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Last year, I gave you my top 20. This year, 10 is all you get. I wanted to see what the list would look like if I forced myself to make some decisions. And since I didn't look at last year's list when I made this one, certain things simply moved up or fell off. The way my heart was motivated this year was a combination of how easy it was to teach to new players and how much fun I have playing them. There's lots of shake up this year so let's get right to it.  10. Legends of Andor Cost: Mid $20-$45 Complexity: Mid Components: Whoa Chrono: 60ish mins This is a great cooperative game that has you playing the typical tropes of any good dungeon crawl trying to puzzle your way through different scenarios. The art is amazing and bits are fantastic quality and the gameplay is pretty simple to grasp. This game has been much higher on my list for the past few years, but lack of expansion support has really hampered my feelings towards it. English expansions are supposedly coming out soon, so it may get a bit higher next year again.  9. Jamaica Cost: Mid $20-$45 Complexity: Low Components: Bunch Chrono: 30-60mins Race your pirate ship around the island and grab loot as you go. The artwork is delightful and the card driven movement makes this simple and fun to play. Component quality is very good and you can even enjoy making a panorama with your cards when it's all over.  8. Mage Knight Cost: High > $45 Complexity: Mid-High Components: Whoa Chrono: 60+ mins A new entry on the list; one I've been eyeballing for a while and now have two solo plays under my belt. This game is a virtual cornucopia of mechanisms- dice rolling, deck building, exploration, pre-painted minis, scenario driven gameplay, etc. Even though I've only got 2 plays under the belt, this is something I can't wait to get back to the table.  7. DC Deckbuilding Cost: Mid $20-$45 Complexity: Low Components: Little Chrono: 60ish mins In years past, DC has shared it's spot with the Marvel Legendary. As of this year, I have finally come to the decision that I like DC better. It just gets to our table way more often (more than 3x as much). Great card game with plenty of expansions and variations to play the game. The base game box is kind of empty to start with, but it can accommodate just about everything that is now currently printed. The mechanisms are simple to grasp and, even after several expansions, the key vocabulary hasn't changed much so that adding those expansions won't have you running to the rule book each time you play.  6. Adventurers: The Pyramid of Horus Cost: Mid $20-$45 Complexity: Mid Components: Bunch Chrono: 30-60mins A Ritz Household favorite! If we have you over, we will probably make you play. Push your luck as you raid the mummies' tomb. Don't dawdle too long or you could be trapped in there with them for the rest of eternity. I still would recommend either purchasing the painted minis separately or give a whirl painting the pieces yourself if you are the crafty type. If not, thankfully, they include snap on colored bases to help distinguish who is who. Honorable Mentions They didn't make the list, but you should give them a whirl: Twilight Imperium 3 (8 hours long), War of the Ring (out of print and 4 hours long). Hoplomachus (too difficult to get a copy of- only available through their website chiptheorygames.com). All three are absolutely terrific games and if you have the opportunity, play them or get them! And the one that just missed the list... Discoveries, a dice rolling worker placement game set in the travels and adventures of Lewis and Clark. STUNNING artwork.  5. Bang the Dice Game Cost: Low <$20 Complexity: Low Components: Little Chrono: about 30 mins This is a raucous dice rolling game. If you can play Yahtzee, you can play this game. I'm always a fan of spaghetti westerns and this delivers in spades. Hidden roles and unique special abilities makes this game a fun party style game. The only downside is that every once in a while, with 6 or more players, someone can be eliminated before they ever get a turn. But the game is over so fast, that there is always another game after that one, and another one after that, and another...  4. Dead of Winter Cost: High > $45 Complexity: Mid-High Components: Whoa Chrono: 60+ mins Up 4 spots from last year, this is a semi-cooperative zombie game where someone might be a betrayer. The things that I pointed out last year that are still standouts: a) the art work is not overly gross, b) the cards have a little icon on the bottom of some of the cards that note which aren't appropriate for younger players, and c) They give long and short versions of the scenarios to play through. They also just released a companion app that will read those cards aloud for you. It's a buck, but I think well worth it. House Rule: After playing 10 times this year, I would say playing with 5 or more players tends to increase player downtime considerably. Either avoid it or be up front about it and allow people to get up from the table every once in a while.  3. Pandemic Cost: Mid $20- $45 Complexity: Mid Components: Bunch Chrono: 30-60 mins In this cooperative thriller, you are trying to save the world from several diseases that are striking all at once! Move yourself around the board to wipe out pockets of virus and use interactive set collection to develop cures. Quick and easy to learn. I would also argue that the expansions don't add much to this game. Keep it simple with just the base set. On another note, they just came out with a new edition called Pandemic Legacy in which the game itself changes as you play one game to the next. So in essence, after 2 or 3 games, your copy would not play the same as my copy of the game. First reactions on the internet are very favorable for this newest edition.  2. Colt Express Cost: Mid $20- $45 Complexity: Low Components: Bunch Chrono: 30-60 mins This is a great spaghetti western themed game. You're train robbers trying to loot the passengers and get the best of one another. You use programmed movement to run along the train, punch and shoot other players, and snatch up the loot. This is a VERY FUN game. Every time I've played it, everyone at the table turns around and plays another game right after it. I listed components as Bunch because there is a bit of work on the front end constructing the train cars, but it is a one time activity and after that you can just jump right into the action. House Rule: The character Doc is a little over powered with his extra card each turn, so I would let younger players have him or keep him in the box until he is absolutely needed.  1. Robinson Crusoe
Cost: High > $45 Complexity: High Components: Whoa Chrono: 60ish mins For all the same reasons as last year: This is a fantastic game! It is difficult and heavy, and you will lose more than you win! Set your workers to work hunting beasts, gathering resources, building necessary tools, exploring the island, and more. Depending how you go about accomplishing those things, you may not succeed, but it will only make you more determined. Use your special powers by spending determination tokens to get a slight edge toward achieving your goals. Robinson Crusoe is simply dripping with theme! The board looks great and there are lots of bits and pieces. There are several different scenarios to play through and so many cards to setup with that the replay-ability is extremely high. And best of all... the creator has released a blank scenario so you can write your own if you wish! I am almost finished with my own personal scenario: Island of Misfit Toys. I've spent quite some time, effort, and resources to upgrading my copy of this game and if you every are over to the house and want to try something a little more difficult, just ask; I'll have it out and on the table in a heartbeat!
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This year I decided to revamp and double my "Top 10" from last year. "Why?" Because I had the time and the inclination. And it was fun to think about. As another new edition, I am categorizing each by: Cost: Low < $20, Mid $20-$45, High > $45 Complexity: Low, Medium, High Components: Little, Bunch, Whoa Chrono (how long it takes to play): about 30mins, 30-60mins, 60ish, 60+ If you're looking for a gift for someone or a game to bring to a holiday get-together, give one of these a whirl. You can find most of these on Amazon, and some you can find in your big name stores. But let me encourage you to seek out a local game shop and see if they have them there. OFF LIST MentionsThese two games I didn't feel like I should add to the list in general. They are fine games and I would suggest you find out more about them for yourself.
Honorable MentionsThese two games have recently come out and are fun smaller games that just missed the list. I haven't played them enough to know where they would go, but they come with my stamp of approval.
 20. Bang the Dice Game Cost: Low Complexity: Low Components: Little Chrono: about 30 mins Built around the Yahtzee mechanism, you roll dice 3 times keeping what you want and rerolling what you don't. Each side of the die has something different to offer, so choose wisely. Take a character at the beginning of the game and then you are given a secret role- Sheriff (who isn't so secret), Deputy, Outlaw, or Renegade. Try to kill off the appropriate people while the indians attack to be the victor in this spin on a spaghetti western (there's even Italian printed on the cards)! You need at least 4 people for this one, and it really shines at 5 or 6 people.  19. Guillotine Cost: Low Complexity: Low Components: Little Chrono: about 30 mins This is a great little card game that has been around for quite some time. At the beginning of a round, set up 12 nobles to have their heads cut off. Rearrange the order of the line using one of the action cards in your hand. Then collect the noble at the front of the line at the end of your turn. The person with the most points after 3 rounds wins.  18. No Thanks Cost: Low Complexity: Low Components: Little Chrono: about 30 mins Another fun little card game that is roughly about set collection and getting piles of numbers in order. The goal is to have the lowest score possible. If you don't want the face up card, put one of your chips on it. If it comes back around to you after everyone has put a chip on it themselves, either put on another one or take them all for yourself- because each chip will subtract 1 point from your total score when the game is over. Don't have any more chips? Well then, you're stuck and you have to take the card.  17. Last Word Cost: Low Complexity: Low Components: Little Chrono: 30-60 mins A rather raucous word game where everyone plays at the same time. Reveal a letter card, race to throw down one of your topics, smash the start button on the randomized timer, and everyone starts trying to get the last word in before time runs out.  16. Citadels Cost: Low Complexity: Medium Components: Little Chrono: 30-60 mins This is a "drafted roll selection" game where each turn you choose a roll that allows you to have a specific type of action. Then you either draw city cards or draw money. Then you build part of your city. The first person with 8 parts of their city built, triggers the end of the game. Each part of your city is worth as many points as the gold it took to build it. You've got the most points? You're the winner. Look for the edition with a little purple icon in the bottom left corner of the slim edition box. That edition comes prepackaged with an expansion inside. This is another one that is better with 6-8 people. **House Rule: Only play to 7 parts of a city, you'll thank me.  15. King of Tokyo Cost: Mid $20-$40 Complexity: Low Components: Little Chrono: 30-60 mins Fun, easy to teach, and play. Earn 20 victory points by rolling dice or standing in Tokyo, or be the last monster standing! If you can play Yahtzee, you can play King of Tokyo and you get to be a gigantic monster in the process.  14. A to Z Cost: Electric Low Complexity: Low Components: Little Chrono: 30-60 mins This word game is great at parties, and we Ritzes always play it Men vs Women. In 15 or 30 second increments, yell out words related to a topic. Cover up the letter of the alphabet those words started with. Cover up all the letters and you win. (the board game version of this game is now out of print, but you can get the electric handheld version now- kind of a cheat, I know, but I couldn't leave it off the list)  13. Ticket to Ride Cost: Mid $20-$45 Complexity: Low Components: Little Chrono: 60ish mins Ticket to Ride has become THE gateway game for people entering into the hobby. You can find it just about anywhere. Get tickets with destinations, acquire sets of color coded cards, play your trains, and secretly earn points. Very straight forward, beautiful artwork, and a blast to play. Make sure to get the 1910 expansion set to get normal sized cards. Also, they just came out with an anniversary edition that is more expensive, totally swank, but is much larger than the original game- taking up a HUGE amount of table space.  12. Jamaica Cost: Mid $20-$45 Complexity: Low Components: Bunch Chrono: 30-60mins This is a pirate themed racing game. The artwork is quite delightful and it is really easy to teach and play. Card play drives movement, and gunpowder and dice rolling drive combat. Making it around the island the fastest though doesn't necessarily make you the winner. You need the doubloons too.  11. Darkest Night Cost: High > $45 Complexity: Mid Components: Bunch Chrono: 60+ mins Fight back the fantasy darkness that has already conquered the land in this cooperative game from Victory Point Games. This company produces all their games right here in the USA (good ole CA). I love playing this game solo, but it works just as well with other people. From your list of actions, you only get to do one thing per turn, which keeps play lively and quick. This game definitely starts you off in a hole that you need to work your way out of. I would also recommend getting "With an Inner Light" expansion as well. It adds some depth to the game's mechanics by adding quests.
 9. Lord of the Rings Cost: Mid $20-$45 Complexity: High Components: Whoa Chrono: 60+ mins This game has some of the most gorgeous boards I've seen in a game. This cooperative romp through Middle Earth has the players as the hobbits trying to use card management to work through all the significant scenarios through the books. I happened to find mine at a yard sale ten years ago for a dollar! Best deal in my collection for sure. If you're only playing with two people, be sure to work as Frodo and Sam and only go to the scenarios that they went to.  8. Dead of Winter Cost: High > $45 Complexity: Mid-High Components: Whoa Chrono: 60+ mins This is easily one of this year's smash hits. This is a semi-cooperative zombie game where someone might be a betrayer. You will get to control lots of unique characters and make really tough decisions. I've only gotten to play this twice and I am most intrigued. It's so popular right now that it is difficult to find. I really appreciate several things, three of which are: a) the art work is not overly gross, b) this game is part of a new system Plaid Hat Games is implementing called Crossroads (where you make tough decisions). They were wise enough to put a little icon on the bottom of some of the cards that note which aren't appropriate for younger players. Nice Move Plaid Hat! and c) They give long and short versions of the scenarios to play through. *House Rule: If playing with more than 3 people, don't use the long scenarios, especially with new players. Again, you'll thank me.  7. Tales of the Arabian Nights Cost: High > $45 Complexity: Mid Components: Bunch Chrono: 60+ mins Think of this as the largest Choose Your Own Adventure Book as a board game that you have ever come across. This game will leave you laughing and telling stories long after it's over. Parents should note that some of the content is a little more on the mature side (PG for sure) but nothing explicit in nature. Choose your own victory condition too (some combination of story and destiny points) and get out there and have an adventure. *House Rule: The rules state to play for 20 points and then head back to Bagdad. Play to 15 and don't go back to Bagdad. Just claim your victory (this saves 30-40 mins of gameplay and leaves people wanting to come back for more).  6. Survive, Escape from Atlantis Cost: Mid $20-$45 Complexity: Low Components: Bunch Chrono: 30-60 mins There are cooperative games on this list. There are competitive games on this list. This game is CUTTHROAT. With great wooden and plastic pieces, try to get your survivors off the island while simultaneously trying to kill off other players' survivors. This is another game that is easy to teach and quickly understand the concepts. It's great fun if the people at the table like to dig into each other a little bit... ok more than a little bit. AND now, On to My Top 5!!! 5. Adventurers The Pyramid of Horus Cost: Mid $20-$45 Complexity: Mid Components: Bunch Chrono: 30-60 mins This game has become quite the staple over here at the Ritz household and it probably would be disingenuous of me to leave it out of my top five. It pits the players (treasure hunters and tomb raiders) against each other AND the board to race in, snatch artifacts, and get out before the falling boulders trap you in with the mummies... FOREVER! Lots of push your luck with this game and the tension only mounts as your competitive nature and greed take over your better judgment. All the bits are sturdy grey plastic and the pieces come with colored bases to snap on so you can tell them apart, but I would really suggest getting these painted miniatures to replace them, or better yet... paint them yourselves! This was the second game in the series. The first was Adventurers The Temple of Chac. That one has a more Raiders of the Lost Ark feel, compared to the Tomb Raider/Mummy feel of Pyramid of Horus.  4. Hoplomachus Cost: High > -$45 Complexity: Mid-High Components: Whoa Chrono: 30-60 mins This is where I'm going to have to get a little bit Hipster on you. Even most gamers "probably have never heard of it." As the name of the company, Chip Theory Games, implies... the pieces in this gladiator style game are poker chip style pieces and the arena your units play on is a thick mousepad material that is very well designed. Each of the different cultures has it's own unique abilities, as well as some standard abilities that are found throughout each of the cultures. Earn special bonus tactics and gladiators by giving the crowd what it wants. If you are ever here at our house, just ask. I'm always willing to pull out this game that's nicknamed, "My 12 pounder." And be sure to check them out over at Chiptheorygames.com  3. Legends of Andor Cost: Mid $20-$45 Complexity: Mid Components: Whoa Chrono: 60ish mins Play as a dwarf, wizard, warrior, or archer. Help stop the oncoming hoard of evil that is invading the land. Work through all the scenarios to complete the rich story that is woven through each legend of Andor. Component quality is excellent, the BEAUTIFUL board is DOUBLE SIDED! It is a cooperative game that teaches you how to play while you play (I love that in a game). There are different scenarios to play through and more are available online (but regrettably, most are still only available in German). Some reviewers have complained about the puzzley nature of Legends of Andor; that it would hamper replay-ability. I say, "Bologna!" This game is a great value with tons of replay within the box! Last year, I thought this would move up on my list, but unfortunately I have to say that the lack of expansion support from a company that is expansion crazy, for a game that won a major gaming award, is crazy in itself and a little disappointing. Still though... GREAT GAME!  2. Pandemic Cost: Mid < $45 Complexity: Mid Components: Bunch Chrono: 30-60 mins You and all the rest of the players assume unique roles and are racing around the globe trying to find the cures to deadly diseases that have threatened humanity to the brink of extinction! Great cooperative game, easy to teach, and readily available in Target stores (if you just want to walk in and grab up a copy today). There is a second expansion that just came out that adds a level of complexity to the game (as if it wasn't already difficult enough). It is such a solid game though, you don't even need any of the expansions to get a ton of value from the base box. You will play it again and again.  1. Robinson Crusoe
Cost: High > $45 Complexity: High Components: Whoa Chrono: 60ish mins This is a fantastic game! It is difficult and heavy, and you will lose more than you win! Set your workers to work hunting beasts, gathering resources, building necessary tools, exploring the island, and more. Depending how you go about accomplishing those things, you may not succeed, but it will only make you more determined. Use your special powers by spending determination tokens to get a slight edge toward achieving your goals. Robinson Crusoe is simply dripping with theme! The board looks great and there are lots of bits and pieces. There are several different scenarios to play through and so many cards to setup with that the replay-ability is extremely high. And best of all... the creator has released a blank scenario so you can write your own if you wish! This has become by far and away my favorite game. Let's face it. Sometimes you don't want to haul around some big ole square box of cardboard and plastic. Sometimes you just want to enjoy a game that isn't going to take all afternoon. Sometimes you don't want the rules explanation to take longer than 5 minutes. Sometimes you need a fun little gift for someone (or yourself) and you don't want to pay $60 for it. Well this is the list for you! Since the New Year, I have been learning and having fun with all sorts of little games- most of which come in really small boxes and most (if not all) are under $20 online. Here are a few that I think you should give a whirl.  No Thanks! is a fun little card game that is roughly about set collection and getting piles of numbers in order. The goal is to have the lowest score possible. If you don't want the face up card, put one of your chips on it. If it comes back around to you after everyone has put a chip on it themselves, either put on another one or take them all for yourself- because each chip will subtract 1 point from your total score when the game is over. Don't have any more chips? Well then, you're stuck and you have to take the card.  Citadels is a "drafted roll selection" game where each turn you choose a roll that allows you to have an specific type of action. Then you either draw city cards or draw money. Then you build part of your city. The first person with 8 parts of their city built, triggers the end of the game. Each part of your city is worth as many points as the gold it took to build it. You've got the most points? You're the winner. Look for the edition with a little purple icon in the bottom left corner of the slim edition box. That edition comes prepackaged with an expansion inside.  Bang! The Dice Game is built around the Yahtzee mechanism where you roll dice 3 times keeping what you want and rerolling what you don't. Each side has something different to offer, so choose wisely. Take a character at the beginning of the game and then you are given a secret roll- Sheriff (who isn't so secret), Deputy, Outlaw, or Renegade. Try to kill off the appropriate people while the indians attack to be the victor in this spin on a spaghetti western (there's even Italian printed on the cards)! With really nicely engraved and painted dice, this game passes up it's card game predecessor- Bang!  Lifeboat is a game in which you are one of six people on a lifeboat. Not only are you trying to survive, but you also secretly love someone you hope and will help, to survive. At the same time, there is someone you secretly hate, who you are helping to their watery grave. You might chose to do nothing, you might chose to pick a fight by trying to swap places, you might mug someone, or you might chose to decide who gets thrown overboard. All the while, find things of value in your lifeboat such as money, jewels, art work, etc. and try to be the character at the end who has survived and has the most points.  Guillotine has been a family favorite for years. At the beginning of a round, set up 12 nobles to have their heads cut off. Rearrange the order of the line using one of the action cards in your hand. Then collect the noble at the front of the line at the end of your turn. The person with the most points after 3 rounds wins.
Lately, I've been playing and acquiring lots of board games and giving suggestions to friends and family about what to play. With the holidays just around the corner, you may be thinking of getting a game for someone and maybe you vaguely remember me mentioning something on some post. Well, I thought I would give you my top 10 games right here for you to find easily. If you click on the picture, it will take you to the Amazon page for that game. Let's just jump right in to it.
AND NOW... FOR THE TOP 5!Really quick, I should say that as I was compiling my list, I noticed something in common with my top 5 games which is a personal preference of mine. They all have a dynamic where the board game is out to beat the players. This typically shines through in cooperative games, which 4 of them are. But even that 5th one has this mechanic in it as well.
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