Tier Ranking Every Stonemaier Game
One of our all-time favorite board game publishers is Stonemaier games. They have made some of the most celebrated and popular modern board games in Wingspan, Viticulture, and Scythe. Stonemaier Games has continually proven itself to be one of the best publishers at publishing games with high-quality components and engaging gameplay. At the start of 2025 Stonemaier has released 19 games and we’re tier ranking every one.
Quick Notes about the Tier List: The games will be subdivide into groups with the S tier being the collection essential section all the way to D tier games you can skip. All games are numerical ranked in each section so you will know our definitive number one Stonemaier game at the list.
All expansion content we have played is considered into the final ranking of each game. The only Stonemaier game that will not be rated is their latest title Stamp Swap which we have yet to play.
D Tier – Games You Can Skip
17. Pendulum
The unique idea of real-time worker placement failed to deliver on its fun concept. We found the gameplay to be fiddly and complex with poor components making this our biggest disappointment.
Read our full review
16. Smitten
This simple two-player cooperative micro game is fun for what it is, but nothing you need to go out of your way to track down.
Watch our Overview
15. Red Rising
Heavily inspired by the card game Fantasy Realms, Red Rising looks to add even more to the gameplay, which made the game feel clunky and had me yearning for the snappier pace of Fantasy Realms / Marvel Remix. (However, if you are a fan of the Red Rising books, you will enjoy how the themes and characters of those books are represented.)
Read our full review
C Tier – Games to Play (at least) Once
14. Between Two Cities Essential Edition
This game has been outshined by its more thematic sequel but is still a really fun game that we recommend you try if you can.
Read our full review
13. My Little Scythe
A highly enjoyable family game that does an excellent job of taking the essence of Scythe, making it approachable for all gamers. Highly recommend.
Read our full review
Pie in the Sky Review
12. Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest
One of the best six-player games for anyone who loves predictable chaos. Love all the play and component upgrades to this classic, but I still miss the original pirate art and theme.
Read our full review
B Tier – Good Games
11. Expeditions
A worthy sequel to Sycthe, that doesn’t surpass the original due to lack of meaningful player interaction.
Read our full review
10. Charterstone
This legacy worker-placement game is worth the journey. The fun is in exploring to unlock new crates just as much as it is in winning. Would gladly play the campaign again if asked.
Read our full review
9. Apiary
An excellent worker placement game. The strange theme of space bees keeps it from getting to the table more often.
Read our full review
8. Euphoria
Don’t sleep on this Stonemaier classic featuring dice worker placement. We love the Dystopian theme and clever use of dice as workers which keeps it rated highly.
Read our full review
A Tier – GREAT Games
7. Scythe
This game has it all: unique player powers, mech miniatures, combat, resource control, map movement, etc., and yet it still plays smoothly and isn’t overwhelming to teach and learn. It is a bigger board game that still feels approachable, which is so special.
6. Wingspan
This game deserves all its praise—a great blend of theme and gameplay. I am still very much looking forward to the next expansion.
Read our full review
European Expansion Review
Oceania Expansion Review
Asia Expansion Review
5. Tapestry
Tapestry’s tracks and resource management challenges is an endlessly replayable. Each game feels vastly different depending on your combination of civilization and capital city mats. The game gets even better with the expansions.
Read our full review
Plans & Ploys Expansion
Arts & Architecture Review
4. Wyrmspan
This is the follow-up game that improves upon the original. It balance being a new experience while feeling familiar. It is a top ten all-time engine builder game.
Read our full review
S Tier – Collection Essentials
3. Rolling Realms / Rolling Realms Redux (tie)
We continued to be impressed by this roll-and-write. I love how Stonemaier continues to support Rolling Realms and Rolling Realms Redux makes for an excellent storage solution with fun new solo mode. This is a top tier roll-and-write with tons mini realm expansions. I recommend it to everyone.
Read our Rolling Realms Review & Redux Review
Took a good game (Between Two Cities) and made it better by adding an excellent theme and removing the square placement restrictions. This is our top favorite Stonemaier game for 3+ players. A practically perfect semi-cooperative drafting game.
Note: In early 2025 an Essential Edition is being released that will include the base game and expansion all in one book and drop the Mad King Ludwig from the title.
Read our full review & Expansion Review
1. Viticulture Essential Edition
Viticulture is our favorite worker placement game of all-time. Between choosing your turn order, to the unstoppable Grande worker, and contract fulfillment it provides the perfect amount of in-game tension. Viticulture only gets better with the Tuscany and Viticulture World expansions, both are highly recommended,
Read our full review | Viticulture World Review
Do you agree with our list? Let us know on Instagram and share with us your favorite Stonemaier Game.
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