BGG user JonMichael Rasmus (jmsr525) has been doing analysis of the games and their trends each month for, well what seems like forever. I thought it might be interesting to look back at what was so hot 10 years ago, so sit back and enjoy this blast from the past. Based on information in the geeklist - BGG Top 100 Analysis Sept 2007.
Back in the fall of 2007, this guy jumped up 11 spots to #79. I'm not really sure why. The second expansion for the line (Altar of Despair) had dropped in the spring of 2007, so I doubt if that caused a late rise in ratings. I had to look back into the forums to find a post in mid Sept. 2007 that indicated that Kevin Wilson had finished the design for Road to Legend. At the time, this was what the Descent fans had been dying for - a campaign. The campaign model proved so successful that Descent 2nd edition would re-introduce it (with the same name no less) in their supplemental app to that game. When the original Road to Legend was released, it was very popular - I expect we'll see this guy again before it drops out.
Still a thing?
Nope. The original Descent currently sits at #242. Though it had its faults, the original was an amazing game that was a sight to behold. Coffin box game LOADED with minis and cards and chits and tiles. Now, you can't buy a dungeon crawler without expecting to get a load of stuff in the box (and not just minis, but well done minis - the original Descent ones were good, but the heroes lack a lot of detail compared to the 2nd edition versions).
Falling Star - Bonaparte at Marengo
Not a true "falling star" as it only moved down 6 places (falling stars are supposed to be ten or more places). Last time I reported on this, it had slid less than ten spots as well. I've never had a chance to play this game, though I've seen it played a handful of times and it looks interesting as heck. The game itself got decent reviews, but was hard to come by even 10 years ago and is even harder to get your hands on now. I recently started listening to a Hardcore History pod cast about WW1 and at the start, the caster talks about the Napoleonic wars, which peaked my interest a little in this. I might have to take a closer look the next time I have a chance.
Still a thing?
BaM currently sits at #1031 - in large part I'm sure to the rather niche spot it holds (2-player war-game), the scarcity, and the fact that it was supplanted by Napoleon's Triumph (#320). Triumph is larger and broader in scale (covers more scenarios) and thus more sought after.
Time's Up broke into the top 100 at #98 and Fury (second edition) made it to #99. Time's Up is one of my favorite party games and is just plain fun. Everyone plays in teams and there are 3 rounds to the game. Everyone is guessing at the same list of people (other versions include books, movies, and songs titles too). Each team gets a limited time to get through as many as they can and then it moves on to the next team. After the list has been done once, the second round repeats except that clue givers can only give a single word clue (though you can be as animated as you like to help). The third round is more of the same, but no speaking at all. It is really good fun, and there is even a phone app, which actually works spectacularly well as both timer and the list. Fury of Dracula was a FFG reprint of an older game that had been out of print for a while. I have never played, but I was told it was essentially Scotland Yard with a bunch of other stuff added on. The couple of times I saw it being played, it didn't look like everyone was loving it, so I've never been inclined to see what the hype was all about.
Still a thing?
Time's Up took a fall out to #353 and Fury has fallen to #360. TU is still a great party game that I'd be happy to play anytime, anywhere. Fury has once again fallen out of print (and was part of the Games Workshop line of licenses that they took back from FFG). While not loved enough to rank up, it is going for stupidly high prices on the secondary markets again. Funny what a little time does for things.
Die Macher moved up 1 spot to #10 - interesting bit of trivia for those that care: Die Macher is game #1 (literally the first game id) in BGG. If you have never played the game before, you should take the time (and you'll need a lot for that first play) to fry your brain and play this.
Still a thing?
Though a classic and still an amazing game, this odd game about running for office and German elections has fallen off to #159. This is still an amazing game that holds up, it is just long and a HEAVY brain burner. For me, this is a great game that I don't own because I'll never get it played more than once every 8 years.
Top 5 Winning Movers for Sept (Highest ranked games that have shown any positive position movement in the last month that aren't in the top 10.) Holy wargames Batman!
- Memoir '44 - for a long time, this was the gateway game to WWII games. Heck, maybe it still is. Memoir is built on the Command and Colors system (before it got really really good with Ancients and Battles of Westeros). The game is still fun and it is especially fun when you put it together with a second set and 8 players for an Overlord match.
- The Settlers of Catan - Catan and its 10 million variants and expansions never truly goes away.
- Tide of Iron - This guy had its hot lava birth earlier (July 2007) in the year, so not a surprise it was still moving up. Our second WWII game and the second most complex of the bunch
- Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) - the grand Avalon Hill game with a ton of scenarios and chits. The third entry of WWII games in the list. Not sure what happened in 2007 (especially Sept) that caused a surge in WWII game popularity, but ASL popped up again for some reason
- Dune - He who controls the spice... This was an older game in 2007, so why the movement? Probably because FFG announced they were going to do a reprint (which ended up being a retheme).
Wow. Lots and lots of heavy games covered this month. My brain hurts just having thought about all these war-games and brain burners.
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