I've often found that in my time in the board gaming hobby, that I come across games that catch me off-guard and surprise me. While this can be both positive and negative, I'm going to stick with games that have positively affected me in the spirit of the new year and new beginnings. For this list, the games are ranked in how much they have surprised me, either because my expectations were low, or there was just something about the game that just took me by surprise. Without further ado, here is #10-#6:
#10: Settlers of Catan (or just Catan)
This one is kind of a catch-all for all the games I played when I just started getting into the hobby, and Catan was the first. Until this point, all the games I'd ever known were the standard games everyone grew up with: Monopoly, Phase 10, Sorry, Chutes and Ladders, etc. In walks Settlers of Catan. This was the game that opened my eyes (and lots of others') to what board games could be and are in today's board gaming renaissance. The roll and move style of game was gone and instead you were watching dice roll, trading resources, finding multiple paths to victory, building your own mini-empire, trying to out-think your opponent at every turn.
It was amazingly refreshing to see that this style of game existed. As time has gone on, Catan has come under fire for having some problems, and I also have jumped on the hate train a bit. However, I recognize that this was the game that showed me what was possible and left me jonesing for more.
It was amazingly refreshing to see that this style of game existed. As time has gone on, Catan has come under fire for having some problems, and I also have jumped on the hate train a bit. However, I recognize that this was the game that showed me what was possible and left me jonesing for more.
#9: Rococo
Sometimes a game's theme alone can surprise you, as was the case with Rococo. Almost a year ago I went to a really small board gaming convention here in Akron called the Groundhog Day Gaming Retreat. I was a little apprehensive as I didn't know anyone and felt a little lost and overwhelmed still being relatively new to the scene. Eventually, I ended up playing with a group that really enjoyed the more complex style of game that I have come to embrace and they busted out Rococo.
It's a game about making dresses and men's coats and putting them on display. Seriously, that's the idea. Apprehensive isn't a strong enough word for how I felt about this game coming in. Not because of inherent masculinity, but because it was difficult to envision how a theme like that could be integrated into a complex game. Admittedly, the theme is a little weak, and the game was made more enjoyable by the group referring to cubes representing thread and lace as whiskey and cocaine, respectively, but it still was a very enjoyable, very complex game that took me by surprise.
It's a game about making dresses and men's coats and putting them on display. Seriously, that's the idea. Apprehensive isn't a strong enough word for how I felt about this game coming in. Not because of inherent masculinity, but because it was difficult to envision how a theme like that could be integrated into a complex game. Admittedly, the theme is a little weak, and the game was made more enjoyable by the group referring to cubes representing thread and lace as whiskey and cocaine, respectively, but it still was a very enjoyable, very complex game that took me by surprise.
#8: Codenames
To understand why Codenames was so surprising, it is necessary to learn a little about the designer of the game itself. Vlaada Chvatil is a renowned game designer who typically makes very complex and different games. Often the games are several hours long and burn your brain with the amount of decisions that must be made. So when news broke that he was releasing a party game, the board gaming world was a little skeptical. He certainly was versatile, but how was this game going to be?
In short, it's one of the most commercially successful games in a long time, both in and outside of the hobby. Seriously, this game is at Target and it's a phenomenal game for people who enjoy board games and those who have never played one. The rules are simple, the game splits the group into teams so the player count is unlimited, and most importantly it's just really fun. I wasn't expecting much but it's become my go-to party game for just about any occasion.
In short, it's one of the most commercially successful games in a long time, both in and outside of the hobby. Seriously, this game is at Target and it's a phenomenal game for people who enjoy board games and those who have never played one. The rules are simple, the game splits the group into teams so the player count is unlimited, and most importantly it's just really fun. I wasn't expecting much but it's become my go-to party game for just about any occasion.
#7: Imhotep
Imhotep got a lot of buzz when it was nominated for the board gaming world's version of the Oscars, the Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year in Germany) in 2016. Fun fact, it actually lost to Codenames, my #8 on this list. Typically, this style of game is of the family variety, very similar to many gateway games like Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, Takenoko, etc. I didn't expect much of the game, so when I played it I was blown away.
The game's rules are very simple, but the actual gameplay is very complex and strategic. Essentially, you are only choosing one of three actions, but when players choose to take them is extemely important and fascinating. On top of this, there are actually two sides to the game board which gives the game a ton of replayability as it is essentially two different games in how it plays. The base rules never change, but the results are completely different. It is a phenomenal gateway game, and although it can be a little mean, is a very good foundation for getting into modern board games.
The game's rules are very simple, but the actual gameplay is very complex and strategic. Essentially, you are only choosing one of three actions, but when players choose to take them is extemely important and fascinating. On top of this, there are actually two sides to the game board which gives the game a ton of replayability as it is essentially two different games in how it plays. The base rules never change, but the results are completely different. It is a phenomenal gateway game, and although it can be a little mean, is a very good foundation for getting into modern board games.
#6: Amerigo
Amerigo solidly fits into the "I had no expectations or knowledge going in and left with my mind blown" category. Often, cinephiles begin to gravitate toward certain styles and directors, and board gamers do the same thing with designers. I had played one game by Stefan Feld, a famous designer who also designed this game, and it made me immediately want to play more games designed by him.
But why this game? Why did it surprise me so much? Simple. A cube tower. Seriously, look at this thing:
But why this game? Why did it surprise me so much? Simple. A cube tower. Seriously, look at this thing:
The actions you can take are determined by the number and color of the cubes come out of the tower. Inside the tower, there are little shelves and nooks and crannies that the cubes can get stuck on, meaning that you have an educated guess as to what will come out but you are never certain. Is it a gimmick? Certainly, but it's a really good one. It jumped into my Top 10 after playing it and was a very pleasant surprise.
That's all for the beginning of the list, stay tuned to find out my #5-#1 games are in the next installment.
That's all for the beginning of the list, stay tuned to find out my #5-#1 games are in the next installment.