10. Horrified: World of Monsters
This is at number 10 due to me actually never playing it. I have always been interested in Horrified games though, the thought of playing a co-op game with the family that involves monsters sounds great. Especially with them being quite ight on rules and very fitting for this time of year.
9. Star Wars Rebellion
Again, this is so low because I have not played it yet. Star Wars Rebellion though, is something I really, really, really want to play. Being a massive Star Wars nerd and playing a game that puts you right into the heart of the source material sounds awesome indeed.
8. Micro Macro: Crime City – Full House
I have only played the first Micro Macro game but we, as a family, loved it. Even the kids, it’s basically a massive Where’s Wally with murder, intrigue and mystery. The whole thing has a cartoon, tongue-in-cheek art style too, though, so you don’t have to worry too much about the murdery theme. Working out what happened for each case and tracking the strands of each story is a hoot, and families will enjoy it a lot.
7. Green Team Wins
Green Tea Wins is basically Herd Mentality with a tad more taking the mickey out of your opponents who are still on the Orange Team, hahaha. You get asked questions like What’s the best PIzza Topping, with the most popular answer being deemed correct. All those players go on the Green Team and the rest are relegated to the dreaded Orange Team. The longer you stay green, the more points you get. Plus, making fun out of the Orange Team always makes me laugh. The way people answer always creates conversation around the table too, it’s super.
6. Azul Master Chocolatier
Now, while I have not played this version, I do own 5 different Azul Games. Yes 5, I know I know……. But someone in my house adores them. We all have our vices. This version is a re-skin of the original Azul game, which is one of the better games in the line. This one has a re-theming from placing tiles to creating a box of chocolates, and let’s be honest, who does not like chocolate? Azul is a cut-throat drafting game and I like it a lot. It can be painful and beautiful at the same time.
5. The Exit Advent Calendar – The Silent Storm
We do the Exit Advent Calendar every year and it has become one of my favourite things over the festive period. While this may not be this year’s calendar, it would be a great way to start the series. Every day you get a small ‘Exit’ style puzzle and the way the designers use items and the calendar itself to create interesting puzzles is mind-blowing. I can’t wait to get started on this years, which reminds me, I should go and buy it before it’s too late.
4. Ticket to Ride Legacy – Legends of the West
While I have not played this game specifically, I have played a lot of Ticket to Ride. The thoughts of an expanding legacy game of Ticket to Ride with rules being added and a legacy persistence between games interests me a great deal. I may actually pick this one up myself. Choo-choo.
3. Century – Golem Edition
We play this one a lot. It’s simple yet has enough choice and meat on the bone to keep even the most avid gamer interested. Between you and me, I prefer it to Splendour, massively. It has a hand-building mechanisms, recipe fulfilment and the theme/presentation is to die for. Play some cards, grab some crystal and woo some Golems, what more could you ask for?
2. Caverna
This game is a classic. It’s a bit heavier than most on the list but I adore it. It’s like Agricola with a bit of dwarf expedition sprinkled on top. Build a farm, tend to animals and hollow out your caves; it’s standard Uwe Rosenberg fair, really, you know, worker placement, feed your people, that kind of shindig. I find it really rewarding and interesting every time I play.
1. Last Light
Last Light went under the radar a little when it was released. Designed by Roy Cannaday from the Dice Tower, it’s a 4x space adventure that played really quickly. A lot of games promise this kind of experience but rarely deliver. This one does! It was a massive rotating galaxy that forces players together, tech, exploration and dice battles. I adore it and it plays so smoothly and in a very short time-span, especially for a game of this ilk.
There you go then, some cracking little deals in this year’s Black Friday, maybe even a few I may grab myself. Have fun gamers and see you next time!
