Is your shelf of shame ever growing? With thousands of new board games being released every year, it’s harder than ever to figure out which games to buy, which to play, and which to avoid. There’s simply too many games! Overwhelmed with choices, many of you may have turned to popular board game reviewers such as the Shut Up & Sit Down posse or Tom Vasel and his motley crew at The Dice Tower. But reviews have limitations and only help so much with the decision process. They don’t rank games, compare them to other potential candidates, or account for bias à la cult of the new. It’s no wonder that “top board game lists” have risen in popularity over the years among reviewers and content creators. They are helpful and simultaneously entertaining.
Although I love a top game list as much as the next gamer, I understand that they only represent an individual’s personal game tastes. I wanted to see what they may look like in aggregate. So, I compiled the lists from 20 of my favorite board game reviewers and combined them to see which games topped the charts. Let’s explore.
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| Rank | Game | Count | Average Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | Terra Mystica | 2 | 5.5 |
| 99 | Two Rooms and a Boom | 2 | 5 |
| 98 | Chinatown | 2 | 5 |
| 97 | Sidereal Confluence | 2 | 4 |
| 96 | Watson & Holmes | 2 | 3.5 |
| 95 | Merchants & Marauders | 2 | 3.5 |
| 94 | Trajan | 2 | 3 |
| 93 | Spirit Island | 2 | 3 |
| 92 | Letters from Whitechapel | 2 | 2.5 |
| 91 | Memoir '44 | 2 | 2 |
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Description: “Terra Mystica is a strategy game with a simple game principle and very little luck involved: You govern one of 14 factions trying to transform the landscape on the game board in your favor in order to build your structures. On the one hand, proximity to other players limits your options for further expansion, on the other hand though, it provides some benefits during the game. This conflict is the source of Terra Mystica’s appeal. The 14 artfully designed factions, each having unique special abilities, as well as the exchangeable bonus cards allow for a large number of possible game plays that constantly keep this game entertaining.”
Reviewer(s): Jeremy Salinas (#1), Quinns Smith (unranked)
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Description: “In this social game of hidden roles and deduction, players are divided into 2 different rooms. Find your teammates, establish trust, and exchange hostages before time runs out and the bomb explodes! It’s the party game that’s always a blast.”
Reviewer(s): Elaine & Efka (#9), Quinns Smith (unranked)
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Description: “Welcome to 1960s New York. A new immigration act triggers a demographic boom, and a wave of Chinese immigrants moves into Chinatown. Hard-working men and women arrive by the thousands to build a new life in the New World. In Chinatown, you are one of these immigrants. Use your talents and your life’s savings to claim ownership of sections of city blocks, establish businesses, and build your fortune. Put your negotiation skills to the test as you make deals with other players to acquire adjacent properties and grow your empire. But it’s not always easy. In this game where everything can be negotiated, only the hard laws of the market prevail.”
Reviewer(s): Jarrod Carmichael (#9), Quinns Smith (unranked)
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Description: “Sidereal Confluence: Trading and Negotiation in the Elysian Quadrant is a singularly unique trading and negotiation game for 4-9 players. Over the course of the game, each race must trade and negotiate with the rest to acquire the resources necessary to fund their economy and allow it to produce goods for the next turn. While technically a competitive game, Sidereal Confluence: Trading and Negotiation in the Elysian Quadrant has a uniquely cooperative feel during the trading phase as no race has the ability to thrive on its own. Trade well, and you’ll develop technologies and colonize planets to form a civilization that is the envy of the galaxy.”
Reviewer(s): Elaine & Efka (#7), Quinns Smith (unranked)
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Description: “Race to find the truth in the mysterious world of Watson & Holmes, a game of deduction and intrigue for two to seven players. Each aspiring detective will work alongside Sherlock Holmes in order to solve a series of mysterious cases. By visiting locations, speaking with witnesses, and deciphering clues, you will come to your own conclusions about the investigation, independent of your fellow detectives. Once you believe you have all the facts, you must present your findings to the brilliant Holmes and the good Dr. Watson. Answering every question correctly will lead you to victory, though one misstep and you will be forced to retire from the case, leaving the remaining investigators to accurately interpret the clues before it’s too late.”
Reviewer(s): Steve Spang (#6), Quinns Smith (unranked)
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Description: “Merchants and Marauders lets you live the life of an influential merchant or a dreaded pirate in the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy. Seek your fortune through trade rumor hunting missions and of course plundering. The game features a unique trade system and a thematic combat system allowing for critical decisions and intense excitement. Modify your ship buy impressive vessels load deadly special ammunitions and hire specialist crew members. Will your captain gain eternal glory and immense wealth or find his wet grave under the stormy surface of the Caribbean Sea?”
Reviewer(s): Chris Miller (#6), Quinns Smith (unranked)
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Description: “Set in ancient Rome, Trajan is a development game in which players try to increase their influence and power in various areas of Roman life such as political influence, trading, military dominion and other important parts of Roman culture. The central mechanism of the game uses a system similar to that in Mancala or pit-and-pebbles games. In Trajan, a player has six possible actions: building, trading, taking tiles from the forum, using the military, influencing the Senate, and placing Trajan tiles on his tableau. This is a Euro-style strategy game and playing time is 30 minutes per player.”
Reviewer(s): Richard Ham (unranked, rated 10 on BGG), Tom Heath (#5)
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Description: “Powerful Spirits have existed on this isolated island for time immemorial. They are both part of the natural world and – at the same time – something beyond nature. Native Islanders, known as the Dahan, have learned how to co-exist with the spirits, but with a healthy dose of fear and reverence. However, now, the island has been “discovered” by invaders from a far-off land. These would-be colonists are taking over the land and upsetting the natural balance, destroying the presence of Spirits as they go. As Spirits, you must grow in power and work together to drive the invaders from your island… before it’s too late!”
Reviewer(s): Jarrod Carmichael (#4), Jonathan Cox (unranked, rated 9 on BGG)
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Description: “Can Jack the Ripper escape justice and live to kill again, or will the police put a stop to history’s most notorious killer? Letters from Whitechapel is a thematically engrossing board game of deduction and bluffing in which one player takes the role of the infamous Jack the Ripper, while up to five other players are detectives working together to pursue him through Victorian London. After committing his horrible murders, Jack must outmaneuver the detectives in the tangled streets of the Whitechapel District. Meanwhile, the detectives must use clever deduction and their superior numbers to hunt Jack the Ripper down before he can kill again or elude them forever.”
Reviewer(s): Quinns Smith (unranked), Steve Spang (#4)
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Description: “Memoir ’44 is a unique historical game from Days of Wonder where players command a horde of little plastic Army men facing-off in dozens of WWII battles on an oversize hex game board. Each battle scenario mimics the historical terrain, troop placements and objectives of each army. Deploying forces through a variety of Command cards, the smart commander uses the unique skills of his units to their greatest strength. Easy to learn and fast-paced, Memoir ’44 requites strategic card play, timely dice rolling and an aggressive, yet flexible battle plan to achieve victory. There are 17 unique historical scenarios, including a monster-size double-board version of Omaha Beach. The game has a double-sided, three section board map of the battlefield, featuring beach landings and countryside terrain. There are 44 lavishly painted double-sided terrain hexes, along with the 3D miniatures and obstacles to go on them. Also included are 60 Command cards, including 20 WWII Tactics cards and 40 troop movement Section cards, and two Army bags of incredibly detailed miniatures. You also get a cardholder to share with your “command staff” and some time-saving Terrain summary cards.”
Reviewer(s): Quinns Smith (unranked), Sam Healey (#3)
| Rank | Game | Count | Average Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Dixit | 3 | 84.67 |
| 89 | Photosynthesis | 3 | 84.33333333 |
| 88 | Magic: The Gathering | 3 | 63.66666667 |
| 87 | King of Tokyo | 3 | 63.33333333 |
| 86 | Defenders of the Realm | 3 | 61.33333333 |
| 85 | Neuroshima Hex! | 3 | 58 |
| 84 | Elysium | 3 | 56.66666667 |
| 83 | Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island | 3 | 56.33333333 |
| 82 | Raiders of the North Sea | 3 | 56 |
| 81 | Azul | 3 | 55.66666667 |
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Description: “A picture is worth a thousand words. Dixit is an enchanting game which summons your imagination. Discover 84 dreamlike illustrations on big cards and interpret them.
A storyteller chooses one card of its hand of cards and proposes an accurate theme. Other players use this theme to select a card from their hand which inspires them. All the cards are shuffled and revealed. Players must find the teller’s card. To score points, the theme must be neither too simple or too complex.”
Reviewer(s): Melody Vasel (#83), Tom Vasel (#77), Zee Garcia (#94)
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Description: “The sun shines brightly on the canopy of the forest, and the trees use this wonderful energy to grow and develop their beautiful foliage. Sow your crops wisely and the shadows of your growing trees could slow your opponents down, but don’t forget that the sun revolves around the forest. Welcome to the world of Photosynthesis, the green strategy board game!”
Reviewer(s): Jason Levine (#68), Sam Healey (#93), Tom Vasel (#92)
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Description: “In the Magic game, you play the role of a planeswalker—a powerful wizard who fights other planeswalkers for glory, knowledge, and conquest. Your deck of cards represents all the weapons in your arsenal. It contains the spells you know and the creatures you can summon to fight for you.” (Source)
Reviewer(s): Jamie Keagy (#22), Jason Levine (#80), Zee Garcia (#89)
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Description: “King of Tokyo is a game for 2 to 6 players where you play as mutant monsters, rampaging robots, or even abominable aliens battling in a fun, chaotic atmosphere. Roll dice and choose your strategy: Will you attack your enemies? Heal your wounds? Improve your Monster? Stomp your path to victory!”
Reviewer(s): Melody Vasel (#94), Sam Healey (#65), Zee Garcia (#31)
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Description: “Our Liege is in desperate hour. From what grievous cause have these accursed races arisen? Orcs Dragons Demons and the Dead make haste towards Monarch City. The King and Countryside of Monarch City are in need of valiant Heroes. Will you answer the King’s call? In the ancient Citadel of Monarch City the King calls to arms the finest Heroes to defend against a Darkness that engulfs the land. You and your allies must embark on a journey to defend the countryside repair the tainted lands and defeat the four creature factions before one of them enters the City and they approach from all sides — fast populating Orcs. fierce Dragons. Undead that bring terror. And demons. — all tainting the land in their wake. There are several paths to defeat but only one path to victory and only the most valiant Hero will be named King’s Champion. Defenders of the Realm is a cooperative fantasy board game in which 1-4 players take a role as one of the King?s Champions (Choose from Cleric Dwarf Eagle Rider Paladin Ranger Rogue Sorcerer and Wizard). You as one of the King’s Heroes make use of strategy special abilities cooperation card play and a little luck in Defense of the Realm for a unique experience every adventure. But be forewarned. There is never time to rest. As each Enemy General is struck down in battle the remaining dark forces only grow more difficult to vanquish and their march to Monarch City gets faster with each Hero victory.”
Reviewer(s): Chris Miller (#45), Jamie Keagy (#48), Melody Vasel (#91)
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Description: “Neuroshima HEX is a game of tactics, where armies wage continuous battles against each other. It is based on a roleplaying game called Neuroshima RPG published by Portal in 2001. The world of Neuroshima RPG is that of a post-apocalypse world torn apart by a war between humans and machines. The remains of humanity took shelter in the ruins of cities and organized in small communities, gangs and armies. Conflicts between such groups are not uncommon and the reasons of such are numerous: territory, food or equipment. What is more, the ruined cities are constantly patrolled by machines sent from the north, where a vast cybernetic entity, called MOLOCH, appeared. Great wastelands that surround what was left of the greatest cities are home to another enemy – Borgo – a charismatic leader who controls an army of gruesome mutants. One of the last hopes of humanity is the OUTPOST, a perfectly organized army which wages a guerilla war against MOLOCH. Nevertheless, most human settlements, including the HEGEMONY, are not concerned with war until it comes banging at their door. Such is the world of Neuroshima.”
Reviewer(s): Jason Levine (#73), Sam Healey (#87), Zee Garcia (#14)
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Description: “Take on the role of an ambitious demigod who is trying to claim a place at the summit of Mount Olympus. Recruit heroes, acquire artifacts, undertake quests and earn the favour of the gods. When your allies fulfill their destiny, they enter Elysium, and contribute to your legend. Once all the tales are written, a single demigod will join the Olympians. The goal of the game is to earn as many victory points as possible. Victory points are won mostly with the legends that players will write through the cards that they have transferred to their Elysium, but also by employing the powers that they have assembled throughout the game by the means of specific cards. “
Reviewer(s): Jason Levine (#62), Tom Heath (#33), Zee Garcia (#75)
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Description: “Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island is a game created by Ignacy Trzewiczek, the author of Stronghold. This time Trzewiczek takes the players to a deserted island, where they’ll play the parts of shipwreck survivors confronted by an extraordinary adventure. They’ll be faced with the challenges of building a shelter, finding food, fighting wild beasts, and protecting themselves from weather changes. Building walls around their homes, animal domestication, constructing weapons and tools from what they find and much more awaits them on the island. The players decide in which direction the game will unfold and – after several in-game weeks of hard work – how their settlement will look. Will they manage to discover the secret of the island in the meantime? Will they find a pirate treasure, or an abandoned village? Will they discover an underground city or a cursed temple at the bottom of a volcano? Answers to these questions lie in hundreds of event cards and hundreds of object and structure cards that can be used during the game…”
Reviewer(s): Jamie Keagy (#36), Jarrod Carmichael (#42), Jason Levine (#91)
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Description: “Raiders of the North Sea is set in the central years of the Viking Age. As Viking warriors, players seek to impress the Chieftain by raiding unsuspecting settlements. Players will need to assemble a crew, collect provisions and journey north toplunder gold, iron and livestock. There is glory to be found in battle, even at the hands of the Valkyrie. So gather your warriors, it’s raiding season!
The aim of Raiders of the North Sea is to impress the Chieftain by having the most Victory Points (VP) at the game’s end. Victory Points are gained primarily by raiding Settlements, taking Plunder and making Offerings to the Chieftain. How players use their Plunder is also vital to their success. The game ends when either only 1 fortress raid remains, all Valkyrie are removed, or all Offerings have been made.”
Reviewer(s): Jarrod Carmichael (#60), Sam Healey (#73), Tom Vasel (#35)
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Description: “Azul was designed by the world famous, award winning game author Michael Kiesling. Azul captures the beautiful aesthetics of Moorish art in a contemporary board game. Players compete as artisans decorating the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora. By carefully drafting the correct quantity and style of tiles, the most clever of artisans plan ahead to maximize the beauty of their work (not to mention their scores!) while ensuring they wasted no supplies in the process.”
Reviewer(s): Jarrod Carmichael (#18), Jason Levine (#100), Steve Spang (#49)
| Rank | Game | Count | Average Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | Clank! | 3 | 43.67 |
| 79 | Yokohama | 3 | 43 |
| 78 | Ethnos | 3 | 43 |
| 77 | Carcassonne | 3 | 41 |
| 76 | Glory to Rome | 3 | 39.33333333 |
| 75 | Architects of the West Kingdom | 3 | 39 |
| 74 | Bunny Kingdom | 3 | 38 |
| 73 | RoboRally | 3 | 35.67 |
| 72 | Lords of Hellas | 3 | 35.66666667 |
| 71 | Shogun | 3 | 33 |
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Description: “Burgle your way to adventure in Clank!, the new deck-building board game.
Sneak into an angry dragon’s mountain lair to steal precious artifacts. Delve deeper to find more valuable loot. Acquire cards for your deck and watch your thievish abilities grow.
Be quick and be quiet. One false-step and CLANK! Each careless sound draws the attention of the dragon, and each artifact stolen increases its rage. You can only enjoy your plunder if you make it out of the depths alive!”
Reviewer(s): Melody Vasel (#62), Steve Spang (#8), Tom Vasel (#61)
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Description: “Once Yokohama was just a fishing village, but now at the beginning of the Meiji era it’s becoming a harbor open to foreign countries and one of the leading trade cities of Japan. As a result, many Japanese products such as copper and raw silk are collected in Yokohama for export to other countries. At the same time, the city is starting to inc