Top 10 Dice Games

I've always been drawn to dice games ever since I got into the hobby a few years ago. When the pure chance of rolling dice is implemented well, the tension, uncertainty, and sheer excitement is, for me anyway, what tabletop gaming is all about!

This list is based on a mix of objective judgements and subjective preferences, so expect a few curveballs, a few classics, and of course, a few inevitable omissions! To craft it I've factored in how well the game mechanically makes use of dice, the relation between dice and theme, the role that the game plays in my collection, and most importantly, how fun it is to play.

10 - Dragonwood

Dragonwood is an underrated little game with a vast appeal. I've enjoyed the game with non-gamers, seasoned gamers, and with family members young (age 8) and old (age 80). The rules are super simple, the artwork is very charming, and the mechanics are just engaging enough to give you a little something to think about. This is a game I reach for when I want to enjoy rolling some dice but don't want an experience that's overly hyper or cerebral.

9 - Cthulhu Dice

This game was always going to tickle my fancy, being a combination of two of my favourite things, Cthulhu and dice! The game is simplicity incarnate, consisting of one gorgeous 12-sided die and 18 sanity token or 'marbles' (which you lose!). I find that Cthulhu Dice works really well as an in-between game palette cleanser or as a pre-game way to decide who the first player will be. As a filler game, it also presents great 'fun value' in relation to the time and money investment it asks of you.

8 - That's Pretty Clever

A fabulous Roll-and-Write game that has quite rightly received lots of critical and popular acclaim. I always get a surge of excitement when I use these lovely wooden D6s to chain some sick combos on the score sheet, and I like the way that the passive players get something to do (draft a die) during the active player's turn. Also, it is just as fun to play That's Pretty Clever solo as it is with others, which in any game format is a pretty special thing!

7 - Sagrada

It's like Azul but with dice! ... Need I say more? ... What was that about Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra?

Ok I'll say more. This game looks absolutely stunning when the finished product is all laid out on the table, the drafting and placement mechanics are very satisfying, and the turn order is surprisingly clever (not something I find myself saying very often!). Like Dragonwood, Sagrada is easy to learn and fun for all ages, but, strong mechanics aside, it easily hops ahead of that one on my list due to how darn beautiful it is!

6 - Elder Sign

Here's my fondness for Cthulhu rearing its tentacle-laden head again...

Elder Sign is a little more hefty than my previous choices on the list, but the reason I like it so much is that it provides an Arkham Horror/Mansions of Madness co-op experience in a less complex, less time-consuming, and more dice-rolling way. Completing the tasks via dice set collection is both rewarding and punishing (depending on how it goes!), and Elder Sign gets bonus points from me for being a co-op dice game, which is still a fairly rare thing.

5 - Crypt

This fast-paced set collection game has gotten a bit of hype recently, and rightly so in my opinion. The unique dice placement mechanic (you bid a number with D6s then try to roll that number to keep said D6s) is a big reason I enjoy Crypt so much. There's an exciting push-your-luck element going on, a highly original theme (annoyed family members robbing their late father's crypt), and a well-balanced mix of strategy and luck.

4 - One Deck Dungeon

I was always going to love this game; it brings the epic adventure of a dungeon crawler/RPG and crams it into a 30 minute dice game. One Deck Dungeon presents you with really interesting choices with regards to how and where to commit your dice to encounters with a wide range of mythical creatures. It is just as enjoyable at the 1 or 2 player count, and is *very* hard to beat (full disclosure: I'm a Dark Souls fanatic, so I revel in the punishment).

3 - Zombie Dice

Few games, if any, have provided me and my gaming friends with such pure experiences of hype as Zombie Dice has. Despite giving players very few decisions to make, this delicious push-your-luck game has a habit of keeping me on the edge of my seat. It's super easy to learn, gets me weirdly invested in almost every roll, and always leaves me wanting more. Zombie Dice was one of the first tabletop games I ever played, and it still sees regular time on the table.

2 - Roll for the Galaxy

Roll for the Galaxy is fast becoming the daddy of dice games (especially since the crazily huge Rivals expansion came out). I always introduce it to people as a cross between Terraforming Mars and Age of War, which I think does the experience of it justice. Almost everything about this game is great: 111 wonderful custom dice, plenty of meaningful and interesting decisions to make, huge replayability, and clever ways of making the player feel in control despite the dice making luck a huge part of it. The only real downside is the limited player interaction, which as its so fun doesn't really bother me. Also, the length-to-depth ratio is amazing!

*cue Casio keyboard preset drum roll*

1 - Age of War

And my top spot goes to: Age of War! I know I said Zombie Dice gets me the most hype out of all dice games, but to be honest this stunner from Reiner Knizia gets me equally hype. But in addition to the raw hype and push-your-luck it comes with dash of strategy, some fun set collection, and a few tasty back-and-forth battles. The feudal Japan theme is also cool and well-implemented, its highly portable, and great value for money. Put simply, it features the best elements of many of the games on my list, and I never get tired of it.

So that was my Top 10 Dice Games List! I had loads of fun putting it together, I hope it was interesting/enjoyable/useful to read. Let me know what you guys think and what your personal faves are!