This channel is fantastic. It’s really making me consider how a game will feel and play for my wife (as well as me of course!), because I’m definitely someone that needs the theme to land and be relevant to what I’m doing on the board, but I’m discovering that my wife probably appreciates tight, pacey, fun mechanics more.
Thanks so much for the kind words Jack. We had no idea how many people would resonate with the " thinker / themer " premise. Glad it can help you identify what might make a game work for yourself or your wife. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Hi Ben - I could only find this thread to contact you! I believe you send us a tip this morning on PayPal and I wanted to find a way to reach out to say a huge thank you for your generosity!!!!!! It is overwhelming to us and your support means so much. Thank you for the kind contribution to our channel.
@@ThinkerThemer Haha, you tracked me down! You two are great and I just wanted to give you both a tip for the great job you all do and the hours of entertainment and information you have been providing me.
This is my favorite video of yours so far. In particular I like your overviews with how you each decompose theme and mechanics, or what Euro means to you. More of these sort of discussions, or discussing how particular games touch on each element of these breakdowns. Thanks for it!
Oh thank you so much for this lovely feedback, I just found this comment!! All of our game reviews are structured around an analysis of mechanics and theme... i hope you've been able to check some of those out! Thanks for watching and taking the time to write this! ☺
This is a fantastic list! I've been enjoying your videos and I love hearing both of your perspectives on games. Keep up the great work, Amy and Maggie!
I love your list, I was kind of expecting seeing Darwin's Journey, but you did have Trickerion, and all your choices make great sense, I do love your no. 1... "Would you care to join us for tea and crumpets?"
Oh thanks Axel! This video is from long before Darwin's Journey and probably does need a good update. We're spoiled for choice now with thematic euros! Thanks for watching
Without naming names or throwing shade elsewhere, I would just like to say that it is a real pleasure to watch game review videos which are overflowing with intelligence, nuance, thoughtfulness, class, proper grammar, intriguing and descriptive language, and classic yet modern delivery. Your rapport with one another is smooth, challenging, respectful, breezy, and fun. You're both clearly intelligent, and that's something I like in a review. You're both great at this. Have subscribed and am catching up on your past videos, and looking forward to those that lie ahead. Well done.
Thank you for such lovely feedback, this made our day! ☺ We are still fairly new to this but finding our own style of reviews. Thanks for the sub and glad to have you here, look forward to chatting games through 2021. Happy New Year!
@@ThinkerThemer rapport somehow became report...cannot abide. Had to edit!! Off to play Ticket to Ride with my kiddo (we hardly play that, have "moved on" but he didn't want to learn another new game tonight, which I've been forcing on him during winter break!). Need to convince him that Obsession will be fun...hahahaha!
This is a great video for me! Thank you so much! I believe I'm a themer, but if a game isn't any good and has terrible mechanics and rules then I don't want anything to do with it, no matter how much I love the theme.
Great list ladies. The smile when Amy said Snowdonia, was priceless. You could see the real joy. One of you love Feast for Odin, could practically see the eye roll, Amy I would guess just thinks it is good.
Hehehe!! Thanks James... sometimes I think I (Amy) might be plagued with **involuntary eye rolls** 😅 With feast it actually pained me to put it so "low" on any list... (I lovvvveee it). What is you favourite thematic euro?
Great list :), for a thematic Vital Lacerda game I would've gone with Lisboa just because if feels like you are working towards rebuilding the city and everything feels integrated.
Hello from Israel. Thanks for an interesting, informative and fun video. BTW, I grew up in Melbourne, it’s a great city. I would like to see videos that present your current collection, favorite games etc. I love how you have designed your content based on theme and mechanics. The interaction between you on screen is great and fun to watch.
Hi Anita thank you and welcome to our channel, we are very happy to have you here. Thank you for taking the time to comment with this lovely feedback. Melbourne is a fabulous city and we can't wait to visit Israel one day (was almost there for Eurovision haha). We have been asked a lot about our collection and it is definitely something we have planned for early 2021... to talk about the games we own and love! We just keep getting distracted by new games 😅
Oh no. Looks like I have to go to my local game store and buy every last one of these. I now know I am a euro theme gamer. My wallet regrets that I saw this video and am now a subscriber.
Nice to see a top ten focusing on them in euro's. Just lovely! Just checked out your gig with Alex Radcliffe and went to subscribe to your channel. Great chemistry, but that's a no-brainer, but also in the give and take within the thinker themer look at it all. I'll be back, often!
Oh thank you so much! I haven't seen that one? Please drop the link if it is not too much trouble! Glad to have you here and thanks for taking the time to comment ☺
Oh your own video!!! Forgive me, I didn't realise that's what you meant. What a wonderful opportunity to sit down with Jamey. Thanks for sharing and happy new year! ☺
@@ThinkerThemer He was super generous with his time to sit down with us. You two make a pop out cameo when he mentions your channel. czcams.com/video/3h1Xbs3IYYs/video.html&ab_channel=LegendaryTactics
@@ThinkerThemer Many people will be all too happy to tell you it's themeless, which is akin to saying LEGO is just plastic bricks. I wish you both great joy watching your civilisations rise and crumble (be sure to play it with 4P).
I LOVE this analogy... I'll have to use it on Maggie every time she tells me a game lacks theme lol. I'm curious to know what you think of Yellow and Yangtze?
100% agree with your number 1! so many ridiculous ITR moments - I’ll be playing solo and just giggling like crazy because I set up the cutest date ever, or yelling out to my partner (who wouldn’t care) because I have to announce to someone that I pulled off hosting an incredibly prestigious dinner party... so much fun! a game I might have included would be Nusfjord, I think that’s quite thematic and lovely... also Summit the Board Game and the Lost Valley, but I’m not sure they are totally euros! thanks for the great list! 💕
Hahahaha so glad you love it as much as we do Kim.... a game that can bring so much joy and laughter is truly something special. We love Nusfjord (we recently reviewed this in a separate video) but haven't played Summit or the Lost Valley! I've not heard of the Lost Valley *looks up on bgg* - looks interesting!! And they are both mountain themed!! Thanks for taking the time to comment and the lovely feedback ☺
Ohh hi there! 🥰😘❤ thanks for watching this one! See this is why we can't stream like you.... then you'd really hear the unedited version of how we talk to each other 🤣🤣🤣😅 Jokes, Maggie is actually really lovely ... 😎
I agree with you on the Vital Lacerda games. I am a huge Vital fan. I think as a heavy Euro it is tough, but hugely satisfying when you get the mechanics down. Great stream thanks for all your doing!!!
Thank you Michael! Spirit Island is definitely thematic. Unfortunately we're not good at cooperating with each other so it didn't stay in our collection 😅 thanks for watching and taking the time to comment on this video. 😊
Love to see games that left your collection and why. Older games of your fav designers atm. I.e. Suchy’s games before Praga., or Feld games before Bonfire.
Yesss definitely need to get into our older games. If the industry could just stop publishing for a year or so that would be helpful for catching up hehehe 😅 thanks for the suggestions Norman and taking the time to comment 😊
Amy, don't stop yourself talking about mechanics when theme is the focus :) the fact that you want to describe the mechanics that are so closely intertwined with the theme means that the thematic-ness is greater!
That was great (though yes very controversial about Brass I said that myself!) haha. I can't believe I didn't know about this video before, silly me. I guess the obvious suggestion is a top 10 Mechanic Marvels. Barrage gives me the ITR because when the water starts coming down the mountain I always say "Swooooooosh!".
@@ThinkerThemer LOL! Sure, I'll bring my hollowed out coconuts as I follow along, Monty Python-style. Geez I hope you know what I'm talking about rn. haha.
Great list, girls, well done! It's the first video I watch from your channel and I immediately subscribed! It feels good to see more female power in gaming :)
This video is hitting the spot today! Such a good list of games. Teotihuacan is on BGA and I'm really enjoying it. Not good at it, but enjoying it. I particularly liked Maggie's layout of her views on theme. I'm totally going to use ITR going forward. Love that!
Very happy to hear Steve. Teotihuacan is fabulous and we enjoyed the BGA implementation during Melbourne's lockdown as well. Which is your favourite "T"? I will let Maggie know about your kind feedback. 💕
@@ThinkerThemer My favorite of the three recent T games is the only one I've played so far - Teotihuacan. Tekhenu and Tawantinsuyu? No idea yet. (FYI: My actual favorite T is Targi.)
A Feast for Odin has soooooo much going on. So many choices! I love it so much because of all the paths you can take- but I feel like it would be totally overwhelming to be a Viking!
Hahaha don't even get us started on Feast for Odin... we BOTH love it so much too. Love the multiple strategies you can take and still end up in the same place... the choices are overwhelming but the path can be simple if you want it to be 😙👌 Thanks for taking the time to comment Kate!
While it got many options, I honestly think the game is very relaxing to play. Just pick a path and go for it and if you get a lot of weapons of some kind, do that on the side, you get a good occupation card, do that and so on. Also you can add house rules where you put occupation cards face up (like 3-5) and draw new ones every round that you can pick from. That also make it easier for you to go for something you want/understand instead of it being completely random. I probably die on the hill that A feast for odin is a medium weight game. ;) All you really need to learn is the iconography, the rest plays itself. The only heavy side is getting good. :P
@@nihlify I actually agree that it's medium weight in complexity! It's also easy to pick up and play after not playing for a long time, in my opinion. Though, now it's on Board Game Arena, so I get to play a lot more often than before, just to refresh my memory. The more I play, the more I'm ok with just choosing a path and sticking with it. The first few games I wanted to try it ALL to see how it worked. 🤣
This is such a great list! ❤️ and own all of the games in the top ten and one of the honorable mentions. I don’t think I have thought about the themes all that much before, so I really enjoyed your take on them. ITR!!!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it, we had a lot of fun making it. Of course you own them all!!! Which forces you to think about theme most? (I know you're a thinker ;))
@@ThinkerThemer I think Obsession. Since I first heard about it, I have been calling it Downton Abbey: The Board Game 😀 It is also a theme that I enjoy, which contrasts with something like A Feast for Odin where Vikings aren’t really my thing...
Awesome episode and such a great list. I still have yet to play Caverna & Feast for Odin (I haven’t even played Agricola). I’m now checking out how I can locate a copy of Obsession or at least someone who has it. I’m with you Amy on Viticulture (my #1 game All-Time). Trickerion is one I’ve been dying to get a hold of from all the buzz i hear from everyone and you ladies didn’t help my need to own this game. Keep up the amazing content. I’m really enjoying it!
Thanks for watching Jazz! Ohhhh my goodness you haven't played Feast?? Scrap all of your weekend plans immediately. Don't make us fly over there. You're going to LOVE it.
@@kritisharma5702 thanks for the sub Kriti! Great to have you here... seems a few people are trying to get copies of Obsession. It was on Amazon so hopefully there will be another print run soon! ☺
Hey girls, great list. Ideas for future videos: top 10 games of all times.... top 10 two player games top 10 gateway games top 10 mid weight games top 10 heavy games For two players have you tried Watergate? It is super fun and you don't have to know anything about the watergate but it is a great tug of war game. Some of the top games on my list (in no particular order) that you have not already mentioned: Terra Forming Mars, Wingspan, Everdell, Maracaibo, Pandemic, Imaginarium, Coimbra, Parks, Tekhenu, Nemesis (very thematic - but I know you don't like space theme so much. You might want to try Mansions of Madness as I think it would be more your prefered theme), and recently added Endless Winter (playing on TTS). Looking forward to more videos :)
Great ideas! We know we need to get to some more top 10 lists... there's just too many games to review all of the time 😅 actually we really have only started playing 2 player during the pandemic. We haven't played Watergate but have heard great things. Did you check out Unforgiven on kickstarter? It looks like it will be another great 2 player game with a historical overlay... Appreciate you taking the time to comment as you watch our videos. Love hearing feedback and suggestions. ☺
First video I watched after getting here from Rahdo's video, and I LOVE it! You mentioned a few games that I Love there too! Glad to see the Robinson Crusoe in the honorable mentions, that game makes us Suffer! And it's one that I like to use as gateway so people can widen their view about boardgames right away and feel the immersion. I'd add Rococo, the theme itself is responsible for drawing me into the game, and all the actions feel deep inside the theme! Can't wait to explore other lists and impressions from this channel :)
This is very fun to watch. Because somehow I am a person who never has involuntary thematic reflexes except for maybe an awwww if something is really cute. I am completely focused on mechanisms but if a game looks great that's also a plus for me. I never get immersed in games that much, I think it might be because I might have aphantasia. So it is extremely fun to see you look at the games from the thematic point of view.
Thanks for watching this one Malvina. I didn't know much about aphantasia so I read a little about it and that makes sense about not immersing in the theme as much. I never used to but after listening to Maggie now for 8 months talk about theme I'm starting to learn how to see games more that way! But always mechanics first!! ☺ have a lovely week ahead
Hi Maggie & Amy loved the video and a real interesting list. I watched a ton of top 10's and have been playing strategy board games for a while now. I love Euro's so was curious to see what was on your top 10. We love (Emma and I) these type of games and some of our favourites are Castles of Burgundy, Agricola, Scythe, etc but we were quite surprised that we don't own any of your top 10! Great list, love to see more.
Thanks Paul! Just to clarify these are our top 10 from the thematic perspective only... both of our individual top 10s are different to this list (a couple of crossovers!) but we are working towards launching that list soon! Some great immersive games here though... thanks for watching again!
@@ThinkerThemer You are welcome, yeah I realise many of these wouldn't make your absolute top 10's but you clearly love these games. Emma might like Obsession, I will show her the video.
Ohhh I cant believe how quickly that game rocketed up Maggie's "actual" top games. Sounds like play fairly heavy games already so none on this list should be a barrier!
@@ThinkerThemer just recently we have been playing Brass Lancashire and PAX transhumanity. I am a chess player so I prefer deep thinking and strategy. I like 1830 and Eclipse but Emma is not keen on those so we have to find balances. She prefers Wingspan and Terraforming Mars which I like too, but more like these would be good.
As far as ITR, I've gotten it a lot from Xia, Legends of a Drift System. I know space would be quiet, but I can't help but make Star Wars-esque spaceship sounds as I move across the board. Also, early on, Betrayal at House on the Hill was basically an RPG for a lot of my friends. We did voices and picked moves based on horror movie tropes over what might be for the best as far as winning the game.
Lol "I know space would be quiet" ... I've never thought about that before. Would it be quiet?? Space movies always seem so action packed and loud lol. We played Betrayal Legacy and can totally see how that would be thematic. We had creepy music going too that I had to turn off at once point because I got too scared... 😅 Thanks for watching this video and taking the time to comment Jenny!
U could easily join our game group, great list. It is the heavier games. Only number 5 and 1 has never been on the table. The rest come around each year.
Have you ever played Village? This was the euro game that did worker death before Teotihuacan and for my money it's even more thematic as your workers literally make up multiple generations of your family and their occupation at time of death will determine if they are recorded in the village's book of records or if they're destined for an anonymous grave. Haven't tried the expansions yet but my impression is that they crank the thematic elements up even further. Just stumbled upon your channel yesterday by the way and really enjoying your review style, so thank you!
Very glad to have you here Jesse, welcome!! We have heard great things about Village but somehow haven't purchased a copy yet! So clever with the thematic use of workers. Thanks for taking the time to comment and for the lovely feedback 🥰
My game for this list is Alchemists; everything you do in it makes thematic sense, but the one drawback of this game is that there's some luck in it when mixing potions; for example, you might mix different potions with different ingredients and they all might give the same result which means you can't deduce anything in this "deduction" game. Still LOVE it.
After seeing your video with Alex had to check you all out and love your videos. I love the two very different approaches. Def subscribing and looking forward to more videos to come. Also you just exude happiness which makes you super fun to watch.
Aw thank you so much for taking the time to write this feedback Beorn! We are happy to have you here and look forward to chatting games with you in the comments. Really appreciate the kind words - it is hard not to be happy around board games 🥰
Thanks for the reply and sure you’ll see me in the comments. I feel like from what I have seen of your videos so far we like quite similar games so I am going to have to try and track down a copy of obsession now.....sigh
Two thematic Euros for me: 1) Village. Sending family members out to work in the craft buildings, into Church or Government - where they spend their lives and hopefully are remembered in the Village Chronicle when they pass on. Anything to avoid being buried outside town in an unmarked grave. Always great table talk when the Chronicle starts filling up and suddenly people are racing to kill off family members while they are still seen as valuable in the eyes of the Village. Been a little hard to get this to the table during a Pandemic because getting the Plague and having a family member die off is hitting too close to home these days, but still, it's a great game that's very thematic. (2) Suburbia. I love how all the things you add to your suburb affect either people wanting to live there or the suburb's income - or both. They always seem to be very thematically tied. No one wants to live next to the heavy factory, but it brings in income!
What an excellent presentation; I'm hooked! Kinda sad that you give the nod to Caverna over Agricola, but hey, different strokes, right? Tickled that you like AFFO and Snowdonia, two relatively recent additions to my crew's rotation, and also Brass:B and GWT, two titles on my bucket list that I haven't pulled the trigger on yet. A little mystified by the love for Viticulture (too much luck of the draw for my taste), despite said love being understandable from the viewpoint of it being a decent gateway game. And I thank you for the alert to several titles I will now have to look into: the T titles. I've no idea (at this point) what all you've played/own, but since our tastes in games seem to be highly similar, I'll recommend a few to you to look into if you haven't already: Tzol'kin, Hansa Teutonica, Concordia, Village, Tigris &b Euphrates, Dominant Species (both OG and the new Marine), Egizia, Clans of Caledonia, and an ancient favorite, Caylus. What's your preferred player count, discounting the effect of the covid pandemic? Okay, time to go watch more of your videos. Keep up the fine work!
Hi Geoff! Thanks for watching and taking the time to write this! From your suggestions list we own about half - Tigris & Eupgrates is high on the list for games we would love to play! And we do seem to have similar taste (sorry but Viticulture has a lot of sentimental value!! 🥰) Precovid we always played at 4 generally. Since then we really had to learn to just play together - and now we've played much of our collection at 2. I think most of my favourite games shine at 4... but now I also value the quicker pace of a 2 player game but it depends on the game as often they lose a lot of tension at 2. How about you? Thanks for watching! ☺
@@ThinkerThemer Hiya back! I, too, prefer 4p games since that's the size of my current crew/gaming bubble. The competition feels more varied/interesting, and of course the social dynamic is more engaging. Not that 2p is bad; I took up the hobby as a wargamer back in the heyday of Avalon Hill and SPI, so head-to-head competition is fine by me, but I'm with you that many if not most modern strategy games seem to optimize at 4p. As it is, another buddy and I have beaten poor Agricola half to death at 2p with no significant loss of interest, at least on my part. Ah, well, I'm looking forward to the return to my local gaming cafe once the weather turns and we can play outside on their patio. Gotta get the Norwegian expansion for AFFO to the table... Cheers!
@@ThinkerThemer I’m definitely the most at home on Team Themer. But the beauty of gaming is how it nudges me more and more into the frightening waters sailed so effortlessly by Team Thinker. Case in point, this review of Obsession is likely the one that tips me over into trying it! Crunchy decision making + haughty aristocratic mannerisms = a pretty good evening spent.
Haha! That is the perfect description of obsession. Amy (thinker) here and I love a game that makes me focus on the theme more than I naturally would (story and theme are equally frightening for me 😅). Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
Great list. Viticulture is a favourite of mine. So what’s missing... the classic Caylus or its new version Caylus 1303 have the best take that of any Euro, via the Provost. Concordia is in my top 10 of all games let alone Euros. Is it a Euro? I think so, even though it is mechanically stripped down. Nations is a CIV but certainly a Euro by nature, It’s arguably the best CIV game under 4 hours. Castles of Burgundy is a classic ‘dice action’ Euro game, the dice are used as a Euro mechanism rather than an American-trash power/drama tool. Finally, without going too long, Eclispe is a superbly thematic space 4X Euro. Love to watch more of your very well thought out reviews. 👍 Happy new year.
Thanks Steve!! Actually we have never played Caylus... it seems like one that Maggie would get angry at me over. Lol. Eclipse is another one that we've never played and will look into. Thank you for taking the time to write this and watch our videos... and for the very lovely feedback. Happy New Year to you too and apologies for the delayed reply on this one I only just found it!
Wow - great video! It’s wonderful to hear Aussies accents, and I love the way you both interact. I got to your channel via your Obsession review (a favourite of mine), but having watched this, I’m SO looking forward to your review of the Gallerist when Maggie gets to play it. My wife is an artist, so I hoped it would draw her in, but I’m afraid she’s more a light gamer. Well done, liked & subscribed!
Thank you so much Lindsay for these kind words about our channel! I do need to get Maggie to play the Gallerist so that we can do a full review, thank you for the reminder. Have you checked out Canvas? It's a recent small box - very light game - that your wife might enjoy as an artist! Thanks again for watching and for the sub, we're very happy to have you here 😊
This older one plopped up in my feed 🙂 I do not agree with your choices but nice to see Brass in the list. My favorite game that none of my friends like. But where is Terraforming Mars?!? 🤔 Anyway, I think I will look into Snowdonia and Obsession 😁
@@ThinkerThemer I did buy the collectors edition of Snowdonia. It's a bit too short and simple for my group and too much setup for what it is. But we will try some expansions as well. Is there any expansion that you would recommend?
Nice video! The only thing that is missing for me is photos of the boards. I didn‘t know like 8 of these games and just seeing the box art made me stop and google how the game looks on the table a lot of times.
For me: 10. Agricola 9. Clans of Caledonia 8. Eclipse 7. Castles of Mad King Ludwig 6. Great Western Trail 5. Terraforming Mars 4. Gaia Project 3. Brass: Birmingham 2. A Feast for Odin 1. Dominant Species Honorable Mentions: Tzolkin, Five Tribes, Anachrony
One thing which might help with discussing Theme is to show the game board, game pieces. For example Brass Birmingham has boats or trains connecting the different towns. That there is movements of goods to several markets. The leader of each round changes based on the amount of money spent.Personally seeing the two sided game board showing day and night (glow of factories in the night, or just coloured country during the day. I really think Roxley made the game very immersive.
Thanks Randy for the feedback, you're right that we use a lot of images and video for our in depth reviews but not our top 10s... ! Will think about a way to add this in ☺
I love thematic games. Such a great list and I can't wait to play Obsession & Snowdonia is on my top 10. The only ones I'd add are Kanban & Millennium Blades. Maybe Die Macher if you are talking thematic.
Thanks for watching Lawrence and glad you enjoyed the list. Snowdonia is such a special game... it's both tightly competitive yet strangely relaxing all at the same time, we love it too. Thanks for taking the time to comment ☺
Great list for sure :-) Found your channel through your board Gaming Ramblings collabo, which was amazing! So many games I really like or want to play. Especially your #1 here, which is so difficult to get to Europe :-( The only game here I don't like is Viticulture, because the late game luck factor in drawing the matching purple cards is just outrageous.
Thank you! And welcome to our channel it is great to have you here, we had so much fun filming with Johannes and Sunniva! I know some people have issues with the luck in Viticulture... maybe because it was a game that was one of our big gateways into board game free-fall that it holds such a special place in our hearts 🥰 Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment- look forward to chatting more about games!
@@ThinkerThemer Thanks for your nice welcome! It really felt like you were the perfect complement for Sunniva and Johannes, which made the video so good. Also loved how the visual contrast of your bright pastel shade and their rather dark black and white setting enhanced the experience 😊 Maybe I realised it more that you didn't mention the luck in it as I watched your Praga Caupt Regni review right after and before I commenting here, as you point out the luck in that one which felt a bit out of proportion. But I definitely know the effect of rating early beloved games higher 😅
Brass is one of most loved games in general so Hurray that it's on the list. I would add Dominant Species and even if you have Caverna and FfO on the list I have to mention Fields of Arle. Praga Caput Regni is also a game where I get a thematic vibe. Other than that I think many Lacerda titles would make my list. Kanban, The Gallerist, On Mars,.... Finally I have to mention Rococo - it is a great game and the designers are in a board game group I use to go to if there is no nasty Corona around. In a similar theme Pret a Porter is also an interesting choice.
Thanks for this! I'm not generally into Euro games, but might be persuaded if the theme and presentation are up my street! I've not been drawn to Agricola/Caverna type games, as it doesn't feel all that titillating to play at running a household (I do that anyway, albeit not in a cave but in a fairly cosy Scandinavian welfare state...). Give me a few monsters and I'm in! Thanks again, you two are awesome!
Really surprised that there were no Vital Lacerda games on your list. I could argue that at least CO2, On Mars, Lisboa, Vinhos and The Gallerist could easily be in top3 when it comes to a) having a theme and not just a setting, and b) having strong integration between mechanics and said theme. Considering the games you listed, you would probably enjoy The Transcontinental if you can get your hands on it. A euro game about building the transcontinental railway in Canada. A wild card option would be Tigris & Euphrates. It may seem abstract, but it actually tells really fascinating stories about rise and fall of civilisations.
Some great games here, with some surprises. I was surprised you found Teotihuacan thematic... although you really explained it well! It's a fantastic game. Architects, Viticulture, Trickerion, and Obsession would definitely have made my list too. :) I would also say, in no particular order: (1) Castell (building human towers for Spanish festivals) (2) Legacy: Duke de Crecy (building family trees and trying to make the most memorable family) (3) Lisboa (rebuilding the city of Lisbon after it was destroyed by 3 concurrent, historical natural disasters) (4) Endeavor: Age of Sail (exploration and conquest and is a strange game in that it makes you confront the idea of slavery... often to deeply disturbing results, will your morality win out causing you to abolish it, or will you yield to financial benefit and sacrifice your morality, harming you in the end?) (5) Clank (steal a dragon's treasure but don't make too much noise, or the dragon will eat you). (6) Dungeon Petz (raise monsters to sell to dungeon lords, feed them, scoop poo, buy food, buy cages, fulfill their needs, satisfy hilariously picky clients)
These are some great adds and love the way you describe their thematic highlights!!! Castell is one that we are sooo keen to play! Thanks for the reminder I need to bump it up my to buy list... whew it is always such a long list isn't it...??!! ☺ thanks for watching this video and taking the time to write these thoughts!
I expected heavier picks towards the top but I’m new to your channel and enjoyed a themer owning a euro list quite a bit. I gotta say: agricola>>caverna, you need to play robinson despite hating coops (trust me, it’s a euro feast) and seek out archipelago for a unique, thematic euro for both of you to enjoy.
Ah yes! I think if it was our actual top ten games it might be a bit heavier 😁 Maggie owns and loves Robinson Crusoe ! We haven't played archipelago though... will have to look into that one. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! 😊
Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed this list... and can totally see how Feast for Odin would be your number 1... :) what a fabulous game. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Thank you very much for this incredible video. I love euros and theme, so it's the perfect list for me to look into :) It is sooo nice to see the thematic part of strategy games in focus, it is super helpful! When I started watching I thought Robison Crusoe is definitely on this list :D When you were about to announce the number 1, I was thinking: Wauh Robinson Crusoe is even number 1 :D. But I am happy that I was wrong, because I have now a new game to look into :D
New sub here.. we just bought A feast for Odin, and waiting on it to get here. I already own Robinson Crusoe, and we like it. I’m going to add Snowdonia and Great American trail to the list. Viticulture is already on my list.
Hi Toni thanks for the sub and welcome to the channel, great to have you here ☺ Cant wait to hear what you think of Feast!! Please let us know. It is a marvellous game 🥰 thanks for taking the time to comment!
#1, just found you and subscribed right away. You have great taste in games. #2, one of you said that in Viticulture, the Tasting Room reward only happens if you have wine in your cellar. I have not heard of this restriction, and don't recall seeing it in my second edition copy of the original Viticulture. #3, talking about thematic Euros is so appropriate in my life today! Dice Tower yesterday posted their Christmas list of "thematic" games. I took the opportunity to post a comment in the comments section of the video, asking, "What makes a game thematic?" Seems that the word is sometimes just 'code' for "I like the theme of this game" or "dudes fight each other on a board, and that is cool so it is thematic". The one game that I mentioned in my comments was ... wait for it ... Obsession!
Thank you so much for the sub, and excited to have you here given we have such similar taste in games :) what are some of your favourites? I believe the tasting room rule changed between editions to help balance out some of the new visitor cards (and to reduce the effectiveness of a no wine strategy). Amazing that you also thought of Obsession... there is just no denying how well integrated the theme is into that game. Maggie (themer) thinks of it like a holy grail of euros... lol... Thanks for taking the time to comment ☺
Amazing list. I love me thematic games and Euros have gotten better at it but I think Obsession shows how much is possible. It almost makes the rulebook obsolete after the first learning game because everything can be explained with easy examples. Brass did something similar with Coal and Iron which sticks to this day (lots of other stuff doesn’t though!).
Yes they are definitely getting better at it and I think gamers are expecting more and more from their tabletop experiences. Lucky there are some brilliant designers out there. I'm glad you agree about Obsession and thank you for taking the time to comment on our first top 10!
Hi Amy & Maggie, I'm Leo from Brazil and dropped in your channel by the guys from "before you play" when they made video about other reviewers they like to watch, and you know what? I liked you guys, its cool that different approach you have one from another to analyze board games based in way you most enjoy playing it. In the end of this video you talk about a game of Vital that was not included in the list because Maggie hadn't played yet. Well I like Vital´s games although I don't own any my favorite is Lisboa and hopefully I'll grab mine soon ! Anyway I'd like to hear from you two guys your thoughts and your experience playing Lisboa. I also have another suggestion, if you have the chance to play Tainted Grail would be nice to hear your thoughts about it
Thanks for watching our channel (any friend of Monique and Naveen is a friend of ours 🥰)... glad you are enjoying the videos so far. We are waiting for our copy of Lisboa to arrive, I have ordered it with Mercado de Lisboa kickstarter. Cant wait to play it and review it. We've also not played Tainted Grail - what do you think of it? Thanks for taking the time to comment 😊
Love your list. I'm just getting into heavier Euros and my first two games are Viticulture and Obsession. We have similar tastes. I trust that I'll like your other choices.
I'm pretty new to the hobby (and to your channel) but really enjoyed hearing your take on these. The one I would most have loved you to add to your list was peeping over your shoulder the whole time - Troyes! Personally I find the art evocative and there are good thematic nods in many elements of the mechanics - particularly the activity cards. Good to see Viticulture high in your list - it is strong thematically if maybe a little light for your category? FInally I think you were right to leave Jaws out - yes it's incredibly strong thematically (recently played and played the movie theme music on every shark attack) but I think it's distinctly American, not Euro. [Hi again - exchanged comments earlier on BGG :) ]
Hi Stuart!! Ohh that is super interesting... I (Amy) find the opposite with Troyes... maybe because the mechanics in the game are so interesting to me that I ignore the theme (even more than usual ha ha ha). I'll have to ask Maggie about what she thinks. Yes I do agree that viticulture was probably one of the lightest on the list but HAD to be there 🥰 Thanks for taking the time to comment and we are happy to have you here! ☺
My partner and I love Brass but we've never engaged much with the theme. We play like we play all games, like cut throat enemies! We hate when we flip each others industries and try very hard not to. Your talk has made me want to try to play it more like you've said and see how different it might be.
Hahaha that's exactly how I play it (Amy) and i think that is why I always lose... I never want to give Maggie anything lol. When I first played it and didn't like it I turned to forums about it and they encouraged me to try it with a 'sharing economy' in mind. I need to get it back to the table and play it again because so many people love the game like yourselves! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment 😊
Love this video and I'm going to have to track down a copy of Obsession now. As a Brit (with animosity, ha) Birmingham is not Bir-ming-ham in Alabama it's Bur-min-gum in England 😉 check Peaky Blinders for pronunciation.
Great list with some games I love! Teotihuacan and Obsession are on my watch list but i'm still on the fence on TEO because I play mostly with 2 and with Obsession because of the luck factor.
Ah yes Teotihuacan is not too bad with two because the dummy player stays still between eclipses so it is easy to implement but definitely more boring than a third player. We mostly play it at 4 and would play Tekhenu instead at 2 (and equally good at higher player counts!) I think there is some luck in Obsession with the tile draft but mostly it is about timing... making sure you have the correct workers when you need them and that they match the cards in your hand and the estate tiles you have. Anyway not every game is for everyone just thought I'd share our thoughts on these two points. Thank you for taking the time to comment and the lovely feedback Alexandre! ☺
Which games give you ***involuntary thematic reflex*** ?
Circus Flohcati - we have to hum a circus tune whenever we flip the grand parade card!
Libertalia does it for me.
@@blackboardgaming5348 I still have yet to try Libertalia.
@@jazzcruz9473 Libertalia is a great game and hilarious with the right people.
Teotihuacan would be on my list as well. Absolutely love this game.
I think I will let you two do all the reviews in the future.
Maggie says deal if you make all of our games in the future 😂
Obsession is the most brilliant thematic game on my shelf. I love it and need more!
This channel is fantastic. It’s really making me consider how a game will feel and play for my wife (as well as me of course!), because I’m definitely someone that needs the theme to land and be relevant to what I’m doing on the board, but I’m discovering that my wife probably appreciates tight, pacey, fun mechanics more.
Thanks so much for the kind words Jack. We had no idea how many people would resonate with the " thinker / themer " premise. Glad it can help you identify what might make a game work for yourself or your wife. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Obsession is such a hidden gem. I'm glad it's getting more coverages so more people can enjoy this lovely game.
Before You Play sent me here and I am glad they did. You two are great! Love this list!
Aw Monique and Naveen are the best right?? So lovely to have you here Ben and thank you for taking the time to comment. ☺
Me too and I agree! Hope to see more from you. Great stuff.
Hi Ben - I could only find this thread to contact you! I believe you send us a tip this morning on PayPal and I wanted to find a way to reach out to say a huge thank you for your generosity!!!!!! It is overwhelming to us and your support means so much. Thank you for the kind contribution to our channel.
@@ThinkerThemer Haha, you tracked me down! You two are great and I just wanted to give you both a tip for the great job you all do and the hours of entertainment and information you have been providing me.
Thank you so much we are so grateful for the support. Hope to chat soon about games in the comments ❤
Obsession - one of my favourite games! Thank you for this happy to see this game getting credit because it is well deserved - a hidden gem.
Surely not hidden for long.... it is fabulous and soooo thematic. Thanks for taking the time to comment on our videos Fredz 😁
I am a thinker and very rarely think of thematic ties in games. It's so interesting to hear how a themer experiences games. It's so different!
This is my favorite video of yours so far. In particular I like your overviews with how you each decompose theme and mechanics, or what Euro means to you. More of these sort of discussions, or discussing how particular games touch on each element of these breakdowns. Thanks for it!
Oh thank you so much for this lovely feedback, I just found this comment!! All of our game reviews are structured around an analysis of mechanics and theme... i hope you've been able to check some of those out! Thanks for watching and taking the time to write this! ☺
I just love the ITR ... so many times that happens in the games my group plays :)
Really enjoyed this list, ThinkerThemer, thank you!
Hahaha which game has your favourite ITR? Thanks for taking the time to comment Phil 😊
Thematic Euros are my genre. Great list!
The first top ten!! Yay!!! I enjoyed the list, ladies. I'm looking forward to future lists.
Yay! We are so glad you enjoyed it.... more lists to come... let us know if you gave any ideas! 🥰
This is a fantastic list! I've been enjoying your videos and I love hearing both of your perspectives on games. Keep up the great work, Amy and Maggie!
I love your list, I was kind of expecting seeing Darwin's Journey, but you did have Trickerion, and all your choices make great sense, I do love your no. 1... "Would you care to join us for tea and crumpets?"
Oh thanks Axel! This video is from long before Darwin's Journey and probably does need a good update. We're spoiled for choice now with thematic euros! Thanks for watching
Without naming names or throwing shade elsewhere, I would just like to say that it is a real pleasure to watch game review videos which are overflowing with intelligence, nuance, thoughtfulness, class, proper grammar, intriguing and descriptive language, and classic yet modern delivery. Your rapport with one another is smooth, challenging, respectful, breezy, and fun. You're both clearly intelligent, and that's something I like in a review. You're both great at this. Have subscribed and am catching up on your past videos, and looking forward to those that lie ahead. Well done.
Thank you for such lovely feedback, this made our day! ☺ We are still fairly new to this but finding our own style of reviews. Thanks for the sub and glad to have you here, look forward to chatting games through 2021. Happy New Year!
@@ThinkerThemer rapport somehow became report...cannot abide. Had to edit!! Off to play Ticket to Ride with my kiddo (we hardly play that, have "moved on" but he didn't want to learn another new game tonight, which I've been forcing on him during winter break!). Need to convince him that Obsession will be fun...hahahaha!
Haha! Have a lovely gaming session! ☺
This is a great video for me! Thank you so much! I believe I'm a themer, but if a game isn't any good and has terrible mechanics and rules then I don't want anything to do with it, no matter how much I love the theme.
Great list ladies. The smile when Amy said Snowdonia, was priceless. You could see the real joy. One of you love Feast for Odin, could practically see the eye roll, Amy I would guess just thinks it is good.
Hehehe!! Thanks James... sometimes I think I (Amy) might be plagued with **involuntary eye rolls** 😅 With feast it actually pained me to put it so "low" on any list... (I lovvvveee it). What is you favourite thematic euro?
@@ThinkerThemer Viticulture, Stone Age, Chimera Station, and Cold Water Crown are 4 of my favorite Thematic Europe's. 3 of 4 is worker placement.
@@jamesbrazeal3847 Cold Water Crown has been on our must try list for a while... we love fishing! 🐟
Great list :), for a thematic Vital Lacerda game I would've gone with Lisboa just because if feels like you are working towards rebuilding the city and everything feels integrated.
Agree...Lacerda intertwines theme and mechanics probably better than any other heavy Euro designer
Fantastic video, your perspectives are so insightful and witty. Loving every video you do!
Hello from Israel. Thanks for an interesting, informative and fun video. BTW, I grew up in Melbourne, it’s a great city. I would like to see videos that present your current collection, favorite games etc. I love how you have designed your content based on theme and mechanics. The interaction between you on screen is great and fun to watch.
Hi Anita thank you and welcome to our channel, we are very happy to have you here. Thank you for taking the time to comment with this lovely feedback. Melbourne is a fabulous city and we can't wait to visit Israel one day (was almost there for Eurovision haha). We have been asked a lot about our collection and it is definitely something we have planned for early 2021... to talk about the games we own and love! We just keep getting distracted by new games 😅
Oh no. Looks like I have to go to my local game store and buy every last one of these. I now know I am a euro theme gamer. My wallet regrets that I saw this video and am now a subscriber.
Thanks for being here Emma and for watching! 🥰
Nice to see a top ten focusing on them in euro's. Just lovely! Just checked out your gig with Alex Radcliffe and went to subscribe to your channel. Great chemistry, but that's a no-brainer, but also in the give and take within the thinker themer look at it all. I'll be back, often!
Thanks Sebastian that is such lovely feedback ☺ we had so much fun filming with Alex. Glad to have you here thank you for checking out our videos!
Love Jaws! It's great.
Your list was awesome! 😁
I've just discovered you two.
Gotta say your channel is amazing.
Dana
(All the way from Jaffa Israel)
Thanks so much Dana! We would love to visit Israel one day! Thanks for watching ☺
We were directed to your channel in a recent interview with Jamey Stegmaier from Stonemaier games. Great work on your channel and your approach.
Oh thank you so much! I haven't seen that one? Please drop the link if it is not too much trouble! Glad to have you here and thanks for taking the time to comment ☺
@@ThinkerThemer It's in the editing studio atm. I'll shoot you the link when it goes live! Likely in the next few days.
Oh your own video!!! Forgive me, I didn't realise that's what you meant. What a wonderful opportunity to sit down with Jamey. Thanks for sharing and happy new year! ☺
@@ThinkerThemer He was super generous with his time to sit down with us. You two make a pop out cameo when he mentions your channel. czcams.com/video/3h1Xbs3IYYs/video.html&ab_channel=LegendaryTactics
fantastic top 10. Well done ladies :)
I was today years old when I learned you have yet to play the GoaT: Tigris and Euprates.
Thanks for another entertaining video!
OMG I know....!!! Tommy this is something we need to rectify ASAP.... 😬
@@ThinkerThemer Many people will be all too happy to tell you it's themeless, which is akin to saying LEGO is just plastic bricks. I wish you both great joy watching your civilisations rise and crumble (be sure to play it with 4P).
I LOVE this analogy... I'll have to use it on Maggie every time she tells me a game lacks theme lol. I'm curious to know what you think of Yellow and Yangtze?
100% agree with your number 1! so many ridiculous ITR moments - I’ll be playing solo and just giggling like crazy because I set up the cutest date ever, or yelling out to my partner (who wouldn’t care) because I have to announce to someone that I pulled off hosting an incredibly prestigious dinner party... so much fun!
a game I might have included would be Nusfjord, I think that’s quite thematic and lovely... also Summit the Board Game and the Lost Valley, but I’m not sure they are totally euros! thanks for the great list! 💕
Hahahaha so glad you love it as much as we do Kim.... a game that can bring so much joy and laughter is truly something special. We love Nusfjord (we recently reviewed this in a separate video) but haven't played Summit or the Lost Valley! I've not heard of the Lost Valley *looks up on bgg* - looks interesting!! And they are both mountain themed!! Thanks for taking the time to comment and the lovely feedback ☺
Euros and theme are a few of my favorite things.
Also that intro! 🥰🥰🥰
I love the way you two talk with each other!
Ohh hi there! 🥰😘❤ thanks for watching this one! See this is why we can't stream like you.... then you'd really hear the unedited version of how we talk to each other 🤣🤣🤣😅
Jokes, Maggie is actually really lovely
... 😎
Great list..big hi from euro gamer from Serbia..
Hello and thanks for watching Miran! Appreciate the kind feedback ☺
Dropped in from Before You Play. Always great to see Aussie content creators in the space.
Yay thank you, glad to have you here! Fellow Aussie?? 🇦🇺🦘
Was searching for a heavy thematic euro, and didn't find alot out there. Thanks for the list! Got some good ideas to go check out
That is great to hear Scott! Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment ☺
Holding On : The Troubled Life of Billy Kerr
Super Thematic!
Thank you! Enjoyable video, very interesting list - have added few games to my wishlist:)
Thanks for watching Arunas and for taking the time to comment...! Glad you enjoyed this video :)
I agree with you on the Vital Lacerda games. I am a huge Vital fan. I think as a heavy Euro it is tough, but hugely satisfying when you get the mechanics down. Great stream thanks for all your doing!!!
Thanks so much for the watching Rory and for the lovely feedback. ☺
Great list! I really enjoyed listening to you discuss your picks. One of the first games that came to mind for me was Spirit Island.
Thank you Michael! Spirit Island is definitely thematic. Unfortunately we're not good at cooperating with each other so it didn't stay in our collection 😅 thanks for watching and taking the time to comment on this video. 😊
Love to see games that left your collection and why.
Older games of your fav designers atm. I.e. Suchy’s games before Praga., or Feld games before Bonfire.
Yesss definitely need to get into our older games. If the industry could just stop publishing for a year or so that would be helpful for catching up hehehe 😅 thanks for the suggestions Norman and taking the time to comment 😊
Another vote for Suchy. A strong current designer for me.
Some excellent choices. 🙂
So glad I ran into you. Very much enjoyed your first top ten.
Thanks John! Great to have you here!! ☺
Great list!
Amy, don't stop yourself talking about mechanics when theme is the focus :) the fact that you want to describe the mechanics that are so closely intertwined with the theme means that the thematic-ness is greater!
Hahahaha I need to print this comment to show Maggie 😎 but jokes aside I totally get what you mean! thanks for watching and commenting Jonathon ☺
That was great (though yes very controversial about Brass I said that myself!) haha. I can't believe I didn't know about this video before, silly me. I guess the obvious suggestion is a top 10 Mechanic Marvels. Barrage gives me the ITR because when the water starts coming down the mountain I always say "Swooooooosh!".
I like the top 10 mechanic marvels name! You're a word wizard 💕 can u follow me everywhere and make me sound smarter thanks so much
@@ThinkerThemer LOL! Sure, I'll bring my hollowed out coconuts as I follow along, Monty Python-style. Geez I hope you know what I'm talking about rn. haha.
Great list, girls, well done! It's the first video I watch from your channel and I immediately subscribed! It feels good to see more female power in gaming :)
Yay thank you we are so happy to have you here - love your content and admire your video work! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. 💕💕💕
This video is hitting the spot today! Such a good list of games. Teotihuacan is on BGA and I'm really enjoying it. Not good at it, but enjoying it. I particularly liked Maggie's layout of her views on theme. I'm totally going to use ITR going forward. Love that!
Very happy to hear Steve. Teotihuacan is fabulous and we enjoyed the BGA implementation during Melbourne's lockdown as well. Which is your favourite "T"? I will let Maggie know about your kind feedback. 💕
@@ThinkerThemer My favorite of the three recent T games is the only one I've played so far - Teotihuacan. Tekhenu and Tawantinsuyu? No idea yet. (FYI: My actual favorite T is Targi.)
A Feast for Odin has soooooo much going on. So many choices! I love it so much because of all the paths you can take- but I feel like it would be totally overwhelming to be a Viking!
Hahaha don't even get us started on Feast for Odin... we BOTH love it so much too. Love the multiple strategies you can take and still end up in the same place... the choices are overwhelming but the path can be simple if you want it to be 😙👌
Thanks for taking the time to comment Kate!
While it got many options, I honestly think the game is very relaxing to play. Just pick a path and go for it and if you get a lot of weapons of some kind, do that on the side, you get a good occupation card, do that and so on. Also you can add house rules where you put occupation cards face up (like 3-5) and draw new ones every round that you can pick from. That also make it easier for you to go for something you want/understand instead of it being completely random.
I probably die on the hill that A feast for odin is a medium weight game. ;) All you really need to learn is the iconography, the rest plays itself. The only heavy side is getting good. :P
@@nihlify I actually agree that it's medium weight in complexity! It's also easy to pick up and play after not playing for a long time, in my opinion.
Though, now it's on Board Game Arena, so I get to play a lot more often than before, just to refresh my memory.
The more I play, the more I'm ok with just choosing a path and sticking with it. The first few games I wanted to try it ALL to see how it worked. 🤣
This is such a great list! ❤️ and own all of the games in the top ten and one of the honorable mentions. I don’t think I have thought about the themes all that much before, so I really enjoyed your take on them. ITR!!!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it, we had a lot of fun making it. Of course you own them all!!! Which forces you to think about theme most? (I know you're a thinker ;))
@@ThinkerThemer I think Obsession. Since I first heard about it, I have been calling it Downton Abbey: The Board Game 😀 It is also a theme that I enjoy, which contrasts with something like A Feast for Odin where Vikings aren’t really my thing...
Maggie's enthusiasm is so good at the beginning of this one
Awesome episode and such a great list. I still have yet to play Caverna & Feast for Odin (I haven’t even played Agricola). I’m now checking out how I can locate a copy of Obsession or at least someone who has it. I’m with you Amy on Viticulture (my #1 game All-Time). Trickerion is one I’ve been dying to get a hold of from all the buzz i hear from everyone and you ladies didn’t help my need to own this game.
Keep up the amazing content. I’m really enjoying it!
Thanks for watching Jazz! Ohhhh my goodness you haven't played Feast?? Scrap all of your weekend plans immediately. Don't make us fly over there. You're going to LOVE it.
@@ThinkerThemer so Feast over Caverna?
@@jazzcruz9473 feast over everything.
Hey I need that copy too. These too got me really excited about Obsession. Let me know if you find one :)
@@kritisharma5702 thanks for the sub Kriti! Great to have you here... seems a few people are trying to get copies of Obsession. It was on Amazon so hopefully there will be another print run soon! ☺
Fantastic list, thank you so much for doing this video👍
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment Marius! 😊
Hey girls, great list.
Ideas for future videos:
top 10 games of all times....
top 10 two player games
top 10 gateway games
top 10 mid weight games
top 10 heavy games
For two players have you tried Watergate? It is super fun and you don't have to know anything about the watergate but it is a great tug of war game.
Some of the top games on my list (in no particular order) that you have not already mentioned: Terra Forming Mars, Wingspan, Everdell, Maracaibo, Pandemic, Imaginarium, Coimbra, Parks, Tekhenu, Nemesis (very thematic - but I know you don't like space theme so much. You might want to try Mansions of Madness as I think it would be more your prefered theme), and recently added Endless Winter (playing on TTS).
Looking forward to more videos :)
Great ideas! We know we need to get to some more top 10 lists... there's just too many games to review all of the time 😅 actually we really have only started playing 2 player during the pandemic. We haven't played Watergate but have heard great things. Did you check out Unforgiven on kickstarter? It looks like it will be another great 2 player game with a historical overlay...
Appreciate you taking the time to comment as you watch our videos. Love hearing feedback and suggestions. ☺
@@ThinkerThemer thanks, I will check out unforgiven.
First video I watched after getting here from Rahdo's video, and I LOVE it! You mentioned a few games that I Love there too! Glad to see the Robinson Crusoe in the honorable mentions, that game makes us Suffer! And it's one that I like to use as gateway so people can widen their view about boardgames right away and feel the immersion. I'd add Rococo, the theme itself is responsible for drawing me into the game, and all the actions feel deep inside the theme! Can't wait to explore other lists and impressions from this channel :)
This is very fun to watch. Because somehow I am a person who never has involuntary thematic reflexes except for maybe an awwww if something is really cute. I am completely focused on mechanisms but if a game looks great that's also a plus for me. I never get immersed in games that much, I think it might be because I might have aphantasia. So it is extremely fun to see you look at the games from the thematic point of view.
Thanks for watching this one Malvina. I didn't know much about aphantasia so I read a little about it and that makes sense about not immersing in the theme as much. I never used to but after listening to Maggie now for 8 months talk about theme I'm starting to learn how to see games more that way! But always mechanics first!! ☺ have a lovely week ahead
Hi Maggie & Amy loved the video and a real interesting list. I watched a ton of top 10's and have been playing strategy board games for a while now. I love Euro's so was curious to see what was on your top 10. We love (Emma and I) these type of games and some of our favourites are Castles of Burgundy, Agricola, Scythe, etc but we were quite surprised that we don't own any of your top 10! Great list, love to see more.
Thanks Paul! Just to clarify these are our top 10 from the thematic perspective only... both of our individual top 10s are different to this list (a couple of crossovers!) but we are working towards launching that list soon! Some great immersive games here though... thanks for watching again!
@@ThinkerThemer You are welcome, yeah I realise many of these wouldn't make your absolute top 10's but you clearly love these games. Emma might like Obsession, I will show her the video.
Ohhh I cant believe how quickly that game rocketed up Maggie's "actual" top games. Sounds like play fairly heavy games already so none on this list should be a barrier!
@@ThinkerThemer just recently we have been playing Brass Lancashire and PAX transhumanity. I am a chess player so I prefer deep thinking and strategy. I like 1830 and Eclipse but Emma is not keen on those so we have to find balances. She prefers Wingspan and Terraforming Mars which I like too, but more like these would be good.
Great video and list! So many of my favorite thematic euros as well!
Obsession is definitely the right choice.
As far as ITR, I've gotten it a lot from Xia, Legends of a Drift System. I know space would be quiet, but I can't help but make Star Wars-esque spaceship sounds as I move across the board. Also, early on, Betrayal at House on the Hill was basically an RPG for a lot of my friends. We did voices and picked moves based on horror movie tropes over what might be for the best as far as winning the game.
Lol "I know space would be quiet" ... I've never thought about that before. Would it be quiet?? Space movies always seem so action packed and loud lol. We played Betrayal Legacy and can totally see how that would be thematic. We had creepy music going too that I had to turn off at once point because I got too scared... 😅 Thanks for watching this video and taking the time to comment Jenny!
You might want to check out Pret-a-Porter. Everything you do is highly thematic.
U could easily join our game group, great list. It is the heavier games. Only number 5 and 1 has never been on the table. The rest come around each year.
Just discovered you two by your Red Rising video. I'm excited to see your stuff! I love the dynamic you have
Thanks Gordie that is such lovely feedback and we are glad to have you here!! Really appreciate you taking the time to comment ☺
Wow. Very nuanced. I like how you guys defined the terms first. Hahaha Subscribed!
Thank you Nelin and welcome to the channel, we're happy to have you here! ☺
Have you ever played Village? This was the euro game that did worker death before Teotihuacan and for my money it's even more thematic as your workers literally make up multiple generations of your family and their occupation at time of death will determine if they are recorded in the village's book of records or if they're destined for an anonymous grave. Haven't tried the expansions yet but my impression is that they crank the thematic elements up even further.
Just stumbled upon your channel yesterday by the way and really enjoying your review style, so thank you!
Very glad to have you here Jesse, welcome!! We have heard great things about Village but somehow haven't purchased a copy yet! So clever with the thematic use of workers. Thanks for taking the time to comment and for the lovely feedback 🥰
My game for this list is Alchemists; everything you do in it makes thematic sense, but the one drawback of this game is that there's some luck in it when mixing potions; for example, you might mix different potions with different ingredients and they all might give the same result which means you can't deduce anything in this "deduction" game. Still LOVE it.
I'm loving your channel so much :) Thanks for all of the great content!!
Thank you that is so lovely... we are still so new to this so that means a lot 😊
After seeing your video with Alex had to check you all out and love your videos. I love the two very different approaches. Def subscribing and looking forward to more videos to come. Also you just exude happiness which makes you super fun to watch.
Aw thank you so much for taking the time to write this feedback Beorn! We are happy to have you here and look forward to chatting games with you in the comments. Really appreciate the kind words - it is hard not to be happy around board games 🥰
Thanks for the reply and sure you’ll see me in the comments. I feel like from what I have seen of your videos so far we like quite similar games so I am going to have to try and track down a copy of obsession now.....sigh
Two thematic Euros for me: 1) Village. Sending family members out to work in the craft buildings, into Church or Government - where they spend their lives and hopefully are remembered in the Village Chronicle when they pass on. Anything to avoid being buried outside town in an unmarked grave. Always great table talk when the Chronicle starts filling up and suddenly people are racing to kill off family members while they are still seen as valuable in the eyes of the Village. Been a little hard to get this to the table during a Pandemic because getting the Plague and having a family member die off is hitting too close to home these days, but still, it's a great game that's very thematic. (2) Suburbia. I love how all the things you add to your suburb affect either people wanting to live there or the suburb's income - or both. They always seem to be very thematically tied. No one wants to live next to the heavy factory, but it brings in income!
Good top ten, and we share the same top 2!
What an excellent presentation; I'm hooked! Kinda sad that you give the nod to Caverna over Agricola, but hey, different strokes, right? Tickled that you like AFFO and Snowdonia, two relatively recent additions to my crew's rotation, and also Brass:B and GWT, two titles on my bucket list that I haven't pulled the trigger on yet. A little mystified by the love for Viticulture (too much luck of the draw for my taste), despite said love being understandable from the viewpoint of it being a decent gateway game. And I thank you for the alert to several titles I will now have to look into: the T titles.
I've no idea (at this point) what all you've played/own, but since our tastes in games seem to be highly similar, I'll recommend a few to you to look into if you haven't already: Tzol'kin, Hansa Teutonica, Concordia, Village, Tigris &b Euphrates, Dominant Species (both OG and the new Marine), Egizia, Clans of Caledonia, and an ancient favorite, Caylus.
What's your preferred player count, discounting the effect of the covid pandemic?
Okay, time to go watch more of your videos. Keep up the fine work!
Hi Geoff! Thanks for watching and taking the time to write this! From your suggestions list we own about half - Tigris & Eupgrates is high on the list for games we would love to play! And we do seem to have similar taste (sorry but Viticulture has a lot of sentimental value!! 🥰)
Precovid we always played at 4 generally. Since then we really had to learn to just play together - and now we've played much of our collection at 2. I think most of my favourite games shine at 4... but now I also value the quicker pace of a 2 player game but it depends on the game as often they lose a lot of tension at 2. How about you? Thanks for watching! ☺
@@ThinkerThemer Hiya back! I, too, prefer 4p games since that's the size of my current crew/gaming bubble. The competition feels more varied/interesting, and of course the social dynamic is more engaging. Not that 2p is bad; I took up the hobby as a wargamer back in the heyday of Avalon Hill and SPI, so head-to-head competition is fine by me, but I'm with you that many if not most modern strategy games seem to optimize at 4p. As it is, another buddy and I have beaten poor Agricola half to death at 2p with no significant loss of interest, at least on my part.
Ah, well, I'm looking forward to the return to my local gaming cafe once the weather turns and we can play outside on their patio. Gotta get the Norwegian expansion for AFFO to the table...
Cheers!
Amazing list, amazing analysis! Really enjoyed your competing yet complementary insights. I agree: you’re in charge of all the reviews now. ;)
Hahahaha Drew it sounds like you're team themer??? ☺ thanks for the feedback and for taking the time to comment! We had a lot of fun making this one.
@@ThinkerThemer I’m definitely the most at home on Team Themer. But the beauty of gaming is how it nudges me more and more into the frightening waters sailed so effortlessly by Team Thinker. Case in point, this review of Obsession is likely the one that tips me over into trying it! Crunchy decision making + haughty aristocratic mannerisms = a pretty good evening spent.
Haha! That is the perfect description of obsession. Amy (thinker) here and I love a game that makes me focus on the theme more than I naturally would (story and theme are equally frightening for me 😅). Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
Great list. Viticulture is a favourite of mine. So what’s missing... the classic Caylus or its new version Caylus 1303 have the best take that of any Euro, via the Provost. Concordia is in my top 10 of all games let alone Euros. Is it a Euro? I think so, even though it is mechanically stripped down. Nations is a CIV but certainly a Euro by nature, It’s arguably the best CIV game under 4 hours. Castles of Burgundy is a classic ‘dice action’ Euro game, the dice are used as a Euro mechanism rather than an American-trash power/drama tool. Finally, without going too long, Eclispe is a superbly thematic space 4X Euro. Love to watch more of your very well thought out reviews. 👍 Happy new year.
Thanks Steve!! Actually we have never played Caylus... it seems like one that Maggie would get angry at me over. Lol. Eclipse is another one that we've never played and will look into. Thank you for taking the time to write this and watch our videos... and for the very lovely feedback. Happy New Year to you too and apologies for the delayed reply on this one I only just found it!
Wow - great video! It’s wonderful to hear Aussies accents, and I love the way you both interact. I got to your channel via your Obsession review (a favourite of mine), but having watched this, I’m SO looking forward to your review of the Gallerist when Maggie gets to play it. My wife is an artist, so I hoped it would draw her in, but I’m afraid she’s more a light gamer. Well done, liked & subscribed!
Thank you so much Lindsay for these kind words about our channel! I do need to get Maggie to play the Gallerist so that we can do a full review, thank you for the reminder. Have you checked out Canvas? It's a recent small box - very light game - that your wife might enjoy as an artist! Thanks again for watching and for the sub, we're very happy to have you here 😊
@@ThinkerThemer Yes, I backed Canvas, and I did get my wife (and daughter) to play that one with me. It’s a beautiful game. :-)
Great list! Many good ideas for Christmas
To give or to request?? 😁 🎄
@@ThinkerThemer to request. My wife is asking for a Christmas list. 🤪
Hahaha yesssssss....!!!! Our family always ask for ours too 😅
Awesome video! Great description.
Thank you Philip!
This older one plopped up in my feed 🙂 I do not agree with your choices but nice to see Brass in the list. My favorite game that none of my friends like. But where is Terraforming Mars?!? 🤔 Anyway, I think I will look into Snowdonia and Obsession 😁
AND.... at this point we hadn't played Terraforming Mars! I wonder if it would make Maggie's list now 🤔
@@ThinkerThemer I did buy the collectors edition of Snowdonia. It's a bit too short and simple for my group and too much setup for what it is. But we will try some expansions as well. Is there any expansion that you would recommend?
Nice video! The only thing that is missing for me is photos of the boards. I didn‘t know like 8 of these games and just seeing the box art made me stop and google how the game looks on the table a lot of times.
That's fair! We've come a long way with our editing since this video so next time we'll think about this 😄 thanks for watching.
For me:
10. Agricola
9. Clans of Caledonia
8. Eclipse
7. Castles of Mad King Ludwig
6. Great Western Trail
5. Terraforming Mars
4. Gaia Project
3. Brass: Birmingham
2. A Feast for Odin
1. Dominant Species
Honorable Mentions: Tzolkin, Five Tribes, Anachrony
Great list with some cross-over with us!! Thanks for taking the time to share ☺
One thing which might help with discussing Theme is to show the game board, game pieces. For example Brass Birmingham has boats or trains connecting the different towns. That there is movements of goods to several markets. The leader of each round changes based on the amount of money spent.Personally seeing the two sided game board showing day and night (glow of factories in the night, or just coloured country during the day. I really think Roxley made the game very immersive.
Thanks Randy for the feedback, you're right that we use a lot of images and video for our in depth reviews but not our top 10s... ! Will think about a way to add this in ☺
I love thematic games. Such a great list and I can't wait to play Obsession & Snowdonia is on my top 10. The only ones I'd add are Kanban & Millennium Blades. Maybe Die Macher if you are talking thematic.
Thanks for watching Lawrence and glad you enjoyed the list. Snowdonia is such a special game... it's both tightly competitive yet strangely relaxing all at the same time, we love it too. Thanks for taking the time to comment ☺
Great list for sure :-)
Found your channel through your board Gaming Ramblings collabo, which was amazing!
So many games I really like or want to play. Especially your #1 here, which is so difficult to get to Europe :-(
The only game here I don't like is Viticulture, because the late game luck factor in drawing the matching purple cards is just outrageous.
Thank you! And welcome to our channel it is great to have you here, we had so much fun filming with Johannes and Sunniva! I know some people have issues with the luck in Viticulture... maybe because it was a game that was one of our big gateways into board game free-fall that it holds such a special place in our hearts 🥰 Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment- look forward to chatting more about games!
@@ThinkerThemer Thanks for your nice welcome!
It really felt like you were the perfect complement for Sunniva and Johannes, which made the video so good. Also loved how the visual contrast of your bright pastel shade and their rather dark black and white setting enhanced the experience 😊
Maybe I realised it more that you didn't mention the luck in it as I watched your Praga Caupt Regni review right after and before I commenting here, as you point out the luck in that one which felt a bit out of proportion.
But I definitely know the effect of rating early beloved games higher 😅
Brass is one of most loved games in general so Hurray that it's on the list. I would add Dominant Species and even if you have Caverna and FfO on the list I have to mention Fields of Arle. Praga Caput Regni is also a game where I get a thematic vibe. Other than that I think many Lacerda titles would make my list. Kanban, The Gallerist, On Mars,....
Finally I have to mention Rococo - it is a great game and the designers are in a board game group I use to go to if there is no nasty Corona around.
In a similar theme Pret a Porter is also an interesting choice.
How about a Thinker`s dream top 10 list ;)
Just subscribed - you are both amazing, this video is really entertaining , love the personalities shining through
Oh thank you so much!! Glad to have you here and thanks for taking the time to write this ☺ look forward to chatting more in the comments!
Thanks for this! I'm not generally into Euro games, but might be persuaded if the theme and presentation are up my street! I've not been drawn to Agricola/Caverna type games, as it doesn't feel all that titillating to play at running a household (I do that anyway, albeit not in a cave but in a fairly cosy Scandinavian welfare state...). Give me a few monsters and I'm in! Thanks again, you two are awesome!
Really surprised that there were no Vital Lacerda games on your list. I could argue that at least CO2, On Mars, Lisboa, Vinhos and The Gallerist could easily be in top3 when it comes to a) having a theme and not just a setting, and b) having strong integration between mechanics and said theme.
Considering the games you listed, you would probably enjoy The Transcontinental if you can get your hands on it. A euro game about building the transcontinental railway in Canada.
A wild card option would be Tigris & Euphrates. It may seem abstract, but it actually tells really fascinating stories about rise and fall of civilisations.
Some great games here, with some surprises. I was surprised you found Teotihuacan thematic... although you really explained it well! It's a fantastic game. Architects, Viticulture, Trickerion, and Obsession would definitely have made my list too. :) I would also say, in no particular order:
(1) Castell (building human towers for Spanish festivals)
(2) Legacy: Duke de Crecy (building family trees and trying to make the most memorable family)
(3) Lisboa (rebuilding the city of Lisbon after it was destroyed by 3 concurrent, historical natural disasters)
(4) Endeavor: Age of Sail (exploration and conquest and is a strange game in that it makes you confront the idea of slavery... often to deeply disturbing results, will your morality win out causing you to abolish it, or will you yield to financial benefit and sacrifice your morality, harming you in the end?)
(5) Clank (steal a dragon's treasure but don't make too much noise, or the dragon will eat you).
(6) Dungeon Petz (raise monsters to sell to dungeon lords, feed them, scoop poo, buy food, buy cages, fulfill their needs, satisfy hilariously picky clients)
These are some great adds and love the way you describe their thematic highlights!!! Castell is one that we are sooo keen to play! Thanks for the reminder I need to bump it up my to buy list... whew it is always such a long list isn't it...??!! ☺ thanks for watching this video and taking the time to write these thoughts!
I expected heavier picks towards the top but I’m new to your channel and enjoyed a themer owning a euro list quite a bit. I gotta say: agricola>>caverna, you need to play robinson despite hating coops (trust me, it’s a euro feast) and seek out archipelago for a unique, thematic euro for both of you to enjoy.
Ah yes! I think if it was our actual top ten games it might be a bit heavier 😁 Maggie owns and loves Robinson Crusoe ! We haven't played archipelago though... will have to look into that one. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! 😊
Great list and I agree on all selections! Though I would have put Feast for Odin at #1.
Thank you so much!! Glad you enjoyed this list... and can totally see how Feast for Odin would be your number 1... :) what a fabulous game. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Maggie liking Brass and Amy not caught me off guard.
Thank you very much for this incredible video. I love euros and theme, so it's the perfect list for me to look into :) It is sooo nice to see the thematic part of strategy games in focus, it is super helpful! When I started watching I thought Robison Crusoe is definitely on this list :D When you were about to announce the number 1, I was thinking: Wauh Robinson Crusoe is even number 1 :D. But I am happy that I was wrong, because I have now a new game to look into :D
New sub here.. we just bought A feast for Odin, and waiting on it to get here. I already own Robinson Crusoe, and we like it. I’m going to add Snowdonia and Great American trail to the list. Viticulture is already on my list.
Hi Toni thanks for the sub and welcome to the channel, great to have you here ☺ Cant wait to hear what you think of Feast!! Please let us know. It is a marvellous game 🥰 thanks for taking the time to comment!
#1, just found you and subscribed right away. You have great taste in games.
#2, one of you said that in Viticulture, the Tasting Room reward only happens if you have wine in your cellar. I have not heard of this restriction, and don't recall seeing it in my second edition copy of the original Viticulture.
#3, talking about thematic Euros is so appropriate in my life today! Dice Tower yesterday posted their Christmas list of "thematic" games. I took the opportunity to post a comment in the comments section of the video, asking, "What makes a game thematic?" Seems that the word is sometimes just 'code' for "I like the theme of this game" or "dudes fight each other on a board, and that is cool so it is thematic". The one game that I mentioned in my comments was ... wait for it ... Obsession!
Thank you so much for the sub, and excited to have you here given we have such similar taste in games :) what are some of your favourites? I believe the tasting room rule changed between editions to help balance out some of the new visitor cards (and to reduce the effectiveness of a no wine strategy).
Amazing that you also thought of Obsession... there is just no denying how well integrated the theme is into that game. Maggie (themer) thinks of it like a holy grail of euros... lol...
Thanks for taking the time to comment ☺
Settler of Catan was one of the pioneer Euros, is strategic, and used die rolls.
hopefully you do some underated euro games games longly forgotten
We try to have a mix of new and old... we still have such a long list of things to film! Thanks for taking the time to comment ☺
Amazing list. I love me thematic games and Euros have gotten better at it but I think Obsession shows how much is possible. It almost makes the rulebook obsolete after the first learning game because everything can be explained with easy examples. Brass did something similar with Coal and Iron which sticks to this day (lots of other stuff doesn’t though!).
Yes they are definitely getting better at it and I think gamers are expecting more and more from their tabletop experiences. Lucky there are some brilliant designers out there. I'm glad you agree about Obsession and thank you for taking the time to comment on our first top 10!
Raiders of the North Sea, Scythe, Spirit Island all come to mind
Nice list. I think Trickerion is the most thematic eurogame I've played. I really want to try Obsession, it looks very cool.
Hi Amy & Maggie, I'm Leo from Brazil and dropped in your channel by the guys from "before you play" when they made video about other reviewers they like to watch, and you know what? I liked you guys, its cool that different approach you have one from another to analyze board games based in way you most enjoy playing it.
In the end of this video you talk about a game of Vital that was not included in the list because Maggie hadn't played yet.
Well I like Vital´s games although I don't own any my favorite is Lisboa and hopefully I'll grab mine soon ! Anyway I'd like to hear from you two guys your thoughts and your experience playing Lisboa.
I also have another suggestion, if you have the chance to play Tainted Grail would be nice to hear your thoughts about it
Thanks for watching our channel (any friend of Monique and Naveen is a friend of ours 🥰)... glad you are enjoying the videos so far. We are waiting for our copy of Lisboa to arrive, I have ordered it with Mercado de Lisboa kickstarter. Cant wait to play it and review it. We've also not played Tainted Grail - what do you think of it? Thanks for taking the time to comment 😊
Love your list. I'm just getting into heavier Euros and my first two games are Viticulture and Obsession. We have similar tastes. I trust that I'll like your other choices.
I'm pretty new to the hobby (and to your channel) but really enjoyed hearing your take on these. The one I would most have loved you to add to your list was peeping over your shoulder the whole time - Troyes! Personally I find the art evocative and there are good thematic nods in many elements of the mechanics - particularly the activity cards. Good to see Viticulture high in your list - it is strong thematically if maybe a little light for your category? FInally I think you were right to leave Jaws out - yes it's incredibly strong thematically (recently played and played the movie theme music on every shark attack) but I think it's distinctly American, not Euro. [Hi again - exchanged comments earlier on BGG :) ]
Hi Stuart!! Ohh that is super interesting... I (Amy) find the opposite with Troyes... maybe because the mechanics in the game are so interesting to me that I ignore the theme (even more than usual ha ha ha). I'll have to ask Maggie about what she thinks. Yes I do agree that viticulture was probably one of the lightest on the list but HAD to be there 🥰 Thanks for taking the time to comment and we are happy to have you here! ☺
My partner and I love Brass but we've never engaged much with the theme. We play like we play all games, like cut throat enemies! We hate when we flip each others industries and try very hard not to. Your talk has made me want to try to play it more like you've said and see how different it might be.
Hahaha that's exactly how I play it (Amy) and i think that is why I always lose... I never want to give Maggie anything lol. When I first played it and didn't like it I turned to forums about it and they encouraged me to try it with a 'sharing economy' in mind. I need to get it back to the table and play it again because so many people love the game like yourselves! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment 😊
Love this video and I'm going to have to track down a copy of Obsession now. As a Brit (with animosity, ha) Birmingham is not Bir-ming-ham in Alabama it's Bur-min-gum in England 😉 check Peaky Blinders for pronunciation.
Great list with some games I love! Teotihuacan and Obsession are on my watch list but i'm still on the fence on TEO because I play mostly with 2 and with Obsession because of the luck factor.
Ah yes Teotihuacan is not too bad with two because the dummy player stays still between eclipses so it is easy to implement but definitely more boring than a third player. We mostly play it at 4 and would play Tekhenu instead at 2 (and equally good at higher player counts!) I think there is some luck in Obsession with the tile draft but mostly it is about timing... making sure you have the correct workers when you need them and that they match the cards in your hand and the estate tiles you have. Anyway not every game is for everyone just thought I'd share our thoughts on these two points. Thank you for taking the time to comment and the lovely feedback Alexandre! ☺