Top 100 Games of All Time – 2018 Edition

Intro

Almost two years ago, for episode 100, we featured our top 100 games. For episode 150, we decided to revisit the list and updated it to reflect the great games that have been released since and some of the games that don’t get as much play as they once did. Here it is – our top 100 for 2018:

100. Dominant Species

Unapologetic in its stark look and aggressive gameplay, Dominant Species challenges even the most hardcore eurogamers into managing the evolution of your species under the harshest of conditions. Pure gaming goodness.

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99. Navegador

Mac Gerdts’ game of exploration and commerce in the Renaissance is not just a beautiful game, but a clever take on the economics of the prototypical trading genre.

 

98. Railroad Revolution

Great gaming comes down to the number of interesting decisions you can make and number of ways creative ways you can win. Railroad Revolution takes the most overused theme in gaming and brings to the table one of the most dynamic decision making paths I ever seen in a traditional train game.

 

97. Orleans

Bag building is a fun and engaging mechanic that is still coming into its own, all thanks to Orleans. Providing just enough variability to force tactical adjustments every round, Orleans allows players to make a plan and build around it, with dozens of possible paths to win.

96. Memoir ’44

It’s difficult to know exactly what to gush over more about this wondrous ‘starter’ war game. I could easily go on and on about the brilliant historical theming and scenarios or I could recount all the fun and that came from the simple but smart commands & colors card system. Either way, if you have any level of interest in WW2, Memoir ’44 is for you.

 

95. Lords of Waterdeep

Lords of Waterdeep remains our worker placement gateway game of choice, with the expansion becoming a solid representation of the genre. A perfect midpoint of theme and mechanical simplicity, this is one to keep in your game night bag.

 

94. Mare Nostrum: Empires

Academy Games knocked this reprint out of the park. Mare Nostrum: Empires is everything you could ever want in a massive mythical historical war game that allows for 4 different paths of victory with an innovative trading mechanic and numerous powers to make your civilization truly unique. Full player count needed to truly experience the depth of this game.

 

93. Vikings

This accessible tableau builder uses a roundel as a drafting mechanic as players purchase island tiles and Vikings that trigger a range of different abilities – from money generation to fighting off invaders and scoring points.

 

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92. Last Will/The Prodigals Club

Last Will/The Prodigals Club turns the great victory point machine building mechanic on its head with players racing to be an penniless outcast by having the most fabulous time selling off their wonderful life. Great production coupled with an innovative way of incorporating both games together makes these games one of a kind.

91. Council of 4

One of the more recent releases from Simone Luciani and Daniele Tascini, Council of 4 combines the simplicity of a game like Ticket to Ride with an ever evolving game board and requirements that can be changed and manipulated at will.

  • Anthony lives and plays games in Philadelphia, PA. A lover of complex strategy, two-player war games, and area control, Anthony is always eager to try a new game, even if he's on rule-reading duty.

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