Part two of Logan's journey into board gaming -- all the stats and a recap of the year that was

Board Game Gumbo is pleased to present a two-part series of posts from Logan Lannoo, one of the local gamers here in Acadiana and founder of the Acadiana Board Gamers Discord. Logan is one of our newest members of the group, who just discovered the world of hobby board gaming in 2023. In this post, Logan shares his “origin story” in board gaming. Look for part two, where Logan gives a recap of all of the gaming in 2023.

By Logan Lannoo

In Part One, I talked about the journey into board gaming. Now it’s time for some stats and reflection.

Gameplay Statistics:

I’ve found it enlightening to delve into the numbers behind my experiences. Here is a recap of my 2023 gaming:

Total Game Plays: 436 Total Titles Played: 189 Most Played Game: Ark Nova and Scout tied with 13 plays each

Who I Played With:

Melanie: 185 Plays Jeremy: 106 Plays Molly: 84 Plays Mitchell: 57 Plays Elijah: 55 Plays Doug: 51 Plays Amelie: 42 Plays Jamie: 37 Plays Jojo: 30 Plays Tyler: 19 Plays

Top Games Overall:

Here are the standout games that left a lasting impression on my board gaming journey this year:

Nucleum: Its unique action mechanic using track tiles and intuitive gameplay makes it exceptionally fun and engaging.
Final Girl: A complete and thematic solo game that sets the standard in solo gaming experiences.
Life of the Amazonia: This visually stunning game combines bag-building mechanics with habitat construction, elevating the gameplay.
Darwin’s Journey: A complex yet fulfilling worker placement game that balances frustration and enjoyment perfectly.
Apiary: The ideal medium-weight game for introducing newcomers to worker placement, providing balanced gameplay and strategic depth.

Recognition within Their Class:

Acknowledging standout games within their respective genres:

Best Eurogame: Nucleum – Its uniqueness and approachability set it apart.
Top Deck-Building Game: Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game – A solid two-player game that lives up to its name.
Most Engaging Worker Placement Game: Arborea – The ingenious combination of worker placement and push-your-luck mechanics makes it unforgettable.
Favorite Cooperative Game: Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood – Immersive and engaging gameplay, session after session.
Exceptional Solo Game: Final Girl – Unmatched variety and depth, setting a benchmark in solo gaming.
Favorite Game as a Family: 7 Wonders: Architects – Strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and complexity for family play.
Favorite Crowd Pleasing Game: Heat: Pedal to the Metal – Nail-biting fun at high player counts, truly delivering the thrill of racing.
Favorite Small Box Game: Mind Space – Surprisingly impressive gameplay packaged in a small box, making it a standout choice.

Honorable Mentions:

I must acknowledge the games that made an impact on my gaming experiences this year, even if they did not win the top spots:

SCOUT Flamecraft Dog Park Raising Robots Honey Buzz Bitoku Castles of Burgundy Beer & Bread 3 Ring Circus Ierusalem: Anno Domini Cthulhu: Death May Die Ticket to Ride: Legends of the West Shake That City Great Western Trail (Argentina and New Zealand) Too Many Bones

Conclusion: A Journey of Enrichment and Connection

Time for some reminiscing and reflecting. I have a highlight reel of vivid memories from this year. What started out as just a curious exploration of the board game section at my local super store turned into an adventure, one rich with camaraderie, discovery, and personal growth.

As ever, first the family. Board gaming transformed our family’s dynamics, infusing our lives with moments of laughter, learning, and shared triumphs. From that first little toe-dip into strategy games with Ticket To Ride, each session and each new game became a catalyst for connection and bonding, rekindling the cherished human connection.

Yet, beyond the confines of our home, the gaming table became a gateway to an expansive world of connections and friendships. Chance encounters, local meetups, and shared gaming experiences birthed a community—a community not merely bound by a love for games but fortified by shared moments, mutual respect, and the joy of companionship.

This journey has been a transformative force, enriching not just my understanding of diverse themes, mechanics, and storytelling but also fostering enduring relationships. The warmth and inclusivity of the gaming community dissolved differences, uniting individuals across ages, backgrounds, and professions, transcending mere leisure into moments of shared joy, camaraderie, and lasting friendships.

As I gaze back at the milestones—436 game plays, 189 titles explored, I can almost hardly believe it!—the numbers encapsulate the passion and commitment poured into this odyssey. The standout games, the diverse experiences, the connections made—all contribute to an evolving narrative, a story painted with the vibrant hues of laughter, learning, and cherished memories.

This journey into board gaming has not merely been about rolling dice or strategizing moves; it has been an expedition into the human experience—a celebration of joy, exploration, and the profound connections that bind us. May this passion continue to thrive, infusing lives with laughter, forging connections, and creating enduring moments that transcend the tabletop and echo through the chambers of our hearts.

In closing I invite you, the reader, to join me in this journey. Along the way I decided that I could not benefit from this community without giving back to it in some way. So I chose to create a Discord channel to open doors for other newcomers like myself to keep in touch, discuss games, schedule play dates, and just to get to know other local gamers in my community. If this is something that interests you, we would love to have like minded individuals join us and grow our community. You can find us at Acadiana Board Gamers on Discord using the hyperlink.

See ya real soon!

Logan

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