194: Fifth Annual Firsties Awards

The panel hands out the Firsties Awards to the best games on our show in 2022.



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



Nominations: Connected Clues, Regicide, Stella – Dixit Universe, The Crew: Mission Deep Sea, Town 66WINNER: The Crew: Mission Deep Sea



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: Ahoy, Apex Theropod Deck Building Game, Holi, Radlands, Return to Dark Tower, Sea Salt & PaperWINNER: Sea Salt & Paper



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



Nominations: Ark Nova, Dominant Species Marine, Hardback, Rise, Rocketmen, ViticultureWINNER: Ark Nova



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: Ark Nova, Battle Line: Medieval, Dominant Species Marine, It’s a Wonderful World, Return to Dark Tower, The Crew: Mission Deep SeaWINNER: Dominant Species Marine



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



Nominations: Ark Nova, Doodle Dungeon, Paint the Roses, Return to Dark Tower, ViticultureWINNER: Paint the Roses



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: Catan, Hugo: Das Schlossgespenst, Phlounder, Snoopy and the Red Baron



WINNER: Snoopy and the Red Baron



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



Nominations: Equinox, Hardback, It’s a Wonderful World, Space Base, VektoRace 2nd Edition



WINNER: VektoRace (2nd Edition)



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



Nominations: Balloon Pop, Fantastic Voyage Game, Space 1999, The S.W.A.T. GameWINNER: The S.W.A.T. 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: Ark Nova, Return to Dark Tower, The Crew: Mission Deep SeaWINNER: Return to Dark Tower