We need to have a heart to heart. We’ve all been there. You look at a critically acclaimed, universally loved board game and realize: it’s not you, it’s me 💔 My personal brick wall is bluffing and social deduction games What exactly are these genres? Social deduction games are all about hidden identities. Players use conversations, accusations, and clues to figure out who is secretly on their team Bluffing games revolve around deception, asking players to misrepresent their

Whether you’re walking the halls of the NEC or following along from your couch, the best part of UKGE is the stories these games tell once they hit your table. Tabletop gaming is at its best when it surprises you, so while you're hunting down the big names, keep an eye out for the small boxes and indie developers. They’re often where the real magic is hiding. Here’s the list of the games I’ve been playing and the ones I’m hunting for 🌲 Aspens If you’re a fan of Photosynthesi

We’ve all been there. You’re squinting at a gorgeous box cover or a high BGG rating, wondering if a game actually earns its spot on your shelf. At home, we are trying to abide by our budget but also be more strict on not collecting games that won’t play the table. Every new addition has to prove its worth. That is where Board Game Arena (BGA) has become my secret weapon for intentional curation 🌐 What is Board Game Arena? BGA as a virtual wonderland for board games. It is a

You know that feeling when looking at an old photo, and you don't recognize what's staring back at you? That's how I feel looking at our first shelfie. When my wife and I first moved in together, we put together a board game shelf that was less of a curated collection and more of a messy archaeological dig. It was packed with the classics that survived childhood moves. Games like Rummikub, Taboo, and Cranium. Out of all of them, Rummikub is the only one that has survived. It’

Besides your bank balance, what really influences your purchase decisions? Is it shelf space? Theme? FOMO? All of the above? For me, the itch starts right about now. Convention season is upon us. I am not a fan of massive crowds. The odds of seeing me physically wandering a convention hall are slim to none. But I follow the releases like a hawk. It all starts with UKGE buzz. There is something about that first wave of games hitting the wild like the UKGE Preview that gets

I love board gaming. For me, it’s the ultimate way to disconnect from the world and plug into a great experience with friends. But let’s be real: nothing ruins that vibe faster than someone who treats the table like a waiting room. After thinking about what drives me bananas during game night , I wanted to put together a no-nonsense guide to being a respectful player. If you want to keep getting invited back, here’s the deal: 1. No Phubbing - if you're here, BE HERE! If your

I believe board games do not have to be new to be legendary. I feel sort of hypocritical saying this because I don’t thrift anything else in my life but when it comes to tabletop gaming? Buying second-hand is a definitive YES for me It’s no secret that Millennium Games is my favorite local spot. In fact, it’s rare that a week goes by where I’m not wandering the aisles. I love the new releases section in the middle of the store as much as the next gamer, but my absolute favori

When we think back on board games, people usually jump to the big names: Monopoly, Checkers, Chess. The classics with boxes and boards and pieces you can lose under the couch I’d beg to differ. I think the first board game most of us ever played didn’t even have a board. It was tic tac toe! It's a weird one. It’s considered a board game, but also not. It doesn’t have a board. Sometimes it’s a napkin. Sometimes it’s a chalkboard. Sometimes it’s lines scratched into sand or sno

Whether you are celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, or just want to enjoy the gift of giving this holiday season, these are the games that never fail me. If you’re heading to a gathering, looking for a stocking stuffer, or just want something easy to learn, teach, and enjoy, these small-box gems are the answer. They fit in a coat pocket, play with anyone, and are fast, fun, and infinitely replayable. You may even consider getting yourself a copy! 🧠 The Silent Strategists: Coop

Hundreds of new games are debuting at Essen this year. Some are brand new, some are returning favorites, and a handful are already working their way onto wishlists everywhere. Here are a few I’ve played and thoroughly enjoyed 🍖 Barbecubes This is like an appetizer filled with chaos. You are trying to grill tiny pixelated proteins with a pair of tongs while everyone watches and silently judges you and prays that your hand-eye coordination fails you. If you drop a cube, you ta

Every October, the board game world lights up for Spiel Essen (spiel meaning game and Essen being the city where the convention takes place), the biggest board game event of the year. This is where the hottest new releases are revealed, Christmas wishlists start forming, and the games that will dominate tables in the coming year first make their appearance. It’s the place to see which titles are capturing hearts and dice cups around the world. Even from afar, following Essen

You know when life is fine… and then someone introduces you to something like sriracha or Chick-fil-A sauce? Your life was perfectly okay...

I’m on a mission 🎯—a full-on board game purge. Specifically, I'm diving deep into my two-player collection and putting my criteria to...

June is Pride Month — a time to celebrate love, identity, and community. And for me, it’s also a chance to celebrate one of the most...

Whenever I visit a new city, there’s one stop I always make room for: the local board game store. It’s one of my favorite ways to get a...

Over the last two years, I’ve had the chance to try out a few Playte Games, and I’ve really come to appreciate their clever design. I...

🚀 This year is flying by! 2025 goals update: 🎲 21% of collection played 👑 19/100 Dominion kingdoms 📦 Collection <500 games = ✅ It's...

One of my 2025 resolutions was to review all my two-player games and decide which ones are keepers and which ones need to be gifted or...

Are you tired of hearing "Happy New Year"? I am! But I'm not tired of gaming, and I'm already excited to see what 2025 has in store. This...

It’s October 3rd—the Mean Girls holy grail of days. What better way to honor it than with a game night featuring these board games and...

Series come in all shapes and sizes, like: Expansions, mini expansions, and promo packs: These little extras add some zest to your base game Thematic Series: Games that share a common theme or setting, creating a cohesive experience Game Iterations: Different versions or takes on the same core game So, do you need them all? Well, it depends! For some, it’s all about collecting (secretly waving at my wife). But let’s be real—game iterations can sometimes feel redundant if they

Wingspan, a relaxing multiplayer game where you build a bird sanctuary. It's strategic but friendly competition.

let't explore the five that would provide comfort (and competition) in the face of this dystopian nightmare

Dominion isn't winning any beauty contests at first glance. The box is...a box, and the art is...unique