2015 was an exciting year, in fact, I probably made more gaming purchases in the second part of 2015 than I have the two years before combined. We got awesome epics like Star Wars Armada and Forbidden Stars, we saw the release of some cool expansions and many great re-prints. It really was a fantastic year for gaming.

The first part of 2016 is already shaping up and there are a number of great games on the horizons worth bringing to your attention!

1. Star Wars: Rebellion

Recently announced, once again leveraging their hold over the Star Wars license Fantasy Flight Games is going to add yet another “insta buy” game for me in 2016. Star Wars: Rebellion information is fairly limited at this point but what is known is that players will be in essence playing out the war between the Empire and Rebel alliance with over 150 plastic miniatures, the complete cast of the original trilogy in a seemingly War of the Rings style multifaceted strategic board game.

A combination of area control, specialty dice, card play, countless miniatures all hunched over a galactic star map in the Star Wars universe. What can I say other than “yes please!!”

2. Star Trek Frontiers

One of the most successful board games WizKids has is Mage Knight, largely popularized by its complex competitive adventure style mechanics with incredible depth. While I consider Star Trek Fleet Captains another huge hit by WizKids, the announcement of Star Trek Frontiers, a Star Trek adventure game based on the Mage Knight mechanic certainly caught my attention. It’s really a perfect marriage as WizKids has collected considerable experience with Mage Knight as a board game and Star Trek as a franchise. There is going to be a lot of experience applied here and while Fleet Captains has cleaned out the taste of never ending failure in Star Trek based boardgames for me, that haunting feeling of hope and disappointment that has existed for years as far as Star Trek board games are concerned is still there. I am as they say, rooting for them, it’s certainly looking good so far.

3. Through The Ages 3rd Edition

I’m really excited about this one for one very huge reason. I really love Through the Ages but it is soooo bloooooody looooong that I simply never play. At this point, in modern design, despite sitting pretty in the number 4 spot on boardgamegeek.com, if this game was released today in its 2nd edition form it wouldn’t make the top 1000 let alone the top 10 on boardgamegeek. It has aged terribly. Thankfully Chivatil agrees and he is working on a new edition of the game that promises to be streamlined and faster, which to me simply means that awesome concept and Idea of a Civilization game in a much tighter package. Now to me that game already exists, it’s called Nations and it’s very good, good enough to make my own top 10 list, but I love Chivatil as a designer, I think he is one of the best in the business and when he makes something, I pay attention. I really hope that Through The Ages 3rd edition is everything its promised to be, because I’m a huge fan of all the ideas in it, just not 8-12 hours’ worth of it.

4. Star Wars Armada

You know I love my X-Wing but one of the most exciting releases to hit in 2015 was Star Wars Armada and its future in 2016 is looking very bright. Not only is there a new Star Wars movie being released from which Armada will no doubt feed, it has already proven itself as a popular concept and the game is clearly succeeding financially. This can only mean one thing, lots of new Armada stuff! While we really have no information what 2016 will bring for Armada, if you want to peek into the crystal ball you need to do nothing else but buy movie tickets to Force Awakens in December and keep an eye out for big capital ships! Force Awakens may as well be an advertisement for Armada at this point.

5. Fury of Dracula 3rd Edition

Ok so technically if you live in America this just released and will be available within days for us living in Europe this is basically a super late 2015 very early 2016 release. I can’t say enough about how excited I am about this one, in particular because I won’t have to wait for it too much longer. Fury Of Dracula 3rd edition promises to be a more streamlined and touched up version of 2nd edition which to me was very nearly perfect. In fact, I was almost worried that it wasn’t a straight reprint but my understanding is that most of the changes revolve around non-core mechanics like expediting the combat mechanic, cosmetics like new art and a few other minor streamlining improvements. It all sits fine with me, I was never able to secure my own copy of Fury of Dracula despite it being in my top 10 list for years so I’m super psyched for this one. A wonderful one vs. all deduction game with adventure elements combined with one of my favorite themes.

I recently scrolled through my top 10 table top games list from March of this year and came to a startling realization. Things have changed! Dramatically. In fact that list almost doesn’t make any sense at this points as there have been quite a few new additions and drop offs. This list needs an update so here we go!

1. Star Wars X-Wing

Ok this is the one thing that has not changed, in fact, X-Wing’s position on this list is strong than ever. I can’t think of a single game that could even be a contender at this point. Its fast, furious, star fighter combat in the Star Wars universe and FFG’s commitment to constantly push out new ships and improve the game is making this wonderful gem better and better. Which says a lot if your at all familiar with miniature games as a hobby, it is very typical for games to become bloated over time, unbalanced and in some cases a great game can be turned into a terrible game. Not so with X-Wing, it just keeps getting better and better. I don’t know what else to say other than when it comes to table top gaming, given the option I always rather play X-Wing than anything else.

2. Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones is one of those games that I have realized has surpassed all others in group play. It’s got strategy, diplomacy, resource management and above all else treachery. I didn’t find it difficult to edge out Twilight Imperium, which has been in my top 2 since release, most of that time in the number one spot. It would be dishonest at this point however to allow it to sit above Game of Thrones on the list. We play it more often and it’s far more engaging, far more approachable and frankly far more clever than Twilight Imperium. It’s earned it stripes through repeated plays as I constantly uncover more and more of its brilliance. It’s been a long time coming but Game of Thrones deserves to be up here with the best of the best.

3. Star Wars: Armada

This one has made a big splash on this list and made a big impression on me, in fact its without question the first game that I have played where after the first game I thought to myself, holy shit, I can’t believe how awesome this game was. I dare not compare it to my beloved X-Wing but in truth much of what appeals to me about Armada is the same as X-Wing, though the shock and awe of Star Wars Armada far outweighs the gradual appreciation I gained for X-Wing over time. In fact when I got my X-Wing core set I recall thinking to myself, this might be good if there was more variation and my prediction ultimately came true. In the case of Armada it was a big smash hit right out of the gate. Perhaps it’s because I got into it a little later when more toys are available for it, but regardless, it hit on every piston for me. I do find it a bit more complex and considerably less approachable which will probably prevent it from ousting X-Wing from the top spot. As a gamer, I tend to seek out games that I can actually put on the table, which is exactly what X-Wing is, but with Armada its really more of a self-contained hobby than a game, a more common way miniature games tend to be. Games that have a big splash on my list do have a tendency to slip as dramatically once the novelty wears off, but right, I’m super into it. Fantastic strategic and tactical game of capital ship warfare in the Star Wars universe, as a gamer I can only say “Fuck Yeah!”

4. War Of The Rings

When it comes to games on this list, no game sells its story better than War of the Rings. This has always been and always will be one of my favorite ways to spend an evening with a gaming buddy. It’s an intimate experience that win or lose always makes for an awesome night. Over time this has been a slow riser, much like Game of Thrones, its earning it stripes through repeated plays which is typically the type of game that holds on my top 10 list for extended periods of time. My only complaint about the game is that it is rather lengthy, not a huge problem given the company it keeps on this list. An amazing game that belongs in the collection of every gamer in my humble opinion.

5. Twilight Imperium

Ok so after nearly a decade of being in the top 2 on this list the great goliath that is Twilight Imperium has slipped from its grace. It had a great run and it’s certainly no push over in the number 5 spot, but TI3 is no longer resurfacing as often as it once did. I think it’s really largely due to the fact that while no specific game has replaced the epic space empire building genre of games for me, Twilight Imperium is becoming less and less approachable as an evening of entertainment by comparison to the many games out there. For example Game of Thrones might not have anything to do with space but it does share that big box game feel while being considerably more approachable and current. I still love Twilight Imperium and will gladly play it but over the years the group of gamers In my gaming group willing to slug it out in a 6+ hour complex strategy game is becoming smaller and smaller. I foresee an eventual slip from the list for Twilight Imperium, for the same reason games like Shogun (MB version), Axis and Allies or Fortress America eventually slipped. I love those games but the commitment they demand, pressed against the alternative options constantly being added in designer board game is making it less and less relevant. Still, looking at it from a pure fan perspective, despite alternatives, Twilight Imperium remains the best big box epic science-fiction game ever made.

6. Nations

Very few Euro’s grace my top 10 list but without reservation I add Nations. Most Euro games that make the list do so for relatively brief periods of time and this is largely due to the fact that Euro’s just lack the theme to really stick, they just don’t have those long term legs. Civilization building however is a theme I really love, but have watched fail in many’a’game, so I’m very happy to have finally found one I truly enjoy playing. I know this is a “Through The Ages Light” variant and truth be told I would love to be able to put Through The Ages on this list, but this list isn’t just about what I love, but what I actually get to play. Nations is one of the few Euro games I have brought to my gaming group that got their attention despite its Euroish roots. It’s got the interaction and the stressful intensity of a great game Euro or not. It also has a fun theme most gamers can get behind and fantastically fluid mechanics that are easy to understand, but impossible to master. It’s a brain teaser but I love it, a well-deserved addition to the list.

7. Star Trek: Fleet Captains

When I first picked up Star Trek Fleet Captains I thought to myself, it looks great but there is a long line of board games in the Star Trek universe that suck balls. From the first test play I did with myself I was relieved to discover that this was a fantastically thematic adventure game, well designed, that represents the Star Trek universe beautifully. The real test would be introducing it to my gaming group who told me when I bought it and I quote “Dude we are never going to play that with you”. The reason is simple; my gaming group HATES all things Star Trek. It was going to be a hard sell at best with very little chance of success. Still I managed to twists some arms and in truth the game just sold itself. Despite not being fans of the franchise, Fleet Captains is such a fantastic game that every person I introduced it to, no matter how reluctant, ultimately liked and in some cases, like me loved the game. A game so good that even if you very specifically don’t like Star Trek you will still like, that’s amazing. For me personally as a Star Trek fan this was the game I have hoped someone would make for years and they did. Fantastic, love it!

8. Fury of Dracula

Sometimes I wonder if Fury of Dracula is on this list out of nostalgia. After all of all the game on this list, it’s one I play the least, in fact its been a long time since I played it and rightfully for that reason it has slipped on this list. Fortunately that is about to be remedied as Fantasy Flight is about to release a new version of the game which I’m eagerly anticipating. I’m hoping to rekindle my love for this one and add it to my collection. I can say however that if its nostalgia, it’s for good reason. I recall my games of Fur of Dracula as far back as five years ago with perfect clarity. It’s got a distinct storyteller like mechanic that just sings and creates unforgettable game sessions. For that reason it sits pretty on this top 10 list.

9. Kemet

Ok Kemet is a rising star, I got into this one a little late (2nd reprint) and have actually only had one play but I have had my eye on it for a long time, in fact it would have been number 6 on my top 5 most anticipated games had that list been a top 6 list (duh). It’s got an awesome theme, it’s a sort of cross between Euro mechanics and Ameri-Trash, yet it’s a pure wargame. There is so much going on in this game it’s amazing, especially considering how simple the concept and mechanics actually are. It is after all a very fast and furious war game, but it just hits on all pistons for me, scratching an itch that is often hard to scratch because so many games like it require a far bigger time commitment. Kemet does what many other games take 4 to 5 hours to do in just under 2 hours for your average game, yet it’s a very full bodied experiance. Fantastic mechanics, great theme, perfect balance, simple to teach , impossible to master … it’s got all the makings of a great game and I see it as a rising star on this list.

10. Shogun (Queen Games Version)

I’m always surprised about this one remaining on this list because it is so different than what usually makes the cut. The truth of it is, and this may be a bit childish of me but it’s simply fun to throw cubes into that chaotic tower. I mean I love the strategic, contemplative part of the game as well, but its icing on the cake. The combat is just so frantic and fun to execute that you can’t help but rise to your feet during play. It’s a game that creates great atmosphere at the table with this amazing blend of contemplative strategy and explosive anticipation. It’s a strategic game and I’m not going to deny it that honor but to me it falls in a line of games along with Galaxy Trucker and Zombicide where sometimes there is not real explicable reason why I like a game other than its simply fun to play. I especially like it with max players, the more you have the more chaotic it is. Great game, a worthy addition to the list, slipping to the bottom list is hardly a reflection of its quality and far more a tribute to its staying power.

A couple of notes on games that exit the list.

Dominion for me was a really easy removal, in fact, Dominion’s fall from grace was almost as dramatic as its rise, once sitting in the number 5 spot (long ago), not only was it removed from the list this time around its on the chopping block as a cannidate for being culled from my collection all together.  It just wore out its welcome, I haven’t played it in almost two years and have no desire to.  It just doesn’t have legs.

Tide of Irons, Lords of Waterdeep and Formula D all make their exists and frankly its less a reflection on them and more a reflection of the fact that so many new, great games are being made.  I still love all three and they are in no danger of collecting dust on the shelf.

I’m having fun with lists so I thought I would continue it with this next little gem, the top 5 games that where almost great. These are games that where innovative, creative or otherwise on the brink of something amazing but botched it in some way like poor application of mechanics, balance, theme or something to the effect. These are games I want to love, I wish were great, but just came up short and we just have to accept that they missed the mark.

1. Starcraft The Board Game
When fantasy flight announced a new coffin sized epic scale board game based on the Starcraft franchise to say that the hype was overwhelming is an understatement. In fact there are still many that insist that this game is great (the I spent too much money not to like it effect) but, by all reputable accounts Starcraft the board game was a failure. It went out of print and has since been removed from the Fantasy Flight Games website which means there are no future re-prints planned.

Starcraft had everything going for it. Two of the best designers in the business in my opinion, particularly well known for making amazing big board games (Corey Konieczka & Christian T. Petersen). It had a beloved and well known franchise which was begging for a great board game interpretation and it had a company with a reputation for creating amazing big board games with some of the best components money can buy. It was really a perfect marriage, the stars where aligned, it really wasn’t a question of whether or not I would be dropping the dough on this game, it was just a question of how quickly we could get our hands on it. With promotion and hype in full gear the game lands and with held breath we dove deep into the world of Starcraft the board game.

The result. While having some very clever mechanics, amazing components and superb art, Starcraft the board game was a complete dud. Unbalanced with an all but broken card combat and a stiflingly small game map, whatever potential greatness was put into the game it was killed by a clear shortage of play testing. Perhaps Fantasy Flight just got over confident, perhaps there was pressure from the licensee, who knows, but the game just sucked. Some claim that the expansion solved a lot of the problems of the game and I believe that is partially true, with the expansion the game is “playable”. Still of all the games that used the combat card mechanic FFG was putting into their games during this period which was a burden to other games FFG as well, Starcraft was the unquestionable king of disappointments and rightfully earns its number one spot as one of the biggest “should have been great” duds among games on this list.

2. Rune Wars
The fantasy world on which Fantasy Flight Games has based a number of games was exciting and different. We had become familiar with many of it’s personalities, monstrosities and legends in games like Runebound, Battle Lore and Descent, but Rune Wars represented the first time we were able to play in this world on a more global scale. Rune Wars was another coffin sized board game that used a very clever role-selection like mechanic, had amazing miniatures and art and again Corey Konieczka. He’s a great designer and it clearly shows, because despite its short comings, Runewars had a lot of potential. Like Starcraft it had that damned combat card mechanic and it just burdened this game unfortunatly. More than that however one of the factions in the game (The Elves) was completely and utterly broken, something that should have been fixed in testing. With house rules and if you could look beyond the card combat mechanic, Runewars had a lot going for it, but the combination of the two short comings overwhelmed the game. It was so close, that it actually pained me to cull it from my collection but the reality was no one ever wanted to play it out of fear of being stuck with the Elves. We tried a few house rules that made them more manageable but in the end even with fixed Elves the combat mechanic was just bad.

Unlike Starcraft however Runewars was not abandoned and got a revised edition with some rules updates that did improve the game somewhat. The Elves remain the least favorite faction however still considered by many to be completely underpowered (myself included) and card combat mechanic is still there of course which is the worst part of the game in my humble opinion.

I want to love Runewars I really do but it’s just one of those games that sits on the shelf and never gets played because when it’s time to pull out a big fantasy war game there are just much better options available (some of them from fantasy flight games) and it’s just hard to justify it. So close, but yet so far away.

3. Letter’s From White Chapel
I feel like I’m picking on Fantasy Flight Games with this list as all but one of the games on this list are published by FFG. Perhaps its expectations, they are after all, the unquestionable king of amazing game publication hence held to a higher standard. Letter’s From White Chapel however does not deserve an excuse, it is, simply put, a terrible game and it’s shocking considering that it’s mechanics are pulled directly from one of the best games ever made (Fury of Dracula). I don’t understand why they would create a sub-par version of an amazing game they could have just reprinted, which notably a shockingly large amount of gamers are begging for. Perhaps it was a licensing issue or something, but the magic of Fury of Dracula simply does not exist in Letters From White Chapel. Which is odd, given that chasing Jack the Ripper is as awesome thematically as chasing after Dracula.

Letter’s to White Chapel is a watered down yet oddly more rules heavy version of Fury of Dracula, missing some of the most interesting elements and streamlined mechanics that made Fury great, while including convoluted rules and utterly stupid ideas (like adding a pencil and notepad) to the game. Fury of Dracula was a seamless, streamlined gem that was both dynamic and exciting at every stage. Letter’s From White Chapel feels more like doing homework on a Saturday night.

I don’t know why they messed with a good thing, but what should have been a new exciting version of Fury of Dracula with an amazingly appropriate theme like Jack The Ripper has been turned into what I considered one of the worst games in FFG’s library of games. The fact that it is visually butt ugly just adds insult to injury, as this is one area, good game or bad, FFG always get’s right and they dropped the ball on this on top of everything else. If anyone tells you “it’s like Fury Of Dracula”, immediately dragon punch them, this is NOT at all like Fury of Dracula and to utter those words is heresy.

4. Eclipse
Eclipse already made it to my list of top 5 list of games you can skip, but it makes this list as well because while it’s certainly a game not worth your time, it really should have been. Eclipse is a game which fringes on greatness as it side swipes its thematic potential and sells out to Euro-bore roots. Let this be a lesson to all Euro game designers, if you’re going to make a game in a genre of games that already has amazingly thematically rich games, you WILL be compared and judged on that comparison. Eclipse looks amazing, it sounds amazing and when you sit down to play it, you get that sense of “oh my god, this will be amazing”. Than the game step by step misses the opportunities to turn great mechanics into thematic gameplay. It’s a shorter game than Twilight Imperium and yes, thank you, that is a really great, but 3 hours of gaming is 3 hours of gaming, you have to make it worth my time.

Eclipse is a dull game and really while the theme is clearly present, it’s so thinly done, the game never really feels like an epic space opera, but instead feels more like Agricola in space. I always look forward to adding new science-fiction games to my collection and I really thought Eclipse was going to make it, but while it has all the appetizers of a great game, the meal is empty and superficial. It is far better to play a six hour game of Twilight Imperium, than to suffer through three hours of Eclipse. There is just no reason to play it and really it was so close, just a bit more American thematic design influence in this game and it would have been amazing.

5. Sid Meier’s Civilization
Another FFG game and another game from the top 5 games you can skip, it was one I was hesitant to put on this list since I have already said my peace, but the truth is that, this one was a real disappointment to me because of its great potential which should have been very easy to tap into. So much so that I sometimes play it despite its flaws because I so badly want it to be good. Like most of the games on this list, it had so much going for it that it really should have resulted in an amazing game, but like Runewars and Starcraft it was utterly ruined by the combat card mechanic. It should have been less so than any other game on this list because in Civilization combat is not the main goal. Unfortunatly every game of Civilization I have ever played has resulted in a very un-climatic military victory and I have yet to play it where everyone at the table didn’t utter these words.

“Really great game except for that combat mechanic, that’s just stupid”. – Everyone (all the time).

This was is such a disappointment, so close.