2018 Top 100 Games of All Time: #30-#21

[@oligarkhia1]

Seriously guys, make one of the stretch goals for your 2019 kickstarter to be a live play session where each of Sam, Zee and Tom bring a game that is on their top 100 list that the others haven't played. Lots of people always comment that you should play each others games (and Tom always says something like "I should try that"), and it would be interesting to see if any of the three of you could get a game on your list on to another person's list by doing this. I think people would love it as a stretch goal.

[@geraldbrito6509]

oligarkhia1 yes!!!!

[@eddieb8054]

oligarkhia1 Tom has stated multiple times that he would not ask Z to play TI4. It goes against his love of board gaming to make someone play a game which they are opposed to playing. However I’m sure it you offered Sam 500 to play fog of love (a game he has no interest in) with you at a convention. He would think about it. And if someone offered Z 100 bucks an hour to play TI4. He might have a hard time turning it down. Tom would probably play anything. Just ask him to join. (Compliment his hat, it will help).

[@guillermoz4914]

I agree with Tom when he said he doesn't want to make Zee or Sam play games they won't like but there's plenty of games they all wish they would play together. Play those live! Please & Thank You!

[@oligarkhia1]

@@eddieb8054 I didn't say which games, and I did say one of the ideas was to try and get a game from one of their lists onto one of the others' lists. So obviously Tom would not pick TI4. However, he has said, for example, that Zee might enjoy the deduction element of Star Wars Rebellion. Now, that might not make a great live play example, but I am sure they can all come up with one game that they think the others would like that would work for live play.

[@Crs9072]

I don't really understand this statement that he would never make Zee play TI4. I mean sure for a game night Zee would never play it, but this is work. I assume Zee is enough of a professional that he can take even a game like TI4 and play it for work for one time without being completely miserable. People spent a lot of hours at work doing stuff they don't necessary like doing. I think it would be a great content for them to actually play these iconic games, at least for a professional stake.

[@scyldscefing3913]

"A Lite Snack for Odin" Classic.

[@-RTC-]

Been excited about this all week! You guys make my days doing paperwork in the office much more enjoyable! Happy holidays from California!

[@CosmicTavern]

Here we go!

[@shawn90o22]

Zee's Clank In Space song...brilliant!

[@mattvucu6706]

Top 10 games in need of de-expansion: for each entry provide the game and describe what the de-expansion insert would hold...

[@TheMrE]

“Brunch for Odin”, somebody PLEASE design that game.

[@MeepleOverboard]

"It's round 4 harvest. Everyone collect your mimosas!"

[@Wolforce]

I have been keeping this to myself for a long time. MECHS VS MINIONS HAS 3 TYPES OF MINIONS. It doesnt matter if you like it or not, it simply has 3 differenf types. Also it has metal coins and markers, beautifull stunning boards, great dice, clear acrylic pieces, a beautifull stopwatch, an awesome bomb, and the 5 miniatures that really matter ARE PAINTED. All for 80 bucks. Please...

[@Wolforce]

@@crazybritishsteve yeah but hes not saying the minis are better, he is saying the components are better. Also he is wrongly saying that the minions are all the same. Thats what bothers me. Also its not a black and white question.

[@ericmatthews9673]

@@Wolforce Agree!!! The components in Lords of Hellas are NOT BETTER. Sam just likes the theme of the minis better and there's a greater variety of minis.

[@jeremysnyder8848]

Don't forget that any of the three sculpts can fit in any space in the insert as well! And the minis have a wash on them!! :)

[@jeremysnyder8848]

@@Wolforce I mean the three different sculpts for the minions fit in any slot in the insert. It was specifically designed like that to make it a lot easier to pack up.

[@Wolforce]

@@jeremysnyder8848 ah yes right that Is awesome =)

[@dddmmm21]

I wonder if many of these top games simply stay on the list over the years for lack of repetitive play of newer games, that being a consequence of the recent explosion of titles making it impossible for the guys to humanly keep up... Some games are love on first sight but most require multiples play to be loved. If you simply can’t play a game many times and come back it later for comparison, because you need to pass on to the next review title, I wonder if the memory of older overly played games simply takes over, being those games from a period when they had more time to dedicate to one game...

[@Infyra]

Ghost Stories? Pfff, thats easy! Won it on my first try... didn't even have to set it up!

[@leenicholas3279]

Beating Ghost Stories? Super easy, barely an inconvenience!

[@keikosah8254]

I didn't even open the rule book and I beat it blindfolded. I gave it to my 3 year old to play with.

[@FaceInAClock]

Pfff I haven’t even played it and won on my first time!

[@AntsOfTheFreeWorld]

I heard the description of it for the first time just now. Winning strategy is so obvious, that I won't even bother writing it out.

[@ogrod7879]

Actually did win it my first try. Three players i was the only new one. Super lucky dice roll got all black dice so we won haha ( that was what we needed no clue if there any other end game monster only played it that one time )

[@TequilaMockingbrd]

All the Aussies' ears bled a little with Zee's 28 :)

[@FedouBC]

I love that Wario outfit

[@mgk2020]

There's a difference between better sculpts and higher production value.

[@jellycubed3575]

How is it that Sam's list is every single one of my favorite games... Well played Sam Healey.

[@JayBee10]

I was one of the people who was shocked Sam didn’t include Small World in his Top 100 the last couple of years. Glad to see it’s in.

[@Crs9072]

Zees comment to V-Commandos, that it feels like a video game. Well, there is the Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines, and couple of sequels, which basically are exactly like Sam described V-Commandos. I bet the designer has played these great stealth games.

[@SunnyNeuroshima]

The WEDS insert is phenomenal. Best I've ever seen. Quality insert for a quality game. Love it.

[@djt80u]

I really love your shows! The three of you really complete eachother (Zee gets more and more funny for each show, Tom is structured and a good host and Sam are my true hero here. Trying to be an antagonist when its needed, delivers jokes when the situation calls for it and is just an over all entertainer (his taste in games are also very similar to mine). You really make a great team togeather, and your top 10s are amazing, keep it up!

[@evansj18]

"Cake or Death?" - nice sly Eddie Izzard reference Zee :)

[@Redfoxe]

Sam's next top 10: 10 Games with better components than Mechs and Minions

[@ianlewis8726]

The opposite of a living card game...is a dead miniatures game. :) Great video, guys. You're really a fun part of the week and a blessing in general.

[@TeChNoWC7]

Ian Lewis dead miniatures activity 😝

[@ianlewis8726]

@@TeChNoWC7 lol

[@andregulluni1043]

Last year, I gave Uluru as a birthday gift to my nephew. He LOVES the game! We've played quite a few times since.

[@fantasyflight9039]

It's not.

[@gregsaldi1292]

Lol

[@shaneannigans]

😆

[@keikosah8254]

😲😲

[@dcreamer81]

Classic.

[@nikmans7959]

Hahaha

[@fugazigamer1426]

Uluru - never played it but looks to be based on the famous Australian natural rock formation in the outback (pronounced 'ul-er-ru').

[@CarlToonist]

You guys need to make a top 10 Games "you have played, but I haven't yet and would like to" list

[@MrTravolta7]

You should start doing your Top series with Jason. Just to hear some different games and good ones also. There are games on Top 500 on BGG that you never talk. And there are games beyond Top 500 that you talk a lot. Is good to innovate :)

[@kjerins]

Jason did do a top 100 this year, together with Melody.

[@MrTravolta7]

Kārlis Jēriņš You are right. But this format with this 3 guys is like the Prime time. That video with Jason and Melody is like a secondary program. It’s Tom who decides whom to put on the Prime time show but anyway this is my opinion.

[@DiscoCokkroach]

Part of the reason Sirlin Games kind of faded into the background on the tabletop front is because they've started production on a video game that is more or less based on Yomi: Fighting Card Game. It's called Fantasy Strike, and it's actually pretty good. All of Sirlin Games' focus is being poured into that at time of writing.

[@antonieschwartz]

V-Commandos is already based on a video game. Did no one else play Eidos' Commandos? I don't ever hear it mentioned with V-Commandos. Wish Triton Noir was a bigger company so I could get my hands on their games! I'm sure Assassin's Creed is going to be great.

[@nicksbordone5271]

Mechs vs. Minions has better components than TI3. Fight me

[@eddieb8054]

Nick Sbordone I can’t argue your statement. On an unrelated note. I personally have more enjoyment playing TI4. And I’m glad the quality of the production isn’t on par with stellar games like mech vs minions. Because I wouldn’t have been able to afford a $999.99 game. I hope Mr Healey at his core would agree that having simple yet beautiful pieces in TI4 is lovely, and it’s probably dollar for dollar not as stellar as the look of MVM. But it’s hard sometimes to not stick to a verbally disagreed upon opinion. At his core he genuinely enjoys arguing the underdog opinions. I believe. I could be wrong. 😱😵🤯😯

[@MoriMemento117]

@@eddieb8054 Excellent points. I only own TI3, and I would say TI4 looks nicer than TI3, but I very much agree that its smart with its look. One thing I've come to appreciate in some thematic, asymmetrical games (my favourite type of game), is when they sacrifice a degree of shiney bits for being smart, classy, and affordable. Take TI vs. Terra Mystica for example. TI has 6 sets of ships. They didn't give every race their own ships, because that would cost either $2000.00 or they'd only have 6 factions (and just forget expansions). Terra Mystica, on the other hand, gives each faction their own wooden pieces (a fact that I love, but...it makes the game so expensive and forces the designer to be at war with the producer...the more varied factions are invented, the higher the cost of the game to both the player and the company - though a boon to the logging industry, I'm sure ;) ). I'm not necessarily criticizing TM for having so many different colours of wood, I'm just saying that as the cost of components goes up (and the high end boardgaming market is saturated with miniature heavy kickstarter games), that designers and producers really take the time to be smart about their components. Not just to reduce cost, but to free the designer to craft a game that can be a varied and diverse as it can be. I don't want to be stuck in an industry where a visually simple, symmetrical $40 euro and an extravagant $450 asymmetrical miniature heavy kickstarter are the only two gaming options available.

[@Epic501]

fyi, "Uluru" is pronounced OOL-uh-ROO, The aboriginal name for the giant rock in the center of Australia, Ayers rock.

[@thomasbrotherton3542]

Yeah hahah. Oo-ler-u, Ool-ah-roo are additional versions of Australian pronounciation, depending on your accent possibly. I say this with non-indigenous phonetic though, I'm not sure how it might be pronounced in the original dialect.

[@teslavoltagames3208]

Hey it's Wario!

[@LeeroyPorkins]

I was about to post the same thing lol

[@BinaryBard64]

Imma Tom Vasel! Imma gonna win!!!

[@adelfaidah3224]

"except that dude in the comments" shit cracked me up coz its true

[@xbumble]

I miss the top 100 song...

[@DiscoCokkroach]

*deep voice* TOOOOOOOOOM VAS-EL'S TOP ONE HUN-DRED GAMES OF ALL TIIIIIIME...

[@TheRmm1976]

Nice to see Wasteland Express as Sam's #30. Underrated game with fantastic components and a sweet built-in storage solution.

[@juvigoat2168]

1:09:30 the evolution of Sam. Love it! Bravo Sir! 😁

[@hawkeye137137]

It is a bit of a slim chance now, but if Tyrants of the Underdark isn't in anyone's top list, my heart will be very broken. It doesn't get enough love compared to Clank!, when it is at least as good as it.

[@OmegaDestroyer99]

Good grief. Does Sam get a kickback from CMON every time he mentions "Blood Rage"?

[@d.b.4910]

I love TZAAR. I discovered it because of Zee (thanks!), and now it's my #1 or #2 favorite abstract.

[@sanemalk9957]

What Sam is completely overlooking is production value for the cost. Mechs vs. Minions is a $75 game. The other games that Sam claims have better components in this segment cost in the range of $90-$110.

[@thedicetower]

Sam here, and the ONLY reason it's cheaper is because Riot Games already had buckets of cash, and didn't need to make a profit. If I'm not mistaken, I believe they've even said it wasn't a business venture, but more of a labor of love.

[@gordonsmoak]

THANK you for finally pronouncing jambo and asante correctly. Used to drive me nuts. I really want to try these out.

[@MrTravolta7]

Mechs vs Minions have painted miniatures. All miniatures are primed. And all the other components are top notch. And even more.... you don’t have ANY bad quality component in the game. So, more respect for the game ;)

[@trapper0707]

Tom's face at 27:20 hahahah :)

[@ToadInTheWoods]

Codex is a great game, glad to see Tom still giving it exposure. We're dedicated Euro gamers with little interest in theme...Codex breaks those rules for us. It's the one Ameritrash game we've tried that we actually love, also the only game where I bother to read flavor text--we read it out to each other--because it's smart and hilarious. Glad it was self-contained, I don't have to worry that it's not popular.

[@mbl26]

"'if you like it, then you should have put a board on it!' Clank in SPace! Clank in spaace."

[@andrewk7902]

Sam, seriously man - we get it. Drop the Mechs vs. Minions thing. It's definitely gotten old by now.

[@KhanAndMrPointyEars]

Naw, we'll be hearing about this for years.

[@LeeroyPorkins]

I'm calling Tom's number 1 being Game Night In A Can. ;P

[@Katasunder]

Oh wow Pulsar 2849 got actually this high, I mean you hinted at it being higher when I asked about it on the livestream but never thought it will be in the top quarter. I agree though amazing game and has been a huge hit with my friends!

[@TheDenverJay]

Thanks for the list. Made my week.

[@natehocking8884]

Just going to add my vote to the chorus of, "Sam, we get it, PLEASE move on from MvM."

[@egoszmotyike]

Sam, I'm sorry, but you are making a fool of yourself by confusing cool looking, detailed miniatures, and production quality. Most of the games you mention has lack luster cards, or boards or boxes. Mechs's vs. Minions is just superb (very very thick box, unbelivably good quality trays, THREE different minion sculpts and all of them has shade on, painted player miniatures, very thick cards with linen finish, very thick playing boards with superb quality printing and glossy parts for oil spills, metal cogs and stuff), I dont even like the game itself, but the production quality is off the charts in every single measurable way.

[@way9689]

Sam needs a break. He has lost a lot of enthusiasm since last year. Don’t know what is going on off camera but it’s bleeding through on camera. Burn out is a real thing that needs to be mindful of

[@leramar]

The way you pronounced "Uluru" made me weep in Aussie.

[@BRBTheFireball]

My 30-21: #30. Dice Throne, #29. Santorini, #28. Anybody's Guess, #27. Outburst, #26. Caverna: The Cave Farmers, #25. Gold West, #24. Scoville, #23. Kingsburg, #22. Alhambra, and #21. The Networks.

[@mf_from_hell]

V-Commandos is in fact based on a video game as well. It's based on Commandos from Spanish developer Pyro Studios. This game studio does not exist anymore, which is probably why they didn't get the license to use the original name.

[@sethhale235]

Ghost Stories beat me consistently the first few times I played it. Then I realized there were ways to combo the tile actions that make it WAY easier. Now I win... 50% of the time... on easy. Still too scared to try anything harder.

[@Thesteadfast]

Man you gotta get over the mechs and minions thing.

[@Moxbox99]

Thesteadfast I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that this comment has better components than Mechs vs Minions

[@doggosplosion]

Concerning Zee's comment on the discussing which is better about theme and minis, his follow up comment may make a good top 10. Top 10 abstract games with good components.

[@jorand73]

So happy you mention me 1:55 :)

[@ArnieHorta]

Sorry Sam you are just wrong. I like both Lords of Hellas and Wasteland Express but neither has better components than Mvs M. Gameplay-wise Wasteland express isn’t even close, and while I like Lords of Hellas, M vs M is better than it too.

[@rzlmlchm009]

Different types of games for different people. Wasteland Express is a competitive pick up and deliver race. MvM is a programmable movement co-op. Both are fun to me for different reasons. WEDS has customizable trucks (weapons, cargo space, shields, etc.). I really wish Sam would have mentioned that.

[@ArnieHorta]

I agree that they are different kinds of games, and I do like Wasteland Express (I own it too). However Wastland Express really needs house rules to make it shine..and MvM is fine the way it is. Of course there are games that have better components than MvM...but certainly not at that price point. The game just isn't Sam's favorite...in part because of his dislike for most programming games.

[@hackersguidedan]

I like Wasteland Express - a lot, and it has great components, but I don't believe Sam has ever played Fallen Land: A Post Apocalyptic Board Game. It's probably the most thematic and story-driven game I've ever played, and allows you to do even more than Wasteland Express in terms of exploring the wasteland, fighting raiders and such.

[@jbrecken]

1:00:12 - Zeeyoncé is in the house!

[@TheProteanGeek]

I chose Gaius Baltar in almost every game after my first because I wanted to be a Cylon. Even after 15 or so games I still have not been a Cylon except the one time I was a Cylon leader. I need to play BSG again, it has been a while.

[@Redfoxe]

Probably have to check out Champions of Midgard one day

[@hackersguidedan]

I normally am not a huge fan of worker placement games, but I LOVE Champions of Midgard. Great gamethat I would play anytime. I don't know anyone personally who doesn't like it a lot.

[@davidpeterson5179]

Wish BSG was higher on your list Sam, but glad to see it's in the top 25 at least. I will be bringing BSG on the Cruise again, if your interested in getting a game in.

[@arcubal]

I'm still waiting for FFG to release an Arkham Files Conversion Kit where you can put miniatures & tiles from Mansions of Madness 2E into service of Arkham Horror: LCG, Elder Sign, Arkham Horror, and Eldritch Horror or use elements in general between games (of course expanding the gameplay a bit to logically make use of these components)

[@xenonmaximus1]

Love your videos as always

[@TrackerRoo]

They need to do another print run of Battlestar because everyone who has it loves it and everyone who loves hidden role games wants it.

[@willyum3108]

The Twilight Struggle app has been my go to for the last couple of months.

[@BojanBrankov]

You guys are big, chubby children. And I love you for that!

[@dsem82]

Have you guys thought about doing a Top 10 digital board games list? Physical games that have been turned into apps, as well as games made for computers (e.g. Heathstone). Interested to see what you guys play and like.

[@jorgevillafane6554]

"Caca" is a polite way to say it 😂😂

[@jenn5572]

Hi zee! Love deadline, we bought it because of your review! Wish it got more love.

[@stevenkorvemaker1030]

Rails and sails by far the best ticket to ride.

[@ericmatthews9673]

on dry erase boards: Just use wet erase markers which do not smudge if you accidentally elbow the board. yup you need some water on a cloth to wipe it clean, but wet erase is SOOOOO much better for games that use dry erase boards.

[@cyntharella]

Yay, for the Eddie Izzard reference!

[@zungagames]

16:15 to 16:50 is hilarious!

[@ServiceDogPuppyRaiser]

I love that humans dont make Zee's Top 100 🤣

[@Moxbox99]

Erin Allport he forgot to mention that humans have better components than Mechs vs Minions

[@ianlewis8726]

All we have is death...We didn't expect such a rush!

[@Proximityillusions]

Time index 59:09 - Space all the way!

[@thealphagamer606]

I have NEVER lost a game of Ghost Stories, and I NEVER will! NOW GET YOU SOME OF THAT!

[@j.prt.979]

The Alpha Gamer That’s def some alpha gaming right there.

[@BinaryBard64]

I thought Jason didnt watch these videos...XD

[@HALOX30]

Sam...NOOOOOO. I have been Gaius Baltar and maybe half of the time i was a Cyon. The other half of the time i was a human

[@eddieb8054]

HALOX30 or were you?!?!?!

[@bootman199]

Wow Sam is starting to annoy me with the everything is better than mechs vs minions comment. Get over it. I’m almost to the point of skipping over sams section.

[@nmorlino]

Matthew Bower Sam was right about the miniatures in lords of Hellas and Pantheon

[@bootman199]

nmorlino hey not debating that fact. I don’t own those games. I do own Rising Sun and it’s miniatures are far better the MvM. The point I was getting at is the joke is old and not funny now.

[@Bellany1337]

No game has better components or inserts than Mechs vs Minions, stop charging in to a losing battle, Sam. :P

[@wroot_lt]

From the very start it was already a hilarious video :D He probably noticed a viking figure in the background. Depends on how you are looking at components (Zee squinting). Top 10 things to say to a stranger asking about your personal life. Humans? Overrated! I don't pull a Summerer. Wow, what are you doing there (scratching)? End of discussion :D

[@ogrod7879]

Shadows over Camelot is a thematic Poker Game :)

[@jeremysnyder8848]

Uluru is the name of a big rock in the middle of Australia, the same rock that's pictured on the cover. Zee, saying this is not an English name for a game is akin to your previous "Le Havre should just be called The Harbour" comment...

[@alrith72]

But it's not an English name it's Aboriginal, the English name would be Ayers Rock.

[@jeremysnyder8848]

"Ayer's Rock" is now obsolete; it has been replaced with "Uluru". The language the name came from is irrelevant. It's a name. Names don't (usually) get translated. So, it is "Uluru" in any language... just like "Le Havre" is "Le Havre" in any language.

[@alrith72]

I get what you're saying but Uluru was renamed to Ayers Rock and is now known as both though officially Uluru. I think I probably misunderstood your original comment 🙂

[@technicianscott9245]

Tom looks like he is ready for Mardi Gras.

[@BayushiTawa]

Has anyone followed Cranio Creation's first KS campaign: Barrage? Is this the new Power Grid? (in terms of game type / sector) what do you think?

[@IdlestHands]

Constantly bringing up the Mechs vs Minions component quality feels oddly insecure, and certainly immature.

[@brn932]

Now you are delving in to the deeper relationship mechanics between these three, notice tom will mostly make eye contact with zee when talking inferring a more alpha submissive action resulting in slight differential juxtaposition in melting human cohesiveness.

[@HeroOfTheWeb]

@@brn932 you live alone, don't you?

[@sydneyquick6324]

Will the entire list be completed soon? I need to get some of your top 20 games on my Black Friday shopping list.

[@UberTastical22]

I'm pretty sure at the end of the video Tom confirmed his top 3 games to be: 3. Cosmic Encounter 2. 7th Continent 1. Gloomhaven

[@hackersguidedan]

Don't forget TI4

[@Gnarrkhaz]

Yes, V-Commandos sounds like a video game because it obviously tries to mimic Commandos. Why does no one notice that?

[@philipmoser3784]

Love Sam's mannerisms when Zee is describing Tzaar. Sammerisms.

[@mgk2020]

I had to re-watch that part because I got so distracted, laughing at Sam, that I missed most of what Zee was saying. Lol

[@Vaole]

Did you just call Sam an elephant?

[@AJ-nc4vr]

Sammerisms has to enter the lexicon. :D

[@edmundbloxam2714]

Good vid. Something up with the mike's on this one. I hear constant rustling. Just a head's up for the next one.

[@Althemancayer]

Man Sam seems bored out of his mind

[@kdhlkjhdlk]

Seemed to happen when Zee was talking about abstract games.

[@wroot_lt]

@@kdhlkjhdlk but i loved his expressions when Zee was explaining Tzaar :D

[@winterzee]

I must be seeing a different Sam or be used to quieter people, because he seems fine to me.

[@jasonant24]

I don't know if it's boredom as much as annoyance at the lunacy around him sometimes. Maybe a combination

[@stormshadow2k]

As he often does

[@steveody978]

My 30 - 21 30 - Rising Sun 29 - Downforce 28 - Coinbra 27 - Viticulture 26 - Yokohama 25 - Oracle of Delphi 24 - Spyfall 23 - Terra Mystica 22 - Unlock series 21 - Azul

[@RockCh4lk]

I believe that V-Commandos is based on a PC game series that ran from 98-03.

[@Fulano5321]

Who is this Roland Write you keep talking about? :)

[@beekayboy]

V commandos is pure gold in solo

[@homelessjoe]

45:20 says it all. Sam should seriously either retire or work behind the scenes. You really shouldn't have a guy on camera expressing so much disdain. It really drags down the whole concept of fun.

[@rustyshackleford634]

Joseph Lynn, he might just be having a bad day. Who knows what’s going on in his life? All three of these guys are a hoot to listen to and have given me hours of enjoyment. I can’t fault Sam for not being 100% in one or two videos that may be the result of something in his life we don’t know about.

[@marcoforster5660]

Still no Scythe in Tom's Top 250. Do you guys think, it's in his top 20? I mean he likes the game, mentioned that it gets better and better and rated the expansion a solid 10/10.

[@thesikamikanico]

Anyone ever notice that when Tom says "sure" it sounds like "shore"?