For many people, the idea of playing board games is defined by the rare game of Monopoly. However, perception may just change with the launch of the new series Table Top.

Hosted by actor and long-time gamer Wil Wheaton, the new series seeks to introduce some of the best board games to a whole new audience only aware of titles like Risk and Sorry. With easy-to-follow explanations, humorous banter and slick production values, Table Top has all of the necessary elements to both entertain and inform whoever chooses to tune in.

The series airs exclusively on co-creator Felicia Day’s new YouTube channel, Geek & Sundry. Each episode features Wheaton and three guests playing a board game of some kind. However, the goal of the show is to move viewers beyond the types of games they’re likely to find at Target.

The first episode features the board game Small World. The goal of the game is to gain points by using different species and special abilities to conquer territory from other players. After nine rounds, whoever has the most points wins.

The situation is complicated by the random way different species are given special powers, allowing for a large amount of replay value.

If the rules of the game sound complicated, that’s because they are. However, the beauty of Table Top is how the game is presented. While the idea of watching a group of four play a board game for a half hour may sound tedious and hard-to-follow, Wheaton and the guests make sure it is anything but.

Instead of just jumping into the game, Wheaton gives a basic overview of the game’s rules before play begins. Then, throughout the game, both Wheaton and text boxes on the screen expand the rules.

Even someone who has never heard of the game in question is able to get a rough understanding of it, as well as gain a sense of whether they would be interested in playing it.

Of course, the importance of a show like this is that it’s as entertaining as it is informative. Fortunately, the interactions between Wheaton and his guests make for a great viewing experience. The first episode featured Internet personality Sean Plott , writer Jenna Busch and MythBusters star Grant Imahara .

The interplay between the four as they played the game was humorous without getting mean-spirited when one player took the lead. Wheaton also does a great job as host, keeping the experience light-hearted at all times.

Another plus for the show is the level of the production values. For a YouTube exclusive series, Table Top looks great, with professional camera work and animations. Felicia Day has a long history with Internet productions thanks to her work on The Guild, and her experience is put to great use making Table Top one of the best-looking web shows out there.

The only problems the first episode really had were a few mistakes made during the playing of Small World. A couple of the game’s special abilities were misinterpreted, which had an effect on the overall outcome of the game. However, only those who’ve actually played the game before were likely to notice.

Again, though, Table Top isn’t really meant for the long-time fan of tabletop gaming. The goal of the series is to introduce a slew of new games to an audience that has never heard of them.

In terms of showing how much fun board gaming can be, Table Top has gone above and beyond. The new series provides a great deal of information in a quick and fun package. If nothing else, it provides an enjoyable half hour of entertainment.

The first episode of Table Top is available for viewing on YouTube.