Top 10 Beautiful on the Inside Games

Tom Vasel, Zee Garcia, and Mike DiLisio take a look at their top 10 games which don't look good but are fun.
Mike 10 : 01:57
Zee 10 : 05:25
Tom 10 : 07:08
Mike 9 : 09:08
Zee 9 : 11:30
Tom 9 : 14:01
Mike 8 : 15:59
Zee 8 : 18:44
Tom 8 : 21:18
Mike 7 : 24:01
Zee 7 : 25:54
Tom 7 : 29:30
Mike 6 : 32:21
Zee 6 : 35:01
Tom 6 : 37:47
Mike 5 : 40:00
Zee 5 : 42:04
Tom 5 : 43:38
Mike 4 : 46:36
Zee 4 : 49:28
Tom 4 : 51:51
Mike 3 : 54:04
Zee 3 : 56:14
Tom 3 : 58:38
Mike 2 : 1:01:02
Zee 2 : 1:03:33
Tom 2 : 1:05:40
Mike 1 : 1:07:53
Zee 1 : 1:10:40
Tom 1 : 1:12:55
People's Choice : 1:15:06
Outro : 1:18:04
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[@MindsetTabletop]

I love how Mike just murdered it from the start 🤣

[@sirshakletonfury4833]

Mike is a Legend

[@stacie_everdell]

Mike, do not be swayed by the masses. 'Circus Flohcati' is a great example of vintage avant garde art. The fact that you see this shows you have artistic sensibility and style. ;)

[@bricelory9534]

The art on Circus Flohcati is a really distinct aesthetic that is executed well. I can see why many don't like it, certainly, but I appreciate its bizarre charm.

[@Talon3000]

It reminds me a lot of the Rusty Lake videogames. I want this version now.

[@davidlewis5312]

I do agree, it is executed well. That's the scary part, many examples here are amateurist cheap art. This isn't. Someone intentionally did a lot of work to accomplish something that creepy.

[@johnblack3204]

This might be one of the funniest episodes you folks have ever made! Thank you for brightening my day with this

[@mylor1066]

Agreed!

[@patricheva]

I think it was the zoom thing.

[@JP-hh5si]

@@patricheva The zoom in to the sloth at 31:20 was hilarious.

[@masblas3379]

This was a fantastic countdown! I haven't laughed so much in a while!

[@keel1701]

"Oh it's Mars, thats what we're doing" oh man that was great 🤣

[@michellecompton1755]

I bought Circus flochati because of how much I loved the art 😬

[@vzjrz]

One of the funniest lists in recent memory. Great job guys!

[@LawrenceMiles1972]

I genuinely, non-ironically love the art in the Grail "Circus Flohcati". It's got the same horrifying sense of comedy as Terry Gilliam's "Monty Python" cartoons.

[@mylor1066]

Zee is on fire with this one! So entertaining, great idea for a top 10. Shout to Roy for epic zooming.

[@trbry.]

deception was a flop tho.

[@jcb3393]

48:47 - the alternate cover of Caylus looks like somebody lost in Ikea, looking at a map to get out.

[@salvatorearmata5607]

Mike set the tone right off the bat and one hour later my side hurts from laughing so much! Love this Top Ten List! Great job gentlemen!

[@jessicavandale1127]

I can’t believe how long it took me to scroll this page to find this video. So. Much. Content. Not always a good thing, guys! I started watching this channel years ago with the trio Tom, Sam, and Zee and yes we all miss those days- but Mike is such a wonderful addition! Great chemistry and insight- love the back and forth bickering. The others guys lately just don’t mesh as well in this atmosphere. Tom, Zee, and Mike are the new trio I look forward to. This gave me a taste of what I was missing. Great video.

[@chievejobs4687]

Mike killed it. Great episode!

[@jeffreymishra-marzetti9194]

Love this video guys! As an artist myself, I can totally relate to the physical shudder one feels when looking at some of these games. It was a hoot hearing some of your takes on them.

[@EricWoning]

There is a reason Dice tower is the biggest.... man, the chemistry is so good that a list that I don't care about is brilliant. well done guys!

[@EricWoning]

@@readilium3432 - true... Forgot that

[@michaelformhals5633]

The fun and genuine interactions make the video as much as the content. That's why I love watching the Dice Tower guys!

[@henrywyrley-birch2917]

One of the funniest top 10s you guys have put out! Great job folks! Really entertaining!

[@martinwastesmoney4018]

Wow! This is one of the best videos you have ever put out! I was laughing the whole time, but also it was so well put together. Great job Dice Tower crew!

[@phantomcyrano]

YESSSSS!!! I have literally been wanting them to do a list like this for YEARS! My only regret is that Sam couldn't be here because historically Sam and Zee talking about a game being ugly is always hilarious! 🤣 That said, Mike is great as always and five minutes in this has become my favorite top ten list. Great job fellas.

[@jcb3393]

17:10 - the Shanty Town card looks like Matt Groening was a guest artist.

[@necrotoaster94]

Wow I haven't laughed out loud this much in a long time. One of the best Top Ten lists yet, for the camaraderie as much or more so than the content. Highest of marks. 😁

[@DEMONJIM]

This is one of the best top 10s in awhile. Also Mike killed it.

[@Legitster]

Hard disagree on Deception. I think the cards look really gritty and cool. And the Chinese text adds such a unique flavor.

[@jchangaus]

Unless you have the European version, which is German and English.

[@ronnieballs8145]

@@jchangaus The two languages aspect is so distracting (German/English) - I agree!

[@charlesgoigne]

Best episode ever! More stuff like this, please.

[@daitilus7343]

I just realized how much I missed the live format! Great show

[@JoeLaurvick]

Great list! Love to watch these. You guys are a great group to watch. What are the chances we could get an updated list of small box/lunchtime board games?

[@timborocksloud]

PeeChee Art...man that brought back some nostalgia!! Mike nailed it with that commment.

[@susanjohnson318]

All those poor sports figures getting crossed eyes . . .

[@secondstone4968]

I miss these top 10’s and you 3 did an amazing job! This was such a nice reminder why we love the dice tower!!! We almost missed this video as we are finding this channel is being spammed with too much content from people we don’t even know or care about. More is not always better. We need more quality and this was fantastic! Maybe create a “Dice Tower & Friends” channel where you can upload all this extra content and feature the best of those on your actual channel. Thanks again for this video. We loved it! 🥰

[@indigosunszenith7485]

As someone who represents themselves themselves online using an anthropomorphic insect, +1 to Mike! (Also shout out to Roy to being the silent MVP for this episode.) Definitely my favorite top 10 I've seen! Laugh out loud good.

[@RealJahzir]

"OH they forgot to print it" 🤣🤣🤣. Zee is a comic genius

[@freeheeler00]

I played a little DnD 30+ years ago, but I am realistically a noob in modern tabletop gaming. I find all this content both helpful and entertaining. Thank you.

[@JasonOshinko]

I feel like Sam would totally have put Pecunia Non Olet on this list.

[@mikemurillo5781]

This is the funniest board game list video of all time! A real gem.

[@adamanderson1979]

I am a firm advocate for terraforming mars art . As someone who has pitched projects in corporate settings the art fits theme perfectly.... no comment on other components

[@mindyfranke5279]

One of the most entertaining top 10s! I couldn't argue with any of the picks; Mike absolutely killed it! Pee Chee folder art even! LOL!! Zee's zingers going strong! Tom's list spot on! Roy's great zoom effects. Great job one and all!

[@JoeyC777]

Possibly the funniest top 10 DT have done! Brilliant!

[@dougwarr9459]

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this list. Turns out it was one of the more entertaining ones I’ve watched lately.

[@nzcamel3]

I think the baseball cover is meant to be that moment in sport where a camera filming the action also has the in-ground big screen in shot, so you get the cascading image being reflected, much like two mirrors do opposite each other. Having said that, it isn't obvious.

[@dancondonjones]

Seemed pretty obvious to me.

[@winonaks]

This was an excellent list and super fun to watch!

[@johanneskrenner8908]

I have to rewatch that episode in a while … it's so entertaining!

[@IdlestHands]

I don't get the complaints about Deception. The art's dark and stylised. Really fits the theme of the game IMO.

[@simonmancini6038]

Yeah me neither. My game groups actually all like it very much.

[@MrGourd]

Agreed. I've never once had anyone complain about the art from all the times I've taught it. I think it's totally fine.

[@cragslayer9270]

Thank you for the laughs. What a good time.

[@1canondocre]

Standing up for the design in Blitzkrieg...I think it works and has a charm to it. Great premise for a list and lots of good moments.

[@nishant_kumar]

Great video guys! Love the banter

[@randomjunk1977]

Man, I kind of really want a copy of Circus Flohcati now

[@naomiooooo]

I like the Circus game's surrealistic art... it is funny.

[@grog3514]

I paid ridiculous shipping to get the german version instead. Those flea heads are nightmare fuel. I would never play the game like that.

[@TylerAndToast]

I wish I laughed as much at work as you guys do! Keep it up!

[@sebastiantrost6409]

Terraforming Mars is one of our favourite games. With all the expansions in play, you'll always have something to do, always options to choose from and with enough on the table it actually looks good - some sort of component cheerleader effect. But the base game on itself is just to plain for what it costs : plain cardboard, thin cards, the obnoxious player tableaus should come in dual layer cardboard in the box! (Though I like the cards - many capture the ideas they're based on and iconography and text are easy to udnerstand).

[@nachotolchefffernandez231]

If you look at it long enough, it turns into a good cover! - Mike is just hilarious

[@Stankiem83]

"Oh you're not pregnant" LOL so subtly brilliant.

[@g8kpr3000]

That was hilarious… haha

[@karldoughty7996]

Came here to quote the same 😁😁

[@aritovi]

Mike Di Lisio nail it!

[@Jootie_de_Kop]

Once my wife was asked if she was pregnant and she was not. Instead of making a big deal out of it, she said Yes! When they asked her when the baby was expected, she answered March. Btw, I love my wife's sense of humor and her cute belly!

[@Straddllw]

I printed out my own version of Glory to Rome with English translations and Polish artwork. The files are available somewhere out there on the internet. I think I got it from a bgg post years ago. It is gorgeous!!!

[@mikeprice2915]

I actually really like this version of Circus Flochati. I don't understand why people are so horrified.

[@lystic9392]

I'm still screaming.

[@tommygrahn1516]

You guy's are great...best top ten in awhile😃

[@Jootie_de_Kop]

Best episode ever! Keep coming back to this one. The Holy Trinity, Tom, Zee and Mike (sorry Sam), in their best shape. Ps: Chris and Wendy are awesome too.

[@AlexSwireClark]

I love this video so much. This makes me feel that I want to play these not so pretty games! Ethnos is fantastic!

[@PinothyJ]

I greatly disagree with Deception, Zee. The two languages is because you will frequently see the English and Traditional Chinese on signs. It is very thematic in that sense.

[@43bg1]

I also think Deception is more of a mediocre looking game than something that belongs on this list. The list as a whole was great though.

[@KingOfShadeEmpire]

53:13 is by far my favourite moment in this one. And it's a very target rich environment for good jokes!

[@natecress4226]

Loved this Top 10 and the back and forth! I would add Targi to the list.

[@BassForever]

Awkward Guest not being a dice tower essential and being so hard to find new copies of is a shame.

[@ntmetroid]

But I like the look of terraforming mars....

[@Miksei]

I wanted to try Patchwork for a long time, but the (IMO hideous) artwork was a deal-breaker for me. I immediately snatched up a copy when the Americana edition came out. It's a family favorite now, partly because of the beautiful artwork.

[@Steve-L]

There is a Christmas edition as well! I almost bought it. But we have the original.

[@jendubay3782]

Did the same with the Americana. It looks so much like primitive Americana art that I collect, I love it.

[@GoldenSirius]

Amazing episode. Laughed so much.

[@eVanDiesel]

I love the Deception art!

[@JohnSmith-pu3pm]

Detective: A Modern Parking lot photo on the cover, and Duel of Ages II, which, Like Tom, I still love. Man that game needs a new version.

[@neverboardofgaming]

Mike's list was stellar

[@aprilw2287]

Great video! For me personally I'd say Legendary Encounters: Firefly. It's the only game I played where I have to fight to ignore the horrible artwork. Usually I can just let it fade into the background, but that game screams at me.

[@tracytroutman7188]

I think that was the games that pushed Upper Deck into using screen caps. Good game with horrendous card art. LE: Aliens looks fantastic so I don't know why it went downhill the way it did.

[@vanzetti7]

Fantastic top ten guys!

[@namelessfire]

Hot take: Terraforming Mars has great, thematic artwork.

[@jessicaside]

Great list. Lots of fun.

[@KabukiKid]

The first time I played Nexus Ops, it was actually a copy that was the FFG version, but with the Avalon Hill minis. lol The guy who owned it made a Frankenstein version just like Tom said. :-) Personally, I like the FFG minis too, though... I think they are easier to distinguish what they are at a glance on the board.

[@EricBarbman]

47:11 to the non French public, the Caylus cover is a mediocre drawing from the Philippe Le Bel character in "Les Rois Maudits", a 1972 wonderful TV mini-series (6 ep.) about the events that led to the 100 years war with England. "Les Rois Maudits" had the best theatrical actors from the era. Amazing storytelling and acting. (obscene remake in 2005)

[@donteatpoop4689]

Baseball Highlights cover - the figure is standing in front of a big-screen at a stadium. So you're seeing the repetition of him behind himself multiple times in a simulation of that. (but I agree about the rest of the game).

[@ka13ng70]

Agreed that the figure is standing in front of a big-screen, but additionally I think it is also trying to evoke an effect that sports media tends to use when they are feeling "artsy". Look up "multiple exposure baseball cards" or even "Japanese baseball player Ichiro in slow motion" for a video example.

[@benjaminspears8488]

I’m pretty sure Brothers Murph had this on a recent list of best cover artwork. I think the cover looks pretty cool, but the inside is what kept me away.

[@krisrhodes5180]

@22:00 they're showing the same guy twice because they're showing the guy, and then a big screen behind him that he is also being depicted on. This emphasizes the drama and stakes of the game--a player is not only playing the game in front of him, but is magnified on screen, playing for an audience. It's a trope you'll see in sports movies sometimes as well I think (though I don't have specific examples in mind).

[@StevenStJohn-kj9eb]

Someone please photoshop Friedmann Friese's sloth wrapped around the neck of the Glasgow guy.

[@denisepamudji4304]

Flip the sloth, have it hanging from the rings of the planet on Beyond the Sun!

[@nayoh.13]

Does anyone know if there is going to be a reprint of Deception Murder in Hong Kong? I can't find that game anywhere!

[@modemacabre]

When they zoomed in on the cover of Mandala it made me think of the brain washing machine from the Star Trek episode on the penal colony for the insane.

[@JonTripp115]

{quietly adds Circus Flohcati to Wishlist}

[@keel1701]

Innovation is 100% a prototype that went straight to the printers, no one can convince me otherwise.

[@mmuthig13]

It's the third edition already. Can't be a prototype after so many revisions, can it?

[@williammcneil2045]

wow the cover art is madness :P

[@julianh.9939]

Everything from Alea, 2F and the Lookout 2 player line.

[@shagginwagon8447]

"My First Sloth" lol

[@melvinj.124]

Funniest episode ever.

[@mylor1066]

Yup

[@searose6192]

(Very close) Second funniest. The top 10 historical games was the funniest. If you haven't seen it, it's a much watch. It's Tom, Zee and Liz and zee is hilarious!

[@jesseklei4074]

I absolutely LOVE the joke that Tom made at 49:30. 🤣🤣🤣

[@PinothyJ]

What a start to a list!

[@Toneloke-xm9jv]

Awesome video😂. Suburbia and food chain magnate come to mind🙈

[@ralelunar]

Careful, the Splotter stans will come after you

[@spacemonkeyentertainment6413]

@@ralelunar I mean, it's a running gag in the industry, isn't it ? The game is equally great and ugly, though i get the charm of "distinctively splotter", if one is a fan of their games.

[@cartergreen2309]

I actually love how the cards look in fcm. But as someone who rates that game a 10/10.....agree. the board is ATROCIOUS

[@derekbowen5820]

Going into this my thought is this is just a clever way to list a top 10 Feld games. (and I mean that more as a compliment to his designs than as as a dig against the way they look).

[@SolviKaaber]

There's an upcoming game by PSC Games and Paolo Mori that's called Caesar! It has no images of it, but its description sounds exactly like Blitzkrieg which was Tom's number 2, so it might be a reprint with a different theme, or a spiritual sequel, with a hopefully better look.

[@gregoryg1768]

Tabletop Merchant just updated their Deal of the Day for today, June 4, and it's 2 games: Carpe Diem, and Castles of Burgundy. They're dropping their stock of "beautiful on the inside" games, and it's all because of this Top 10!

[@tamassmahajcsik-szabo6408]

I like the design of Dominant Species (2nd and later prints). It's consistent, clean and serves the game mechanics well. Just one look and you can see the state of the game. Imagine how fiddly the game would be with miniatures.

[@lastburning]

Exactly!

[@thecornerkid402]

Wow. Mogul's box looks like the beginning of a Mr. Rogers segment.

[@brunomarion7151]

You guys are hilarious! Maybe the opposite top 10 in the future: good looking mediocre games. There are more and more of those every year, thanks to kickstarter.

[@matthewelias7545]

This is a great suggestion

[@RagingOwlbear]

There would be too many.

[@missitheachievementhuntres560]

They listened ^^

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

@@RagingOwlbear lol yeah

[@Hedgehogking5]

This is a great list of games that I would like to play now that I have the reassurance that they aren't complete trash.

[@MrTravolta7]

Disagree 100% with Terraforming Mars. I think it’s a beautiful board and have nice components.

[@stibbsta6828]

Buonocore, is that you? 😏

[@MrTravolta7]

@@stibbsta6828 lol no i’m not. But he should share my opinion 😊. I don’t understand why people don’t like the artwork or whatever it is. I really like how the game looks.

[@Steve-L]

@@stibbsta6828 It's his paid employee. :-P

[@miistercrayon]

Rio Grande seem to be going for a minimal look - they had that airport game recently that looks like excel.

[@JayChampagne]

After the Awaken Realms version of Castles of Burgundy comes out, you need to do a list of top ten board game "glow ups". Aeon's End needs to go on that list, too.

[@fredericbarbe]

Great list!

[@TabletopToolbox]

I'm partially surprised that Food Chain Magnate wasn't on here, but then again I also realize it probably isn't a favored game by either of these three... :)

[@kchorst5037]

Fascinating & hilarious... Great video, thanks. I am wondering if in Dominion font, the ugly O's are symbolizing wanting to chain actions together?

[@jcb3393]

That's a generous take on a horrible font.

[@kchorst5037]

The ugly D is just pretentious.

[@berndwinkler1677]

I love the style of Awkward Guests!