Top Ten Favorite Games of 2024

Each December, I post my “Way Too Early” list of favorite games that I’ve played that year. I play a lot of new games, especially during convention times, but even then, I cannot possibly play even a small percentage of the hundreds and hundreds of games that come out each year. By the end of each year, I make the list, then in the summer, I re-visit that list to see what really makes my favorite games.

This year, there were at least a half-dozen amazing strategy games that I really enjoyed, some of which I even bought for my own collection despite the fact that other gamers in our game group already have them. That’s a little unusual for me, but the biggest hits of this year are the games that I think I will keep playing even with other groups.

But it was also a great year for small box, family weight games. I could easily put together another list of 6-10 games that are easy to teach to families and will stick around in my gaming bag for years to come.

But enough blather, let’s get to the list:

10. Unmatched: Slings & Arrows (Restoration Games)

Restoration Games does it again! My favorite skirmish game of all time is Unmatched, and the new Shakespeare themed set has taken the place of Cobble & Fog as my current favorite set (at least up until its release, hint, hint). There are some really unique decks in this standalone expansion, but my favorite is probably The Bard himself. I love trying to get the bonuses for using iambic pentameter.

9. Creature Caravan (Red Raven Games)

This one was a complete surprise to me. Sure, if you follow this blog, you know that we have long had Red Raven Games on our top publisher lists, one of those publishers that we are always looking out for their latest releases. But I frankly wasn’t even interested enough to back this one on the crowdfunding page. Yet, when Envoy sent me a copy, I tried it out, and immediately was hooked on the very first play. I’ve played it at least a half-dozen times or more since then and I absolutely love the chase. Chasing those combos, sifting through dozens of cards, trying to maximize the points on every turn, that’s the thrill. And the artwork doesn’t hurt.

8. Captain Flip (PlayPunk)

If I track in person games, this is definitely in my top three of the year Captain Flip is exactly what I want in a light game — I can teach this to any family member in a minute, the game never outstays its welcome, it’s different based on the map you use, and even as light as it is, it has a cool push-your-luck element that appeals to every gamer. I want more Captain Flip!

7. Fromage (R2I)

Another surprise for me. I had zero interest in this game, but the first play hooked me. There’s something about that delicious internal struggle of deciding exactly how strong of an action you want this turn, knowing that the stronger it is, the longer you have to wait to get your meeple back. It’s a brilliant concept, and the breeziness of the gameplay due to the simultaneous play is another winner. Is it multiplayer solitaire? Are you saying that’s a bad thing?

6. River Valley Glassworks (Allplay)

I’ve been wrong before about something being a “game-killer”, but this time, I think I mean it. River Valley Glassworks easily replaces Azul in my collection. It gives me the same feels, yet I love the theme, I love the pieces of glass, and I love the tension in trying to chase down that one last piece that I need this game for this certain strategy. Okay, to be fair, I still love Crystal Gardens more, but River Valley Glassworks is a keeper.

5. Flip 7 (The OP)

If you went to a convention and played a game with me, there’s a pretty substantial chance that it was Flip 7. I love this game. I’m still playing it regularly on BGA, and I will play it a dozen times or more this upcoming holiday season. It’s easy to bring around, you can teach it in three seconds (and in fact, most of the rules can be taught while playing), and most people enjoy it. Is it light? Dependent upon luck? Suffers from the “look at me, I’m so good cause I flipped a card” thing? Sure, because it is just like a lot of the card games you played as a kid BUT better. There are some small strategy decisions that you have to make, and just like Can’t Stop, you have to play the percentages until sometimes you just play what’s in your gut. And then everyone laughs or groans.

4. Duck & Cover (Captain Games)

If I were honest, this would have been listed as favorite game of the year. But I’m not honest, I’m a pretentious reviewer who has to maintain the credibility that Euro games are always my favorite games and almost always make up my favorite game of the year. Box me into a confessional, and I will tell you that I’ve played more Duck & Cover than any other game this year. It reminds me of childhood gaming in the back of the camper with my family, whiling away the long hours of road travel with endless games of Uno or Pit or Rack-O. Wait, did I say all that out loud?

3. Rock Hard 1977 (Devir)

And now, we get to the top three games, which I will spoil for you are all euro-style strategy games. For some reason, all three of these games are highly thematic, at least to my sensibilities, but Rock Hard 1977 takes the prize as most thematic euro of this list. I really feel like I’m competing with other players to put together a great band, shirk my work duties unless I really have to do them, scrounge up the time and money to promote the band, get better gigs, and get into the studio. All of it works, even if the candy thing is a little loose, and I can definitely see playing this one again in 2026 and beyond.

2. SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (CGE)

Both Rock Hard 1977 and SETI have been duking it out for top spot all year. Again, SETI is way more thematic than it has any right to be. Sure, it’s a straight-line tableau builder, with multi-use cards. We’ve seen that before. But you add in the spatial element of the solar system, the way you try to reach out to the planets and planetoids, and the little thematic touches in the production, and you’ve got a great game. But spice it up with two random aliens each game? Now that’s a classic.

1. Shackleton Base: A Journey To The Moon (Sorry We Are French? / Pandasaurus)

What a surprise! I didn’t even have this one on my way too early list, but only because it was pretty tough to get here in the States after Essen. Once it made it to our shores, I tried it at SoBo and was a little confused at first. Then in the last part of the game, something clicked. I tracked down my own copy, and I’ve been playing it a ton ever since. It might be the least thematic of the three big hitters, but only if you ignore the corporations. There is something about the interplay between the corporations, and the mechanical sensibilities they bring, that brings this game some much needed thematic benefits. But it’s not the theme that drives me — I love the engine building, the puzzle of the three corporations, and the really, really tough decisions that we face on both the player boards and the moon base. I’ve played it a half-dozen times and I’ve yet to discover everything.

So that’s a look at my top ten favorite games of 2024. I only played 144 games that came out last year, so I’m sure I left off some good ones. If I had played Unconscious Mind, for instance, more than just one time, it would probably have jumped up. And for sure, I seriously considered Rebel Princess and Bomb Busters as both were favorite experiences during the year.

Until next time, laissez les bon temps rouler!

— BJ from Board Game Gumbo

** Some of the games listed above were provided by the publisher as complimentary copies. **