TDG: Cody's Top Ten Star Wars Games (May 2023)

Join Cody as he looks at his top ten Star Wars games of all time.
Cody Carlson, PhD: / @codycarlsonph.d.5591
Facebook: / thediscriminatinggamer
Twitter: / codyk76
Galaxy of Games: galaxyof.games/
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[@misomiso8228]

Love Armada. Such an incredibly underrated game. As you say it's so deep.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed. Great game!

[@TheFatalT]

Great list! I’ve got most of these aside from Love Letter and Risk, and I love every last one of them. My own favorite is Imperial Assault, with Armada, Outer Rim, and Rebellion not far behind. I’ve also enjoyed Dark Side Rising and the FFG LCG as well. I was given a copy of Clone Wars Legion, but the idea of putting all those models together is not exciting. I unfortunately don’t get to play them as much as I’d like, but they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Can’t wait to play them with my 4 year old when he gets a bit older - then I can boast I’ve fought in the Clone Wars with Anakin 😊

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fantastic. Thanks.

[@richardkingston794]

Really enjoyed this video, just found your channel. Love Star Wars and must pick a few of these up.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you!

[@hatchimmmmm]

Love this top star trek list

[@BlackDiluvian]

You mean Star Track, surely…?!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ha!

[@ARVETDEG]

Sad that Star Wars Legion didn't make it when it's such a great game, plus the minis are fantastic and beautifully sculpted.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Yeah, I couldn't get into it after I'd spent so much time and money on X-Wing and Armada. I don't think I'll ever get into a collectible minis game again.

[@RobertoDeglInnocenti]

in my heart there's a sweet spot for "Freedom in the galaxy" from SPI. Ok, theoretically is not a star wars game, but we all know that it is! It is lost for me now, but i know that one day I will re-acquire it!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

That's one I've always wanted to try. Thanks.

[@joshuataylor7213]

Epic Duels!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Never played it.

[@SoyMonte]

Excellent video! Greetings from Argentina!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks!

[@traestorm]

Showing my age but we always had a ton of fun with the Star Wars CCG from Decipher. I thought it was a lot better than any of the CCGs we played at the time. I just picked up Rebellion on Cody's recommendation. Haven't got it to the table yet.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Oh, you’re in for a treat with Rebellion. Happy to help.

[@Juz_P]

As someone who played that CCG for years, and then got to actually work on it also, warms my heart to see this at the top of the comments (however briefly). 💜

[@traestorm]

@@Juz_P I still have all my cards! No idea how many I actually have. 🙂

[@traestorm]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Thanks! I'll keep that in mind. On your recommendation I also bought War Room. I'm still waiting for it to arrive but the 48" board came last Thursday. 🙂

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@traestorm War Room is fantastic. Hope you get it to the table soon.

[@salmanqaisar7377]

Thanks Cody, for all the work you've put in over the years! I'd love to try Rebellion, but I've got War of the Ring and I can't get it played often, that's the problem with 2p long games.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you very much, sir. I appreciate it. I hope you get a chance to play Rebellion at some point. It is a fantastic game!

[@aquarius5719]

There is a fan made variant for one player solo for Rebellion.

[@jeffa6841]

When I was a kid my family had a Star Wars game. In it players had three little plastic X-Wings on a stand. You'd send them to blow up the Death Star. As you went about doing this you could lose X-Wings, and you'd remove them from the stand when it happened. It's long gone, but I remember thinking it was a neat game. I can't remember what it was called though. Anyway, that was a fun list.

[@Juz_P]

Yes! Little fiddly guys making a Death Star trench run! my god, I had that also and have not thought about it in decades. If anyone can remember the title...

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Sounds like fun!

[@jasonr2727]

Good list, but Sw legion should definitely be on there imo. But I did see a comment where someone else mentioned that, and you replied that you just don’t want to get into a collectible miniatures game again. So understandable

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks!

[@jonathangillies6531]

Great list! I concur with most of it but would add in the delightful Star Wars Miniatures by WOTC that really got me into the hobby way back when, and also it to this day has way more Star Wars content then any other Star Wars game out there hands down (there are Yuuzhan Vong and ancient Sith and Old Republic as well as Legacy era far in the future characters). So that’s my number 1 followed by Outer Rim, Deckbuilding Game, X-Wing, Clone Wars Pandemic, Rebellion, Armada, Imperial Assault, Clone Wars Risk.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks. I haven't heard of that one.

[@harveydents]

Clone wars pandemic is soo much fun, so is their World of warcraft pandemic

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Great game!

[@RTL2L]

Great list! For me Imperial Assault is at #3, behind X-Wing and Rebellion.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

All great games. Thanks.

[@hw8991]

Thanks for the video Cody. But here's what you should do for the next video: have a top 10 most fun / interesting character / card abilities!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Not bad ideas. Maybe somewhere down the line.

[@lukerettie]

Star Wars X-wing is very fun though trying to catch up on the meta for the tournament scene is a bit daunting but a great system. Another one that is very simple and came across as another attempt to cash in on the franchise was the Han Solo card game, essentially the form of Sabbacc they played in Solo. Very simple and very quick to play a few rounds yet very entertaining as an evening starter or finisher

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Never got into the X-Wing tournament scene.

[@lukerettie]

Im just looking at my first one in July. A lot to look into. But I can play the game for fun with my kids too which is just as fun

[@fan-i-am]

U forgot to mention Epic Duels and Queens Gambit!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

No I didn’t. I haven’t played them.

[@martafdez6761]

I like that Risk Star Wars Wars, but I think this game is not a Risk, It must be named "Return of the Jedi the Board Game". My Star Wars Top 3: 1. Star Wars Rebellion. The most thematic. 2. Star Wars Imperial Assault. Three games in one box. 3. Star Wars X-Wing. Smart and Intense prepainted miniatures game.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Great games. Thanks.

[@ericengstrom2138]

Rebellion is absolutely fantastic. Imperial Assault had the best value per dollar when it came to FFG's Star Wars Miniature Games. Clone Wars is a big hit with my kids and my daughter recently asked to play Outer Rim so I have that to look forward to this summer.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

All great games. Did you ever hit X-Wing or Armada?

[@ericengstrom2138]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer Yes, I have played X-Wing with friends and collect Armada. I prefer Armada because I enjoy the full fleet approach.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@ericengstrom2138 I agree.

[@aquarius5719]

To me, Clone Wars is the definitive prequel game. So thematic, made with love.

[@ericengstrom2138]

@aquarius5719 Agreed. Though I also have Queen's Gambit and I love that game too (though that is just Episode 1)

[@Kili121416]

Rebellion looks great with painted miniatures ! 😀

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

My girlfriend is an artist. I tell her we'll get married when she paints my minis.

[@Kili121416]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer For that price, it is ALL your game mini’s !

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

@@Kili121416 Ha!!!

[@DrMcFly28]

I bought Imperial Assault to have a good dungeon crawler that I can play with my kids, fully intending to only do the full coop mode with an app. It was... fine. Than my son and I tried Skirmish just to check all the boxes and bloody hell is that a far superior way to play.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Yeah. Skirmish is the way to go with that game, for sure.

[@rbrentw]

Nice list, Queen's Gambit #1 for me.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Still haven't played that one. I would love to, however.

[@KabukiKid]

Good list! I'd have Outer Rim higher... probably #2. I'm in the camp who prefers it to Firefly. I love both, though! :-D But yeah... my #1 is the same as yours! :-)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Rebellion is fantastic. I'm glad we both agree.

[@jlimbac0]

I need a marvel champions style game in the star wars universe.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I still haven’t played Marvel Champions.

[@TheFatalT]

It should be more along the lines of Arkham Horror than Marvel I’d think. Supposedly FFG did come up with such a game, but the feedback FFG got made them change it into a competitive game and thus we got the LCG. Hopefully it will happen some day.

[@Johnprestonevans74]

Great list. I haven't played X-Wing or Armada but they sound fantastic. Quick question regarding Rebellion - which I own. My biggest concern is just what you mentioned about what happens if the Empire finds your secret base right off the top? It seems a bit random in that if the Imperial player chooses the right planet then the game can end very quickly. Is there mitigation for this? thanks for the video.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Have you played Rebellion yet? The Rebels have a card that allows them to move their secret base (at a cost). I've never seen the Empire find the base early enough in the game AND have the power to stamp it out completely before the Rebels can relocate. Hope this helps, and hope you get a chance to play X-Wing and Armada at some point.

[@aquarius5719]

If you find the rebel base you need to destroy it. Play with the expansion Rise of the empire as it gives both sides the abilities you see in the movies for combat. Expansion also adds shield generator so there is no need of playing Star Wars Risk because you can turn a leader to the dark side and also try to go after the bunker in Rebellion. Of course that specific set of events would be hard to match because you play organically, but you get the idea.

[@ajlynch123]

Love the list but you forgot the best Star Wars game made originally by FFG: Star Wars Legion. It’s hands down my favorite Star Wars game! Have you ever had a chance to play it?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Haven’t played it. Fun?

[@ajlynch123]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer It’s amazingly fun. It kinda killed X-Wing and Armada for me. Tho they are different kinds of games to be sure.

[@CarlToonist]

I noticed you snuck in a Lord of the Rings quote..."keep it safe, keep it secret."

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I do that sometimes.

[@CarlToonist]

I have a bad feeling about this... fly you fools!

[@meltingkrayons5830]

Just curious, where would Star Wars Destiny rank for you? Do you like it? Or have you played it?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven't played it.

[@Mattchew2232]

Tried the Outer Rim expansion? It makes it better in every way.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Agreed. I don't know that I'd play it again without the expansion. Thanks.

[@igelkott255]

I got really into Xwing and played it A LOT. It reminded me of Car Wars and Star Fleet Battles (with starline miniatures) that I had also played a lot (long ago) but was much more streamlined. But then they came out with too many turrets, ruining the maneuver aspect of the game, so I gradually started drifting away from it. Then 2.0 came out and it just wasn't worth spending lots of money upgrading it. So now it sadly sits on the shelf.....

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Play without the turrets.

[@igelkott255]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I did but everyone else was playing with turrets reducing the fun for me.

[@damienlmoore]

Star wars risk... I gave up on it when someone came onto BGG claiming to be nephew of one of the designers and provided some "intended" rules from his uncle that radically altered the game in a way that eliminated some perceived problems by creating several new ones. 😅

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Interesting.

[@douglaspearson4853]

These are some of my favorites I am just curious if you had played them? Since you liked SW Risk you will like Gambit. Star Wars: Queens Gambit, Star Wars: Star Warriors, Star Wars: Assault On Hoth, Star Wars: The Card Game

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I haven't played any of those. I'd like to play Queen's Gambit, but don't think I'll ever get a chance.

[@douglaspearson4853]

Yes I have on ebay I have seen it go for $400 and I think I paid $35. I would love to pay your number 1 Game. But it doesn't play soltaire so I will probably never play that.

[@douglaspearson4853]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I feel the same about Rebellion. Who knows if I go to a convention and I see you are going. I will bring it and let you know.

[@sper1585]

Awww no SW Destiny or the LCG (though it gets weird when a rancor eats a Mon Cal Crusier). I'll have to look into SW the Clone Wars as I enjoy pandemic.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks’

[@ishotmyboss]

I'm surprised Fury of Palpatine wasn't on the list.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Ha! I wish!

[@harveydents]

So is villainous a cooperaive game? I never played them an di saw this, and being a star wars junkie i feel like i have to pounce on it!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

No. It is competitive.

[@christophermcquillan-hicks6179]

Sorry, but Imperial Assault is still really great over many of these. It has so many expansions, an app, etc. Just a lot of content

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Content alone does not make a game great. Imperial Assault is fun, but there are other games that are far more playable, immersive, etc...

[@christopherwilson2606]

Have you considered doing a top list of your close gamer friend's top games? Forgive me if you've done this already and I've overlooked it.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Yeah. I’ve had friends on the channel so their top ten games, but it’s been a while. Thanks.

[@ishotmyboss]

Technically, all the Villainous games are Disney games.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

That's true.

[@abacusfountain]

Vote for x-wing

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fun game!

[@ishotmyboss]

I like how your jokes Spice up the videos.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

D’oh.

[@torcherglass]

I’m selling my Imperial Assault. Great mechanics, but Terrible balance against the Rebels. They must have play tested for an hour. The rules say Rebels can’t know much about a mission.in reality they tested and KNEW everything that was gonna happen, so busted. It actually makes me upset. If you buy IA and play rebels you will lose 9/10 games

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Are you referring to the campaign or Skirmish mode? I love skirmish, and the rebels win the campaign I played.

[@aquarius5719]

I do not like deck builder games. It is just not my alley. And I cane late to the party of miniatures so I do not have Armada or X Wing because it is a rabbit hole of endless buying stuff. So my favolite games are Pandemic Clone Wars and Rebellion. I collected 3.75" ships (one of each kind) so I know what an endless rabbit hole is and this is the size I prefer to keep. I know I better not start and anyway some expansions are not available anymore for Armada. I would feel frustrated if I am not able to get an expansion I want. And of course I do not want to run out of money. And these are not cheap.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Not an inexpensive hobby, for sure.

[@aquarius5719]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer I already entered the rabbit hole of Battletech. The worst is that I feel it is worth every penny I pay. I got fed of corporate drama before entering into the tabletop world. So I moved to Battletech. Later I bought Rebellion and Clone Wars...

[@GB-333]

First game : you finally find a game adapted to your IQ. Dont thank me , it's just that I'm a nice guy

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

If that game is a measure of my IQ, then your comment is a measure of your character. Be kind.

[@GB-333]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer your in love with your sense of humour. But you seems sensitive when it's about you. Lets joke

[@mrmeow2297]

Huh, I just bought the Clone Wars game!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

It's a lot of fun.

[@aquarius5719]

Clone Wars is number 2 for me. Rebellion number 1.

[@meenki347]

I first saw Star Wars in 1977. It was amazing of course, but after the snow movie, I lost interest. I'm not interested in any of these games. I'm only interested in Dr. Cody's opinion and jokes. This brother is a national board gaming treasure and deserves an award. If someone doesn't do it? I'll make the first $100,000 contribution.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thank you, sir. My lawyers will be in contact.

[@PablowingUrMind]

I used some of my micro machines for Star Wars Risk. Wish I had the version without Kylo Ren on the cover tho... like, why did they do that? Lol

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Yeah. Sequel trilogy stuff.... No thanks... No thanks.....

[@PablowingUrMind]

@@TheDiscriminatingGamer lol yah, overall the franchise needs to step away from emotional dudes with daddy issues IMO. I didnt like the prequel trilogy that much either (pod racing 15min scene was the diamond in the rough to me) but i am about to finish Clone Wars and it kind of filled in the blanks and now I appreciate that trilogy more.

[@aquarius5719]

Do you mean Kilo Wreck?