Casual Game Insider Magazine has announced their nominees for the best casual game of 2017.
A panel of twelve judges made up of media personalities in the board game industry teamed up to make their nominations. All of the submissions were judged based on game play, aesthetics, and originality. They also had to meet the following administrative criteria:
- Base game (not an expansion)
- Released in the USA during the 2017 calendar year
- Must be considered as a casual game
- In no way affiliated with the person nominating
The Nominees
Azul
Plan B Games
Players take turns drafting colored tiles from suppliers to their player board. Later in the round, players score points based on how they’ve placed their tiles to decorate the palace. Extra points are scored for specific patterns and completing sets; wasted supplies harm the player’s score. (Source: BGG)
Go Nuts for Donuts
Gamewright
Players lay out donuts from the deck equal to the amount of players plus one. Each player has a number card for each donut that is out. Players all pick a donut they want by placing one of their number cards face down on the table. Players simultaneously reveal their number. If two or more players have matching numbers, that donut is discarded and no one gets it. If you’re the only player that bid for the donut, than you take it and place it face up in front of you. Collect sets, unique and powerful donuts, and pairs of donuts to maximize points. (Source: BGG)
Sagrada
Floodgate Games
Each player builds a stained glass window by building up a grid of dice on their player board. Each board has some restrictions on which color or shade (value) of die can be placed there. Dice of the same shade or color may never be placed next to each other. Dice are drafted in player order, with the start player rotating each round, snaking back around after the last player drafts two dice. Scoring is variable per game based on achieving various patterns and varieties of placement…as well as bonus points for dark shades of a particular hidden goal color. (Source: BGG)
What about you? What would you vote for? Sound off in the comments!
