top 10" would just be me trying to keep as many giant boxes and plastic minis as I could! 1. Kingdom Death: Monster 2. Bardsung 3. Cthulhu: Death May Die 4. Scythe 5. Kingdom Builder 6. Gloomhaven 7. Return to Dark Tower 8. Deep Rock Galactic 9. Monster Hunter: World 10. Blue Moon City (my favorite!)

[@Kolby.with.a.K]

Barely into this hobby, but Catan would be the nostalgic choice for me for sure! After playing it soo much the past 2.5 years and getting the expansions, etc, we went ahead and got game number 2..Scythe! In Catan, the mix of simplicity, strategy, and dice rolls make for a good contender in my inexperienced deduction. 😅 Maybe I'll change my mind after having 50+ games!

[@phantomshark]

So jealous to see people that get to play board games live, I don't live near anyone that does.

[@TheDarktater]

I would have picked On Mars for the Lacerda - with the Alien Invasion expansion you have the co-op, competitive, and one vs many which gives you even more re-playability.