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🥥 Coconut Cannon  by Pirate Wizards is a lightning-fast game for 2-5 players. The goal? Be the first to discard your entire deck by matching cards from your hand to the central pile. Match by number, color, or play one of the special action cards to gain an edge. Since gameplay is simultaneous, there are no turns—just pure speed! The four special cards add a layer of chaos and strategy: Double Doubloon : Discard two extra cards. Kraken Grab : Swap your hand or draw pile with another player. Coconut Cannon : Discard your entire hand in one go. Mersong : Temporarily stops a player from playing until five cards are played—unless they sing the mermaid’s song to rejoin the fun! 🎮 How it plays: Everyone plays at once, racing to match a card from their hand to the central discard pile Special cards like Kraken Grab can swap hands, Double Doubloon adds extra cards, and the Coconut Cannon keeps everyone on their toes Whoever empties their pile first, wins! Pros: ✅ Easy to learn ⏩ Fast to play 💡 No downtime 🌍 Language independent 👜 Compact and travel-friendly 👶 Great for kids Cons: 🤔 Speed-based mechanics may be challenging or frustrating to some 🍀 May be too luck base for some Bottom line: Coconut Cannon  is a compact game with very cute artwork. The game is perfect for little ones. Its fast-paced, family-friendly gameplay is short enough to leave kids asking for “just one more round.” The simultaneous play keeps everyone engaged, while action cards add a touch of strategy to this luck-based adventure.

Intro I will never forget the first time I had sushi. I went out to dinner with my wife and mother-in-law and they ordered some monstrous eel and raw something-or-another. I was offered to try it, so I popped a piece in my mouth. Man… not the ideal first dish. Spirit Island is a ‘raw fish and eel’ kind of board game - it can’t be the first board game you try, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it in due time! You just have to be ready for it! What is Spirit Island? Spirit Island designed by R Eric Reeuss and published Greater Than Games, LLC is a fierce cooperative game for 1-4 players. You must take on the role of one of the asymmetric spirits of the island and defend your home from the colonizing Invaders! Turns are played simultaneously but everyone is working together to minimize the expansion of the invaders, protect the island natives (the Dahan), and prevent blight from spreading. The game escalates turn after turn as you grow stronger and use your powers more effectively, but the Invaders’ colonization is equally as unrelenting! Gameplay Spirit Island is played over a series of rounds. Each turn starts with the Spirit Phase, where each player chooses their growth strategy (adding Presence to the Island, adding Power cards to your hand, or refreshing your hand by picking up your discard pile), gains Energy, and determines the cards they’ll play this round. Then Fast Powers are utilized from those cards and from the Spirit’s unique Innate Power if applicable. Player’s turns are largely taken independently and simultaneously. Communication isn’t outlawed, but there’s no required shared decision making as you choose cards to play, apply powers, and decide where on the board those actions take effect. The Invaders fight back next, flipping Events cards then following the progression of the Invader deck. First they Ravage any lands they’ve built upon, potentially spreading Blight (Blight is bad!) and attacking the native Dahan people. Thankfully, the surviving Dahan can fight back for the Spirits, and they’re quite helpful when levied correctly! The Invaders move on the Build on explored lands, then conclude their actions with an Explore phase where they move onto even more of the Island. The terrain cards progress through each of these three phases, so you have an idea of what to expect on future turns with the exception of the Explore phase The Spirits can then use their Slow Powers. As before, there’s as little or as much collaboration as each player is willing to entertain. The round concludes with time passing as played cards are discarded and the next round is prepared. Scoring and Game End Spirit Island is completely co-operative, so all players either win or lose together. There are several ways to do each! At the beginning of the game the Spirits must destroy every single little tiny Invader, Settlement, and City on the board. Yup, every single one. HA! Thankfully, Spirits can accrue Fear through card actions or by destroying the Invader’s Settlements and Cities. The more Fear, the easier the victory condition becomes. As more Fear is accumulated the Spirits only need to eliminate all Cities and Settlements, then subsequently all Cities. Accrue enough Fear and you just win! The Spirits can lose if any Spirit is destroyed, if the Island is overrun by Blights, or if the Invader deck runs out before they can achieve a victory condition. Replayability This game is LOADED with replayability options. For starters, the plain and simple version of the base game comes with “Power Progression” cards so you’re set up with compatible new powers. Then you can add in Blight effects cards, Events cards, or even Adversaries that alter the Invaders’ actions and abilities in increasing difficulties. There’s a ton of Spirits also with increasing complexities and unique Innate Powers. There are plenty of Power cards and Fear cards to keep things fresh and interesting. And folks, that's just the base game… We have the Branch and Claw expansion and the Jagged Earth expansion. They each provide new Spirits, new Powers, and even new components that further expands (aka complicates) the base game. You could bring this game to the table time and time again for a brand new adventure! Game Components This game is not small. The base game box is heavy as is, and I think any kind of organizer is an absolute must. There’s Power cards, Fear cards, Event cards, Invader cards, Fear tokens, Presence tokens, Energy tokens, Adversary boards, Spirit boards, Invaders, Settlements, Cities, Blight… You NEED an organizer! We initially used a foam organizer but I repurposed it to organize the expansion box and 3D printed a new base game insert to make setup a breeze. The components are definitely high quality cardboard and punch out cleanly. There’s also a “Premium Token Upgrade” that replaces the cardboard tokens with wooden ones, as well as a metal upgrade that includes Energy and Fear tokens. I can’t say no to metal coins… Likes & Dislikes The rule book is 31 pages. Yes, 31 pages. It is intimidating; we got the game to the table at least half a dozen times early on in the pandemic and we were not ready for Spirit Island. BUT after playing several other more complex games we finally got through the rules and understood the game. The rule book is FANTASTIC. The way it clarifies literally everything is super helpful when learning and just as a reference as we continue playing. It just looks scary. I can’t stand a co-op game where the loudest person gets to quarterback everyone else’s turns. Spirit Island is fantastic at balancing individual decision-making with shared group goals. Cards offer interaction and encourage working together, but one person can’t possibly dictate every aspect of every player’s turn and that’s so so beautiful to me! The theme and components of this game are also exceptional. It’s not difficult to immerse yourself in the narrative of the Spirits, make friends with the Dahan, and hate those pesky Invaders. Unfortunately, Spirit Island isn’t for everyone. It has a big table presence and a lot of moving parts. There are a ton of cards to read and symbols to understand. You definitely need to like complex games to get through the basic version of the game, and you need a little masochism to accept sitting through 2 hours of gameplay only to lose. There is a “Horizons of Spirit Island” introductory version for 1-3 players that can help introduce the concepts in a scaled-down version if its complexity is too daunting! Conclusion I don’t like when co-op games are easy to win. I don’t like when one person gets to dictate how a group plays together. And I don’t like when games throw a theme together to make a mechanism work. Man, I don’t like a lot of stuff… Thankfully, Spirit Island is a beautiful, thematic, well-executed co-op game where everyone gets to use their own brains and work together to destroy the Invaders! It’s nestled securely into my top ten list, and I’ll lug the heavy box out of the house any day I can convince my friends to play it with me.

Introduction I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with Dragonlings! This is a beautiful card driven game for 1-6 players that takes about fifteen minutes per player. The game is beautifully illustrated by Chris Andrea Nash who is also one of the designers. The game is designed by Chris and Erinn Webb, and it is published by B+Up Games. The game is coming to Kickstarter , and it's one that I don't want to miss! In Dragonlings, you are a dragon trainer. You will be guiding adorable hatchlings to majestic adults while hoarding treasure to gain the most victory points at the end of the game. The game scales and plays well at every count. The box is compact, which makes it easy to sneak anywhere! Bar game? Impromptu family night? I got you covered 🫣 Components 🐉 Please note that this review is based on a prototype, so components and rules may change. With that said, I was impressed at the quality of the components. The cards are gorgeous! Compact Box  📦: A conveniently sized square box that’s easy to store and transport, with an efficient insert to keep everything secure 7 Dragon Egg Tokens and Egg Counter Cards  🥚: Bright and colorful. These tokens go over the egg counter card. You'll use the eggs to hatch dragons and for victory points at the end of the game. Everyone gets one dragon egg token Hatchling Cards : The beautiful dragons you'll need to hatch to create your towers. They come in three colors (green, blue, and red) Dragon Cards  🐲: Each dragon card is beautifully illustrated. Cards range from level 2-5 and some naughty cards have a level 0 Treasure Cards : Treasure hoards will give you victory points anywhere from 0-3 per card Trainer Cards : individual, assymetric, and unique goals that score you points at the end of the game Set Up Give each player: 7 dragon cards Egg counter cards with a matching egg token At random, a Trainer Card Rules card Place the egg on number 2 at the egg counter Depending on how many players, you'll be growing 2-5 dragons Choose who'll go first, and start the game Gameplay 🎲 In Dragonlings, you’re managing a growing group of dragons while balancing eggs and treasure resources. On your turn: Draw : start your turn by drawing a card from your hand Wake : up all your dragons and cure all the growing pains Play in any order: Hatch : use your eggs to bring as many new dragons into the world as you can afford (each hatchling costs one egg) Grow : level up a dragon and put it sideways to symbolize that it is now growing, or Use : one ability per dragon called tower per turn. Once used, turn the card to symbolize that this dragon is napping Lastly, you may play a dragon card from your hand and discard it to use its ability Exchange : any four number of dragons, eggs, and treasures for one other resource. There are some cards that make the change go down to 2:1, so I'd be on the lookout for those cards Discard down to 7 dragon cards. Hatchlings count as dragons in your hand During the game, you'll keep in mind your Trainer card, and will be exchanging tokens and treasure as you go. This will help you expand and grow your dragon family. You'll be balancing between collecting treasure and leveling up your dragons. There’s something magical in balancing your Dragons’ growth while managing their growing pains. Dragon Abilities and Growing Pains Each Dragon gains special abilities as it grows, bringing variety and strategic decisions. But, be prepared: when Dragons level up, they experience growing pains and can’t use their new powers until they’ve rested. This mechanic makes you think ahead—when do I evolve a dragon without risking my game plan? Treasure and Token Strategy 💰 The game’s economy revolves around eggs and treasures. You'll need to balance these carefully. If you overspend or focus too much on one resource, your Dragon Towers might suffer. Swapping tokens adds a nice strategic layer that keeps the game exciting. Modes of Play 🧩 Dragonlings comes with several game modes that expand its replayability: Free for All : Compete individually to have the most Victory Points. These was my favorite way of playing the game Teams : Work together in pairs, combining treasure hoards and coordinating dragon powers Solitaire : I do not play solo, but the idea of playing against yourself sounds intriguing Key Features The mix of strategy and resource management makes every turn meaningful Each Dragon’s unique abilities provide fun decision making moments. Cards are unique and dynamic. You'll be able to get discounts for getting terasures, peek at cards, steal eggs, etc The growing pain mechanic is both challenging and rewarding Managing the color matching rules for building Dragon Towers can be tricky—each dragon has to match the original hatchling’s color, but as the levels go up, there are multi-colored and rainbow dragons The Egg and Treasure system is a delicate balance; it’s easy to overspend, so be cautious! Final Thoughts 🏆 Dragonlings strikes a perfect balance between strategy and lighthearted fun. It’s accessible for young and new players. The game is beautiful and engaging for seasoned gamers. The game is easy to learn, and has enough paths to victory to make it addictive. Whether you're training dragons solo or gathering friends and family for a game night, this one is a treasure worth exploring!

Introduction I was obsessed with Buffy growing up. Back then, living somewhere with 11 hours of sunlight year-round, I never understood why it got dark so fast in Sunnydale. Now? Let’s just say upstate New York winters have taught me a thing or two about early sunsets. 🌆  In Unmatched: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 1-4 players can dive right into Sunnydale’s shadowy streets as iconic characters like Buffy, Spike, Willow, and Angel. This tactical skirmish game combines wit, strategy, and a bit of supernatural smackdown as you face off against each other with a board, a deck of cards, a hero and a sidekick. Not familiar with Unmatched? It’s a series of games where you play as legendary characters—from Robin Hood and Deadpool to Raptors and Sherlock Holmes! Every character has their own unique deck and abilities, and here’s the best part: all the sets are compatible. So, if you want Buffy to take on Bruce Lee or the Raptors in a crossover showdown, you totally can 🦖🧙‍♀️ For any Buffy fan (or really, any skirmish game fan), this set brings the Buffyverse to life. 🧛‍♀️ Whether you’re new to Unmatched or just excited for a new twist, this one’s ready to bring some Buffy magic to your game nights! And now that Halloween has passed, I may as well start watching Buffy in Hulu Components The Unmatched box is a sturdy, beautiful piece that keeps the game components secure and ready for play. The insert is well-designed. I was very surprised when I unboxed the game. Everything has a place, so the game is ready to be shaken, stored vertically or horizontally Rulebook:  Clear, concise, and easy to navigate. This is the kind of rulebook that helps you get right into the game Miniatures:  detailed figures with add visual flair to the board and bring the characters to life. If I ever get into painting, I am starting with these ones! Battlefield Boards:  Double-sided with vibrant art and clear zones for easy gameplay. The battlefield is divided into spaces and zones, affecting movement and ranged attacks Character Cards : One per hero that explains default move, who the side kicks are, starting health, and attack power Action Cards:  35 cards for Buffy and 30 for Angel, Willow, and Spike. Each of these have unique moves for each fighter Sidekick Tokens:  Compact and well-designed, adding depth to the game without cluttering the board. Health Dials:  Track the health of heroes and sidekicks Gameplay Unmatched: Buffy the Vampire Slayer offers fast-paced skirmish action. Each turn, players take two actions: move, attack, or draw cards Key phases: Move : Get in range for an attack or retreat into the shadows for some defense Attack : This is where the fun starts—draw from your deck and launch an attack at your opponent Defend : Each defense card you play could counter your opponent’s attack or soften the blow, but you’ll need to manage your hand carefully, or you might find yourself unprotected. Special abilities, combos, and terrain effects all come into play, so every move counts. Whether you're playing a 2-player game or a partnered duel (semi-co-op) 2v2 set up, it's easy to get sucked into the Buffyverse and feel the tension rise with each round. The player that reduces their opponent's character and sidekick health to zero wins. Pros 👍 Immersive Theme : Unmatched nails the Buffy experience! The abilities, the locations, the art—it all feels authentic to the show. I mean, who doesn’t love the idea of smacking Spike across the face with a wooden stake while listening to Alanis Morissette? Character Asymmetry : Each fighter has a play style. Buffy’s all about quick attacks and teamwork, Willow grows in power as the game progresses, and Spike… well, let’s just say his deck is as tricky and sharp as his personality 🧛‍♂️.  Awesome components Quick Turns and quick to learn game Can be played with other Unmatched sets Cons 👎 The game is confrontational which may not be everyone's cup of tea What you draw may dictate what you can and cannot do If you are not a Buffy fan, the theme may not be exciting Can feel repetitive after a few plays Not language independent Conclusion Unmatched: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an asymmetric combat game that is well balanced. You can play the game with different Unmatched characters. The game is nostalgic and can be really fun if you were a Buffy fan. Happy slaying!

I am usually the one recommending games to my friends, and I was very surprised when one of my besties told me I should get a game. She never buys games, what is happening? Well, I took a mental note and then I was walking in Barnes & Noble with another pal, and she picked up that game! "Look at this box. What is this? You don’t have this." All I said was, “buy it! I don't know what it is, but I was told it was really good." Boy, am I glad she bought it. I’m not a particular fan of trivia games, but this one is fun! To me, this one and Bang Out of Order! by Gamely are the best trivia games I’ve seen. They’re fun, and they don't shame you for not knowing obscure things. In fact, in CDSK, you set the limits of how much you think you know, and if you guessed correctly, you move up. If you didn't, well, try again! With CDSK, it's not just about how much you know but how well you gauge your own knowledge. Think you’re a 6 on “80s Rock Ballads”? Go for it! Nail it, and your team moves up 6 spaces. Miss it? No worries—you get another shot next time. Plus, the game throws in Challenge Cards that mix things up with timed rounds, multiple-choice mayhem, and questions that range from delightful to downright curious. And did I mention the DIY playing pieces? No generic pawns here—grab whatever fits your team’s style and hit the board. Whether you’re the trivia type or just in it for some laughs, this one keeps things fresh, light-hearted, and seriously fun. This pieces is what we used Saturday during an impromptu hang out at Starbucks. I've been obsessed with Five Cucumbers, so I used that as my pawn! 🎯 Goal of the Game Pilot your team to victory by answering questions across a spectrum of subjects, from "Delightful" pop culture to "Curious" oddities, and everything in between. Think you know enough? Prove it by reaching the end of the board and nailing that final question! 🚀 SHALL WE BEGIN? Gather 2 to 4 teams of 1 to 4 players each. Each team picks a Player Piece (but don’t expect one in the box—get creative and find something that represents your crew!). Ready for a quicker game? Start on the "Express Start" space for a 21 minute showdown. Feeling ambitious? Head to the "Classic Start" for a 47 minute deep dive. I love how the rulebook is written. You can tell they had fun because estimates of board game times are usually a lie or too precise.   🎲 RULES Pick Your Path : Flip open the box to reveal the board. Each space corresponds to a different card Category: Knowledge, Delightful, Seasoned, and Curious Categories Galore: Knowledge : Science, nature, history, geography Delightful : Movies, music, sports Seasoned : Real world wisdom and “grownup” stuff Curious : Precise or bizarre subjects for the daring Each time you land on a Category space, the team to your left picks a card, and you decide how confident you feel (110). They read a question based on your confidence level, and you've got 31 seconds to answer. Nail it? Move forward that many spaces! Get it wrong? No harm done, but you’ll stay put and try again next turn Challenge Cards : Land on a Challenge space, and brace yourself for a card that mixes up the game with open questions, timed rounds, and other curveballs. Sometimes they'll speed you up, other times they’ll slow you down Hurry Up & Win Cards : Reach the final space on the board? Time to seal the deal with a Hurry Up and Win question! Get it right to claim victory. Get it wrong, and you'll have to try again on your next turn 🔎 HOW TO PLAY Teams take turns clockwise, answering questions from various categories. When your team lands on a space, it's time to flex your knowledge muscles. Discuss, strategize, and lock in your answer. Answer right, advance the number of spaces you chose. Answer wrong? No worries—you get another shot next time. 🏆 HOW IT ALL ENDS To win, be the first team to land on the final space and answer that critical question correctly. Then, bask in the glory of your triumph (or maybe just enjoy a well earned drink or/and nap)! CDSK is a hilarious mix of friendly banter, surprising knowledge, and just enough randomness to keep everyone guessing. Whether you're a trivia pro or just looking to have some laughs with friends, it's a game that ensures no two rounds are ever the same 🌟

🥒 Five Cucumbers published by Rio Grande Games and designed by Friedemann Friesse is a 2 to 6 player game that takes about 20 minutes to play. This card game is an entry level trick taking card game that is fun for any occasion. I love games that take less than a minute to explain, can be taken anywhere, and are language independent. This game fits that criteria! Overview Do you have what it takes to avoid the last trick? 🤔 Five Cucumbers is a deceptively simple trick-taking card game with one clear rule: don't take the last trick if you want to win! This pocket-sized game is easy to learn, yet every card played counts. Players aim to play the lowest card possible without getting caught taking that last, dreaded trick. Components 60 Cards: Numbered 1-15, with four cards for each value Cucumber Tokens that are super cute and are used to track penalties Nice small box Setup: Shuffle the deck of cards thoroughly Deal seven cards to each player Place the remaining cards in the center as the draw pile How to Play: The player to the dealer’s left starts by playing a card from their hand On each turn, players must play a card that is higher than or equal to the last card played. If they cannot play a higher card, they must play their lowest card instead 😬 The round continues until all cards have been played How to Win: The goal is to avoid taking the last trick. The player who ends up with the last trick collects cucumbers (penalty points) based on the number of cucumbers pictured in highest played card. This is an elimination game, but we do not like that because if people are not participating, what's the point of playing a board game? Therefore, we play to whoever gets five cucumbers first loses the game.  Pros ⚡ Fast-paced with simple rules 👜 Compact and travel-friendly 🧠 Great blend of luck and tactical decision-making 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Suitable for all ages I appreciate how each card's number comes into play, making even low-value cards potentially powerful when used wisely. 🎯 Cons This is an elimination game, but we've modified the rules of the game to end when someone gets five cucumbers. While the game might feel repetitive over multiple plays for those looking for a deeper challenge, it shines as a light filler game, introductory trick-taking game that is perfect for casual fun or a quick game night warm-up! 🔥 Conclusion Five Cucumbers is a delightful addition to any game collection, especially for those who enjoy light-hearted, entry level games that can be played in a snap. Its easy-to-understand mechanics, combined with a dash of luck and tactical depth, make it suitable for players of all ages. Whether you’re looking for a quick game to break the ice or a game to keep in your purse, Five Cucumbers promises a quick game with a small footprint for any occasion.

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 using a few of my favorite movie quotes? Is Butter a Carb? Well, according to these games, it might as well be! From foraging berries in Everdell to flipping pancakes in Top Waffle , and stacking up donuts in Dollars to Donuts , these picks are a feast for the sweet-toothed. Don’t judge my “she doesn’t even go here” Sushi Go Party! —Regina George may not go for sushi, but who can resist a good sushi showdown? No game night is complete without a little caffeine fix, right? Grab some inspiration with Fika —an ode to Sweden’s coffee break tradition—or go straight for the rush in Coffee Rush . These games are bound to give you cravings as intense as Gretchen’s need to make “fetch” happen. Have you tried any of the games pictured? Or do any games every give you cravings? Let me know! And remember, if you’re not feeling the vibe, “you can just leave”—but, trust me, you’ll at lest want to try playing the games during game night!

For fans of games like Wingspan and Viticulture, the lure of epic adventures can sometimes clash with the reality of limited time (boohoo, adulting sucks!). That's where Rolling Realms by Stonemaier Games swoops in. This compact box game delivers a satisfyingly complex puzzle in a delightful 30-minute package. The game plays 1-6 players, and it has been a welcome guest at every table I bring it to. When I first learned about this game, I was new to roll and write games. I was very curious, but very skeptical, so I added it to my BGG Wishlist, and my Secret Santa delivered. Secret Santa from 2022, if you are reading this, thank you!  Components: Well written rulebook Dry-erase markers – after two years of solid abuse, four of the markers are still in top-notch shape! Sheet erasers – I love these! They are so good and require no space while traveling 2 hefty large dice 11 Realm cards for six players including games like Between Two Castles, Wingspan, and Viticulture 6 Resource cards 6 Score cards Setting Up: Ready, Set, Roll! This game is quick and easy. This game plays well in any situation and it does not need much space. We’ve played it in a plane, a train, camping, at a pub, and at our and many of our friends' homes. The game has almost no set up, which makes it the perfect game to dive into the action. The only downside is that if you have undecided peeps in your life, picking the realms may take a while. For this reason, shuffle them, and pick three at a time. Then you deal the same realms to everyone along with a marker and an eraser. We Chwazi to see who goes first, but in the past we’ve also rolled both dice. Whoever gets the highest number goes first. Gameplay: Earn the most stars over 3 rounds Players take turns rolling two dice (9 times per round) and play simultaneously Use the dice results on shared realm cards to generate resources (coins, hearts, pumpkins) and earn up to six stars per card Each realm card has unique abilities that manipulate dice rolls and resource earning Spend resources to activate bonuses and modify dice results At the end of the round decide whether you’d like to play with new realms and start the next round Scoring and Winning: Players total their points at the end of each round (9 turns) Add the number of stars for each realm Add leftover resources (coins, hearts, and pumpkins). Each of these is 1/10 of a point, so if you have 10 left over it’s like having an extra star Micro-Moments of Magic: Even when ten minutes are all we have, a single round of Rolling Realms provides a quick mental workout that leaves you energized and wanting more. We call these sessions “micro dosing.” Expansion Horizons: Don't get me wrong, the base game itself boasts serious replayability. But that itch for something new seems to always kick in. The promo packs are inexpensive and keep the spark. These miniature booster packs inject a sprinkle of magic into the familiar framework. We usually play two known realms and a new one when wanting to satisfy the, “I want something new itch.” 🎲 Rolling with the Realm: So, if you're looking for a quick, crunchy, and endlessly replayable game that fits perfectly between those epic large game sessions or a quick 10-minute fix, I suggest that you check out Rolling Realms or the new version Rolling Realms Redux.

We're well into 2024, and Knarr is shaping up to be the star discovery of 2024. Yes, yes, the game was originally released in 2023, but it did not hit the US shores until February. Have you had a chance to play this yet? Knarr is published by Bombyx and Pandasaurus. It offers a strategic and scalable experience for 2-4 players. Here's what makes the game stand out for me: Perfect Length : The game is a breeze to play. It offers a strategic experience that can prime you for a heavier game or simply provide a quick lunchtime duel, a fun outing at a bar with friends, or satisfying a 30-minute board game tease. Playing time ranges from 20 minutes for a head-to-head match to 30 minutes for 3-4 players Viking Theme FTW! : If you're a fan of Vikings (like my wife!), Knarr's artwork is a delight. The game is colorblind-friendly and language-independent Affordable and Portable : Knarr is affordable, and it comes in a medium to small-sized box. I love that the game comes in a compact size because it allows you to take it out of the house, and it doesn't hog your shelf space Simple Rules, Deep Strategy : The rules for Knarr are straightforward, but don't be fooled by their simplicity. The game offers a surprising amount of strategic depth. Each turn, you have five cards to choose from, making careful planning crucial. Drafting the right crew and resources allows you to build an engine that dominates the game. However, scoring points goes beyond simply picking the best cards. In addition to drafting the right combination of Vikings, the cards form a foundation for you to reach 40 points before your opponents. You are constantly balancing which destinations to explore and figuring out how to grow your reputation Knarr for Fans of Card Drafting Games If you enjoy card drafting games with beautiful art, Knarr is a great candidate for your next board game night. Here's how Knarr compares to some familiar titles: Herbaceous : Similar to Knarr, Herbaceous is a fast and light card drafting game with beautiful artwork. However, Knarr offers more strategic depth with engine building and point scoring Arboretum : Like Knarr, Arboretum involves card drafting and set collection for points. However, Knarr features a Viking theme and engine building, while Arboretum has a nature theme and a more positional drafting element. I also think that Arboretum can be a mean, mean game. In fact, I only play this game with a few select friends because it has caused chaos before. Knarr, even though is Viking themed, it does not cause as much turmoil, which is ironic to me Splendor : Both Knarr and Splendor involve card drafting and engine building, but with different resource management mechanics. Knarr focuses on crew and resource acquisition for raids, while Splendor revolves around collecting gem sets to acquire development cards. Splendor offers slightly more complexity, but it takes a while for things to start turning. I feel that Knarr gets the game going faster, and the score board being visible to everyone makes it easier to track how you are doing compared to the competition

Imagine this: a peaceful garden, a warm breeze, and the quiet satisfaction of cultivating herbs—without ever needing to water a single plant. That’s Herbaceous  in a nutshell and the kind of gardening I’m good at! Herbaceous is serene, it’s charming, and it’s all about potting the best collection of herbs before your friends do. But don’t let the calm vibes fool you—this game has just enough pressure to keep you on your toes. You’ll need quick reflexes to pot your plants before someone else swoops in and grabs the best herbs. It was early 2021, and I was wandering around Just Games  Rochester for the first time when Herbaceous  caught my eye. Something about that simple, clean box design just pulled me in. The game is designed by Eduardo Baraf and Steve Finn, and it is published by Pencil First Game . Herbaceous seemed like the perfect mix of beauty and ease. My wife and I played it, and we were so hooked that we went back to the store and bought every other Pencil First  game they had (but that’s a story for another review). Fast forward to now, and I’ve somehow bought this game three times. Yes, three. The first copy? Gone—my mother-in-law took it. The second? My mom, who doesn’t speak English but tolerates my board game obsession, "borrowed" it after a visit and never gave it back. But now I’ve got my third copy, and I don’t care who’s Mom is visiting, this one’s off-limits. Oh, and did I mention there’s a pocket-sized edition? Absolute game-changer. It’s the same fast, crunchy experience packed into a smaller box. I took it with me on vacation, and let me tell you, it plays perfectly on bar tables, floors—anywhere, really. The cards are smaller, and the portable box fits in my Osprey bag, Sling Bag, and in my oversize sweats pocket. The catch? The small box keeps all the stunning art and the quality components that make the full-size version a favorite. Objective   In this charming game, the goal is simple—score the most points by potting herbs. But like all good gardeners know, timing and strategy are everything. Will you hold off and wait for the perfect moment, or snatch up what you can before your opponents out-pot you? Components   63 Herb Cards (7 varieties x9) 9 Special Herb Cards (3 types x3) 4 Quick Reference Cards (because even the best gardeners need a cheat sheet) 4 Garden Markers (so no one forgets where their turf ends and begins) 16 Container Cards (4 types per player color) 1 Herb Biscuit Card (because who doesn’t want a tasty bonus?) Game Setup   Setting up Herbaceous is as effortless as plucking fresh basil. Here’s how it’s done: Everyone grabs their four Container Cards. Shuffle all the Herb and Special Herb Cards together like a well-mixed compost heap. Remove cards based on the player count to keep things balanced. Get that Herb Biscuit ready—because trust me, you’ll want it, but good luck grabbing it! Gameplay   Turns move clockwise, and the first player is determined by who was last in contact with herbs. (Cooking counts, but so does sniffing rosemary at the grocery store. It’s up to you how strict you want to be!) Step 1: Pot Herbs (Optional)   Got a perfect lineup of herbs ready? Great! Use one of your Container Cards to pot them. But remember, each container has its own demands—whether you're filling the Large Pot with identical herbs or the Wooden Planter with a variety. The special herbs only go in the Glass Jar, so save your prized mint for that! Step 2: Plant (Mandatory)   You’ll draw two cards and face the real challenge—where to plant them. One goes in your Private Garden (safe from prying eyes), and one in the Community Garden (ripe for the picking by everyone). Will you hold back a valuable herb or put it out there hoping no one grabs it first? Scoring   After all the herbs have been potted, it’s time to score. Each Container Card nets you points based on its requirements, and any unpotted herbs sadly go to waste. But let’s not forget the mighty Herb Biscuit—an extra 5 points for whoever pots the most diverse selection! The biscuit is tricky, especially when playing with 2 or 3 players because you never know what cards were removed and that can change everything on your planning stages Pros Plays in about 20-30 minutes and doesn’t feel like a brain burner—unless you want it to be Beth Sobel’s illustrations bring the herbs to life, making the game as much a visual treat as it is a strategic one The rules are simple enough to explain in minutes, but there’s still plenty of room to strategize—ideal for both casual gamers and more seasoned players Pocket-Sized Edition : The smaller version is a portable marvel. You can toss it in a bag and play anywhere without sacrificing any of the gameplay or visual appeal Whether you’re playing solo, with a partner, or with three or four players, Herbaceous shines at every count Language independent! Cons If you’re someone who gets frustrated by randomness, the card draw can feel a bit too swingy at times The shared garden can get pretty cutthroat if you’re playing with competitive types Key Features Simple, Elegant Gameplay : Pot herbs, plant herbs, and balance between your Private Garden and the Community Garden. The decision-making is quick, but it’s never too easy Beautiful Artwork : The herb illustrations are drop-dead gorgeous. Beth Sobel knocked it out of the park, making each herb card feel like a tiny masterpiece Variety of Containers : Each container you use to pot your herbs has different requirements, which forces you to adapt your strategy each time you play Herb Biscuit Bonus : A 5-point bonus card that adds a fun little race element to the game. It’s the herb? on top! Portable and Compact : The regular game is small, but the Pocket Edition fits anywhere, travels well, and still delivers the same satisfying gameplay in a much smaller footprint Final Thoughts   Herbaceous offers a delightful balance of calm and competition. With a playtime of about 20 minutes, it’s easy to sneak in a game or two on a weeknight, and the beautiful cards will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re into casual gardening or cutthroat herb-hoarding, Herbaceous brings just the right amount of depth to make it a standout in any collection. So next time you're in the mood for something light, think of Herbaceous. It’s as refreshing as a mint sprig in lemonade and just as satisfying.

It was April Fool's Day 2022, and I'd promised my wife I wouldn't buy another game. But let's face it, promises are made to be broken—especially when it comes to board games. So, I picked up Cartographers, a title I knew nothing about. Turns out, I stumbled upon a hidden gem. The game's strategic map-building mechanics reminded me of the challenges we faced when planning our new fence. It was like a playful way to explore the concept of boundaries and control without the actual construction. Cartographers was quickly added to our rotation. We played it so often that we decided to invest in a laminator, dry erase markers, and sheets to preserve our maps. This has added to the replayability and let's you add a touch of personalization during every game. This marked the beginning of us laminating all our favorite roll/flip and write games. About the Game Cartographers is a 2019 flip-and-write game designed by Jordy Adan and published by Thunderworks Games. It's a strategic map-building adventure where players explore the land on behalf of the queen. Here, they aim to create the most proficient map to earn the highest prestige after four seasons. Components Well-written rulebook that includes descriptions for each scoring card 100 map sheets featuring two different sides and scenarios Explore cards - the cards that you'll be drawing every turn Scoring cards Season cards - set up cards used in every game Edict cards - set up cards used in every game Ambush cards Gameplay Overview Cartographers takes you on a four-season journey where you flip cards and strategically draw them on your map to match seasonal objectives. The goal is to create the most detailed map, balancing strategy and adaptation as the scoring criteria change throughout the game. Set Up Give each player a map and decide whether to play on side A or B. Arrange the edict cards face-up in order: A, B, C, and D. Then deal out one scoring card under each edict. Arrange the season cards in order: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Shuffle the explore cards and add a random ambush card to the deck, then shuffle again. Write your cartographer name, title, and design a cool shield Now you’re ready to start the game! Playing the Game Exploration and Drawing Phase Reveal the top card of the deck. Each player simultaneously draws the chosen shape and terrain from the revealed card onto their map. If an ambush card is drawn, pass your map to the neighbor and hope for the best. If a ruins card is drawn, draw the next card and place the chosen shape on top of a ruins space on your map. Take note of special conditions, like surrounding a mountain to score a coin. Players are free to draw shapes anywhere on their maps, but if you’re unable to legally place a shape, you can draw a 1x1 square anywhere with any terrain type. Check and Scoring Phase Each card has a time value, which decreases the number of time thresholds allowed in each season. Spring and Summer have 8 time slots, Fall has 7, and Winter has 6. During gameplay, add the time values after each round to see if the total number meets or exceeds the current season’s threshold. If it does, it’s time to score! Scoring is based on the current season’s edicts. For example, in Spring, you’ll score based on Edicts A and B. You earn reputation stars (points) for meeting criteria, gaining points for each filled coin, and subtracting points for each empty orthogonally adjacent space next to a monster.  Move on to the next season by reshuffling the deck. Only the previous season card and any revealed ambush cards get discarded. At the end of the fourth season, total your reputation stars across all four seasons. The player with the highest score wins, and in the case of a tie, the player with the least negative ambush points takes the victory. Strategy This game strikes a perfect balance between luck and strategy. As you progress, you'll have to make tough decisions about where to place map features to optimize your scoring potential. The scoring objectives change throughout the game, adding a layer of excitement and forcing players to adapt their strategies on the fly. The early scoring objectives give you a hint of what to expect, allowing you to plan for the future while adapting to the present. It’s a delightful challenge that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Replayability Cartographers offers high replayability. It plays well at any player count, though I've only tested this theory from solo to nine players. Each game feels fresh and unique. What combinations will be fliped? Will an ambush card destroy my dreams and aspirations? It will all depend on the conditions and cards flipped! Interaction While everyone works on their own maps, there’s a sense of camaraderie as you compare your creations and discuss the strategies you employed. The ambush mechanic adds an intriguing twist, where players can disrupt each other's plans. This feature can make or break friendships, so use it wisely! The extra layer of interaction sets Cartographers apart from most flip-and-write games, which typically lack direct interaction. Pros and Cons Pros High replayability : every game feels fresh due to the random combination of scoring objectives and ambushes Easy to learn, hard to master : simple rules make it accessible, but the strategic decisions required for optimal play offer depth Scalability : works well with different player counts, Interactive gameplay : The ambush mechanic adds a unique layer of player interaction. This is a unique feature to this game Language independent : even though there are story lines and descriptions to each card, this game can be played with anyone Color blind friendly : there are multiple terrains with different colors, but they each have a unique feature Cons Ambush mechanic can be divisive : some players might not enjoy the direct interaction of ambush cards disrupting their plans The map sheets are finite : mitigate with a laminator 🎉 Potential analysis paralysis : With so many choices and strategies, some players may experience decision fatigue Overall Experience Cartographers is a fantastic board game that combines strategy, creativity, and friendly competition. It offers a unique experience that appeals to both casual and hardcore gamers. The gameplay is engaging, and the replayability is high. Whether you're a fan of mapmaking or simply love a good strategic challenge, Cartographers is definitely a game you should check out. The game is also available in Board Game Arena for those that like to try before buying

My top hobbies? Board games and ice hockey! I'm at the rink several times a week, and I'm around a board game table as often as I can be. So, when I found out there's a game that scratches both itches, I was all in! Sports Dice: Hockey is published by FoxMind and designed by Andy Geremia . The game is a quick, action-packed game that takes less than a period to play. It all starts at center ice when you're ready for face-off. You and your opponent roll six dice—whoever has the most rolls of one face wins the play. What are the possibilities? You can pass, defend, shoot, or even get sent to the penalty box. Once you're close enough to take a shot on goal, the goalie die is rolled. That's where the ultimate suspense happens—will the goalie stop your shot? Whatever the result, go back to center ice and move the marker. After 3 periods and 15 shots, the team with the most goals wins. Tied? Let's go to overtime, and if still tied, shootouts!!! The game takes about 15 minutes to play. It can be played with 2 or more players, but I prefer it with 2 players, maybe adding a third so you can have a ref. Bonus points if your third player can narrate the game and move the puck and tokens. Components Rulebook : in both English and French Dice : Each team has a set six 6-sided dice. Color choices are white or blue Board : The ice rink board features different zones, period marker, shots marker, and score Tokens : Tokens are used to track scores, periods, shots, and the puck's position Power Chip : This special token can be used to win ties or re-roll dice Setup Give each player a set of dice Place the hockey puck in center ice Place red token by the shots area Place bright blue token on first period Flip the power chip to determine who goes first Gameplay Each team simultaneously rolls their dice up to three times. The symbol that appears most frequently on each team’s set of dice becomes their play. The team that rolled the most dice with the same symbol wins the roll. The winning team applies the outcome of their play. This can include playing the puck, making a long pass, re-rolling, or assigning a penalty to the opposing team. If the opposing team receives a penalty, place one of their dice in the imaginary penalty box. This player will remain their until the next shot on goal. When you’re in the offensive zone, you can choose to make a shot on goal. Roll all your available dice. The number of hockey sticks determines your chances. But watch out—if you’re too far from the goal line, you may have to subtract a point. If you’re too close, add a point. Then, the opposing team calls on their favorite goalie. For me, it’s Ukko from the Sabres, and if they roll higher or get the hockey mask, and scream no goal! The game ends after three periods. If the score is tied, proceed to overtime; if it’s still tied, go to shootouts! Overall Thoughts The game is simple, yet it has strategic depth. The Power Chip can help you settle ties, but when do you use it? Luck is a big component, and the simultaneous gameplay can be a bit chaotic, but it’s really fun and simulates being on the ice. I haven’t played a hockey-themed game before, so now I naturally want to play it with all my hockey friends—the ones who play with me on the ice and the ones who just like to watch. Holidays are coming, so I may wait and just buy it as stocking stuffers 🙈 The game is very small and portable. We’ve already brought it to the rink while waiting for practice. It was a blast!