TOP 10 ABSTRACT STRATEGY GAMES

[@theeyenzier8190]

Tak is an extremely underated game and it blows my mind how theirs no competitive scene for it and dont get me started on shobu that games like 50 layers deep

[@sawderf741]

Shobu is so complex by its second move. Chess has 400 possible positions within the each players' first move. While shobu has over 2000.

[@domesticatedprimates]

Thanks for the quick reviews. I want to check out a few of these games. Leaving the list here so I remember what was covered. (SPOILERS AHEAD) . . . Honorable mentions: * Pentago * Linja * Hive Top 10 list: 10: Dao 09: Abalone 08: Six 07: Seikatsu 06: Shobu 05: Terrace 04: Ingenious 03: Onitama 02: Pente 01: Tak

[@rickandmorty-unofficialmot4431]

Not a single mention of any of the gipf series. But where would you squeeze them into such a tight top 10 already

[@andrewgr144]

Thanks for taking the time to make this. Since it's been three years since it was posted, I suspect only a handful of people will ever see this comment, but I feel sort of compelled to make it anyway. 1. I don't understand your reasoning for not including Chess. If you wanted to squeeze in as many games that most people don't know about as possible, you could have just made it your top 11, or your top 10+, put Chess where you felt it belonged, and spent virtually no time on it. This would make the list more useful, as it would serve as a reference point, so people would have a better idea of your tastes/criteria-- if you had Chess at #2, many people would evaluate your other selections differently than if you had it #9, for example. 2. I'm trying really, really hard not to be snarky about this: I just can't take a top Abstract Strategy Game list seriously that doesn't even mention Go. My personal opinion is that Go is #1, and that to the extent that such a thing could somehow be 'objectively' be measured, Go would clearly be #1. But putting that aside, by not at least including it along with Chess as a classic game that you won't be rating, you are basically declaring that you don't like abstract strategy games enough to have learned and become familiar with the most widely played abstract strategy game in history. 3. While I don't think it's as big of a deal as the first two, I think a list of "games you were probably expecting to see but didn't make the cut" would have been helpful, so that we would know which games just didn't do well enough in your estimation to make the list, vs. those that you just haven't played. Obviously you couldn't compile anything resembling a complete list, but games like Othello and Connect Four are well-known enough that it would be helpful to know why they aren't on the list. 4. I think the triumvirate of abstract strategy games for many-- probably most-- people would be Go, Chess, and Shogi. I don't mean 'triumvirate' in the sense of being the best, but rather being the three well-known games that have been played for thousands of years and are still popular enough that people can earn a living playing professionally. I think you could throw in a fourth game that semi-qualifies but is lighter in depth and doesn't have a professional level of competition in Checkers, if you wanted a list of "All time classics that I won't be rating,"-- although, again, I think it would be useful to rate as many of these as you can and just make the list longer if you want to include 10 "not all-time classics", because rating well-known games gives people reference points.

[@DualBrainGames]

@@andrewgr144 I’m a big chess player, backgammon too, I just thought the classics that have been played forever go without much saying. I love all the games you mentioned. Since this video was recorded Yinsh has become one of my favorites. I need to make a new list. Thank you for watching and commenting, I appreciate it and certainly value your points.

[@andrewgr144]

@@DualBrainGames Thanks for taking the time to respond. FWIW, based on this video, I looked up a couple of other reviews of Tak, and wound up ordering a used copy off ebay.

[@jonathanauffarth5646]

Subscribed! Finally, a channel that gives the love and respect that abstracts deserve. Some of my favorites, that you might be interested in checking out are Shogi, Homeworlds, Circle of Life, Tzaar, The Duke, Quoridor, and Camelot.

[@DualBrainGames]

Thanks for watching, I’ll definitely check those out!

[@ChillGamerBlue]

Tak and Pente are definitely classic! I've got to give Shobu a try and Abalone another go, honestly

[@jincha5183]

Quoridor a 2/3/4 player abstract strategy game. Basic, simple, logical, minimalistic, multifaceted game play. From child to adult easily explained two minute rules. Fun filled poker faced solo or team strategy outcomes that maybe obvious or not but played out to the end. Can be kids 7x7 or standard 9x9 or standard deluxe 9x9 or standard giant 9x9 or standard large 11x11 versions or join 4 boards to make an even larger version. One official way to play but with at least 4/5 other variations with slight rules changes makes it a great strategy game classic. Really terrific reviews of a Top 10 selection.

[@mcmastergi]

Me and my GF love to play abstract games. Santorini and Pente are our favorites for now, but we gotta try some on your list. Thanks for sharing this.

[@SimmonTak]

Just had your video recommended to me. Can't believe I haven't seen this until now. I love Tak! As you can probably tell from all the videos on my channel. We'd love to have you in the online community. You can play online casually or competitively with folks from all over the world and the game just has seemingly endless depth. Maybe we can play some games together some time.

[@DualBrainGames]

Tak is fantastic!!

[@GijsBraam]

@@DualBrainGames i came here to say the same! come join us on the online side of things!

[@DejanOfRadic]

Dude....great job! Your channel deserves more attention

[@DualBrainGames]

Thank you for watching, I appreciate that!

[@m34nb34n]

Yinsh and the games from the company that makes it are fun

[@memorcf]

Finally somebody that added true Abstract Strategy games. I also love Tak. I was surprised with Hive being a honorable mention. Have you tried Santorini and Yinsh? Those two are really fun games.

[@DualBrainGames]

Have not actually, I must! Thanks for watching!

[@bobsiddoway]

Great list! A few I didn’t know about. I agree with the other commenter about GIPF games. Amazing stuff!

[@fingersmaster]

Othello/Reversi, Qwirkle, Azul, Malefiz.

[@_folgore_]

I didn't know all those games thx. I think one of my favorites is missing: Santorini!

[@DualBrainGames]

Santorini is very cool, within my top 20! So many games ...

[@mikesummers2058]

I LOVE Pente. It's a personal favorite of mine too. Great video!

[@JayChampagne]

Other abstract strategy games you might like: YINSH (or most of the GIPF series), The Duke, War Chest, Torres, Santorini, Mandala Stones, Five Tribes, and Queendomino.

[@DualBrainGames]

I hadn’t played any gipf games when I shot this video. I have since and love Yinsh, Tzaar, and Gipf!

[@jaronbarnes7196]

Love the video. It helped me add a few games to my list to buy.

[@DualBrainGames]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@charliemopic470]

Raft and Scupper. Outrageously good.

[@DualBrainGames]

Nice! Had not heard of it before! Thank you!

[@charliemopic470]

@@DualBrainGames You clearly like abstract games so it'd be right up your street. Lovely wooden components, ethically sourced, it really is an outstanding game.

[@grandeto12]

Cheers from Greece... great list

[@roberson100]

Nice review. Hope you do more and some "how to play" vids as well. Glad others brought up the Gipf series and that you've since played and enjoyed them. I have all but that newer one. I also have the potential boxes 1, 2, & 3, though I've never played them. You like Abalone, have you played Kuba? A few others have mentioned some of the Gigamic strategy games. Have you played any? I have a huge love for most of them! Quixo, Quarto, Quorridor, Quivive, Pylos, Quits, to name a few... I like a few of the chess variants as well. Try to get hour hands on a copy of Shuuro, and its 4 player expansion, Turanga. I could never whittle my favorites down to only 10 games. You're going to have to do a "Ten more favorites " video soon, then another, lol

[@mickeyrube6623]

Can't find the AXIO app anywhere! It's gone!

[@Grapegrape42]

You should try ta yu if you haven’t already. Was also surprised not to see any gipf games on your list

[@DualBrainGames]

When I recorded the video, I hadn’t played any Gipf games believe it or not (still haven’t but will!) The list changes, naturally, Lately I’ve been really into Martian Chess and Volcano both Looney Pyramid games ... but there are so many yet to explore! I will also look into Ta Yu. Thanks for watching!

[@philipsmith3424]

Enjoyed the vid. Interesting list. Shobu is awesome. Have you heard of the GIPF games? Yinsh and Lyngk are two I'm quite fond of and are well worth trying. They're highly regarded by most players fond of abstract games. I've heard Tzaar is great too, but haven't gotten it yet. Cascadia is lots of fun and offers up just enough strategy to keep you interested - won various awards and has been well received in the boardgame world. Last, what about Go? Go is, arguably, the greatest abstract game ever made and is easy to learn... but, admittedly, is as deep as you want to make it. Did you leave it out due to its potential complexity?

[@DualBrainGames]

Since this video I’ve become a major fan of the GIPF series, Yinsh, Dvonn, and Zertz being my favorites.

[@philipsmith3424]

@@DualBrainGames Good to hear you've discovered the GIPF project. I'm loving Lyngk and Yinsh and am torn between Tzaar and Dvonn for my next one. I love backgammon too and have spent a pretty penny looking for the "ultimate" set. :) Chess is magnificent, but it's been studied to death, in my opinion.

[@MattyJude]

Wonderful list, thank you so much for making it!

[@DualBrainGames]

Cool, thank you for watching!

[@JayChampagne]

Really surprised that no GIPF project games made the list. Yinsh, in particular, is the most highly regarded game of the 8, but they are all quite good, with the possible exception of TAMSK and PUNCT.

[@DualBrainGames]

Hadn’t played any when I made this video. I have since, and love them, my favorites being Yinsh, Tzaar, and Gipf!

[@albertoalfaromendoza5939]

I would to share an abstract strategy game that I recently developed.

[@primaflash2219]

Dvonn, Voldetour, gyges

[@DualBrainGames]

I’ve never played Voldetour or Gyges, and when I shot the video I had not played Dvonn. A new top 10 is forthcoming. Thanks for watching.

[@dwyllie]

I love Blokus.

[@rpm381]

This is such a great list! Love all of these as well. Do you like Hnefatafl or any hunt games?

[@DualBrainGames]

Not familiar with those, will look! Thanks for watching!

[@MrVenc-ef8fm]

Well, there is a game I want to play but the fundraising campaign did not go well. The game is called Kerak (do not confuse with Karark). It is similar to chess but it is played on hexagonal board and at start of each game you and your opponent both place your units so every game is original. There are of course elements units defending another units and units attacking other units. I am very interested. Anyways, good video.

[@DualBrainGames]

Thank for watching, I’ll have to look into that game, haven’t heard of it until now, thanks!

[@twhjr2]

Could you do a video showing how to play Terrace?

[@DualBrainGames]

Yes!

[@Codynstef21]

Fantastic video!

[@mider9996]

Nice list

[@mcmastergi]

Are these still your top 10 today? I know you wanted to make a 2nd top 10 including some of the GIPF Project games..

[@NATOnova]

you play or like any of the gipf series games?

[@DualBrainGames]

I have since and yes, Yinsh, Dvonn, Zertz

[@diamondmeeple]

In my top 10 abstracts is Blokus Duo. Drop bonuses, play two games alternate start. Lowest totalt surplus squares wins. I hold Knizia's Through the Desert as better than Ingenious. However I really like Ingenious too. Axio is not the same game...

[@DualBrainGames]

I never played Blokus Duo, will check it out. And I love Through the Desert, thanks for the reminder! AXIO is not the same? I play it the same though I never read the rules since I know Ingenious. I know the App can be different, you would need to get AXIO Hexa.

[@carsten-giese]

What about Chess and Go?

[@wagnerkuhn4459]

What do you think of Element?

[@DualBrainGames]

Must check it out! Haven’t played it. What do you think of it?

[@Austistatistic]

Ragnaroks

[@mandyogilvie686]

46 like

[@NikolajLepka]

backgammon isn't a strategy game. It relies entirely on luck

[@ScaryJ1701]

Excellent video! I only recently discovered Tak. Give "Homeworlds" by John Cooper and Andy Looney a try.

[@StrategicGamesEtc]

Homeworlds is fun. What's your Abstract Play username? I'm Samraku. I prefer 24/12/72 time controls for Homeworlds, but am willing to negotiate

[@davidzaydullin]

@@StrategicGamesEtc tagg!