30 — Brass: Birmingham (2018)
:strip_icc()/pic3490053.jpg)
2022 #33
Another super tight, crunchy, economic Martin Wallace game. And also pretty punishing if things go wrong, but probably not as much as some of his others. I’d really like to try the app for this one, but it’s gotten mixed reviews and is surprisingly expensive for a board game app.
29 — Fleet (2012)
:strip_icc()/pic1247682.jpg)
New in 2023
This came in at #105 last year, but a recent replay really elevated the game for me. Pretty much everything I like about London applies here, but this one is even simpler, yet still has a lot of meat on it.
28 — Civilization: A New Dawn (2017)
:strip_icc()/pic3764168.jpg)
2022 #19
There’s so much I really enjoy about this one, but the only thing holding it back is the combat. It’s unfortunate that the expansion, for all it improved (a lot!), it didn’t replace the combat system with something better.
27 — Dune: Imperium (2020)
:strip_icc()/pic5666597.jpg)
2022 #98
Not only did this benefit from more plays, but I also tried the solo mode which is great. I’ve been very tempted to buy a copy. And now it has an app that’s supposed to be really good. This will definitely get more plays next year.
26 — Rurik: Dawn of Kiev (2019)
:strip_icc()/pic4902903.png)
2022 #13
This is going to be a tougher one to get to the table. Didn’t work out 3-player, and the solo mode is good but a lot of work to operate, so it’s mostly a 2-player game for now. I still need to give the solo another try with the companion app and see how that is. Still, the central mechanism is so unique and interesting.
25 — Core Worlds (2011)
:strip_icc()/pic1063921.jpg)
2022 #24
Holding steady. The length definitely keeps this from getting played more. I really need to get the official solo mode and see if that helps get it to the table more. This year, it’s also my highest-ranked deck builder.
24 — Race for the Galaxy (2007)
:strip_icc()/pic5261714.jpg)
2022 #53
I’m surprised it was as low as it was last year. I really enjoy this one. Another simple card game (not that simple iconography) with tough decisions and a little bit of engine building. Really need to get some expansions (the good ones).
23 — 7 Wonders (2010)
:strip_icc()/pic7149798.jpg)
2022 #45
The new version is really nice, and it’s a great game. Love the drafting, love the sense of build-up, the new wonders are better, and the expansions add so much depth.
22 — Formosa Tea (2019)
:strip_icc()/pic4928296.jpg)
2022 #20
I was expecting it to drop some from lack of play, but it held on really well. It’s a really unique worker placement game with a unique theme and a lot of history put into it. And the tea-making process in the game is really interesting. Love this game.
21 — Fear Itself 2nd Edition (2016)
:strip_icc()/pic3140819.jpg)
New in 2023
This is the horror version of an RPG system called GUMSHOE. It’s a rules-light RPG system focused on investigation and how to make that more interesting than typical RPGs that are more concerned with combat. While the rules themselves could have been better organized and more clearly written, the system works really well, and this was a blast to run. I still plan on returning to this one.
Thomas P. King, author and game designer 
One thought on “End of Year & Top 100 (2023)”