163: Fourth Annual Firsties Awards

The panel hands out the Firsties Awards to the best games on our show in 2021.



Best Ice-breaker or Party game – This award goes to the game that is quick and easy to play in a casual setting.



Nominations: Abandon All Artichokes, Beat That, Bowlet, No Thanks!, Risky Chicken,Tiger Stripes, Werewords



WINNER: Werewords



Best Art and Presentation – This award goes to the game that shows the most engaging or compelling use of art and who’s components and presentation immediately brings you into the game.



Nominations: Chronicles of Crime: 1400, Dune: Imperium, Honey Buzz, MicroMacro: Crime City, Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile, Paleo, Rococo: Deluxe



WINNER: Chronicles of Crime: 1400



Best Educational Game (Science or History) – This award goes to the board game which promotes education and learning through gaming.



Nominations: Distilled, Exiled, Numeralogic, Paleo, Schrödinger’s Cats, Tinners’ Trail



WINNER: Tinners’ Trail



Best Strategy Game: This Award goes to the game that keeps you up late at night, wondering what strategy you’ll try next time!



Nominations: 7 Wonders Duel, Agricola, Castles of Burgundy, Dune: Imperium, Fantastic Factories, Terraforming Mars Ares Expedition



WINNER: Dune: Imperium



Best Themed Game: This award goes to the game whose theme was best executed throughout its narrative, flavor, components and mechanics.



Nominations: Distilled, MicroMacro: Crime City, Paleo, The Initiative, The Night Cage, The Taverns of Tiefenthal



WINNER: The Night Cage



Best Archeological Find: This award goes to the best game released more than 25 years ago. The version we played must be over 25 years old to be considered for this category.



Nominations: Bowlet, Jack-Straws, Kensington, Numeralogic, Steve Canyon, Stump Card Game



WINNER: Numeralogic



Best Online Game – This award goes to the game that translated best online and was even improved from it’s physical counterpart.



Nominations: 7 Wonders Duel, Agricola, Castles of Burgundy, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Magic: The Gathering – Arena, Railroad Ink



WINNER: Magic: The Gathering – Arena



Firstie Worstie: This award goes to the game where the best move is to bury it deep in the ground!



Nominations: All Aboard: Around the World Train Game, Donkey Racing, Exiled, Jet Race Game, Jet World, Twilight: The Board Game



WINNER: Jet Race Game



Game of The Year: This award goes to the best game published within the last 24 months, excluding reprints or new editions of older games.



Nominations: Chronicles of Crime: 1400, Dune: Imperium, MicroMacro: Crime City, Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile, Paleo, Rococo: DeluxeWINNER: MicroMacro: Crime City