The Best and Worst Board Games of 2023! 🎊

[@BoardGameDave]

*Make sure you check out Level Up Retreat in Woodbridge, NJ from February 2-4, 2024! You can sign up using the link below-and don't forget to use the promo code BOARDGAMEDAVE2024 to get $10 off your standard badge!* 🎫 levelupevents.us/

[@yardene3426]

Love this format for an end of year review. I like how it hits on more than just your "Top 10" games released for the year. Also, I appreciate you adding games that were a miss or a disappointment.

[@BoardGameDave]

Thank you for your comment! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! ☺️ Speaking of 2023 disappointments, did you have any games that were "misses" this past year?

[@yardene3426]

Yeah, of course! How was the convention you went to in Ohio? I'm from Cleveland. My Island was the biggest disappointment. Earth and Expeditions were also a miss for me. @@BoardGameDave

[@BoardGameDave]

Origins was really great! It had a very familiar vibe to PAX Unplugged which is my local convention! Not quite as big but still a lot of expo booths, a big area for free play, a game library... really good stuff! ☺️ And I'm sorry those three games didn't click for you! I really enjoyed Earth and Expeditions a lot and although I haven't played My Island, I had fun playing My City solo on BGA! What were some of your favorite games you played last year?

[@yardene3426]

@@BoardGameDave Nice! I would like to go at least once. Cleveland has a really nice BG scene with some local events. I played Earth on BGA so I'd like to play a physical copy but it just seemed a bit overhyped. Expeditions I liked but not as a follow-up to Scythe. The lack of player interaction made it a bit boring for me. Wayfarer's of the South Tigris, Castles of Burgundy, Heat, Deliverance, and Trailblazer The John Muir Trail were all on the top of my list this year.

[@BoardGameDave]

Yeah, it's definitely a fun convention for sure! ☺️ And that's fair about Earth... I had thought it was pretty overhyped before I played it but I personally thought the hype was well-earned... although we'll see about the longevity of the hype! As for Expeditions I feel the same way-it can't compare to the full Scythe experience! You've got a great list of favorite games from 2023 there! I really enjoy Wayfarers and Castles of Burgundy as well! ☺️

[@TotallyBoard]

Really cool categories and breakdowns, Dave! I’m so curious about Blood on the Clocktower but I’ve heard it implements a lot more RPG elements than other social deduction games so I can see why that turns some people off. Awesome to see AFFO still on top! It’s already on the verge of being dethroned by Ark Nova for me, but only time will tell. Great video!

[@BoardGameDave]

Thank you for your comment and for checking out the recap! And I think you're right-Blood on the Clocktower definitely feels more like role-playing than playing a board game to me... maybe that's why I didn't like it very much? 😅 And yes-A Feast for Odin is still my all-time favorite game for many years in a row now! Love that game! ⚔️ (Don't let Ark Nova dethrone AFFO! It's too good!)

[@stowcreek1999]

I understand your favorite game is still feast for Odin. And of course I notice it is not in your top two solo games so I presume it is not effective that way? Thanks for a great video!

[@BoardGameDave]

Hey there! I actually didn't play A Feast for Odin solo in 2023 (well, I did on BGA) so I didn't consider it in my favorite solo games of 2023 this year... although I think it's probably still my favorite solo game! (Even though it's a beat-your-own-score puzzle more than playing against an AI opponent which is my usual preference for solo gaming!) I filmed a playthrough if you'd at least like to get an idea of how the solo mode works... if you're interested! ⚔️ kzbin.infogj1KzY0ILcI?si=Td00XeDgkBkdzPUV

[@lemilfy]

I really need to try glass road based off your glowing review! I also cannot play social deduction games… Random accusations, roles that go over my head, deducing whos who… just aint my thang. Check out halls of hegra, its a ww2 themed worker placement/bag builder solo euro i cant get out of my head. Very adult experience hah

[@BoardGameDave]

You absolutely do need to try Glass Road! It's brilliant! 🤩 And that's exactly how I feel about those social deduction games... just aint my thang, either! 😅 I'll check out Halls of Hegra on BGG right now! I've definitely heard of it although realistic war games aren't usually my thing. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@shelbygerba]

Great format! Really enjoyed the stats as well as the top lists

[@BoardGameDave]

Thank you, Shelby! ☺️ I enjoy the stats so much as well-I really don’t know what I’d do without BG Stats! 🤓

[@koklead7904]

When I think of the title Point City, I'm imagining 100's of points.. but all our games are between 40-50+ points... not really a salad 😊😊

[@BoardGameDave]

Haha, wouldn't it be nice if you were scoring like 350+ points per game? 🤣 I've only played the game twice but it looks like the average score was 38.4... not terribly high! (Now in Point Salad I've seen a score as high as 133!) 🥗

[@jamesmorgan1967]

明けましておめでとうございます！Really fun video. Looks like I played games 270 times (67 unique games). Next Station: London tops the list (I went through a period where I was playing a game before bed on BGA). Shifting Stones came in at #3 and I attribute that to your influence! 😂 Games published in 2023 that were standouts for me: Fliptown, Expeditions, Terraforming Mars: The DIce Game, The White Castle, Earth, Ancient Realm Games that I enjoyed that were new to me in 2023: Tiletum, Project L, Isle of Cats, The Magnificent Solo: Speaking of Ancient Realm (Button Shy), have you tried it? It's a thinky little game. I also have the expansion cards but haven't used them yet. At some point in the future, I will pick up Legacy of Yu. Games I backed and received that have yet to hit the table: Septima, Moonrakers, Nightmare Cathedral. When Unconscious Mind shows up, I'll add it to the pile! (The good news is that I've dropped way down on buying new games and backing projects so that I can get in multiple plays of the games I have.) I predict for you that 2024 will be the year of more social deduction and area control gaming! 😂(Off to check out Bruxelles 1893 but I will not buy it!)

[@BoardGameDave]

明けましておめでとうございます！２０２４年は良い年になりますように！🎉 Those aren't bad stats for 2024! Are you including your plays on BGA? Just curious because I don't... and I'm not sure how I'd find my stats for this past year! 💻 Shifting Stones is so good, right? I'm glad you've enjoyed it so much! I've only played Expeditions, Earth, Project L, Moonrakers, Legacy of Yu, and Unconscious Mind from all of the games you mentioned, although I'd be curious to play all of them! Especially The White Castle-I had been hoping to play that one at PAX but it just didn't happen, unfortunately! ⛩ I think it's a smart move to slow down on buying new games to enjoy the ones that you have! That's an informal resolution for myself this year... as it was last year! 😅 This could be the year that I become a full-bore amerithrash and social deduction gamer! You never know, right? 🤣 (You'll be tempted once you start checking out that game, I can almost guarantee it!)

[@EngMadison]

Glad to see Bruxelles 1893 getting some love. It's one of my favorites! I wasn't aware there was a reprint, looks good.

[@BoardGameDave]

Thank you for the comment! As someone who's pretty particular about the artwork in my games I really prefer the reprint to the original... although they surprisingly kept the art style very similar! Can't wait to get a group together to play it! ☺️

[@zmollon]

A new gsme every 4 days is nuts. Since board gsme nights hsve slowed down ive been playing more BGA.

[@BoardGameDave]

It is kind of nuts, right? 🤣 I always knew I spent a lot of time learning new games but that really put it into perspective! What have you been playing on BGA these days? 💻

[@zmollon]

​@@BoardGameDaveI got tired of heat pedal to the metal, so I'm playing 10 simultaneous turn based games of challengers, a couple games of decrypto, that new game with bags of chips, and captain flip.

[@BoardGameDave]

@@zmollon Yeah, I thought Heat was okay but I wasn't overly enthusiastic about the game! 🏎 And besides playing Decrypto one time in person, I haven't played any of those other games you mentioned! I'll have to check them out sometime!

[@adamjc9167]

Hey Dave, love your videos. I will be attending the LevelUp retreat, hope to meet you there.

[@BoardGameDave]

Thank you so much for the comment, Alex! I hope I get to meet you there too-holler if you see me! ☺️

[@meeplechat5046]

Dave, I think I must be stupid too as I played Blood on the Clocktower at SHUX and I didn’t get it either. 😂

[@BoardGameDave]

Haha, then I don't think it's that we're not intelligent enough to get it! 🤣 But it is kind of confusing, right? So many roles, so much deduction... that one's gonna be a no from me!

[@queerissimo]

from your surprises of this year bit, it looks like you might actually enjoy area majority/control type of games more than you think! there is something about that that gets some adrenaline going that a lot of the euros don't (i'm definitely a euro gamer myself but starting to explore more area control that doesn't have the generic medeival fantasy theme on it)

[@BoardGameDave]

Haha, it does seem like that might be the case! 😅 And I am finding that as I get deeper into the hobby I find myself appreciating the thematic side of games more than I used to! (When I was first getting into modern board games I was all about the mechanics almost exclusively!) Have you ever played Scythe? That's one I absolutely LOVE even though it's so different from the rest of my Top 20 or so games! ☺️ Maybe 2024 will be the year we both become huge amerithrash gamers!

[@queerissimo]

@@BoardGameDave ohhhh scythe! We have a friend that owns it, but I'm still very scared to try it. watched a rule video once and it went right over my head--seems like a lot of components but i really really want to try it this year! speaking of ameritrash, I've been eyeing Ankh: god of egypt since ive heard it being referred to as a eurogame at its core and seems to have these tracks and cards. plus it'd be fun to paint those minis with my husband (We're not minis people at all but i'm willing to make one exception in my collection!)

[@BoardGameDave]

@@queerissimo Oh my goodness, Scythe is absolutely brilliant! You must give it a try when you get a chance! It is an overwhelming teach at first but it all starts to click together with time! ☺ And I've never played Ankh but I've played similar games by the same designer and I do enjoy them! (Blood Rage and Rising Sun specifically!) And it'll be an even better experience with painted minis, I'm sure! 🎨

[@craigandrews7544]

Will we be blessed with a Bruxelles solo gameplay?

[@BoardGameDave]

I would certainly consider it but it has such a huge table presence that I think the challenge would be getting everything in frame! 🤣 I'll see if I can make that happen, though! Thank you for the suggestion!

[@MrScrawnjuan]

Whoa. I just played Kluster over Christmas. My non-boardgaming-aunt randomly owned it. Pretty fun. My favourite of 2023 would probably be Marvel Zombies or The Witcher: Old World

[@BoardGameDave]

That's so funny that your aunt had it! It's interesting because I've honestly seen Kluster more in Facebook ads than I have in discussions within board game groups! It's certainly not a hobby gamer's game by any means but it is really fun and very approachable for anybody... even our non-boardgaming-aunts! ☺️ I haven't played either of your 2023 faves but The Witcher board game looks really good!

[@MrJmarzetti]

Dave, Bruxelles 1893 is one of my favorite games of all time. So glad to hear you are enjoying it solo. I own the original, which doesn't seem too different from the 2nd ed. maybe minus the solo and a mini expansion. I just wanted to recommend to you the card game version, Bruxelles 1897. It's such a great implementation of the og. Super portable and still gives the big game feel, but plays just a bit more streamlined. I love to take this one when traveling. It doesn't get any buzz, so you can still pick it up for a great price too. Check out the Rahdo review.

[@BoardGameDave]

Hey there, Jeffrey! Glad to meet another Bruxelles 1893 enthusiast! It does seem like the reprint is very similar to the original-and it actually doesn't have a solo mode, I've just been using a fan-made one that I found on BGG! 😅 Thank you for the recommendation for 1897! I'll look into it more and add it to my want-to-play list on BGG!

[@MrJmarzetti]

@@BoardGameDave Didn't realize the solo you are playing was fan made, I'll have to get on BGG and look for....once they are up and running again. Thanks for the info!

[@BoardGameDave]

@@MrJmarzetti Yeah, it's just a fan-made variant but it's not bad! Not as interactive as perhaps I'd like but it's more challenging than I had initially thought! I'd send you a link but like you said, BGG is currently down... which is disrupting my weekend more than I would have thought! 🤣

[@MrJmarzetti]

@@BoardGameDave Thanks again!!

[@BoardGameDave]

@@MrJmarzetti No problem! And BGG is live again! 🙌🏻 Here's a link to that solo variant: boardgamegeek.com/thread/2811276/solo-automa-elisabeth

[@lotterwinner6474]

Wow great format. Great video.

[@BoardGameDave]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked it! ☺️

[@Cleansweep38]

I just got a smart small card game called Pacific Ocean (a Kickstarter) It is a 1-3 player game You are choosing one of two cards, to use them for their icons or their scoring conditions. Plays in about 15 minutes and plays similar to Tussie Mussie.

[@BoardGameDave]

Ooo, that sounds interesting! I'll have to check it out on BGG right now! Sounds like it would be right up my alley-I've been surprised with how much I've enjoyed Sea Salt & Paper which is also a smart small card game! 🦀

[@BoardGameDave]

I just realized that Pacific Ocean is available as a free PNP on BGG! That's awesome! 🐋

[@jamesmorgan1967]

@@BoardGameDave I backed Pacific Ocean as well and have been playing it solo. The artwork is really beautiful.

[@BoardGameDave]

@@jamesmorgan1967 It does look so lovely! And I love that there's a solo mode-I'll have to consider at least printing out the PNP mode if not buying the game outright! Thanks, James! ☺

[@Cleansweep38]

Dim sum : liked the components and game play, but the price point and shipping costs, made it a no for me. (Especially since I might get only one play out of it)

[@BoardGameDave]

Yeah, it looks like it's available for $68 (presumably plus shipping) for the deluxe version right now. Pretty pricey... but those components are SO nice! 😱 I'm not sure the gameplay makes it stand out too much, though! And that wouldn't be a very good investment for one play! 💸

[@landlboardgames]

Social deduction is my least favorite genre. But Murder in Hong Kong is so good. So much better than werewolf and BotC. There's actual information involved. In Werewolf you just accuse someone because you want to. Side note, Glass Road is on my want list! As are all heavy Uwe Games. Feast is my wife's favorite

[@BoardGameDave]

It is so good, isn't it? 🤣 I've played Werewolf too and I would definitely say I enjoyed Murder in Hong Kong way more than that or Blood on the Clocktower... it just feels like more of a *game*, you know? And if you're a big Rosenberg fan I feel like Glass Road is an absolute must! It's so different from his other games and it's quick and interactive and very clever! Hope you get a chance to play it sometime soon! (Your wife's got great taste!) ⚔️

[@NowayintheBackrooms]

Man i really want legacy of yu 😊 nice list! I dont get social deduction games either. Spyfall is one of my least favorite games ever. Never again!

[@BoardGameDave]

Legacy of Yu is fantastic! Is there anyone you know who would let you borrow their copy? That’s how I was able to play the game! 🌊 And I’m looking at Spyfall right now on BGG and I’m sure I wouldn’t like it either! Is there a way I can add it to a don’t-want-to-play list? 🤣

[@NowayintheBackrooms]

@BoardGameDave aw man i wish i knew more gamers like me who had a good sized collection or that my local bg cafe had it to play. Ill just have to find a way to get a copy for myself!

[@BoardGameDave]

I'm sorry you don't have friends with big collections like I do! I wouldn't get to play 75% of the games I do every year if I didn't regularly game with my friends Gary and Connor! Legacy of Yu would be a really great game to borrow from a game library if that's at all an option since you can play through the whole campaign in a relatively short amount of time! 🌊 (Or just get a copy for yourself like you said!)

[@user-iz5wc6rc2w]

He's too happy man

[@BoardGameDave]

🤣🤣🤣