I think the best way to sum this up is that you are overwhelmingly a classic Euro gamer.

Love the video! I also love that the first example was from my pick for Corporate Cardboard. I'm watching you Dan ;)

Interesting video as it puts a light on the variety of games out there. I’ll add another dimension to “memory”: I struggle with engine building games where there is nothing to remind me of my abilities. It’s why I avoid a lot of them, not necessarily that I don’t like them. There are a few out there that kind of point to specific abilities depending on what you do.

He sounds like the perfect addition to my game group. Partly because they all moved, but I agree with all but 3 of these (I love bloat, long games, and lots of text on cards) so I know we would always be able to find plenty of games to play. On roll to resolve, I go so far as to avoid dice entirely if possible. Less than 10% of my games use dice in any way. I especially avoid player elimination. My brother went to a game night once and was eliminated before even taking his first turn. I personally have played more than one game where I played one turn only. The one thing I would add to this list is that I avoid games that are always the same. If there is little to no change from one play to the next I will tire of it after 2 or 3 plays and get rid of it. so now I just don't buy them in the first place and problem solved.

Enjoyed this one very much! You certainly know what you like & don't like. A lot of the things you avoid, I tend to dislike as well so I won't bore you by going thru them one by one :) And from the ‘if I had one wish’ department; I wish some of the other content creators in this space would watch your channel & learn how to be as succinct in making their points & presenting information as you are! In contrast to your own content, there is typically so much drama, meandering, disconnected thought processes, long winded explanations & basically talking just for the sake of talking….it gets extremely tedious at times. The straightforward approach you take is so much more appreciated, so keep up the great work!

Happy to see you mention #15. Star Realms and Onitama are super popular but I can’t get into them.

Great video! I agree with almost all of them! I think the only ones that I disagree with for my own taste is that I'm still enjoying the Unlock! series, but I'm done with the other ones of the same genre. Trick-taking is a genre I love, but I grew up playing Hearts with my family, so I'm always interested to see how designers come up with new ways to use this mechanic. I do love a pure abstract, but I've got enough in my collection, so I'm not getting any more of them either. Same goes for polyomino games. I love the ones I've got, don't need anymore.

My list is almost exactly the same. I even dislike the same themes for the same reasons. The one glaring difference is that I love trick-taking games, but that's only because my lunchtime gaming group at work loves them so I had to get used to them because I really need that stress-relieving break at work. But they aren't otherwise consistent with my gaming personality. And I'm not yet tired of escape room games or polyomino games, but I haven't played many yet.

Totally with you this. A couple of months ago someone taught me Horseless Carriage and it had all these obstacles just intended to add brainburn (polyominos etc) without actually improving the decision space much. It feels like some designers lose track of what it intuitively feels like to have fun in a game, and so instead just present players with an obstacle course. The game mechanisms I dislike most is when it all boils down to the last round(s), making previous rounds redundant. I think Tom Vassel's game Nothing Personal really suffers from that, taking hours but having such ridiculous take-that catch-up stuff that you never want to be doing well. I think his favourite game back then was Cosmic Encounter, which really suffers from that horribly too. I also really hated a mechanism in Manhattan Project where you accumulated loads of air strike power and, when the time comes to make use of it, there was zero incentive to spread it among all players (because they all had threshold defences to overcome) so you instead dump it all on whatever single player and utterly ruin their chances. It'd happen about halfway through the game, making them feel like "what's the point?" for the rest of the game. My favourite game is still Hansa Teutonica, after all these years, because you really get stuck-in and there's tons of "oh no - my route!" style engagement. But I ALWAYS warn new players to at least bung-up the track that levels-up players action allowance, to prevent experienced players milking it and running away with the game.

Spot on!! I agree with you on most points

Thank you for the opinions of what you prefer and don't. I enjoy all sorts of games from Heavy Wargames to Euros. Recent subscriber to the channel by the way:) I enjoy differing opinions on games. I like that your style seems to be Euro-focused. My fiance enjoys that too!

Also, don’t know if you consider crokinole a tabletop game, but it’s one of the best games invented. Granted my other hobby is pocket billiards, and they are similar, but it’s so fun.

This was a great topic - and I look forward to your 'exceptions to your rules' video. Your things to avoid overlap a lot with mine - I 'run for the hills' when the game box is physically too heavy, or when rules or components are too elaborate (I switch off or feel exhausted before engaging). I don't like to hear 'party game' (you may have a higher threshold here), dexterity or high luck element. We differ on 'trick taking' - I like this mechanism, especially when 'quirky' elements add some spice - I recommend checking out recent "Cat in the Box" or older "Sticheln". I was a bit puzzled with your dislike of "pure" abstract game - as you like Caesar! (theme is rather thin) - perhaps pure is something like the GIPF series (e.g. Yinsh)?

Wow, you are on point with things that I like to avoid as well! The only two differing opinions for me are: 1) light worker placement games (for me if they are excellent then they have a place in my collection) and 2) legacy games (I’m picky about these and only invest time in the most excellent for me - Pandemic Season 0 & 1; Near & Far). Other than this two… COMPLETELY agree with you! Enjoying your videos and glad to be a new subscriber to your channel! Keep it up!

Interesting list and looking forward to the upcoming ones. I guess I am less picky. I’m with you regarding bloated games, those with miniatures, and campaign games. Another rule of mine is games with too large boxes compared to the physical content and large boxes in general.

Can you do this video again but give an example of a game in this genre that you don't mind? Maybe a 26 exceptions to the rule?

I appreciate that you did this video though I must say a lot of what you avoid is what attracts me to gaming. It does sound like what is left in modern gaming is largely multiplayer solitaire or low interaction efficiency focused games. In the highly unlikely event we'd find ourselves in a game together, I anticipate we'd only play games where action or resource efficiency along with engine or tableau building is done on a personal player area rather than a common board. Even so,w hat is both great and a bit sad in this large hobby is that there are many games for everyone and no one style of gaming is limited to a few choices. For every niche, there are likely dozens of choices within that niche, but on the other hand that means it is harder to find things in common to play. Unlike a restaurant with a food choice for everyone, gaming involves people coming to a common game to compete or cooperate in and in some of my groups, I find that this plethora of choice actually means a harder time agreeing on a game. That being said, I'm interested in seeing the positive list and any exceptions that made it.

Agree with pretty much every rules you laid down some are stronger for me some i can bend from time to time or accept in light form but really close one 👍

Good suggestions to think or to avoid before buying a game. Some of them I'm totally agree in others not so much because at the end it depends of the taste of each person. But in genereal we share similars interest in boardgame.

I agree with this list. You tend to love heavier games, for example barrage, is that not too long for your taste of playtime less than 2 hours? Love your reviews, they encourage me to look for games that are really good and not only the new hotness.

I 100% agree with this list. My exceptions to the rules: Legacy games: you said they have bad writing and ai agree with you except Pandemic Legacy made me feel like I was watching a TV show drama so the writing worked for that style... Escape room games: Time stories 1st scenarion rocked! Dueling games: Star Realms is pretty great...

I agree with your list, except for: 6. Real time - I enjoy some short intense games with timer like Mutant Meeples 7. Dexterity Games - I don't play them often, but I find Bunny Bunny Moose Moose to be absolutely hilarious 8. Rock Paper Scissors - I personally find that combat mechanics based on RPS work great in games like Yomi, Fury of Dracula, Middle Earth Quest, etc. 12. Polyominos - I don't think I want to play them often but I do own Kingdom Rush: Rift in Time and it's pretty fun 14. Multiple game modes - I agree here, except for Mage Knight. I enjoy playing it almost any possible way :) 15. Back-and-forth gameplay - I love playing Puzzle Strike! The closer you are to lose, the more powerful you become 16. Pure abstract - I usually don't play abstract games, but I really enjoy Tash-Kalar, Paco Sako and Mutant Meeples 17. Reliance on memory - I don't mind long term memory reliance (where during the game you remember cards that can come out), but I will most likely avoid short term memory games like what happened 10 minutes ago. 18. I love longer games :) 21. Scenarios - I agree except for Mage Knight :) 23. Dueling games - I agree in most cases, but Codex is such a great game 25. Deck construction - I love deck construction, and I've tried many games, but I feel they are rarely balanced. Would love to collect one had I found a good one.

I agree with most of these on your list. I call it "a line." There are certain things I don't want in my game. Am I saying they're bad, no I'm sure they are fine. I'm just not interested in them. This is a good list. This why I watch your videos, your taste in games are inline with mine.

Any game with that cartoony/Disney-esque art work.

If you saw my Kallax shelves you would see that you and I are nearly identical in taste 1:1. My neck is sore from all of the nodding as you went through your list, the only exception is that I enjoy dexterity and a couple of trick taking games, but the other 24 categories I don't care for.

Regarding your comment on paper rock scissors and take that, I wonder what's your opinion Tiefe Taschen. On text heavy cards, I think El Grande has this exact problem with taking a time to read all of the cards every round.

Love the tan! 😍

You've almost described me. But i do play 2p games a lot

What, if anything, is left as acceptable options??

Almost a 100% coincidence with your list. My only difference is science fiction, which really appeals to me, and I would replace with historical colonialism themes. Great list!

This is about 90% me as well. I enjoy campaign/legacy games tough and would replace for themes around colonialism or strong presence of exploitation. Really enjoyed this video. Tks

Wow, I agree with every single one of these on your list. Do you have a top 100 list so I can make sure I have all those games, looks like we have the exact same taste.

I also avoid player elimination and real time games. I do enjoy dexterity games however.

Wow. I'm pretty much in the same line. In fact, I started looking for European reviewers channels -and that's how I found this one. Because much of the American reviewers are full of ameritrash, or Intellectual properties (specially Marvel and Star wars, wich I have not the minimum interest of). And I see that reviewers here in Europe are more in line with the kind of games I like. Anyway, nice video.

I was once like you... no minis, no LCGs. You forgot the true legacy games, true as in permanent disfigurement of the components. I tried a few legacy games, escape and AEL. I felt really bad afterwards. Not for me. I tried a few miniature only games (without standees), and it cost me months painting them and $100 in paint alone. I just do it because the PVC looks appalling. The games after painting are usually just meh. I painted Direwild, Adrimon, Jagged Alliance, Zerywia, and Aftermath. Not fun. But the biggest gripe I have vs minis is that they can break, and when they do there’s no way to replace them. I had one Zerywia hero with a broken arm, and in Aftermath some tip broke off . I could repair the tip but not the witch. Zerywia is roll to resolve but there’s massive mitigation, as in Jagged Alliance, but in general I prefer die allocation. Another big Nono is 7+ game modules. Examples are Taverns and Onirim. The designer should have figured out for me what the best way to play is. If he doesn’t know how the hell am I supposed to figure it out? Games without a sensible true solo are a Nono.

So, that basically covers every type of game, this would've been shorter if you had just told us about the one thing you do like :)

Out of the loads of KZfaqrs, I think that you link the best with my tastes. But, I do like a lot of what you outlined here. Like space (pulsar 2849), roll to resolve (Stone Age), abstracts (Shobu), and tug of war (7wd). But I agree with highly asymmetrical games (root), TCG, and miniatures; all those are garbage. Lol jk but no really.

You have completely opposite tastes of Board Game Bollocks guy based on this list, yet somehow there are some games you both like a lot on your top 100 (El Grande, Las Vegas for example), which I find interesting. You could maybe try Cyclades, which was their top 1, even though there's some dice rolling in it, I think some of the mechanics you'd find interesting. At least for me you guys both have very interesting recommendations.

I avoid Demons Deck Construction Dueling Miniatures Chuhutlu Legacy Campaigns Co-op witchcraft player eliminations bidding (as the main thing)

Could mostly be my own list except the trading card game stuff. Also missing solo gaming, what I dont care for

I am largely in agreement with many of your reservations, with the exception of Sci-fi/horror themes, minis, sub 2 hour duration, lighter worker placement titles. Absolutely agree with regard to legacy games. A very popular genre right now, but no interest to me. I want to resolve a game in one session and be done. Take-that really doesn't encourage people into the hobby and this, along with player elimination, is a very Marmite quality in any game.

I see Troyes is in your collection. Would that be an exception to your 'take-that' kind of game?

Well said, i like your videos, and i would be happy if you upgrade your microphone

Could you do a 26 things you look for in games?

i avoid -generic themes of fantasy -mechanics with no tie in to the theme -bad art -realtime games -trick taking games -table hogs

Would risk and axis and allies be roll to resolve?

I hate almost every engine builder. It ends up being a very solitary experience and everyone has to wait for each person to run their engine. Boring.

For me it's the bloat. When I see the game has more than 2 expansions I cross it off. I don't have the money, don't have to space, don't have the time for that. I'd rather have several 'smaller' games to play than one bloated one.

I share a lot of these..

Do you like Battle Line? What about Arboretum?

zamn i agree with 19 of these points. point 22 is an instant avoid for me

you feel like worker placement has been overdone... what about deckbuilding?

So what we see there is your entire collection

I concur to most of these; maybe 75% or so. To add one criteria of mine: - games where player count start from one. This usually implies that there is minimal player interaction (there are some exceptions). I just love games with strong player interaction ; whether it is mean or not. Games where you separately try to score as high as you can and after two hours of gaming compare scores won’t work for me.

Pretty much disagree with all of them lol...

I avoid Stegmaier games ;-)