What were my favorite new board games of July. Or I should say, which new to me board games did I love the most or like the most? I don’t think that July was a top month for games that I just loved. But that’s okay, not all months can be winners. And as you play more and more board games like I do, it’s going to be harder and hard to find great games. Not that there aren’t many out there, there are, but the odds just slowly reduce.

Top 5 New To Me July Board Games

5. Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest

Now, if you read yesterdays article it might seem like I didn’t love this game. And I don’t love it. But I did enjoy it well enough. I think that in person I’d probably enjoy it more. But it’s in that camp of game that I like well enough to play but not well enough to own. So if a friend wanted to play it, I’m in. I’m just not going to own it. I like the hidden role selection but then the actions and interactions are just okay for me.

4. Droles de Zebres

This one is also in that camp of I’d gladly play it but I’m not going to seek out the game. It’s simple and fast enough when playing two players. The downside of the game is that I think it’d start to feel very similar over time. Also this game could be any theme. Why does the crocodile and gazelle switch spots if you want, no one knows. But those interactions are what makes the game interesting and sticking your opponent with a placement they may not want.

3. Seasons

Seasons is a game on the cusp of me wanting to own it. And it is a tricky game to know if I should pick it up or not because it’s a game that I think I’d play some. But also a game that I think with the combos would be a game that not everyone in my group would want to optimize. And the more you play it, the more it feels like it’ll get out of balance with players who know the combos and players who don’t.

2. Twinkle Twinkle

I own Twinkle Twinkle but I played it on BGA before I played my copy. And I like it, clearly, so I’m glad that I own it. I even backed it on crowdfunding, so I believe I have the extra box for it which adds in a little bit more but also, I believe, gave me acrylic tiles. This is a simple game but it’s also a lot of fun with how simple it is which is a good combo for getting to the table.

1. Magical Athlete

Magical Athlete is easily the top game on the list. Why, because it’s the one that I got and because the game is just fun. You can read my full review of it here. But the simple premise of it is that you draft racers, you pick one of your drafted racers and then you roll dice and see whose racer can win the race and get the points. It sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it does because of the racers powers and the dumb fun that happens.

Final Thoughts

Which of these games would you like to know more about. Let me know that and let me know which are your favorites. While July wasn’t as strong a month as some, the top two are really great. And Magical Athlete had tempted me, I held off on buying it, but after playing a friends copy it is a must buy game for me and now is part of my collection to play with family and friends who want that silly fun sit around and talk game.

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