Top 10 Board Games of the Year

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I share my Top 10 Board Games of the Year
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🛒 Amazon:
🔟Trekking Through History - geni.us/trekkingthroughhistory
9️⃣Sea Salt and Paper - geni.us/seasaltandpaper
8️⃣Cat in the Box - geni.us/catinthebox
7️⃣Long Shot: The Dice Game - geni.us/longshotdicegame
6️⃣Mists over Carcassonne - geni.us/mistsovercarcassonne
5️⃣Caesar - geni.us/caesargame
4️⃣Foundations of Rome - geni.us/foundationsofrome
3️⃣HEAT: Pedal to the Metal - geni.us/heatpedaltothemetal
2️⃣Sniper Elite - geni.us/SniperElite
1️⃣Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest - geni.us/libertalia
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🛒 Zatu (UK):
🔟Trekking Through History - www.tagserve.com/clickServlet...
9️⃣Sea Salt and Paper - www.tagserve.com/clickServlet...
8️⃣Cat in the Box - www.tagserve.com/clickServlet...
7️⃣Long Shot: The Dice Game - www.tagserve.com/clickServlet...
6️⃣Mists over Carcassonne - www.tagserve.com/clickServlet...
5️⃣Caesar - www.tagserve.com/clickServlet...
4️⃣Foundations of Rome - www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
3️⃣HEAT: Pedal to the Metal - www.tagserve.com/clickServlet...
2️⃣Sniper Elite - www.tagserve.com/clickServlet...
1️⃣Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest - www.tagserve.com/clickServlet...
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RELEVANT LINKS:
Sniper Elite Review - • My New Favourite Hidde...
Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest - • Libertalia: Winds of G...
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[@linusottosson5425]

”I’ve played 83 new games released this year”. I always appreciate when people disclose this so you get a feel for the basis of the top 10. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@michaelwesten4624]

that's like 1 new game every 4,39 days

[@laugh_often_xoxo3728]

Trekking Through History 0:20 9⃣Sea Salt and Paper 2:13 8⃣Cat in the Box 4:40 7⃣Long Shot: The Dice Game 7:47 6⃣Mists over Carcassonne 9:52 5⃣Caesar 11:56 4⃣Foundations of Rome 14:02 3⃣HEAT: Pedal to the Metal 17:44 2⃣Sniper Elite 20:33 1⃣Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest 22:43

[@ryanbartlett672]

Dude your writing and delivery is top notch. I laughed out loud 2-3 times per game. That's good entertainment...and I also wrote down all your games to consider. Heat is top of that list. Thank you.

[@actualol]

Not during Long Shot you didn't, because I forgot to put any jokes in it! But seriously, thank you, I'm so happy to hear when people find it funny 😊

[@firewoodloki]

The satire is top notch!

[@williamgrimm1353]

I really want heat as well, reminds me of Camel Up, which is my top party/newcomer game to play.

[@mchamberlain7408]

Still can't find HEAT 😢

[@aclabonte]

"You're so busy weaving the basket you'll keep your eggs in that you forget to feed your chickens" may be the single best sentence I've heard in a review for anything ever.

[@cklester]

"This board, made in PowerPoint 98" one made me LOL.

[@theCurliQtube]

"it's like putting a hat on Beyoncé..." got me good

[@troydelfs7062]

'Those Nurses are greedy' :)

[@butbetter1311]

​@@cklester 2 I

[@RiffraffDC]

I watched several of your videos, but knew I had to subscribe after I heard that line. Your writing is hilarious!

[@octavus4858]

thank you so much for friendly, non-hype approach to gaming. we discovered "lost cities" thanks to you - and loving it

[@actualol]

Awesome, glad to hear of another person enjoying Lost Cities 😁

[@nunyabiz2889]

A boat's a boat but a mystery box could be anything. Even a boat! Spot on reference, mate 👌!! That was perfect and funny.

[@300fans]

Mists over Carcassonne is the game I never knew I needed! I love cooperative games, and I feel like this is exactly what Carcassonne was missing for me! Didn't know it existed until watching your video. Thank you!

[@bndcksnts182]

Where did you find it? I can't find on amazon

[@300fans]

@@bndcksnts182 Haven't found it yet, but I have researched the mechanics and am thoroughly intrigued.

[@bndcksnts182]

@@300fans From what I have found, it is being released on 2/17!

[@willbutler4636]

Amazing video. Such high quality, perfect balance between content and jokes, and the best thing of all letting the real actualol shine through. Nailed it.

[@Maknahr]

You keep boardgame reviews fresh, funny and down to earth at the same time. Happy to have watched this!

[@ryanmorgenegg2330]

A mix of some must haves and some I've never heard of.

[@abroadgames]

Absolutely incredible top 10. Your jokes and entertaining narratives always bring me back. What an inspiration!

[@PTH777]

It takes dexterity to work in an medium-deep cut, ancient Family Guy reference without sounding forced. Well played.

[@actualol]

Haha, it's one of the few Family Guy bits that really stuck in my head. I think I might have even attempted a reference in a previous video, but this one having an actual boat card made it too perfect.

[@Styrophoamicus]

Thank you for calling out a) trick taking games, and b) calling out over-produced over-priced Kickstarter games. I appreciate that you aren't shy about your opinions about game systems. Your recommendations haven't failed me yet!

[@ingl0rius]

I love seeing that you’ve put a video out because I know I’m in for a treat - great list and amazing, genuinely funny content as always. Thank you!

[@BenBroomfield]

Another banging top 10 dude. I've been loving Sea Salt and Paper on Board Game Arena thanks to your recommendation. Def going to pick that little gem up at the UK Games Expo in June!

[@lepa0026]

Finally! Been waiting for your list. :) Thanks for sharing.

[@carols-corner]

You have the best descriptions, explanations,and b-roll for your reviews and top 10s… Thanks, Jon Purkis!

[@actualol]

Thanks Carol 😊

[@PeanutFour]

It's rare that I watch a top ten boardgame clip to the end with full focusing. Your way of talking and describing thing was impressive and though earned you a Subscribe!

[@batpixi_]

Foundations of Rome looks perfect for my family.

[@patrickholler7444]

Your analogies are fire. I love your ability to explain what the experience of each game.

[@iam007]

"Oooh the nurses are greedy, aren't they?" 😂😂😂 Genius

[@cineselena]

Great list! it was neat seeing a mixture of things I knew and didn't. Good year for games indeed!

[@callmewisdom]

"Ooh the nurses are greedy, aren't they?" I just found this channel and I already love it.

[@BlueTorchWeddings]

Lovely list, added a few to my list

[@monomundo]

Thank you so much Jon. I especially like how you summarize the rules. Great job!

[@PeterWocken]

Great video as always!

[@cwb95k]

Excellent choices! Heat was my personal favorite from last year. Foundations of Rome was also a pleasant surprise but still too big a box for my shelf...lol

[@wokalpajaro]

This was so well written, thank you!

[@Kcnabrev]

My favorite top 10 video of the year! Amazing how well you can explainn the gist of a game in a consice and clear way.

[@EmporerDragon]

Foundations of Rome sounds like it would be right up my game group's alley, but that size, price, and kickstarterness puts it outside the realm of justifiable purchase. So, we'll make do with Akropolis as the representative for a 2022 release city-building board game themed around an ancient European civilization in my library.

[@loneXolf]

Yea the 2nd Kickstarter was $200 for the lowest pledge, it costs like 3 to 4 times what it should without the lot of plastic.

[@JerzyMuller]

@@loneXolf they are trying to make a cardboard version of the game, apparently it’s surprisingly hard to make the art on the tiles a) look good when you can rotate them and b) be easy to recognise what’s what for scoring purposes. It’ll probably be released this or next year.

[@loneXolf]

@@JerzyMuller Big if true, I might even like the look of cardboard more if the art is good than the unpainted plastic.

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

@@loneXolf I would think part of the price tag was to make the individual molds, but that work has already been done so the cost to manufacture should go down. Once all the people with excess funds had their fill I would hope the company would want to make more profit by lowering msrp and appealing to the more common masses. Maybe they’ll have My Lil Foundations of Rome.

[@wayner7263]

You should look into Suburbia 2nd edition which was released in 2021.

[@manuelsilva1140]

Greatvideo thanks for the recommendations

[@dradkyn9118]

He is just so wholesome. Such a genuine dude. Thanks for great content

[@actualol]

😊

[@rockerboy84]

Man, I'm glad this is the first time me watching one of your videos and it has been like a breath of fresh air! Not only you make a nice and interesting review of them, you are showing some games that go out of what you usually see from other big reviews.

[@ahchiu9]

Yes! The perfect placement for the mystery box line!!

[@Theo_Sacha]

Thank you very much for including Sea Salt & Paper! It means a lot :)

[@actualol]

Thanks for making such a creative, original game!

[@stevebrown5253]

Great review, thanks!

[@Neno281]

It's feels like the production value of this videos is sooo damm high. Thanks for this

[@Tornroot]

"Take me seriously, I have grey hair" 😂 probably my favourite line of the video, though there are so many crackers

[@DavidDouglasToth]

Great video, great channel!

[@CherubRocket1979]

0:30 ohhhh... i remember those days. Still go the broken broken nose from picking up my copy of Guess Who. Shop-keep Gary a Gameorama was lovely chap.

[@Yukamagic17]

Thanks alot for this video. I had a good idea about every game that you talked about in a very short time. Helped me alot to choose which game to add to my collection and which not.

[@Thungon]

Great video! #1 and #2 have been on my wishlist since your original videos on them. Still excited for both when I get around to purchasing them! :)

[@darthfishis]

Absolutely love your vids. :D

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Wow! Your explanation of these games is right on point - some of the best - you make it very clear how the game plays! Convince that with some humor - and that is the reason why I look out for your videos! 😀

[@simonwahlstrom1296]

Love your videos! :)

[@shortydancer]

I’ve been a fan for a few years, and I must say you’re aging like fine wine

[@BoardGamesinaMinute]

Your number one was my number 2 game for 2022! Also had Long Shot The Dice Game on my list! Good list! 😺

[@brunofant3562]

The nurses are greedy I'm dying

[@jameskirk4692]

Thank you for the great recommendations list. I look forward to trying and getting few of those games. As always, you did great job with this video! You should feel proud of yourself, you are great at this. And thank you for this kind of entertainment!

[@alisyedhasany6594]

Libertalia ~ Sniper Elite ~ Foundations of Rome I am buying these games or a bunch of beads & laminated prints to recreate them. I'm just considering what building an arsenal of handmaid bootlegs would be like lol.

[@vincentskater]

This video was really funny actually, the jokes were so spot on lol - and the games you talked about seemed really interesting as well! I agree with Liberatalia being number 1, definitely my favorite game of the year, and thanks for staying true to your opinions about big box Kickerstarter games as well, I actually hard agree with your opinion on that as well xD I also really like how you explained the mechanics to board games without going into too much detail, or too vague and unimportant detail, you had just the perfect balance for me to understand what the game is like without playing it or knowing all the rules. Gotta say, this is one of your best videos !

[@actualol]

Thanks Vincent! Glad to hear it hit the spot 🙂

[@markywarky5483]

Great video! Foundations of Rome exceeded all of my expectations. I hear you when you talk about it being overproduced. I, like the next person, am not a huge fan of these outrageous price tags and struggle with what games I'll support. However, I always come back to the table presence. When I pull a group together I want to get away from reality and immerse them in an incredible world whether that be trains, mechs, Mars, Rome, etc. Foundations of Rome gives that to me and my crew, sucking us into an amazing experience. Keep up the great work and thanks!

[@chicomtl]

Wow. You are now my new favorite game reviewer ! Great videos.

[@willduncan6909]

I already knew of Paolo Mori from Blitzkrieg!, but seeing that he designed TWO of the games on this list (Caesar! and Libertalia) makes me think it’s worth keeping an eye on him to see what he does next…

[@actualol]

Yes, he's one of my favourites to keep an eye on. He's got a really strong track record and he is also adept at designing different types of games which is quite rare. I also really like Pandemic: Fall of Rome by him.

[@corvusonis7974]

Still waiting for Ethnos reprint in my country.

[@user-ei3og9dw7q]

We all are, we all are. Ethnos will, unfortunately, probably be bloated and gross when it's reprinted. @@corvusonis7974

[@user-ei3og9dw7q]

That artwork on Libertalia though? I couldn't look at that for two minutes, it's horrible.

[@AlbertShizznipple671]

Your "a boats a boat" line had me rolling. I can't beleieve family Guy references still live rent free in my head

[@cklester]

My family played Long Shot (the boardgame) a few years ago, and we had such a blast with it. We were literally standing up and yelling for our horses to win. It was so fun! Recently, I've seen two other racing games I'd like to try. One is new as of 2022; I can't remember what it's called. Somebody is rolling dice and moving the horses, while other people are placing bets. It's like a real-time horse racing game. Because it is a real-time horse racing game. The other is that Heat game. Great list and great video! Thank you!

[@bryanstarke1313]

That would be Ready Set Bet (designed by John D. Clair and published by AEG).

[@benvlynch]

83 different boardgames in a year... God bless you Jon Purkis...

[@AnkitGarg]

Thanks!

[@mowoki]

Great video, as always. I'm a new fan, and really enjoying your take on gaming. Just wanted to point out that Go Stop is a Korean gambling game using the hanafuda cards. It has the "stop when you win enough points but you can keep going for more points" mechanism. It's actually the whole point of that game as the name implies. Maybe not widespread in board gaming, but "double or nothing" kinds of concepts seem to be prevalent in gambling games.

[@twentysides]

I agree that there aren't enough city building games that have you building the same city. The criminally underrated Urban Sprawl does this very well and I can't recommend it enough.

[@feelssapman]

the family guy "a boat's a boat, but the mystery box could be anything - it could even be a boat!" reference killed me, bahahahaha, ingenius!

[@cardsfan2424]

Thank you for the video! I really like the blue shirt you are wearing. Would you mind sharing the brand/style?

[@andrepinheiro552]

I've bought HEAT because of this video and couldn't be happier. I'm a huge fan of the way these videos are made, it's definitely the best channel I've found to the day: witty, transparent and very good image and sound (it matters, and we can appreciate the difference from early on). John is a briliant writer/comedian and it just transforms the experience of "let's see a practical video about boardgames" to a whole new level of "this is just downright great entertainment".

[@46281]

Hi there! Its so funny that there are two games within top ten which are somewhat related to your video of the most common mistakes of a boardgamer. One theme is from a popular computer game and the other one is a kickstarter one. ;)

[@Saylor28]

I feel the same way about Foundations of Rome. I really want it, but that price and box size are real close to being deal breakers.

[@zhongpaul1102]

Great video. You need to watch everything everwhere all at once tho

[@Allen-P]

Great vid...where do you have Ready Set Bet? That one took me by storm, and all my group bought copies!

[@PhilMyu]

Same here! Fantastic game!

[@tjoris9]

Honestly, I think price and box size should be factors when judging a game. Foundations of Rome should be an honorable mention at best until they figure out how to make a version that costs $100 at most and is in a box 1/4 the size.

[@ChrisLowResDream]

thanks so much 😊

[@gustafcederborg9744]

Amazing writing The horse game Long Shot seems really fun

[@seanjans5416]

Hi, great vid. Any recommendations for games similar to Stefan Dorra's Intrigue?

[@kylemckell]

All of the high praise of Heat has made it out of stock everywhere! Can't wait for the V2 restock.

[@gordonsloan4332]

Love the mystery box joke 😂😂😂 ‘it could even be a boat!’

[@ThomasLiljeruhm]

I really enjoy Trekking through History!

[@TeeJ424]

Great video than you. Will look into some of these. It would be super helpful if you use time stamps for each game

[@RaziyabanuLunat]

Hi Jon High-quality presentation, entertaining and informative. Keep it up. Hobby Doctor Games UK

[@leonardquirm]

Very entertaining and informative video. I wasn't a huge fan of Long Shot: The Dice Game myself - I enjoyed it, but by the time I'd played it three times I felt I'd seen everything it had to offer - but have really enjoyed the chances I've had to play the new Libertalia, and Heat was a joyful revelation after how boring I found Flamme Rouge (an opinion it sounds like you share). Of the ones I haven't played, Cat in the Box sounds great (got to love any game where you can cause a paradox!) and I'd love to try Foundations of Rome but oof, that box. I don't mind the odd bit of Kickstarter overproduction but I can't justify a whole Kallax cube for one medium/medium-light game - not to mention the sheer impracticality of taking it anywhere!

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

Limited portability decreases replayability because you won’t be able to replay the game when traveling versus nearly any other game. I found my friends eyes glaze over big boxes and won’t inquire about them.

[@gozzywozzy485]

hahaha your description of Caesar! made me guffaw :D

[@aimajica]

Wow! Great list (and very entertaining presentation)! We have two crossovers (Heat and Sea, Salt & Paper) and two other of your picks (Caesar! and Trekking through History) were at the gate of my top ten. Awesome games! and yes, very good year indeed. ("Cat in the box" was kind of a miss for me though.) I didn't want to consider Libertalia for my own selection, since it's still very much the same game, but it would have been a contender for a top 10 spot if I had. That being said I couldn't not include "Splendor Duel", which IS the best 2-player-only game of the year! :p My list: 1. Caesar's Empire 2. Orichalcum 3. Heat 4. Splendor Duel 5. Sea, Salt & Paper 6. King of Monster Island 7. Akropolis 8. Vagrant Song 9. Flamecraft 10. Namiji I need to find a copy of "Long Shot: the dice game", but it's one that is incredibly hard to find outside of the US... (T_T) In the same way, "Foundations of Rome" looks awesome and pretty grandiose, but it's a difficult game to find, and with this price tag, it's a no no. (O_o)

[@andrewhazlewood4569]

The time track mechanism I first played in Thebes is sooo good

[@ianwilz1979]

My wife and I were already big fans of Trekking the National Parks and the World so backing Through History was a no brained for me. I absolutely love the game. The mechanism of the clock is great. And the solo mode is really good. Have you played Skull King? It’s a really fun trick taking game that even my wife really enjoyed. Long Shot: The Dice Game was another early KS of mine. It’s one of our favorite games. We play at 2p and it plays really well. I really enjoy Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest as well. I actually added that to my collection this year. I play t only solo and it’s a good thinker.

[@actualol]

Yes I love Skull King, that's possibly the only other trick taking game I own (that I can recal right now).

[@xfoolsgoldx]

Sniper Elite is very good 👍 Very good list, thanks 😊

[@jeffacornley141]

Loved the family guy reference ;)

[@petermankiw4679]

Sea Salt and Paper reminds me of Hanafuda

[@RickKoeppen]

I feel the same way about last year's games! There were so many great games released from some of my favorite designers! Definitely my favorite year since 2018. My own top 10: 10. Foundations of Rome 9. Atiwa 8. Hamlet 7. Flamecraft 6. Weather Machine 5. Zapotec 4. Woodcraft 3. Endless Winter 2. Messina 1347 1. Tiletum

[@pascalcallemien2498]

I agree with top 4 Impression would be on 5 and Lacrimosa would also be in my top 10, I did not like Hamlet and did not play Rome, Zapotec and Flamecraft.

[@themaster408]

Number 9, I SEA what you did there

[@speedandstyletony]

I want to try Heat so badly but they are sold out everywhere and were almost immediately. The only copies for sale are from scalpers on ebay and such. Hurry up and print more already!

[@BezierGamesInc]

Pawsitively furtastic video! 👏

[@yomerislame]

14:20 was that a cheeky little reference to a certain Try Guy? Lmao probably not but was the first thing I thought of

[@actualol]

Sure was! I'm not a Try Guy fan (my friend is) but I couldn't avoid all the drama about it.

[@Wisdomseyes1]

Quest for El Dorado is a great racing game. Not a new one, for sure, but if you want more racing games it is a deckbuilder race with several different paths inbuilt into the game, very tactical.

[@MikenasFlohr]

Nice reviews and a couple of excellent gags too.

[@rileymcphee9429]

Caesar is exactly what I wish more games would do: be elegant. Too many games are bogged down with seven phases and 3-4 card stacks to keep track of and it makes me just turn off the 'how to play' video because i don't want to spend more time learning the game than playing it.

[@9thandbaklavey926]

Great video! Have you played Ave Caesar? If so, what did you think?

[@actualol]

Yes, a long time ago. I found it a bit too lucky for my tastes.

[@dannyanderson4723]

This is the first time I've felt like someone was honest about Foundations of Rome. It is a great game and it's problematic because of the production, we all get it. The problem is when people either justify or vilify it, and this was the only review I've seen that called it what it was. Thanks for that.

[@nihlify]

Can't get past the art direction of Libertalia. xD But nice list, waiting for my copy of Sniper Elite any day now!

[@12enriq]

I didn't expect to see Foundations of Rome in your list.

[@actualol]

Don't pigeon hole me! 😁

[@svetoforcolumb2960]

I don't know why, but I am ignoring some games just because of their visual look. I am not dislike this look or hate it, I just ignore everything about it after first look. Until Actualol takes my head and pokes my face into a box "This game is nice, have a close look". And day after Trekking Through History travelling to my home from amazon. Thank You!

[@thomashverring9484]

I was about to say that Heat was a lot like Flamme Rouge when I realized that it's from the same designers! Flamme Rouge is a great game!

[@andywhtwo000]

Thank you for your content. I'm trying to get my family into board games. Do you have any recommendations for games to play with traditional playing cards? Maybe some family games. We have one called Backyard Bridge that my wife's account made up years ago.

[@actualol]

I actually don't have any good recommendations on that front. I know that Shut Up and Sit Down made some videos on that very subject, though, so check those out!

[@tomasxfranco]

Skull, or any trick taking game.

[@redrover2370]

Lots of new games to try, thanks. You say you don’t like racing games, have you tried Whacky Races?

[@actualol]

I haven't tried that one, no.