Top 10 Worker Placement Board Games | Best Worker Placement Games of All Time

This is a list of my top 10 favorite worker placement board games. If you would like to support the channel, you can give me a nice tip here: ko-fi.com/totallytabled
KZbin: / totallytabled
Website: www.totallytabled.com/
Instagram: / totallytabled
Twitter: / totallytabled
Intro 00:00
10 - 01:08
9 - 03:16
8 - 04:57
7 - 07:20
6 - 09:58
5 - 11:53
4 - 13:21
3 - 15:10
2 - 17:59
1 - 21:19
Final Thoughts 25:13
#totallytabled #boardgames #tabletop #top10

[@donnyhotard8575]

It's so nice to see a top 10 where someone talks over gameplay so i can visualize what they are talking about. I hate when someone is doing a list and it's just them holding a box while they explain that the game is fun.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks Donny! I try to illustrate gameplay with my sloppy B-roll as much as I can. I'm glad you find that enjoyable. People don't do it because it is an insane amount of work. Thanks so much for checking out the video Donny!

[@MarkB-uu5we]

I totally agree. I love Shaggy's videos because he shows so much gameplay but it is all in slow motion (except the sped up bits like shuffling, lol) and matches his words. I can imagine the work and effort gone into it, but it makes it so nice to be able to watch and listen and digest all very easily.

[@TheSludgeMan]

@@TotallyTabled Thats why I subscribed. I know it must be a lot more work, but your channel is a refuge from all the "rambling into the camera" style videos.

[@jirakitjoke5696]

Really appreciate the way you insert the montage of each game that helps me see every aspects of the actual game play. And also interesting list. Cheers! :)

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks so much Jirakit. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@LaChazzz]

Great top 10 ! Finally some love for Keyflower! I always feel like this game is not talked about enough, but when it is it's always positive!

[@TotallyTabled]

It is a great game that works from 2-6 players. Thanks for watching LaChazzz!

[@hermanturnip3984]

GREAT list! Anachrony is my personal #1. My love for this game knows no bounds. You listed a few games that caught my attention (Keyflower, Dungeon Pets, Dune Imperium). Will pick them up. In the meantime, I’m breaking out Odin for another round (It’s most definitely a game that demands respect). Solid video, my friend!

[@TotallyTabled]

Anachrony is one I want to play more, because I think it might move up my list of favorites if I could get it to the table more. I know it will show up on the channel at some point. Great game. Thanks Herman!

[@jaybear7272]

Great list! I’m predominantly a solo player, and my favourite worker placement game is Nusfjord. It has the same “your workers this turn are blocked my your workers last turn” feature as AFFO, but is lighter and quicker. I also love the solo campaign where you have to score 100 over 3 games with the same deck of buildings, without using any more than once - it really encourages you to find new combos and play cards you perhaps otherwise wouldn’t. Definitely a keeper in my collection!

[@TotallyTabled]

I enjoy Nusfjord, but for some reason I gravitate towards AFFO, At the Gates of Loyang, and Glass Road for solo play. I've also been enjoying Hallertau lately. Really fun. Thanks for watching, Jay!

[@Hidetoshi88]

Another great list. As for mechanic used in Dungeon Petz - Rurik: Dawn of Kiev is using the same with additional great twist.

[@TotallyTabled]

Oh, I didn't realize. I've been meaning to get Rurik played, now I'm very excited. Thanks for the recommendation! And thanks for checking out the video!

[@sh-kr]

Great video, as always. 👍 I recently enjoyed playing 'Carnegie' and 'Imhotep: The Duel'.

[@TotallyTabled]

I've never tried Imhotep Duel but I enjoyed the original. I'll give that a try. Thanks SH!

[@suemoore7779]

Cool list. A couple of favourites I would include would be Obsession, Genotype, Boonlake and Honey Buzz.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks so much Sue! Obsession would have been high on the list of it fit my worker placement definition. It is a top 25 of all time for me. The others I'm very interested in playing. Boonlake I played twice and enjoyed it, but need more time with it. Great picks Sue! Thanks for watching my video!

[@georgei8360]

Wow! Great list of games, I played almost all of them except Underwater cities, AFfO and Kanban. The rest of them I have them in my collection, I would add another classic Lords of Waterdeep with Expansion, Caylus 1303, Barrage, On Mars, Ultimate Railroads, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Beyond the Sun, Yokohama, Champions of Midgard

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks George! I need to play a bunch of those games you mentioned, especially Barrage and Beyond the Sun. Thanks for watching!

[@SanderPastoor]

I don't want to dunk on other channels, but the quality of this video is so much higher than many larger channels, it's kind of mind boggling. Subscribed immediately, keep up the great work!

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks for the sub ExceriusGuitar! I appreciate your kind words. I'm doing things my way and I'm glad so many people seem to enjoy it. Hope you continue to like the channel. Have a great day!

[@johanlotigiers]

I work in a psychiatry, a lot of worker placement games are to difficult or to much to grasp for the patiënts. Except Stone Age, which a lot of them love to play. I just bought Creature Comforts for my own collection. Great worker placement! Nice video!

[@TotallyTabled]

You are right that most worker placement games tend to be pretty heavy. Stone Age and Creature Comforts are good family weight ones. I've also had success with Lords of Waterdeep, but it is a bit more complex perhaps. Thanks for checking out the video Brother Jo1!

[@razorbeard1396]

Completely agree about Dungeon Petz! One of my families favorite games we absolutely love it, but no one ever mentions it.

[@mrsamtheman80]

Great list!! If you like Dungeon Petz you might also like Alchemists (best with Kings Golem but great without it too)!

[@TotallyTabled]

I have played Alchemists a few times years ago. Never got the expansion to the table. I really enjoyed the deduction, but I am terrible at it. Great game. I honestly tend to like every CGE game. They just speak to me. Thanks so much for checking out the video!

[@helxis]

Caylus is an amazing worker placement game and is also one of the first. It really demonstrates how mean and tight worker placement games can be when designed very well. If you like the solo mechanic of Feast, you should also check out Nusfjord as it uses the same method and is a game that fits in a much shorter time. Also Bus is a wild, must-play worker placement game from Splotter.

[@TotallyTabled]

For some reason Nusfjord doesn't click with me the way it seems to for a lot of solo players. Not sure why. And I agree about Bus. Great game.

[@MarkB-uu5we]

Great list, it is always very subjective though, you leave some good ones off but then, which do they replace coming in? For this reason for me worker placement is exactly that with little meeples getting resources so I don't include dice placement games. They are all worthy of being on the list as were the ones you mentioned in your final thoughts which I also love too. I have every game except Gallerist in your top 10, a couple such as Dungeon Petz and Kanban EV have yet to play. Other games that I would personally consider - but not sure if they would actually get in - are Raiders of the North Sea+expansions; West Kingdom triology, Everdell and Le Havre. Obsession would be one I would keep off this list personally because it's more an action selection in my view. But one I would definitely consider not so much as a currently played one, but one for the ages, is Lords of Waterdeep. Great video, well produced.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks Mark, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Raiders would be in my top 20. I really like the "place a meeple, pick up a meeple" gameplay. Waterdeep is also fun. Lots of great worker placement games. Thanks again Mark!

[@rentless666]

Red Outpost is a small game, but one that has a very unique and clever worker placement mechanic, so it's in my top 10.

[@TotallyTabled]

I've never heard of that one Coblin. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip and for checking out the video.

[@Michael_Eisenberg]

I like Champions of Midgard a lot with all the exp. that offers a very good worker pl. experience... it should hit your list :D

[@TotallyTabled]

Definitely in the Top 20 for me, Michael. Great game. I like so many WP games it is difficult to rank them all. It is a mechanism that never grows old for me. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@reneebaziuk5976]

Lots of fav games we have in common! Kanban EV is def my fav Lacerda. Underwater Cities would be #1 worker placement. The Dungeon Petz rulebook is quite humorous.

[@TotallyTabled]

Nice, Renee! Underwater Cities is great. I've been meaning to play it more solo, as most of my plays are 2 player. I definitely use a bunch of the jokes in the rulebook when teaching Dungeon Petz. Same with Galaxy Trucker. The only rulebooks that are genuinely a joy to read. Thanks so much for watching!

[@Punkve1987]

Definitely check out Bruxelles 1893 if you haven't. It is a fantastic take on WP. Tzolk'in is pretty amazing too. That being said, Anachrony is my #1 WP game. So good!

[@TotallyTabled]

I really like Bruxelles, but haven't played it a ton. Really interesting game. Thanks for watching Vegard!

[@DoppelgangerF02]

Amazing video and list! Dungeon petz forevweerrr

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks chaichappals! Glad I'm not alone on my love of Petz. Have a great day!

[@UmouMais]

Very interesting list! I'm looking forward to play dune imperium. It looks appealing to me 😀

[@TotallyTabled]

It is such an awesome game at all player counts. Highly recommended. Thanks for watching the video Lucas!

[@UmouMais]

@@TotallyTabled thanks! Great work as always!

[@redeyedghost1406]

On the other hand - I absolutely hate Dune Imperium. Hate the randomness of the card row, hate the randomness of you hand draw and how just wreck your turn, hate that there's a few (intrigue?) cards that provide end game points whereas most of those are just a little boost in combat... hate, hate, hate it. That's a game that I will happily never play again.

[@TotallyTabled]

I totally understand where you are coming from. Some of that stuff is just the nature of deck building games, and I don't mind that level of randomness. And I don't mind the intrigue cards. They definitely live up to their name, and you can often use them to great effect, regardless of what you get. And you can usually guess what someone is holding, and factor that in. I've never really felt like the outcome was determined by luck or card draw, but you are certainly correct that those elements are present. Thanks for offering a different perspective and thanks for watching!

[@redeyedghost1406]

@@TotallyTabled I have come to the realization that I just don't like Ascension style deck builders - I would love to see one of these worker placement deck builder combo games in the Dominion style (I think Trains is like that, but that artwork has never appealed to me, and I also want something meatier).

[@ericmetzler1821]

Surprised Robinson Crusoe didn't make the list knowing how much you like that one.

[@TotallyTabled]

RC is an action selection game by my definition of worker placement. Even if it was WP, the mechanism isn't doing anything interesting. A co-op WP would only be interesting if players are secretly selecting actions and accidentally getting in each other's way. Actually, that is a great idea for a game! I call dibs! 😂 Thanks for watching Eric!

[@Straddllw]

My top 10 WP Games: 10. Dune: Imperium 9. Stone Age 8. Tzolkin: the Mayan Calendar 7. Beyond the Sun 6. Merlin 5. Lost Ruins of Arnak 4. Keyflower 3. Caverna: the Cave Farmers 2. A Feast for Odin 1. Dominant Species

[@TotallyTabled]

Great list. Many of those are in my top 20. I haven't tried Merlin or Beyond the Sun yet, but I've been meaning to. I've played almost every other Feld and I keep hearing great things about BtS. Thanks for watching, Straddllw!

[@Thebrewgeek1]

DP is my #1 game of all time. Good pick.

[@TotallyTabled]

Nice Paul! You have good taste. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@muhabwahby]

Not the buggest fan of worker placement games, but the one that really changed my mind was Village by Inka and Markus Brand. So clever and thematic and little rules overhead. Check it out. New comer to the channel and already subscribed. Great content. Got Hit Z Road because of you and you know what? you smashed it! Guilty pleasure indeed.

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the sub Muhab! I played Village once a long time ago, and you are right. Great game that I definitely need to play again. That is a very good pick. The funny thing about Hit Z Road is I've played it at least ten times with one friend who always wins, regardless of player count. So there is something strategic about the game that I'm missing. But I enjoy it anyway. Thanks again!

[@nirszi]

This is an EXCELLENT list. Both Arnak and Dune are great, but the solo in Dune is better IMO. Can't go wrong with two Lacerdas. I still need to play Underwater Cities. Big fan of Suchy but the theme never spoke to me. When I first learned about Keyflower it sounded a great but then I played it on BGA and I was underwhelmed, not sure why. I own six of these game, Anachrony is on order and I also want UC. Dungeon Petz is very far from my taste in games so that's the only one I will pass on but again, fantastic list.

[@TotallyTabled]

I've had some friends bounce off Keyflower as well. I might be the weird one, but I love it. I think you would really dig Underwater Cities, Nir. It is super Suchy-esque. I'm hoping to do a video on it before the end of the year. Thanks for support!

[@shinjial]

How come you got this really nice production value while being (relatively) small? Many camera angles, the sound is nice, b roll...

[@TotallyTabled]

Ha, ha. Thanks, Andre for the compliment. The channel is growing faster than I ever expected. I'm doing very niche videos -- hobby board game playthroughs is like niche to the third power. I would do paid KS previews if I cared about views and money. Also, quality unfortunately doesn't mean much on YT. Churning out low effort content is the recipe for success, but I have no interest in that. I'm hopeful that one day a larger channel will give us a shout out and a bit of a boost, but for now I'm super happy to have such a wonderful and positive group of gamers supporting my videos. Thanks again Andre!

[@andrewwalsh531]

@@TotallyTabled I think you have a great thing going here…..there is nobody doing quite what you do, I hope you continue putting up great content. Bigger isn’t always better….for various reasons, I really can’t watch any of what would be considered the most popular board gaming related channels. They are all boring & extremely repetitive. Much of their content appears to be Kickstarter sponsored previews, which I have no interest in. From my observation once a channel surpasses a certain # of subscribers, they feel obliged to do what their Patreon supporters request most, which is….yup, you guessed it, cover the latest Kickstarter launches. So I try to find newer, smaller channels like yours. It sounds like you have no interest pushing crowdfunding campaigns, & that is music to my ears :) Btw, I am still working thru your entire library (about 2/3 thru) & even your earlier work is great….I suggest anyone reading to go back & see for themselves!

[@TotallyTabled]

I appreciate your comments Andrew. Yeah, I'll never do KS previews or play prototypes, etc. The whole reason I started the channel was because so many channels were doing that stuff, along with streaming playthroughs, and I wanted to do something else. I'm definitely going to continue to experiment with different content and fun stuff. I have tons of ideas, most which probably won't be popular, but I don't really care about that too much. I do enjoy talking and thinking about the hobby and the role of content creators. Thanks for supporting the channel Andrew. You would be amazed how important it is for the success of a small channel. Have a great day!

[@shinjial]

@@TotallyTabled I agree with Andrew up there that a lot of the content in medium-sized channels are geared towards the new thing, and crowdfunding games. And that's fine, it's a business and a livelihood of many people. But as a consumer of boardgames and boardgame content on YT, it's all very samey, derivative nonsense. Like, every week the coolest game ever is hitting kickstarter, only to be forgotten the week after. And the lists... oh lord, so many lists...

[@TotallyTabled]

I hear you, Andre. YT is difficult in many ways. I'll use myself as an example. My original intention was to only do playthroughs. Then I accepted reality and decided I would do a few top 10 lists, but I'd do them "my way". Good thing I did, because those top 10 videos drive new viewers, new subs, everything. Those are the fuel that keep the playthroughs going. And if you don't have that fuel, the algorithm tosses you in the trash. My hope is that the lists will bring eyes to the playthroughs, because that is the content I truly love. But if my main motivation was making money and/or getting the most growth, my channel would look very different. The only reward I get for my extra effort is all the lovely comments, which is good enough for me! But I totally understand why coverage of the hobby is where it is. And I don't blame anyone for giving people what they want. Thanks again for the support!

[@sewaprolo]

Rajas of the Ganges and Istanbul are my favorites.

[@TotallyTabled]

Those are both great. In fact, Istanbul probably should have made my list. That system is brilliant. Great choices Abner. Thanks for watching!

[@mauriciomartinez5410]

It may be old and many other games have improved on it's mechanics, but there's no denying the importance of Caylus.

[@TotallyTabled]

Caylus is one of those unfortunate holes in my gaming experience. I've seen it played, but never got it to the table myself. You are right, of course, about it's historical importance. Thanks for watching Mauricio!

[@helxis]

I haven't come across a worker placement game that does it better than Caylus. Many modern worker placement games are very basic "place worker, get resources" with little to no interaction and sometimes no blocking at all. Caylus takes worker placement and shows just how many ways the mechanic can be made interesting (and mean).

[@LordVader07]

I would add games like: On Mars, Paladins of the West Kingdom, Teotihuacan...

[@TotallyTabled]

Thanks for watching Lord Vader! I need to play On Mars and Paladins more. They could definitely rise up the list over time. I will do dice placement games as a separate list at some point, but none would make my top ten WP. All three are excellent games. Thanks again!

[@ramonvanderben8120]

you clearly missed 'Barrage'. Especially with the expansion "The Leeghwater Project' is a fantastic WP-game!

[@TotallyTabled]

That is one that I haven't managed to table yet, but I definitely want to soon. Thanks for watching, Ramon.

[@terry3733H]

You speak clearly, at right pace, enthusiastic yet genuine, a good teacher. Hope you hit 10K subscribers soon and more 😊

[@TotallyTabled]

I really appreciate your kind compliments. I do my best and I'm happy you find it enjoyable and hopefully helpful. Thanks so much for checking out my videos and supporting the channel!

[@brinthorne]

I'll throw in some votes for Lords of Waterdeep, Beyond the Sun and Euphoria

[@TotallyTabled]

I haven't tried Beyond the Sun yet, but I keep hearing good things. Waterdeep is a deserving classic for sure. Thanks for watching brinthrone!

[@partypao]

Great review and video/lighting setup. But I personally do find the throwing of components on the board very distracting. No one really plays like that right? This kind of style is used in food videography where you throw ingredients and vegetables on bowls and they show it bouncing in slow motion. It works on food because chefs really do that: they throw stuff around because they cook quickly. So it helps. But you never bounce around meeples when you put a worker on the board right. Its so distracting I even stop hearing the words you are saying and just think: "does this guy or anybody play like this? The only thing it reminds me of is someone so sick and tired of a board game they throw things around. Is this what this reviewer is subconsciously showing me?"Just my opinion.

[@grog3514]

Hard to take this list seriously without stone age making the cut.

[@TotallyTabled]

Good, it's just board games, nothing to take seriously. If it makes you feel better it would be top 15. I play it often with my friends on BGA, usually at 5 player with the expansion. Great game. I don't find the dice system quite as compelling as you do, but still really fun. Thanks for watching grog.

[@grog3514]

@@TotallyTabled haha I was being sarcastic.

[@TotallyTabled]

Ah, got it. Fair enough. Still a good game. 😃

[@revimfadli4666]

@@TotallyTabled imagine Stone Age with Amun-Re or Evolution food-style blind bidding/selection in place of dice😳

[@shanefrancis34]

You missed Energy Empire

[@TotallyTabled]

Good call, Shane. Energy Empire is excellent. I definitely need a few more plays of that one. It has been a few years since I got it to the table. An overlooked game for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@Dr_C_Smith]

I was with you up until that #1 choice.

[@TotallyTabled]

9 out of 10 ain't bad, I guess. Thanks for checking out the video Christopher!

[@stevenburton7725]

No Lords of Waterdeep?

[@TotallyTabled]

Nope, but I enjoy it and it deserves a place on the list. Just not my personal favorite. Honestly, there are 50 games that deserve a place in the list. There are so many great worker placement games. Thanks for watching, Steven!

[@helxis]

LoW is pretty boring in the realm of worker placement games, in my opinion. Held up only by its production and IP. Stone Age does everything LoW does but better and more.

[@stevenburton7725]

@@helxis I guess that’s a matter of opinion. Stone Age doesn’t have what my friends and I are looking for, and is extremely straightforward at how it plays. That straightforward nature makes players with more knowledge of the game block newer players out of contention early, and makes for a pretty poor experience for a lot of people. Whereas LoW has more unique mechanics that allow for new players to still blowout even experienced players. That is more fun for us as we always have a full table for our game nights. I hope you enjoy what you like, and aren’t so reductive in the future

[@helxis]

@@stevenburton7725 I prefer games where better players win and, in my opinion, those types of games tend to be critically better than ones where that is not the case. We call that "strategic depth". There is almost no consequence to any choice made by any player in LoW, hence your mentioned ability for even newer players to win. I stand by everything I've said on the matter. You're still allowed to like the game, of course. Many people do. Many people like Marvel movies, well done steaks, and cold weather, too.

[@stevenburton7725]

@@helxis wow, you truly are just an offensive person. Ad hominem attacks in both responses for having a difference of opinions, and it’s not even my birthday. So, you prefer games with zero degree of variance in them, much like all children’s games. That isn’t depth, but in point of fact the absence of it. The personal attacks against someone who doesn’t feel the same as you, mixed with a distinct loathing for any rng… do you have Borderline Personality Disorder? Is anyone safe near you?

[@rodrigofierro2212]

Your b roll is good but, I find annoying that components get tossed around for the sake of... coolness? Maybe thats just me.

[@TotallyTabled]

But it looks so cool in slo-mo! 😂 Thanks for checking the video Rodrigo!

[@TummyRubz]

Counterpoint, it's really funny and I love it