Top 10 Theme-tastic Games

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Күн бұрын

Join Tom, Sam, and Zee and they discuss some games that really inhabit and utilize their themes!
00:00 - Introduction
02:15 - Sam’s #10
04:00 - Tom’s #10
05:00 - Zee’s #10
06:31 - Tom’s #9
08:26 - Zee’s #9
09:48 - Sam’s #9
11:12 - Zee’s #8
13:22 - Sam’s #8
14:51 - Tom’s #8
15:58 - Zee’s #7
17:32 - Tom’s #7
18:56 - Sam’s #7
20:40 - Tom’s #6
21:39 - Sam’s #6
24:17 - Zee’s #6
26:05 - Sam’s #5
28:54 - Zee’s #5
30:47 - Tom’s #5
31:46 - Sam’s #4
33:24 - Tom’s #4
34:50 - Zee’s #4
36:48 - Tom’s #3
38:23 - Zee’s #3
40:13 - Sam’s #3
42:57 - Zee’s #2
44:39 - Sam’s #2
46:33 - Tom’s #2
48:53 - Zee’s #1
50:48 - Sam’s #1
53:01 - Tom’s #1
Buy great games at www.gamenerdz.com/
Find more reviews and videos at www.dicetower.com
BGG Link: boardgamegeek.com/boardgamede...

Пікірлер: 309

@TheOldMan-75 6 жыл бұрын

Those videos are so much more comfortable to watch in this natural and green setting than they were in the (probably windowless) gaming room. It just feels lively and more uplifting.

@mgk2020 6 жыл бұрын

Agreed.

@kennethsollenberger7937 6 жыл бұрын

I also agree, but I miss getting distracted by the game shelf. ADD needs more than just trees.

@Jonathan12111 6 жыл бұрын

Hitchslapped it is indeed a huge improvement and a a great 'selling point' of these videos compared to videos of most other reviewers

@shadowtheory7500 6 жыл бұрын

+Kenneth Sollenberger Like butterflies! Everyone loves butterflies!

@TheOldMan-75 6 жыл бұрын

I actually don't like butterflies. They are just glorified moths.

@nobodynowhere21 6 жыл бұрын

No love for War of the Ring on a top 10 THEME list from ANYONE?! Not even an honorable mention!? I feel about as horrified and betrayed as Elrond must have when Isildur refused to throw the ring into Mt Doom! Me: "Cast it into the ! it!" Tom: (Entranced with his . Then, with menace and a slight smile whispers): "NO." Me: (Shouting, with disbelief and dismay): "TOOOOOOoooooooM!!!"

@Thesteadfast 5 жыл бұрын

Maybe they are keeping their secrets.

@angelafortunato3866 3 жыл бұрын

Love the backdrop of this Top 10!

@LiterallyUnplayable 5 жыл бұрын

How can I clip where Sam says TIME stories is high thematic and post it to their top 10 themeless games lol

@rc7771 6 жыл бұрын

You guys need to do a list: Top 10 games we've never mentioned in any other list :)

@mrskwid1 6 жыл бұрын

rc7771 that would be a good top ten list and after that they can do top ten top ten lists

@Patronux 6 жыл бұрын

Actually, that's a very clever idea for a top10 list

@farchamb 6 жыл бұрын

rc7771 agree! Sam put always the same 25 games in these Top10...

@MrTravolta7 6 жыл бұрын

I agree. In fact these Top 10 lists are starting to be very predictive. There are games on the Top 100 on BGG much more themed but because those are not their favorite games, they will never be on any Top 10 list. It would be a good ideia to talk about those games.

@calebmuir1250 6 жыл бұрын

same 25 in the top 10....hmmmm

@chrisfong8929 6 жыл бұрын

This episode had me laughing out loud a few times. The chemistry between you three is very natural and fun.

@JackB717 6 жыл бұрын

Seafall... it takes so long to play you actually feel like you're on a slow boat trying to make it back to land...

@nathanielpercell5238 6 жыл бұрын

Sam, I backed Commissioned after seeing a video you did about it. I got a chance to try it with my parents (my dad is a preacher), and a couple other friends. We had a great time and ended up winning on our last possible action. It exceeded my expectations. Thanks for the recommendation.

@jesielhiten 6 жыл бұрын

Nathaniel Percell this is a very nice game indeed!

@paulsaxberg6399 6 жыл бұрын

I have been curious to play a good religiously themed game, it seems like there are so many out there where they've gotten their message across but didn't put the same effort into game mechanics. So Commissioned has moved onto my want-to-play list... thanks for the recommendation.

@asultuous 5 жыл бұрын

i love this natural green background - it makes you guys stand out from other channels and just feels warm and inviting - but you guys already are such a pleasure to watch

@tonkabeanicecream5698 6 жыл бұрын

Captain Sonar as a restaurant theme, one chef, one sous chef, one cook, one waiter and one person to go get food?

@brotherbisquick 3 жыл бұрын

"They all died." (literally immediately) "Good." Zee is the greatest.

@sldu89 6 жыл бұрын

"This is the top 10, not the podcast, you need to listen, Okay?" ... "No, man. I'm just helping him out. Buddy, hey, you got to listen to us, we are not Eric Summerer." ... "Love you, Eric!" Zee always crack me up! XD

@Overglock 6 жыл бұрын

Betrayal at House on the Hill has a great B-movie theme going for it. It's so great, it often leaves you scratching your head and saying, "What? That doesn't make sense," just like a lot of actual B-movies!

@dorpth 5 жыл бұрын

I guess in the sense that 95% of the time, b-movies are terrible. In that case Betrayal perfectly captures it!

@jeromedemeyere1002 6 жыл бұрын

You can slap any theme on mission red planet. You could make it about kids going to school on school busses and take the best seats in class.

@Artrean 6 жыл бұрын

Agreed. I enjoy the game a lot, but thematic? Nope. Any other theme could be slapped on there. And most mechanics don't connect with the theme specifically.

@HeadCannonPrime 6 жыл бұрын

Yeah I agree. I love the game, but its not super thematic. The these is great however.

@christophervincent5720 6 жыл бұрын

Great top 10 list guys! Always love the top 10 lists, but this one is thematically fantastic!

@Morpher251 6 жыл бұрын

So glad you put Millennium Blades. Its super theme. My most played game in my small collection.

@brandogameworks 6 жыл бұрын

Zee: "They would be feasting on a great man" Best roast ever.

@benjaminspears8488 6 жыл бұрын

🤣37:17 Zee starts singing The Phantom Menace soundtrack. I just love the way these guys all play off of each other.

@thediceodyssey4690 6 жыл бұрын

So glad this one was posted just today cause it prepares me for our game night tonight! Tom's number 3 had me cracking up so hard!

@Mentat1231 5 жыл бұрын

T.I.M.E. Stories is one of Sam's Theme-tastic games, eh? I'm pretty sure it's also one of his Themeless games on a different list.... Crazy man.

@jamescameron1337 6 жыл бұрын

Honestly, this could be the best top 10 list you guys have done yet.... I'm particularly impressed with Zee's picks, as he's known to be more of an abstract player. Lots of very interesting games are mentioned that may well deserve a second look ('Hit Z Road'?!?) -- so my hat's off to the Dice Tower crew, nice job on this one! Two Cthulhu-esque tentacles up!

@leonard8510 6 жыл бұрын

One of the best Top-Tens in a while. Lots of good discussion and several games that don't get mentioned much otherwise.

@Rm4OneMore 6 жыл бұрын

I really like Sam & Zee's #1 picks. Despite being a fun game, Dead Men Tell No Tales needs some love. Plus, who doesn't love Fury of Dracula 3rd Ed.

@Bames007Jond 6 жыл бұрын

I definitely agree with Commissioned. Good pick Sam. Great theme in this game and so fun to play.

@DrewVogel069 6 жыл бұрын

I think MICE AND MYSTICS and DEAD OF WINTER all inhabit their themes really, really well.

@chrolka6255 6 жыл бұрын

I was really surprised Dead of Winter was not included here.

@kruskisking2062 6 жыл бұрын

I love the theme in Bottom of the 9th. I realize that baseball isn't necessarily appealing to most of the world, but the theme really lifts the game.

@headphonecatty 6 жыл бұрын

I think Viticulture is pretty thematic to wine-making and a fantastic game imo.

@DavidFeldman01 6 жыл бұрын

I think this would be at the top of my list, it just works so well for me because of the theme.

@MasterdoMagic 6 жыл бұрын

Spirit Island is a game that I've played 3 times this week so far, and it's surprisingly thematic through and through. Nothing pasted on, the theme is so well integrated with the mechanics, you can even consider it all the way to decision making. If you choose powers and actions that feel amazing and are thematic synergies, it will almost always be good actions. We won all 3 games on the turn we wouldn't be able to handle the invader turns, and everyone during the end game discussion/wind down pointed out the fun and thematic stuff our characters did. Love this game!

@ChristopherParkThomas 6 жыл бұрын

Vast: The Crystal Caverns is highly thematic. Each role you can play (knight, goblins, dragon, cave, thief, etc.) has a unique set of rules/mechanics + victory condition designed specifically to capture the theme/story for that role.

@Gauravonomics 2 жыл бұрын

This list reminds me that theme in board games has come a long way in the last five years.

@MSRLE63 6 жыл бұрын

The Networks game could have had a place on this list in my opinion. Thanks Dice Tower, keep up the great work!

@VinegarAndSaltedFries 6 жыл бұрын

Raptor in my opinion has amazing Theme.

@pixxelwizzard 6 жыл бұрын

Captain Sonar would make an excellent Star Trek game, imo.

@NotTheStinkyCheese 6 жыл бұрын

actually there is a star ship themed variant. Space Alert : www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/38453/space-alert Although unlike Captain Sonar it isn't team vs team.

@pipscott 6 жыл бұрын

This was a great top ten! You guys are hilarious.

@jvomkrieg 6 жыл бұрын

Great lists, much to agree with here. My personal top 10 games I own for theme. Arkham Horror LCG 10. Dead of Winter 9. Churchill 8. Star Wars Rebellion 7. Arkham Horror LCG 6. Agents of Smersh 5. War of the Ring 4. Battlestar Galactica 3. Android - Original not netrunner 2. Mansions of Madness 2.0 1. This War of Mine

@hardyworld 6 жыл бұрын

War of the Ring deserves to be on at least one of their lists (maybe not top 5, but definitely top 10). I'll chalk that up to personal game preferences and not how well the theme is experienced in the game's gameplay. I do appreciate the great variety of themes they all used in their lists.

@TheBrothersMurph 6 жыл бұрын

We came here to say this exact thing! War of the Ring! It's Lord of the Rings in a box, I'm surprised Tom didn't put it on his list

@davisthompson2614 6 жыл бұрын

Ditto. Needed to be on this list somewhere.

@hairbrainedgames3127 6 жыл бұрын

I agree. I mentioned on BGG that very same thing. It is truly Lord of the Rings in a box. You guys should pretend you found it in a thrift store and do a segment on it. ;)

@wh3elson 6 жыл бұрын

Probably because it is too heavy for them, it is quite a long game at around 2 -4 hours

@TheBrothersMurph 6 жыл бұрын

Lol one of us will do a plant, and the other will come in 30 minutes later and "lo and behold!! War of the Ring at a Thrift Store!"

@dudemistah94 3 жыл бұрын

I miss this backdrop

@Epicfailgaming001 6 жыл бұрын

When Tom said it's his Cthulhu game I thought it was a no-brainer it was Mansions of Madness 2nd edition. I laughed when Sam mentioned it. Good times.

@Drewkas0 6 жыл бұрын

Great and useful list! Thanks, guys!One game that definitely deserves to be included is the highly thematic, and well made, pirate game, Merchants and Marauders.

@boardjamesgeek 6 жыл бұрын

Yes Zee! During the first part of the video I thought of Dead Men Tell No Tales. So glad it is getting some time in the spotlight. Such a good game. Basically a pandemic and ghost story killer for me.

@Teddy270880 6 жыл бұрын

I agree with quite a lot of your picks. I think you really missed one though and I kept waiting for it all of the time: Mice and Mystics. Could hardly think of a game which is more thematic and immersive. It just shines with its rich story, adorable characters and overall stunningly beautiful artwork.

@primetime34 6 жыл бұрын

I definitely think War of the Ring would be number 1 on my list...good selections though.

@maltebrigge 6 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised Zee didn't mention Atlantis Rising. I can't imagine any other theme working with that system. K2 is another game I feel absolutely relies on its theme and brings that theme out incredibly well.

@bushibayushi 6 жыл бұрын

War od the Ring - theme and mechanics are inseparable

@DocHollidayGames 6 жыл бұрын

I'm not a religious person myself, but I was pleasantly surprised by Commissioned. I really enjoyed that game.

@HALOX30 6 жыл бұрын

Sam is right about the Star Wars theme tho....

@bikashlamah 6 жыл бұрын

Just finished watching the "Top 10 Games These Two Jokers Don't Appreciate" episode, loved the interaction in between the guys. It got me thinking; each top 10 episode consists of Sam, Tom and Zee presenting their own top 10 and commenting on the others. Would it not be awesome if they made one top 10 TOGETHER? I would love seeing them squabble over it and see what they come up with!

@Boomerang161286 4 жыл бұрын

That's what they did in the beginning, up until mid-2013... those were not as good as the present format

@TheDrownedEarth 6 жыл бұрын

V-commandos feels like the board game of When Eagles Dare. Great choice.

@jari-pekkasuuronen2462 6 жыл бұрын

A bit surprised nobody mentioned Alchemists here, especially Tom who likes the game. Every single detail in the game is explainable by it's theme, even the rules have been written in such way you get sucked into this strange world of alchemy. Only thing that breaks the illusion a tiny bit is the use of a cell phone, but on the other hand it's probably the only way you could smoothly make a game like this. You still get the feeling of mixing potions though, and it kind of opens up a new dimension to board games - which I would be happy to see used more.

@GioiaFede 6 жыл бұрын

time stories tho!!! yassss robinson crusoe too..we've played a handful of times (it's a little bit of an intricate game) and we've played with jenny a couple of times and i would recommend to, it's cool. i agree on photosynthesis too, even though i'm still waiting to get it in the mail. i got it for my sis in law and to her theme is very important and catchy in a game, i can't wait. i got pandemic legacy 1 for my friends to play together like one year ago and we still need to sit there and actually play..cause we never feel like we're good enough, but i really want to! also i'd mention dominant species, am i right?

@DieNische 6 жыл бұрын

Secrets of the lost tomb oozes with theme. Do not forget to check out Secrets of the lost station at Gen Con and on KS.

@dancheston5786 6 жыл бұрын

Tough category! Off the top of my head, I'd go with Betrayal at House on the Hill, Apex Theropod, and Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective.

@Hieronymus-Pseudonymous 6 жыл бұрын

41:33 Did Sam mean Scotland Yard? On the Underground is about a lazy passenger - I don't think it's hidden-movement.

@paulorego9334 6 жыл бұрын

Battlestar Galactica got me into board gaming - Incredible game.

@jimalexander687 6 жыл бұрын

"Homeland" is extremely thematic.

@joshuascott5814 5 жыл бұрын

I haven’t played that many games, but as a huge Lord of the Rings fan I have to say “War of the Ring” is phenomenally themed. Practically everything about it is steeped in the lore and has a basis in the story, and the more you know (eg reading the appendices that give more back story and tell other things that went on that we don’t see in the main story) the stronger it gets.

@bwah9481 2 жыл бұрын

I love the background

@steveptacek2520 6 жыл бұрын

Great show.... I thought Dead of Winter would be on the list

@nicksims2827 6 жыл бұрын

Can't believe Zee's not played Burgle Bros - it's different to Pandemic, but has great tension, lots of different characters to play and a really strong (and cool) theme. If you like Pandemic, definitely give it a go

@heylittlerobby13 6 жыл бұрын

Please do a Top 10 Wild West themed games and Top 10 Historical games!

@davidpeterson5179 6 жыл бұрын

Great choices I love Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars Rebellion and Queen's Gambit

@blind_surgeon Жыл бұрын

This was by far, the best backdrop they used in their videos

@ColinMcElhatton 6 жыл бұрын

Ended up buying Dice Town, watched Sam's review and i thought it would be a great game to play with family.

@timstackii 6 жыл бұрын

I totally agree on Star Wars Rebellion ... I also call it Star Wars in a Box!

@thecaryou 6 жыл бұрын

Is it just me or do a lot of co-op or semi co-op (one vs many) have strong themes or are thematic games? I mean there where a decent amount among there lists.

@danbradshaw2223 6 жыл бұрын

Chaos In The Old World drips with theme. And oozes.

@jeffr.1681 6 жыл бұрын

So has Captain Sonar pretty much completely obsoleted Space Alert!? Was a little surprised not to see it mentioned...

@nandezification 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve watched many of these top tens and for some reason I’m starting to get a suspicion of the crossovers surprisingly coinciding when we thought they wouldn’t come up. Anyone else getting a funky feeling?

@ichifish 6 жыл бұрын

Tales of the Arabian Nights has a solid theme. A lot of the best choices come out of the cultural perspective of the Arabian world in the source fiction (like punishing insolent beggars). Once while playing with a friend he was cast into a pit of bodies during a funerary rite for his wife. Looking at the list of choices, he chose "wait," saying "I've read Tales of the Arabian Nights. That's what I should do." Sure enough, it was the best choice.

@pixxelwizzard 6 жыл бұрын

How did Doomtown Reloaded not make this list? Colt Express and Dice Town over Doomtown? Maybe I'm just partial because I think that is such an underrated game.

@bramdelorijn8460 6 жыл бұрын

Was hoping someone would mention Evolution, great game and very thematic.

@wroot_lt 6 жыл бұрын

You are TRYING to rescue all the people :D

@TheTsuha 6 жыл бұрын

what game that they are trying not to say when they are talking about galactica? #curious

@guilhermebelmonte1 6 жыл бұрын

Dice town could be easy rethemed with a las vegas theme

@RaphaelCarmo 6 жыл бұрын

future, post apocaliptic, fantasy...a lot of themes

@RadeTcg 6 жыл бұрын

Or a mafia theme ? Game really isn't thematic at all

@tucson111 6 жыл бұрын

guilhermebelmonte1 i

@SharlzG 6 жыл бұрын

Dang it. Everytime you mention Queens Gambit, my heart breaks a little #jealous

@SP_Rocks1408 6 жыл бұрын

A bit surprised Tom didn't include The Pursuit of Happiness on his list considering how much he praised the theme in his review.

@KabukiKid 6 жыл бұрын

Same logic Tom gave for Flying Frog games of playing cooperative applies to Fortune & Glory too. Nice and thematic game... just be sure to play the cooperative game. ;-)

@joshroberts8278 6 жыл бұрын

I was surprised that Legendary Encounters Aliens didn't make Zee's list

@sebastiendeschamps3258 6 жыл бұрын

What? Stronghold 2nd edition as not been mentioned?!! For me it's my best themed game. You feel like attacking/defending Helm's deep in Lord of the ring. The theme is so important in this game. If you wanna feel like beeing in the Middle age, attacking/defending a stronghold, it's the one to get. That beeing said, nice video guys. There is some of them i can't wait to try now.

@ravenzeal4848 6 жыл бұрын

I think Sushi Go! uses it's mechanics to perfectly reinforce it's theme and the theme there is so good that it's become my end all drafting game.

@MarcusOfLycia 6 жыл бұрын

I read the title card as "Top 1 Theme-tastic Games" at first and wondered why the video was almost an hour long.

@stuartshannon8561 5 жыл бұрын

where can one buy V-Commandos?

@asaskald 6 жыл бұрын

Android Netrunner. Every time I play, I feel like I'm actually the role that I'm playing as.

@Jonathan12111 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Sam, Tom and Zee. The world of board games has a strong cult of the new. I would really like to see a top 10 of great retro, nostalgic games from the eighties/nineties or even older (not the plain classic games like chess or poker, but innovative ideas, fun concepts from that time)

@richardshort2001 6 жыл бұрын

There is a reason for that though. Modern board games have legitimately gotten better. This is coming from someone who has fond memories of monsters like Advanced Civilization, who still loves Blood Bowl and Space Hulk, and whose sister bought him a copy of the old mass produced roll and move game "Go For Broke" cause it was one of my favorites as a kid.

@KabukiKid 6 жыл бұрын

Was expecting War of the Ring somewhere. Interesting.

@Killer62Joe 6 жыл бұрын

From my collection, my top 10 theme-tastic games are: 1) Elder Sign 2) Eldritch Horror 3) Arkham Horror: The Card Game 4) Defenders of the Realm 5) Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu 6) Flash Point: Fire Rescue 7) Talisman 8) Mansions of Madness 2nd. Edition 9) Pathfinder Adventure Card Game 10) D & D: Castle Ravenloft the board game

@akmalfikri 6 жыл бұрын

Was actually waiting for Sam to say Twilight Imperium.

@lucasstewart6701 3 жыл бұрын

Sam: Time Stories has a pasted-on theme. That there are so many possible in the game is proof of that! Also Sam: Time Stories is a highly thematic game. It's thematic regardless of where you are!

@colcakes196 6 жыл бұрын

I totally thought Tom would say Carson City. I can't explain any part of that game without thematic integration! Good lists though!

@Andromedax01 6 жыл бұрын

Gaius Baltar's my favorite character !

@olafbuddenberg4787 6 жыл бұрын

Some choices I have found a little bit weird. But enjoyable overall.

@knivesthec10wn 6 жыл бұрын

Can you guys do a top ten competitive/tournament list?

@Trevin_Taylor 6 жыл бұрын

knivesthec10wn they don't play competitive. Also, the competitive circuit is virtually all CCGs.

@jvomkrieg 6 жыл бұрын

And miniature games. Although CCG's are the king for sure.

@Acenchious 2 жыл бұрын

Me just realising that Sam thinks TIME Stories is both Theme-tastic and Themeless at the same time 😮

@chrishartley4318 6 жыл бұрын

Firefly Board Game surely.

@KSweeney36 6 жыл бұрын

What about X-Wing?

@trevdavies 6 жыл бұрын

I guess Captain Sonar would easily convert to a space craft theme. Therefore although thematic, can easiliy be ported to a different theme

@mgk2020 6 жыл бұрын

The safe cracking mechanism in Burgle Bros isn't thematic, at all; otherwise, a solid choice.

@porkrollpiper 6 жыл бұрын

10:22 I'll have a mcmechanism with a large fries. 😝

@blakecurry3880 6 жыл бұрын

I love Eldritch Horror, but if we're going for Lovecraft I would say Mansions of Madness 2nd edition hits the theme better. Especially with the ambient sounds of the app blaring through your bluetooth speakers.