The International Gamers Awards - 2021 Edition

Earlier this year, I was invited to join the International Gamers Award committee... which I quickly and happily accepted. While I haven't always agreed with the final choices of the IGA, I appreciate the wide variety of gamers involved and the successful attempt to create an award that honored games with some strategic/tactical heft. And now I'm part of the team!

There were major changes this year as we added a new category (solo games) and allowed games that were published as multiplayer games to be nominated for both the 2-player and solo categories. As I'm a big fan of solo gaming (you can read it about here!), I think that was an excellent choice.

Winners

Multiplayer award 2021

Lost Ruins of Arnak

designed by Elwin & Mín Štach

published by Czech Games Edition

Two-player award 2021

My City

designed by Reiner Knizia

published by Kosmos

Solo award 2021

Under Falling Skies

designed by Tomáš Uhlíř

published by Czech Games Edition

My Thoughts on the Winners

Lost Ruins of Arnak

Dripping with theme and gorgeous artwork… filled with Euro-y decisions… no direct conflict but plenty of chances to beat someone to a good location… plays quickly and cleanly… multiple ways to pursue victory… what’s not to love? (Oh, did I mention there’s a second more difficult board on the back of the main board… and a great solo mode?!) This was my #1 new (to me!) game of 2020.

My City

I didn't actually play this prior to the voting for the IGA... but my younger son & I are now six games into the legacy campaign and having a wonderful time with this Tetris-y city-builder where the rules keep changing with each play.

Under Falling Skies

A specifically designed solo game with enough in-game content to run two completely different campaigns... as well as introducing all kinds of thematic wrinkles to the solid gameplay of the original print'n'play design. For more details about the game, check out my review on the Opinionated Gamers site.

Overall

I think we managed to pick three really solid games... maybe not as heavy as some of the previous picks for the IGA (none of these, thankfully, are in the same category as Trajan or Age of Industry), but with well-built designs that offer interesting play choices and a variety of strategic and tactical options.

The Nominees

Multiplayer nominees:

• Anno 1800
• Beyond the Sun
• Dune: Imperium
• Hallertau
• Lost Ruins of Arnak
• Nidavellir
• Paleo
• Praga Caput Regni

Two-player nominees:

• Botanik
• Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
• Imperium: Classics/Legends
• Jekyll vs. Hyde
• Let's Make a Bus Route: The Dice Game
• MicroMacro
• My City
• Undaunted: North Africa

Solo nominees:

• Calico
• Cantaloop: Book 1 - Breaking into Prison
• Clever Cubed 
• Hallertau
• Imperium
• MicroMacro
• Sleeping Gods
• Under Falling Skies

What I Voted For (Just in Case You're Curious)

Multiplayer award 2021

1. Lost Ruins of Arnak
2. Dune: Imperium
3. Paleo
4. Hallertau
5. Beyond the Sun
6. Nidavellir

Two-player award 2021

1. Imperium: Classics/Legends
2. Undaunted: North Africa
3. Jekyll vs. Hyde

I think My City would have been #3 if I had an opportunity to play it prior to voting, but I did not.

Solo award 2021

1. Imperium: Classics/Legends
2. Hallertau
3. Under Falling Skies

If you would like to know more about the voting procedure, the IGA website outlines how it works.

I received review copies of Lost Ruins of Arnak and Under Falling Skies.