BEST COMBINATORIAL 2-PLAYER GAME OF 2019 - NOMINATIONS

Markus Hagenauer jr.

(Markus Hagenauer)

Germany
Surheim
Germany

Recommend

.

In the past years we voted for the BEST COMBINATORIAL 2-PLAYER GAME OF 2011/2012, BEST COMBINATORIAL 2-PLAYER GAME OF 2013, BEST COMBINATORIAL 2-PLAYER GAME OF 2014, BEST COMBINATORIAL 2-PLAYER GAME OF 2015, BEST COMBINATORIAL 2-PLAYER GAME OF 2016, BEST COMBINATORIAL 2-PLAYER GAME OF 2017 and BEST COMBINATORIAL 2-PLAYER GAME OF 2018
to find out what be most popular 2-player combinatorial games (often reffered to with the easy to misunderstand term Abstract Strategy Games) of the last years were.

And now another year has passed and so it is time to vote again.

If you want to nominate a game, add it to the list. If you want to vote for a game, give a thumb to the list item.

Please also feel free to add some words about why you like the game you´ve added to the list / voted for.

Before you add games to the list, make sure they fit the following criterions:

- no randomness during the game (randomly selecting the starting player or a random start arrangement is OK)
- no hidden information
- no real-time or simultaneous actions
- for 2 players only
- published in 2019 (no reprints)

The list is has been open for submitting new items until 15th of April

and is has been open for voting until 20th of May.

This voting periode is only to select 10 finalists.

For the 10 (or more if there is a tie) games with the most thumbs, I´ll than make a poll to finally determine the winner. You will get at least four more weeks to have a closer look at the finalists before you have to submit your ballots.

Your Tags:	Add tags Tags (separate by space):
Popular Tags:	[View All]

Edited Sun May 24, 2020 7:00 am
Posted Thu Mar 5, 2020 11:47 am

[+] Dice rolls

1. Board Game: SHŌBU [Average Rating:7.67 Overall Rank:1552]

Quinn Swanger

(qswanger)

United States
Holly Springs
North Carolina

Stellar

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

2. Board Game: Fenix [Average Rating:6.75 Unranked]

Quinn Swanger

(qswanger)

United States
Holly Springs
North Carolina

Older game, but not published until 2019, as far as I am aware.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

3. Board Game: Benediction [Average Rating:7.83 Unranked]

Alek Erickson

(alekerickson)

Sweden
Sundbyberg
Stockholm

Benediction involves placement, movement, capture, stacking, kings, curses, blessings, and blockading. It is a combinatorial game where undifferentiated pieces become differentiated through play.
Each player owns a wall, which are semi-permeable membranes allowing enemy pieces to pass. Walls hold the power to "bless" pieces, either by moving through them, or by connecting both walls with a chain of friendly men. The win condition is to capture one enemy king, or "bless" one of your own kings.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

4. Board Game: Tabula Trivium [Average Rating:7.88 Unranked]

Jonas Lidström Isegrim

(Quadrante)

Sweden

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

5. Board Game: Othellito [Average Rating:8.18 Unranked]

Jonas Lidström Isegrim

(Quadrante)

Sweden

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

6. Board Game: Unpublished Prototype [Average Rating:6.86 Overall Rank:2895]

christian freeling

(christianF)

Netherlands

Chess+ is a joint effort by Nick Bentley and Christian Freeling with the obvious aim of being better than Chess960 in terms of providing more Chess with less theory. It can be played at mindsports between humans or against an AI.

The game has not been admitted to the BGG database.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

7. Board Game: Wizard's Garden [Average Rating:7.04 Overall Rank:8283]

Marcello Bertocchi

(maruXV)

Italy
Rezzato

it is an old game but first tabletop edition was in 2019

got quite a lot of love here in Italy, was also in list for best game 2019 at Lucca comics and games.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

8. Abstract Games :: Thread: Make Muster (2019) Rules - Plus an animated sample game

dale walton

(dale walton)

Thailand
Bangkok

First described in Make Muster - a simple game? (called Slow Muster in this article of the thread).
Make Muster is now in the game database.

Make Muster is a game that forces the players to make distributed placements whenever possible, and otherwise allows movement toward the goals of piece unification and/or preventing the opponent's pieces unification. It is played on a rotated square grid.

Naturally, depth of play depends on the size of the grid. The version entered to the PNP competition is the smallest size of interest to play (order 3 - 45 squares). After learning on the small board, a reasonable size for a strategy game is the order 5 board (125 squares), or more.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

9. Thread: [WIP] Throngs - 2020 2 player PNP Contest entry (PNP submitted)

dale walton

(dale walton)

Thailand
Bangkok

This entry is now officially withdrawn because it is too new, likely it will be back next year instead.

Throngs is a tactical territorial game that uses double turns on a triangular grid (articulated hexagonal board). A piece's power of movement depends on the pieces around where it is played; territory is invaded; and captures are one at a time, giving it a chess-like feeling despite the simplicity of its pieces and its territorial goal.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

10. Board Game: Soulaween [Average Rating:7.09 Overall Rank:8932]

Chris Meeusen

(zekks)

Belmont
Michigan

Great game. Has additional variants with powers as well.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

11. Board Game: Mammalath [Average Rating:5.74 Overall Rank:15892]

Néstor Romeral Andrés

(nestorgames)

Spain

For your consideration.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

12. Board Game: Uptown [Average Rating:7.69 Unranked]

Néstor Romeral Andrés

(nestorgames)

Spain

For your consideration.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

13. Board Game: Jaleo [Average Rating:7.36 Unranked]

Néstor Romeral Andrés

(nestorgames)

Spain

For your consideration.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

14. Board Game: Keil [Average Rating:9.00 Unranked]

Craig Duncan

(cdunc123)

United States
Ithaca
New York

A version of Go for hexhex board. A better game than TriGo in my opinion.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

15. Board Game: Linear Pursuit [Average Rating:8.33 Unranked]

Stuart Ralph

(HogPot)

United Kingdom

A 'Chess-like' game, played out on the circumference of a round board.
Whilst the lines on the board may, at first glance, appear arbitrary, they're not. A board attempting to enable the most complex gameplay, whilst retaining the maximum degree of comprehension. Four interlocking transpositions of a simple, single, 5 line design with a single line horizontally across the centre of the board provide symmetry.
Whilst there is a 'Classic' set up, there are many alternatives. Fewer pieces for potentially shorter games, play without the 'Pawns', play with only the 'Pawns' and a 'King', random placement.
Provided each player has the same number of pieces (not necessarily of the same type) and each player has a 'King', the possibilities are substantial.
Fully playable version on Stephen Tavener's 'Ai Ai' or Tabletop Simulator.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

16. Board Game: Pinch [Average Rating:7.00 Unranked]

Craig Duncan

(cdunc123)

United States
Ithaca
New York

I had several designs in 2019. I'll add them to this list and briefly note what I take to be distinctive about each.

This is a square grid connection game, with (in my view) a simple and elegant way of avoiding the dreaded square grid connection game deadlock, via a novel form of capture ("pinch capture"). The capture element adds some drama, especially since multiple captures in a single turn are possible.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

17. Board Game: Wunchunk [Average Rating:8.50 Unranked]

Craig Duncan

(cdunc123)

United States
Ithaca
New York

This is probably my favorite of my 2019 designs. The rules are simple: your goal is to have the fewest groups in your color at the end of the game. (Note that these are "groups" in the strict sense; singleton stones don't count as groups in this game.) The number of stones you can place on your current turn is equal to your current number of groups on the board. On your turn you can place any color of stone, or any mix of colors of stones. Wunchunk can play 2, 3, or 4 players.

The drama comes from the tension between an incentive to (temporarily) increase your number of groups in order to earn a bigger budget of stones to place on your turn, combined with an incentive to reduce your number of groups in order to win the game.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

18. Board Game: Exo-Hex [Average Rating:7.67 Unranked]

Craig Duncan

(cdunc123)

United States
Ithaca
New York

This is a simple connection game for a hexhex board. Each player starts with a set of "exo-stones" that lie exterior to each side of the board. The goal is to play stones to the grid so as to connect the most exo-stones in your color. A group of yours has a score equal to the number of your exo-stones it connects to. Highest scoring single group wins. "Recursive scoring" (i.e. in case of tie for highest scoring group, compare the second-highest scoring groups, etc.) ensures there is no draw.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

19. Board Game: Iris [Average Rating:7.17 Unranked]

Craig Duncan

(cdunc123)

United States
Ithaca
New York

This is another connection game for the hexhex board. The perimeter cells of an Iris board are colored. A group's score is equal to the number of colored cells it occupies. Highest scoring single group wins. Recursive scoring breaks ties (i.e. if tied for highest scoring single group, then players compare second highest scoring groups, etc.).

The game is played with the 12* protocol (i.e. Player 1 places 1 stone on turn 1, and thereafter -- starting with Player 2 on turn 1 -- each player places two stones on his/her turn). If you place a stone on a colored cell, then you must place your second stone on the same colored cell on the opposite side of the board. If you place a stone on a gray interior cell, then your second stone can be placed on any other empty gray cell, provided it is not adjacent to the first.

Surprisingly (to me at least), despite the fact that there is an even number of colored cells, ties are impossible.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

20. Board Game: Bosk [Average Rating:7.08 Overall Rank:2049]

Cody Kunka

(Kunkasaurus)

United States

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Two-phase design tied to seasons theme.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

21. Board Game: Mapmaker: The Gerrymandering Game [Average Rating:6.82 Overall Rank:4264]

Cody Kunka

(Kunkasaurus)

United States

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Area control nicely tied to Gerrymandering theme.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

22. Board Game: Moon Base [Average Rating:7.10 Overall Rank:7367]

Cody Kunka

(Kunkasaurus)

United States

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Randomness only in setup.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

23. Board Game: Quantik [Average Rating:5.82 Overall Rank:13216]

Cody Kunka

(Kunkasaurus)

United States

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Like Quarto.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

24. Board Game: Skipp [Average Rating:6.80 Unranked]

Cody Kunka

(Kunkasaurus)

United States

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Makes me think of frogs and lily pads.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

25. Board Game: Kipp4 [Average Rating:7.12 Unranked]

Cody Kunka

(Kunkasaurus)

United States

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Nice production and novel mechanism.

[+] Dice rolls

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

| Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment

View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}

[ShowHide] Thank you for helping us moderate the site. [Community Rules]

Edited
Posted
- Reply
- Quote
- Edit
- Delete

View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}