The Top 10 Board Games of 2023

2023 hit like a truck. Another year where there are games that I fully expect to make the list, and then they’re ceremoniously jettisoned by late arrivals that are throwing bombs. It’s tough. I want to recognize more titles than this, but 10 is the number.

10. Sky Team

I reviewed this one at Polygon.

Why it Matters – This game demanded my focus right from the get-go. It’s a simple two-player dice game with a strong sense of setting. That’s difficult to accomplish with a game that eschews outright simulation. What really elevates this game is the inclusion of a hefty amount of content. There is a large contingent of scenarios, each using a subset of advanced rules. It keeps the central puzzle of the game unpredictable, and it begs deeper exploration. Fortunately, it’s only 20 minutes so that exploration is actually do-able and not some aspirational dream.

Why it’s not Higher – At my peak interest of this game, it was right in the mix for the top three titles of the year. My admiration hasn’t particularly waned, it’s just that it’s been a pit fight to carve out space on this list. Like most years, there were a very strong slate of titles, and they can’t all occupy that first spot. Many of the other games ahead are heftier and have managed to remain at the forefront of my conscious for longer periods of time.

9. Kinfire Chronicles: Night’s Fall

Why it Matters -This was a late discovery for me. I hadn’t played it until early in 2024, and that clearly was a mistake. I’m an enormous fan of Kevin Wilson’s dungeon crawl/adventure game work. This is a continuation of his wonderful work on the TMNT Adventures series, as Wilson has continued to experiment with ways to incentivize and enhance cooperation.

As a game, this is sort of a breezy and light Kingdom Death: Monster, at least in terms of structure. Players transition from a text-based adventure phase to a grid-based boss battle, and then retire to town to rest and improve. The mechanism heft is nearly perfect, with streamlined yet interesting systems that reward thoughtful play without demanding it. I’m also fond of the ability to experience complete sessions in 60 minutes, allowing for campaign play that is easily digestible. The world of Kinfire is also evocative and rich, providing a wonderful base for Wilson and publisher Incredible Dream to continue to explore. I have to admit, I also was very impressed with this title’s smaller companion game, Kinfire Delve. It contrasts with this larger box wonderfully and is also a strong game in its own right.

Why it’s not Higher – I’m finding campaign play, as a concept in board games, somewhat fatiguing. There is no way to experience this as a one-off session, making for a large upfront commitment from a group. It’s also enormous and pricey, which makes for a difficult recommendation – although its gorgeous and utterly professional presentation is an adequate payout.

I perhaps wish the game was a smidge more difficult as well, but my largest complaint is centered around deckbuilding. A tenet of Kinfire Chronicles is that each character has an asymmetrical deck with unique abilities. Over time, you gain treasure and various rewards and you’re able to substitute cards into your deck by removing others. Yet, much of the treasure early in the game is not compelling. When you make a clever deduction or succeed on a difficult test, it’s deflating to be rewarded with a neat booster pack of cards and then realize none of them are really worth tinkering with. They do allow for some specialization and adjustment in strategy, but the effort hardly feels worthwhile. The power curve of the game is perhaps too gradual here, which allows for little granularity in card strength.

8. The Last Kingdom Board Game

My full review can be read here.

Why it Matters – This game, by admission of designer John D. Clair, is a mashup of The King is Dead and Blood Rage. And it actually comes through on that promise.

The Last Kingdom is a game that deserves far more recognition than its received. The license has hamstrung it. I actually appreciate the television series this is based on, but I’ve seen this game find and develop an audience with many who are unfamiliar with the property completely. This is a compelling and nuanced game of playing multiple sides, bouncing back and forth in a Yojimbo-like fashion. It’s an odd composition of area control, fueled by an excellent core draft that is not afraid to offer radical and dynamic action. This not a meager or conservative game, rather, it’s one that allows for real shifts in board state and wild swings in power. It’s also Clair’s best game, perhaps the equal of Ready Set Bet.

Why it’s not Higher – The clear derivation harms its ceiling. There’s a loss of innovation, despite offering a strongly tailored suite of mechanisms. I also think it’s a difficult game to introduce to people, as the cover is not particularly exciting, and the setting is second tier. Finally, while the miniatures, board, and army pawns are all excellent, there are some really poor choices concerning components here. Perhaps this has made the game more affordable, but it intermixes with the intellectual property to create an impression that doesn’t offer the “wow” of a game like Blood Rage.

7. Freelancers: A Crossroads Game

I reviewed this game several months ago, lauding this fantastic RPG-like experience. You should give it a read.

Why it Matters – This is a clear evolution of Forgotten Waters that is sheer joy. The voice acting complements the exceptional writing to produce an interactive experience that is bliss. The irreverant and goofy tone is hilarious, and the light mechanisms provide just enough structure to facilitate a fresh take on Dungeons & Dragons storytelling in board game format.

This game scales extraordinarily well, welcoming small or large groups. It creates enough narrative latitude and random story triggers to be worthy of repeating the same scenario multiple times. And it provides moments that are truly unforgettable. This is a game of crafting memories together, and it’s such an easy and relaxed format.

Why it’s not Higher – While the actual narrative and its delivery are stronger here, I find myself occasionally missing the free-wheeling exploration of its predecessor. I also have been somewhat let-down by the climax of many scenarios, as they’ve all failed to live up to the punch of that initial encounter. They’ve all still offered moments of wonder and appreciation, but it’s clearly a challenge to repeatedly hit that high water mark.

Another factor is that this game hews closely to Forgotten Waters in spirit. Many of the mechanisms are identical and it feels vaguely similar. This creates an interesting connection where this game sits almost like a scenario expansion of that prior release. I view them as a series more intertwined – in terms of the arc of experience – which diminishes this title as a standalone achievement.

6. Thunder Road: Vendetta

Why it Matters – Fury Road is one of my favorite films. I also previously appreciated the simplistic joy of the original Thunder Road. Restoration took that kernel and blew it up into this over-the-top radical racing game. The expansions, while not needed, are even more vicious goodness and the complete experience is just glorious carnage.

One of the reasons why I admire this game is that it occupies its timeslot perfectly. Clocking in at an hour, it offers a full violent racing experience with a super filler time commitment. Within that hour, crazy stuff happens.

Another quality that fascinates me is how it constructs the race. Due to the deadly ability for choppers to snipe vehicles that jump out in the lead, there’s this really interesting element where the game incentivizes riding in the pack and jostling for position. It feels a little like the tight conflict at the heart of stock car racing or cycling, mixed with the frenetic violence of a furball in air combat. There’s this blinding haze of eccentric brutality and the game leans into it hard.

Why it’s not Higher – I appreciate the wholeness of the Maximum Chrome big box version of this game. But it makes transporting the thing difficult. This means it gets played less. Additionally, setting it up and determining what configuration of expansion to use can be slightly more laborious than I desire. I want the added intensity of the expansions with the minimal setup of the base game. I also have to mentally divorce this experience from that of 2022 standout, Heat: Pedal to the Metal. Otherwise, this one would lose out every time.

Lastly, occasionally this one takes just a little longer than I’d like. If it could continually hit the 40-minute mark with a full set of players, it would see more play. At around an hour, it’s not too long, but it’s long enough that the intensity dips a gear near the climax. This isn’t a serious issue, but it’s noticeable in a game that sells itself on ferocity.

5. Bloodstones

Why it Matters – This surprised me. I’m not much of a Martin Wallace fan. I did very much enjoy A Few Acres of Snow, but I found that series got worse with each successive release. Bloodstones offers the ideal experience I hoped for from Mythotopia. This is a game that utilizes logistics and a tight economy to facilitate a very subtle experience.

The combination of asymmetry, confrontation, and a strong mechanical base is enticing. My interaction with this game is focused through the lens of math, constantly evaluating units situationally, assessing the probabilities of the tile draw in combat, and working out various board states to push for. It gives the game an entirely different feel to something Eric Lang or Bruno Cathala would design. But there are very fun and dramatic interactions, such as the Necromancers raising undead, or Corsairs raiding up and down the coast with reckless abandon. This approach has produced a game which has lodged itself in my brain. I’ve thought about it often since my last play. I want to play it more.

Why it’s not Higher – The subtle quality also leads to a more deliberate experience. While there are dramatic touches, it’s not an overly swingy or wild game. It’s contemplative in a similar way Chess is. This results in an experience relatively devoid of narrative or power moves that leave a potent aftertaste. My thoughts reside in the game’s mechanical underbelly, not the emotional quotient. It can also be a difficult and frustrating affair due to the challenge in moving units and setting up grand maneuvers.

4. Dark Venture: Battle of the Ancients

Why it Matters – While Bloodstones is more subtle and nuanced, Dark Venture: Battle of the Ancients is more raucous and obscene. I enjoyed Rob Lemon’s original Dark Venture, but that was an enigmatic adventure game that was heavy on text. Battle of the Ancients is a highly asymmetric over-the-top skirmish game. It’s reminiscent of Root in its diversity of playstyles and factions, as well as the ability for some players to field single unit heroes in a game where the battlefield is littered with beastly infantry.

There is something alien about this game that is fascinating. In addition to a straightforward conflict format, it also boasts a cooperative/solitaire adventure mode with legitimate exploration and scripted events. Or players can participate in one of many scenarios which setup unique goals and battlefield situations. This is just an unhinged experience that bucks many trends, landing closer to greats like Cave Evil and Cryptic Explorers than anything mainstream or traditional.

Why it’s not Higher – This game is brilliant, but it’s also a little rough. Some rules and interactions are not clear, and you can’t always discern what type of terrain exists on a map space. There are wild swings which can result in games that end in unsatisfying ways. Really though, I don’t have too many complaints with it.

3. Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory

I wrote a lengthy and contemplative review on this one, you can find it here.

Why it Matters – This is such a magnificent work. It’s complex and meaningful and utterly satisfying. As a study in class conflict, I find this game enrapturing. Each role boasts a distinct identity and mechanical framework to explore. The experience is full of negotiation and competition, and I leave each session ruminating on larger societal ills.

Despite this game’s weight and extended playtime, I actually find it relatively clean as a system. Much of the drama is instigated through each class’s deck of action cards, and every other aspect of the game is facilitated through various subsections of the board. It’s a heavy teach to onboard newcomers, but most people enthused with the concept will quickly become comfortable with the game loop.

I absolutely adore these complex political games, hence my fascination with Cole Wehrle’s oeuvre. Hegemony sits atop a similar peak, sounding reverberations of greatness.

Why it’s not Higher – I do not find this game too long, but I do wish it could somehow shave a half hour off. This is not because it ever becomes dull or repetitive, but rather so that I could fit it into a game night more often. I also worry that some of the macro-level strategies are straight-jacketed to a degree. The interest arises from how you execute the details play-to-play, however. Finally, I also lament that this game is focused entirely on economics, foregoing thornier social or global issues. It feels slightly incomplete in this sense, as if it’s missing grander context.

2. City of the Great Machine

My review of this game provoked strong reactions. Read it here.

Why it Matters – For much of the year, City of the Great Machine occupied my top slot. My feelings remain extremely strong. I love this game. It dabbles in hidden movement and deducing player actions. It provides moments of tension and drama. It allows for very creative plays, including moving whole chunks of the map around. And it explores a deeper theme that resonates with me.

My review really speaks to my feelings on this one. It’s an exceptional piece of game design. I feel a little isolated, as several reviewers I greatly respect did not find this game as satisfying or gripping as I have. I’m not backing off my writing. This one’s a banger.

Why it’s not Higher – The length is a bit of a bastard here. It’s worth the 2.5-hour commitment, but I find myself often wishing it was shorter. Currently, it resides as an event game, something we need to plan for. I wish that wasn’t the case.

There’s also an element of luck in the prediction aspect. Occasionally, I feel as though the game hinged on a moment where one side or the other simply guessed wrong. This can really rankle certain players.

Regardless of those foibles, it just couldn’t occupy my top spot because something entirely unexpected happened.

1. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Slaughterhouse

Chug my review here.

Why it Matters – This game elevates the hobby. I’m not sure I would have bought the notion that a small box $30 mainstream title could hit this hard. It captures elements of true horror by making the antagonists invulnerable. It offers several interesting and varied scenarios. It establishes an unsettling atmosphere and environment through horror effect tiles, graphic design, and claustrophobic pathing. There is a defined arc of play with escalating tension. And, best of all, it dabbles in a meta-narrative of continuity that gives the game a larger scope than seems reasonable.

I claimed this was peak adaptation in my review. I would also go so far as to claim this is peak contemporary Ameritrash. It offers everything I want from this style of game, and it uniquely displays modern sensibilities with an old-school spirit.

Perhaps Slaughterhouse’s greatest achievement is it fulfilled the initial potential of Prospero Hall. It’s sublime – and bittersweet – that this achievement exists as one of their final releases.