Top 50 Board Games of 2018 - 5 to 1

#5 Europe Engulfed (2003)
Synopsis
Europe Engulfed, a game about World War Two for 2-3 players focusing on the European theatre of operations.   For a lot of people, me included, Europe Engulfed is a step up from Axis and Allies. It has a bigger rule book, anti-submarine warfare, political rules and records supply, weather and terrain for troops in the field.   It also has a nifty block system where your opponent can see the number of your blocks but not their strength or composition. This adds a fog of war and limited intelligence aspect to the game.   Europe Engulfed is described as an elegant game and it really is. It was play tested for over 14 years before its release and it shows, there is not an ounce of fat in the rules and really plays well and true to the period.   It also strikes, for me a perfect balance between detail/simulation, playability and length. If you are ready to step up from Axis and Allies, Europe Engulfed is a great first step into heavy games on World War Two.
Number of Players:	2 to 3
Recommended Play Time	720	Minutes
BGG Rating:	7.5	/10.0
BGG Rank:	980	/91 000
Complexity Rating	3.78	/5.00

#4 Beyond Balderdash (1993)
Synopsis
Balderdash, a family classic, is a game where one player (changes each turn) reads the group a question (could be an obscure word, a date, a person etc.) and the players (who generally have no clue to the real answer) will write their own answer and submit it. Once everyone has submitted their answer the player who asks the questions reads out all the submitted answers along with the real answer.   Players then must guess the correct answer but also get points for other players choosing their ‘balderdash’ answers.   It’s a great party game and the cards have been refined and contain silly enough answers that loosen up the crowd pretty quickly. After a few rounds there will be so many good and funny answers it doesn’t matter who is winning! This is also a good game for people who have a problem with lying in games as you don’t know the real answer anyway. It is also not very personal so for a party game it doesn’t require you to be mean to friends and family to win.   Another reason why this one has reached such a lofty position is that it’s so easy to get people to play it with me. I think it’s the fact that it doesn’t have many tactics or mechanics and strategies to get your head around – just your ability to speak balderdash. What I am noticing over the course of this Top #50 is that is something my family really enjoys doing!   There are some great memories (and answers) from playing this game with my family over many years and a lot more to come!
Number of Players:	2 to 6
Recommended Play Time	45	Minutes
BGG Rating:	6.8	/10.0
BGG Rank:	1 106	/91 000
Complexity Rating	1.49	/5.00

#3 A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (2011)
Synopsis
Game of Thrones is a strategy-negotiation game for 3-6 players set in the A Game of Thrones universe. If you know the classic game Diplomacy there are a lot of similarities here.   Whenever I play this with my normal group, it doesn’t go down too well – much too heavy and cutthroat for them. The idea that you can do deals but there is nothing tying you to them, apart from your word, is too much (when you break your word) – and If you keep your word, it doesn’t make for a very engaging game. It is also a bit too heavy on the rules for them as well.   It does have its funny memories though - like my grandfather, whilst playing as Lannister, treating ‘the Mountain’ like rock (in rock, paper, scissors) because “good ole rock, nothing beats that!”   A Game of Thrones also has some balance issues at certain player counts.   Despite all these problems with the game though, it’s really good and just oozes the theme. The mechanisms in this game, everything from supply, to Wildling attacks to juicy negotiation and the art fits the game oh so well. I get a kick out of games that put you in theme of the game (that’s maybe why my interest in euro games is waning) and boy A Game of Thrones makes you feel like the head of one of the major houses.   You don’t even need to be a fan to enjoy it, if it’s your style of game you will love it!   The fact that it is so high on my list and I barely play this game shows you how much I think of the game design. If I am being honest, it’s not even the first game I would pull off the shelf if I was asked to play anything, it’s just here because it’s so satisfying as a whole package – when its good its freaking fantastic!
Number of Players:	3 to 6
Recommended Play Time	240	Minutes
BGG Rating:	7.7	/10.0
BGG Rank:	90	/91 000
Complexity Rating	3.68	/5.00

#2 Formula D (2008)
Synopsis
Formula D is a simple dice rolling racing game for 2 to 10 players.   Formula D is high on luck, chaotic and has a runaway leader problem. Not a great game by many peoples estimation but not to me.   When I was younger, I had a heap of these little micro machine cars. After pushing them around, I wanted to do more with them. I set out an oval circuit (using pens as borders) and got a dice, rolled it and then moved the cars that many inches. For some interest I would also make the red cars one that crashed into people and had a rudimentary damage system as well. I loved it, kept me entertained for hours’ time and again.   When I saw Formula D I saw a game (my game) created and fleshed out! It had it all. The game itself is also easy to play with my group because of the quickness of the game and the simplicity of the objective and the rules. I also play a lot of games solo and enjoy Formula D here as well. With the simplicity of Formula D it allows me to run multiple cars without forgetting too much. I have created leagues, naming the cars from my social circle to see who will be crowned world champion!   It’s a game that I can pull out whenever with whoever and just play it and have a good time.
Number of Players:	2 to 10
Recommended Play Time	60	Minutes
BGG Rating:	7.0	/10.0
BGG Rank:	452	/91 000
Complexity Rating	1.99	/5.00

#1 Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition (2017)
Synopsis
Twilight Imperium is a 4x space opera for 3 to 6 players.   Like putting into words the best qualities of your loved ones, so too it is hard to describe why Twilight Imperium is at my number one spot!   Twilight Imperium is a long, somewhat complicated game which means not many people I know like it or are willing to play it often. But that doesn’t bother me, it never has (just like with Europe Engulfed). I confess that I have probably played Twilight Imperium solo more times than I have played it with others and that’s okay, I have a fantastic time every time I play it.   If I could sum up why this game is so good? It has to be theme. The game makes you feel like you are in this rich universe with all these interesting alien species. Anything you can think of doing as a leader, you can pretty much do. This game lends itself to role playing your species as much as it is a competitive game (which it can be as well). Negotiations are purposeful and can be binding (which is great for some I have played with). Combat is decisive and engages all at the table. You can build or destroy the galaxy together in an evening and have some epic stories to tell.   Some people say that the end is anti-climactic, I tend to agree but that is because you are having a riot the whole time you are playing. People who generally dislike the idea of sitting down for 4+ hours say that this game makes the time go fast. The amount of choices you have are immense and they all fit with the theme so well. The political phase is also a crowning achievement of this game where the galaxy must come together to vote on laws and directives.   Twilight Imperium 4th Edition is refined game design at its best. The game is as vast as the ocean and as deep…as the ocean with a terrific theme. There is only one game I know of on the horizon that *could* knock this bad boy off its perch but otherwise it will be a #1 for some time to come.
Number of Players:	3 to 6
Recommended Play Time	480	Minutes
BGG Rating:	8.8	/10.0
BGG Rank:	15	/91 000
Complexity Rating	4.16	/5.00