TDG: Cody's Top Ten David Thompson Games (July 2023)

[@konradidzik2375]

David Thompson is a genious designer. What is so special about his games is that he is able to model certain things in an abstract manner but as a player you still get very realistic experience, as those abstract mechanisms actually get not only the essence of different phenomenas but somehow magically replicate the actual feeling. As if you were there. So basically you play a game full of abstract concepts but you get real emotions and solid immersion. This is so briliant!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed.

[@vincec5260]

Agreed! And very insightful...not sure everyone 'gets' that about his games :)

[@tylerhagel3624]

I literally drove ina Blizzard right before Christmas to get Undaunted Stalingrad.... And haven't been able to get a friend over to play it..... But did take North Africa on a course and played it every day.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fantastic!

[@MeanderingMikesManCave]

Thank you for this list ... there were some of David's games that I was not aware of yet!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Happy to help.

[@yvesgauthier1609]

I don’t know if there is a place higher than first place, but when you will complete the campaign, it will reach this summit. Stalingrad deserve that spot.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Great game!!!

[@dhmcarver]

Really interested in this list, which doubles as your ranking of the Undaunted games and the Valiant Defense games. I thought Lanzerath Ridge would have been above Castle Itter-and I did not see that #1 coming, until I did the process of elimination. For once I have most of the games on a list of yours, largely thanks to your recommendations in earlier videos, but I’ll need to look for Whichcraft, and see about War Chest. I’d be interested in more lists of best games by a particular designer, or a list where you rank your favorite designers. Thanks for bringing the games to us!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I did this one a few years ago. I'm sure it's changed by now. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH2YmZaEeryIjKc

[@vincec5260]

Great choices! :) Mine: 1. Pavlov's House (Best game ever!) 2. Undaunted Reinforcements (Agree - 4P is the BEST!) 3. Lanzerath Ridge (Setting a new standard in game presentation)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you! All great games!

[@masacuna]

just ordeered stalingrad today. Been on a real big war game kick lately. Playing lots of North Africa and loving it, so when Undaunted Stal was on sale today 50% off it was a no brainer. Can't wait.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

You’ll love it!

[@ericwiens9756]

Where did you find the sale?

[@antoyal]

Great games in this list! One that I recommend highly is one or all three of the _For_ _What_ _Remains_ volumes that DVG released two or three years ago. The setting is cool and well realized in the lore, sort of "mid-apocalyptic" I guess. There are six factions across the three volumes, with each faction having five or six unit types. The game has a really neat mechanic for modeling unit step-loss and experience. Overall, it's a lightweight but very satisfying skirmisher: the games are pretty quick but with a lot of variability. You can play it solo, but it really shines as a 2-player game.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks. I’ve seen this titles but not played them.

[@ChristiMilligan]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Definitely try those as I was surprised none of them showed up on your list.

[@batboy968]

Love your top 10 vids btw one tip can you add chapters in the video I love that YT feature

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks!

[@MaxwellSchmalzried]

I really love Reinforcements at 4 player, I hope they come up with more scenarios someday!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I do, too.

[@km123m8]

I like his solo games, but I haven't tried Undaunted. Do you like it solo, and if so, which boxes do you recommend picking up?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

You can only play the game solo through the Reinforcements pack, which requires a copy of either Normandy or North Africa. I was not a huge fan of the solo experience. It really is a two or four player game.

[@km123m8]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Thanks for the quick reply. Since I don’t have any war gaming friends, I’ll just sit this one out. Still really like his Valiant Defense series and will keep up with those.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@km123m8 time to make some new friends.

[@varovaro1967]

can you live off designing games?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Nope.

[@davidthompson7233]

Not really...not unless you hit on a massive blockbuster like Wingspan or Ticket to Ride.

[@vincec5260]

If you live in a First World country and have a family, unlikely. Single and living somewhere like Thailand or PI, very doable :)

[@meenki347]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I made up a joke for you inspired by the joke you told today. Patient: "Are you a practicing doctor?" (or attorney) Doctor: "Yes. Patient: "I'll return after you finish practicing and you know what you're doing.