Top Ten Filler Games

Last time I posted a top ten around these parts, it was my top ten lunch games, games that can be played and taught comfortably within the confines of a lunch hour.

But what if your lunch hour is more like a lunch break? Or what about those times when you want to play another game, but you're waiting to mix up the players, and the other group is playing a game of Power Grid that simply will not end?

That, friends, is where the aptly named "filler" games come in--short games that can be used to open, close, or fill gaps within your game night.

What defines an ideal filler game? Here are my criteria:

Far from a Raw Deal (a review of Sushi Go!)

Sushi: a food as beautiful as it is polarizing. Fish--raw or otherwise--may not be your thing, but you know what is?

Victory points.

And there are many of those to be had if you compose the best meal, preferably washing it down with the most pudding.

Lumberjack Jenga (a review of Toc Toc Woodman)

The life of a lumberjack. The smell of the forest, the sweat on your brow, the satisfaction after a hard day's work. But what if this life also involved a tiny ax, a bark-only harvesting method, and lots of laughs?

Well, then you'd be playing Toc Toc Woodman. And you'd probably be having a good time to boot.

Whirlwind Wooing (a review of Love Letter)

The princess is sad and lonely, now that her mother has been carted away by the police. You know what would cheer her up? Various suitors throwing themselves at her feet, working with all their might, using whatever means necessary, to get their missives to her (while at the same time thwarting their rivals'). The people closest to the princess, who know her best, are more likely to persuade her that your letter is the one worth receiving. But can you persuade the persuaders without giving yourself away?

Diamonds in the Dumpster (a review of Unexpected Treasures)

"One man's trash is another man's treasure," you've heard it said, and you take this saying to heart each night under cover of darkness at the junkyard.You never know when you'll find that piece that will complete someone's collection, and you never know when you'll have to leave empty-handed. If you know how your fellow Dumpster divers operate, you just might be able to score big in the junkyard. So grab your burglaring gloves, backpack, bike, motorcycle, car, or truck and see if you can discover some unexpected treasures.

Raising Hellenism (A Review of Plato 3000)

In humanity’s darkest hours, as technology regresses and knowledge of mechanics fades, your task is to restore hope. Not based on your own measly, arrogant ideas. No, the world has re-discovered Plato’s Republic and you will forge a new Utopia based upon his philosophical musings with the aid of physics and engines and such. Never mind that the Athenian thinker had no such mechanical inclinations. He was decidedly headier in nature. Not to fear, though, the game has philosophers to help. And farmers. So maybe you should also scour old libraries for copies of Principia, Poor Richard’s Almanac, and perhaps even an old Microsoft manual. Alas, then the game would have to be called Plato-Newton-Franklin-Gates 3000 and, man, that’s a long title. Especially for just a little tuck box.

The King Is Not Dead, He Just Went To Tokyo (A Review of King of Tokyo)

Sometimes, when you play a game, you’re looking for a cerebral, strategic experience. You want to make plans, counter your opponents, and conquer the world.

At other times, though, you just want to go on a monster rampage, fighting and destroying your friends and the city of Tokyo in a matter of minutes. Fortunately, for these times, we have Richard Garfield’s King of Tokyo.