[apetersonBFI]

Consider Pheblas wasn't the best in my opinion. Player of Games is my favorite, but some of the other later ones are good.

I enjoy the settings and the concept of the Culture more than the plotlines.

[hesperiidae]

The Player of Games is my favourite exactly for the same reason: it explores the Culture in contrast to the Empire, and even the drama is just an expression of the clash between the two structures.