I really enjoyed how you divided your videos between strategy and tactics. I like your taste, but even more I enjoy how you explain the games and share your passion for solo gaming. You help kill the stigma of playing solo with your articulate explanations. Greetings from Norway.
I set up Voidfall last November. It remains on my table today. I've not SO enjoyed a game in a long time... thanks for continuing to do what you do. It's a lot of work, I appreciate it.
That is AMAZING! I love that you have been so devoted to playing a game that you have kept it up for so long. I do want to be like that someday. The longest I have gone with a single game is roughly a week. Then I get antsy to play something else.
@JohnLaRuffa oh, I still have many game tables :) half way through Oathsworn with the fam, with games of Unsettled as intermission, a little Darwin's Journey on the side, bust out AH:LCG on the weekends, etc. Yes, I still have an insatiable need to read a rulebook, even if it's the same one again...
Not a comment on this particular video persé, but I greatly appreciate your videos and playthroughs. You're recommendations are almost always up my alley. Hope you'll continue making video's.
@@JohnLaRuffa no problem :). Very good list too, even though I'm not a fan of a few games there (GWT and Rosenbergs). For me, one of the top 5 strategic games I own is Teotihuacan with all expansions. Now that game is something else.
@realdealastrology9 Teotihuacan is a great game but I find it straddles the line between strategic and tactical which is why I didn’t mention it in either video. I come back to playing it on a regular basis!
@@JohnLaRuffa I agree with that! It's such a great game. They're coming out with a deluxe edition this year that includes all expansions and upgraded components, but I don't feel it's necessary to get if you have everything for it already. Over the years, I bought upgraded components from etsy anyway
Voidfall does take up a lot of real estate. It probably is one of the biggest games on the table that I own. Surprisingly enough, I would say that Great Western Trail New Zeeland might be even bigger. Once that game is setup, it is huge!
Even before the video started, I knew that A Feast For Odin would be on the list, and I was not surprised. There is something about the game from Uwe that is so captivating that it scratches that proverbial itch and keeps you coming back for more. It is no wonder that A Feast For Odin is one of the most popular games for seven years and counting. I play the game on Board Game Arena and never get tired of playing it. The game looks intimidating because you can do so much, but once you know what to do, it plays pretty well and you get used to the rules. And you are right. It is a strategy game. Keep up the good work. You have become one of my favorite board game content makers.
Goddamit John, I was trying to sell 3 out of 10 of the games you listed, but now you've convinced me to try them again. By the way, I love your channel, keep up with the good stuff.
Great Video, as always! I really like these ranking Videos! What do you say about Trickerion? Is it worth it to get for the solo game(i know i need the expansion). How does it compare?
Another Great list John! Still loving Fields of Arle still waiting on the expansion. Regarding Sabika I like the game however I had to sell. The first main board came torn at the seams. The second came damaged and the third I could see the wear at the seams again. I had to just sell the game due poor design. It's unfortunate as I really liked the game. Until next time!
My board is best handled gingerly as well. I don’t know if there was just a bad cut or what, but I understand where you are with that. I don’t want mine to have issues, but I thought I was just unlucky. I didn’t know it was a thing!
@@JohnLaRuffa what I noticed the individual sections are large and heavy but the seams holding them together is not strong enough to handle the weight. Even laying the board flat on the table than unfolding was causing wear.
I've been pondering some games on the list, and now I've decided I want them. But of course every FLGS and FRGS is sold out. Oh, well, guess I'll just get through Jaws of the Lion in the meantime :)
@@JohnLaRuffa Yeah, some of the smaller companies do a reprint every few years. It's a pain waiting sometimes, but once they find it worth reprinting, it's usually a bigger run. The bigger companies just abandon their games after a few years though. Looking at you, FFG!
@unspeakableoaf FFG used to be my favorite game company 10 years ago by a long shot. Then, Asmodee bought them and it slowly but steadily went way down hill. Now they don’t ever publish anything these days that I am interested in which is a huge shame!
Thanks for a great Video John. After Agricola i told myself: No Fields of Arle? but then you resolved this for me :) A question on Mindclash games. I noticed Trickerion is not here, is it due to the dice factor? or something else?
Trickerion is a good game, but I have not played it in years. That is why it doesn’t make my Top 10. I do like it, but it is hard to keep all of the rules in mind and that is why I have not picked it up in a while. On a design side though, I do think it falls a little short of being a Top 10 game. It’s still good, but I never had the feelings of joy while playing it as I do with the games on this list.
Thanks John ! Great list. Not many surprises as you have convinced me to buy most of these already. I would have thought there would have been a Lacerda on the list. Maybe Kanban or Weather Machine.
So in response to to pincao, I have Inventions on my Top 10 Tactical list but both Weather Machine and Kanban EV seem to straddle the line between strategic and tactical which is why I didn’t put them on either list. I really like them both. However, I don’t think they rank higher than the games on this list.
No7 labeled "gaia" but actually it is Agricola! (good surprise for me bsc this is my fav too). Btw, any reasons that Spirit island and Mageknight are not making it on either strategic for tactical list ?
great list, just curious why no single WWII or other war strategy game make it to your top 10. simply there is none in the market that is deserves it or simply not your genre.
@@JohnLaRuffa fair enough , i havent even played one but for some reason when i think strategy they come to my mind more than types like Agricola. there is i suppose a natural strategy element in war..
Nope. I don’t think I do enough special stuff for something like that. All I do is what I post here on UA-cam and just enjoy the small amount of ad revenue. I feel Iike I would need to make it worth peoples while with special things to have a Patreon and I don’t have time for all of that. Thanks though for asking!
I was thinking of you when I commented on most of these being Eurogames. That’s just what I like. What can I say? Different strokes for different folks.
I really enjoyed how you divided your videos between strategy and tactics. I like your taste, but even more I enjoy how you explain the games and share your passion for solo gaming. You help kill the stigma of playing solo with your articulate explanations. Greetings from Norway.
I set up Voidfall last November. It remains on my table today. I've not SO enjoyed a game in a long time... thanks for continuing to do what you do. It's a lot of work, I appreciate it.
That is AMAZING! I love that you have been so devoted to playing a game that you have kept it up for so long. I do want to be like that someday. The longest I have gone with a single game is roughly a week. Then I get antsy to play something else.
@JohnLaRuffa oh, I still have many game tables :) half way through Oathsworn with the fam, with games of Unsettled as intermission, a little Darwin's Journey on the side, bust out AH:LCG on the weekends, etc. Yes, I still have an insatiable need to read a rulebook, even if it's the same one again...
@@boardgamerants This is me, 5 tables. I must recognize my wife for putting up with this. She is a saint.
@@markruff3378 much apreesh, to the wives of gamers!
Wow! That’s awesome. I have one dedicated table and one temporary. Anymore and I get a lashing!
Not a comment on this particular video persé, but I greatly appreciate your videos and playthroughs. You're recommendations are almost always up my alley. Hope you'll continue making video's.
Glad to hear that I am hitting the mark! I have been doing this for over 5 years so I don’t think I will be stopping. Thanks for watching!
Voidfall is my top game right now. I just can't get enough of it.
Glad to see you follow my second list recommendation! Two in a row!!
Both were a very good idea and I could make it happen. Thanks for the suggestions!
@@JohnLaRuffa no problem :). Very good list too, even though I'm not a fan of a few games there (GWT and Rosenbergs). For me, one of the top 5 strategic games I own is Teotihuacan with all expansions. Now that game is something else.
@realdealastrology9 Teotihuacan is a great game but I find it straddles the line between strategic and tactical which is why I didn’t mention it in either video. I come back to playing it on a regular basis!
@@JohnLaRuffa I agree with that! It's such a great game. They're coming out with a deluxe edition this year that includes all expansions and upgraded components, but I don't feel it's necessary to get if you have everything for it already. Over the years, I bought upgraded components from etsy anyway
Some of these games (like Voidfall) look like I might not have a big enough table for it
Voidfall does take up a lot of real estate. It probably is one of the biggest games on the table that I own. Surprisingly enough, I would say that Great Western Trail New Zeeland might be even bigger. Once that game is setup, it is huge!
Nice to see 1862 get some love. Great game.
Another great video. Love your enthusiasm.
I recently picked up Mercurial. Had my eyes on it, but watching your video really sold it for me.
Good deal! I hope you like it!
Thanks for sharing. That's a very impressive list.
They are just such great games!
Even before the video started, I knew that A Feast For Odin would be on the list, and I was not surprised. There is something about the game from Uwe that is so captivating that it scratches that proverbial itch and keeps you coming back for more. It is no wonder that A Feast For Odin is one of the most popular games for seven years and counting. I play the game on Board Game Arena and never get tired of playing it. The game looks intimidating because you can do so much, but once you know what to do, it plays pretty well and you get used to the rules. And you are right. It is a strategy game.
Keep up the good work. You have become one of my favorite board game content makers.
Thank you very much for the kind words! I appreciate it!
Nice list, John! I have played several of them but will have to try the rest - with the possible exception of the 18xx game. Just not my cuppa.
Totally understandable. 18XX games are a different brew!
Goddamit John, I was trying to sell 3 out of 10 of the games you listed, but now you've convinced me to try them again. By the way, I love your channel, keep up with the good stuff.
Glad you like the channel. Like I always say though, some games run their course. If they don’t speak to you, there is no shame in selling them.
Love your content John🎉. Could you please add some timestamps so that watching and rewatching is easier to navigate? Cheers
Man Sankore looks so good. Got to wait a while though because retail copies got pulled due to a mold issue.
Really! A mold issue? That really sucks. I hope they get that under control. The game is fantastic!
@@JohnLaRuffa yeah it was discovered with the cloth bags! So apparently they pulled the retail copies and are going to do another print run sometime
Great Video, as always! I really like these ranking Videos! What do you say about Trickerion? Is it worth it to get for the solo game(i know i need the expansion). How does it compare?
I have it but have not played it in years. I would not put it in my top 10 but it is a good game. Very hard to learn and remember how to play.
Another Great list John! Still loving Fields of Arle still waiting on the expansion. Regarding Sabika I like the game however I had to sell. The first main board came torn at the seams. The second came damaged and the third I could see the wear at the seams again. I had to just sell the game due poor design. It's unfortunate as I really liked the game. Until next time!
My board is best handled gingerly as well. I don’t know if there was just a bad cut or what, but I understand where you are with that. I don’t want mine to have issues, but I thought I was just unlucky. I didn’t know it was a thing!
@@JohnLaRuffa what I noticed the individual sections are large and heavy but the seams holding them together is not strong enough to handle the weight. Even laying the board flat on the table than unfolding was causing wear.
@bankingonmoney8224 yes. I always feel like I need to use kid gloves when unfolding it.
I've been pondering some games on the list, and now I've decided I want them. But of course every FLGS and FRGS is sold out. Oh, well, guess I'll just get through Jaws of the Lion in the meantime :)
That’s the thing. Many of these games have been out for so many years, it might be difficult to find a copy of them…
@@JohnLaRuffa Yeah, some of the smaller companies do a reprint every few years. It's a pain waiting sometimes, but once they find it worth reprinting, it's usually a bigger run.
The bigger companies just abandon their games after a few years though. Looking at you, FFG!
@unspeakableoaf FFG used to be my favorite game company 10 years ago by a long shot. Then, Asmodee bought them and it slowly but steadily went way down hill. Now they don’t ever publish anything these days that I am interested in which is a huge shame!
@@JohnLaRuffa I still follow some of the Arkhams, but after a few thousand cards I feel like there's no need for more non-scenario expansions :/
@unspeakableoaf Agreed! I have plenty of that content to last a lifetime!
the games I enjoy the most are the high interactive ones
I would think you would like my choice for Top 10 Tactical games then since many of those are very interactive.
@@JohnLaRuffa yes I enjoyed. solo games are a plus for me. When I play with people I prefer to have interactions. that is what I meant.
Thanks for a great Video John. After Agricola i told myself: No Fields of Arle? but then you resolved this for me :) A question on Mindclash games. I noticed Trickerion is not here, is it due to the dice factor? or something else?
Trickerion is a good game, but I have not played it in years. That is why it doesn’t make my Top 10. I do like it, but it is hard to keep all of the rules in mind and that is why I have not picked it up in a while. On a design side though, I do think it falls a little short of being a Top 10 game. It’s still good, but I never had the feelings of joy while playing it as I do with the games on this list.
@@JohnLaRuffa thanks John
Great list! I am surprised to see Spirit Island didn’t make it though. Not enough plays, or just not really a fan?
I like that game a lot but it is a blend of strategy and tactics to the point that it just fell right in the middle.
@@JohnLaRuffa I couldn't agree with you more.
I’m definitely not a fan of that one. Super glad it’s not on this list!!
Thanks John ! Great list. Not many surprises as you have convinced me to buy most of these already. I would have thought there would have been a Lacerda on the list. Maybe Kanban or Weather Machine.
Well, those suck, so...
@@coltonbeatty6117Are you John? Nah, didn't think so. More of a troll...
So in response to to pincao, I have Inventions on my Top 10 Tactical list but both Weather Machine and Kanban EV seem to straddle the line between strategic and tactical which is why I didn’t put them on either list. I really like them both. However, I don’t think they rank higher than the games on this list.
Thanks John. I agree that the line is sometimes hard to judge for games that have both very good strategic and tactical elements.
@@pincao Very good? Pfff...
No7 labeled "gaia" but actually it is Agricola! (good surprise for me bsc this is my fav too). Btw, any reasons that Spirit island and Mageknight are not making it on either strategic for tactical list ?
18 Lilliput is an 18xx game that plays Solo.
I did forget about that one. I have never played it so it skips my memory.
great list, just curious why no single WWII or other war strategy game make it to your top 10. simply there is none in the market that is deserves it or simply not your genre.
It is simply not my genre. Over the years, I have bought and sold several WWII games. They are objectively good, but just don’t resonate with me.
@@JohnLaRuffa fair enough , i havent even played one but for some reason when i think strategy they come to my mind more than types like Agricola. there is i suppose a natural strategy element in war..
A good video. Do you have a Patreon?
Nope. I don’t think I do enough special stuff for something like that. All I do is what I post here on UA-cam and just enjoy the small amount of ad revenue. I feel Iike I would need to make it worth peoples while with special things to have a Patreon and I don’t have time for all of that. Thanks though for asking!
Where is Age of Innovation??
What's with you Lacerda fans?
@@coltonbeatty6117What's that game to do with Lacerda?
I was so close to putting that on this list. It would be my number 11 if I had to rank it. I really love that game!
How on earth almost every game here is still euro?
There are no other strategies in games that are not related to freaking vp?
I was thinking of you when I commented on most of these being Eurogames. That’s just what I like. What can I say? Different strokes for different folks.
Feast for Odin... Viking bingo
Better than the original!
Thx for video - it seems like you really enjoy your euros!
Sure do!