Top 100 Board Games 2017: 10-1

One last list to review folks, let's do this!!

10) Catan

This one slowly sinks down my list every year about 2 spots. I think that trend is going to continue this year only because other games keep getting better as I play them. Though even in 2018 this game is still getting request to come back to the table. My gaming group are HUGE Catan fans and so am I. I'll probably even break down and get the Seafarers expansion "Legend of the Sea Robbers" even though no one is talking about it online so it mustn't be that good. But everyone in my gaming group said they're up for playing all the scenarios with me if I get it. Who knows!? It could perhaps stop the slide of this game from my list. But again, I'm calling this to be a Top 20 by the end of the year.

9) Orleans

Bag building excellence. This game is trending to be a solid main stay on my Top 10, especially if I'm able to break out enough expansions of it with my group. I even have all the mini expansions for this one, so that should tell you how much I love it.

8) Fresco

My favorite one from Queen Games. I love all the expansions for it and enjoy it every time I bring it to the table! I know I've already spoken about game trying to get in to the Top 10 and for that to happen would mean some of these would have to drop out. Fresco may be one, only if it doesn't get played as much as the others. But no doubt in my mind that this is one beauty of a game that I loved from the very first play!

7) Viticulture

With several ways to win this wine making game, an MUST expansion to add and metal coins, I can't see this one budging at all from the list. Top 10 certified for 2018!

6) Grand Austria Hotel

This is where I'm going to start calling things "solid" from now on. I can't see this one moving anywhere but #6 for the next list. I'm on the cusp of even pimping the game out with special token made for the game. Something I don't do much for the games I like!

5) Firefly

Back when I was making the list in October, I felt this game was losing its luster and would fall even more in 2018. Then December came and I've been playing it ever since. After its all said and done, I remembered why it's a solid #5 now on my list going forward.

4) Project Elite

Being #4 back to back on the list tells me this game isn't going anywhere soon. The only coop game that my group LOVES. Megan does as well, which is why it's not moving from it's current spot.

3) Spartacus

Every yer this game surprises me. Moving up once again from #5 to #3 I think it's gone as high as it can and it keeps delivering surprises! Recently played this game again! (3rd time in under 4 weeks) and I love it a little more with each play. But to climb higher would be an upset that even the Bringer of Rain would find over-matched for.

2) Twilight Imperium

Most people only get to play this once every few years. The lucky ones play it every year but me? I play it 4 times a year and that's without even pushing it on my group. I'm super thankful to have so many folks who love this game as much as I do. And with TI4 out, I think it's going to remain #2 for a long time to come.

1) Strat-o-matic Baseball

It's been #1 ever since the creation of the list. I don't think it's moving either. I've loved this game ever since I was a kid and no matter how good all the others are on my list, I can't see a single one of them beating this one.

Guess by the end of the year, we're going to see....

Remember, for a full review of the games listed be sure to check out my YouTube channel's playlist.

Have a good one folks!

Top 100 Board Games 2017: 20-11

20) Splendor

At #21 the year before this one seems to hover around the same mark. The expansion was good enough to keep it high around the list. There's an awful lot of competition from the list below so I'm going to predict this one drops a few due to that.

19) Food Chain Magnate

This one is moving up the list. Every time I play it I love it more.Enough to get into my Top 10? Maybe not, but surely enough to rise higher on my list at the end of the year.

18) Las Vegas

Awesome dice rolling game that's quick easy and extremely fun to play. But I think it's a little too simple and that reason may lead to a slight fall from my Top 20 list.

17) Livingstone

This game has it all! push your luck, area control and dice drafting all in one! But again, there's a lot of games below knocking on the door that may jump and bump this game out of my Top 20 for this year. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what they are!

16) Thrash N Roll

The expansion for this really needs to come out this year. It was delayed last year and now doesn't look to be coming out at all. Taylor Games is one of the worst publishers in the hobby and they're the ones who have the rights. Without the expansion, this'll drop out of my Top 20 for sure in 2018.

15) Long Shot

One of Megan's favorite games in my collection. We played it all the time in 2017. But late in the year it hasn't come out much at all. I'm afraid it may slip a spot or two on the list but remain in my Top 20 all the same.

14) Stockpile

As long as I keep playing this game it'll have a home in my Top 20. Great mechanics and so enjoyable to play. This game is a solid lock in my Top 20 for the next list.

13) Star Wars: Queen's Gambit

This game fights hard to be in my Top 10 every year. (was #12 last time) My gaming group ADORES it and I love it as well. Incredible to think that a game from 1999 is still holding it's own on the list. I predict it may rise again but come up short of my Top 10 (again). 

12) Descent

My nephews LOVE this game but late this year I saw a little fatigue start to set in when I brought it for Christmas to not as enthusiastic cheers as was when I brought it out for Thanksgiving a month before. This one will drop a few spots because I think it's only coming to the beach next time so I can make room for other games they want to play on the holidays instead. And if it only comes out once, it should still be good enough to stay in my Top 20.

11) Space Hulk

My goal is to finish the campaign in the book this year. Unlike Descent's thousand available scenarios, this game has a limited amount. I don't know how the story ends, but I'm determined to see it by the end of the year. I don't think this'll return to the Top 10 but I also think it's going to stay on my Top 20 for now.

One more to go folks! See you then!

Top 100 Board Games 2017: 30-21

Welcome back as I give my predictions on my games for 2017 and how they will fare on my list for next year! For full reviews of the games, be sure to check out my YouTube playlists!

30) Formula D

Since falling out of my Top Ten the year before (it was #10) I think I've got this ranking about right. We had so much fun playing this on vacation that I think  it's enough to stay right here on the list again when the time comes to make it again.

29) Star Wars Duels

This game's eligible for my "Vintage" list but when it's still making the Top 30, I'm not yet ready to retire it. It got a lot of plays last year because Megan enjoyed it and I haven't really introduced my gaming group to it, who I'm pretty sure will love it. So for now I'm calling this one remains in the Top 30 for this year.

28) At the Gates of Loyang

Uwe Rosenburg's only game on my list. (though I'll be adding a new one to the list in 2018) I think this game is wonderful! I believe it even has the staying power to remain in my Top 30 for 2018 as well.

27) Sons of Anarchy

Like I said in my review, this game is highly underrated. I love the game, Megan loves the show but hasn't played it yet. If she turns out to like this game, you could see it move up again on my list. (it was #36 the year before) However, if the Mrs. doesn't like it, it could fall out of my Top 30 once again.

26) Flashpoint: Fire Rescue

It pains me that this game dropped from #11 just a few years ago. But again, coop games are something my group isn't big on. I do have the newest expansion coming in soon and can't wait to start playing it.....I just need someone to play it with.I hate that such a great game goes unappreciated by my gaming group.

25) Lancaster

Queen Games does it again! This game is fantastic and will definitely remain in my Top 30 by the end of the year. It's hard to say if it'll go up. There's a lot of games bucking for those spots and though this title doesn't seem to have a good chance of that happening, it's such a fantastic game, it won't even matter.

24) Commissioned

Another coop I love, Megan loves and my gaming group thought was a little better than most of the rest. Problem remains that it's coop and I don't see hardly any of them doing well on the list unless I find a new gaming group who appreciates them. Personally for me, this is one of the best coops out there. Great theme, a bigger challenge than Pandemic and an amazingly good time in every play!

23) Scoville

With a little more love, this game about growing peppers could jump into the Top 20. It's guaranteed to stick high around my list for this year as well I can feel it. I love the look and feel of this game so much! The expansion (though not necessary) is essential each time I set it up. Fantastic game.

22) Battle Ball

Another game that could make my vintage list, but also could rise into my Top 20 so it's going to stick around for another year until I find out. I really love this simple dice chucking game about Football in the future. Either way, I don't see this one dropping on my list.

21) Pay Dirt

It barely missed my Top 20 last year and I think it may be able to make it this year. It's knocking on the door for sure, so I'm calling it "going up" on the list in 2018!

Please leave the gym

Man, there is no "kind" way to say this, but I hate when people show up to the gym at the first of the Year because there New Year's Resolution was to "get in shape" only to do nothing in the gym but take up space for 3 months until finally giving up.

I saw 2 girls in the gym this week sitting on equipment that with very little weights, going (sloppily) through the motions of a workout but not breaking a sweat. It's like they thought by just moving light weights around for a few seconds they were making a difference. Like going on a diet but only giving up candy bars and switching to diet soda. It ain't gonna help if you're stuffing your face full of pizza and chips every day.

I applaud and support ANYONE who wants to better their health. Heck, nothing makes me admire someone more than going out there and really trying. I love seeing someone new in the gym who STAYS in the gym (past March) and starts to show a difference in their look. I'm so happy for them.

It's a shame we have people like the ones I see every day not even trying and thinking they're making a difference.

Top 100 Board Games 2017: 40-31

40) Century Spice Road

This is a game that the more I play, it grows on me. I'm thinking this'll be a Top 30 game when it's all said and done at the end of the year. Could squeeze in to my Top 20 if the expansion due to come out is any good.

39) Eketorp

A game so good others in my group bought it as well. I wasn't sure about this game for the longest before I broke down and gave it a shot. Now I love it. I think it'll be solid in my Top 40 and if it gets enough play time, it could trend up!

38) Conquest of the Empire

Down from #13 from the year before, I've loved this game since I was a kid but didn't get to the table as much as it usually does. That being said, I was able to get it out more after my list was made and though I love this game, the competition below could bring it down a tad in 2018.

37) Blood Feud in New York

I ranked this one above Conquest of the Empire this year though it's essentially the same game with a gangster theme. It dropped down from #14 in 2016 but I'm afraid it's going to freefall a little this year. The main reason is because I seem to be the only person who enjoys it. My gaming group would rather play "Empire". Not a good sign for this game I'm afraid. Could even drop out of the Top 50!

36) Empires: Age of Discovery

Oh my. Now that I've played this game more I can tell you, it's bucking to become one of my Top 10 games of all time! I love it more every time I play it. Simply incredible game. Eagle Gryphon's best ever in my opinion!

35) King's Abbey

Another game trending up on my list. My gaming group loves it, as do I. With more gameplay's I can see this easily reaching my Top 20 for 2018. Who'd have thought, a game I hated played at BGG Con, would make it this high?

34) Police Precint

This game tumbled from its #23 rank the year before and may do so again in 2018. The problem being is that not many folks in my gaming group like coop games and even though this is the most unique coop out there, it's not grabbing folks attention which means it's going to tumble again at the end of the year.

33) Cleopatra and the Society of Architects

Another game you won't be seeing fall from the Top 40. It's right outside my Top 30 but I don't know if it can get in due to the already stiff competition on my shelf. This is a beautiful game and the only one from Days of Wonder that I own.

32) Stone Age

Such a great worker placement game and it's right outside my Top 30. I think it's position is safe on my list for this year but with enough plays it could crack the coveted Top 30! I wish this game would go back into print. Boggles my mind why they haven't done it yet. I see this game on a lot of peoples "Top 100" lists.

31) Coal Baron

Awesome bidding/worker placement game that has one of the coolest player boards out there. But this game may fall a few spots due to some board games down below that I'm finding are a little more fun to play. Doesn't change the fact that I think this is an excellent game!

Top 100 Board Games 2017: 50-41

50) Quartz

Ranked it at #44 the first year I got it and it barely went down. This bag-grabbing, push your luck game is a lot of fun but might fall slightly out of the Top 50 for me due to new additions entering my collection.

49) Shakespeare

What an amazing game. If it hits the table like it did in 2017 it's going to move up the list. At the very least , this one should remain in the Top 50.

48) Parfum

Another game that's going to remain on the Top 50 for next year. Competition is tough but so far this game about making and selling perfume has been a hit with my gaming group!

47) Liguria

Queen Games again! Just like the game I mentioned above, this one won't move out of the Top 50 and could even move up if it keeps getting played. All my Queen Games games are this way. But this "prequel" to Fresco has everything going for it and nothing against it!

46) Thebes

Triple threat for Queen Games here! Another one that I believe will stay in the Top 50 in my next list. This game feels like Indiana Jones without the Nazi's. Very thematic which will keep it firm in the rankings.

45) Black Fleet

Just like I said in my review, this game went from #19 to #45 because I didn't bring it to the table (though my gaming group asked for it on more than one occasion) This year I promise to bring it out more and when that happens this should easily jump back up into the list. Best guess, Top 40.

44) The Adventurers (Both games)

These games were both on my list at #41 the year before and only slipped a few spaces this year. Incredibly great games that I've never won but love all the same. They may slide a few more spots when I bring more games in but overall, it should hold on my Top 50 list.

43) Dice Town

Trending up from the year before and still rising, this game just came out with an expansion and it was a hit with my group. If this game is as lucky as its dice rolling mechanism, it can move up a few more spots by the end of the year!

42) Restorante Italia

I had this game marked high on my list when I first played it, then dropped it a few spots when I played it a few more times. Super great game and I think I nailed it because this one only budges when I new/better game enters the list. Besides that, it's solid on my list!

41) Expedition Northwest Passage

Oh my! The quality of production on this explorer game is beyond reproach! I love it! Such a fantastic looking game and it plays well. It'll be tough cracking through the Top 40 but with my game plays than the year before and I believe it could make it. If not, it'll sit comfortably here on my next list.