My Top 10 Favorite Games of 2020

7 years ago, I started running Stonemaier Games full time. As was the case before then–but especially after then–I play a lot of published games, both because I love tabletop games and because I have so much to learn from my peers.

I went ahead and posted my video on the subject today, and I’m going to put the list in writing here. I divided this year’s list into two parts: sequels and completely new games (there were a lot of excellent sequels this year!)

All of the games on this list are games I played for the first time in 2020. Eligible for the list were late-2019 releases that most people (including me) didn’t play until this year.

Random Mentions

  • Favorite Expansions:
  • New Stonemaier-Related Products Released This Year (I don’t pick our own games for the top 10): Pie in the Sky expansion, Scythe Complete Rulebook, Pendulum, Tapestry Plans & Ploys, Wingspan Oceania expansion
  • Favorite New-to-Me Games Released Well Before 2019: Shards of Infinity, Air, Land, and Sea, and Slay the Spire
  • 2020 Releases I Haven’t Had the Chance to Try Yet (that I’m most eager to try): Dwellings of Eldervale, Viscounts of the West Kingdom, and My City
  • 2021 Releases I’m the Most Excited About: Namiji, Time of Legends: Destinies, Burgle Bros 2, Sleeping Gods, Roll Player Adventures, Whatnot Cabinet, Royal Visit, Momiji, Blabel, The 7th Citadel, Dice Miner, The Age of Atlantis, Overlord, Hero, Merchants of the Dark Road, The Emerald Flame, Kemet, Canvas, Cubitos, Dwellings of Eldervale
  • Honorable Mentions That Didn’t Quite Make the Top 10: Trogdor, We’re Doomed, Parks, Tiny Towns, Tussie Mussie, Pikoko, Hadara, Aeon’s End Legacy, Architects of the West Kingdom, and Paladins of the West Kingdom

My Top 10 Favorite Sequels of 2020

I’ll just post the games below–I talk about them in more detail in the main video (and in each of their respective videos).

10. Marvel Villainous (video)

9. Marco Polo 2 (video)

8. Magic Jumpstart (video)

7. The King Is Dead (video)

6. Pandemic Legacy Season 0 (video)

5. Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers (video)

4. Glen More II: Chronicles (video)

3. Azul Summer Pavilion (video)

2. Mysterium Park (video)

1. TIME Stories Revolution (video)

My Top 10 Favorite Games of 2020

10. Watergate (video) and Hierarchy (video)

9. Flotilla (video)

8. In the Hall of the Mountain King (video)

7. Honey Buzz (video)

6. The Crew (video)

5. Beyond the Sun (video)

4. Lost Ruins of Arnak (video)

3. Tidal Blades (video)

2. The Isle of Cats (video)

1. Dune Imperium (video)

What were your favorite sequels and new games of 2020?

Here is last year’s list, and here is my latest overall top 10 list. My video for this topic is below.

4 thoughts on “My Top 10 Favorite Games of 2020”

  1. Hey Jamie, I saw you put 7 Wonders as your top choice on your August list. Have you had a chance to play It’s A Wonderful World? I think it is the “new” 7 Wonders. I will admit to not being a big fan of 7W, but IAWW has very similar drafting and engine building but then also includes an interesting sequential resource management component where if you are clever, you can make some big moves with.

    It also has a very nice solo drafting mechanism which works pretty well for me. I might even argue it would be a good drafting mechanism for multi player, like Tmars. I am very much looking forward the the expansions, half of which I think already released w the original KS campaign.

    What is funny too, is my buddy set it up, and did the rules and I am like that’s it? I was NOT impressed. But I had him bring it over again, and somehow it grew on me and I ended up buying it. The expansions add new content, and has a campaign aspect to one I think.

    Also, Wizard Kittens? Wait, what?

    I am most eager to play Obsession, and just scored a hard to get Isle of Cats on the geek local trade area. Very excited to see it so high on your list. Obsession is older, 2018 I think, but has a very loyal fanbase, I came across people playing it on the SGOYT geeklist. A very unusual theme, refreshing.

    Reply
  2. Indeed, I have played It’s a Wonderful World a few times–I like it! 🙂 I played Wizard Kittens too. I’ve heard great things about Obsession and need to try it.

    Reply

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