The Games We Loved in 2023 - Asmodee Canada Team Favourites

2023 has come to an end and as we head into a new year, we thought would be fun to look back at our team’s top picks from 2023. Some were new and some were standbys that we wanted to share with you. Read on to learn more.

THE TEAM

Andrée-Anne
As a new team member, she’s learning about new and exciting games all the time. And she’s already looking forward to introducing her daughter to the world of games.

Christopher
Our French friend and now officially a Canadian! He’s a father of two and loves light games.

Emily
Communications and media relations specialist, translator extraordinaire and grammar pro. Mom of two boys and artist at heart.

Erin
Sales representative extraordinaire! If she gets hooked on a game, she’ll get everyone she knows to play it!

Eugénie
Super graphic designer, multi-talented artist. The future mother of chickens (if she can get her property rezoned).

Ian
Passionate about games, microbrews and heavy music, this die-hard collector finds happiness around the gaming table, among good company.

Kalinda
The product specialist, the information popularizer, has an unconditional love of Excel and Star Wars. Mom of a 5-year-old, a husky and a fluffy cat.

Marc-André
A die-hard Lord of the Rings fan and father of a little girl, he loves all kinds of games, as long as they’re competitive!

Marie-Soleil
A game enthusiast and mother of two young children, she’s always ready to try out new games.

Martin
An avid gamer and foodie, he’s always ready to play or explain, whatever the situation.

Maxime
Graphic designer extraordinaire, quick as a flash. Father of two wonderful children.

Olivier
Lover of Star Wars, miniatures, and all things organized gaming, he’s a real enthusiast!

Tommy
E-com expert, Pokémon fan, and singer. Dad of an incredible collection of Funko Pop and Harry Potter stuff!

Xavier
An unrivaled coordinator with boundless energy and a contagious smile, he’s always up for trying out a new game!

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Many of us on the team have kids, so it goes without saying that some of our top picks are our children’s favourites.

Egg Slam
Age: 5+ / Players: 2+ / Duration: <15 minutes
Kalinda’s Choice

A hilarious fast-paced game of hens and eggs to help identify primary and secondary colors. Look closely at the colors of the hens and the outline of the card. When a multicolored egg or outline appears, quickly identify the color combination of the other two cards.

What the Team Thinks

Kalinda: “A speedy game for understanding color mixing? A game created by a kid for kids. A hit with me and mine!”

Hammer Time
Age: 5+ / Players: 2-4 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Marie-Soleil’s Choice

By banging the hammer on the box, you complete missions and collect the right number of gems in the right category. But be careful: if you hit too hard, you risk awakening the dragon and going home empty-handed!

What the Team Thinks

Marie-Soleil: “Hammer Time is a perfect game for young children. It’s a game that my kids (aged 6 and 4) can take out and play together. At first, they played with me, but now they know the game and play it on their own. I love the art on the game box and also, that it can be used to play.”

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Family games appeal to all age groups and all types of players. Whether you’re playing as a family, or with friends, these games are accessible to all, whether for advanced players or newbies.

SpellBook
Age: 12+ / Players: 2-4 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Christopher, Emily, Maxime and Olivier’s Choice!

Gather Materia to cast your 7 spells, combine their powers, feed your familiar, and earn maximum victory points! The game includes several spell cards that add variety to the game. With simple rules but far from simple, SpellBook is tactical and addictive!

What the Team Thinks

Christopher: “As a fan of Splendor, I love SpellBook, with its simple mechanics, very little downtime, and gorgeous components. It is a magical game that has allowed me to dig deeper into a genre that I love so much!”

Emily: “SpellBook is an enchanted blend of aesthetics, beautiful components, and strategic gameplay. Each time you play brings a new experience that immerses you in magic. I love this game!”

Maxime: “A mix of Splendor and push your luck that keeps you on your toes to either stick to your strategy or come up with a new one on every turn. A game that’s much more inclusive than it seems. Simple but effective mechanics.”

Olivier: “Easy to approach with a good dose of strategy; SpellBook is a super accessible game, definitely but does not lack depth.”

Dixit Disney
Age: 8+ / Players: 3-6 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Andrée-Anne’s Choice

Dixit Disney is a simple, light-hearted game of image interpretation, imagination, and guesswork. Players will be both challenged and delighted as they reveal a series of cards featuring sublime illustrations inspired by the Disney universe.

What the Team Thinks

Andrée-Anne: “Wow! A collector’s item, a game of discussions, creativity, and imagination, enhanced by the magic of Disney. It’s enchanting!”

Pyramido
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-4 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Erin’s Choice

In this multi-level scoring game, architects must build a pyramid made up of 20 Dominos spread over 4 floors. As they build, they place jewel markers on their structure and the architect who builds the most impressive pyramid wins!

What the Team Thinks

Erin: “Strategic family fun. Pyramido reminds me of the fun I have playing Azul. It’s definitely worth playing!”

Klask
Age: 8+ / Players: 2 / Duration: <15 minutes
Marie-Soleil’s Choice

Forget table football and table hockey and make way for Klask: the popular game combining skill, tactics, and speed! The board is shaped like a ball field with two holes functioning as goals at each end of the field. Your gaming piece is a black magnet. Shoot the ball past the obstacles and your opponent and into the goal!

What the Team Thinks

Marie-Soleil: “I love bringing Klask to family parties! It’s always a hit. The concept is simple, but it has a competitive aspect that is appreciated in my family.”

Project L
Age: 8+ / Players: 1-4 / Duration: 30-45 minutesà
Xavier’s Choice

Project L is a fast-paced game combining 3D puzzles, and tile-laying beautiful acrylic pieces. Challenge your friends to a game of simple design but intricate gameplay that makes a lasting impression! Completed tiles allow you to collect new pieces on your way to victory. Will you outsmart your opponents?

What the Team Thinks

Xavier: “The classic video game of Tetris, sprinkled with a bit of strategy, in a board game! Projet L is a simple, colorful game, aimed at a wide audience. It is replayable and incorporates high-quality components. A must-have for your board game evenings!”

PARTY GAMES

Games are great for parties! That’s what we think about the games at the top of several team member lists!

Mantis
Age: 7+ / Players: 2-6 / Duration: <15 minutes
Christopher’s Choice

In Mantis, there are only two rules: steal or score. Collect identical cards by taking them from your opponents. Stealing will make you feel good, then not so good when you’re being stolen from… Repeat this emotional rollercoaster until one player wins!

What the Team Thinks

Christopher: “Mantis is an excellent little card game, with flexible rules and maximum interaction!”

Stupefy!
Age: 8+ / Players: 4-8 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Eugénie and Maxime’s Choice

Don your wizard’s robe and grab your wand! Welcome to Hogwarts! Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin? Proudly wear your House colours and live up to its reputation. Practice your spellcasting skills to gain mastery, but be careful… If you’re stupefied, you risk losing points for your House.

What the Team Thinks

Eugénie: “Whenever I take out Stupefy! everyone wants to play! Who wouldn’t, when you get a magic wand? Everyone wants to cast spells against opponents! This game makes you want to become one of the greatest wizards and shout Unforgivable spells at the top of your lungs!”

Maxime: “A magical party game that can be played in large groups and where you discover who is best at hiding secrets…”

Mysterium
Age: 10+ / Players: 2-7 / Duration: 45-60 minutes
Tommy’s Choice

Mysterium is a cooperative investigation game where everyone loses, or everyone wins. Players unite to discover the identity of a murderer. Each team member receives numerous visions, but can they decipher them?

What the Team Thinks

Tommy: “Mysterium is a fun, cooperative game in which everyone teams up to solve a mystery. Picture this: you and your friends become psychics in a super intriguing and mysterious setting, all trying to help a friendly ghost solve his own murder. What’s really cool about the game is that you can play it repeatedly, and it’s always new and exciting. It’s perfect for sparking lively discussion and mixing logical thinking with intuition. This makes Mysterium an excellent choice if you’re introducing someone to new games, or simply looking for a great way to have fun with friends and family. And let’s not forget, it’s always good to have a little scary fun!”

EXTRA CHALLENGE

If you like challenging games that require more thought or strategy, and you have the time to sit down for a few hours to play, then the following choices are for you!

Ticket to Ride: Legacy—Legends of the West
Age: 10+ / Players: 2-5 / Duration: 45-60 minutes
Andrée-Anne and Kalinda’s Choice

Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West gives you the chance to step into the story of your favorite train game and explore the imagination of Rob Daviau, Matt Leacock, and Alan R. Moon. Climb aboard and get ready for a twelve-part journey that will have you managing your own North American railroad and ensuring its prosperity throughout a campaign full of discovery and adventure.

What the Team Thinks

Andrée-Anne: “Never in my life has a board game made me so shout with joy! Discovering the secrets of the board itself is an adventure. I’ve never been so eager to play again and again.”

Kalinda: “I’ve been a fan of the Ticket to Ride series for almost 20 years. So, a Legacy version created by 3 of my favorite game authors with tons of never-before-seen content = insta buy!”

Star Wars™: Shatterpoint
Age: 14+ / Players: 2 / Duration: 45-60 minutes
Olivier’s choice

Iconic characters from the Star Wars galaxy go head-to-head in this new miniatures skirmish game! Star Wars: Shatterpoint invites players to collect, assemble, and paint their squads of heroes, villains, and allies, pitting them against each other in tense duels to control key battlefield objectives. Focusing on dynamic battles between key characters as well as a unique combat system that replicates epic Star Wars duels, the game offers players 16 characters to start building their squads, as well as a selection of terrains to build their battlefields.

What the Team Thinks

Olivier: “I’m a big fan of miniatures, and I love the ready-to-paint gray plastic. This game not only has beautiful paintable miniatures, but its play style is exceptional. It’s relatively accessible for a miniatures game, making it easy to bring in new players.”

Azul—Queen’s Garden
Age: 10+ / Players: 2-4 / Duration: 45-60 minutes
Eugénie’s Choice

In Azul—Queen’s Garden, players must create the most beautiful garden for the king’s wife, with plants, trees, and ornamental features. Using Azul’s signature drafting mechanism, players must select the most colorful tiles to decorate their gardens. Only the most beautiful gardens will blossom towards victory!

What the Team Thinks

Eugénie: “This game is more complex than the others in the collection, but it remains simple in its mechanics and is addictive. Make sure you have a few hours available because you’ll want to play more than one game!”

ACCESSORIES

Because we also want your games to stay in good condition, and because we’re all a bit intense about protecting our games, here are a few options we love!

Gamegenic Sleeves
Ian’s Choice

Tabletop game cards suffer from shuffling and excessive handling, so it’s essential to protect them. Gamegenic card sleeves offer unrivaled protection and won’t detract from the fun of playing. They are reinforced, adding weight and strength to your cards while giving them the best possible appearance.

What the Team Thinks

Ian: “As a professed fan of card sleeves, the first thing I do after opening a deck is to protect it. Precision, quality, and consistency are essential and Gamegenic sleeves deliver, allowing the collector in me to sleep well at night.”

Deck Box: Watchtower XL
Kalinda’s Choice

The Watchtower combines deck box, accessory drawer and card holder in one elegant box. The microfiber card compartment can be removed from the box and holds up to 100 sleeved cards. The accessory drawer, also removable, is perfect for holding your dice, pawns, or any other small item.

What the Team Thinks

Kalinda: “Boxes like these aren’t just for seasoned players! I bought one for my son to hold his Pokémon card collection. The token drawer perfectly holds all the other items he plays with, and the box is literally indestructible, handy for kids 😉”

OKAY… IT’S NOT OUT YET, BUT WE CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO PLAY IT!

Coffee Rush
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-4 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Team Choice

A cup of coffee is certainly relaxing—for the customer. When it comes to the coffee shop, however, orders tend to pile up during peak hours, and it’s no different today in Coffee Rush. Your aim: complete customer orders to boost your ratings and be recognized as the best barista! Throughout the game, players move around the ingredient board to collect the items needed to fulfill orders. Deliver the orders on time and you’ll be the winning barista!

What the Team Thinks

We can’t wait to introduce you to this game! The components, the gameplay, with its simple mechanics … everything about this game is wonderfully done! This has got to be one of the most played demos of an unreleased game by everyone on the team! We’ve all pre-ordered our copy! Don’t miss it!

Psst: now you know what to do with the gift cards you received over the holidays! 😉

Path of Civilization
Age: 14+ / Players: 1-5 / Duration: 60-120 minutes
Marc-André and Martin’s Choice

Take the reins of your civilization and make the choices that will make it the most prosperous. It doesn’t matter which path you take, as long as it leads your people to glory. From the very first second Path of Civilization, you must make choices that will have repercussions for the rest of the game.

What the Team Thinks

Marc-André: “This game is 7 Wonders leveled up. The set-up is impressive, but the pace of the game and the possibilities are mind-blowing. An expert game you can play in one hour … fabulous!”

Martin: “As a big fan of civilization games, Path of Civilization completely pulled me in, with its replayability, its simple way of settling ties, and the agonizing choices at every turn to choose your technologies in resource or research mode.”

Perfect Words
Age: 10+ / Players: 2-6 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Martin’s Choice

Cooperative Crosswords! Together, create a crossword puzzle. Try to build the most obvious word associations for everyone. Then guess the arrow associations! Each association found by the majority of players earns points for the group. Try to win the gold medal!

What the Team Thinks

Martin: “It’s always fun to play with words, and this one’s even more fun because it can go in any direction! One minute you’re thinking a word is going to be perfect, and the next minute a new tile changes everything. Warning: watch out for agents of chaos who could make the whole thing harder than it looks!”

And that’s it! You now know the games that captured the hearts of the Asmodee team in 2023! We hope we’ve inspired you to try a few! And if any of them catch your eye, find it at a retailer near you by clicking here!

Wishing You a Happy and Play-Filled 2024!