Top 10 Games I Want to Play for the First Time at Geekway

In a few weeks I’ll have the pleasure of attending my favorite game convention, Geekway to the West, here in St. Louis. It’s basically 4 days of playing tons of different board games with friends and strangers.

When I attend Geekway, it’s both as Jamey (the person) and as Jamey (the president and lead designer at Stonemaier Games). I don’t run a booth or sell games–rather, my goal is to play as many new-to-me games as possible with people I’ve never met or rarely get to game with.

I’ve been keeping a list for a long time of games I want to try out for the first time at Geekway. If you’re attending the convention and want to play one of these games with me, hunt me down at Geekway so we can play it (I play it loose at Geekway–I don’t schedule anything in advance). If it’s a game you own and love, you can bring it; otherwise Geekway has a great play-and-win section and library that might have the game.

In no particular order, here are the top 10 games I want to play at the first time at Geekway, followed by some honorable mentions I’d also love to play. A lot of these have come from recommendations people have made on my game design YouTube channel.

  • Arcadia Quest
  • Roll Player
  • The Captain Is Dead
  • Dream Home
  • The Golden Ages
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • Arctic Scavengers
  • Fields of Green
  • Last Friday
  • Junk Art

Honorable Mentions: Nevermore, Onitama, Maori, Codinca, Clockwork Wars, Manhattan Project: Energy Empire, Thebes, Revolution (with Palace expansion), The Networks, Amun-re, A Study of Emerald, Arcadia Quest Masmora, Black Orchestra, Roads and Boats, Cleopatra and the Society of Architects, Medieval Academy, Black Fleet, Lost Legends, Samurai, Yokohama, My Village, Champions of Midgaard

In your opinion, are there any of these games I should prioritize over others?

25 thoughts on “Top 10 Games I Want to Play for the First Time at Geekway”

  1. I played Nevermore at the play to win section of a recent convention with strangers and had a blast! We ended up playing 3 games of it, even after continually backstabbing each other! That was what really stood out to me, that a game focused on conflict could be so fun! I immediately ordered a copy upon returning from the con, before the drawing even took place… so I would suggest playing it, even if you only have 15 minutes to spare.

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  2. Roll Player is a gem. It hits a perfect blend of strategizing while still being light and fun. It reminds me of Clank! in that way, although it’s totally different.

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  3. Arcadia Quest is great, buy probably doesn’t shine at a convention – you won’t get the campaign aspect. Junk Art for sure, and it’s only a 30 minute game. Roll Pkayer is a very very clever head crunchy Euro with dice. If you get a chance, do try Clockwork Wars, though. Conceptually, It’s the game most similar to Scythe, slightly more warlike though that has its penalties too.

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    • Thanks! That’s a good point about the campaign aspect. Mostly I just want to see if Arcadia Quest tickles my fun centers, as tactical combat usually isn’t my thing.

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  4. Roll Player, TMNT, the Captain is Dead and Cleopatra are on my List of Shame (& of those I only have TMNT). I love Samurai and have the original design which has better tokens for my tastes. I’ll jump In on any of them.

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  5. Roll Player was a VERY popular title at the Gaming Hoopla – definitely worth a play. If you need a teacher from your “Cult of the Old” list, then I can teach/play Amun Re. One of my favorites of all time.

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  6. I just picked up Onitama, and I’m addicted. I’ll be hunting you down (in the friendliest of ways) for an autograph on my copy of Scythe – so maybe an exchange can be worked out? One signature for one game (or five) of Onitama? 😀

    Hope to find you at Geekway!

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  7. I’m a big fan of “The Networks” – and I watched a play through of “Manhattan Project: Energy Empire” and it looks pretty great. I may be bringing my copy of “Kolejka” which is a blast to play. You can watch for me in _my_ orange Stonemeier tee! 🙂

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  8. Jamey, I’d love to get a game of either Fields of Green or Yokohama. I know both of those games are favorites among one of my game groups.

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  9. Counter-question for you, Jamey. How do you prepare for playing so many games in such a short period of time? Do you watch videos, read instructions, ask for teachers to meet up with you? Or do you have an osmotic learning device in your closet at home (something you could use for that Euphoria expansion, hmmm?)

    It’s been a slow year for me for gaming – just life getting busy. But I’m excited to be bringing my oldest daughter for the first time to Geekway this year! I think that her tastes will probably dictate what I play more than anything else, so recommendations for games for a bright 8-year-old would be appreciated!

    You know, I always see Arctic Scavengers in the discount shelf at Miniature Market but I think it’s because of damaged boxes.

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    • Good question. 🙂 For all of those games, I’m at least loosely aware of how they work, though I will need to be taught. I try to make it easy for someone teaching to me, though, as I don’t need to know all of the rules to start playing–I’m fine with figuring it out as we go.

      That’s great to hear about you and your daughter at Geekway! When I see you there, perhaps we can walk through the library or play and win section so I can point out some games.

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