Top 10 Games of 2022: Mike, Zee, Tom, and the People!

[@AndreWDYounitedRevolution]

man..I love Zee & Tom but Mike brought so much knowledge to Dice Tower and offers often very refreshing picks..

[@paulfletcher6276]

Agree with everything (except that little Mille Fiori thing lol). Could listen to these 3 guys talk all day long 🙂

[@nebelung1]

Mike is definitely out of these three the one I share the least with in taste of games, but I still like his contribution to the channel for sure!

[@dandurkin9735]

@@paulfletcher6276 Ganz Schön Knizia is great fun.

[@jenius00]

I mean, when you've been around as long as Mike has, you pick up a thing or two 😉

[@BryceChristiansen]

Mike's a man of the people

[@BrunoBaronet]

Truly a great trio, I love the banter between you guys. The best list of the year. Thank you! (Mike DiLisio is a National Treasure)

[@neilbiggin]

Mike continuing to talk while they talk over him is my Dice Tower highlight of the year. He’s constantly battling to talk when the others talk over him. The interaction and banter is always fun, but let the man speak, he has quality information and opinions to share.

[@jesseirwin2607]

Z is so hilarious. His style of comedy is so refereshing i just love it. His tenpenny park bit about bribing officials smacked

[@allluckyseven]

And his ability to say that with a straight face!

[@terry3733H]

and when Tom teased Zee with 12 days of xmas lyrics: "he loves big baddies, long games and he's very shallow.." 🤣

[@HughDickson]

Wow, Mike is such a fantastic addition to The Dice Tower! My favourite videos were with Tom, Zee, and Sam, and now my favourite videos are Tom, Zee, and Mike.

[@Benny_Shoga]

Came to say exactly the same thing. Couldn’t agree more. Also enjoy when Roy joins in as well.

[@1AngelAlita]

I agree and there's much better athmoshpere now with Mike instead of Sam.

[@IndianaGeologist]

This is the best trio that has ever existed in DT history. Still don't love the new studio, but the you guys

[@henrikwakman7776]

Sometimes life knocks you over the head. Watching you guys discuss board game is the best band aid.

[@ModularLanding]

Hope you feel better soon. And yes, these guys are great!

[@deiseach02]

I love how Tom picked up on the significance of Zee's 'it could have been my 11'. The voice of experience of the voice of the people.

[@lorelielomaloma6569]

Now or Never is my favorite of Ryan Laukat’s! I’m with Zee here about liking this underloved game.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Lands of Galzyr is one of the most charming and well designed games I’ve ever played. Masterful.

[@mattkutrik]

Your initial thoughts and subsequent review are what made me pull my copy off of the shelf and start playing!

[@IronSalamander8]

Keep the Heroes Out is my number one this year. Recently arrived from the KS campaign and love it so much.

[@BasiCitizen]

Hooray Flamecraft! Played it yesterday and am currently 3d printing an insert for it. Opening all those little baggies can be a bit of a pain. Endless Winter looks super fun as well.

[@koriakin]

31:18 I actually died here from laughing. Tears filled my I eyes and I couldn't speak for a minute out of laughing. You guys are the best! Apart from great board game content you are just wonderful, positive, joyful people who bring so much into my life... THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Best Christmas wishes to y'all and have a wonderful Christmas time! Much love from Poland!

[@rachelandryan]

FYI, the word Decimate means to reduce by 10%, and Mille Fiore is listed on BGG as 2021.

[@JonReid01]

Oh nooooo

[@vittorioe]

Yes, it comes from ancient Rome and their policy of killing one out of every 10 prisoners after a battle.

[@jameskirk4692]

I really love all your top 10 list videos with you three. You are so entertaining and interesting. Thank you all!

[@Shoitaan]

Now or Never is greatly under appreciated. Wierd tom complains about it being too long. I feel Ark Nova is too long for what is delivers. Now or Never scratches my itch the whole way through and gives a great sense of accomplishment at the end. Great pick Zee!

[@djoj20]

Endless winter is such a good game, a bit overwhelming at first but the freedom it gives players is great, especially if played with the expansions

[@shundoraud3908]

I got the kickstarter deluxe version of Flamecraft and I don't regret it one bit. It's a great game that last about an hour and it's not too heavy on strategy or planning so my 8 year old niece plays it with us no problem

[@mbp21000]

I think you need a softer light in the new studio. I just watched to Top 10 Cooperative games and the light in the other studio seems warmer and a bit nicer

[@modlitwaSERCA]

My Top Board Games 2022’: 15. ELEVEN - tegoroczna nowość od Portalu o zarządzaniu klubem piłkarskim 14. Brass Birmingham - bardzo fajne zarządzanie wszystkim... 13. Tidal Blades: Obrońcy Rafy + dodatek - na obecną chwilę, to jest moje największe pozytywne zaskoczenie i odkrycie planszówkowe tego roku: Gram w to już drugi miesiąc :D 12. Gloomhaven: Szczęki Lwa - świetne kompaktowe wydanie i gra wciąga 11. Android: Netrunner - świetna karcianka, super klimat 10. Glen More II Kroniki - ta gra jest genialna w swojej prostocie zasad 9. Pax Pamir - gra trafiła na radar dzięki materiałowi Gambita i jest GENIALNA 8. 51. Stan - świetny klimat, świetne mechaniki i świetne znaczniki zasobów 7. Brzdęk! Nie drażnij smoka - pokochałem tą grę od samego początku 7*. Brzdęk! Raban w próżni - jeszcze bardziej dopracowana wersja Brzdęka 6. Diuna: Imperium - ta gra świetnie odzwierciedla klimat Arrakis i całej DIUNY 5. Mage Knight - świetny klimat, świetny świat, po prostu Mage Knight !! 4. Anachrony - bardzo fajnie pomyślany świat i klimatyczna gra 3. Etherfields - klimat tej gry, mechanika i piękne grafiki urzekły mnie... 2. Scythe - klimat tej gry jest genialny... Świetnie odzwierciedla klimat konfliktu... 1. Bonfire - jak wzajemnie zazębiają się mechaniki w tej grze, to jest po prostu niesamowite !! Greetings 🤩😉

[@wengchiang9216]

This was one of my most anticipated vids and the year and it didn’t disappoint. Thank you and keep up the good work. Looking forward to the “Top 100 Games of All Time”

[@cameronpowell1864]

Tom not knowing what games Zee and Mike have played makes me a bit envious. If my boss paid that little attention to what I do at work, I'd probably still be employed.

[@JohnCorley13]

Haha what did you do?

[@nickmaldonado59]

YEAH CAMERON WHAT DID YOU DO?!

[@cameronpowell1864]

@@nickmaldonado59 I ran storage auctions and sold the wrong unit. Granny's ashes and and antique furniture fetched a pretty penny.

[@franciscorojas8088]

@@cameronpowell1864 I honestly thought that was a TV series thing, I didn’t know those auctions were a real thing. I need to go visit the USA one day

[@lexodius]

@@cameronpowell1864 if zee sold toms grannys ashes to the highest bid, i think we'll be seeing a new pandemic reviewer in no time.

[@Tablenauts]

We are just now getting to Ready Set Bet and it's been a blast! Oathsworn is also a GREAT pick. What a game. This list is making me really want to try out Skate Summer!

[@dougrawald6000]

I was glad to see some love for Lands of Galzyr. My son and I find the game quite enjoyable, with some well developed storylines and interesting story paths.

[@SteWorthington]

New studio definitely works much better at 3, than 4, as you're so much closer to the camera. Nice job guys!

[@KristoVaher]

It's interesting that now with so many games coming out, so many great games never enter Dice Tower's radar and thus have no chance for Top 10-s of the year. No Guards of Atlantis 2 (which is much better than Ascension Tactics), no Virtu, no Hamlet. Great games!

[@thedicetower]

Happily, everyone can enjoy different games!

[@erichorner8336]

That would be a great list! Top 10 Games you would enjoy just watching without playing.

[@manovega29]

Zee, my brother, give me a call and I will fly over and show you Flamecraft. We can’t have you missing out 😁

[@nicholasholz7202]

Blood on the Clocktower is my favorite new game of the year.

[@terry3733H]

I'm happy they have top 10s for different categories of games (great art, 2 players, heavy, etc.) it's always fun to watch them 😂

[@aimajica]

I'm (once again) a ZeeMike's minion this year! :D My crossovers : 0 with Joey (O_o) 1 with Roy: King of Monster Island (6) 1 with Tom: Flamecraft (9) 1 with Camilla: Heat (3) 1 with Chris: Caesar's Empire (1) - the SAME n°1! :D 2 with Alex: Splendor Duel (4), Flamecraft (9) 2 with Wendy : Splendor Duel (4), Flamecraft (9) 3 with Zee: Orichalcum (2), Heat (3), Tenpenny Parks (8) 3 with Mike : Heat (3), Orichalcum (2), Flamecraft (9) Not mentionned: - Sea, Salt & Paper (5 - not yet available in the US) - Akropolis (7 - I was expecting Wendy to put it on her list) - Namiji (10 - I thought Mike would have it) (I had Vagrantsong on my initial list, but it's listed as a 2021 game on BGG...) Wishlist (from the DT lists): - Tribes of the Wind (Mike's pick) - Long Shot the Dice Game (Zee's pick) - Endless Winter (Wendy, Mike, Chris & Camilla's pick) - Planet Unknown (Joey & Alex's pick) - Skate Summer (Camilla, Mike & Zee's pick)

[@ryanbartlett672]

Yes, Long Shot! Now I am excited to try Ready, Set, Bet! Thanks, guys.

[@paulfletcher6276]

Thanks for the year of top 10s guys. They really help keep me going 👍

[@daanjanssens4266]

Great list. And good job on the new studio set up! The camera angle is way better like this in comparison to your first video's in the new studio. Or maybe only 3 people in this set up just works better.

[@zacdredge3859]

44:40 I actually think the guy on the Orichalcum cover is releasing a handful of soil, having just hit land via boat, not from the air haha.

[@ianlewis8726]

Y’all are amazing. Love these videos and the effort you obviously put in. Thanks so much and be blessed.

[@dilatedbeholder3865]

How on earth The Thing hasn't shown up on any 2022 Top 10 lists is beyond me

[@thegameskingdom811]

Exactly, The Thing is an excellent game

[@cursivecurses]

Poor Mike. Mille Fiori is 2021 for Europe and on BGG, January 2023 for the U.S. market, but review copies arrived in 2022. O__o

[@BryanKulczycki]

Thanksgiving may never be the same at my house now that my family has played and enjoyed Ready Set Bet.

[@iansanderson2567]

I like the studio. The unwrapping was a neat idea. However, placing the DOG right in front was not, may I suggest that the screen over the shoulder was a better choice

[@Qyro]

Mike was definitely not last to get his number 1 game. The UK hadn’t even started receiving it until a few weeks after you guys reviewed it.

[@theunforgiven36]

Carnegie was the best strategy Euro game of 2022. Hopefully more people get a chance to play it.

[@KristoVaher]

Yes. And despite being the HIGHEST RANKED game on BGG from 2022, it is nowhere on any of the four top 10 lists here - including People's Choice.

[@staaniach21]

@@KristoVaher yeah unfortunately this channel is for begginers mainly... Some easy games to play in 1h and teach in 10 minutes... You will not find amazing heavy euro here

[@matt7912-j9p]

Yes, Carnegie is the best game I have played in a long time.

[@PandaOfElastic]

@@KristoVaher Sure, it's the highest if you ignore Ark Nova

[@KristoVaher]

@@PandaOfElastic Ark Nova is a 2021 release

[@paulgower4594]

Maybe Tom was unhappy to be opening his Wildlife Adventure present, but to me it's a forgotten gem. A mid 80's design by Wolfgang Kramer, I've had it since I was 10 and these days still enjoy playing it with my own 10 year old daughter.

[@Kojimalosophy]

Tom said about frosthaven: " there is no good storage system for this other than maybe you should buy a house (just for Frosthaven)" .. lol 😂

[@mikebollen9238]

I think Now Or Never came out too close to Sleeping Gods. People just weren't ready for another massive Ryan Laukat game

[@shinyhappymeeple]

Really enjoyed the Winter spectacular. Keep up the good work guys, loving your work! 👏👏👏

[@isaacdavis4108]

The back and forth between these three is great. I think mike is my favorite.

[@eastargamemanufacturing6914]

Familiar projects, unfamiliar projects, I saw them all and they were all great.

[@adamstandring2818]

What's the running joke with Mike and Furnace? I missed that

[@squared82]

He had it on his "biggest surprise" list two years in a row. The game just keeps jumping out of nowhere for him.

[@adamstandring2818]

@@squared82 thanks :)

[@drasher25]

I love the new set. So much more conversational than the typical big gaming table.

[@dapineaple]

Love the new studio :)

[@jerrye.8769]

Zee you mentioned you like when a list card in a draft "does something". In that way I can recommend zapotec if you didn't play it yet!

[@UnimatrixOne]

Wich of them is best for two Player?

[@phillipstone3116]

35:20 missed opportunity to say that Zee's copy of Galzyr got Meltscaped!

[@omeloon]

Such a great video, but why is this video not showing up on your video feed? It has been so hard to find any of your recent "live videos" lately if missed live.

[@mypetcat55]

KZbin changed the way videos are displayed. Click on the channel and click the "Live" tab.

[@omeloon]

@@mypetcat55 ugh, I'm a dummy. Thank you!

[@jdotco23]

Endless Winter is so dang good, it'll be in my top 10 all-time list for quite a while. I don't get the hate Now or Never gets; it's too long? Really? There are millions of LONG games that get a lot of love. That makes no sense to me....I LOVE Paladins, and while I'm super enthused by the dice aspect, I'm anxious to try Wafarers.....Long shot was a favorite of mine from back in the day, but it feels archaic now, so I'm interested in the dice version....Car racing games always seem to get more hype than I've felt they've deserved, but I suppose I should try Heat....A game not mentioned is Cat in the Box. Clever little twist on the trick-taking mechanism. GREAT lists, and great work by the entire DT crew the entire Winter Spectacular. Looking forward to the Top 100s next :)

[@themaster408]

With the 'running the game' as playing. I run Werewolf at 2 conventions every year and I run it every night there and usually 1 giant one and a bunch of smaller ones. I nearly never actually 'play' but you better believe I consider it playing the game.

[@JAMman]

I'd take Splendor Duel over Oathsworn, but you have a good list, Tom

[@GARDENER43]

Advanced squad leader a great game? 😅

[@nancyann1090]

Love this trio!

[@allanchristensen5305]

Love the video, great list. Though, I gotta ask: 9 is bigger than 8.5? :D

[@Tzimisce25]

What's up with Carnegie? It has some Splotter vibe for me, I really liked it. I did not play many new games this year, I am a late adopter, but nobody?

[@RF-rq3rm]

Could somebody get me in on the "furnace" running gag? I have missed it, i think

[@Benzebuth18]

Mille Fiori is a 2021 BBG game, I checked for you 😄

[@RadeTcg]

Did not expect Toms number one at all. Glad I got myself a copy

[@JosephFlemming]

Still waiting to get my hands on Mille Fiore!

[@sarahwalksandreads]

Don't worry Mike, I finally got Endless Winter a fortnight ago.

[@moravskyvrabec]

Fun video guys! Thanks.

[@JoeyjojoShabadoo7]

When is the voting for the people’s top 100 all time? Hope I didnt miss it.

[@VexylObby]

Tribes of the Wind is SO Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Want to play it now!

[@JonTalbain777]

I’m gonna be a Debbie downer for a sec. I miss the studio with the desk, kind of a lot. It just seemed more practical and professional, and that was a nice tonal counterpoint to your more conversational, friendly styles. This more relaxed look doesn’t work for me. Who knows, maybe it’s just aversion to change? Big fan of the team and I’ll still be watching, but I had to put in my two cents.

[@rabidpickle]

I like the new studio but I miss the TV they had behind them. I always thought that looked great

[@JonTalbain777]

@@rabidpickle Agree about the back monitor. The graphic popping out of the bottom does not work as well. It's also weird to see the clipboards resting on their laps instead of on a table in front of them. I think this studio and its warmer tones looks nice and is generally well done. Maybe if they had taken that aesthetic and just applied it to the old desk/back monitor structure I'd love it. Anyhow I think they're committed to this new look so we'll have to get used to it. Who knows, maybe it'll grow on me.

[@tabletalkreviews]

I think it just feels like you are watching a talk show, whereas the old set kind of felt like you were listening to them across the table.

[@ddolgov]

Agreed, I'd rather not see the soles of their shoes

[@danacoleman4007]

My thoughts are the same

[@Septembersmith9633]

Long Shot>Ready, Set, Bet! Hands down.

[@ddolgov]

I feel sometimes Mike's teaching backgound kicks in when Tom and Zee start to behave too much like rowdy schoolkids

[@JJ_TheGreat]

55:39 So there has got to be an “East” series, as well! :-

[@CandiceLikes]

I was really interested in tribes of the Wind this year. But at PAXU the people learning and playing it at the first look area said the rule book was terrible and that it was far too long.

[@SparkzHearts]

Glad to see Flamecraft on there. it's a funtastic game!

[@Theopt89]

No one received Mosaic. Has been one of those kickstarters that had very bad expectation management. Maybe a 2023 game for most people :)

[@rafaeluryayev7174]

I hereby regret not playing Flamecraft at Pax Unplugged!

[@tourguidechuck]

Where the heck did "Z" being a lover of long games come from? I distinctly remember the running joke from the early days that "Z's" first complaint was that the game lasted more than 30 minutes.

[@ToddlerTN]

1:30:14 their picks in list form - I just saved you an hour and a half.

[@albertfajarito1]

Massive Darkness 2 coule have been titled: Lights and Shadow

[@Dr_C_Smith]

Tiletum not making any list makes me sad.

[@Gathanokos]

Amazing video! I though I was keeping track of most of hot games, apparently not! XD

[@ziomalZparafii]

Mike sounds like his mic is off and his voice goes through Tom's mic. I struggle to increase volume when Mike is talking and quickly take it down with Tom speaking. Is it only me?

[@nathansavelli]

Not an issue for me.

[@ziomalZparafii]

Ok, maybe just Tom is the loudest guy in the room ;-)

[@ThomasPancoast]

I do. I'm one of the ones with an alarm on my phone for the Game Nerdz DotD!

[@b67us]

WOw...no1 people choice,... ok,...ok waiting for my copy! THanks guys.Veryy entertaining video LOve you All...All the best

[@meganlove5681]

Wonderlands war is getting revised player abilities for jabberwock and mad hatter

[@leener33gmail]

Will that require an expansion, or are there standalone revisions you can get?

[@meganlove5681]

@@leener33gmail you can buy them by themselves or download for free the pdfs and print yourself. But they’re not available yet, they’re still being play tested

[@LeeKenshin7]

Heat replaced Downforce for me. I think Downforce is just a racing game disguised as a betting game. In our group, only once did the person who crossed the finish line first actually loss only because he overbid his car my 4M. Maybe it's just group think, but why wouldn't you bet on yourself? You may switch your bet to another car towards the latter part of the game but the one who's winning (or in leading positions) will continue to bet on themselves.

[@allluckyseven]

Here's a couple of suggestions for Top 10 lists somewhat based on this video: A "Top 10 MEAN games" video, being games that are mean to the players. Not just hard, but really punishing. And not like some "Mean Games" video on the channel that talks about "take that" games and all that. And as Mike mentioned Thanos, a list of game mechanics you wish would just disappear for existence! Actually, that could cover trends, artstyles, game types/genres/themes, all sorts of things! ----- EDIT: 45:29 - Shamelessly!

[@bricelory9534]

Orichalcum's guy is doing the Gladiator running earth through his hand thing, isn't he?

[@dandurkin9735]

He's rolling dice, which is used to combat monsters in the game.

[@bricelory9534]

@@dandurkin9735 ah, gotcha - I didn't look too closely at the art, that makes sense

[@dandurkin9735]

Silly me - I apparently also did not look closely at the box art and should have before commenting - my apologies! He is indeed holding dirt, but I think it represents the exploration of a "new world", though perhaps is meant to evoke that ritual from Gladiator, because there is combating monsters. Enjoy!

[@littlefarmlover]

Great to see ya, Zee Garcia!

[@Orochi_001]

Was Yamatai unpopular? I loved that game

[@george_castle]

I’m starting to become a big Mike fan

[@utmwaters5]

Im surprised Return to Dark Tower didn't make this list?

[@chestersleezer8821]

Ah well I was able to pick up my copy of Endless Winter in person since the company that was handling the distribution is located less than 15 miles from were I live. Now Frosthaven on the other hand might be a while but hopefully it will take less time than my copy of Etherfields which I finally received just a few months ago.

[@rabidpickle]

Did anyone else think party games were weak this year? I never say a year was "bad" for games, but man the party games seemed weak this year!

[@TerrierHalo]

I have not played any of the games on the people's top 10, mostly because I didn't back any of those Kickstarters. I am curious which of those will be still mentioned in a couple of years. Heat?

[@lucduchien]

Am I the only one for whom Flamecraft fell totally flat? There was simply no strategy in that game. Every person was drowning and drowning in resources. No tension. Just luck in whether the cards that come up are high scoring ones. I thought it was a mess.

[@grog3514]

I didn't like it either. There were no interesting choices.

[@aramverduzco5285]

WEIRD. I really thought that My Father's Work would be on Tom's list.

[@kennychan6645]

Just when you kept saying 2022 is a year of many great games… I wonder how many of these will eventually go into the all time 100. Personally I think these are unlikely to challenge the historic 100 but I think heat and ready set bet could have the chance, the rest I guess….probably not. Surprised also Iss vanguard didn’t make the list!

[@KristoVaher]

Carnegie - currently already in BGG top 200 - was not even on any of the lists here.