I’m a writer that’s relatively new to the board game hobby, so I appreciated the story driven games list. And I especially liked the concept of seeing you two debate where on the list to put each game as opposed to each of you presenting your own competing lists. Do more of those.
@@BoardGameHangover How about a list of the best games to transition from gateway games to heavier stuff. My wife and I love Carcassonne and Azul but are far from ready to drive into Gloomhaven. What are your recommendations for games in between?
I believe both Oathsworn and Lands of Galzyr would be very high up that list! 4 out of your top 5 here are on my wishlist aswell, glad to see them that high up your list!
If you get a chance, 100% recommend Roll Player Adventures. The mechanics are average but the story lines and choices makes this game soooooo good. As always thank you for your content. Never miss a video.
It is on our wishlist, but it has not gotten to our side of the world yet. Once it does, we will check it out, thanks. And thank you sir, for watching!
Thanks for putting this video out. I’ve been looking for another story-based game to do with friends. We are just finishing up Betrayal Legacy and that has been a huge blast and we are trying to figure out what to do next. Betrayal Legacy is my definition of where you are there for the story and not the mechanics since so much of it changes from interaction to interaction. Would highly recommend.
Thanks to your recommendation. I will play my first story game soon this weekend, The Sleeping God. Finally managed to get a copy! Looking forward to it.
I'm currently playing through King's dilemma with four of my friends. A great list for sure. I'll defenitely consider playing both sleeping gods and forgotten waters at the very least.
Hi there! 😁 - What about Tinted Grail? I think the settings and the path that you can thake (and the replayability) are some of the most interesting in the group of coop-narrative and explorations, the only downside is that sometimes the combat system and keeping the menhir active breaks too much the pacing of the narration (so after a while we went for the "narrative" less-combat oriented version, great improvement imho). Probably my number 2 at the moment! - Forgotten Waters is my number one at the moment and for some reason I think it isn't played enough and people doesn't know about it! Great story (which is even replayable in same ways) and great balance between story and semi-coop-gameplay. The images help the immersion and the puns and quotes from books/films/games are lot of fun! - I loved TIME Stories, at least some of the chapters. Even though there are some big flaws it's still one of my favourite, (when it came out it was a new and fresh design) and even if it's not replayable I still raccomend it and follow new players with their plays. The blue cicle (the second serie) streamlined a lot of things (for example the time-dice..) and I think it has a lot of potential (the map is not 2x2 anymore), I enjoyed the first 2 chapters! (The "Experience" pack not really interesting, at least for now...) - Tales of the Arabian Night is really fun to me (no more than 3 players) but without caring too much about winning, just having a great time going through the story and laugh days later remembering what happened with that djinn :D - I had in my collection This War of Mine for a lot of time. I think it is a great design and nice conversion-from-videogame-effort but it's too much depressing, even with the "slightly-less-depressing" mode. I'd like to see a super sad movie (didn't want to repeat "depressing"..) once in a while, but I just realized I didn't want to go back to it. - Destinies has one of the best levelling up for this genre and I loved the story and the dark theme, it just felt a little bit random to find the thing that you need for your destiny, sometimes a win wasn't really satisfying: I just go lucky to have the right tool for the right guy in the right place. Still playing the expansions though! - 7th continent is probabily the one with less "story" of the list, it's more exploration and discovery and the effort of the designer is incredible. It really feels as an adventure as you discover the island and it's secrets, with the expansion the survival part is less overwhelming. Finally: - Didn't play Robin Hood enaugh to have some strong feelings but it felt a little bit on the easy side, loved the bag system but not as much the movement (I mean, is it cheating to reach a place 1 hair away? Or do I have to play in a humid place to walk further? :D ) - I should play Sleeping Gods in a couple of month, we'll se if it'll beat Forgotten Waters. - Detective, Vienna Connection, Chronicles of Crime (love it) are more on the "detective" side. But there are other great games such as Dead of Winter.. Ps: I didn't want to write all of this, sorry! Everything started because I wanted to asked about Tinted Grail which I don't hear often about! 😅
Do you think Arkham Horror LCG classifies as a story game. Because there is a campaign, in fact multiple campaigns if you buy the expansions. If yes and if you have played it, where would you rank it?
Indeed it seems it is a good question. I have just played the 1st scenario from the base box and it did not strike me as a story game. BUT everyone else seems to think that. So, before the next time, when we revisit the list, I will play it more. /JG
Excellent choice of topic and the video covers it well. This War of Mine is a very special game for me, sharing the insight into the brutality of war, in how it affects real people, allowing them a voice that gets heard too rarely. Being based on real accounts from Sarajevo, the narration puts you in their shoes and the horrific experiences and decisions they faced. It's uncomfortable at times, but those civilians do need to be heard. Tainted Grail would be another one worth considering. There is a coherent story, written by a professional author, and imo that professionalism shows through. I'm less sold on the gameplay, specifically the combat, but as a solo or 2 player experience I can see it working very well. Two more to look at when they get released: Isofarian Guard and ISS Vanguard, both with professional voice acting via an app. Based on the crowdfunding examples, ISS Vanguard writing and voice acting appealed much more (Isofarian Guard came across as a little cliched to me). I'm intrigued as to whether such voice acting would help me get enthused about playing solo, as I normally struggle with the concept - I love the social engagement of board gaming.
Thank you. I fully agree with what you say about TWoM. Tainted Grail is now on our radar and I had not heard about the Isofarian Guard, it looks awesome. And we will try to get our hands on ISS Vanguard when it comes to retail.
Love the list. Recently bought Sleeping Gods after watching Your review and I got to say thanks to You guys because it is truly incredible. A little bit fiddly but the story is just excellent. Also, I am not entirely sure if it is a story game, but Eldritch Horror, at least in my gaming group, has produced some of the best and funniest stories ever. I guess there is some story on the cards but the stories we make while playing it are mostly made up amongst ourselves that sort of connect and continue with each play. So, yeah, even though it might technically not count as a story game, it is by far my favorite that type of game, because in terms of mechanics it is quite basic but in terms of having a good time and making up stupid stories while fighting Lovecraftian monsters it is awesome :)
Yes, SG can be quite fiddly with all the stuff on the table, but as you say, story makes up for it. I guess Eldritch Horror, just like Nemesis, is more of an emerging storytelling, the mechanisms with the help of players create the story.
Agents of SMERSH is a wonderful 1960s spy thriller game very similar to Arabian Nights but with some good tweaks to give the game more direction. Arabian nights can feel a bit aimless as you wander about randomly and can drag on longer than it needs to. Make sure you play the version with the full book of encounters - there is a basic cards only version that just isn’t as good.
Thankyou for your efforts in bringing theses videos to us. I am looking to buy forgotten waters, my first story based game. I need to know if this game is replayable.
Nice ones, I would add "Tainted Grail" potentially in this list, where you really enjoy the story. Didn't play enough "Etherfield" to rate it, but these kind of game are story driven and quite interesting.
Choose your adventure: House of danger was ok. But Arkham Horror: The Carde games is fantastic once you have onvested in a big campaign and created your own characters.
From this list Kings Dilemma, Forgotten Waters and Tales of Arabian nights are competative games. Destinies is very unique at what it does, but you could take a look at Near and far
Why no love for , or mention of Folklore the affliction and the expansion for it? Oathsworn is amazing, and betrayal at house on the hill= amazing for a group? All crazy good. Love Detective and Sleeping Gods. Nice list just think you should check these others out too.
I think Legacy of Dragonholt deserves a mention too. Cannot get Tales of Arabian Nights anymore unless i want to spend an absolutely ridiculous amount of money....i am in Australia and to get TAN i'm looking at re $200, which is crazy
That is what they say about Tainted Grail. We have to get our hands on it at some point. From the others we have tried Legacy of Dragonholt, but not enough to make a decision on it.
I was also wondering whether Eldritch Horror or Arkham Horror LCG would popup as candidates. Did you think there is not as much emphasis on the story in those games? As mechanically wise they are both #1 :P
I think Eldritch Horror would not loose much if you ignore the story, as it is quite mechanical game (still a very very good one) but the story would not be the main draw point. BUT AH LCG is something we will look more closely at when we revise this list.
This is so interesting, that people keep saying Gloomhaven is a story game, when we do not feel that way at all. Hmm... must be us then ;) Mice & Mystics needs to be checked out.
We'd go with Forgotten Watters! It's quite easy to get into and tons of fun! Arkham Horror is great, but Mysterium would not really count as story game.
From this list, I think Destinies and Adventures of Robin Hood are very good intro games into story game genre. Very accessible price and rules wise. The only thing is, if the theme of the Destinies will not be too dark.
For someone who is still kind of new to the hobby which one would you recommend? Never played a story driven game before. Sleeping Gods really calls my attention.
Sleeping Gods is amazing, but it is a very big game. Size and scope wise. So I would suggest Adventures of Robin Hood as a good starting point for story games.
Most of them you will play just once or you'll need to take a long pause between your campaigns. (There are exceptions of course) But still a great deal of playtime in each of them
I’m a writer that’s relatively new to the board game hobby, so I appreciated the story driven games list. And I especially liked the concept of seeing you two debate where on the list to put each game as opposed to each of you presenting your own competing lists. Do more of those.
We shall. What other theme for such a list would you like to see?
@@BoardGameHangover How about a list of the best games to transition from gateway games to heavier stuff. My wife and I love Carcassonne and Azul but are far from ready to drive into Gloomhaven. What are your recommendations for games in between?
@@edmundschubert4963 Wingspan? Quacks of Quadlinburg?
You guys are SO underated. One of the best boardgame content out there. Love your videos :)
We're super happy you enjoy them! :) makes it all worth it!
I just said this same statement to my wife. THE go to channel for game reviews.
I believe both Oathsworn and Lands of Galzyr would be very high up that list! 4 out of your top 5 here are on my wishlist aswell, glad to see them that high up your list!
This is the first time you have come up in my feed. I like the interactions you have with each other, it looks like you are having fun. Subbed.
Great top list. Always loving those as they bring us so many as to what play next and where to find inspiration. Thanks guys!
Our pleasure!
I love when you guys do beat of a genre. Great presentation. :)
Really enjoy watching these videos. You put a lot into them. New sub.
Welcome aboard!
I just found your guys channel..great energy!!!
If you get a chance, 100% recommend Roll Player Adventures. The mechanics are average but the story lines and choices makes this game soooooo good. As always thank you for your content. Never miss a video.
It is on our wishlist, but it has not gotten to our side of the world yet. Once it does, we will check it out, thanks. And thank you sir, for watching!
i love this format of ranking them like this. the best way to make a "top 10"
Awesome to hear that! They're fun to make :)
Thanks for putting this video out. I’ve been looking for another story-based game to do with friends. We are just finishing up Betrayal Legacy and that has been a huge blast and we are trying to figure out what to do next. Betrayal Legacy is my definition of where you are there for the story and not the mechanics since so much of it changes from interaction to interaction. Would highly recommend.
We will have to check it out, thanks.
Thanks to your recommendation. I will play my first story game soon this weekend, The Sleeping God. Finally managed to get a copy! Looking forward to it.
Have fun!
Currently playing Artisans of Splended Vale, its so good!
Fun list. Great games. Tough decisions to make between some of those.
Oh, yes. Some were quite close. Thanks for watching.
I'm currently playing through King's dilemma with four of my friends. A great list for sure. I'll defenitely consider playing both sleeping gods and forgotten waters at the very least.
Hi there! 😁
- What about Tinted Grail? I think the settings and the path that you can thake (and the replayability) are some of the most interesting in the group of coop-narrative and explorations, the only downside is that sometimes the combat system and keeping the menhir active breaks too much the pacing of the narration (so after a while we went for the "narrative" less-combat oriented version, great improvement imho). Probably my number 2 at the moment!
- Forgotten Waters is my number one at the moment and for some reason I think it isn't played enough and people doesn't know about it! Great story (which is even replayable in same ways) and great balance between story and semi-coop-gameplay. The images help the immersion and the puns and quotes from books/films/games are lot of fun!
- I loved TIME Stories, at least some of the chapters. Even though there are some big flaws it's still one of my favourite, (when it came out it was a new and fresh design) and even if it's not replayable I still raccomend it and follow new players with their plays. The blue cicle (the second serie) streamlined a lot of things (for example the time-dice..) and I think it has a lot of potential (the map is not 2x2 anymore), I enjoyed the first 2 chapters! (The "Experience" pack not really interesting, at least for now...)
- Tales of the Arabian Night is really fun to me (no more than 3 players) but without caring too much about winning, just having a great time going through the story and laugh days later remembering what happened with that djinn :D
- I had in my collection This War of Mine for a lot of time. I think it is a great design and nice conversion-from-videogame-effort but it's too much depressing, even with the "slightly-less-depressing" mode. I'd like to see a super sad movie (didn't want to repeat "depressing"..) once in a while, but I just realized I didn't want to go back to it.
- Destinies has one of the best levelling up for this genre and I loved the story and the dark theme, it just felt a little bit random to find the thing that you need for your destiny, sometimes a win wasn't really satisfying: I just go lucky to have the right tool for the right guy in the right place. Still playing the expansions though!
- 7th continent is probabily the one with less "story" of the list, it's more exploration and discovery and the effort of the designer is incredible. It really feels as an adventure as you discover the island and it's secrets, with the expansion the survival part is less overwhelming.
Finally:
- Didn't play Robin Hood enaugh to have some strong feelings but it felt a little bit on the easy side, loved the bag system but not as much the movement (I mean, is it cheating to reach a place 1 hair away? Or do I have to play in a humid place to walk further? :D )
- I should play Sleeping Gods in a couple of month, we'll se if it'll beat Forgotten Waters.
- Detective, Vienna Connection, Chronicles of Crime (love it) are more on the "detective" side. But there are other great games such as Dead of Winter..
Ps: I didn't want to write all of this, sorry! Everything started because I wanted to asked about Tinted Grail which I don't hear often about! 😅
Now, Tainted Grail is on our list ;) And thanks so much for sharing your thoughts about the games.
Yes, please let us know about tainted grail… even if I already lost it and subscribed for its new edition on gamefound 😂
Do you think Arkham Horror LCG classifies as a story game. Because there is a campaign, in fact multiple campaigns if you buy the expansions. If yes and if you have played it, where would you rank it?
I wondered this, too. Good question.
Indeed it seems it is a good question. I have just played the 1st scenario from the base box and it did not strike me as a story game. BUT everyone else seems to think that. So, before the next time, when we revisit the list, I will play it more. /JG
@@BoardGameHangover Cool! I've also noticed you enjoy eldritch horror more than Arkham, so maybe that's why it didn't make it to the list 😅
Excellent choice of topic and the video covers it well.
This War of Mine is a very special game for me, sharing the insight into the brutality of war, in how it affects real people, allowing them a voice that gets heard too rarely. Being based on real accounts from Sarajevo, the narration puts you in their shoes and the horrific experiences and decisions they faced. It's uncomfortable at times, but those civilians do need to be heard.
Tainted Grail would be another one worth considering. There is a coherent story, written by a professional author, and imo that professionalism shows through. I'm less sold on the gameplay, specifically the combat, but as a solo or 2 player experience I can see it working very well.
Two more to look at when they get released: Isofarian Guard and ISS Vanguard, both with professional voice acting via an app. Based on the crowdfunding examples, ISS Vanguard writing and voice acting appealed much more (Isofarian Guard came across as a little cliched to me). I'm intrigued as to whether such voice acting would help me get enthused about playing solo, as I normally struggle with the concept - I love the social engagement of board gaming.
Thank you. I fully agree with what you say about TWoM. Tainted Grail is now on our radar and I had not heard about the Isofarian Guard, it looks awesome. And we will try to get our hands on ISS Vanguard when it comes to retail.
Love the list. Recently bought Sleeping Gods after watching Your review and I got to say thanks to You guys because it is truly incredible. A little bit fiddly but the story is just excellent.
Also, I am not entirely sure if it is a story game, but Eldritch Horror, at least in my gaming group, has produced some of the best and funniest stories ever. I guess there is some story on the cards but the stories we make while playing it are mostly made up amongst ourselves that sort of connect and continue with each play. So, yeah, even though it might technically not count as a story game, it is by far my favorite that type of game, because in terms of mechanics it is quite basic but in terms of having a good time and making up stupid stories while fighting Lovecraftian monsters it is awesome :)
Yes, SG can be quite fiddly with all the stuff on the table, but as you say, story makes up for it. I guess Eldritch Horror, just like Nemesis, is more of an emerging storytelling, the mechanisms with the help of players create the story.
Agents of SMERSH is a wonderful 1960s spy thriller game very similar to Arabian Nights but with some good tweaks to give the game more direction. Arabian nights can feel a bit aimless as you wander about randomly and can drag on longer than it needs to. Make sure you play the version with the full book of encounters - there is a basic cards only version that just isn’t as good.
Ok, adding it to the wishlist. I had heard of it, but had not seen it in stores (physical or otherwise).
I love your content. Your sleeping gods review inspired me to buy it and I just finished my first campaign yesterday. It was great!!
I love story games! Have you tried Arkham Horror LCG? That is probably my favourite story game next to Sleeping Gods
We are going to investigate AH LCG for the next time. Thanks.
Thankyou for your efforts in bringing theses videos to us. I am looking to buy forgotten waters, my first story based game. I need to know if this game is replayable.
You can re-play it and make different choices along the way, but mostly story is going to be the same for each of the scenarious.
Nice ones, I would add "Tainted Grail" potentially in this list, where you really enjoy the story. Didn't play enough "Etherfield" to rate it, but these kind of game are story driven and quite interesting.
Choose your adventure: House of danger was ok. But Arkham Horror: The Carde games is fantastic once you have onvested in a big campaign and created your own characters.
But is AH LCG really a story game? I mean, would you loose much fun if there was no story, just tests, goals and combat?
My girlfriend and me are currently playing detective and after that we have time stories on our list, so I think we are set up for good :-D
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting detective? Adventure book (graphic novel style) series like Captive? Pandemic Legacy with those plot twists?
All good suggestions. Even thou Pandemic Legacy does not strike me as a story game at first.
Nice list guys although I haven't played most of them 😅
I might add Chronicles of Crime or for newer games Lands of Galzyr or ISS Vanguard.
Yeah, a more and more people keep suggesting Lands of Galzyr. So now it is on the way and I am excited to play it. /JG
Great! Have you revisited this list? I wonder which position ISS Vanguard would be in...
can you guys recommend any story-based competitive games like destines, my gaming group is not into co-op games, thanks ... great video
From this list Kings Dilemma, Forgotten Waters and Tales of Arabian nights are competative games. Destinies is very unique at what it does, but you could take a look at Near and far
Why no love for , or mention of Folklore the affliction and the expansion for it? Oathsworn is amazing, and betrayal at house on the hill= amazing for a group? All crazy good. Love Detective and Sleeping Gods. Nice list just think you should check these others out too.
I think Legacy of Dragonholt deserves a mention too. Cannot get Tales of Arabian Nights anymore unless i want to spend an absolutely ridiculous amount of money....i am in Australia and to get TAN i'm looking at re $200, which is crazy
Adventure Games: discover the stories - the dungeon
Tainted Grail has very good story. Some more, which I have not tried - Near and Far, Above and Below, Legacy of Dragonholt.
That is what they say about Tainted Grail. We have to get our hands on it at some point. From the others we have tried Legacy of Dragonholt, but not enough to make a decision on it.
Tainted Grail has an amazing story. You have to house rule some stuff, but over all, it's a fantastic game with an incredible story!
Yet to play that one. Thanks for the suggestion.
I was also wondering whether Eldritch Horror or Arkham Horror LCG would popup as candidates. Did you think there is not as much emphasis on the story in those games? As mechanically wise they are both #1 :P
I think Eldritch Horror would not loose much if you ignore the story, as it is quite mechanical game (still a very very good one) but the story would not be the main draw point. BUT AH LCG is something we will look more closely at when we revise this list.
Mice & Mystics and Gloomhaven!!!
This is so interesting, that people keep saying Gloomhaven is a story game, when we do not feel that way at all. Hmm... must be us then ;) Mice & Mystics needs to be checked out.
What about Tainted Grail??
Have not played that one, but a lot of people mention it, so we will try to get our hands on it.
What about Time Stories? Didn't you guys play it or would you rate it less good? Just loved that game.
We actually enjoyed TS a TON when it came out. We should play it again to refresh our memories.
Legacy of Dragonholt provides a great story but I'm not sure if it would qualify since it is more of a choose your own adventure/rpg than a board game
I think it would qualify for our list if we only had played it more.
What is the best story game for a starter (as in easy and interesting), also what about arkham horror and mysterium?
We'd go with Forgotten Watters! It's quite easy to get into and tons of fun! Arkham Horror is great, but Mysterium would not really count as story game.
no detective city of angels??? Their story was great!
Is there an "introduction to story games" that you would recommend?
From this list, I think Destinies and Adventures of Robin Hood are very good intro games into story game genre. Very accessible price and rules wise. The only thing is, if the theme of the Destinies will not be too dark.
For someone who is still kind of new to the hobby which one would you recommend? Never played a story driven game before. Sleeping Gods really calls my attention.
Sleeping Gods is amazing, but it is a very big game. Size and scope wise. So I would suggest Adventures of Robin Hood as a good starting point for story games.
@@BoardGameHangover thank you.
The Drifter🐴🤠 and Barbarian Prince🗡
The Drifter ordered ;)
How's the replayability for these story games?
Most of them you will play just once or you'll need to take a long pause between your campaigns. (There are exceptions of course) But still a great deal of playtime in each of them
Cutscenes
Vienna connection
Watching in 2024. The app for This War of Mine is no longer. How is the game without the app?
Never used the app. It's still a great game and you can use the story book with ease
Is TALES OF THE ARABIAN NIGHTS the funniest story time there is? Is FORGOTTEN WATERS FUNNY? Thanks a gazillion
Nemo?
It is on my wishlist, hopefully someday. /JG
Tried forgotten waters with three different groups, no one liked it.
Ouch. What were their reasons?
@Board Game Hangover most people said it was kinda boring and even though there was lots to do job wise it still seemed kinda meh
No Tainted Grail? Shame on you ;-)