Top 10 Games to *Buy, Try or Spy* at GenCon 2024 | Most Anticipated

We're heading over to the US to attend one of our favourite board game conventions - GenCon 2024! We've started researching games and can foresee it being very expensive with NO OVERLAP in our most anticipated lists. We hope that this research helps you navigate through and find some gems that work for you and your gamer group.
Please come and say hi if you see us!
We'll shortly update the list below with timestamps where you can find each of these games at GenCon (to the best of our knowledge!) so be sure to come back when you're marking your map.
Note: all B-roll in this video is credited to game publisher and/or designer of the game
*******Warning Spoilers in Timestamps Below!*********
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Location in GenCon 2024 exhibition hall shown in brackets (COMING SOON)
MSRP shown where publisher has listed (COMING SOON)
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Games we've covered
Witchcraft! • 10, OUT OF 10 (Part 16...
Stonespine Architects • Stonespine Architects ...
Confusing Lands • Three GREAT new card g...
Evenfall • Top 10 Big Box / Euro ...
Rebel Princess Deluxe • 10, OUT OF 10 (Part 16...
Vegetable Stock • Ranking all of the boa...
Hamster Roll
Things in Rings • Things in Rings ~ we t...
Fairy • Three GREAT new card g...
Rebirth prototype • Rebirth ~ Easy to teac...
Luthier prototype • Luthier ~ the HEAVY, t...
ARCS • ARCS ~ 4x Trick-Taking...
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:53 - Highly recommended games that we've played
06:37 - 10 (Maggie) Cities (Devir, 2827)
09:01 - 10 (Amy) Tir Na Nog (Grand Gamers Guild, 2838)
11:07 - 9 (Maggie) Don't Starve The Board Game (Glass Cannon Unplugged, 1939)
12:56 - 9 (Amy) Landmarks (Floodgate Games, 439, $25)
15:14 - 8 (Maggie) Seers Catalog (Bezier Games, 3035, $15)
17:47 - 8 (Amy) March of the Ants (Weird City Games, 2956, DEMO)
19:41 - 7 (Maggie) Cafe Baras (KTBG, 2004, $20)
20:48 - 7 (Amy) Lone Wolves (Wonderful World Board Games, 1356, $20)
22:32 - 6 (Maggie) Fromage (Road To Infamy Games, ?, $50)
25:14 - 6 (Amy) Gnome Hollow (The Op Games, 135, $50)
27:23 - 5 (Maggie) Citizens of the Spark (Thunderworks Games, 1363, DEMO)
28:40 - 5 (Amy) The Fog: Escape From Paradise (XOLLOX Games, ?)
32:13 - 4 (Maggie) Rock Hard 1977 (Devir, 2827)
34:28 - 4 (Amy) Decorum Movin' Out (Floodgate Games, 439) but also Forest Shuffle Alpine (Lookout Games, ?, $13), Radlands Cult of Chrome (Roxley, 2662, $13) and Innovation Ultimate (Asmadi Games, 2555, DEMO)
39:00 - 3 (Maggie) FateFlip: Washed Ashore (Alley Cat Games, 2052, $15)
40:53 - 3 (Amy) Knitting Circle (Flatout Games, 403, DEMO)
42:34 - 2 (Maggie) Endeavor Deep Sea (Burnt Island Games, 2004, $55)
45:59 - 2 (Amy) SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (CGE, ICC 235-239, DEMO)
47:30 - 1 (Maggie) Windmill Valley (Board & Dice, 2611, $60)
50:42 - 1 (Amy) The Gang (Kosmos, 2619, $15)
55:58 - Bonus Round
55:95 - Wrap Up
Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience.
#boardgames #gencon2024 #gencon #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺

Пікірлер: 84

  • @leighperrott
    @leighperrott8 күн бұрын

    Amy's 16 top 10 games 😂

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    🤫 I think I got away with it hehehe

  • @rahdo
    @rahdo8 күн бұрын

    just for fun, my countdown of these top 20"ish" (demos first) 5. (Amy) March of the Ants (Weird City Games, 2956, DEMO) 4. (Amy) Innovation Ultimate (Asmadi Games, 2555, DEMO) 3. (Amy) SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (CGE, ICC 235-239, DEMO) 2. (Amy) Knitting Circle (Flatout Games, 403, DEMO) 1. (Maggie) Citizens of the Spark (Thunderworks Games, 1363, DEMO) and now the "to buys" 18. (Maggie) FateFlip: Washed Ashore (Alley Cat Games, 2052, $15) 17. (Amy) Lone Wolves (Wonderful World Board Games, 1356, $20) 16. (Amy) Radlands Cult of Chrome (Roxley, 2662, $13) 15. (Amy) The Fog: Escape From Paradise (XOLLOX Games, ?) 14. (Maggie) Seers Catalog (Bezier Games, 3035, $15) 13. (Amy) Decorum Movin' Out (Floodgate Games, 439) 12. (Maggie) Cafe Baras (KTBG, 2004, $20) 11. (Maggie) Don't Starve The Board Game (Glass Cannon Unplugged, 1939) 10. (Amy) The Gang (Kosmos, 2619, $15) 9. (Amy) Forest Shuffle Alpine (Lookout Games, ?, $13) 8. (Amy) Landmarks (Floodgate Games, 439, $25) 7. (Amy) Tir Na Nog (Grand Gamers Guild, 2838) 6. (Amy) Gnome Hollow (The Op Games, 135, $50) 5. (Maggie) Fromage (Road To Infamy Games, ?, $50) 4. (Maggie) Endeavor Deep Sea (Burnt Island Games, 2004, $55) 3. (Maggie) Rock Hard 1977 (Devir, 2827) 2. (Maggie) Cities (Devir, 2827) 1. (Maggie) Windmill Valley (Board & Dice, 2611, $60) i guess that makes me a themer :)

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    Hahaha well at least you're both super consistent! I could probably pick yours as well as Maggie's hehehe wish we could play them together!

  • @AmmonAnderson
    @AmmonAnderson8 күн бұрын

    Awe!!! Thank you for including my game gnome hollow in your list! Yes. All the game art is 100% created by me. I also painted the cover, but my publisher brought in another artist to add some additional details on the cover art:)

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    That's amazing! Can't wait to see it in person. Will you be at there with the Op? Thanks for watching & taking the time to comment 😊

  • @BoardGameHype

    @BoardGameHype

    8 күн бұрын

    You’re amazing ❤

  • @ncreson

    @ncreson

    4 күн бұрын

    Ammon, any chance you'll be at Gem State Gaming Con in Boise again this year? It's a week and a half away.

  • @LurkingDragonfly

    @LurkingDragonfly

    Күн бұрын

    I am demoing Gnome Hollow a few times over the next couple at Barnes and Noble and am really looking forward to it.

  • @TheBoardGameGarden
    @TheBoardGameGarden8 күн бұрын

    Can’t wait to see you ladies again!! 😊👏🏻 we need to get some games in this time!

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    We were literally just saying this to Dana! Hehehe looking forward to catching up and for sure let's try to get some games in PS. The new hair is 🔥!

  • @jojog3681
    @jojog36818 күн бұрын

    I always pick up some great suggestions from you guys. Thanks for the list!

  • @est92797
    @est927974 күн бұрын

    Played Cities yesterday at Dice Tower East....simply an amazing game. Simple rules but very strategic. A+ for Devir games...a total winner.

  • @LisaSueMarieHuffman
    @LisaSueMarieHuffman8 күн бұрын

    Loved this! Thanks for sharing!

  • @roberthultsten
    @roberthultsten9 күн бұрын

    Tie Na Nog takes me back to Van Morrison's better days. Peaks my interest. Along with Café barras, Cities, Gnome Hollow, Endeavor Deep Sea and Windmill Valley. Looking forward to the latter part of 2024.

  • @boardgamecloset
    @boardgamecloset5 күн бұрын

    Thanks for the video. You made me change my mind on a couple I had moved passed. Excited for Gen Con!

  • @blackboardgaming5348
    @blackboardgaming53487 күн бұрын

    I always enjoy your lists! It always brings attention to some games that I haven't heard of.

  • @seanjacquemain9820
    @seanjacquemain98204 күн бұрын

    Great list of games! Can't wait for Gen Con! Looking forward to seeing you there!

  • @AndrewRStiles
    @AndrewRStiles3 күн бұрын

    Thanks for all you do, this is a great list... I'm all in for Windmill Valley myself.

  • @pourquoipasdemain9884
    @pourquoipasdemain98847 күн бұрын

    Can’t wait to see your games haul and which tiny box is hiding inside a bigger box !

  • @RynoKenny
    @RynoKenny7 күн бұрын

    The Gang sounds fantastic! Just preordered. Thanks for sharing!

  • @25thCenturyGames
    @25thCenturyGames2 күн бұрын

    Thank you for including Hamster Roll and Witchcraft in your roundup. Both will be available at our booth. -chad

  • @ConDar2417
    @ConDar24178 күн бұрын

    As Gen Con gets closer, I've been eagerly waiting for "most anticipated" Gen Con videos. So glad that you guys did this! 😍 I've added some games to my list, and I hope to catch you guys in the wilds of Gen Con!😄

  • @TheJillybean13
    @TheJillybean138 күн бұрын

    I have been to GenCon twice and I know you really enjoy it; I did, too. Now I celebrate in-house with two friends. While I don't generally have the same taste as you two (gateway gamer, mostly themer with some light thinking), I really like your presentation style. Cafe Baras looks too similar to Diced Veggies that I got last year, which is a good one. For anyone reading this, not sure you need them both so you might want to look them both up. Best wishes from Nashville, TN

  • @BBYROO5155
    @BBYROO51558 күн бұрын

    This will be my very first GenCon!! I hope I get to meet both of you. I also bought some of your merch! 😊

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    We hope to meet you too! Thank you for supporting the channel... we'll be on the lookout for the tees at the con 👀 🙌

  • @yougotsnail8266
    @yougotsnail82662 күн бұрын

    Really appreciate the publishing of some of these card games, but I gotta say I usually prefer the original theme than the republished. Of what's left, magic trick (reprinted as xylotar), and surfosaurus Max. Great compilation of games to look out for though!! Enjoyed the episode

  • @bensonliou
    @bensonliou8 күн бұрын

    Thank you for the list! I also fancy rondel mechanic in board games, hope you could recommend some :")))

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    Yaaayy rondels! Where to even start, there are so many great ones. I do love Heaven & Ale 🍺Have you played it?

  • @StephenGrubb
    @StephenGrubb8 күн бұрын

    What an exciting and varied list! We were fortunate to receive review copies of both Movin Out and Landmarks. Both are excellent and worth your time!

  • @larrye
    @larrye8 күн бұрын

    The Gang looks really interesting. But also, I think Snowdonia Grand Tour might be getting shown too.

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    Ooo I'll be on the lookout for that 👀

  • @Aroundthestumpgames
    @Aroundthestumpgames8 күн бұрын

    Excited to hear you’ll both be at Gencon again. I’ll be super busy doing demos in the Indie Game Alliance booth, and playtesting my next title in the FEPH so I’m not sure I’ll be able to track you down to say hi

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    We will be walking the aisles all day as usual! We'll stop by for sure! 😊

  • @DaFees
    @DaFees7 күн бұрын

    Fantastic video as always. Great to hear you'll be attending Gen Con again this year. It was a highlight getting to meet the both of you last year. I am hopeful to meet again this year, though once again you may have to hunt me down as I'll be running demos for Good Games Publishing all day every day again. 😅 For me, I am excited for Fromage, but I actually late pledged for that one recently after hearing directly from the publisher they likely won't have copies available at Gen Con. I'm also excited for the Cult of Chrome expansion for Radlands, though my excitement for that one might be a little biased since I actually got to secretly playtest that one! Lastly, thanks to you I'm now very interested in checking out the Gang by Kosmos. Oh, and I'm also potentially interested in Cat in the Box Colossal Edition but I haven't decided yet if I NEED the colossal edition. 🤔😄

  • @proptartmn
    @proptartmn8 күн бұрын

    I hope to meet y’all in line for Rebel Princess so we can reenact our Essen fun!! Great video as always.

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    Bahahaha hopefully not as much ruckus this time. I think y'all might have your hands full this con with some lines and perhaps a raffle for the last copy yourselves!!!!

  • @aonline_abridged
    @aonline_abridged8 күн бұрын

    ooooh, excited about the March of the Ants new edition, did not know it was getting polished.

  • @leovincent6461
    @leovincent64618 күн бұрын

    Arcs, Stonespire, Spectral/Cascadero, and Hamster Roll all sound super fun. And Tir na Nog looks interesting/amazing. Thank you for the video. Really good stuff.

  • @whataboutki
    @whataboutki8 күн бұрын

    Some great picks in there a bunch I'm keen to try also. Maggie, I got a chance to playtest Endeavor Deep Sea earlier this year and it was pretty awesome.

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    Eeeee now even more hyped! 😍🙌

  • @BillyIndiana
    @BillyIndiana7 күн бұрын

    I won't be able to go to any conventions this fall, but I do hope to play Cities, Gnome Hollow, Windmill Valley and The Gang sometime. Great video as always 👍

  • @GirlyGamer-BoardGameGran
    @GirlyGamer-BoardGameGran4 күн бұрын

    Hamster Roll looks like a good one to play with the fam bam.

  • @shaund1625
    @shaund16258 күн бұрын

    Harmonies was a big hit with my wife and friends! Thank you!

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    Yay! I (Amy here) literally played that again today at work. I love teaching and playing it. Glad it's brought the same joy to your gaming group! ❤️🙌

  • @GrandGamersGuild
    @GrandGamersGuild2 күн бұрын

    The Fog: Escape from Paradise Ks edition will also be for sale for $69.99 + the Uncertainty expansion for $9.99.

  • @wangtang55
    @wangtang554 күн бұрын

    Pretty sure Amy was corpsing over "Rock Hard" which was hillarious

  • @thecultofpop
    @thecultofpop9 күн бұрын

    SETI is definitely my most anticipated. Tons of others on my list to check out though.

  • @EmmaNovaheim
    @EmmaNovaheim8 күн бұрын

    Great list! Would love to hear a list of top games from Japan (or Asia in general) 😁 I'm going to Japan in November, so I'm always on the lookout for suggestions! 😀

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    I hope you've checked out our video about tokyo game market. We talk about a lot of games there and have links to the best stores in the description. Have a fantastic trip!

  • @EmmaNovaheim

    @EmmaNovaheim

    8 күн бұрын

    @@ThinkerThemer Yes I have - that's the source of a lot of games on my wishlist. I really appreciated all the tips you gave! 😁

  • @gametime876
    @gametime8768 күн бұрын

    Maggie, you might just get a chance to play Windmill Valley at PlayCon!

  • @Splatdp
    @Splatdp3 күн бұрын

    every time i've brought out TirNaNog it's been a hit. the card selection mechanic seems to keep it from being multiplayer solitaire. and there is one card type that can be used as a take that so seems to spark conversation as that card comes into the selection tableau especially if someone places their marker on its edge

  • @St_M_
    @St_M_6 күн бұрын

    Sith Amy and Colorsplosion Maggie!

  • @bookaddict777
    @bookaddict7777 күн бұрын

    My husband and I played Vegetable Stock multiple times on the Dice Tower Cruise back in January, so I am happy that it is getting a U.S. release so we can get our hands on it. I am looking forward to getting my hands on Cities, Tir na Nog, Don't Starve, Cafe Baras, and SETI too! I crowdfunded Endeavor Deep Sea and have already pre-ordered Windmill Valley. Lots of crossover with me, ladies! Lol

  • @mikehorowitz5722
    @mikehorowitz57228 күн бұрын

    Great vid! Really looking forward to seeing more of Knitting Circle. And I love the concept of Rebel Princess, but the inclusion of Pocahontas as a "fairy-tale" character when she's based on a real, historical and indigenous figure (who dealt with horrific things in her lifetime) has me feeling off-put by it.

  • @jiujitsufamily9829
    @jiujitsufamily98293 күн бұрын

    If you grab Endeavor Deep Sea at Gencon, you will have it before any KS backer gets theirs. So do a review please

  • @StidjenPlaysSolo
    @StidjenPlaysSolo6 күн бұрын

    That hoodie is gorgeous, where’d you get it?

  • @paulsalomon27
    @paulsalomon278 күн бұрын

    Played The Gang with Taylor Reiner the other day and had a great time! Also, Taylor and I have a trick-taking design we just finished development on. Not sure when it will be announced or released, but it sounds like it will be a hit with you!

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    Oh that's very exciting! Hope we can see you and hear more about it!!!

  • @2532robh1
    @2532robh19 күн бұрын

    I hope I see you in the buy lines again this year! ❤❤❤

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    9 күн бұрын

    With our game faces on 😂🙌

  • @2532robh1

    @2532robh1

    8 күн бұрын

    ​@ThinkerThemer This year I will have my own Indianapolis Convention Center carpet pattern shirt and my Board Gaming Ramblings shirt just arrived today because Johannes and Sunniva will be there too!!!

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    Ohhh hiii! I love your shirt that really made my day last year LOL! We are so excited to catch up with Johannes and Sunniva too, they are wonderful ❤️

  • @2532robh1

    @2532robh1

    8 күн бұрын

    @@ThinkerThemer Well, I am not THAT guy who had the shirt in the Flat River Group line last year, but he inspired me to find a way to make and order one for this year. I will wear it for sure. I have been following and loving BGR for many years and now I can finally possibly meet them in person!

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    Oh 😂😂😂 now this is going to be confusing. So many people walking around looking like the carpet 😂 look forward to playing where's waldo in line!

  • @naomiooooo
    @naomiooooo4 күн бұрын

    Played Windmill Valley and Barcelona at DTE; I loved both, but I would rather explain Windmill Valley. I don’t own either… and still can’t decide which I will purchase. Loved playing both and will probably buy Windmill Valley (though Barcelona… I can’t decide).

  • @naomiooooo

    @naomiooooo

    4 күн бұрын

    Both probably in the end… WMV’s wheels are fun and B has getting things to work on that map. Both have great iconography and clear rule books.

  • @JJ_TheGreat
    @JJ_TheGreat8 күн бұрын

    1:14 Ah… I forgot that it is opposite seasons down where you are! It is very hot down here in the states.

  • @user-iq5qc4eg1f
    @user-iq5qc4eg1f9 күн бұрын

    I might go to GenCon Sunday (cheaper because there's no stock, lol). Are y'all going to be there Sunday??? I'm from Indy

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    @user-iq5qc4eg1f we'll be there the whole time! Usually just doing endless laps of the buying hall 😂

  • @ClaudeAndTaylor
    @ClaudeAndTaylor8 күн бұрын

    The Gang is SO GOOD!!! And cheers so much for the kind words!!! I hope y'all dig Seers!!!!

  • @ylein6508
    @ylein65088 күн бұрын

    Are games cheaper at gencon or is it still better to wait for retail? One day I would wanna go

  • @ThinkerThemer

    @ThinkerThemer

    8 күн бұрын

    Hmm with our exchange rate? Probably on par to be honest. It's the joy of getting them early more than bargain hunting. They do have a fleamarket though and second hand games can be found very cheap!!!

  • @duckrutt
    @duckrutt8 күн бұрын

    heywaitaminute. That's not your usual jellyfish. New half metal?

  • @1salisali
    @1salisali8 күн бұрын

    What is that you’re wearing, Maggie, in your right wrist?

  • @Luke_L
    @Luke_L8 күн бұрын

    Hi Amy and Maggie! Hope you’re staying warm! Having a bit of a heat wave hear in California. I’ve already pre-ordered (or kickstarted) both your #1’s and #2’s! Sadly, my backlog of unplayed games has been growing since one friend in my game group went to Italy for a month! No sense of priorities! Hope you have fun at gencon! No big travel plans for me this summer. Just trying to stay cool :)

  • @adhilpatel440
    @adhilpatel4404 күн бұрын

    Hahahahaha I pity the fool!

  • @GrandGamersGuild
    @GrandGamersGuild2 күн бұрын

    Tir na nOg will be for sale for $49.99.