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I’ve had the pleasure of test playing Tenby, the debut board game by Benjie Talbott from Cosy Cub Games, and I'm thrilled to share my thoughts on this beautiful game. I’ve struggled to share my review because I feel a bit biased, and even though board game reviews are subjective, I love this game. I am grateful for having the opportunity to see the prototype, playtest it, and now I am eagerly anticipating the final product. Watching this game come to life has been an incredible experience. I think this is a solid game that is not only beautiful but also a work of art. Plus, Benjie has a playlist to go along with it, which is just the cherry on top. Wait, no, I need to get fish and chips, and then it’d be the perfect evening. I also had the privilege of interviewing Benjie—click here to be directed to it. As someone who appreciates language-independent games that are easy to teach yet rich in strategy, Tenby checks all the boxes. The game’s beautiful and has clear iconography, along with color-blind friendly components. The game is inspired by the charming Welsh seaside town of Tenby, the artwork transports players to a picturesque setting that adds to the game's appeal. I have never been to Wales, but if I ever get the chance to visit. Tenby, I’m coming to you! Components Detailed rulebook Beautifully Designed Cards: Terrace, Pier, and Landmark cards, each with stunning artwork illustrated by Benjie Resident Cards: Become a local by using these cards that provide you with unique goals that add depth and replayability. I leave this out if I am playing with family that doesn’t speak English. I also suggest leaving this out for first games, playing with people new to the hobby or children Life Ring Tokens: Used strategically to perform additional actions Player Counters and Aid Cards: Each player gets their own color set Round Tracker and Day/Night Cards to determine turns throughout the game Solo Variant Components: Anchor and Compass cards, along with a Solo Player Aid Card Please note that I had the chance to play pre-production prototypes, so some of the components may change Setup In Tenby players aim to build the most impressive town by strategically placing Terraces, Piers, and Landmark cards and creating beautiful streets. First sort and shuffle cards. Then set up the market by setting up terrace, pier, and landmark cards. Then set up the double sided pier and terrace cards. Above the pier and terrace cards, set up the resident cards. Place life rings tokens to the side and provide each player with: A start card, player aid and counter of the color of their choice Whoever was the last person to walk alongside the beach goes first. Then mark the cube on the first number to start the game. Each player draws a resident card and keeps this secret until the end of the game. Lastly, set the night and day tracker. Cards are set up based on numbers of players Gameplay Overview Tenby consists of 10 rounds, each split into three phases: Night, Day, and Clean Up. The goal is to construct streets of Town Cards and meet Resident Card conditions to earn points. Night Phase Players choose Day Cards in the order of their Night Card positions. Each player moves their counter to an available Day Card. Day Phase Players take turns in the order of their Day Cards, performing actions such as gaining Terrace, Pier, or Landmark Cards, Resident Cards, or Life Ring Tokens. Clean Up Phase Place a Life Ring Token on the remaining Day Card. Discard unused Town Cards and replenish the market. Move the Round Tracker Cube up one space, and prepare for the next round What I particularly enjoy about this game is the timing of card replenishment. As you take your turn and gain cards, they aren't replenished until the end of the turn. This has you thinking strategy and decision making the whole time. The availability of Life Ring Tokens for extra actions becomes increasingly valuable as the rounds progress. All Town Cards (piers, roads, and landmarks) are always visible. Once chosen, players must play them immediately. The cards must be placed legally by matching bottom edges of the cards. Additionally, players can only play one landmark card per street. At the end of the ninth round, players, in turn order, draw three cards blindly and place one of these cards in their streets. Then, the final round begins. Life Rings Life Ring Tokens are a valuable resource that I took for granted the first few times we played the game. Do not be fooled! They can give you loads of strategic advantages during the game. You can earn life rings during specific actions. Life rings allow you to take extra actions like gaining extra cards or moving cards from one street to another. You are able to use these tokens to optimize your strategy. As the turns go on a feature you wanted on one street  may be more prominent on a different street, so moving it may be the victory determining factor. Scoring Each town card has a scoring range. Some cards give you a set number of points, while others provide you with a range of adjacent cards, the next two cards in each direction, or every card in the street. Each card will either have a set number of points or a feature along with a number of points that the card will score per feature available in the range the card requires. After the last player takes their 10th turn, the game ends! Points are tallied based on the placement and features of Town Cards and the fulfillment of Resident Cards. Streets are assessed for their completion status and the presence of specific features like chimneys, benches, and clouds. The player with the most points wins. In case of a tie, the player with the most streets wins, and in the unlikely event of another tie, the person with the most resident cards wins. When we play without resident cards, we count distinct features to settle ties. Key Features Strategic Card Placement: Players strategically construct streets of Terrace, Pier, and Landmark cards to earn points Resident Card Objectives: Unique goals provided by Resident Cards add depth and replayability to each game Immersive Artwork: Stunning illustrations that make you want to take the next plane to the beautiful Welsh seaside town of Tenby Color-Blind Friendly Components: Clear iconography and components ensure accessibility for all players Life Ring Tokens: Valuable resource for performing extra actions and optimizing strategy--trust me! You want some of these as early as you can get them Final Thoughts Tenby is a beautifully coastal adventure waiting to unfold on your tabletop. We play tested this a lot during a snowy cold winter, so from the moment I laid eyes on the prototype, I wanted warmth, beach, and to replay this game. The game  offers strategic depth through card placement and action management. The balance between immediate gains and long-term planning, coupled with the picturesque representation in each card, makes for an engaging and delightful experience. And for those curious about the real Tenby, it’s a charming destination in the United Kingdom that’s now on my travel list, thanks to this wonderful game! Happy gaming!

Paula Deming's Evolution of a Board Gamer video is like looking in a mirror! It reminds me of those days when “board game” meant Sorry!, Monopoly, and Uno. Fast forward, and here I am, diving deep into the world of mechanisms, terminology, and designers. This month's Board Game Lingo is all about Multiplayer Solitaire, and let me tell you, Wingspan by Stonemaier Games is my absolute favorite in this category. But before we take flight with Wingspan, let's explore what "Multiplayer Solitaire" means. Imagine a game that combines the strategic depth of a solo game with the friendly competition of playing with others. Players focus on building their own engines and achieving personal goals. Additionally, there’s no cut-throat battles as these types of games have minimal direct conflict–YAY!!! Think of it like creating your own masterpiece, but with a dash of friendly competition. Eurogames often fall under the Multiplayer Solitaire umbrella. These strategy games are all about resource management, engine building, and scoring points. Sure, you might compete for resources or worker placement spots, but it feels more like a race than head-to-head combat. Think Carcassonne, Calico, and Everdell. Simultaneous play is another interesting concept. It's not a game type, but how turns are resolved. Players take actions at the same time, keeping everyone engaged (no downtime!). Hanabi, 7 Wonders, Quacks of Quedlinburg, and Spirit Island are all fantastic examples of games with simultaneous play. Now, back to Wingspan! This game isn't your average board game; it's an invitation to become a wildlife researcher. In this game, you build a vibrant sanctuary teeming with feathered friends. Here's why Wingspan reigns supreme in my Multiplayer Solitaire world: Stunning Theme: breathtaking bird illustrations and immersive nature theme. I feel that I learn new facts about birds with every game. "This game turned me into a bird watcher," as my review proudly declares! Easy to Learn, Deep Strategy: the core mechanics are simple. This game is perfect for new and seasoned players alike. Don’t let the beautiful art fool you – the strategic depth unfolds as you build your engine. There are multiple ways to victory. The combination of the different unique abilities create powerful combos that are unique with each game Peaceful Competition: while there is competition for specific bird cards or food dice rolls, this doesn’t negatively impact your game. There's no take-that or direct player targeting. Well, there may be a little player targeting when someone takes a bit longer than I think they should in their turn. Or when the dice are rerolled and only the resources I don’t need get rolled Wingspan is a beautifully illustrated game where you attract stunning birds with unique abilities. Every game feels fresh. Unlike some competitive games (Azul, anyone?), Wingspan lets you enjoy the friendly rivalry without the frustration of getting blocked just to spite someone. It's a strategic challenge where everyone can build their own masterpiece, fostering a peaceful competition that leaves you feeling enriched, not bitter. Have you tried Wingspan? Are there any multiplayer solitaire gems you recommend?

This Turned Me Into a Bird Watcher, beware! Never in a million tweets would I have predicted that I would become my in-laws. I used to make fun of them. Not to their faces, of course, but man, those bird books, binoculars, and the whole "identifying bird songs by ear" thing? Totally for the elderly. Bird watching? Yuck! Fast forward to a random kayaking trip with my wife. There I am, mid-paddle, practically screeching, "Look amor, it's a blackbird!" How did I know that? Who am I turning into? Well, Wingspan happened. The realization happened. Wingspan isn't your average board game, and it is definitely not just for the elderly. Wingspan is designed by Elizabeth Hargrave and published by Stonemaier Games in 2019. This isn't your average board game. It's an invitation to become a wildlife researcher, a chance to build a vibrant sanctuary teeming with feathered friends. The base game is for 1-5 players. This competitive card-driven and engine-building game takes about 5 minutes to set up and about 15 minutes per player. Here is me trying to convince my bird that he is also in Wingspan. He was not convinced! A Nest Egg of Components Wingspan was our first Stonemaier game. The box is beautiful, the illustrations are stunning, and the components are top notch! I still won’t join the in-laws on bird-watching trips, and they won’t play Wingspan with me, but they love looking at the cards. The game has loads of strategy, but it’s an experience. From the moment you lift the lid, you are in for a treat. Here’s the list of components: A Rulebook That Doesn't Make You Want to Tear Your Hair Out: Wingspan’s manual is clear and concise. There’s an automa rulebook if you ever want to try the game solo, and it has a play by play manual for your first time. Additionally, the rulebook has an appendix to help clarify any questions during the game. If you still need some help, the Watch It Played video is great! Of all the things I love about Stonemaier games, their iconographies in this game are probably one of my favorites. They are consistent and color-blind friendly. Player Boards: are thick and have designated spots to welcome your new feathered buddies. The iconography is clear, so you know what you are getting after activating each of the three habitats (forest, grassland, and wetlands) Bird Cards You Can Actually Hold: Each card features a bird illustration, its common name and scientific name, its preferred habitat, its cost, its point value, the type of nest it builds, the number of eggs it can hold, its wingspan, any special ability it brings to your sanctuary, its geographic range, and a fun fact. Bonus cards that give you secret objectives to earn points at the end of the game Dice tower: Wingspan has its own custom dice that live in a (wait for it) charming birdhouse dice tower. These dice determine what kind of food is available each round, adding a fun dose of chance to the game. We store the dice tower outside of the box as we’ve combined all expansions into it with some custom 3-d printed inserts. I keep debating if I should get or print a new dice tower, or if we should give in and buy the Wingspan Nesting Box. Wingspan features five custom six-sided wooden dice. Each die phase depicts a different food source: fish, invertebrate, seed, rodent, berry, and a half seed and half invertebrate symbol, allowing you to choose which of those food type you wish to collect Food Tokens You Can Almost Snack On: These colorful tokens represent the yummy stuff your birds need to survive. We're talking berries, invertebrate, fish, rodents, seed, and fish. Miniature Eggs? Yes! In different colors that can be added onto your eggs for payment during play and for an extra victory point at the end of the game First player token Plastic card tray: This tray holds your cards while the game is in the box but also during play. The top serves as the placeholder for the three face up cards during each round. Do note that if you sleeve your cards or buy expansions, all the cards do not fit in the plastic card trays Goal card: that is double sided. One side for competition and one side for friendly awards. This card keeps track of which of the four rounds you are in. Goal tiles: that are also double sided for more variety. You place one at random on each of the four slots in the goal card 8 Player cubes in five different colors. The purple one has 9 for automa (solo-play) Taking Flight: Setup Lay out the player boards, food tokens, eggs, cards, and the gorgeous bird feeder dice tower. Set out the goal card with a tile on each of the four sections. Shuffle the decks bird cards and deal a starting hand of five to each player. Give each player two bonus cards for which they keep one, and five unique food tokens. The players choose which cards they’d like to keep. For every card they keep, they return one of the five food tokens. Then, roll the dice, determine the first player, and you are ready to go! How to Play The game is played over four rounds for a total of 26 turns for each player. The first round has 8 turns, then a color cube per player is used for the goal tiles, and the second round has 7 turns, and so on. Each round is a delightful dance of attracting birds to your preserve. You'll play bird cards to different habitat sections on your board, each triggering unique actions: Play a card Forest –Gather Food Wetlands –Lay Eggs Grassland – Attract Birds As you play bird cards to your habitats, you start creating a chain of combinations. Each bird offers special abilities that enhance your engine. Additionally, the more birds you have in one habitat the more food, eggs, or birds you can attract. The Enchanting Song of Victory Wingspan is a race to build the most impressive wildlife preserve, measured by the points you score throughout the game. Points come from attracting a diverse range of birds, completing habitat collections, and laying eggs. But unlike some games, the competition feels friendly. You're each creating your own unique sanctuary, and while there's some interaction in terms of grabbing coveted food or specific bird cards, the focus is on building your own engine and witnessing the delightful ecosystem unfold on your board. Attracting Birds: Each bird card boasts a point value, so strategically selecting birds with high point values and complementary abilities is key Eggs: Don't forget about your nests! Laying eggs provides points, and some bird abilities can help you become a master egg-layer The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the victor. Points are awarded from birds, eggs, bonus cards, end-of-round goals, cached food, and tucked birds.  In the case of a tie, the player with the most unused food tokens wins. If players are still tied, they share the victory. We don’t like that rule, so we do most eggs laid as the second tie breaker. And in the third, we use how many birds were laid. You can say that we are too competitive to share the victory when a game is not coop! Wingspan's Soaring Mechanics: Key Features Wingspan's charm goes beyond the beautiful birds and peaceful competition. Engine Building: At its core, Wingspan is an engine-building game. As you attract birds to your preserve, they provide special abilities that enhance your gameplay. These abilities might allow you to generate more food, draw additional bird cards, or even lay more eggs. Over the course of the game, you'll create a chain of powerful combinations, watching your wildlife haven become more efficient and impressive. Multiple Paths to Victory: There's no single way to dominate in Wingspan. You can focus on attracting a diverse range of birds, each with unique point values. Maybe you'll strive to complete habitat collections for bonus points. Or perhaps becoming a master egg-layer is your strategy (this one is me!!). This variety keeps the game fresh and allows players to tailor their approach based on the birds they encounter. Gorgeous Bird Cards: Each bird card in Wingspan is a miniature masterpiece. The illustrations are stunningly detailed, bringing these feathered friends to life. Beyond the beauty, the cards are packed with information – the bird's name, habitat, and special ability are all clearly displayed. This not only enhances the gameplay experience but might even spark a real-life interest in birding! Peaceful Competition: While there's some interaction in Wingspan, the focus is on building your own engine and creating your own flourishing sanctuary. You might compete for certain food dice rolls or coveted bird cards, but overall, the game fosters a relaxed and strategic atmosphere. It's perfect for a game night where you want to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the natural world. Wingspan: A Nest Egg of Delight Pros: Easy to Learn, Difficult to Master: The core mechanics are simple to grasp, making it perfect for beginners. But don't be fooled – strategic depth emerges as you build your engine and vie for the most prestigious preserve Stunning Presentation: From the captivating bird illustrations to the charming components, this game is GORGEOUS! High Replayability: With a vast pool of bird cards, every game offers a unique challenge and the chance to discover new feathered wonders. Peaceful Competition: While there's some interaction, the focus is on building your own engine Cons: Downtime Might Increase with Player Count: With more players, there can be some downtime as each person builds their preserve. This is somewhat resolved with “Flock Mode” in the Asia expansion Might Not Be for Everyone: While the strategic depth is there, some players might crave a more cutthroat or interactive experience Expanding Your Horizons: Wingspan's Enchanting Expansions Wingspan's base game offers a delightful experience, but for those who crave even more avian adventures, the game has several captivating expansions to explore: European Expansion: Take flight across the skies of Europe! This expansion introduces 81 new birds with exciting abilities, including 5 bonus cards, and 5 goal tiles that are double sided Oceania Expansion: Venture Down Under and discover the wonders of Oceania's unique birdlife. This expansion features a new nectar resource that adds another layer of strategic depth. Additionally, you get 95 new bird cards, 4 double sided goal tiles, and 5 extra bonus cards. Asia Expansion: Embark on a journey to the vibrant ecosystems of Asia. This expansion offers the most content, introducing a whopping 90 new birds and a whopping 14 bonus cards. It also introduces a way to play "Flock Mode" that allows you to play with up to 7 players! But! It also introduces duet mode, which lets you play the game at two with a completely different twist. Choosing the Right Expansion: With three expansions available, you might be wondering which one to choose first. Here's a quick tip: For New Players: Stick with the base game for a while (we logged over 50 plays before venturing out to the next expansion) to fully grasp the core mechanics. For Strategic Depth: The European Expansion (mostly to give your birds some variety) or Oceania Expansion! This one offers new challenges and strategic wrinkles without overwhelming new players. For 2-player game fanatics (like myself), or For More Birds, More Players, and More Everything!: The Asia Expansion is the ultimate expansion, perfect for seasoned Wingspan fans or those who want the most content from the get-go. I enjoy this expansion the most at two-players. My favorite way to play is with my wife, and this expansion let’s us enjoy the game in a completely different light! A Final Flight of Fancy So spread your wings, embrace the challenge, and see what magnificent aviary you can create! Wingspan isn't just a game; it's an experience. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or a curious newcomer, Wingspan is a must-try for anyone who enjoys strategic planning and beautiful themes. If you're a fan of strategic gameplay but not particularly into birds, then Wyrmspan, a recently released game with a dragon theme, might be a great alternative.  While I haven't had a chance to play Wyrmspan yet, the core gameplay sounds very similar to Wingspan's focus on engine building and strategic resource management.  For those who crave a fantasy twist, Wyrmspan looks like a promising choice! If you end up giving Wyrmspan a try, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

It's Topic Tuesday, and the hoarders among us (me!) are facing a terrible question: If the apocalypse hit and you could only save five board games, which ones would they be? Let's be real, in a perfect world, I'd smuggle my entire collection into a hidden bunker. But for this thought experiment, let't explore the five that would provide comfort (and competition) in the face of this dystopian nightmare. I'm focusing this decision on games that would play well at two players because . . . well . . . there's no one better to play board games with at any time on any day than my wife. I love large gatherings and games like Blood on the Clocktower, but taking into account total plays and the games that I know I would never get tired of playing with just my partner, I would keep: The Game by Pandasaurus Games which plays 1-5 players in about ~20 minutes. This cooperative game is the perfect example of "easy to learn, just enough luck, and tough to master." The game is short, frantic, and requires clever communication. Keeping it in line with this dystopian nightmare and post-apocalyptic scenario, this is the perfect team building exercise before venturing out for a supply run. Apocalyptic scenario aside, this is a game that you just can't play once. After all the plays, we have only won 21%. We usually have 10 or less cards left. After five years of playing this game, I'm still addicted, and I can't wait to start chanting "AGAIN!" after losing a round Sometimes, you just need a chill game night after dodging rogue weather drones and battling over the last can of beans. But wait, am I getting carried away and thinking about a different game? Welcome To... by Blue Cocker Games, has a puzzle mechanism that is addicting. It also has a few modifications to make the game a bit harder and more competitive. There are enough plans to keep the game fresh, so the replayability is definitely there. The delicate balance between building the perfect street and racing to get to the points first is so compelling, and there's no single way to win. Besides, who doesn't love building tiny, gossipy neighborhoods in about 20 minutes in their living room? Also, forget about building a pool – there's no room for that in your new post-apocalyptic life! This game plays well at every count (allegedly you can play it with up to 100 friends). At least every count, I have played. Never tried it at more than 10 players. Have you? Carcassonne a 2-5 players that takes less than ~45 minutes by Hans im Glück. I would have to keep this game with the newest expansion Mists over Carcassonne. I love this tile-laying classic. It offes endless puzzle-solving goodness. If you get too competitive, add the Mist expansion and play cooperatively. If the world became post-apocalyptic, the Halloween vibe would feel very relatable, especially when working together to survive Trailblazers by Bitewing Games plays 1-8 players, but for a post-apocalypitic world, I would definitely keep the travel version that plays up to four. I love this game for its fast and simultaneous play. The game plays over four rounds in under 30 minutes. The in and end game bonuses always seem deceptively simple, but they never work out quite the way you plan. In my head, it usually goes something like this: "Yes, I'll make this bike lane here, and the hike trail there . . . but then the cards I need don't come. It may be easier to eat a spork." Rounding out my post-apocalyptic game night essentials, I'd have to grab Spirit Island by Greater Than Games, LLC. This crunchy game can take up to two hours, and it plays one to four players. Where to start? Beautiful art, massive replayability, varied difficulty levels, and a co-op game that discourages quarterbacking with simultaneous play. Minimal downtime and constant anticipation about what's coming next in the invader deck. Speaking of invaders, in a world ravaged by who-knows-what, the thematic undertones of Spirit Island hit a little too close to home. Here, you play as powerful spirits, defending your island from colonial invaders. In a post-apocalyptic world, where are the dahans? Maybe Spirit Island isn't just a game; perhaps it's a portal to a world untouched, a way to escape the harsh reality and reclaim the board game collection of my dreams. So, that's my top five hoard-worthy board games for a post-apocalyptic world! These five essentials play well at two and can be played with more. I feel that these games have a nice mix of mechanics, difficulty, and playtime. What about you? What games would make the cut for your theoretical nightmare?

Let's-a go over the Super Mario Bros. Power Up Card Game by USAopoly. This is not your typical card game; it's a full-on warp pipe to the Mushroom Kingdom, packed with frantic fun twists that'll have you saying "Mamma mia!" I love playing this game with non gamers or every March 10th, or as close to the date as we can Fast-Paced Fun for All Ages Remember that frantic dash through the original Super Mario Bros.? This card game captures that energy perfectly, keeping things quick and exciting for players of all ages. Think you can outsmart your friends and dodge those pesky Goombas? Deal out the cards and find out in about 10 minutes! Classic Characters, Classic Chaos The game has pixelated art from the original game, Level Cards numbers 1-23, Power-Up Cards (think Fire Flower and Star Power!), and even Coin Tokens. It's a nostalgia trip for longtime fans, and a delightful introduction for newcomers. Gameplay: It's-a Me, Mario! Just like Mario himself, you'll need to be quick on your feet. Each round lets you take two actions: swap your Level Card with a friend, and the possibility to unleash a Power-Up Card to mess with opponents like stealing their coins and switching level cards The player with the lowest Level Card at the end of the round loses a life. The player with lives at the end of the game wins! If you ever match Level Up numbers with a different player, you both draw a Power-Up Card. If you ever get the castle card, you get invisibility for this round! The Fun, the Fast, and the...Chaotic? This game's got a lot going for it. It's fun for Mario fans, easy to learn (perfect for family game night!), and the quick rounds with take-that mechanics keep things exciting. However, if you're looking for a strategic game, this might not be your princess peach. The core gameplay relies a bit on luck and card swapping, and things can get chaotic with multiple players flinging Power-Up Cards around. Overall: A Fun Trip Down Memory Lane The Super Mario Bros. Power Up Card Game is a light and entertaining card game that perfectly captures the spirit of the classic video game. It's a great choice for families and casual gamers looking for a quick and fun Mario-themed adventure. So grab your controllers . . . . well, no! Cards

Why You Shouldn't Judge a Game by Its Cover Dominion isn't winning any beauty contests at first glance. The box is...a box, and the art is...unique. It's not bad, per se, but it might have you wondering for a second if you accidentally grabbed a pack of Magic: The Gathering cards instead. The art kind of grows on you, especially once you see how well it reflects the card's function. But here's the thing: looks can be incredibly deceiving, especially in the world of board games. Dominion might not catch your eye, but this game is a strategic powerhouse. This was the first deck-building game I ever played. From Deck-Building Newbie to Fanatic I stumbled upon Dominion at my local game store—a used copy with two expansions. Deck-building was a new concept for me, but the easy-to-learn rules and deep strategy had our entire friend group hooked after just one game. We fumbled at first, unsure of the best path to victory. Why do you only get one action, one buy, and one card? Whoa, what is this card that gives me an extra buy? With each game, it clicked. We started crafting killer combos, building our own money-making machines. My only issue: I never quite know how to trash cards, but that's a story for another day. Simple Rules, Deep Strategy Dominion's beauty lies in its deceptively simple rules. Forget complex resource systems. You have a core set of actions: buy a card, play a treasure for money, or unleash an action card's effect. This streamlined system makes Dominion easy to teach and a perfect gateway game for new players (as long as the Witch doesn't come out in the first game). The Power of Extra Actions and Buys Here's where things get exciting. Dominion throws in cards that let you bend the rules a bit. These "action cards" are the real game-changers. Want to draw more cards and see more options? Grab a card that lets you do just that! Need a quick cash infusion to snag that powerful card? Play a treasure that gives you extra buying power. The key to victory lies in strategically using these cards to create an unstoppable engine. The secret sauce is figuring out how to draw a ton of cards to generate massive wealth, and then use that wealth to purchase powerful cards that let you draw even more cards, generate even more wealth, buy multiple cards in a single turn, and ultimately acquire the most Provinces to win. Conclusion Have you tried this beauty? If not, next time you're browsing the game store shelves, don't be fooled by the box. Dominion might not be the prettiest game on the shelf, but the gameplay? That's pure, strategic gold.

Introduction Chicken!, published by Keymaster Games, is a push-your-luck dice game for 2-8 players. It plays in under 20 minutes, depending on the number of players. My group's night cap game is Farkle. We love pushing our luck; however, when playing with new comers, Farkle is intimidating. That's where Chicken! comes in. A super cute and portable, the game comes in a package the size of a Coke can. Language-independent, easy to teach, and fast-paced, Chicken! is perfect for playing with non-gamers or when you want a quick and light game outside the house. It easily fits in a large jacket pocket or backpack, making it a great travel companion. This has become our go-to game for those situations! Components Adorable Coke can size portable box Cloth mat that serves as the coop to keep extra dice and use as a score tracker Simple to understand rulebook Twelve six-sided dice with chicken, fox, and blank symbols The dice are divided in two three sets of four These set of dice 8 player tokens Set Up Place the chicken coop score tracker in the center of the table. Have each player pick their player token and place them in the top left of the scoring tracker Determine who goes first, we usually Chwazi or use something random like who touched an egg last? How to Play Chicken! is all about rolling dice and collecting chickens. Each turn, players roll a pool of dice ranging from four to twelve dice. If at any point, you don't want to roll more than the original four dice, you can chicken out. This is an interesting option. If you're worried about busting on your next roll, you move your score tracker back one point. All the yellow and red dice go back to the coop. You then roll the white dice and start the round. This can be a strategic move to avoid busting, but what's the point of not pushing your luck in a push-your-luck game? Each turn, the dice go through three main phases during a player's turn: Initial Roll: You start with a set of four (almost pink) white dice. This is your mandatory roll for the turn. You roll these dice and see what symbols come up Sorting the Dice: After the initial roll, you sort the dice based on the symbols: Chickens: These are good! Each chicken symbol scores you one point at the end of your turn (if you don't bust). Set these aside Foxes: These are bad! Rolling three foxes makes you bust, meaning you lose all your points for the turn and all the colored dice go back to the pool. Set these aside as well Eggs: These are neutral, and they add more dice to the pool. For each egg symbol, you add one new yellow die to the pool. Once you run out of yellow dice, you start adding red dice (these dice have double chicken phases as well as more foxes). Re-roll (Optional): Here's where the "push-your-luck" element comes in. You can choose to re-roll all the dice that are NOT the chickens and foxes you set aside. This allows you to potentially score more points with additional chickens, however, this also carries the risk of rolling three pesky foxes and busting! After the roll or re-roll, score one point for each chicken you collected. If by chance you have rolled three pesky foxes, you bust and score no points Scoring Chicken: Each chicken symbol rolled scores one point. Fox: Rolling two foxes cancels out any chickens scored that turn. Three or more Foxes: You bust and score no points for the turn. Winning The first player to reach 25 victory points wins the game! Pros Easy to Learn: The rules are simple enough for anyone to pick up in minutes Fast Gameplay: A single game can be played in 10-15 minutes, making it perfect for a quick palette cleanser or a game night warm-up Family-Friendly: The lighthearted theme and simple rules make it a great game for families and non gamers Portable: The small box size and few components make it easy to take with you on trips or gatherings Cons Limited Depth: Due to the reliance on dice rolling (and only being able to roll twice on each turn), there's not a lot of strategic complexity Repetitive Gameplay: Some players might find the core mechanic of rolling and re-rolling dice to get stale after repeated plays Player Count: based on the player count, it may take what seems like a long time for your next turn and the game becomes either too luck base (if playing with more than four players) or too predictable if playing with 2 or 3 players Conclusion Chicken! is a delightful little game that delivers big on laughs and lighthearted fun. It's a great choice for non gamers, or anyone looking for a quick and engaging filler game. While the lack of strategic depth might not appeal to hardcore gamers, its simplicity, portability, and exciting push-your-luck mechanic make it a cluck-tastic addition to any game night.

Remember that time when your friend group was obsessed with Sushi Go!? Yeah, me too. In a way, we still are, but we crave a bit more complexity and with life, our 8 people gatherings are more sporadic. My game nights are usually my wife and I or a group of four. That's why Hens (click me for board game review) is my top 2023 game. This charming little card game from Little Rocket Games has quickly become my go-to for those nights when I want something light, strategic, and adorable all rolled into one (pun intended). While Sushi Go! will always hold a special place in my heart, Hens offers a surprising amount of depth for a game that can be played in just 15-20 minutes. The game plays well solo, as a duel, and at 3 and 4 player count. Why Hens Should Be Your Next Play Here's what makes Hens such a delightful game: Quick and Easy to Learn: Just like Sushi Go!, Hens is a breeze to teach and play. New players can be clucking along (strategically placing their chicken cards) within minutes Adorable Chicken Theme: Look, Sushi Go! has its charm, but can you beat beautifully illustrated cards featuring a variety of fluffy chicken breeds? I've verified that the pretty chicken types are in deed real (which still blows my mind). Hens is a feast for the eyes in addition to the brain Strategic Depth for the Chicken Whisperer in You: Don't be fooled by the simple rules! Hens offers a surprising amount of strategic thinking. The game plays over 12 rounds where you draft two cards, play a card, and discard a card. The catch? You can only play cards orthogonally adjacent that are either the same color or go up or down by one number. This becomes incredibly harder as you play along. That makes the game both extremely frustrating and satisfying when you draw the exact card or number you've been waiting for Hens for Fans of Other Card Games How does Hens compare to other board game staples? Well, Hens borrows the concept of collecting sets of cards to score points, a mechanic common in point salad games. Sushi Go!: Like I mentioned, Hens offers a similar card drafting mechanic to Sushi Go!, but with a bit more complexity. The fact that the game plays over twelve rounds and that you can only score on your largest and second largest group, makes you think twice on what to do. Plus, Hens has a lot of replayability. As you become more comfortable with the game, you are able to add extra scoring conditions Arboretum: If you love the card drafting and set collection of Arboretum, you'll find some similarities in Hens. However, Hens offers a lighter feel and a shorter playing time, perfect for those nights when you want a quicker game. Also, let's be honest, Arboretum can get a little mean with the take-that aspect. Hens is all about creating your own flocktastic farmyard, with no need to disrupt your fellow players' coop Hens also reminds me of Carcassonne in the sense that you are laying cards (instead of tiles). Both games involve creating patterns to score points, but Hens offers a quicker and nicer playing atmosphere

Carcassonne is a game of medieval landscapes, cunning tile placement, and a healthy dose of friendly competition. For me, Carcassonne wasn't just a game; it was the gateway drug that lured me into the wonderful world of modern board games. Before Carcassonne, my board game experience was limited to classics like Rummikub and Dominoes. High school brought on the usual party games and countless rounds of card games ranging from Uno to Five Crowns. College even saw me dabble in Catan, a game I still enjoy from time to time. But none of these games quite captured my imagination the way Carcassonne did. What makes Carcassonne special? Perhaps it's the familiar tile-laying mechanic that feels intuitive yet offers surprising strategic depth. Maybe it's the way the game scales seamlessly from a quick two-player duel to a lively group competition. Maybe it's the strategy behind placing each meeple. Or maybe it's the sheer satisfaction of watching a medieval world unfold piece by piece, tile by tile. My Carcassonne journey began with a resounding defeat. The game's simplicity was deceptive, and I was quickly schooled when scoring brought out the farmers. I had no idea about the farmers! Yes, it was explained, but my brain did not capture that little detail. Instead of feeling discouraged, I craved another shot. And another. That initial defeat sparked a passion for Carcassonne that continues to this day. Unable to get enough in-person games, and not wanting to make every play a super defeat, I discovered Board Game Arena (BGA), a digital platform that allowed me to play Carcassonne online to my heart's content. Countless virtual matches later, the love for the game remained strong. Carcassonne's versatility is another reason for its enduring appeal. My wife and I, for instance, have a house rule where we don't play with farmers. They add a layer of cutthroat competition that disrupts our preferred play style. We've also tweaked the tile-drawing mechanic, opting to draw three tiles each to speed up the game (thank you BGA for teaching me that variant). These small adjustments personalize the experience, making Carcassonne feel like "our game." I am the kind of gamer that can play the same game over and over again. My wife is not. After we logged 100 plays in early 2022 -- my wife hit a wall. We had to take a break, so when I saw the co-op Carcassonne: Over the Mist, I was sold. This expansion and standalone game offered the perfect solution – a no-farmer and collaborative experience. If you get any expansion or want to try the game, I would even recommend starting with this version. We're currently stuck on the last level. We've tried it at every count, which only adds to the game's addictive qualities, and I am here for it! Some of our board game group is super competitive, so we play Over the Mist tiles privately. That way, we prevent quarterbacking. What was the game that got you hooked on board games?

Introduction Carcassonne originally published by Hans im Gluck Verlags-GmbH. is a modern classic. This tile-laying strategy game for 2-5 players wasn't just a game for me; it was the gateway drug that lured me into making board games a hobby rather than a casual thing. It took me from the familiar comfort of Dominoes and Rummikub to wanting to try more and more games. Carcassone takes around 30 minutes to play. The game is set on medieval Carcassonne, France. The objective is to score the most points while bringing the beautiful landscape to life. The game offers a delightful blend of strategic depth and easy-to-learn mechanics. This is the perfect game for a casual gamer wanting to dabble into more or to try to crush your friends at your next gathering. What makes Carcassonne special? Perhaps it's the familiar tile-laying mechanic that feels intuitive yet offers surprising strategic depth. Maybe it's the way the game scales seamlessly from a quick two-player duel to a lively group competition. Maybe it's the strategy behind placing each meeple. Or maybe it's the sheer satisfaction of watching a medieval world unfold piece by piece, tile by tile. My Carcassonne journey began with a resounding defeat. The game's simplicity was deceptive, and I was quickly schooled when scoring brought out the farmers. I had no idea about the farmers! Yes, it was explained, but my brain did not capture that little detail. Instead of feeling discouraged, I craved another shot. And another. That initial defeat sparked a passion for Carcassonne to be played over and over again. Components: a fest for the eyes A clear rulebook with images and examples Chunky landscape tiles (depicting roads, cities, monasteries, and farms) Scoring sheet 5 sets of wooden pieces called Meeples in yellow, red, green, blue, and black color. Each set comes with 8 meeples of each color Depending on the version you get, the game may come with a blue bag to place the tiles or a mini expansion Set Up: easy breezy Carcassonne's setup is quick. Quicker if you have a bag to dump the tiles in. If not, shuffle the deck of landscape tiles and place the starting tile in the center of the table Each player grabs a their preferred color of meeples Place the scoring sheet and a meeple on 0 for each player Start the game! How to Play: tile here, meeple there The game is played over several rounds. In each round, players draw and place a landscape tile featuring a road, city, monastery, or a combination of these features. They can then choose to place one of their meeples on the newly placed tile. This claims a feature on the landscape (road, city, monastery, or farm). When a feature is complete (a city is fully surrounded by walls, a road reaches an endpoint, etc.), all the meeples on that feature score points for their owner. The player with the most points wins the game! Scoring: the way to victory! Beware of Running Out of Meeples! After each feature is completed, your meeple returns to your supply to be used at a later time. You must have a meeple in your supply before placing it. This means that if you are out of meeples and complete a feature during your round, you can't place that meeple again until the next round. Plan your worker placement carefully to maximize your scoring opportunities throughout the game. Roads: When a road is completed by connecting to a city, monastery, or another completed road, score 1 point for each tile in the road Cities: Cities are scored when they are completely surrounded by walls with no gaps. Each tile in the city scores 2 points, and any coats of arms (little shields) on the city tiles score an additional 2 points each. If by any chance you are outnumbered in the city (another player has more meeples than you when it closes and can be scored), you get no points for that city. Those sneaky meeple placements by your opponent can be brutal! However, you do get your meeple back to use on another feature Monasteries: Monasteries are scored when they are completely surrounded by eight tiles (including the monastery tile itself). Each surrounding tile scores 1 point, along with the monastery tile itself, for a total of 9 points Farmers: I don't recommend adding these until you feel comfortable with the game. Farmers are placed by laying your meeple down in a field. Only one farmer can be placed on a single field. Farmers are only scored at the end of the game, so use them strategically because you won't get that meeple back. You score 3 points for each completed city NOTE: At the end of the game, incomplete roads, cities, and monasteries score one per tile. Cities also score one extra point for each coat of arms Winning: The Glory of Carcassonne The game ends when the last tile is drawn and played from the deck. Players then score points for their claimed features and any incomplete features based on size. The player with the most points is declared the victor and earns the glorious title of Lord of Carcassonne! Key Features Tile-laying mechanic: Easy to learn, but with surprising strategic depth Scales well from 2 to 5 players A classic game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages Pros Simple to learn (rules in 5 minutes and play in about 30), but difficult to master Scales well for different player counts High replay value due to the ever-changing landscape A great gateway game for new hobbyists Language independent Family friendly (watch out for farmers) Cons Can be random at times due to tile draws Low on player interaction Some players may find it too light on strategy compared to more complex games The game can get mean if players start blocking or outnumbering each other on cities Side Note When playing two players, the wife and I enjoy excluding the farmers and drawing three tiles, and only playing one tile at a time. The base game is fantastic, but there are a number of expansions available. My afvorite one is the River and Mist over Carcassone. All expansions introduce new features, scoring elements, and if you are lucky, new meeples! Conclusion Carcassonne isn't just a game, it's a gateway drug to board game bliss (at least it was for me)! This tile-laying gem offers strategic depth disguised in an easy-to-learn package. It scales perfectly for casual nights or strategic showdowns, making it a must-have for any game night. So grab your meeples, unleash your inner medieval lord, and prepare to be hooked (I hope)!

Tiny Towns: Architects is the latest expansion for this beautiful tile-drafting game. It injects new life into the base game by introducing a cabin to be played instead of the cottage. The game also introduces a variety of new buildings and monuments. What's in the Box The expansion comes with a decent amount of content for its size: New building and monument cards Dry-erase scoreboard and marker ← this is the winner for me! Don't get me wrong, more monuments and buildings are great, but dry erase is where it's at Building sticker sheets ← I'm not sure that we'll add this to our buildings, but if you want to make the meeples even cuter, this is a great choice Rulebook ← concise yet detailed Fresh Decisions with New Buildings ← BuildingMonument Clarifications which come really handy Overall Impressions The new buildings offer exciting strategic possibilities. Wild resource (I thought the option to do a wild would be helpful, but beware of your analysis paralysis. This may not change with the new addition of wild resources in some cards) spaces allow for more flexibility in resource placement, while unique buildings like the Cabin add new wrinkles to town planning. The expansion also includes new monuments, some with intriguing mechanics. The Tinier Town monument is probably my favorite. It lets you build a miniature version (four spaces) of your main town. The card is not only super cute, but extremely helpful in giving you a competitive advantage. Tiny Towns: Architects is a solid expansion that enhances the base game without overwhelming players with complexity. The wild resources in cards add a fresh spin to the game. I think that this expansion is a "mini expansion" in the sense that you can add it to the game even with new players If you are like me, and love to put all the expansions in a box, this game may also be for you. The components fit in the main box with the other two expansions without any lip lift! Here are some additional points to consider: Experience Level: Architects is easy to learn and integrates well with the base game. It's suitable for both new and experienced Tiny Towns players. Replayability: The new buildings and monuments add variety to the game, increasing its replayability (even though this game had a lot of that at baseline). Player count is not affected by the expansion We finally get another option for the cottage!!!!!! Final verdict: If you enjoy playing Tiny Towns, and it hits your table often, or if you want cute stickers for your meeples, or you love dry erase markers and sheets, this is a worthy expansion.

Imagine a board game that takes you back to a time when politics and alliances were at their most critical. "Secret Hitler" is a game that lets you experience the drama and challenges of that era. In this game you have to figure out who's on your side and who's not 😱 Secret Hitler is a bluffing party game. This means that the game involves hidden roles and deception. Players work to enact policies while figuring out who among them is secretly Hitler and who's trying to stop him. 🕵️‍♂️ The game plays with 5 to 10 players. ⏱️ The game's length varies, but a round lasts around 45 minutes ⏳. If it's your first time playing, allow about 15 minutes to teach the game. The mechanics and rules are straightforward, so it makes this game accessible to avid gamers and non-gamers alike. Components Inside the box, you’ll find policy cards 📜, party membership cards 🎫, wooden markers 🖋️, and a policy track 🛤️. The game board serves as the central playing area 🌐, while the policy cards determine the laws that are enacted. Party membership cards assign players their roles as either Liberals or Fascists ⚖️, with one player secretly becoming Secret Hitler 🤫. The wooden markers and policy track help keep track of the game's progress. The components are not just functional, but also visually appealing 👌 Gameplay In this game, you and your friends become different people with roles like Liberals and Fascists. One of you is Secret Hitler 🕵️‍♂️, but nobody knows who. Liberals want good policies ✌️, while Fascists have their own plans 🦠. You'll take turns trying to make laws and figuring out who's who During the game, you'll talk and discuss with your friends about what to do 💬. As time goes on, you might trust each other or get suspicious 🤨. It's like being in a real political situation where you need to make important choices. BUT WHAT CHOICES SHOULD YOU MAKE❓ My Thoughts Secret Hitler is a visually appealing game that revolves around guessing and making smart decisions 🤔. You get to know your friends better by observing how they talk and the actions they take in the game. It's not just about winning – it's also about emphasizing teamwork and collaborative problem-solving. The game requires players to work together to identify hidden agendas and navigate a complex web of alliances, betrayals, and political intrigue. Moreover, it's interesting because it prompts reflection on history and how events unfolded in the past 🧐. Even though it's a game, it provides a sense of learning about those times. Why It's Not for Me Secret Hitler can bring enjoyment to some, but not all will appreciate its style. If you're not into bluffing games where you have to pretend and figure out who's telling the truth by talking a lot 🗣️, you could find it confusing or frustrating 😕. The game takes place in a somber slice of history. The game provides an engaging bluffing experience, but the theme seems to undermine the time period. For those affected by the Holocaust and anyone who recognizes its solemn historical importance, playing a game that treats these events as entertainment could be painful and distressing. After several rounds with different groups, we've decided to cull this game 🙅‍♂️🃏. Our choice is driven by a desire to maintain respect for history and its sensitivities. Aligning a light-hearted game with such a dark context feels inappropriate. We're making efforts to strike a better balance between entertainment and historical awareness. Conclusion If you like games where you have to figure things out and work with friends, Secret Hitler could be a fun choice 🎉. It's not too hard to understand, and it can make your game night more exciting by adding a touch of history and mystery 🏛️. Just remember, the game is set during World War II, and some may find the game insensitive.