This is a summary of the board games that saw my most interest, investment, hobby time, playing and enjoyment in 2023. It is not necessarily a direct reflection of my all time favourite games. This was a year with fewer new deliveries, and where i spent most time painting and playing campaign games.
New Games Received : Eleven , Edge of Darkness, Gnarlwood , Forest Shuffle
Games Sold : This War of Mine , Call to Adventure , Frostpunk
1. Oathsworn – the campaign continued and was completed just before the year end, with its unfolding adventure, and gradual reveal of the boss encounters which were all painted up as each chapter was started. The story and gameplay is captivating and as a miniatures set it is definately one of my favourites.
2. Frosthaven – the arrival of this game within our group led to the return of a weekly sunday campaign this year. This game adds some depth to Gloomhaven with city building between adventures and a more coherent storyline. It was our favourite game for four players.
3. Trudvang Legends – an easy to set up and play story campaign adventure with a distinctive art style that became a favourite to play with my brother. It fits the gap when you need a story campaign game but without a lot of upkeep or too much complexity.
4. Cursed City – with the official expansions ending, i added a couple of warband packs, Hexbane Hunters and Grave Guardians from Gnarlwood. This game does not see a lot of actual play, but it remains high on my hobby list to expand and paint, as i enjoy developing the set further.
5. Eleven – a new arrival and has often been my solo game of choice this year. Finally a football manager game that works well, building up your team, enhancing your stadium and recruiting staff to meet various challenges presented in different scenarios.
6. Hexplore It – some new content arrived this year, plus another kickstarter launch with story campaign books that makes it my dungeon & dragons style game of choice. It’s continual upgrade and ongoing development keeps it fresh and appealing.
7. Descent Legends of the Dark – finally got around to painting this amazing set late in the year. An app based co-operative dungeon crawler, the second Act of the game was also released but i have not purchased it yet.
8. Vindication – a great adventure cube management game that saw new expansions chronicles and villages arrive this year, and also saw a few plays over the christmas period. I find this game a really enjoyable open world experience.
Here is a look at the previous years > 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015