Paula's Top 10 Board Games of 2023!

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What are YOUR favorite games from 2023? Let me know!
All images are from publisher websites.
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[@ericrawlins8444]

I thought you were going to say "I played 258 games this year, and 79 of them were Final Girl" lol

[@PaulaDeming]

hahahahaha TRUE THO

[@gee3161]

Great list Paula! I'm playing through My Island with the family at the moment, its great! For solo, my favourite was Dorfromantik!

[@browe]

Where some feel that Expeditions doesn't evoke much theme, I find it comes through delightfully. I appreciate how theme emerges from the card combinations, tile/location discovery, subtle interactions between worker types, abilities, and location benefits. Great pick!

[@AhJong0]

Love the list, really appreciate how you specify the app/BGA usage of certain games 😊

[@jamescartwright1150]

Excellent stuff Paula, nice to see some different 2023 games and not just the same ones in other top tens.

[@Socksrule3032]

I had the same thoughts about Forest Shuffle that you did. Also loved Scram!

[@JEV03]

Loved Expeditions, probably my top 2023 game. Even though I already love Scythe so much, Expeditions really hits a good spot for me with that sense of exploration. Not surprised to see My Island at the top of the list. My wife and I played it because we enjoyed My City so much and though we did struggle with the rules quite a bit (made some errors and couldn’t find clarification on border cases, some of which may not have come up if we’d played correctly) I love the way it ramps up throughout the legacy. Some real “ooooh I can’t wait to use that” moments!!

[@gurnblanston2848]

Earth is the only game from your list that I've had a chance to try, but there are several more that I want to play. Forest Shuffle, Scram, and That's Not a Hat are all pretty sure things for me and my group at some point this year I think.

[@somefishhere]

Love the sponsor spot!!! And your set design is perfect too!

[@christinacampbellbooks]

I definitely want to play Forest Shuffle and Earth. And, you've sold me on My Island. It sounds great ☺

[@ea_gaming]

Earth is my #1 from 2023, but I haven’t started my copy of My Island yet, and my copy of Zoo Vadis hasn’t arrived yet. My City is my #5 game of all time, so I’m sure my island will rank well once I play it! Gonna have to check out Knarr, Viking themes hit me well

[@pennyhardaway1985]

Thanks Paula, for mentioning Draft & Write Records ( twice :D ) ! You rock 🙌

[@PaulaDeming]

it's such a good game, thank you for it!

[@notme222]

I look forward to it being on Paula's list for the best new games of 2024! :)

[@jjrathkamp9021]

I’m definitely trying to get into some new things around board games. Signed up for your free trial and excited to see what it offers! Thanks for this, and for all your amazing content. Hope to join this world soon!😮 Also, I watched your play through of Expeditions, which was great and informative, and have only played it solo a few times. It cracked my top 10…of all time! I agree that it’s a table hog, had to play on my kitchen table sitting at the head of it, and had to stand up to reach the north tiles 🤣 finally, I’m not sure I play it with more than one or 2…seems it would get too crowded. Love Forest Shuffle, can’t wait to get Knarr in the mail!

[@robertmeyers1846]

Loved you on game the game! Can't what to check out your channel!

[@scyldscefing3913]

Wonderful list. Thank you.

[@douglasgooding3854]

Great video. Definitely put a couple of new games on my radar. Can't wait to see you at Level Up. Hopefully we get to play something together!

[@KNic0lson]

Thank you ❤🎉😊 so many good fresh recommendations

[@freeheeler00]

Very few games from last year got me too excited. Thunder Road Vendetta and Star Wars: The Deck Building Game were the only purchases I made, which is good because I'm trying to run a tight household budget here lol

[@JohnClem56]

Enjoyed the personality and panache with which you presented your list! You actually made me want to look into Express Route and Scram which were not on my radar at all. But the one I really want to try is Mother of Frankenstein if I can find Volume 1 available somewhere (at a reasonable price)! Thanks for the video!

[@PaulaDeming]

I think it might actually be on sale right now at the Arcane Wonders website. Or at least it was a couple days ago!

[@JohnClem56]

@@PaulaDeming Thanks! I'll check it out.

[@kungpow108]

Knarr is so easy to pick up and play! I've played it almost 50 times on BGA and still enjoy it.

[@thamesandkosmosgamesuk]

We are so thrilled to have made the nr 1 spot. Thank you!

[@josephpilkus1127]

Paula, it was a pleasure both meeting you and playing Draft and Write Records with Christina (Pink Peg) and our friend, Derek at PAX Unplugged

[@PaulaDeming]

hey! ditto!

[@DaFees]

What a fun video and a solid list of games. The only games I had the luxury of playing from your list is Earth and Sagrada Artisans. IWith Earth, tried it twice and both times I felt it was fine. I don’t know why but something about it just didn’t click with me. Perhaps I just need to play it more. As for Sagrada Artisans, I actually got to playtest it and it was an incredible experience. It’s no surprise that you’ve been enjoying it! On a different note though, I will say, for me, Darwin’s Journey was my #1 game of 2023. If you haven’t had the chance to try it yet, you absolutely should. I’d happily teach you if I could.

[@benitodee3274]

Another awesome video! Thanks for making me aware of more awesome games!

[@PaulaDeming]

glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheOpGames]

Wow! We're honored to see Express Route on this list!

[@edwardllewellyn6204]

You’re so entertaining! You’re up there with Rodney Smith on his how to play videos.

[@wizeguy4]

I hope you get to see this - did you find the bonus card in D&W Records? Which expansion did you pick? I got Chart Toppers but i wish i just got both. I did spring for the extra sheets tho.

[@BeerCityBoardGames]

I picked up Mother of Frankenstein at Origins and it’s still sitting on my shelf! Sounds like it’s time to open it up!

[@PaulaDeming]

DO IT!!!

[@assifmirza130]

You are really really good at this. Engaging, enthusiastic, informative and fun. Subscribed.

[@timborocksloud]

Man, I had heard some good things about Mother of Frankenstein and I just stumbled across it at Barnes and Noble and I picked it up...REALLY loved it, and immediately went out and purchased vol 2 and 3...Not generally a fan of the other escape room, puzzle like games, but this one is a smash. I agree the hints were PERFECT.

[@PaulaDeming]

I just finished up Volume 2 and I can't wait to start in on 3!

[@archeryguy1701]

I appreciate your points about Expeditions! I bought it, but haven't played it yet. I like Scythe a lot, but I am TERRIBLE at it. Like.... not even being competitive levels of bad. The only real upside to Covid was that it forced my group to drop our Scythe campaign, which I was really relieved for because my patience for getting annihilated every week for 2 months was starting to wear thin, haha. If Expeditions kinda gives you that Scythe experience while being more playable for people who struggle with Scythe, I'm very excited to give it a try.

[@PaulaDeming]

I'd love to hear if you end up liking it! Please update me once you give it a try!

[@lisahasegawa2674]

Funny - during my first play of My Island I also raised my fist and shouted, “Knizia!” But I think it was actually, “Knizia! You evil genius!”

[@ramonarjona4928]

Deliverypunk, yet another genre introduced by Stephenson's _Snowcrash_.

[@cwb95k]

Nice list!

[@Carsten_de_1981]

Your facial expressions always make me smile. Especially your wink and smile. Thank you very much for just being you. :)

[@PaulaDeming]

hey, that's really nice. Thank you!

[@HelloMyNameIsRED]

My favorite game of 2023 is "Tales from the red dragon inn". I know its pretty much a child friendly version of Gloomhaven but it is so much fun and the characters has so much personality.

[@edwardllewellyn6204]

I found Gloomhaven too hard to play solo. I did enjoy the digital version with Gamemaster mode

[@Sulucion6Tone]

Interesting list - from me owning 1100+ boardgames i have only played Earth and know nothing of every other game you mentioned.

[@darinherrick9224]

I want to skip sponsors but I can’t. I like the sound of your voice.

[@StarkMaximum]

Holy crap, is THAT what Matthew Jude looks like? That's a handsome man right there.

[@sassqueen24]

i forgot what games you said... guess i have to watch the video again... giving you more views... dang it paula youre a mastermind

[@nightcatarts]

Best best list list vid.

[@DavidSupina]

I look forward to the follow-up video: “Paula Attempts to Say the Word ‘Expeditions’ a Hundred Times as Fast as She Can”

[@DavidSupina]

Only the bravest of English speakers would attempt something so ambitious, so I salute you for this daunting undertaking.

[@firefly24601]

Paula WELL KNOWS the mysterious truth behind Frankenstein's monster is a time-traveling Cyberman. 💙💙 But I was not prepared for "KNIZIAAAAAAAA!!!!!! ...it's delicious." 😄

[@PaulaDeming]

oh I'm just waiting for one of the puzzle answers in Vol 3 of the game to be "the doctor"

[@darinherrick9224]

Now I’m gonna play the song “Expedition” by Dune.

[@NoPunIncluded]

Isn't Forest Shuffle great?

[@danacoleman4007]

Hi Paula!!

[@Getintogamesuk]

How strange as soon as you got to the end of the list I forgot everything… I have no idea how that happened… but I’m sure if I could remember I’d say it was a great list with some awesome games…. But they are old… and now I’ve forgotten them …. 😝

[@diamondmeeple]

Good choice for number 1!

[@ChristinaPlans]

Love it! But… bzzt! Repetition! lol. I love you and the Murphs on the podcast.

[@PaulaDeming]

hehehe

[@darinherrick9224]

I didn’t think your list would have anything to do with me. I was wrong. I’m gonna watch this video multiple times because your take on games is REALLY interesting and where your taste overlaps with mine is compelling. I think you like puzzles and I don’t, and whimsy and I don’t, but we both like innovative engine building with a twist and beautiful artwork. I had a change to get that delivery game for free and passed on it because it looked boring and anxiety inducing p, but maybe I was wrong? I suffer panic attacks so I gotta be careful.

[@PaulaDeming]

hey, thank you so much for this comment. I love hearing where our tastes overlap and also where they diverge. If you try any thing I had on this list that you originally didn't think you'd like, I'd love to know what you end up thinking of them.

[@cutthr0atjake]

I agree with Expeditions, but I'd also include: Frosthaven Frostpunk Nightmare Cathedral Senjutsu Voidfall Ticket to Ride Legacy

[@RichardLearnsGames]

I was just listening, and you had me at "Express Root", until I saw that it wasn't spelled the same.

[@foyoGames]

Scram sounds good Expedition

[@alisham5164]

Do any of these play well solo?

[@PaulaDeming]

Expeditions is great solo! I mention here that I've only played it Solo actually. Earth and Mother of Frankenstein are also games on the list I've played solo and think are great!

[@seanbumstead1250]

Paula I know the game I am going to suggest is older but you need to try battlestar Galactica board game since you are watching the tv series

[@PaulaDeming]

I own it ;)

[@obsidiansiriusblackheart]

My Island sounds like Cascadia

[@michaelfrisoli2352]

Rebel Princess sounded perfect for my daughter but can’t find it anywhere😢

[@PaulaDeming]

It's really tough to find because it's a game from a publisher in Spain. I had to get mine through a British friend actually - probably should have mentioned that when I brought it up. Hopefully it will be more widely available this coming year!

[@jrlonergan6773]

You are on FIRE today

[@philomorph7]

"That's not a Hat" sounds like a slightly changed version of Cockroach Poker, so if you like one, maybe you'll like the other.

[@robertcrist6059]

Your giddiness and the ability to laugh at your own jokes/silliness was fun to see.

[@robertcrist6059]

And for funs... I've been collecting all you content creators top 10's of 2023 to make a "top 10 of the 2023 top 10 lists" and your picks of Express Route, Draft & Write Records, and Scram! were not on any of the other 46 lists so take that positivly for picking something unique and highlighting different games.

[@CharlesHepburn2]

Cute, funny and super into board games…. Somebody is a lucky, lucky dude.

[@mrjombi]

Paula I know it won’t show up here but how avid are you on the Magic the Gathering cards, either then or now?

[@PaulaDeming]

I play MtG very casually but I enjoy it a lot!

[@onewholeegg]

That's not a Hat sounds a lot like Cockroach Poker and we all know that one is a banger. Will take a look at it!

[@neojaw2192]

Is that a paracord band in your head?

[@darinherrick9224]

Ah My Island. Another game I was offered for free and passed on because complexity looked way too high.

[@therron15]

Ticket to ride legacy is the best legacy game I've ever played.

[@PaulaDeming]

I can't wait to finally get to play my copy!

[@FrostForum]

Agree with My Island, but there were one or two rules confusions (accepted by the publishers) that made us play it "wrong" (where "wrong" means "not as intended" and meant that we were way more restricted for the majority of the game than we should have been. Such a shame really.

[@PaulaDeming]

ohhhh yeah there were a few things we said "we THINK it means this" and hoped for the best, that is true!

[@ChowKnives]

That's a lot of games

[@thing12games44]

Serious question: Is “That’s Not A Hat” a reimplementation of Cockroach Poker?

[@robertcrist6059]

Even the queen of all the Rebels married... a scoundral. Leia + Han baby.

[@fmoros]

You are so good at this. Supercute.

[@GaminUpWithTheJoneses]

Wow we didn’t even get to 200 different games. I’m curious how many total plays did you get in 2023? We got 709, but only 162 different games

[@PaulaDeming]

I play a LOT of games on Board Game Arena, so that really helps me try different titles I wouldn't normally have access to. Also I play a lot of games for work where I'm constantly needing to learn a new game and then move on to the next new game. So I don't get to play games over and over again very often. I logged 855 plays.

[@GaminUpWithTheJoneses]

@@PaulaDeming we need to use BGA more

[@KNic0lson]

#BoardGameArena #BGA should sponsor you too

[@CleafKnowsVLOGS_nl]

80% of these games are not available in Europe unfortunately.

[@erniesulovic4734]

3 x "serious" in 1st 16 seconds......seriously? LOL Re feeling satisfied, what happened with.....chocolate? I'm just having fun after such a seriously serious intro

[@prorom27]

И при чем тут Корни?

[@jacobjslee]

Wow, we do not like the same games at all! Not only does none of my top ten match your top ten, but the ones you do have that I've played are on my least favourite games of 2023 list. Funny. But I'm sure there are some games from the past we both like.

[@PaulaDeming]

Haha everyone has different tastes!

[@roto6500]

Not a single WW2 game😢

[@jasonc2784]

Is That's not a hat a retheme of cockroach poker?

[@mconnaghan]

Fact check: I do not have goals.

[@PaulaDeming]

thank you for the correction

[@mconnaghan]

I live to not serve or do much of anything, really

[@jeffyoung5923]

Good list. Didn’t particularly care for you noting Earth was mostly only played on BGA. Not everyone has accounts there and since you felt it may have too much going on in the physical copy possibly should not be on a list like this.

[@paulchabot9689]

A girl’s choice obviously, cute 😊

[@dcrbdh]

That's not a hat sounds an AWLFULl lot like Cockroach poker