Daniel (@dungeondive) follows up his 2026 adventure game and dungeon crawl countdowns with the inevitable question: why didn’t a particular favourite make the list? He begins with a sprawling selection of Patreon supporters’ favourites, showing just how many different games now compete for limited time, money and shelf space.
His own rankings reflect what he is enthusiastic about playing now, with recent table time a requirement. That explains several departures without turning them into condemnations. Runebound and Warhammer Quest: Silver Tower remain loved but haven’t been played enough lately; Iron Helm has given way to Mini Rogue when he reaches for a small-box crawl. Dungeon Crusade still promises a wonderful sandbox, while its setup and lengthy sessions make returning harder.
The discussion also tackles frequently suggested games. Daniel explains the relearning hurdle with Dragons Down, his interest in giving Mage Knight another chance, and why campaign commitments, sprawling components or particular visual styles can keep other titles off his table. His preference for unpredictable adventure over tightly calculated efficiency helps explain why some widely celebrated games don’t click for him.
It’s a candid look at how tastes change and how practical friction shapes a collection. The community’s enormous range of favourites also makes a useful companion to the countdowns: plenty of games can be worth loving without fitting one person’s current top ten.
Which game do you still love but rarely get to the table, and what would make you return to it?