For a brief recap of how I came up with my list, refer back to my previous post:
Here we go with #60-51! Halfway there!
#60 - Kingdomino
I was actually surprised at how much I liked this simple tile-placement game and look forward to more strategy in the Queendomino sequel/spinoff. However, this game still packs enough punch and depth for an easy to learn gateway game that I wouldn't hesitate to play it considering how quick the game can be finished.
#59 - Mr. Jack Pocket
I was amazed at the depth that this pocket version of Mr. Jack had, to the point where I enjoy it more than the original but also probably due to the fact that there is a mobile app and I have been able to get many more plays of it. Still, a two-player cat-and-mouse game on a miniature board worked surprisingly well.
#58 - San Juan
The Puerto Rico experience in card form, this is a quick alternative when there isn't time for Puerto Rico or Race for the Galaxy. Although I find it quite enjoyable, it is slowly slipping as it just doesn't have the same depth as either of the two games it is based on.
#57 - Mysterium
This deduction game has killed Dixit for me as I see it as a more strategic and thematic version of that game. Although it is a bit long and the rules can be a bit complicated for newcomers, once a couple rounds get underway, the rest of the game flows well. As mentioned in a previous post, it could be possible for Deception: Murder in Hong Kong to dethrone this, but not anytime soon.
#56 - Takenoko
A light gateway game where you grow a bamboo forest and try to defend against a panda that is slowly grazing and tearing down everything that you have built up. It that has a really cute theme and is visually appealing, making it a good introduction into action selection games.
#55 - Star Realms
A quick, easy, space-themed card game that may climb the ranks with the upcoming character packs. It may not be my favorite space-themed card game but it possibly is my favorite deckbuilder (tight race with Paperback below) and really renewed my interest in the mechanic, which was slowly waning.
#54 - Paperback
A fun mash-up between deck-building and Scrabble, this game really surprised me. I think this might become my leading gateway deckbuilder as the theme is appealing to most, or at least many will be familiar because of Scrabble, and the rules are easy to grasp. It also gives people who have a good vocabulary a decent edge even if they are new to deckbuilders. I just mentioned that Star Realms might be my favorite deckbuilder and ranked this one higher, but the reason this one has the edge is probably because of the gateway nature.
#53 - Photosynthesis
This game is a visual treat and the mechanics feel very intuitive as you grow trees in a forest, constantly trying to chase the sun and avoid getting caught in the shadows of your opponent's trees as you try to plant in more fertile and valuable soil. It is a a bit rules heavy for a gateway game but the ease of play makes up for it.
#52 - Ticket to Ride
This popular gateway game is easy to learn, visually appealing, and has expansions galore which add to the strategy and replayability. For me, it has aged much better than Catan or Carcassonne, two of the other more popular gateway games available.
#51 - Cottage Garden
A simplified re-implementation of Patchwork for up to four players, this is a lot of fun but Patchwork still does it better for me from a game play perspective. Still, Patchwork is limited to two players and the theme of this game is a bit more appealing. Similar to the game that started this group, I am interested in the more strategic Indian Summer and Spring Meadow.
#60 - Kingdomino
I was actually surprised at how much I liked this simple tile-placement game and look forward to more strategy in the Queendomino sequel/spinoff. However, this game still packs enough punch and depth for an easy to learn gateway game that I wouldn't hesitate to play it considering how quick the game can be finished.
#59 - Mr. Jack Pocket
I was amazed at the depth that this pocket version of Mr. Jack had, to the point where I enjoy it more than the original but also probably due to the fact that there is a mobile app and I have been able to get many more plays of it. Still, a two-player cat-and-mouse game on a miniature board worked surprisingly well.
#58 - San Juan
The Puerto Rico experience in card form, this is a quick alternative when there isn't time for Puerto Rico or Race for the Galaxy. Although I find it quite enjoyable, it is slowly slipping as it just doesn't have the same depth as either of the two games it is based on.
#57 - Mysterium
This deduction game has killed Dixit for me as I see it as a more strategic and thematic version of that game. Although it is a bit long and the rules can be a bit complicated for newcomers, once a couple rounds get underway, the rest of the game flows well. As mentioned in a previous post, it could be possible for Deception: Murder in Hong Kong to dethrone this, but not anytime soon.
#56 - Takenoko
A light gateway game where you grow a bamboo forest and try to defend against a panda that is slowly grazing and tearing down everything that you have built up. It that has a really cute theme and is visually appealing, making it a good introduction into action selection games.
#55 - Star Realms
A quick, easy, space-themed card game that may climb the ranks with the upcoming character packs. It may not be my favorite space-themed card game but it possibly is my favorite deckbuilder (tight race with Paperback below) and really renewed my interest in the mechanic, which was slowly waning.
#54 - Paperback
A fun mash-up between deck-building and Scrabble, this game really surprised me. I think this might become my leading gateway deckbuilder as the theme is appealing to most, or at least many will be familiar because of Scrabble, and the rules are easy to grasp. It also gives people who have a good vocabulary a decent edge even if they are new to deckbuilders. I just mentioned that Star Realms might be my favorite deckbuilder and ranked this one higher, but the reason this one has the edge is probably because of the gateway nature.
#53 - Photosynthesis
This game is a visual treat and the mechanics feel very intuitive as you grow trees in a forest, constantly trying to chase the sun and avoid getting caught in the shadows of your opponent's trees as you try to plant in more fertile and valuable soil. It is a a bit rules heavy for a gateway game but the ease of play makes up for it.
#52 - Ticket to Ride
This popular gateway game is easy to learn, visually appealing, and has expansions galore which add to the strategy and replayability. For me, it has aged much better than Catan or Carcassonne, two of the other more popular gateway games available.
#51 - Cottage Garden
A simplified re-implementation of Patchwork for up to four players, this is a lot of fun but Patchwork still does it better for me from a game play perspective. Still, Patchwork is limited to two players and the theme of this game is a bit more appealing. Similar to the game that started this group, I am interested in the more strategic Indian Summer and Spring Meadow.
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