Board Games Categories

Sometimes yesterday, the popular board game review channel Shut Up & Sit Down dropped a review of Vantage, and while the beginning of the video obviously dripped with sarcasm, the game ultimately didn’t work for the review team over there for a variety of reasons. There wasn’t enough going on story wise, some of the cards felt very much the same, just with different art, and the game ultimately came down to stashing dice on cards. I love Shut Up…

When assessing how video games should be packaged for the consumer, I have waivered a lot on what I think should be included and how optional add-ons should be handled. Selfishly, I love well produce board games that include metal coins, and that’s why I often go the deluxe board game route when using Kickstarter or Gamefound. But I also know that not everyone has that kind of money, and with that in mind, I love how Stonemaier Games handles…

When Tokaido Duo arrived at the house for review yesterday, I was actually expecting a bit more. When I finally got the box unwrapped and everything punched, I was actually shocked by the lack of pieces in the box. I’m not sitting here claiming this is a bad thing, but from what I had read, there is a good amount of depth in this game, yet the component quantity is so minimal! I’m ok with only a few components in…

Exploding Kittens has never been a game I particularly enjoyed, and honestly after playing this board game adaptation, I could take it or leave it. My kids, however, absolutely love Exploding Kittens, and all the spinoffs like Exploding Minions. Watching them enjoy Exploding Kittens: The Board Game has been really fun, and while it’s not for me, it is definitely for them. Exploding Kittens: The Board Game feels incredibly familiar when you play, despite a completely different end-game goal. In…

While I’ve already written at length why Whispers in the Well is one of the best Disney Lorcana releases to date, it’s hard to follow-up the Fabled accessories release. While I think the Illumineers Trove has come back down to earn – so it’s more in line with releases previous to Fabled – the playmats and starter decks continue to impress. The decks, specifically, are some of the best starter decks in recent memory. The Judy Hopps and Nick Wylde…

I think it was going to be hard for Ravensburger and Disney Lorcana to follow-up on the Fabled release. Despite my desire to not see so many reprinted cards, there was some fantastic artwork, a great franchise in The Goofy Movie added to the mix, and one of the best Illumineers Trove’s I ever seen. While there are some drawbacks this time around – Illumineers Trove has come back down to earth, in line with previous releases – Whispers in…

Cozy games have been all the rage in the past few years, and while many have succeeded in creating cozy games that appeal to the masses – Flamecraft comes to mind here – not everyone sees the success that Cardboard Alchemy saw. Smirk and Dagger went on their own cozy game quest based on books, and while the theme wasn’t something that grabbed me – I’m not a book person – the gameplay was so engaging I cannot wait to…

There isn’t a whole going on in Enthrone but that doesn’t mean the production has to suffer. The game might only last about 20 minutes, but you’ll want to play this again and again, if not for the gameplay than for the production quality! First and foremost, we got to talk about the central board. It folds out nicely and has a stained glass look to it. I think it makes moving between spaces a little harder than it needs…

I always enjoy a game I can experience with a more casual group of board game players, and Parks and Potions scratches that itch. Whether playing with my kids or friends who aren’t into medium or heavy board game, each experience playing Parks and Potions has been a pleasant one. Although it’s not the best game I’ve played in the last few years, it’s still an enjoyable experience that I’d almost always be willing to play, even if perhaps I…

You ever cracked into a board game only to say, “Did I get the deluxe edition?” That was the feeling I got when opening up A Place For All My Books for the first time. The production here is phenomenal, and after seeing the deluxe version at GenCon 2025, this might be the first time I tell consumers, “You really don’t need the deluxe edition!” Once you pop the top off the box you’ll get your eyes on the rulebook…