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100 through 91
90 through 81

Top 100 Games (of all time) 2024 Edition – 80 through 71

80. Flamecraft

• Published by Cardboard Alchemy in 2022
• Deliver on the most goals and score points as you play out adorable little dragons who help around the town

This game immediately grabs you with the artwork. The dragons are amazing, and Sandara Tang gives each of them such great personality. Beyond that the game is simple but fun, you go to a location and are either activating the cards and dragons there, or adding some, or spending resources to complete goals. As the locations get more and more dragons the more powerful they become. It’s a great ramping mechanism for a simple game. Though the game is not fast one, which might be my only knock on it.

Buy Flamecraft

79. Just One

• Published by Repos Productions in 2018
• Work together to get the guesser to the right answer with just one word

A party game on this section. I’m not sure, I expect that there are two more party games on the list, but we’ll see. I honestly have forgotten. But Just One is a great cooperative party game. One person is the guesser and everyone else needs to write down a one word clue to get the guesser to guess their one word. Sounds simple, right, but if you double up with anyone, now both those words are gone. That means that an easy clue can become very hard very fast. So you want to be obscure with your clue, but not so obscure that it won’t lead the person to the right answer.

Buy Just One

78. On Tour

• Published by BoardGameTables.com (AllPlay) in 2019
• Create the best route for your band to tour the map going from low to high numbers

This one is a fun roll and write. While I love a ton of roll and write games where they have a lot of combos, this one is a different type of puzzle. In On Tour two dice are rolled and players each place the numerical combinations on two spots on their board. But there are rules as to where they can go. And you may want to watch the city to gain bonus points, but if it won’t connect well to your route, is it worth it to push your luck?

Buy On Tour

77. Mythwind

• Published by Open Owl Studios in 2023
• Build up your settlement and play your mini game in this cozy gaming experience

Open Owl Studios went into making Mythwind with the plan of making a cozy game. So something that works well like a Stardew Valley or an Animal Crossing. They do that by creating a peaceful story world to play in, there are interesting elements to it though. And then each person plays their own little minigame. I demonstrate what the minigame for the farmer looks like. And One Stop Co-op Shop and Meet Me At The Table play some of the other ones. It’s just a unique feeling game that is fun, and relaxing to play.

Preorder Mythwind

76. Betrayal at House on the Hill

• Published by Avalon Hill in 2004
• Explore a haunted house but beware, someone is going to be come the traitor

This is a game that I still love though I haven’t played it in a few years. I fully recognize that the game has issues. When you sit down to play you know that the haunt may not work as planned because either the traitor is going to be overpowered or the other survivors will be. And the haunts themselves have janky rules. But I still love the game anyways because it’s thematic, silly, and just a fun time.

Buy Betrayal at House on the Hill 3rd Edition

75. Clever 4Ever

• Published by Schmidt Spiele in 2022
• Another combotastic game in the Clever line of roll and writes

I don’t know what else to say about this one. Clever 4Ever offers a ton of fun combos and a few different feeling sections of your sheet. How Wolfgang Warsch keeps on coming up with different and interesting ways to handle rolling five dice, using one, getting rid of lower ones and then rolling them again, I don’t know. But he does and this one is great, I especially like the sections where you can fill in different shapes depending on the number rolled. That element really feels different.

Clever 4Ever is either new to my Top 100 Games (of all time) this year or it just made the cut last year. I know I hadn’t had the game for long.

Buy Clever 4Ever

74. SpellBook

• Published by Space Cowboys in 2023
• Learn spells and feed your familiar to get the most points

This is a really simple game. All it is when you boil it down is set collection. You collect materia, you get enough of a color, you learn that spell. Then you use that spell you learned to collect more materia or learn new spells easier. Each spell you learn gives you points, or you can just feed the materia to your familiar for more points as well. The is fast, and there is a fun puzzle as to how you can optimize your spell usage as you get into the game.

Buy SpellBook

73. Century: Golem Edition

• Published by Plan B Games in 2017
• Get crystals, upgrade crystals and get golems to give you points

Another engine building game. Century: Golem Edition again, like SpellBook, has quick snappy turns. In this game it’s all about hand management and using those cards in hand to get more and upgrade crystals. Then you use those crystals to grab Golems that are going to score you points. But you literally just play a card, trade crystals for a golem, pick-up all your cards, or buy a new card. One of those things on a turn and the game just flies.

Buy Century: Golem Edition

72. New Frontiers

• Published by Rio Grande Games in 2018
• Build out the grandest space empire by doing the best action for you

New Frontiers is another engine building game. In New Frontiers you are doing it at a space level though, colonizing new planets, getting new technologies, fighting and conquering planets. All of that done through action selection where what action you pick gives you a bonus. But, everyone else is going to follow along with that action as well. So what is the best action for you and maybe not a great one for other players? I believe that New Frontiers is new to my Top 100 Games (of all time) as well though it isn’t a new game.

Buy New Frontiers

71. Meadow

• Published by Rebel Studio in 2021
• Create a beautiful tableau of nature through tricky card drafting

Meadow is another gorgeous game. I start out and end this section with beautiful games. In Meadow you want to score points by playing out creatures, taking pictures, and gaining trinkets. But to do that you need to build up your meadow from the land type up through bugs and maybe eventually all the way into deer, foxes, or other creatures. How you pick the cards you get is great. You use a fence post that tells you how far into a row or column you are picking. So you need to determine the best spots to play to get all the cards that you want and hope no one blocks you.

Buy Meadow

Final Thoughts

Firstly, let me know what your favorite of these games are. I obviously enjoy all of the tones in my Top 100 Games (of all time) 2024 Edition, so Meadow needs to be my favorite. But in terms of easily getting it to the table, I’m kind of feeling a big old stream and playthrough of all the clever games on Malts and Meeples. And let me know if there is one that you would want to get played as well that you haven’t tried in my Top 100 Games (of all time) 2024 Edition.

Join me next week for the next batch of games in my Top 100 Games. It’ll be starting around 9 PM Central on Wednesday if everything goes as planned. You can subscribe and click the notification bell to get notified when the video goes live. Thanks so much for watching.

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Crowdfunding Round-up

Critter Kitchen

Critter Kitchen I wrote about a bit ago as it was announced during the Dice Tower Summer Spectacular. So it might have gotten lost in the shuffle, but this is a game from Cardboard Alchemy, known mainly for putting out Flamecraft. Flamecraft is a fun family weight worker placement game that maybe takes a little long but has the most adorable dragons and artwork.

When they announced Critter Kitchen what caught my attention was the amazing artwork. Sandara Tang is doing it again and this time it’s all animals not just dragons. But for the game itself, you are collecting resources to be the best rated and reviewed chef during food week. So it takes place over several rounds as you try and complete recipes and goals that will get you the most points. It’s still a worker placement game, but like Flamecraft, one with a very fun theme.

Backed

Spirit Fire

First of two games that should be solo only or solo mainly. Spirit Fire is from Orange Nebula. Orange Nebula if you aren’t familiar with their other crowdfunding games, did Vindication and Unsettled. Two big games that have great components. Spirit Fire is their take on an adventure story driven game, and one that is solo. It is mainly solo because you can play it two player but it’ll be shared decision making, like most solo games.

I know less about this game play than some of the others. But the company so they already have some built in trust that way. But the game itself sounds unique. It’s an open world adventure but one that says it won’t have much story. You create the story as you go. This could be a great thing where it gives you a lot of freedom, it could be awkward. But again, Orange Nebula has my trust on it.

Backed

DreamEscape

DreamEscape is one that I stumbled across more. I like how on Gamefound you can explore the upcoming crowdfunding games. I came across it there and it immediately sounded interesting to me. A Lovecraftian setting where you are trying to escape dreams sounds fun. And I like the idea of living, dying, and replaying scenarios. It lets you use your knowledge in the game.

The question I have about this game which sounds like a card exploration and adventure game, is replayability. I said I like the sound of the scenarios being a challenge, and I hope that they stay a challenge. But it reminds me of a cross between something like an Etherfields and an Arkham Horror Card Game which are two things that immediately draw me in. And again, a solo game (or two player) but seems like mainly a solo experience.

Backed

Secrets of the Lost Tomb

Secrets of the Lost Tomb is the only one of these that I’ve played around with. And I didn’t play the original version. At Gen Con this is a game that I got to demo, and I’ll say demo loosely. I got to sit down and learn a little bit about the game. But it caught my attention for a few reasons.

Firstly, it’s a scenario driven game where you’re exploring a tomb in a cooperative nature. But you’re building out the tomb like you build out the house in Betrayal at House on the Hill. And I like that idea that each scenario doesn’t have to be set-up a certain way. I can start playing it faster because I’m not looking to make sure certain rooms are in certain spots. Also, the fact they aren’t increases the replayability.

The other thing is that it’s fully cooperative and you still have the finding loot, leveling up character that going on. Secrets of the Lost Tomb looks like beer and pretzels fun, though too big to play at a bar. The game just seems like it leans into the pulp nature and the nature that anything could happen. That makes it a bit rough around the edges, but what felt like it’d be a fun game.

Pick-up at Retail

Final Thoughts

As much as I want to pick-up Secrets of the Lost Tomb, I think it’s a game that would make more sense at retail. The extra content, scenarios you can go on, is a lot. And not all of that might be coming to retail. But what comes in the main box is a lot as well. And I can’t back all the games on crowdfunding.

What I did choose to back, I think it makes sense to back it there. Critter Kitchen would be the other one that I maybe could wait for retail on. But Orange Nebula does all their games on crowdfunding, so picking it up later would mean buy Spirit Fire at a mark-up on the second hand market. And I’d guess the same with DreamEscape but that’d be even harder to find because right now it has less people backing it.

Out of all of these games, I think I’m most excited for Spirit Fire. It’s so ambitious. But Critter Kitchen and DreamEscape are obvious close behind for me to back them. It was a strong week and there is a game, Wonderous Creatures, that I know is coming soon to crowdfunding as well, possibly today.

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Dice Tower Mega Announcement

Rock Manor Games

Maximum Apocalypse 2nd Edition

This is basically making it fitting the Wasted Wilds to make it easier to play and make it faster to play. There’s going to be more information coming, but just very quickly.

Brass Empire 2nd Edition

This is a steampunk deck building game. I am curious about it just because it’s deck building. But it seems like it’s very in your face compared to what I’d want, which is a shame. But then again, maybe I’d like it as a two player game.

Merchants of Magick Expansion

This is their crunchy roll and write game. It’s going to be coming up on Kickstarter with some new modules of the game. It’s not one that I’ve played, but if Rock Manor has some at Gen Con, I might pick up the base game. I think that it sounds interesting and of course I’d love to check it out prior to the crowdfunding campaign.

Bright Eye Games

The Plot Thickens

A cooperative story creation game. We actually talked about this yesterday on the Malts and Meeples for sale at Gen Con live stream. I am curious about it with the Science Fiction version to at least see what it’s like. But I don’t love it in theory.

Ponzi Scheme

This one is coming out in 2024. It’s a game about creating a ponzi scheme and seeing if you can stay afloat with the most money when someone goes bankrupt. It sounds okay, a light, silly game, I’m hoping.

Ares Games

Fire and Swords – War of the Ring The Card Games

This is an expansion, and there is a new expansion at Gen Con, but this one is going to be coming out in 2024. This one doesn’t interest me as much, but the one at Gen Con to make it soloable that one interests me. And if it’s an interesting game, I could see it being one that my wife likes as we’re both big Lord of the Rings fans.

Horrible Guild

Quicksand

A real time cooperative game. That isn’t my sort of game, I’m not a fan of real time. But it does sound fairly interesting to try once or twice because you are playing against puzzles. It’s just that I’m not a big fan of real time.

Sunrise Lane

This is a game from Dr. Reiner Knizia one of the most prolific designers. I’m somewhat interested in it, it’s about building out houses and scoring points. I like the idea of building out houses and how you build out houses. It sounds actually really good now that I hear more about the rules, because it looks very pretty on the table. And it has some fun scoring options with it. Sunrise Lane is very high up there for me from what’s been announced thus far.

Pencil First Games

Sunrise at the Studio

This looks like a small game, and it’s kind of in that Floriferous style of game, or at least box size. This one is a pottery themed games. I like this weight of game, and it has set collection, drafting, and shared goals. So this sounds a lot like Floriferous again, but I’m down for that.

Snowfall over Mountains

Pocket sized solo tile laying game. That is a lot of things that I like. I am very used to a lot of snow. But you build it out a map from your cabin to create different scoring options. This one looks very cool. Pencil First Games makes amazing looking games aesthetically and very fun games.

Stoneblade Entertainment

Solforge Fusion App

It’s meant to improve the game play. Your collection gets automatically imported. That said, this is not a game that I was ever interested in. They are demoing it, and showing stuff off at Gen Con. It’s a fine idea, you don’t have to buy stuff again; it’s still a very specific announcement.

CGE

Kutna Hora

The announcement for a game that is already out. It’s talking about how it is using Re-wood. Re-wood is similar to plastic, but it’s sustainable to use over and over again. And it’s going to be at a similar detail level for plastic components. A cool thing, for a game I’m not interested in. The game is going to be at Gen Con to demo.

Grey Fox Games/Ludeon Studios

Rimworld

A board game adaptation of a video game. I’m not familiar with the video game, but I like the aesthetic thus far. It’s going to be coming to Kickstarter. There is not much information on this, unless you are familiar with Rimworld. Could definitely be a cool one, but I’ll be waiting to see it on Kickstarter.

Board & Dice

Nucleum

This one is going to be a big hit for a lot of people. This is about the nuclear power plants and it’s a very heavy euro game. Unless I build up to something like this over time, I don’t think it’s going to be one for me. There’s definitely a lot going on in the game which is why I think that a lot of people will enjoy it. It’s coming out in October at Essen Spiel

Inside Up Games

Clock & Key

This is going to be a Kickstarter coming in 2024. Another puzzle sort of game like Block & Key which is one that I thought looked interesting but I’ve never tracked it down to learn. I’m curious to see if this game is going to be similar or not. It reminds me of the pipe connecting games, which is something that I do enjoy.

Kosmos

Ingenious

It’s a relaunch of this game, also another Reiner Knizia. Don’t know a ton about this one, but I have heard of it. I think it’s supposed to be a family style abstract game. Probably not one that I’ll look into too much

Dragon keepers

A dragon game where you are taking care of dragons. This is done through card play, and they like to talk about the cute dragons, not to Flamecraft level, but definitely cute.

Rebel Studio

Meadow Adventure Book

It’s now coming out in 2024. This is a campaign or scenario style game. It was going to be a 2023 game, but now it’s been pushed back.

Avel: the Card Game

This is going to be pushed back as well. The timeline is still be determined.

Klink

It’s a number game, supposed to be a quick game. It’s a small box game, not a ton of a details on it. General impression was that this is going to be a family weight filler style game. And this is going to be a card game, or at least an action selection or playing game. Coming in early 2024.

MLEM: Space Agency

Cats… in… space….

That seems like a dangerous combination. It’s going to be a fun game with hopes of creating some laughs. This is going to be a dice game, so I’m thinking it’ll be a pushing your luck kind of game. Another Reiner Knizia game, like I said, he’s very prolific.

Cardboard Alchemy

Bistro Bay

An animal cooking game, but not cooking animals, if that makes sense. This looks like the same artwork style as Flamecraft, so a ton of fun to see it. You are trying to do the best and impress the the food critic. I am going to be looking at this one coming to Kickstarter in 2024.

Pandasaurus

Unrest

An asymmetrical two player card game. The rebellion vs the empire. Now this is not a Star Wars game. The aesthetic of the game is pretty solid, but I’m not sold on it. I feel like it’s a bit like Hanamikoji in some ways with having limited actions, it’s intriguing that way. It could be good. November retail release, and not expensive.

Unexpected Games

3000 Scoundrels Expansion

It’s not a game that I’ve played, but from what I heard of the original game was that it was fine. I this is definitely one that I’d want to checkout. And it sounds like the expansion is going to improve some things or will help with some of the complaints that people had. Definitely makes it sound more intriguing to me. As I do like the Wild West theme. And it’ll now have a solo mode as well, which again interests me.

Arcane Wonders

Foundations of Metropolis

This is going to be a retail version of Foundations of Rome. I’m guessing that this is going to be a smaller version because Foundations of Rome is huge. No miniatures in it, but that might get me to play the game and buy the game. Still looks really good, and it’ll be coming to retail in 2024, I think they said early. This one I’m very excited for, again because it makes it more accessible for more gamers.

Final Thoughts

Goodness, this is a ton of write really fast. I try and pause the video as little as possible because it’d take so much longer if I did pause all the time. I did have to do that a few times. Which ones are most interesting to me, I’m going to say my Top 5 are Foundations of Metropolis, Bistro Bay, and Sunrise Lane, Sunrise at the Studio, and Snowfall over the Mountain.

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Pros

• Theme
• Artwork
• Price Point
• Developer/Design team of Dwellings of Eldervale

Cons

• FOMO on Fancy Version
• Game Play On the Page

The Page

This is a great page but with my common complaint. This page doesn’t have nearly enough game play information on it. Now the game might be as simple as what it shows, but when you have a playthrough the rule book link, I’d love to see a bit more of how the game actually works. In particular the “How To Play” section doesn’t have how you win on it. That likely doesn’t have a fancy gif you can make for it, but it is important to know.

Otherwise, they do what they should, they highlight the amazing artwork. The Artwork of Sandara Tang is just amazing. The dragons are adorable and I think really all of it sets the theme of the board game so well. And little dragons helping around a town is completely adorable.

The Game

The game itself looks like it should be fun. However, I can’t speak to that too much because as I said in the section about the page, there just isn’t enough information on this page. So normally I’d write up a whole lot more on this. I could have watched the how to play video(s) or game play, and I might later. But if I can’t tell how the game works or how to win the game by looking at the “How to Play” section, that probably isn’t ideal.

To go further on that, I’m in the hobby. I spend a lot of time, maybe too much, looking at Kickstarters and Gamefounds. When I do this post though, I want to not dive exceedingly deep in. Why, because most people won’t. So I want to give you my first impressions. And that is that the game looks amazing, but the game play, I don’t know.

Back or Brick

This one, will it be a Back or Brick? For me this is going to be a Brick. I actually really want to play this game. However, this game is going to go to retail, so the only reason I’d back it right now to help the company fund the game, it’s already funded, or get the deluxe version. Now the deluxe version looks cool, but for a lighter game, which this looks like, do I need all the fancy plastic. How much is a Game Trayz insert going to improve my enjoyment of the game? I’m not sure this game has enough stuff to warrant getting the fancy version.

How about for you is this a Back or Brick?

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