Playing games can contribute to making you happy, perhaps even without therapy.
Gyles Brandreth
Games have always captured my imagination. I do not think there is a day of my conscious life that I have not played some sort of game, even if it was just in my head. Games help us learn, relax, connect with others, and develop valuable skills. A world without games would be a bleak place indeed. I hope you enjoy, My Top Five Favorite Games Now and Why I Love Them, feel free to like, comment, subscribe and follow.
#1 – MLB the Show Diamond Dynasty Ranked Online Games – XBOX X
I have been addicted to this game for years now. It is my preferred method of relaxation after a long day. The game is incredibly realistic, down to player gestures, nuances of pitching delivery and hitting timing of different pitches. I have never reached the top of the rankings because I have other things I need to do with my life then play 60 games a week, but I still enjoy putting together my Diamond Dynasty Teams and competing. Some of the players are unbelievably good and you just have to bow down.
#2 – Diablo IV – XBOX X
Diablo IV has incredible complexity to it, as many video games do these days. The player chooses a class of character that gets “powered up” as they gain more experience by completing dungeons, quests, and helping solve villagers problems. The evil villain, Lillith, has a compelling storyline, the player never know what is going to happen in any given mission. Demonic Possessions, transfigurations of people or even the player themselves into different animal spirits, raising the dead, incredible magic spells, and a host of other in game options customizations make this a thoroughly addictive game.
#3 – Monopoly Board Game Edition
As a Economics teacher, I have used Monopoly or student created board/trivia games for years to help facilitate meaningful and fun learning activities. This summer, I have been teaching summer school and I have students from the local continuation school. These students are not known for their great interest in school. We have Two and a half hour block periods. The first class U.S. Government, the second Economics.
Monopoly as a Learning Tool for Continuation School Students
I started using Monopoly for the last 40 minutes of Econ as a reward if they did their work in a timely manner, etc. The students had very little understanding of Monopoly at first, so I taught them step by step how to play. It did not take long for them to get super engaged. Now as soon as they walk in, the intrigue of the current Monopoly game becomes the topic of conversation. Some light smack talking, some talks of possible trades, and a lot of good jokes abound. I think I played 10 hours of Monopoly this week because now the Gov kids want to play as well. We started with playing “Clue” because it inherently teaches critical thinking skills needed for students to transition to informed voters, but it has been overshadowed by “The Monocle”.
#4 – Uno
It is hard to beat Uno in its portability, ease of play, and strong feelings it can evoke. There is nothing more fun than dropping those draw four wild cards on your friends and family members. Games of Uno Can last a long time, or a short time depending on the circumstance. It can played at home, camping, in a car, at school, or basically anywhere.
#5 – Axis and Allies – (The Board Game)
If you are a history nerd like me and can rustle up five players willing to play a potentially very long game, Axis and Allies may be for you. It is set in the beginning of World War II. Each player picks a side: Russia, Britain, Japan, France and the U.S. Beginning units reflect the relative strengths and weaknesses of each side. From there, it is turn based strategy of the first order. The game illustrates how close the Allies were to losing the war and how easily it could of happened.
Call to Action
Thank you for reading: My Top Five Favorite Games Now and Why I Love Them. I encourage you to play one or all of these games! They are great for the dog days of summer and very cost effective versus other forms of entertainment. Check out my blog homepage or other recent articles below! Comments and constructive feedback is always welcome. Did you like the article? What could be improved? Do you agree with my list, disagree? Discussion is the foundation of social learning!
My Top Five Favorite Games Now and Why I Love Them (link to top of page)
Additional Resources
Top 20 Board Games of All Time (Chat GPT)
The popularity and perception of board games can vary among different communities and over time. However, as of my last update in September 2021, the following are some of the board games widely regarded as top 20 of all time:
- Chess
- Monopoly
- Ticket to Ride
- Scrabble
- Catan (formerly known as The Settlers of Catan)
- Risk
- Pandemic
- Carcassonne
- Puerto Rico
- Terraforming Mars
- Gloomhaven
- 7 Wonders
- Twilight Struggle
- Codenames
- Dominion
- Arkham Horror: The Card Game
- Splendor
- The Castles of Burgundy
- Agricola
- Power Grid
Please keep in mind that this list is not definitive, and the popularity of board games can change over time due to new releases and shifting tastes in the gaming community. To find the most up-to-date and comprehensive list of top board games, I recommend checking dedicated board game websites, BoardGameGeek rankings, and other gaming communities’ reviews and opinions.
What are your thoughts on this?