Top 10 Christmas Gifts For 2009

2009 has seen a large number of great games and expansions released. As this list is focused on the Gift Board Games for 2009, I am focusing on games that have been released for sale at this time (November 1, 2009) and are readily available and am thus excluding some games from Essen 2009. To be eligible for this list then the board games would have been released in late 2008 or in 2009) and must be stand-alone board games. Expansions are not included in this list, though we do have a full list of board games and expansions released in 2009.

On that note, here’s our list in alphabetical order:

(1) Age of Conan
Age of Conan is the combination wargame and civilisation development game from Fantasy Flight based on Robert E. Howard's popular fictional barbarian. Plyaers in Age of Conan don't control the mythical hero, instead working to guide him to act in their favour or against their opponents while attempting to build their own empires. A well designed, mid-level strategy wargame that will be popular with fans of Conan and thematic board gamers.

2. Axis & Allies 1942
Axis & Allies 1942 is the updated version of Axis & Allies with new images and updated rules from the vastly popular out-of-print Axis & Allies Anniversary Edition. Axis & Allies continues to be a highly popular, classic wargame and this new edition is a surefire gift for old and new fans.

3. Call of Cthulhu LCG Core Set
The Call of Cthulhu LCG Core Set was released in late 2008 and is probably one of the best LCGs out on the market. As a Living Card Game (LCG), the entire basic set is included in the Core Set box, allowing players to create a myriad of decks with just one purchase. And once the bug has bitten, the additional packs released every few months will allow players to expand the game at a pace that they enjoy. With a solid, highly respected mythos to inspire content and well designed rules from Fantasy Flight, this is a definite all-in-one game for the Cthulhu lover.

4. Chicago Express
Chicago Express is a train game with a twist - instead of controlling a single company, players bid for shares in multiple companies. Since players can only generate additional funds from dividend payouts in the company, this game ensures fierce competition among players for the best companies and best routes through the board. On the other hand, it's difficult to progress across the board alone so players might just need to ally with other players in the companies they jointly owned. An intense beginner to mid-level train game, Chicago Express is a perfect step-up for those looking for more interaction than Ticket to Ride offers.

5. Dice Town
Dice Town is one of many newly released dice games, the latest trend in board gaming. In Dice Town, players are all vying for control of the properties in this frontier town. To win control, they roll their set of five dice to gain the best poker hand that matches the locations in the town. And if players don't win anything that turn, they can always visit Doc Badluck and get something anyway. A fun, Western themed dice game that will attract everyone from kids to adults with its good artwork and great gameplay.

6. Grind : Full Metal Board Game
Grind - the Full Metal Battle Sport Board Game is a 2 player sports game where players attempt to move the 'Grinder' (the ball) into their opponents Goal Pit. Easy - except for the fact that the teams are made up of giant metal robots and this is a full contact sport. Beautifull made, highly evocative and well designed, Grind is a thrilling 2 player game that brings the idea of battle sports to the table with style.

7. Rise of Empires
Rise of Empire's is Martin Wallace's latest Civilisation building game. In Rise of Empires two to five players are building their own civilization from the dawn of history to present times. With the entre game meant to complete within 3 hours, Rise of Empires is a nice change of pace for hours or day long civilisation games. And with any Martin Wallace game, you can expect some solid gameplay.

8. Small World
Small World is one of the breakout hits of 2009, with more copies sold than any other 2009 release on our site. A reworking of a well-loved game design, Small World combines cute and humorous graphic elements with streamlined gameplay and numerous tiles to create an ever-changing but easy to teach gateway game. Small World guarantees to hit the table repeatedly and with 4 boards provided, is meant to scale for its 2 to 5 players.

9. Steam
Steam is another Martin Wallace game, reworked slightly with new rules to make the original game (Age of Steam) more beginner friendly. With both Standard and Advanced rules, Steam is one of the most popular train games where players will have to build and deliver goods across various cities. With numerous game boards already released, this is a game that is guaranteed to provide hours of entertainment.

10. Warhammer : Chaos in the Old World
Warhammer : Chaos in the Old World is not a game for children - the graphic nature of the theme where players are the 'Lords of Chaos' guarantees that. On the other hand, this 4 player game pits the players against one another to take over the world using the individual strengths of their Chaos Lords, each of who have a different victory condition as well. Well designed, well balanced, Warhammer : Chaos in the Old World is a highly evocative game where, if there is no true winner, everyone will lose.

The One's Who Didn't Make the List
Following are a selection of games that just barely missed the cut-off for various reasons as explained below.

Dominion : Intrigue
While technically a stand-alone game by itself, Dominion : Intrigue is also an expansion on the highly popular, award-winning Dominion base game. As such, we felt it broke our expansion rules. On the other hand, anyone who has the base game will want this expansion!

Le Havre
Le Havre; designed by Uwe Rosenberg last year's award-winning designer of Agricola, contians many of the hallmarks of that award-winning game. However, with so many new rules, cards and tokens the simplicity that was inherent in Agricola has been lost. Le Havre is certainly not a game for beginners, and as such, was bumped off the list.

Railways of the World
Railways of the World is really a reworking of an older game - Railroad Tycoon. With very little design changes and just new components, and with Railroad Tycoon still available and Steam recently re-released, we felt that there were more than enough train games on the list.

Risk : Balance of Power
Risk : Balance of Power is a 2-player version of Risk that has been designed for faster gameplay and comes with 4 scenarios for 2 player gameplay. A well though out design of this popular classic, Risk : Balance of Power is just a little limited with its 2 player maximum to be added to the list.

Space Alert
Space Alert was technically released in 2008; it just only arrived for mass distribution in 2009. An innovative, real-time game of a crisis in space, Space Alert is definitely something new and different and is certain to get the heart beating in play.

Warhammer : Invasions LCG Core Set
About the only reason we didn't add Warhammer : Invasions is that we had another (more popular at the moment) LCG and Warhammer product on the list already. On theo ther hand, Warhammer : Invasions does stand on its own and certainly deserves a mention.

And for more, small publisher games and gift ideas, check out our sister list - Gift Ideas for the Serious Gamer.

Delicious     Stumble it!         Slashdot It!