As much as I love the Crew, I struggle to see it as a gateway game, unless you are playing with people who are familiar with trick-taking. Even then, I saw some real struggles showing this to people who have played things like Skull King. I think that one is closer to gateway for me, but it could depend on the group
It’s not that difficult. I’ve taught it to people who havent played trick games and it was fine. It’s even better if that person has played 500 or some trick taking card games but honestly it’s a very simple game!
Easy/Simple to learn, but difficult to Master! A lot of times you need to recalibrate your expectations... If you lose a few (or quite a few) times, no problem!
Love how you take a second to explain and sell each game. Love that you open the game and show us a bit of what we’re buying. The pictures are also really helpful. Cheers I’m buying most of these :)
I made the 7 Wonders is a gateway mistake several years ago, played Architects at a game meetup a few months ago, and its a great streamlining of the same basic mechanics
Ohanami would be on my list. It's one I was able to get my parents into, and they purchased their own copy. That is moving mountains for me! Some others I think are great are Bonsai, Trailblazers, Babylonia, Fjords, and Land vs. Sea.
Wondering if you played the game Junk drawer and if so how you think it compares to Alice's Garden. Thank you for highlighting such light and fluffy gateway games.
Love the recommendation of Just One. Recently brought it on a family trip and we got so many laughs and memories from it. It can go from smart plays to ridiculous answers.
Thanks for your review! Got 7 Wonders Architects a few months ago to add to the gateway games, especially for the higher player count. I may need to get Cascadia with the expansion so that I can play it with 4+ players. Would appreciate a review of games for older individuals and seniors. I often play with seniors and their needs and interests are a bit different. Like, need components that are easy to see, large icons and easy to handle.
My go-to gateway game is actually PARKS. Not just because of the gameplay, but also because of the beautiful design and production quality. Non-gamers get wowed by that immediately and they hence get drawn into the game easily - great to introduce people into the hobby ! (Hence I stay away from roll & write games as gateway games - just not impressive visually and mostly too fiddly…)
Going to offer up Summer Camp (2021) as a great gateway, especially to Deck Building. It approaches Deck Building similar to The Quest for El Dorado, in the main game is a race. There is less depth to Summer Camp than El Dorado I think, but it really introduces you to common deck building concepts in an approachable way.
Purchased Alice's Garden recently and during the month of March I logged 70 plays. It's so satisfying. Brilliant little game. Also love Just One, Splendor Duel, Floriferous, 7 Wonders Architects and Mysterium Park. Not played the others.
Good call on Alice’s Garden. I watched the video and bought 2 copies and it was a hit at our monthly Game Night Meetup and my wife also enjoyed it. One of the people who played also got a copy the same night. Thanks for the recommendation!
I have two I believe should be honourable mentions. First is "Mass Transit". Good little cooperative card game that is easy to learn. Second is Search for Planet X. Can set the difficulty and also ramp difficulty by player individually to make the game challenging for both the new and experienced player.
I just taught Ohanami a couple weeks ago to two of my friends and one of them texted me the next day wanting to know what the name of the game was. I'm guessing she was considering buying a copy. Such a lovely light drafting game.
Strongly agree with 7W Architects and Cascadia. I think Akropolis as other have noted would be great also. One game that would be slightly out of the 5Y range according to BGG is Cubirds. I think it was out of print for awhile but Pandasaurus just picked it up. Set collection game with some unique mechanics on collecting cards.
I don't hate anything you mentioned that I've played. What would I add? Ticket to ride San Francisco, Cross Clues, Phantom Ink, Bag of Chips, Canvas, and the new game that got the most love from lighter players: New York Zoo. The breeding rules were the one thing I got wrong when I learned it from the rulebook and tried it the first time, but that and your number one pick have been absolutely the top two. People liked Alice's garden as well, but not nearly as much as New York zoo.
Whoa, i just saw the original FFG Civilization and Chaos in the old world in the background! Have you done any videos on them? Can't remember you ever talking about them.
7 Wonders Architects and Cascadia are the two I agree on the most. I highly disagree with The Crew and would only agree if the new players knew what trick-taking was already. Personal recommendations for gateway games that I’ve tested on customers with great success are LAMA (Llama, Don’t Llama, whatever name it is now), Sunrise Lane, and In The Footsteps of Darwin.
Besides being more recent, what I think makes this list so good is that the games you suggest are quick to play! Even with simple rules, a 60-90 minute game is hardly one I'd consider "gateway".
My wife isn't usually interested playing board games, but she'll play Lucky Numbers any time I ask. Simple rules, easy to play, and she beats me often enough that it's still enjoyable for her.
This is good. Lots of variety. I would talk about Alice's Garden as soon as I get it. There are a lot of newer games that I can introduce to new people. Even thou Sushi Go Party is older it still something I use for a gateway game.
If they know trick taking, it definitely is. Even if they don't, each game is five minutes. 2-3 games max, they will get it and be able to play it fine.
@@TheBrokenMeeple no. Do you hate life? Because teaching the crew to someone who isn't familiar with games will lead to that. I love the game, but only with people who play a lot of games. Otherwise it's not possible to sit back and enjoy it. You have to restart like five or six times. Someone who wants to play sushi go or go nuts for donuts is going to have their head spinning at the crew.
Party games, tiny games or 2 player only or best at 2. That’s mostly your list. I like things that can be for a family. I’d shout this: Cascadia Akropolis - easier than Cascadia - just pick a tile, don’t even worry about animals. Evergreen - art makes it crisp and clarity is on point. After watching 2 people play a turn everyone knows how to play. Sea salt & paper The vale of eternity The guild of merchant explorers Disney Dixit - great reimplementation and more approachable as everyone knows Disney. Namiji- just move forward, collect stuff. A Zombicide game (easy to just play, forget setup and finer rules taught as you go from someone that knows it).
I don't think I said many that were "best at two". And what's wrong with the odd party game? And at least half of my list doesn't fit your definitions at all. And Mysterium isn't a party game. I already said Cascadia. Akropolis gets tedious very fast though, losing its appeal after only a few games, plus new players would struggle with the strategies. Evergreen - no way, that is not gateway at all. Sea Salt & Pepper is basically advanced Rummy - it's simple for sure, but you just harped at me for tiny games. I found it barely average as it's mostly luck of the draw. Vale I wouldn't teach to brand new gamers - you have combo building from card abilities, that's always a tricky thing to do for newbies. Not played Guild of ME - but it doesn't look like a gateway game and honestly gateway games need to be look and feel appealing - what on earth is appealing about the look or title of that game? Disney Dixit - all Dixits are solid for sure, but i thought you didn't want party games? Namiji - not played. Zombicide - not on hells outer frozen layer will I ever consider a CMON game of any kind a gateway game, least of all the fiddly, elongated Zombicide.
@@TheBrokenMeeplenone, that was the point, good thing you had fun picking the games, I enjoyed a lot watching this video because it showed that, the passion, the enjoyment of the game you choose and just made me want to try the ones I have not.
Now that I watch it all, nice list, a game I just for gateway is Machi koro, is very simple, we play after 1 min of teach and in 1 round people got it, the problem is that doesn´t have to much replay, but for a game of two in long periods of time, is nice. One problem I see with the gateway experience, is that many creators made games, thinking, this is "gateway" and they are just making dumb games, with over simple mechanics that give you nothing of fun after one play or even in the middle of the game. Like in a convention, they were testing a game of walking dogs in New York, is was nothing new, the most simple and over use take and deliver mechanic, but the guys were in love of his game, because it was an "exact" representation of New York and for what I saw and hear, thats what they most wanted to do, using the "gateway" excuse to make a lame game. Lastly, nice video, maybe you can also do a 10 "gateway"/introduction games, for more mid to heavy games, like I use Architects to introduce to mid games, or photosynthesis, Eclipse, second dawn for the galaxy I find it a good point to introduce to more heavy games, I find it to be very easy for how big it is.
Trying to split categories down into "gateway" for all types would get pretty fiddly! :P It's easier to suggest for publishers or series of games maybe.
Not true. You would put something like Love Letter on a Gateway Games list but I wouldn't put its successor Lost Legacy. Not Alone is not a long game but social deduction and bluffing doesn't make for easy entry games. Another example would be Cryptid. Very quick but I've had gamers mess up their clues before, let alone newbies.
@@TheBrokenMeepleHaven't played the first two so can't comment on those unfortunately, but Cryptid definitely has way too much going on to come anywhere near a Filler list - it's a light deduction game but not THAT light.
@@TheBrokenMeepleAh, that's where our definitions differ, as I consider filler to be a much lighter affair that anyone can get into, something quick to teach and quick to play. Doesn't mean it can't have any depth to it but if the rules overhead is too large, I don't consider it a filler anymore, it's just a lighter board game at that point to me.
7WA (with the Medals) exp) is the best game on this list imho. Point salad (Eevee edition) would def. be in my top10. Splendor Marvel is the best Splendor imho, really don't like the duel version.
Wolle (a fun micro game) Next station london Pakal (if the player likes slide puzzles) Get on board (I've been able to teach this to a variety of people, the theme helps a lot) Faraway (takes one game, casuals and gamers all like this) Micromacro My city Similo Canvas Vegetable stock
@@TheBrokenMeeple LOL, maybe not. A deck of cards is a deck of cards, nobody needs a new descriptor for that!A micro game is more like love-letter or the button-shy 18 card packs. So small a pocket wouldn't bulge with them in, that's my TLDR description.
Just one is great...i really disliked So Clover. Wandering Towers has been an absolute hit with our family and game group. First Rat is also nice and im starting to like Donut Shop.
Thank you for calling them Gateway Games and not the wussy "Welcoming Games" that the Care Bears call them. So tired of people trying to make the hobby so P.C..
As much as I love the Crew, I struggle to see it as a gateway game, unless you are playing with people who are familiar with trick-taking. Even then, I saw some real struggles showing this to people who have played things like Skull King. I think that one is closer to gateway for me, but it could depend on the group
It’s not that difficult. I’ve taught it to people who havent played trick games and it was fine. It’s even better if that person has played 500 or some trick taking card games but honestly it’s a very simple game!
Easy/Simple to learn, but difficult to Master! A lot of times you need to recalibrate your expectations... If you lose a few (or quite a few) times, no problem!
First thumb was a "down" - come at me boy, i know you hang around all my videos just to leave your mark! :P
Love how you take a second to explain and sell each game. Love that you open the game and show us a bit of what we’re buying. The pictures are also really helpful. Cheers I’m buying most of these :)
Also liked and subscribed
Thanks! Trying to adapt the format to cater! :D Welcome aboard!
Your honourable mentions hoovered up a lot of my suggestions. Other possibilities are Similo, Cross Clues, Akropolis, Hiroba and Marabunta
I made the 7 Wonders is a gateway mistake several years ago, played Architects at a game meetup a few months ago, and its a great streamlining of the same basic mechanics
Ohanami would be on my list. It's one I was able to get my parents into, and they purchased their own copy. That is moving mountains for me!
Some others I think are great are Bonsai, Trailblazers, Babylonia, Fjords, and Land vs. Sea.
I'm glad you made it more recent. I was never into some of the typical/older ones like Catan and Pandemic.
I bought Catan recently and I have to say....I'm really glad I did. My wife and kid PLAY it with me.
Wondering if you played the game Junk drawer and if so how you think it compares to Alice's Garden. Thank you for highlighting such light and fluffy gateway games.
Junk Drawer is fantastic, probably my favourite pure polyomino game
Don't think I've heard of that one
Love the recommendation of Just One. Recently brought it on a family trip and we got so many laughs and memories from it. It can go from smart plays to ridiculous answers.
Have you played Bonsai? It's my favorite new gateway game to teach people. The visual appearance really draws people in.
Not sure if I have........sounds familiar though.
Thanks for your review! Got 7 Wonders Architects a few months ago to add to the gateway games, especially for the higher player count. I may need to get Cascadia with the expansion so that I can play it with 4+ players. Would appreciate a review of games for older individuals and seniors. I often play with seniors and their needs and interests are a bit different. Like, need components that are easy to see, large icons and easy to handle.
Sea Salt & Paper is a great new little card game that is quick to learn and satisfying.
I've played it and it's ok. But fundamentally reliant on luck of the draw and really does drag out time wise.
Glad to see Floriferous on the list! I just taught it to my 85-year-old mother last week.
Wonderful!
Caesar's Empire from 2021 is perfect for this list! Very welcoming to new gamers. It's also colorful and appealing with a nice table presence.
Great pick with Floriferous! Easy, quick, beautiful art and good decisions. I liked Herbaceous but love Floriferous.
Me too!
My go-to gateway game is actually PARKS. Not just because of the gameplay, but also because of the beautiful design and production quality. Non-gamers get wowed by that immediately and they hence get drawn into the game easily - great to introduce people into the hobby ! (Hence I stay away from roll & write games as gateway games - just not impressive visually and mostly too fiddly…)
Going to offer up Summer Camp (2021) as a great gateway, especially to Deck Building.
It approaches Deck Building similar to The Quest for El Dorado, in the main game is a race. There is less depth to Summer Camp than El Dorado I think, but it really introduces you to common deck building concepts in an approachable way.
Purchased Alice's Garden recently and during the month of March I logged 70 plays. It's so satisfying. Brilliant little game. Also love Just One, Splendor Duel, Floriferous, 7 Wonders Architects and Mysterium Park. Not played the others.
I think Nimalia is also a great gateway game which came in 2023. Small box with super simple game.
footsteps of Darwin, dice miner, Spellbook and shifting stones i find a really good with new people to the hobby I find
Good call on Alice’s Garden. I watched the video and bought 2 copies and it was a hit at our monthly Game Night Meetup and my wife also enjoyed it. One of the people who played also got a copy the same night. Thanks for the recommendation!
I'll sing the praises of it as much as needed!
I have two I believe should be honourable mentions. First is "Mass Transit". Good little cooperative card game that is easy to learn. Second is Search for Planet X. Can set the difficulty and also ramp difficulty by player individually to make the game challenging for both the new and experienced player.
Kingdomino is a great gateway game.
I just taught Ohanami a couple weeks ago to two of my friends and one of them texted me the next day wanting to know what the name of the game was. I'm guessing she was considering buying a copy. Such a lovely light drafting game.
Strongly agree with 7W Architects and Cascadia. I think Akropolis as other have noted would be great also. One game that would be slightly out of the 5Y range according to BGG is Cubirds. I think it was out of print for awhile but Pandasaurus just picked it up. Set collection game with some unique mechanics on collecting cards.
I don't hate anything you mentioned that I've played. What would I add? Ticket to ride San Francisco, Cross Clues, Phantom Ink, Bag of Chips, Canvas, and the new game that got the most love from lighter players: New York Zoo. The breeding rules were the one thing I got wrong when I learned it from the rulebook and tried it the first time, but that and your number one pick have been absolutely the top two. People liked Alice's garden as well, but not nearly as much as New York zoo.
Love Ripple rush as a simple gateway game. Doesn’t take long and not hard to learn. Also Zuuli.
Whoa, i just saw the original FFG Civilization and Chaos in the old world in the background! Have you done any videos on them? Can't remember you ever talking about them.
I mention them from time to time when talking about similar games, but I mean I haven't played either in a long time.
7 Wonders Architects and Cascadia are the two I agree on the most. I highly disagree with The Crew and would only agree if the new players knew what trick-taking was already.
Personal recommendations for gateway games that I’ve tested on customers with great success are LAMA (Llama, Don’t Llama, whatever name it is now), Sunrise Lane, and In The Footsteps of Darwin.
Trick taking isn't the hardest thing to teach though, and as games are literally five minutes, it would quickly set in.
Besides being more recent, what I think makes this list so good is that the games you suggest are quick to play! Even with simple rules, a 60-90 minute game is hardly one I'd consider "gateway".
60 should be absolute max.
My wife isn't usually interested playing board games, but she'll play Lucky Numbers any time I ask. Simple rules, easy to play, and she beats me often enough that it's still enjoyable for her.
What about Scout? Fun, quick little card game 😊
Ugh I hate Scout, Rummy with extra steps!
This is good. Lots of variety. I would talk about Alice's Garden as soon as I get it. There are a lot of newer games that I can introduce to new people. Even thou Sushi Go Party is older it still something I use for a gateway game.
Ditto on Sushi Go but I stick to the non party version for time and complexity sake for gateway purposes.
Thought you'd have Redwood on the list. Great vid as always man.
Oh god no, redwood is fun and light but not an entry level game, there's still plenty enough going on and it can look imposing on the table.
Totally agree with number 1.
If it was up to me, I would have put the new edition of Ra in the top 3.
Its so easy to set up, teach and play.
Not at gateway level though - there's a lot of different tiles and understanding how to value auctions is tricky for new players.
I would change Splendor duo version for centuries, golen edition. It's easy to teach, and I have more fun with it than Splendor (base game).
Great list. Here are some other recommended ones from that period:
L project
Porto
Welkin
Sea salt & paper
Alice’s Garden has been on my list to buy for awhile. Looks like it’s on Amazon now 🤔
Cartographers. Akropolis. Jaipur. Detective club.
The Crew is 100% not a gateway game.
If they know trick taking, it definitely is. Even if they don't, each game is five minutes. 2-3 games max, they will get it and be able to play it fine.
@@TheBrokenMeeple no. Do you hate life? Because teaching the crew to someone who isn't familiar with games will lead to that. I love the game, but only with people who play a lot of games. Otherwise it's not possible to sit back and enjoy it. You have to restart like five or six times. Someone who wants to play sushi go or go nuts for donuts is going to have their head spinning at the crew.
@@elainetyger but were those people already familiar with trick taking games?
Taught the crew to a few non gamers and they loved it and got it right away.
Taught it twice to non gamers. High fives etc. just play first few missions. So I think it is gateway, it’s quick and straight forward.
Party games, tiny games or 2 player only or best at 2. That’s mostly your list.
I like things that can be for a family.
I’d shout this:
Cascadia
Akropolis - easier than Cascadia - just pick a tile, don’t even worry about animals.
Evergreen - art makes it crisp and clarity is on point. After watching 2 people play a turn everyone knows how to play.
Sea salt & paper
The vale of eternity
The guild of merchant explorers
Disney Dixit - great reimplementation and more approachable as everyone knows Disney.
Namiji- just move forward, collect stuff.
A Zombicide game (easy to just play, forget setup and finer rules taught as you go from someone that knows it).
I don't think I said many that were "best at two". And what's wrong with the odd party game? And at least half of my list doesn't fit your definitions at all. And Mysterium isn't a party game.
I already said Cascadia.
Akropolis gets tedious very fast though, losing its appeal after only a few games, plus new players would struggle with the strategies.
Evergreen - no way, that is not gateway at all.
Sea Salt & Pepper is basically advanced Rummy - it's simple for sure, but you just harped at me for tiny games. I found it barely average as it's mostly luck of the draw.
Vale I wouldn't teach to brand new gamers - you have combo building from card abilities, that's always a tricky thing to do for newbies.
Not played Guild of ME - but it doesn't look like a gateway game and honestly gateway games need to be look and feel appealing - what on earth is appealing about the look or title of that game?
Disney Dixit - all Dixits are solid for sure, but i thought you didn't want party games?
Namiji - not played.
Zombicide - not on hells outer frozen layer will I ever consider a CMON game of any kind a gateway game, least of all the fiddly, elongated Zombicide.
So, what I got is that you had a lot of fun just picking the games.
Isn't that normal for a top ten list ?? What's your point?
@@TheBrokenMeeplenone, that was the point, good thing you had fun picking the games, I enjoyed a lot watching this video because it showed that, the passion, the enjoyment of the game you choose and just made me want to try the ones I have not.
Now that I watch it all, nice list, a game I just for gateway is Machi koro, is very simple, we play after 1 min of teach and in 1 round people got it, the problem is that doesn´t have to much replay, but for a game of two in long periods of time, is nice.
One problem I see with the gateway experience, is that many creators made games, thinking, this is "gateway" and they are just making dumb games, with over simple mechanics that give you nothing of fun after one play or even in the middle of the game. Like in a convention, they were testing a game of walking dogs in New York, is was nothing new, the most simple and over use take and deliver mechanic, but the guys were in love of his game, because it was an "exact" representation of New York and for what I saw and hear, thats what they most wanted to do, using the "gateway" excuse to make a lame game.
Lastly, nice video, maybe you can also do a 10 "gateway"/introduction games, for more mid to heavy games, like I use Architects to introduce to mid games, or photosynthesis, Eclipse, second dawn for the galaxy I find it a good point to introduce to more heavy games, I find it to be very easy for how big it is.
Trying to split categories down into "gateway" for all types would get pretty fiddly! :P It's easier to suggest for publishers or series of games maybe.
I bought Alice’s Garden a few months ago based on your recommendation, it is super fun, I agree.
Glad to hear that!
I thought Planted and Akropolis might have made the list.
Played both, they are OK but nothing special.
Great list! Even if some of the games are more fitting on a Filler list 😂 Though I suppose every filler game can be a gateway game 🤔
Not true. You would put something like Love Letter on a Gateway Games list but I wouldn't put its successor Lost Legacy. Not Alone is not a long game but social deduction and bluffing doesn't make for easy entry games. Another example would be Cryptid. Very quick but I've had gamers mess up their clues before, let alone newbies.
@@TheBrokenMeepleHaven't played the first two so can't comment on those unfortunately, but Cryptid definitely has way too much going on to come anywhere near a Filler list - it's a light deduction game but not THAT light.
@@GemsBiscuits filler isn't dependant on weight though. More length.
@@TheBrokenMeepleAh, that's where our definitions differ, as I consider filler to be a much lighter affair that anyone can get into, something quick to teach and quick to play. Doesn't mean it can't have any depth to it but if the rules overhead is too large, I don't consider it a filler anymore, it's just a lighter board game at that point to me.
Calling something 'filler' doesn't help for being so subjective, and a touch of derogatory
I don’t get why you think Art Society isn’t a gateway game! it’s only 1.93 on BGG! 😮
The bgg ratings might as well be garbage for the use they are to the public 😏
Many people don't like bidding mechanics.
The first time I played 7 Wonders: Architects it was a massive fail because… I missed that your decks should be face up 😅
Ha ha whoops!
OutFoxed is a nice 5+ deduction game
I've heard good things, being mostly for kids I've not played it.
7WA (with the Medals) exp) is the best game on this list imho. Point salad (Eevee edition) would def. be in my top10. Splendor Marvel is the best Splendor imho, really don't like the duel version.
Drake for duck + father
No Harvest Dice?
2017 😉
Wolle (a fun micro game)
Next station london
Pakal (if the player likes slide puzzles)
Get on board (I've been able to teach this to a variety of people, the theme helps a lot)
Faraway (takes one game, casuals and gamers all like this)
Micromacro
My city
Similo
Canvas
Vegetable stock
thanks😊
Sorry Luke, a deck of cards is NOT a micro game!
Would you prefer a postage stamp sized game then?
@@TheBrokenMeeple LOL, maybe not. A deck of cards is a deck of cards, nobody needs a new descriptor for that!A micro game is more like love-letter or the button-shy 18 card packs. So small a pocket wouldn't bulge with them in, that's my TLDR description.
Just one is great...i really disliked So Clover.
Wandering Towers has been an absolute hit with our family and game group.
First Rat is also nice and im starting to like Donut Shop.
Thank you for calling them Gateway Games and not the wussy "Welcoming Games" that the Care Bears call them. So tired of people trying to make the hobby so P.C..
I never really subscribed to that other definition.
The only problem I have with that term is that it implies once you play those games a few times you're supposed to move on to "better" heavier games.