I love watching these top ten videos! I think its really great that Sam, Zee & Tom each have their own different point of views as to what they enjoy more in a game.
Various understandings of this Top 10: Sam: "Themes I like" Tom: "Themes that are brought to life" Zee: "Themes that blend seamlessly with the rules" Definitely apples and oranges.
I'd like to put in for a Dice Tower No-Prize. [Pushes up nerd glasses.] At the 13:00 mark, Sam says that he "wasn't in on the original run." But in Sam and Zee's Top Ten Games of 2012, at the 18:00 mark, Sam says that he did play the original. This is clearly a continuity error, unless one of these Sams is an alternate reality Sam or perhaps even a shapeshifter!
It was interesting to see Sam be so aggressive in attacking Tom's choices as having themes that could easily be swapped out for something else when he listed two games that literally already have. Shogun is Wallenstein with a feudal Japan theme pasted on top of it. And Pandemic's gameplay was dropped wholesale into Defenders of the Realm very successfully and later used again in Forbidden Desert. Both games fail badly as being thematic using the criteria they laid out at the beginning of the video.
every time they said 'next one is feudal Japan..." I totally expected them to say Yedo. Can't believe that wasn't on any of their lists. I love reading all the flavor text on the mission cards, and am constantly amazed how it's all tied to what you actually have to do for the mission... such attention to detail, and obviously a labor of love by the game designers. Best tying of theme to game mechanics I've ever seen.
This is what good friends do. They bash each other and learn from it. Tough love as you will. This is why I believe him when he mentions that no one is ever offended. I enjoy the honesty of friends.
you prolly dont care at all but does anybody know a trick to log back into an Instagram account? I was stupid forgot the account password. I would appreciate any help you can give me!
This is the best top 10 yet! I love all the technical/philosophical difficulties you guys keep experiencing. And nice new table! Geek Chick makes some great looking tables. It takes a real mean to admit to watching Twilight; do not be ashamed. And I love the component pictures for each game. I wonder if you guys started doing that because of inputs from the recent survey. Thank you for the videos!
To me this just shows how good of friends they actually are. You wouldn't be that comfortable to say those types of things to a stranger. Don't change a thing boys!
Every mechanic In there matches the theme really well, from the fsmily growth to the planting and harvesting of vegetables, to the animal production to the resources used. It fits the theme perfectly.
I agree 1000 percent Sean how.....I think that's what make this so entertaining I love watching these guys.....the trash talking about the other person's game that's just a bonus.....keep it up fellas.....2 thumbs up
Love the top 10 lists guys. I'm noticing that Zee and Tom are able to have rational arguments while Sam just has to be right about every one of his opinions.
Totally agree. The main goal for game mechanics in a thematic game are really to make that theme come to life. Although i highly agree with some of Sam's choices as well in that regard. For example Netrunner would be very high on my list.
I can't understand Noony's comments. Their banter at each other is what makes it so much fun to watch! Everyone has different opinions with their games and you need that variety in order to facilitate discussions. The "Philisophical Differences" gag is simply a funny joke which I always enjoy! It's a cool list, some discrepancies, but that's normal - this is actually a list I was planning to do on a podcast soon - will be interesting to see the similarities/differences.! And no Arkham Horror?!?
The funniest Top 10 yet. Picked a few that I'll look into in greater detail. I'd love to see a list of themed family games. Which games would you recommend for a family wanting a pirate theme, an adventure theme, a space theme, etc.
When I was young my aunt had a couple games that I have never seen but at her house with great themes. #1 Mothers Helper #2 Smoky the bear Have you guys ever seen them or played them?
Betrayal at House on the Hill for me is top ten worthy. Especially if the person that reads the cards and scenarios gets into it. One of my favorites of all time
A La Carte is great! I bought it for my 9 year old goddaughter because of your review, Tom. I also bought the Dessert expansion and am waiting to give her that for a birthday. It is a fun game that adults have fun playing. The little pans are amazing and so are the cardboard stoves (though I had to glue them together because they kept falling apart.)
No, it's not, you should read my post again. Z made a list of games with a strong, not pasted-on theme (objective), which he also liked (subjective). Tom and Sam made a list of games with themes they like (subjective). Eventhough some of those games really had pasted-on themes or the mechanics and the theme werent closely intertwined (objective). Maybe this isn't always 100% objective, but most of the time it pretty much is.
Ooo! That's going to be our new name - "Fanboys that Ruin the Community." Kinda catchy! I do wonder why you think games you don't like are only for ten year olds. I don't mind playing games with ten year olds, incidentally, they have a lot of fun! Board games should never be an adult-only hobby.
I'm really happy to see Fury of Dracula twice there, especially the fighting system always makes us feeling "fighting the Vampire" rather than counting and deducting only... On the other hand, as I'm a BIG fan of very thematic games, I think the original Android could make the list easily, as well as Mansions of Madness, Mage Wars or Dreadfleet. Three great games I really enjoy and always feel the theme more than mechanics...
Love the videos, but I would like to recommend that the "face time" to "game time" ratio be about 50/50. Aka, the camera should only be on you guys for half the time, the rest of the time should be of components, gameplay, etc. Keep up the great work!
cool episode as always. i'm a bit surprised nobody mentioned Tales of the Arabian Nights as this game is almost pure theme... actually you play it just to experience the theme, its not even important who wins.
Actually, you'd be more accurate in saying that it is a re-theme of Scotland Yard. And this is why we mentioned Scotland Yard. I think the theme of Fury of Dracula makes it a better game over Scotland Yard. Then you add in the mix Letters from White Chapel, and you have a trio of games that really have some cool mechanics, but IMO the theme of FoD does the best in making those mechanics shine.
Great idea. When I was starting my collection this was a big factor for me. I knew about so many amazing games but I didn't have much money, so I wanted to make sure I was getting the most out of the money I had to invest. Similarly, now when I'm suggesting other people's first games I want to suggest something that's great and that they'll get a lot of use from, I don't want to suggest a £50 game that we'll play 3 times a year..
This is what makes you guys a very balanced team though ("The Theme Team"!). Many gamers fight over this aspect of gaming and your three opinions are a good sample of that.
This one was the top ten where I was expecting Republic of Rome in. That game captures its theme like it's nobody's business. I even suspect that this game was the theme first and then mechanics that fitted its theme. And it's not just the old republic, it fits the entire history of the republic, from the punic wars to the final rebellion against the senate. Similarly, I would have expected Die Macher on this list.
Two games that caught my attention: Key Largo and Sidibaba. The first one mainly for the theme. The second, because that mechanic of showing the tiles to the other players looks at least intriguing, if not cool.
What about "Nuns on the Run"? I just played that, and it fits a 'hide n seek' theme perfectly, with line of site, which way the user is facing, hearing directional noises, etc...
has anyone of you played pirates csg? I've watched a few vids and that game never gets mentioned. I love it and love to collect all the ships. Any thoughts?
Where's Mice & Mystics, Space Alert, Survive: Escape From Atlantis, Mansions of Madness, etc? Was hoping for an honourable mentions list, as I obviously need more games on my wish list! Lol Thanks for another great 10! :)
I would really like to see some of these lists revisited. I'd like to suggest JUNTA for one.... ....but also BOTTOM OF THE 9th.... ....REVOLVER.... ...SPACE ALERT.... ...COLT EXPRESS.... each of those games got us into the theme so deeply that we were role-playing with each other during every move. Love the podcast. Keep up the good work and please revisit these lists periodically! ;-)
good question. I think there is, a boring one of "pioneering," bartering & building using resources. But I suppose one could argue that maybe it's just gameplay mechanics as well.
I really liked X-Com The Board Game. I love the PC-game(s) and I really felt like they implemented the PC-game into a board game. Also like the tablet inclusion because it often feels like they are dragging that in there just cuz. But in this game it makes sense I think.
For me Pandemic is incredibly thematic, but it's the recycling card mechanic that makes it. Without that I'd agree it would feel too puzzly, but the fact that infected cities have a higher chance of being re-infected, and the mechanic of spreading to other cities if you don't get in there and deal with it really heaps some tension and a need to be reactive on top of the pure puzzly aspects.
Scotland Yard because it really feels like a manhunt where you all sit Around a map , survive because it really feels like you sail boats and drowning and stuff and a game of thrones 2nd edition because it really feels like you write the history of westrose yourself and it is also the only game where i felt like the expansion is a really big spoiler for some one who haven't got to that book
I was surprised that Arkham Horror wasn't on any of your lists. It seems very thematic, and as far as I have noticed, at least one of you like the game. Did it make anyone's short-list? Or top 20 at least?
I actually think Terra Mystica has a little bit of theme to it. It's not a thematic game, but it outpaces some other Euros in terms of how much it makes sense.
I second Cody there, I was a bit surprised that it wasn't mentionted even as a honorable mention or something... Love that game, as does most of my gaming group. When the time comes for one of us to make the roll to close a portal, there's always one of us that yells "SHUT THE DOOR!" XD
I was a little confused about this top ten. I thought it would be games that you couldn't separate the theme from the mechanics. Quite a few of them didn't seem so. Sibi Baba, for example, just sounded like Wizardry, Eye of the Beholder, or Bard's Tale sans computer.
I'm suprised Robinson Crusoe didn't make Tom's list, although happy it made Zee's. Also glad at least one of you (Sam) had Android:Netrunner, which IMO oozes theme. I was also suprised that none of you had X-wing on the list. Am I off the mark with X-wing?
I'm pretty surprised that Android only got a minor mention and Chaos in the Old World, Yedo, Carson City, Republic of Rome, Tales of the Arabian Nights were not on any lists. Goldbrau captures theme far better than Vegas Showdown if you are looking for a building game.
At least their #1's make sense. :) Of all the rest of them the only ones I could accept as games that fit the theme and mechanics are Battlestar Galactica (which is freaking amazing), Empires of the Void, Fury of Dracula, Android: Netrunner and Police Precinct. I probably would have had X-Wing Miniatures/Star Trek Attack Wing (combined choice), War of the Ring 2e, Mage Wars, Firefly, Star Trek Fleet Captains, and Mage Knight Board Game as some really thematic games on my possible list.
I love watching these top ten videos! I think its really great that Sam, Zee & Tom each have their own different point of views as to what they enjoy more in a game.
This one really needs a remake. This list would be incredibly different I bet.
We could also have a list without the bloody western ditty and igor voice. It's a bit of a trial watching these older vids for that reason.
último cigano verdadeiro
Various understandings of this Top 10:
Sam: "Themes I like"
Tom: "Themes that are brought to life"
Zee: "Themes that blend seamlessly with the rules"
Definitely apples and oranges.
Man, the felt in front of Sam must be incredibly smooth.
I'd like to put in for a Dice Tower No-Prize. [Pushes up nerd glasses.]
At the 13:00 mark, Sam says that he "wasn't in on the original run." But in Sam and Zee's Top Ten Games of 2012, at the 18:00 mark, Sam says that he did play the original.
This is clearly a continuity error, unless one of these Sams is an alternate reality Sam or perhaps even a shapeshifter!
furleyx 😂😂😂
Great theme! I love Tom, Sam and Zee talking about games. Especially their top 10's.
You guys have entirely too much fun doing these videos. Thank you!
"We are experiencing philosophical difuculties, please stand by" That just made my day
It was interesting to see Sam be so aggressive in attacking Tom's choices as having themes that could easily be swapped out for something else when he listed two games that literally already have. Shogun is Wallenstein with a feudal Japan theme pasted on top of it. And Pandemic's gameplay was dropped wholesale into Defenders of the Realm very successfully and later used again in Forbidden Desert. Both games fail badly as being thematic using the criteria they laid out at the beginning of the video.
"Philosophical difficulties" Such great word play. Keep the videos coming please!
every time they said 'next one is feudal Japan..." I totally expected them to say Yedo. Can't believe that wasn't on any of their lists. I love reading all the flavor text on the mission cards, and am constantly amazed how it's all tied to what you actually have to do for the mission... such attention to detail, and obviously a labor of love by the game designers. Best tying of theme to game mechanics I've ever seen.
Coming back to watch this one a 2nd time... still a hilarious episode guys, great work!
I really liked the video. I also enjoy the way you disagree with each other which makes you explain your opions. Great job!
This is what good friends do. They bash each other and learn from it. Tough love as you will. This is why I believe him when he mentions that no one is ever offended. I enjoy the honesty of friends.
"Top Ten House Rules"
games that are pretty subpar, but become significantly better with certain adjustments
you prolly dont care at all but does anybody know a trick to log back into an Instagram account?
I was stupid forgot the account password. I would appreciate any help you can give me!
@Jase Jesse instablaster =)
This is the best top 10 yet! I love all the technical/philosophical difficulties you guys keep experiencing. And nice new table! Geek Chick makes some great looking tables. It takes a real mean to admit to watching Twilight; do not be ashamed. And I love the component pictures for each game. I wonder if you guys started doing that because of inputs from the recent survey. Thank you for the videos!
Great show,you really have found the balance in your three person top ten format! GO ZEE!
To me this just shows how good of friends they actually are. You wouldn't be that comfortable to say those types of things to a stranger. Don't change a thing boys!
I absolutely love you guys. "we are experiencing philosophical difficulties" Makes me laugh every time. keep making these lists!
Every mechanic In there matches the theme really well, from the fsmily growth to the planting and harvesting of vegetables, to the animal production to the resources used. It fits the theme perfectly.
I agree 1000 percent Sean how.....I think that's what make this so entertaining I love watching these guys.....the trash talking about the other person's game that's just a bonus.....keep it up fellas.....2 thumbs up
I love the top 10 lists. This one had me laughing out loud. Thanks for all the recommendations.
When did you guys get your GeekChic table? Which model is it?
17:25 "A glorious victory! 'straight'". LOL! Zee, your one liners are gold!
Love the top 10 lists guys. I'm noticing that Zee and Tom are able to have rational arguments while Sam just has to be right about every one of his opinions.
You have to talk about this topik again in 2021.... Love it! 😁
Zee's enthusiasm is absolutely infectious
Is there a theme in Settlers of Catan?
How much I love the use of spoiler alerts
Best episode so far
Totally agree. The main goal for game mechanics in a thematic game are really to make that theme come to life.
Although i highly agree with some of Sam's choices as well in that regard. For example Netrunner would be very high on my list.
Glad to hear that Founding Fathers is thematic! I have been thinking about getting it but I hate themeless games. Thanks for another great list!
Great table. Where do you get gaming tables like that?
I can't understand Noony's comments. Their banter at each other is what makes it so much fun to watch! Everyone has different opinions with their games and you need that variety in order to facilitate discussions. The "Philisophical Differences" gag is simply a funny joke which I always enjoy!
It's a cool list, some discrepancies, but that's normal - this is actually a list I was planning to do on a podcast soon - will be interesting to see the similarities/differences.! And no Arkham Horror?!?
Thanx, Zee! For turning me onto Sidibaba. Looks great!
The funniest Top 10 yet. Picked a few that I'll look into in greater detail. I'd love to see a list of themed family games. Which games would you recommend for a family wanting a pirate theme, an adventure theme, a space theme, etc.
54:49 for the summary. =) Watch the whole thing if you have time, though. Good claims need warrant and data!
When I was young my aunt had a couple games that I have never seen but at her house with great themes. #1 Mothers Helper #2 Smoky the bear Have you guys ever seen them or played them?
Zee : "This is my Japanese themed feudal game".
Tom : "Knizia's 'Samurai'"
....hahaha!!! :o)
Hilarious episode! Best comic relief since a long time :)
I love the way you guys are constantly caressing and stroking the $15000 Geek Chic Table. "Ah my precious, who's a good table?"
Empires of the Void. Is that still in print? Sounds cool!
Betrayal at House on the Hill for me is top ten worthy. Especially if the person that reads the cards and scenarios gets into it. One of my favorites of all time
A La Carte is great! I bought it for my 9 year old goddaughter because of your review, Tom. I also bought the Dessert expansion and am waiting to give her that for a birthday. It is a fun game that adults have fun playing. The little pans are amazing and so are the cardboard stoves (though I had to glue them together because they kept falling apart.)
Guys.... best list you've done since "Games we hated"... you had games that were really quality...great work.
No, it's not, you should read my post again. Z made a list of games with a strong, not pasted-on theme (objective), which he also liked (subjective). Tom and Sam made a list of games with themes they like (subjective). Eventhough some of those games really had pasted-on themes or the mechanics and the theme werent closely intertwined (objective). Maybe this isn't always 100% objective, but most of the time it pretty much is.
Founding Fathers, Sam's #10, is among my favorites. I am glad to hear that among his favorites too!
Love the voice in the countdown stings!
Ooo! That's going to be our new name - "Fanboys that Ruin the Community." Kinda catchy!
I do wonder why you think games you don't like are only for ten year olds. I don't mind playing games with ten year olds, incidentally, they have a lot of fun! Board games should never be an adult-only hobby.
19:23 This part hits so different watching this video 10 years later
I'm really happy to see Fury of Dracula twice there, especially the fighting system always makes us feeling "fighting the Vampire" rather than counting and deducting only...
On the other hand, as I'm a BIG fan of very thematic games, I think the original Android could make the list easily, as well as Mansions of Madness, Mage Wars or Dreadfleet. Three great games I really enjoy and always feel the theme more than mechanics...
Love the videos, but I would like to recommend that the "face time" to "game time" ratio be about 50/50. Aka, the camera should only be on you guys for half the time, the rest of the time should be of components, gameplay, etc. Keep up the great work!
cool episode as always. i'm a bit surprised nobody mentioned Tales of the Arabian Nights as this game is almost pure theme... actually you play it just to experience the theme, its not even important who wins.
Actually, you'd be more accurate in saying that it is a re-theme of Scotland Yard. And this is why we mentioned Scotland Yard. I think the theme of Fury of Dracula makes it a better game over Scotland Yard. Then you add in the mix Letters from White Chapel, and you have a trio of games that really have some cool mechanics, but IMO the theme of FoD does the best in making those mechanics shine.
What no Tales of the Arabian Nights?
In terms of theme, the game relies entirely on reading a "choose your adventure" book.
K Au yeah not the point. That's mechanics not theme. The game has theme.
This list really needs an update! How about a new video guys??? :-)
Great idea. When I was starting my collection this was a big factor for me. I knew about so many amazing games but I didn't have much money, so I wanted to make sure I was getting the most out of the money I had to invest. Similarly, now when I'm suggesting other people's first games I want to suggest something that's great and that they'll get a lot of use from, I don't want to suggest a £50 game that we'll play 3 times a year..
I too would watch the heck out of you guys playing a bunch of games. Battlestar, Cosmic, Resistance, etc.
Would love an update on this top 10
What's with the 360p?
This is what makes you guys a very balanced team though ("The Theme Team"!). Many gamers fight over this aspect of gaming and your three opinions are a good sample of that.
This one was the top ten where I was expecting Republic of Rome in. That game captures its theme like it's nobody's business. I even suspect that this game was the theme first and then mechanics that fitted its theme. And it's not just the old republic, it fits the entire history of the republic, from the punic wars to the final rebellion against the senate.
Similarly, I would have expected Die Macher on this list.
Two games that caught my attention: Key Largo and Sidibaba. The first one mainly for the theme. The second, because that mechanic of showing the tiles to the other players looks at least intriguing, if not cool.
What about "Nuns on the Run"? I just played that, and it fits a 'hide n seek' theme perfectly, with line of site, which way the user is facing, hearing directional noises, etc...
has anyone of you played pirates csg? I've watched a few vids and that game never gets mentioned. I love it and love to collect all the ships. Any thoughts?
Where's Mice & Mystics, Space Alert, Survive: Escape From Atlantis, Mansions of Madness, etc? Was hoping for an honourable mentions list, as I obviously need more games on my wish list! Lol
Thanks for another great 10! :)
I would really like to see some of these lists revisited.
I'd like to suggest JUNTA for one....
....but also BOTTOM OF THE 9th....
....REVOLVER....
...SPACE ALERT....
...COLT EXPRESS....
each of those games got us into the theme so deeply that we were role-playing with each other during every move.
Love the podcast. Keep up the good work and please revisit these lists periodically! ;-)
Junta made it onto Zee's hated list.
Totally agree with Sam... Flashpoint and Police precinct are the same mechanics with different themes and maps.
Good job guys! Loved all the Ameri-Trash goodness!!! Though I was a bit surprised I didn't see Descent or Mage Wars on any lists.
I've noticed the videos seem to be getting blurrier. I think your focus may need some adjusting. :)
What?! Not even a friendly nod to K2? That game deserves to be at least on someones top 5! K2 is dripping with theme!!
These are always entertaining.
So did they ever play Senji together?
from 2013!! why havent i seen this one!! this is my jam!! do a new one!!
In my opinion, Zee had the List most accurate to the purpose of this Top Ten. Still the frieldy hate on each other was fun to watch!
Thank god. I didn't think The Resistance was going to make it.
Shouldn't be surprised. Zee always has the best lists in the Top 10s.
Also Mage Knight and Mage Wars, when I teach either I start with 'all the rules make sense'.
good question. I think there is, a boring one of "pioneering," bartering & building using resources. But I suppose one could argue that maybe it's just gameplay mechanics as well.
Is Robinson Crusoe out of print?
I really liked X-Com The Board Game. I love the PC-game(s) and I really felt like they implemented the PC-game into a board game. Also like the tablet inclusion because it often feels like they are dragging that in there just cuz. But in this game it makes sense I think.
I would love to watch you guys play a round of Battlestar, your dynamic is fantastic.
For me Pandemic is incredibly thematic, but it's the recycling card mechanic that makes it. Without that I'd agree it would feel too puzzly, but the fact that infected cities have a higher chance of being re-infected, and the mechanic of spreading to other cities if you don't get in there and deal with it really heaps some tension and a need to be reactive on top of the pure puzzly aspects.
Scotland Yard because it really feels like a manhunt where you all sit Around a map , survive because it really feels like you sail boats and drowning and stuff and a game of thrones 2nd edition because it really feels like you write the history of westrose yourself and it is also the only game where i felt like the expansion is a really big spoiler for some one who haven't got to that book
I honestly have no idea who would downvote such a legitimate comment
I was surprised that Arkham Horror wasn't on any of your lists. It seems very thematic, and as far as I have noticed, at least one of you like the game. Did it make anyone's short-list? Or top 20 at least?
I actually think Terra Mystica has a little bit of theme to it. It's not a thematic game, but it outpaces some other Euros in terms of how much it makes sense.
"With Great Theme .... Comes Great Responsibility"
(C) Ben Parker
I do love that Empires of the Void made this list. I can't wait for the upcoming KS campaign for the second edition.
No one is ever offended. I promise, we aren't actually hitting each other! All in good fun!
I second Cody there, I was a bit surprised that it wasn't mentionted even as a honorable mention or something... Love that game, as does most of my gaming group. When the time comes for one of us to make the roll to close a portal, there's always one of us that yells "SHUT THE DOOR!" XD
Garden Dice?
To be clear, Battlestar Galactica isn't just a movie(or 2), it's also a pretty good series!
Agricola is actually a really good mix of theme and mechanic. The theme may be boring but every mechanic in there makes sense as w
I've literally never gotten the feeling that things were not in good fun between friends from the Top 10.
I was a little confused about this top ten. I thought it would be games that you couldn't separate the theme from the mechanics. Quite a few of them didn't seem so. Sibi Baba, for example, just sounded like Wizardry, Eye of the Beholder, or Bard's Tale sans computer.
It's literally the most fun part of this video though.
I'm suprised Robinson Crusoe didn't make Tom's list, although happy it made Zee's.
Also glad at least one of you (Sam) had Android:Netrunner, which IMO oozes theme.
I was also suprised that none of you had X-wing on the list. Am I off the mark with X-wing?
I'm pretty surprised that Android only got a minor mention and Chaos in the Old World, Yedo, Carson City, Republic of Rome, Tales of the Arabian Nights were not on any lists. Goldbrau captures theme far better than Vegas Showdown if you are looking for a building game.
Seems like you guys added a bit more visuals in editing; good stuff!
At least their #1's make sense. :) Of all the rest of them the only ones I could accept as games that fit the theme and mechanics are Battlestar Galactica (which is freaking amazing), Empires of the Void, Fury of Dracula, Android: Netrunner and Police Precinct. I probably would have had X-Wing Miniatures/Star Trek Attack Wing (combined choice), War of the Ring 2e, Mage Wars, Firefly, Star Trek Fleet Captains, and Mage Knight Board Game as some really thematic games on my possible list.