As with any “Year” list that comes out before the end of the year, which is usually most of them, any games scheduled for release in December are screwed by my list. Sorry, guys, but I’ve got to create this list now so that anyone who cares what I have to say – all three of you! – can use my list as a Christmas wish list.

I play a lot of games, and I buy even more than I play, so it’s sometimes difficult to decide on which game is my “favorite” at any given time. Narrowing the list of “favorites” down to those published in a single year is harder still, but after some serious thought and looking over the games released this year (the games I’ve actually played, that is), I have determined that the following are the absolute best games of 2008. These are not listed numerically but, rather, listed alphabetically. I just couldn’t keep beating my head against the wall as I tried to determine which game was actually my #1 game for the year.

Note: The following games are drawn only from those published in 2008. If I were to list my top games played for 2008 the list would be very different (and would include Cold War: CIA vs KGB, Citadels, Stratego*, and many others). This is specifically a list of the top games that were published this year.

* Though there was a new edition of Stratego published this year – and I did buy a copy – I haven’t played it yet. Who knows, if I manage to play more games over the month of December (which I will), and if I had waited until January to write this list, the final top 4 may look drastically different (and might even expand to a top 5).

Another Note: Why “Top 4” games? I intended to list five games but, as I went over my collection and started yanking out the games I wanted to highlight, I found that there were only four games that I really wanted to push on others. Rather than drop in a game that I wasn’t completely ready to endorse, though there were several that came close to making the cut, I decided that the best thing to do was go with the four that I had chosen. If you’re unhappy with this decision then I am sorry, but it’s my list and I’m making the rules.

Anyway, you’re not here to listen to me chatter on so, without any more unnecessary words, I give you this list.

Battlestar Galactica The Board Game

What is it? Battlestar Galactica The Board Game, designed by Corey Konieczka, is a semi-cooperative game for three to six players (one or two of which will be dirty Cylons, and I swear I’m not the Cylon). Published by Fantasy Flight Games, Battlestar Galactica is a component-heavy boardgame based on the popular Sci-Fi Channel series of the same name.

Why is it on my list? Because, to put it simply, this game is gonna start a fight at the table and lead to some hurt feelings. Unlike Shadows Over Camelot, which is a fun cooperative game with a traitor element, Battlestar Galactica is an awesome cooperative game with a traitor element that leads to constant accusations, chaos, and a continual state of wondering “Is he a Cylon?” When played with devious players the game becomes even better, since a poker face is absolutely necessary to perfectly pulling off the “I’m not a Cylon” play when you are, in fact, a Cylon.

Why should you own a copy? Simply put, Battlestar Galactica The Board Game is the best cooperative game (with a traitor!) on the market. It can sometimes play long – I’ve heard of five and six hour games – but with an experienced group, and a focused group, games can finish in less than three hours.

If you’re a fan of the series then this is a must buy.

If you’ have never seen the series, but your group enjoys backstabbing and diplomacy, you need this game. (Be careful, though, because you may find yourself snatching up the DVDs; I’ve been borrowing all of the DVDs and watching them and finding the series ranges from great to frustrating.)

If you hate the series then you should pass on this game.

Dominion

What is it? Designed by Donald X. Vaccarino, and published by Rio Grande Games, Dominion has been frequently described as a “CCG in a box.” The reviews (I haven’t written a review yet, but I plan to) don’t do this game justice. In fact, reading about the game cannot compare to actually playing the game. With that out of the way, I’ll just say: Dominion is a card game in which players start with the exact same decks and, as the game proceeds, they work to build their decks until, by the time the game ends, every deck is drastically different.

Dominion includes 500 cards, though not all of them are used each time you play, and it is the way the cards interact that make it impressive. Through careful deck construction as play proceeds you can slowly create a machine that kicks in and, after several rounds of execution, starts bringing in the high-value victory point cards.

Why is it on my list? To be honest, it’s on this particular list because I first played the game a week ago and in the past week I’ve played it 10 times (and later today I’m giving a copy of the game to my BGG Secret Santa target; Gina and I are going to his house to surprise him with a copy of the game and to teach him and his wife how to play). Dominion's basic concept impresses me and has me sitting back feeling jealous that I didn’t come up with the idea. Overall, the game is very simple to learn but, as with most great games, mastering the game is a challenge. The game plays fast so in an evening you can play two or three times, which goes a long way toward teaching you how the various cards interact with each other.

Why should you own a copy? If you’re looking for a card game that you can play in 45 minutes to an hour, and enjoy games with a lot of variety and repeat play value, then you need a copy of Dominion. Since the game includes a total of 25 different action cards, and only 10 different action cards are used each time you play, the possibilities are far greater than you first realize when you’re told “it’s a card game.” I’ve played most of the suggested card mixes and each mix gives the game a different feel; and I haven’t even tried the random mix or draft mix yet. If you’re a CCG player then you need Dominion because it’s going to give you an experience unlike any CCG you’ve ever played. If you’re not a CCG player then you need Dominion because it’s going to give you the joy of deck building, without requiring you to buy a ton of cards and then sit in a room by yourself.

You need Dominion or, at the very least, a friend with a copy of the game.

Pandemic

What is it? A cooperative boardgame by Matt Leacock and published by Z-Man Games (it’s no coincidence that there are two cooperative games on this list, since co-op games are fun), I first played Pandemic at BGG Con 2007 (in prototype form) but since it wasn’t officially released until this year I’m comfortable with adding it to the list. In Pandemic, two-to-four players work together to fight off diseases, with the players racing around the world to treat diseases as they search for cures. The fact that the game plays in under an hour – the fastest cooperative game that I own – just makes a great game even better.

Why is it on my list? Because it hits the table so often and I’m always happy to teach new players how to play. The game is pretty simple to learn but winning – even when everyone is working together – is not easy. Additionally, the game’s presentation is fantastic, from the design of the cards to the well-written and designed rulesheet. My only complaint with the game is that the board is too small for the size of the bits, but even then the board isn’t so small that it detracts from the fun of the game.

Why should you own a copy? You need a copy of Pandemic because it’s easy to learn, fast to play, and a purely cooperative game (there is no secret traitor trying to win the game; everyone either wins or the game wins, that’s it). Pandemic has been a little difficult to find this year (the original printing sold out fast), but it should be in stores now since Z-Man Games just shipped the reprint.

The only reason to not own a copy of Pandemic is if you hate games. Otherwise, buy this game today (before it sells out again).

Revolution!

What is it? An area control, blind bidding game designed by Philip duBarry and published by Revolution Games, Revolution! – when played with my group – is a game of sneaky tactics, lies, and “pound the leader.” Deceptively simple – place bids on a sheet and then resolve the results – the game, like the previously-mentioned Dominion, has that “easy to learn, tough to master” thing going for it. As you play the game your actions place influence cubes on the board until, after about 45 minutes, the last cube is placed and the game ends (usually with me losing).

Why is it on my list? Revolution! is the only game on the list that I was unsure of; not because of the gameplay – the game is excellent and a lot of fun – but because of my association with the game. You see, duBarry self-published the game and I bought a copy and, after playing several times, I loved the game so much that I went to Steve and said “We have to publish this game.” A little chatter, a few rounds of playing, several e-mails and phone calls and then, bam, we signed a deal to publish Revolution! That’s why it’s on this list; I enjoyed the game so much that I pushed forward and made an arrangement to publish it.

Why should you own a copy? Right now you can’t buy the game (unless you find a used copy), so adding it to this list strikes it off your Christmas list. Next year, though, we’ll get the game onto the market and then you can buy a copy. And you should buy it for two reasons: Revolution! is fun and buying a copy proves that I was right when I said “this is a great game.”

Seriously, though, you need to own a copy of Revolution! if you’re fan of making deals, misleading others, and you just simply love fast-playing games that can be learned in a couple of minutes. I love this game, and it’s even fun today after playing dozens of times and teaching the game to dozens of strangers.



So that’s it, my “Top 4 Games of 2008” list. None of these games are required if you want to continue living, but you should at least own one of them if you want to play one of the best games of the year. Maybe as December goes on, and I get a chance to try more of the 2008 releases, I’ll find that elusive fifth game and update this list. Or maybe I won’t.