Hello everyone and welcome to my list of the top 10 games of 2020! This list is made up of the games that I specifically (Isaac) have played and enjoyed. This year was definitely a much different year than normal and there were a few games I would have loved to play but didn’t have a chance to try. My list is made up of the games I really liked and that made a big impression on me this year.
When I rank games I enjoy there are a few factors I like to take in to account to really decide on the place the game has for me. How much I enjoyed the gameplay is of course the biggest determining factor but others such as originality, replayability, art and design, rulebook and overall fun level come into play for me. The difficulty of a game is not a factor, there are very difficult to medium to easy-entry party games on my list. Each of these games I have played multiple times and I enjoyed all aspects of them with a variety of people.
One thing to note is that there are many games from 2020 that I unfortunately did not get a chance to try, many of which I am sure would have made a crack at my top ten. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it is my list and one I am happy to share with you. So here are my top 10 games of 2020 and winners of the coveted “Gaming with Sidekicks Top Shelf Game” award!
Top 10 Games of 2020
Let’s start this off right with a party game! Hues and Cues does things right that I want from all party games-it scales well to small or a large group size, it keeps all players engaged and it is a lot of fun! The board features a literal rainbow on the color palate and really stands out on the middle of the table. It is an easy entry level game that is bound to find laughs and fun from everyone who plays it. The OP comes in with the first game on my list today, Hues and Cues!
#9-Jurassic Parts
25th Century Games continues to be one of my favorite game companies to follow and watch. They continue to elevate their game in terms of style, theme and overall production of their games-I am really impressed with the job they do over there. This year there were a few good games fort hem but my favorite was Jurassic Parts. The tiles, the mystery of the flip and working together and against people as you split up and choose areas to dig into is a ton of fun. This game is great for seasoned gamers looking for something a little more on the light side as well as newer players. And that amber first player marker is awesome!
#8-In the Hall of the Mountain King
I had a chance to play this at Origins 2019 after already being a backer and I was hooked immediately. Solid design and component quality, awesome theme and I love a good polyomino game. This one took those wonderful pieces and ramped up the gameplay. The cascade action of resources is unique and fun as well. Another great game from the folks over at Burnt Island Games, In the Hall of the Mountain King climbs up the trollsmoot number eight on my list!
New games are always the thing on our minds as a lot of subscribe to the hotness trends in games-you can even say that we all want to know what all the buzz is about in a new release. Well this one definitely had that good buzz online, and when I played i was not disappointed! Honey Buzz continued to impress me with the style, immersive art and theme and gameplay with each time it hit my table. I really love the quality and love the Elf Creek Games and company put into this one. Amazing work and one that is bound to spend a lot of time on my table!
A game that helped kick off the 2020 gaming season, Sorcerer City is the tile-laying game that I didn’t know I was missing in my life. It is super fun and one of the only real-time games that people I play with seem to enjoy. The tiles are always different in your build each time you play as you never know what is coming out and when you will see it. The Monsters add such a fun aspect as well, constantly keeping you on your toes. And those beautiful victory point tokens! Congrats to the fine folks over at Skybound Games/Druid City Games-Sorcerer City is bound to be a game that will be enjoyed for many years!
The first title in the top five and the deckbuilder that really opened the genre in a way i didn’t think was possible is Fort from Leder Games. I love the art, the characters and the gameplay of this one as everyone is on their toes and trying to find ways to make sure you and your friends have the most awesome fort, toys and pizza. This is the deckbuilder that I didn’t know I needed and one of my favorite quick strategic games of the year. Don’t miss out on this one!
#4-Calico
Theme is important to me, and honestly cats are not at the top of my list for games. I can appreciate them in a game but I don’t look for them specifically. That being said, I will take these cats all day and keep them on my table again and again. The artwork by Beth Sobel for this one jumps right off the table, this abstract puzzle game is one I can see playing for a very long time. There is little that this game doesn’t do and I really appreciate the depth and ease of play that combine into a great game here.
What more can I say about this game than I haven’t already? Pan Am is one of the best IP games I have ever played and the fine people at Funko Games and Prospero Hall did this one justice. The game is aesthetically interesting and such a fun throwback to a different era-the art draws you in and the gameplay keeps you there. One of the best parts to me is how very different the game can feel at two, three or four players. Strategies change, movement flies around the board and plans rise and fall at the whim of a route or decision from another player-this game is solid top to bottom. And who doesn’t love little plastic airplanes to fly around? Pan Am soars above so much of the competition this year to earn themselves a top 3 finish in our games of 2020!
Rococo Deluxe Edition is a 2020 release but has been released in the past in a former version. This new version has all new components, artwork and smashes all the expansions together to create a great experience and quite possible one of the most beautiful games that has ever graced my table. Eagle Gryphon Games and company have really leveled this one up to a production that is worth to be called art-Ian O’Toole once again delivers an amazing product on the table. I have really enjoyed all aspects of this game and think it is one of the best games I have ever played in terms of style and smooth mechanics. Don’t miss out on a chance to take this one to the ball-Rococo Deluxe Edition comes in at number two on my list.
And finally, at the top spot on the charts is one of the immersive, challenging and rewarding games I have ever played. On Mars is a deep dive into the world of space exploration and colonization of the planet Mars, where every decision you make has weight and can be spun in so many different ways. Lacerda and O’Toole combine to make one of the most dynamic duos in board gaming and this game is the pinnacle of that team-up. It is gorgeous with some of the best component quality and presentation that has ever graced my table. It is not over complicated but provides many, many choices throughout the game that you must make in order to come out on top. Deserving of the top spot in my countdown for all the reasons above, On Mars is in my top 5 games of all-time and is the best of 2020 for me!
Great list Isaac.