Top 10 Essential Games - The Broken Meeple

[@mbrochh82]

Audio and video looks superb. Looks somehow more intimate, as if we sit with you at the table. If you can show games like this in more detail, it's gonna be amazing, I think!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Noted! It certainly did feel good even if I thought the audio was a little loud. But easily tweaked in post production.

[@christofferthormannjensen3371]

My list would look something like this: Azul Bärenpark Isle of Skye Quacks of Quedlinburg Ticket To Ride: Europe Codenames Five Tribes Lords of Waterdeep Wingspan 7 Wonders

[@stibbsta6828]

"Hive Mind isn't getting a lot of buzz" - nice.. :)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Arrrgghh didn't even notice that!!

[@thewelcomemat7094]

Ticket to Ride is definitely #1 for sure. So many versions to choose from with various player counts and different mechanic twists. Varying levels of complexity for different tastes. Easily accessible. Affordable (New York and London you can get less than $20). Includes set collection, the one mechanic anyone who has played a card game will automatically understand (so easy “barrier to entry” level). It can be played cutthroat style, or more solitaire- so it fits different styles. It has press your luck with destination tickets. It has variability because every game you have a new puzzle to figure out. It has choice but not too many choices to overwhelm newbies. The trains/taxis/whatever remind people a little bit of Monopoly, which helps new players. Also the different symbols for each color also make it color blind friendly. Most of the color choices are bright and have lots of variety. As far as language barriers, you must have to be able to read the locations and you are set. yeah, I have no doubt Ticket to Ride is the ultimate essential and gateway board game!

[@thediceodyssey4690]

Great video Luke. Big change for me would be Deception: Murder in Hong Kong instead of Mysterium.That's just me though brother.

[@CaptainGamer347]

Great video, Luke!! Wonderful content and quality!! I really like the camera angle as well!

[@karlwebb4799]

This is a list I can recommend. The essentials are the "swiss army knife" list for any occasion. Function over personal preference. Your new set up looks good luke

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

That's the key point. Function over preference - a lot of these games aren't my favourite games in their respective genres, but I have to put myself in other's shoes.

[@theatremorgan]

Thank you for a great list that I’m surprised I’m just now watching. A special thanks for your comments about the BGG ranking system. As far as other essentials, I might add King of Tokyo and Dominion.

[@CaptainGamer347]

I definitely think Architects of the West Kingdom is a must buy game for most people. It scales well, has a clever design, looks great, and is easy to learn and teach. Wingspan is an essential game for engine building for sure. I still need to play Downforce.

[@JimmySquiky]

My top 10 essential games(in no particular order) : -Wingspan -Abyss -Empires of the north -Quacks -Barenpark -Space Base -Raiders of the north sea -Pandemic -Just One -Isle of skye

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

As much as I love Abyss, I couldn't put it as essential. Abyss really benefits from expansions. Empires is not a bad option though, I could see myself putting it on a Top 3 of that genre alongside Wingspan, but I wouldn't include both and I think Wingspan would appeal to more players.

[@bagookster]

Love the new format! Agreed on Mysterium... we use Timeline to introduce so many people to games. Also, lanterns, junk art, lords of water deep... just one is our go to party game.

[@brucebush5744]

Video set up looks really good, and that was a cool summary. Can’t argue with any of your choices. My essentials would include Quacks of Quedlinburg as well as one of the puzzle games along the lines of Azul/Sagrada/Tiny Towns.

[@brucebush5744]

Oh - and I’m with you on the bemusement at BGG rankings. I just look at the top 10 on that site and shudder.

[@charlesreed8244]

Down Force over CamelUp? Which is better for family?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Ooooh both work great, but Camel Up is more kid friendly I expect because of the silliness of it all.

[@stephanpalaczky2963]

Always good to see different angles. Great list as well

[@scottchladek1770]

Video and audio were great, as well as the games picked, very well thought out. You've peeked my interest in Hive Mind, I'll have to check it out. Thank you and keep up the good work, and stay sane

[@PSANCHEZ83]

Couldn’t agree more with this list and your argument for ttr being number one on bgg. I would also say an essential list requires a trick taking game. Maybe the crew?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

If I was to include that genre, I would use The Crew definitely.

[@Trueflights]

Audio and video were good. Nice setup you have. I've only even played one of the games on this entire list. Shows how different peoples tastes in games are.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Diversity is a good thing. And thanks! :-)

[@Darkthur]

Best production so far, but can't agree with so many of those games, though... haha, I guess that's part of the fun of the hobby, we all have a different taste! Keep the great work up! My two cents, I consider essential 6 Nimmt!, as it is portable, cheap, easy to teach and makes groups of 5+ people have such a great time together!

[@AjanM2501]

I think this set up works. I like to be able to see the entire game when you display it. The background looks great/clear. Audio is also good-maybe little closer-sounded a little like you were far away but still can hear well.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Shotgun mic is further than usual because obviously it can't be directly in front of my face, but that can be experimented with.

[@aleksandrasgembickis6261]

Big fan of the new setup! And might have actually convinced me to get Ticket To Ride

[@Inhator]

This is weird: I saw this video a couple of months ago, forgot about it, then bought some games. Now I'm about to use some money on more games and find it again, only to discover that I bought, without knowing, 2 of the games you suggested and have like 5 of the others on a wishlist. I must say: great list!

[@DumiduSurasinghe]

This shooting angle is great. You should definitely consider using this one more often. You shower Architects of the West Kingdom with a lot of praise. I must look into it, it's up on Tabletopia to try out.

[@Romey301]

After trying Architects of the West Kingdom It shot up to my top 10 . I keep going to that game but I’d recommend playing with 4 or 5 players. It’s a MUST

[@DumiduSurasinghe]

@@Romey301 What is the solo experience like?

[@shanebarnick8995]

@@DumiduSurasinghe My favorite game of all time, I love it at all player counts....including solo

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Works solo and 3-5 really well.

[@Romey301]

I agree solo works well but you can really feel the "revenge and genuine laughters" at 3-5 ... played it at 2 and it was eh.

[@pakrats]

Love to see Hive Mind getting some love!

[@seanmorgan2257]

Hi Luke, great set up for the video, and love the content. Keep it up

[@petergross7235]

Great Top 10! And the new visual is really good. No fish bowl arms is great!

[@matissmatiss3126]

Good list. What about bag building games ? - The Quacks of Quedlinburg I think I would consider as essential. Also what about roll & write games ? Welcome To... Would be essential game for me 100% Regarding worker placement, Architects are great, it is easy to learn, easy to play, and has this great appeal, but for a essential worker placement game I would pick Lords of Waterdeep. Also, Dixit would definately be on my list for as a party game. What about coop essential game? I would pick Pandemic (original, not legacy) And For Abstract game I would pick Azul or Hive Pocket. The rest would be I guess: Catan, 7 Wonders, Wingspan and Ticket To Ride Europe If I had to choose Essential games, I would pick: 1. The Quacks of Quedlinburg 2. Welcome To.. 3. Lords of Waterdeep 4. Dixit 5. Pandemic 6. Azul/Hive Pocket 7. Catan 8. 7 Wonders 9. Wingspan 10. Ticket To Ride Europe

[@ButOneThingIsNeedful]

I'm not expert, but I agree you could make a good case to consider Dixit, Pandemic, and Azul for inclusion.

[@npckse8508]

Ahh yeah, Lords of Waterdeep would likely be a slightly more open choice, but then it is a thin line between gateway games and essential games.

[@codym6376]

Good list. I’ve only played DownForce on BGA and it was meh. I wonder how much better it would be with people around the same table. We have Castles of Burgundy for our first meatier game but are planning to add Architects soon.

[@codym6376]

Also you have me interested in Hive Mind. I was already looking into the others except Mysterium because I don’t like the theme.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Downforce really wants the banter between players, you won't get that from online play.

[@garyfaust6769]

Great criterion for choices, well thought out picks, though I don't have any of them. These are definitely possible additions for me. Liked the new set up! Thank you!

[@woundsdrone]

Lovely setup! Video and audio look/sound good! Good stuff man

[@Drekster2001]

Great list! Can you please tell me where to get the Mario Kart minis?????

[@hoser40k86]

They're from the Monopoly Gamer edition, though I think they also sell the cars seperately.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yes Mario Kart Gamer and Ebay!

[@mkitten13]

I don't think we should discount Star Realms just for it being only 2 players, because I think for the vast majority of us, 2 players is probably the player count we have the most opportunity to play (apart from solo), and it's such a quick little game with so much depth to it. I do agree with you on Ticket to Ride being #1, it's absolutely a no-brainer for me, as there are just so many different maps that will cater to different people, that it's likely people will find one that appeals to them. Architects and Wingspan also great picks.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

With 2 players though, if a multiplayer game can work well with 2, you cover both bases rather than being restricted.

[@mkitten13]

​@@TheBrokenMeeple true enough, but I cannot think of a single multiplayer game that would replace Star Realms for me, and I think when weighing games against one another, while player count is a factor, it should not be the deciding factor.

[@garyhahn50]

Hi Luke. Nine list. Agree with most of them. Me & my wife love the new format. It's a big improvement. Cheers.

[@byrondavies-varnier6451]

Just bought Small Islands after seeing your review - would that replace Bärenpark on your list now as the tile layer?? Must get Hive Mind - looks like a great Christmas get together family game!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

No it wouldn't replace Barenpark as they are different in feel but it is possibly replacing Carcassonne.

[@MalavShah247]

hey, can you write a list of games ( the competitor ones)... because it's difficult to catch name of some games... ( like the competitors you said at 8:52 and after that also)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Caverna, Fields of Arle and Pillars of the Earth were mentioned at that point.

[@MalavShah247]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Ah... thanks a lot for the quick reply...

[@jortega1381]

What a great list Luke. And if it had been a top 20, I would have included Azul, Taluva, Las Vegas, Alhambra, Museum, Five Tribes, Sagrada, Everdell, Port Royal and Aquaretto (or Zooloretto). Thank you!

[@Buako111]

Hi, would Jamaica be suitable alternative to Downforce?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Yeah it could be actually, it has the card play and mad race, but you will have to accept its a bit more chaotic especially at higher player counts with the cannon fighting.

[@Buako111]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Perfect, thanks for the answer. I have Jamaica at local game store, and I can probably buy Downforce, however shipping would kill me, me being in Bosnia and all, so Jamaica would be more approachable to me.

[@benlauson555]

Good list of simple games with different mechanics list! Most people in my gaming group would pick Terraforming Mars over nearly all the games you mentioned haha! It is subjective after all, your essentials after different from mine and so on and so forth. Great new format ! That's subjective to though I guess!

[@arthurrubi1576]

I had no idea that Mysterium was falling out of vogue. Any insight as to why?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

It's reached that "it's cool to dislike it" phase, but I still love it. However Mysterium Park came out which is a small box version and it's a pretty good alternative.

[@nuuqbgg]

It's great cut. To be honest I'm happy you zoomed out a bit. Much easier to watch on 60''.

[@markkostrzewski4625]

At my house quest for el dorado and dominion are essentials. Still see a lot of play.

[@melski9205]

Which expansion bits do you use for Splendor? We've not enjoyed any of them but id give it ago again if i knew which one. Love base Splendor, so quick, so easy to learn, so relaxing.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Orient always. Trading Posts I like as well.

[@Sagartkothari]

Great list! I now need to check out Hive mind and Celestia!

[@jdober77]

Another great video. This is a great list. I'm seeing a couple games crossing over from other lists Mission Red Planet is one of them. I'll need to look into that a little more. You and others seem to be talking about that one. Ok, I'm going to share the games I started with about four years ago. I got these games to start my collection. Ticket to Ride (USA), Splendor, Dominion, Smallworld, Harbour and one my daughter liked when staying at a friend's house in North Carolina, Picwits. I didn't know a lot about games back then. I probably looked at TDT's list. I was going to say, "What about Smallworld?" But I think you chose Mission Red Planet over that one, correct?

[@RooRichy]

Mission red planet and Architects arn't recommended for 2 players?

[@ButOneThingIsNeedful]

Good video, good list -- and whatever format you yourself prefer I'm fine with. Most drawn to #'s 3, 8, & 9. #'s 6 & 7 also possibilities. My feelings on both Time's Up & Just One are the same as yours. I like how you said that Hive Mind "doesn't get any buzz" -- ha ha. Am I right that you consider Sushi-Go Party and Point Salad different genres? The latter looks fun to me, but haven't yet played it. Speaking of Splendor, it wasn't that I didn't like it; it was that I had hoped to love it. Dixit and Coffee Roaster attract, and may one day be on my table. Cheers and all the best!

[@emoasyou6418]

Love the new layout. Great list as always, my only gripe with deck building being my favourite mechanic no essential list cant have one for my taste.

[@abdullahalsaad3502]

Amazing list!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Glad you think so!

[@dangerousbeans2907]

Excellent picks Luke.

[@aduraes]

Hi Luke. Good list, and the video setup worked nicely. For reviews though you might need a bit more room below to show the games. Out of curiosity, for the selection, you didn't mention Smallworld (on area control) or Viticulture (as a worker placement option) for a similar reason as you did not pick 7 Wonders, as you prefer play those with expansions? Cheers!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Small World is fine but I've grown kind of bored of it plus new players struggle with a huge list of different abilities on a reference sheet. Viticulture is too involved and needs Tuscany to shine.

[@nickharrison6274]

Hi there, great list and I enjoyed the vid. The new set up is just fine, especially the jaunty camera angle which adds a bit of depth. For what its worth here is my top ten :-) 1. pandemic (Get with the Zeitgeist Luke) 2. 7 Wonders. 3. Ra (got to have a Reiner Knizia auction) 4. Downforce (or Flamme Rouge) 5. Energy Empire (for worker placement) 6. LOTR LCG (or your favourite in vogue solo game) 7. Galaxy Trucker (my kids love it) 8. Isle of Cats (for Tetris) it has a family mode. 9. Codnames. 10 Chess (because it shits on Gloomhaven)

[@dansioui9819]

Hey Luke, great list! I can see a lot of thought went into this. I would sub mysterium for Azul and then call the list done. I have gotten people of all ages to play Azul. No expansions. Perfect game!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Good choice!

[@dpurenergy]

like this list but wonder if you would of considered Everdell just wondering.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Everdell is fun, but I wouldn't call it essential. It's not a cheap game, is better with more expansions which also add to complexity and table space and can be a bit lengthy with more players. Still enjoy it, but I don't even own it myself.

[@mariosilvasantos]

Mysterium can crumble easily with a bad ghost. But, to each its own. Love the new format and if it’s easier to setup it’s a no brainer.

[@tangentric]

Most of the 10 or so times I've played, the ghost's cards have been too unrelated to communicate effectively, so I've seen it fall apart more often due to card draws than "bad" ghosts.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I've won more games than lost on Medium and succeeded on Hard - yes you can get bad draws, but then you got to think outside the box or rely on the process of elimination if others have already got good cards.

[@georginatoland]

I would pick Flock (AEG game by David J. Mortimer) over Wingspan.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

That game got universally panned, but I never played it!

[@nuuqbgg]

I finished the video and am so happy Concordia finally got love that it deserves.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

In the sense that its a far away from this list as possible? 😜

[@wbeytel]

Great list Luke, it has revealed some significant gaps in my board gaming experience. Namely Celestia and Hive Mind. Thanks and keep safe and healthy 👍 Edit: I fully agree with you on your Ticket to Ride pick, it has gotten more people into the board gaming hobby than any 3 or 4 of my other games combined.

[@wl5609]

Luke, do you like Architects over Paladins even??..♥️

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Oh definitely, Architects and Viscounts overshadow Paladins in every way.

[@RikkiParsons]

Great list Luke :)

[@northernlight8857]

A couple of protips. The lighting position is not optimal. It gives you shadows on your torso and you should consider adding a tinsy bit of color in your lighting that makes you less yellow. I am thinking a slight touch of pink. But that is more finer points. Your setup is good anyway.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

There's only one ring light and the shadows are mainly because I was wearing white. But it's easy to add a 2nd light to cancel any shadow. The ring light can go to warm light setting.

[@mattlewis5095]

Great clarity of picture and audio, but it looks like there's a lower frame rate than usual. Maybe it can be increased though, which would make your sometimes-animated motions a bit more fluid and relaxing to the eye (maybe your body is moving more here than in your past few vids). I think there is sometimes a resolution vs frame rate 'trade off on phone cameras that you might be able to get around.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Lower frame rate?? You sure? I changed the settings to Full HD 60FPS - if anything it has an increased rate as normally video does at 30fps.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

However, clearly after doing some research, it appears that I don't know very much about frames per second and I will therefore switch it back to 30fps........ :P

[@mattlewis5095]

​@@TheBrokenMeeple Hopefully better for the res :) It's great to see all the box details btw, everyone loves a boardgame background!

[@josephnegron4179]

Your right about Ticket to Ride it has to be essential. My essential heavy game is Teotihuacan. Five Tribes not an essential? Deception Murder in Hong Kong is a great one but I saw you didn't want deduction. Good Critters is my party game. Jamaica is my essential pirate game. Stockpile is another one for me. It's a Wonderful World for drafting. I also like your Downforce pick. Tough to go through 😜. The new format looks good. Show idea: Top 5 or ten heavy games?

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Five Tribes is fine but I don't see it played often, haven't brought it out in a while. Its hard for new players and drags long with more than two players.

[@drccddmm]

Never knew you have such an awesome game table!

[@Romey301]

Ahh a nice video to start my day. Thanks for the upload. I have to agree with MOST your top games especiallly wingspan and architects of the west kingdom. These games easily shot up to my top 20 of all time games. Need to try Hive mind.... Guess I need to put into my cart. I never got the Hype of Ticket to Ride. Til this day I’ve only played that game once and I’ now own over 200 games, ticket to ride, not one of them :/

[@MarioPBCSa]

Great video. Both angles work well. I personally like variety. Maybe one angle\camera for reviews other for top 10s or editorials. Variety is important to keep people interested.

[@EmpressG]

I agree with your #1 and Europe was my gateway game, but I don't think any of the others are essential. Your intro for #4 totally made me think you were going to be talking about Seasons! 😄

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Fair enough! But with some of those genres like drafting and racing for example - I'd struggle to think of more essential .

[@EmpressG]

@@TheBrokenMeeple I hear you! For me best drafting game is Seasons. Draft cards, draft dice, almost unlimited replayability, end of. I suppose most people would point to PitchCar and Flamme Rouge for racing. I've played neither but I have played Roadzters and Snow Tails which I consider close enough to know that those wouldn't be my personal choices. My favourite race games which I love to death you've likely not played (Igel Argern and Lighthouse Run) but even I probably wouldn't consider them essential to me. I more prefer race games where there is something more going on but you still need to keep an eye on the race.....like Qin where there is a fierce and tense area control battle and the first to get rid of all their pagodas wins, or the multi-use card game Rocky Road a la Mode where you're managing your time and resources the best you can and the end game is triggered by a player reaching 9 points, but that player might not necessarily be the winner because everybody behind them on the time track still gets to take their turns and might end up overtaking them in points, so they need to time it just right. I would say both those games are easy to teach to non-gamers but still fun and engaging for gamer brains. That would be my definition of essential. Of course it's still interesting to me what people have on their lists, and your choices are just as valid as anybody else's! 😉

[@FrankHerfjord]

most people don't live alone. Me and my wife started Gloomhaven two weeks ago as our first board game and we're 26 scenarios in. Games that play well for two players is more important than you might think.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Well most of these still work nicely for two players, they're just allowing for more than just two flat.

[@charleslatora5750]

Confession 1st. I'm not a Eurogamer. Before you started the list I knew I'd have just one game in common. Wingspan. Found it in a thrift shop for $8. Got Horrified for the theme. Love it. So does my 5 year old granddaughter. & Forbidden Island. Hivemind looks good...

[@gamesafire4744]

Such a good list!

[@rabardy2992]

Interesting that Architects is the only one on this list that I have in my collection, but I'd agree with Ticket To Ride being on the list. Games I would have put on the 'essential' list are Azul (mentioned), Codenames, and Century: Spice Road (actually the Golem Edition in particular, but hey ho)... I would have probably put one of the Pandemics on that list, though, as well!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Pandemic has had its time but now a days there are better Co op games to consider. Codenames isn't fun enough. It's basically stare in silence most of the time. Not enough party atmosphere to get new players engaged. Century never measured up to Splendor for me.

[@rabardy2992]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Shame you're not a Pandemic fan. Pandemic: Fall of Rome is an excellent take on the Pandemic genre (Barbarian hordes slowly descending on Rome), and themarically, Investigators breaking up Cthulhu and Old One cultist rings before they can bring the Elder Gods into this plane of existence in the Cthulhu version is totally spot-on! Have you done a Top Ten co-op list recently, then?

[@boardgamefangirl]

Excellent❣️ This is working great! 👍🏼😊

[@RageBadgerGaming]

I'm definitely really fond of Wingspan. We've been playing that quite a lot lately.

[@CK-mi3sd]

My essential games: 1. Pandemic (or, Forbidden Dessert for beginners) 2. Splendor (or Gizmo for those who want extra challenge) 3. Scythe (great engine builder) 4. Fuse (great and simple dice game) 5. The Crew (very thinky game) 6. Lords of Waterdeep (one of the most exciting worker placement game) Games that are boring: Terraforming Mars (no player interaction) Jaipur (far too simple, with not much depth)

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Scythe is too heavy/involved to be essential though - certainly not the first starting point for a collection.

[@pfcravt]

I only like the small Ticket to Rides. The big ones end up being frustrating

[@TheLukealanberry]

I like the new set up, Luke. I have one constructive comment and by no means a criticism - you seem to keep looking over at your mic off screen. I suspect because a bulk of your videos you have been so used to looking that way that its muscle memory. I kept following your eyes expecting to see something that side of the screen 😂 Again, no trolling here. Big fan and really enjoying the content especially during lockdown.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

It's simply because I'm conscious of where the mic is as it isn't in the same location as the phone unfortunately without a bracket setup.......of which it still hasn't arrived.

[@dddmmm21]

I think Architects of West plays excellently at the 2player count (with no dummy player)... That is the brilliancy of the design... Yes, of course you will have a little bit more freedom on the board but when the other players starts accumulating more than 3 workers in one of those goods harvest spots, you will have to stop what you are doing to go there and arrest those workers. Also you will know very well when a black market reset will happen, which again make things very tactical...

[@hooshyarkarimi9524]

I think junk art should be there for the dexterity game.

[@CB-yh3db]

I would probably have Lords of Waterdeep or Ancient World by Ryan Lauket as my essential worker placement. There are better ones that those imo, but they are somewhat simple to learn although Ancient World is a bit more complex. I would also have King of Tokyo. My essential social deduction game would be “Detective: Murder in Hong Kong”. I totally agree with Downforce and Ticket to Ride. I might be willing to replace Detective: Murder in Hong Kong with Citadels since both require deducing what other people are.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Haven't played my ancient world for a while I need to revisit that one.

[@Southfloridelphia]

Picture does look good. I would say get a second light to get rid of that big shadow but otherwise looks excellent.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Can be easily done thanks.

[@thelastjarofmayonnaise5066]

I would put Cosmic Encounter on here, as it has so much variety between games. Also there are many expansion that make the game impossible to have two games that are alike.

[@grog3514]

Codenames should absolutely be on this list, probably number one. I disagree with other choices but they aren't bad choices.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Codenames has fallen flat far too many times - too much staring in silence.

[@grog3514]

@@TheBrokenMeeple like most games, you need to know the group. It's a thinky creative party game. My parent's think ticket to ride is boring so I never bring it in holidays. Different strokes.

[@bradjohnston8825]

Im surprised that dominion was not a drafting choice. I have splendor, because I could not get a copy of wingspan.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Why would Dominion be for drafting, its a deck builder!

[@bradjohnston8825]

@@TheBrokenMeeple oh.

[@bradjohnston8825]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Im new to the hobby and got my terms mixed..sorry about that.

[@citruesilver]

Angle and audio are great. Regarding the list, well I agree with sushi go party... Other than that not so much... Ticket to ride is heavily overrated imo. My list (granted a little on the heavy side but essential for me): 10. Small game: Age of Civilization 9. Deck builder: Star Realms 8. Palomino: Isle of cats 7. 2 Player: Chess (kidding Twilight Struggle) 6. Party game: Sushi go party 5. Co-Op: X-Odus 4. Sandbox: Xia 3. Miniatures: Imperial Assault 2. Semi co-op: Nemesis 1. Solo Game: Mage Knight

[@TheHexyBeast]

hey man i was surprised how well my fone was filming but i defo need a mic for my table shots great video man

[@TheHexyBeast]

also i do not own any ticket to ride games... i should at least download the digital version right?

[@simonb4689]

First 7 of a trip top 10 should be so of Emerson Matsuuchi's games. We can argue about the other spots

[@martinlarouche4418]

I'd use Century New World instead of Architect for worker placement personally.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

It's a valid choice but I wanted something a little more meaty with more replay value. New World gets Samey very fast.

[@letsduet3123]

Hive mind is my only miss on this list. Good video 👍

[@paulallison6418]

First time I have seen this one Luke, good video. I have been in the hobby now since about 2014 but I have always played boardgames with the family, also I am a chess player and was a Mtg nut in the 90's so let me compare my essential list with yours, I will go with your criteria. 10. MISSION RED PLANET - this game never spoke to me, my pick ...........................................CITADELS 09. MYSTERIUM - never did really get this, my pick .....................................................................DIXIT 08. ARCHITECTS - don't own this, but it is on my wants list. My pick ........................................LORDS OF WATERDEEP 07. HIVE MIND - never seen this one but it looks very interesting. My pick .............................. CODENAMES. 06. BARENPARK - never played this. My pick ..............................................................................PATCHWORK 05. CELESTIA - never played, will check it out. My pick ..............................................................TICKET TO RIDE: EUROPE 04. WINGSPAN - Great pick, class game! But first thing that came to my mind ........................RACE FOR THE GALAXY (I know the iconography can be off-putting but its ok after a few plays) 03. DOWNFORCE - Must play this. hhhmmm dont have any race games..struggling ..............JAMAICA (not really my thing but my family liked this) 02. SUSHI GO PARTY - never played this. My pick ......................................................................STAR REALMS 01. TICKET TO RIDE - Great pick, I have this in no.5 slot so my gateway (and Co-OP) pick ......PANDEMIC (this has gone down well with everybody) Honorable mentions & what next games - most of these above are great when you're new to the hobby. As you advance then .... SCYTHE, TERRAFORMING MARS, TERRA MYSTICA, GLOOMHAVEN:JAWS OF LION, CASTLES OF BURGANDY, BRASS;BIRMIGHAM, ...............

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Your list is fairly solid also, but I can't go with Race for the Galaxy, not with that learning curve. I'd rather put something like San Juan in there.

[@paulallison6418]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Thanks Luke, yeah Race isn't the simplest to learn but once you get past the curve, it plays so fast and smooth, we played it a ton, non-stop for months a few years ago, not many games have got us like that.

[@daryleg]

Really like the new setup

[@gailwondowski3207]

My 10 Essential Games in alphabetical order. We have a bit of cross over! Clank! Codenames Downforce Fantasy Realms Horrified Lords of Waterdeep Mission Red Planet Santorini Ticket to Ride Wingspan

[@bordspil_is]

I liked your video and agree with most of them. I would actually put Automobiles in for the Racing game, because it's also a bag builder ;-). But everyone for their own

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Automobiles certainly doesn't gel with everyone and it's pretty involved for a racing game. Need something much more simpler to be essential.

[@gustavofaria5511]

I only exchange Wingspan for Endeavor Age of Sail. Wingspan it's a bit boring after a few games. And put Azul 3 in my list

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

The original Azul maybe, but the 3rd one drags on for too long.

[@devincenatiempo2238]

I've got probably 30-40 games of wingspan under my belt (with EU expansion) and it is still a great game that is very engaging. Every game I have a different strategy because of large variety of bird cards, goal cards, and goal tiles. Is it exciting? not after the first several plays. Is it boring? Not in a million years.

[@blackjack2150]

The recording is generally fine, but that T-shirt texture is not playing nice with video, either with the camera sensor or the video compression, not sure.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Could be just the bright white thing - usuallly fine with colour.

[@J-Wheeler-G]

I do agree Ticket to Ride should be number 1 as well. My wife and I are probably the only ones that do not like Baren Park. My essentials : Stone Age Wingspan 7 Wonders TTR Azul Sagrada Detective Club Road to El Dorado Clank Dice Forge

[@dddmmm21]

Unfortunately too many games on the list required a minimum of 4 players for it to work... I would hesitate putting 2p only games on the list, but the opposite is also true, if I cant play with my wife or that one friend that happens to be present (if I always need to gather a bunch of people to play) it cant be essential to me as it will be rarely played.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Mission Red Planet, Architects of West Kingdom, Wingspan, Sushi Go Party, Ticket to Ride, Downforce - off the top of my head, those all work great at 2 players as well.............that's more than half the list.

[@dddmmm21]

The Broken Meeple Not sure you got to this conclusion... Mission Red Planet is horrible at 2p (look at BGG survey), same for Downforce... and actually similar for TTR and Sushi Go (although I agree with these 2 on the list)... And I think you said in the vid you dont like Architects with 2. Again, essential games need to be highly scalable (with exceptions of course), but if these were the only games I had, I would rarely play many of them.

[@theadamkirsch]

I think Wingspan could be put in with Mysterium and Catan when you say it's just cool to hate it. I think it just got so popular that people feel like they have to dislike it. I love Mysterium and Wingspan though.

[@grog3514]

But none of those 3 are good games. Wingspan isnt bad, just fine. Choose a strategy based on the random cards you have, then everyone lays eggs on the last turn. Catan is similar in that your only real choices are your initial settlement locations. After that everything is obvious and you hope the dice are good to you. Mysterium is longer and less interesting than other similar games like deception or even similo.

[@tomasxfranco]

Mysterium Park pretty much should replace Mysterium for most people.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

And indeed it does which I'm cool with.

[@georgesalchev5091]

I would add Scythe as essential. Come on! If you are going to have only ten games, put at least one gorgeous looking in there. And it is not that complex, nor expensive. I could add Alahmbra for tile laying, Jamaica (with the expansion) for race, Would throw in there Century Spice road tor Empires of the North for engine building games. Not a bad list though.

[@jonnyw2887]

What about a co-op game? Low entry when you're working with someone

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

That's what Mysterium covers.

[@jonnyw2887]

@@TheBrokenMeeple ... True. Oops!

[@PsychicLord]

Interesting list, I would have personally included Clunk!

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Clank? If I was putting a deck builder on, I'd put Star Realms or something like Dominion/Valley of the Kings first.

[@Joshua_Tymchyn]

Ha, subjective is right. I only own a single one of these games (Ticket to Ride...though technically I have the smaller Sushi Go). I think for a top ten list of essential games you need literally what you said you wouldn't include...a heavy game. My own list wouldn't be for everyone though, either...I know it would include Scythe, Root and Caverna, but beyond there I would have to do some serious thinking.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

I don't think most players would desperately need a heavy game. They're hard to get to the table, will only be understood by the most devoted of gamers and are usually expensive. A next step in your collection but right off the bat?

[@Joshua_Tymchyn]

@@TheBrokenMeeple Oh I must have missed that this is the essential list to START with. Beyond that I feel that groups need at least one heavy game because there are people out there that prefer to play heavier over lighter (myself included). The games you mentioned may be great, but after the third or forth meet up I might get bored of them because I (or others in my group) will be craving a heavier game. I could be a unique case though, as even outside my gaming friends my mother loves Caverna.