The summary of ‘Top 20 Cooperative Games of 2023’

00:00:00

In this part of the video, the speaker wraps up a series of top game rankings by presenting his top 20 cooperative games of 2023. He briefly touches on previous rankings related to crowdfunding games, solo games, and a podcast ranking, and mentions a top 10 list of disappointing games available on Patreon for those interested in some critique. Then, he dives into the cooperative game rankings:

1. **#20: The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game** – A family-friendly game with scenarios from the book trilogy, great for cooperative play but less effective solo due to the complexity of managing ring cards.
2. **#19: Intrepid** – A space station-saving game that involves tile building and dice placement. The game emphasizes cooperation as no faction can function alone, and the expansion is recommended for the best experience.
3. **#18: City of the Great Machine** – This game has competitive and solo modes but shines in cooperative play. Players work to rally people against an evil AI Overlord, with varied characters and enemies, and many modules to enhance gameplay.
4. **#17: Noobs in Space** – A cooperative riddle game where players communicate about but cannot show their cards. It’s noted for being quick, affordable, and fun, with eight scenarios offering a unique twist on escape room-style games.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the host discusses several board games and their rankings on their personal list. They mention “Noobs in Space” at number 17, highlighting its suitability for families or those seeking a light, quick game. At number 16 is “Deep Rock Galactic,” praised for its fun, tactical, cooperative gameplay despite repetitive scenarios and expensive expansions. “Maximum Apocalypse” ranks 15th, appreciated for its improved balance, variety, and tense exploration. “Astron Knights” at number 14 is noted for its quick setup, strategic gameplay, and sci-fi theme, making it a preferred alternative to “Aon’s End.” The simpler and smaller “Sco and Tier” is listed at number 13, valued for its hand management and cooperative play. Finally, “Keep the Heroes Out,” a cooperative deck builder at number 12, involves using monster factions to fend off heroes in a dungeon setting, celebrated for its variety and cuteness.

00:06:00

In this part of the video, the reviewer discusses several board games, focusing on their unique attributes and why they enjoy them. Firstly, they mention a game they rank at number 12, noting its great variety in scenarios and the potential improvements an upcoming expansion might bring. Next, at number 11, they elaborate on “Paths Mouth: Beyond the Rift,” a card-based dungeon crawler with strong cooperative gameplay and varied scenarios, though it just missed their top 10 due to some rule ambiguities.

The number 10 spot goes to “Skytear Horde,” praised for being a great solo and two-player cooperative game with limited space for strategic card placement and faction synergies. The reviewer is hopeful about its future with an anticipated expansion.

Finally, at number 9, they excitedly discuss “Resident Evil 1,” highlighting its cooperative play, tension, and thematic exploration, especially when played with more players. They appreciate how the game stays faithful to the Resident Evil universe.

00:09:00

In this part of the video, the speaker reviews and ranks several games. At number nine, they highlight “Resident Evil 1” for fans of adventures and campaigns. Number eight is “Valor and Villainy: Lludwik’s Labyrinth,” praised for its cooperative dungeon crawling with diverse scenarios and engaging card play, though the replay value diminished after completing the campaign. Number seven is “Kaire Delve,” a card-based dungeon delving game lauded for its cooperative mechanics and affordability, with anticipation for future expansions. Number six is “Genshin Tarot: The Genshin Impact Deck Building Game,” favored for its tactical choices, challenging gameplay, and potential for cooperative play, with a nod to its appealing card art.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses their top five solo and co-op games of the year. They start with “Earthborne Rangers,” praising its card play, open-world exploration, and narrative elements, although noting it can get somewhat grindy. This game ranks number five. Next, at number four, is “Sleeping Gods: Distant Skies,” which the speaker preferred slightly over “Earthborne Rangers” due to its fast travel mechanics and strong narrative. For number three, they highlight “The Light in the Mist,” a puzzle and narrative game, for its exceptional value and lasting impact. Finally, they mention “Sky Team” as a standout two-player game, especially noted for its limited communication and dice placement mechanics.

00:15:00

In this segment, the speaker shares their enthusiasm for their number one game of the year, a favorite dungeon crawler. They describe the game as extremely engaging, with varied and fun combat scenarios, and highlight its appeal to both adults and children. The speaker notes that the game has strong cooperative elements and prefers it over solo play. They also mention their experience with other notable dungeon crawlers, but none have dethroned their top choice. The speaker concludes by expressing gratitude to the viewers, looking forward to more gaming in the year to come, and mentioning additional content in an upcoming podcast.