Top 10 Good Games that STRESS us out

[@johnmcguinness9732]

Love how the list that dealt with the most stress created the funniest video!

[@mjcorcoran84]

Definitely! Guess they're gluttons for punishment haha

[@uglyelmo5205]

John McGuinness They laughed more in this video than they did in the "Top 10 Games That Make You Laugh" video. :) I enjoyed this one very much.

[@otterbot]

One of the most enjoyable videos for me that you three have ever done together. I love it when you guys comment on intense emotions in gaming. Clearly your group has a a lot of fun together. Thank you!

[@telonaes]

I love it, how you always wait until you shoot the Top Ten, to clarify, what you really meant with the theme of the show.

[@leroypaulsen4566]

LOL at the zoom in on Sam as he rants. Great editing!

[@ZeeGarc]

Thank you!

[@CDNChaoZ]

Zee G. Next time, a gradual desaturation of the video will really bring out the psychopath in Sam.

[@legolasegb]

the game that stresses me out is waiting for Sam's to announce the name of his game, lol!

[@susanjohnson318]

I love his buildup descriptions on his!

[@tonkabeanicecream5698]

I love his buildups too

[@chaimpayton9166]

Sorry to be so offtopic but does someone know a way to get back into an instagram account..? I stupidly lost my account password. I love any tips you can give me!

[@micahmichael4691]

@Chaim Payton instablaster ;)

[@garrettjrussell]

Oh man, the zoom in on Sam's face at 38mins is gold.

[@MakazitheHyena]

What Zee mentioned about Lost Cities is exactly what often happens in gin rummy. You could be holding onto a 5 and 6 of clubs for example, and you need a 4 or a 7; many many turns go by, and finally you figure you're getting nowhere and discard the 6 in favor of a lower card. You can almost guarantee that the next card you draw will be the one you needed; Every. Single. Time.

[@endgame]

Ooh man, loved where they zoomed into Sam's face when he was talking about Warhammer 40k. Funniest thing ever.

[@dearworld1591]

Space Alert is hilarious! I once ran into the top left room, fired a blank (no energy left) ran into the wall, turned back, shot another blank, ran down, activated bots that weren't there, and then ran into the wall again. Epic game XD

[@Maddog47029]

40:15 - Mr. Vasel, that's not a waste of time, these moments make this videos great!

[@beartoes2002]

Tensation is my word of the day. Thank you Sam.

[@matthewmurdock408]

Sam, you nailed it with the description of the traitor element of Dead of Winter. I was the traitor the other day playing with the guys, and one guy told me at the end of the game that I was WAY too nice. I had to remind him that my objectives as a traitor were not to "kill them all" but rather to collect this and that. Awesome top ten subject guys, keep up the great work, Im always looking forward to your next subjects!

[@-Tristan-]

Hmm what Tom said about Lost Cities about dropping cards knowing the opponent will take them, in fact is, what i admire in Lost Cities. I'm still looking for games, that give me the same tension or have similar mechanics.

[@RavensbladeDX]

Totally agree with you about Warhammer Sam! I actually started playing board games specifically because I wanted to get away from the stress and over competitiveness of 40K.

[@Mawdryn67]

Gentlemen. In the last month I have watched dozens of your top ten lists. Love the format, your interactions and the raw information on games. Too long? No printed lists? Who cares...do it so you continue to enjoy it, that is the very reason most of us tune in!

[@lylejackson645]

One of the first games that came to my mind was Level 7: Omega Protocol. When you're one of the humans, and there's a ton of stuff you want/need to do, but knowing it costs adrenaline which allows the overseer to do more against you. Super stressful, but as Sam says, it should be like that. The other one that immediately came to mind, X-COM. Although the stress is presented so well that I can't help but love it.

[@azraelswrd]

Lyle Jackson Indeed on both, but the real time nature of X-Com -- definitely.

[@mountainfantasticfabriccha2248]

I would be happy if it was longer! Great entertaining list guys!

[@caleblikespi9504]

I have to say that Anomia is one game that REALLY stresses me out. The game makes me neurotically look at everyone else's cards and try to be prepared, but my brain just shuts down on me. My hands were literally shaking at the end of my last game. I know at least Zee has tried it since it was on his last top 10 list.

[@zacharymartin7726]

My then 10-year old cried after the first time we played Escape. That was the first and last time he played that game. Sold it 2 months later. One of my favorite gaming experiences of all time. I knew he had invested himself into the game. We laugh about it all of the time now. Love the list ! I think most of my stressful moments in gaming come from the fact that I suck at so many games, but still have a blast!

[@dashdageek]

A Game of Thrones Second Edition. Making alliances, breaking alliances and getting backstabed. As well as the battles. Trying to out bluff your opponents in the battles etc. Absolutely mental

[@wroot_lt]

I have to agree on Targi, though i have only played it online and asynchronously, so you usually forget about what column or row you need until your move comes back, but yeah, you sit there and think, if i take this column, will he take away that row, or should i better take this, but then maybe he will take that.. Also, Ticket to Ride can be really stressful sometimes. Last time we played it with a group there was a silence at some point near the end and someone said, man, how stressful it is! And we all felt that way.. :)

[@Demovamon]

Sam's channeling his stress at Warhammer! I luv it! XD 38:15

[@ramonosuke]

Fury of Dracula, playing either side. Having two hunters one town away from you after stockpiling some strong weapons or stumbling upon the Dracula by yourself on a whim and all your friends are 7 towns away.

[@Tyrsoup]

Five Tribes was absolutely the first game that came to mind when I read the title.

[@Syncopator]

Thanks Zee, for being the "voice of the people." I don't have a copy of Mission Red Planet-- and it's darn expensive on the used market right now-- "come back in print already" is certainly my refrain...

[@abrannan]

Syncopator I believe FFG is working on a reprint/new version currently.

[@Syncopator]

Andrew Brannan It came up on Board Game Breakfast this week-- Tom mentioned It and showed the new box cover art. Wah-hoo!

[@gamlok]

Dead of Winter is a good one. In our very first game, one of us had the character who never has to roll the exposure die when he travels. Early in the game a crossroads card gave him the option to become immune to exposure when attacking as well. All he had to do was roll the exposure die one time without getting bit and we would have a superhero that could run around and kill zombies all over the place without ever having to roll the exposure die again. Needless to say, the "tensity" was very high as he made the roll. And when it landed on the bite, the stress boiled over. The entire table erupted in a collective cry of shock and dismay. On the flip-side, everyone's dismay was so genuine that I was about 99% sure we did not have a traitor in the midst - so the rest of the game was significantly less stressful than it could have been.

[@Grayson.P]

For me a stressful game can be (if I play with the right people) Forbidden Island. And there is a story to it as well, which involves me, someone else who really got into the game, and 2 other friends playing with music (Indiana Jones soundtrack), and just as we draw a waters rise card a dramatic tone plays perfectly as its being revealed. So when its like that I can get stressed, but if I play with my family it isn't as stressful as there isn't someone to enjoy the elaborate 3-4 move ahead plans. So that's one for me.

[@BinaryBard64]

Wut...

[@abernumsceb8445]

Hanabi. If you make a mistake, it feels like such a personal failure, like you let the other player(s) down with YOUR ineptitude. Or maybe they make a mistake, and you feel like you're the one who led them to it.

[@dahelmang]

Not sure if Damage Report was out when you made this video, but wow it is stressful. Managing your sand timers, listening for the electronic timer, and making sure your teammates aren't accidentally cheating... But I love it!

[@NightRunner9]

I like when it goes overtime because it is usually a fun episode. There was a lot of humor and fun. Very entertaining and informative, Thanks!

[@uglyelmo5205]

After looking at their list, I am beginning to wonder if I actually ENJOY stressful games: I have Kamisado, Targi, For the Crown, Ticket to Ride, Dead of Winter, Gemblo and a couple of others mentioned . . . Better go take my blood pressure medicine now. :) @Sam Healey: If I ever visit your area, or attend a convention you are at, I would be more than happy to play Gemblo with you. I too, have a problem finding others to play, and enjoy the game very much. It is amazing though, once you start playing at public events, everyone seems drawn to the game: It's probably the humongous, uniquely shaped, golden board and colorful pieces.

[@faustopiastra2436]

I want to play (any games) with you guys, so MUCH! :D

[@mattkirby8699]

love to come back to this to relieve stress; "my name is Gemblo" never fails to make me laugh!

[@monsterlair]

Space Alert broke my brother midgame. He couldn't handle the stress and just tossed his cards down. XD

[@smoothcriminal28]

Five Tribes deserves the merit. In addition to the bidding and someone else not taking your move, You could also leave an ever better move for someone else. So you have to be careful as to how you're going to pursue your play and cover every single angle. Sooo good.

[@spiraldaddy]

Diplomacy was the most stressful gaming experience I ever felt. I had to quit only a quarter way through.

[@petec3250]

I've seen a few boards flipped and wrestling matches break out over the regular version of Risk - with nasty making and breaking of alliances and cut throat play.

[@KAM1138a]

You guys were smacked by the Silly stick for this episode. Funny.

[@smdstr]

I stick to my favorite "Castaways" . I usually play it as coop game, but when played as semi-coop, it become soooo stressful. Working, exploring and surviving together, but once goal is getting near, you can be eliminated from the game by not allowing quick aid or other player's sabotage. Really feel abandoned by comrades.

[@sherizaahd]

I've never played Escape! once when I've brought it out. It always gets played at least 2-3 times because people love it so much and it's so fast. Luckily it takes some time to set back up, that gives people some time to cool down.

[@pepagacy]

Republic of Rome, for two different reasons. First, having to manage the wars to keep them from overwhelming the game. Second, watching out for the other players to prevent them from winning the game. There is an additional reason why this game is considered stressful, and that has to do with the group that you play with. I had a group that got together on a regular basis, and we ended up getting banished to the basement of the FLGS where we were playing. The store owner said that he was worried that our group was going to start fighting while we were playing (we were that passionate about this game and that competitive).

[@BassBassDude]

Great video. BTW, I don't mind you guys going on slight tangents like this. Gives the video and channel more character.

[@Okami31]

For me is Lewis & Clark, Nations and Agricola, because mistakes are paid dearly, as you realize in hindsight that your previous actions were horrible, so you keep fearing making more mistakes.

[@davidk6269]

Space Hulk is a very stressful game which I enjoy. The timer mechanism for the Space Marine player is a great stress-inducing device.

[@impostor53]

Stressful game are great, they take us all away from a dull existence... One of a my favorite games, Rainer Knizia's "Kingdoms", is very stressful; if you really get into it with a good player your blood pressure will certainly rise. "Nexus ops" also have a high stress factor. Citadels can also be very stressful... damn you Warlord!

[@uglyelmo5205]

For me Summoner Wars: I put a plan together, work hard to get the combination of cards and board position I need, and then chuck all 1's and 2's on my dice attack rolls. It has happened so often, the stress level at that critical point in the game, is through the roof for me. :) I love the game however . . . . . . . .it's just the dice hate me! Another game, which only stresses me out when I play my son is: Kahuna! We both like to hold cards until we get enough to make some devastating combo moves. If I am the one who makes the first move, I have learned to be terrified of what my son has in store for me as a counter-move. Still love the game.

[@liormk7655]

"My #2 does not involve a stressful level of cannibalism" priceless!

[@TheMoyyelito]

Must ask, since it really seemed interesting. Moai, the concept of being stranded trying to survive co-op style but ending up eating each other. Seems awesome. Do you of anyone know a game similar to this one, but with higher ratings?😎

[@shawnieyang1587]

Tensity is actually a word. Tensation though... I am totally using that!

[@stevewithington1787]

My top ten most stressful games: 1. Werewolf - So stressful when you’re a werewolf - even more stressful when you’re a villager in a rapidly dwindling village. 2. Poker - If ever a game engendered analysis paralysis it’s this one. 3. Pandemic - The theme for this is so strong that you genuinely feel the tension as you see the blocks expanding across the globe. 4. The Resistance - Not quite as bad as Werewolf but similar. 5. Lords of Waterdeep - The feeling you have when you’re about to complete a 20 point quest and someone drops a mandatory quest or pulls one of your resources on the last go is one of the most stressful experiences in gaming. 6. Hanabi - A co-operative game where your fellow players faces make it obvious when you’ve screwed things up for the entire team. 7. Yggdrasil - This game just has a constant sense of doom pervading it. Play it at a sufficient difficulty level and there is always so much to do, so few actions. This must be what it feels like to be a triage doctor. 8. Ticket to Ride - You’re constantly concerned that the route you’ve been saving cards for for the last ten minutes will go one turn before you’re going to claim it. 9. Scotland Yard - A game where the grass is always greener. If you’re Mister X the detectives always seem so close; if you’re a detective then Mister X always seems so elusive. 10. Mr. Jack Pocket - Similar to Scotland Yard, you always see the difficulties in your own position and the potential for your opponent.

[@TheFleahost]

Letters from Whitechapel is by far our number one.

[@xiahoufig]

Android: Netrunner (though you could put pretty much any deckbuilder game in this) can be extremely stressful and for me I tend to get very stressed out as the runner. I worry so much about running into that piece of ICE that I may not have a breaker for or that agenda I thought I was running on turns out to be a Snare or other trap. It's why I tend to just play Criminal and throw caution to the wind. Worker placement games in general. (in my head) Don't take that spot, don't take that spot, don't take that-FRAK he took that spot I needed...

[@bloodrunsclear]

29:15 what happened here? Zee and Sam just lost it XD

[@kryptoff77]

I'm surprised Citadels was not on the list. I swore not to play that game again after almost flipping the table one game in which I've been either robbed of killed 6 times in a row.

[@adamgough9333]

Honestly, the worst game for me that I enjoy is Magic The Gathering. As is the case with many gamer friends, it seems that I like MtG but I really REALLY dislike MtG players. The arrogance, meta gaming and playing to annoy rather than to win, or even to have fun, ruins every game I play outside of my own group. And no, it's not about being upset when I lose. I am shockingly uncompetitive for someone that loves gaming so much. I really don't care about winning. Gaming is about having fun and ruining gaming sessions by being purposefully and relentlessly annoying is just unforgivable imo

[@VaultBoy13]

I agree, it's one of the reasons I left MtG many years ago. The community can really detract from the experience.

[@Sredleg]

RISK Legacy + the traditional "do not let the host win" (me) has got me close to rage quitting multiple times >< still love it though :D

[@barrygregory8177]

One strange game that stresses me out is one of the lightest of light games - Discworld: Ankh Morpork. Because you have no idea what character everyone is playing there comes a point where several people could be just about to win and you have to try to stop them. And this happens every turn from that point on! And you point out that someone else could win but the other players know that they can do what they want and leave stopping him to you, so you have to play sub-optimally just to stop someone else who may not even be the character you think he is! AAAArgH! It only stops when someone actually wins.

[@tulsaborn545]

30:12 "Gemblo is angry!"

[@rorymcfeely3778]

A top ten list for games to get people interested in gaming would be cool.

[@shauku77]

oh, now I really want 5 tribes. Can't wait for the shipment to arrive at the store

[@MikeFig485]

Gotta put the Game of Thrones board game (2nd Edition) for myself.

[@citmod]

One of the best videos ever, on the dicetower! :) So funny! :D

[@Gatewaycreed]

totally agree with Ghost Story, resistance, and Escape, would add Zombicide.

[@TyrionXavier]

Space Alert and/or XCom better be on someone's list. *glare*

[@Bodyknock]

I was surprised Zee didn't include Pandemic on the list. Those epidemics can be super stressful!!

[@MrHypnofan]

"Depleted", Zee? Were you thinking of depleted?

[@teodorkrawiec]

I would say: Magic the Gathering Dracula (3rd ed) Star Wars: Rebelion

[@philyates7670]

Dobble is my current #1 most stressful game.

[@CDNChaoZ]

Don't own it, never played it, but for me, something like Hanabi would drive me up the wall with stress. Blind selecting the wrong card to discard and ruining things for everyone is nuts, especially since my memory sucks.

[@grahamhaslett6943]

Jim Blo needs to chill. :-)

[@BigBoxGamers]

Game of Thrones: The Board Game, no doubt about it!

[@BrutalBarracuda]

18:08-18:20 just makes me die lol I had to keep rewinding! :) :) :) :)

[@Evereghalo]

So many top 10 lists from 2015 that I missed.

[@Arctic_Cat423]

Great top ten! One of the best.

[@clumsydad7158]

Great topic ... Lost Cities stressful... wow,,, didn't know fillers could be stressful. Sam with 5 Tribes phobia... and Elysium? wow, i kinda want to get that game too. Zee too frantic over 5 tribes, wha ?? omg

[@wolflarson71]

Funny Lost Cities anecdote by Zee. So frustrating!

[@DarthSironos]

I like Dead of Winter, except the traitor element. Usually I like traitor elements in games, but it felt like the traitor could just act normal throughout the game, and then on the last round he screwed us all over, and we had no way of figuring out who was the traitor, or doing anything about it. Good game, but the traitor element felt poorly implemented.

[@TrackerRoo]

DarthSironos You can play without a traitor and just do straight coop.

[@joaocamilo8106]

WEEEEEEE! A top 10 list with the 3 of you! (Which unfortunately I cannot view today). But still... WEEEEE!

[@MisterNizz]

witty banter, we are friends talking to each other.. (chortle chortle)

[@Big_Dai]

Hey what are those Giant D20 called? I would love to get one!

[@SuperWolfkin]

great video but kinda short. Try not to rush guys. I want to enjoy this a little

[@Dropdrollos]

The thing that stresses me out the most, is the fact that at the end of the video, one of the sixes on Tom's dice isn't the same side up as the other two. I'm sick, I know.

[@Uther1313]

Imperial stresses me out, trying to min-max my move without giving too much to my opponents.

[@DarthSironos]

Damn it Sam, you don't block people in Ticket to Ride "for no reason", you do it to WIN. It is literally the purpose of the game, to make sure you get more points than your opponents. It is like getting angry about getting your opponent defeating your pieces in chess.

[@purabarrios5888]

..... In the end I need an explanation of Sam's list! The top 5 and other top 5 are confusing :P Still, Sam we love you. Extremely funny video you guys

[@PatrickWDunne]

I'm surprised that Sentinels of the Multiverse isn't on the list. Oftentimes, it feels very limited as you can't do a whole lot and some of the villains and environments can be quite overwhelming.

[@mylor1066]

Such a good episode!

[@HITFORDCYCLE1]

Games that stress me out are games that where the guy teaching it is bad at teaching and I don't understand what I'm doing: Troyes was a recent example. I had no idea what was going on.

[@Salixalba1000]

I get the same feeling in Nations that Tom gets in Elysium. I see that structure I want and it gets taken before my turn. oh it hurts so good!!!!!

[@LosthorizonPT]

specter ops or letters from white chappel?

[@dapamico1]

Pedro Felicio Fury of Dracula

[@trustycrunch]

Pedro Felicio I am with you for letters from Whitechapel...

[@billjensen51]

Pedro Felicio Spector Ops was mentioned.

[@tmetchenov]

Pedro Felicio I gotta go with Letters. Fury of Dracula is an awesome game and Specter Ops looks awesome as well, but they over-complicate things in my opinion. I can play Letters with any of my friends and they don't need to know English or remember all of the special abilities, cards, etc. So yeah, Letters wins the stealth battle for me.

[@then8mac]

Pedro Felicio Definitely whitechapel. When I'm Jack I am super stressed. Surprised this didn't get a mention.

[@brantshepherd9387]

This belongs in a “top 10 videos to destressify. You guys, then Sam Lentz, then Bob Ross.

[@Slugmind]

18:21 Zee is now the VotP.

[@sorrowsong08]

Does anyone know what game was Zee talking about at like 30:00 that was similar or used to be blokus 3d?

[@arnoldschwarzer9863]

emyhuggles Rumis?

[@ZeeGarc]

Rumis

[@sorrowsong08]

awesome, but still pricey :(, been looking for a decently priced copy of it.

[@PapaHalcon]

30:03, his nyame is nyemblo

[@avalexandrescu]

What about Robinson Crusoe? This game really feels stressful

[@uplift-yourdailypickup6424]

Dang, just bought Spectre Ops. Now I’m wondering if I made a mistake lol

[@esbegan]

another top10!!!! :D

[@CD-zd6zr]

How did Sam's wife react to his throwing of cards?

[@susanjohnson318]

Enquiring minds want to know! SueKuKu

[@WorldAquariumSingapore]

flipping table from 2022

[@thanasisseretakis1546]

i love five tribes though even if its stressful most of the time!