Tabletop Games Blog - board game reviews and discussions with a personal touch

It's that time of the year again. The huge Essen Spiel game fair is upon us, so as is custom, here is my list of games that will be at the exhibition and that I'm looking forward to.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/12/essen-spiel-2019-most-wanted-saturday-review/Links Board Game Geek: https://boardgamegeek.com/ Tabletop Together Tool: https://tabletoptogether.com/tool/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Classifying things we encounter is important. It gives us a way to describe them to others, allows us to decide whether things are similar or different and provides a method to create connections between them. Classifications help us with decision making and prediction. However, classifications alone don't fully describe things and especially when we talk about classifying tabletop games, there are a lot more nuances and details that cannot be described by classifications alone. So I want to explore how far classifications can go until their usefulness deteriorates.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/08/breaking-down/Links Board Game Geek website: https://boardgamegeek.com/ Fluxx: https://www.looneylabs.com/games/fluxx Star Realms: https://www.starrealms.com/ Clans of Caledonia: https://karma-games.com/ Terra Mystica: https://www.zmangames.com/en/products/terra-mystica/ Android: Netrunner: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/android-netrunner-the-card-game/ Dominion: http://riograndegames.com/Game/278-Dominion Love Letter: https://www.zmangames.com/en/games/love-letter/ The 7th Continent: https://the7thcontinent.seriouspoulp.com/ Wingspan: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wingspan/ Jaipur: https://www.asmodee.co.uk/featured-product/jaipur/ https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/breaking-down-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Soft Ambient Medical Corporate Background by RainyAudio If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

A handful of small trees stand at the edge of a clearing. The wind blows gently as the sun starts to rise in the east. You can almost see the trees reaching for the light, as they slowly convert the sunshine into sugars, which is used to grow and produce seeds. Each species will have different survival strategies, but all trees have a natural urge to disperse their seeds towards the middle of the clearing, where there is less competition and more fertile ground. However, it won’t be long until the many saplings have filled the available space and the fight for sunshine will become more and more intense. In the meantime, some trees will have grown old and will die, freeing up precious ground for seeds to settle and hopefully germinate. It is for you and up to three of your friends to look after your rootstock in Photosynthesis by Blue Orange Games. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/05/photosynthesis-saturday-review/ Links Photosynthesis: https://www.blueorangegames.com/index.php/games/photosynthesis Blue Orange Games: https://www.blueorangegames.com/ Unboxing video: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/03/photosynthesis-unboxing Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

A hook, as per the dictionary definition, is something that draws you in. In games, a hook can be a number of different things. Often it is something visually exciting, such as beautiful illustrations, amazingly detailed miniatures, realistic resources or some sort of physical component that is integral to gameplay. Hooks can also be an interesting theme, an exciting gameplay mechanism or even the background story behind how a game was made. Certain awards or even the price of a game can be a hook too. Ultimately it’s about finding something that grabs your attention and gets you to take a closer look. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/01/im-hooked/ Links Tzolk’in: https://czechgames.com/en/tzolkin-the-mayan-calendar/ Czech Games Edition: https://czechgames.com/en/ Gizmos: https://cmon.com/product/gizmos/gizmos CMON: https://cmon.com/ Everdell: https://www.starling.games/everdell Starling Games: https://www.starling.games/ Rising Sun: https://cmon.com/product/rising-sun/rising-sun Dwellings of Eldervale: https://dwellingsofeldervale.com/ Breaking Games: https://breakinggames.com/ Scythe: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/scythe/ Stonemaier Games: https://stonemaiergames.com/ Jakub Rozalski: https://jakubrozalski.artstation.com/ Chronicles of Crime: https://luckyduckgames.com/games/chroniclesofcrime.html Lucky Duck Games: https://luckyduckgames.com/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Travelling to games night, weighed down with a giant bag full of games isn't easy. I appreciate that many people have a car and use that to get to games night, and that makes sense, especially if you travel a bit further. However, if your friends live only a short while away, then going by bike would be another, and possibly better, option. Yet, a lot of bikes aren't really designed to carry much. Yes, you could get panniers, but they're not ideal. However, these days there are a lot of utility orientated bicycles available from your local bike shop, or you can go one better and get a custom-built bike that is not only up to the task of ferrying around bulky loads, like board games, but is also made exactly how you want it.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/28/bespoke-cargo-bike-saturday-review/Links Tom of Old Grey Electric Co on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldgreyelectricco/ Bike Radar Choice Award: http://www.bespoked.cc/awards.html Bespoked: http://www.bespoked.cc/ Tern: https://www.ternbicycles.com/uk/ Omnium: https://omniumcargo.dk Harry vs Larry: https://www.larryvsharry.com/ Scythe: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/scythe/ Invaders from Afar: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/scythe/scythe-invaders-from-afar/ The Wind Gambit: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/scythe/scythe-the-wind-gambit/ Smallworld: https://www.daysofwonder.com/smallworld/en/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

It is always nice to get some positive feedback for the work you do, so winning awards is even more satisfying, especially if you receive one of the many prestigious awards from the industry you work in. So far, the Tabletop Games Blog hasn't won any awards, but in this article I am not fishing for praise, but I want to look at the many board game awards that are run every year and show how winning an award affects the popularity of a game, what costs may be attached with some awards and what the different awards try to achieve within the industry.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/24/awarding-times/Links Spiel des Jahres: https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/ Spielend für Toleranz: https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/spielend-fuer-toleranz/ Deutscher Spiele Preis: https://www.spiel-messe.com/de/deutscher-spielepreis/ Essen Spiel: https://www.spiel-messe.com/en/ Golden Geek Awards: https://boardgamegeek.com/award/8314/golden-geek-awards Board Game Geek: https://boardgamegeek.com/ The Dice Tower Awards: https://www.dicetower.com/content/dice-tower-awards The Dice Tower: https://www.dicetower.com/ Mind Games: https://mensamindgames.com/ Mensa: https://www.mensa.org.uk/ Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming: https://www.dianajonesaward.org/ Golden Elephant Award: https://www.heavycardboard.com/golden-elephant Heavy Cardboard: https://www.heavycardboard.com/ More Games Please: https://www.moregamesplease.com/ Top 10 Best Board Game Art: https://www.moregamesplease.com/best-board-game-art/2019/1/28/top-10-best-board-game-art-2018 https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/awarding-times-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Meant to be by SachkoIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

In the world of Arzium, groups of brave adventurers travel from town to town, where they load up on supplies and pack animals and recruit new members, who are willing to join them on the long journey, as they look for a lost city, called Last Ruin, where legend says lies a powerful artefact that will fulfil the finder's innermost wishes. It is time for you to add your name to the list of famous explorers, venture into the wild to collect valuable and useful items, meet new people, return to town to work for money and food, travel through abandoned mines and do what is needed to successfully complete the journey. Near and Far: Amber Mines by Red Raven Games allows you to become a hero, if you can compete with your fellow bands of explorers and come out ahead.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/21/near-and-far-amber-mines-saturday-review/Links Near and Far: Amber Mines: https://redravengames.squarespace.com/nearandfar Above and Below: https://redravengames.squarespace.com/above-and-below Red Raven Games: https://redravengames.squarespace.com/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Games change when played with different numbers of players. I think many of us will have found that games that are said to work for two or more players often are quite a different experience when played with two versus more players. Some games are said to work with a larger number of players, but really work best with a specific number. Games, where you form teams, are often like that, working best with an even number of people, even though they're said to also work with odd numbers. I discussed many of these points in my article Group mentality, so this time I want to focus on some specific issues.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/17/count-me-out/Links Automa Factory: http://www.automafactory.com/ Scythe Saturday Review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/19/scythe/ Tapestry: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/tapestry/ Stonemaier Games: https://stonemaiergames.com/ Wingspan Saturday Review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/16/wingspan/ Rising Sun: https://cmon.com/product/rising-sun/rising-sun CMON: https://cmon.com/ The Mind Saturday Review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/05/the-mind/ Coiledspring Games: https://coiledspring.co.uk/ Star Realms: https://www.starrealms.com/ White Wizard Games: https://www.whitewizardgames.com/ https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/count-me-out-topic-discussion.wav“][/audio] Music: Chill by Nina MazeoIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

In a world where every tree is inhabited by its own gentle and benign spirit, it is your important task to ensure that every sapling grows strong and big, and offers a home for as many small creatures and plants as possible, thereby creating harmony and balance in the forest. If you can work in harmony with the seasons and nurture the worms, fireflies, flowers and mushrooms that grow on the tree that you have been tasked to look after, you will come out as the best caretaker and will be generously rewarded with health and happiness by the tree spirit, the kodama, that inhabits your tree. It is this work that you carry out in Kodama: The Tree Spirits by Action Phase Games.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/14/kodama-the-tree-spirits-saturday-review/Links Kodama: The Tree Spirits: https://www.actionphasegames.com/pages/kodama-the-tree-spirits Action Phase Games: https://www.actionphasegames.com/ The Hanging Gardens Saturday Review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/05/25/the-hanging-gardens/ Hans im Glück: https://www.hans-im-glueck.de/en If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I am not sure if you've come across this before, but you may have heard some people on a podcast or in a tabletop games review video talk about a game being overproduced. Often the term is used in a negative way, implying that a game includes unnecessary components and therefore is more expensive than it needs to be. However, different people seem to apply this term to different games in different ways, so I wanted to look at it a bit more closely and see whether we can investigate what overproduced actually means and whether it is indeed a bad thing.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/10/overproduced/https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/overproduced-topic-discussion.mp3 Music: Chilled Vibes by ZigZag BeatsIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

The stock market is in turmoil. There is a financial crisis. Companies' solvency is in doubt. Panic selling has started for some securities. The year is 1792, and 24 stockbrokers meet in Wall Street in New York under a buttonwood tree to sign an agreement that creates a new way of securities trading, which creates a closed market where everyone can trust each other to honour payments and where investments are legitimate. In Exchange: A Stock Trading Game of Strategy & Wit by Eric Sillies, you are one of the group of 24 and you have to use your wit and cunning to take the beginnings of a new stock exchange to what will eventually become the New York Stock Exchange.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/07/exchange-a-stock-trading-game-of-strategy-wit-saturday-review/Links Exchange: A Stock Trading Game of Strategy & Wit: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ericsillies/exchange-a-stock-trading-game-of-strategy-and-wit/description If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

We all know that the use of plastics has become a huge issue. So-called microplastics, tiny particles of plastic, have been found in fish and other marine life, and more recently even in arctic snow. Only last week did the World Health Organization ask for "further assessment of microplastics in the environment and their potential impacts on human health." A lot of us have started replacing single-use plastics with recyclable alternatives, such as plastic straws with paper ones, or even plastic toothbrushes with ones made from bamboo. Yet, there is still a lot of plastic in a lot of tabletop games, and I want us to consider its impact.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/03/plastic-fantastic/LinksWhat are microplastics? article by the National Ocean Service: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.htmlFish eat plastic like teens eat fast food, researchers say article by BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36435288Plastic particles falling out of sky with snow in Arctic article by BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49295051World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/WHO calls for more research into microplastics and a crackdown on plastic pollution: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/22-08-2019-who-calls-for-more-research-into-microplastics-and-a-crackdown-on-plastic-pollutionThe Wood Games: https://www.thewoodgames.com/Junk Art: http://www.pretzelgames.com/en/18-junk-artPretzel Games: http://www.pretzelgames.com/en/Music: Chill by Nina MazeoIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Here is another game that I shouldn't like, because I don't like memory games, what you have to remember where certain cards are. However, there is something very addictive about Silver, the new card game by Bézier Games. I can't put my finger on it, but somehow I look past my dislike of games where I have to remember things when I play Silver. In fact, I can't stop playing it, especially against the AI that comes with the app.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/31/silver-saturday-review/Links Silver: https://beziergames.com/collections/silver-1 Bézier Games: https://beziergames.com/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I think supporting independent game publishers, and I include self-publishers too here, by buying their games gives you a warm feeling. In many cases, your money goes directly to one or two people who you know by name, whose photos you've seen many times, whose newsletters you've read, who you followed on Twitter and who you've started to trust. If their game was published with the help of a crowdfunding platform, you will have lived through the journey of the game from its first public outing to the final, finished product. Yet, independent doesn't always mean small, and some publishers who seem to be large are actually only a handful of people. So if you like helping small publishers, because you want to know that your money goes to a couple of great people who deserve your support, you might have to think carefully. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/27/independent-perceptions/ Music: Documentary Soundtrack by AShamaluev Music If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog PayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKD Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I don't like word games. Even though I love writing, which is one of the reasons for this blog, I was never any good at crosswords or Scrabble, and it's not because English is my second language. Even when I do a German crossword or play German Scrabble, I'm still not very good, at least not compared to my parents or a couple of my friends who seem to excel at these. Yet, when I play Hardback by Fowers Games, I have a lot of fun and have a good chance of winning.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/24/hardback-saturday-review/Links Hardback: https://www.fowers.games/collections/homepage-products/products/hardback Paperback: https://www.fowers.games/collections/homepage-products/products/paperback Fowers Games: https://www.fowers.games/ Star Realms: https://www.starrealms.com/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I recently talked about how some of us need to let people know what we're up to, by regularly sharing updates with our followers - see my article Image matters. Now I want to drill into this a little deeper and discuss the various platforms you might want to use. My focus is on tabletop game reviews, as this is one of the things I do, but you can apply the same ideas to similar content.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/20/viewing-platforms/https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tabletop-games-blog-topic-discussion-viewing-platforms.mp3 Music: Corporation by AShamaluevMusicIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

As many of you will know, I absolutely love small box games, and mint tin games in particular (see episode 6 of the Tabletop Inquisition podcast). They're so easy to stash away and take with you anywhere, and Mint Works by Five24 Labs is a great example. The small mint tin is robust and can easily deal with knocks, it's quick to set up, as it consists basically of a deck of cards, and the tin itself functions as the pool for the mint worker tokens. The gameplay is also relatively quick, so overall it's ideal for when you're out and about - on a train, plane or a bus, or while you're waiting for food in a pub or restaurant.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/17/mint-works-saturday-review/Links Mint Works: https://five24labs.com/mint-works Five24 Labs: https://five24labs.com/ Episode 6 of the Tabletop Inquisition podcast: https://tabletopinquisition.com/2019/07/22/episode-6-small-box-games/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Unless you're a very outgoing person or working in marketing, you will probably not want to boast about your achievements, or maybe not even see what you do as worth mentioning at all. In fact, you might hate the idea that everyone expects that you constantly post photos and write updates about every little thing that happens in your life. I can see where you're coming from, and there is nothing wrong with that, but if you're a game designer, publisher or a press person, you will need to try and be somehow present, even if that feels alien.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/13/image-matters/https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tabletop-games-blog-topic-discussion-image-matters.mp3 Music: Documentary by AShamaluevMusic (Photo by Nordwood Themes on Unsplash)If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I am making a slight diversion from my usual reviews and am looking at a book instead. However, it's The Board Game Book, so don't worry, we're still on topic. It's not the first book all about board games of course, but it certainly stands out, because it counts a number of professional writers among its contributors. So the quality of the writing is high, and the editing and production are also excellent - but let me start at the beginning.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/10/the-board-game-book-saturday-review/Links The Board Game Book website: https://www.boardgame-book.com/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

When you look at buying a modern tabletop game, you will have a rough idea as to how much you think it is worth - or you will have some sort of budget in your head that you want to stick to, and which guides you to the sort of games that you think you can afford. Your price expectations will be based on things such as the quantity and quality of the components, replayability and probably also rarity or hotness of a game. Yet, the amount of money you're willing to put on the counter doesn't always match the real cost or value of a game and is either too much or too little in comparison. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/06/market-prices/ Music: Relax by AShamaluevMusic If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog PayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKD Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Release Date: 2019 Players: 1-4 Designer: Scott Almes Length: 30-60 minutes Artist: Roland MacDonald, Benjamin Shulman Age: 10+ Publisher: Gamelyn Games Complexity: 2.5 / 5 In the year 3030, mankind has developed the technology to hold epic real-life battle events where daring fighters skilled in direct combat and with hundreds of hours of experience piloting the latest advancement in […]Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/03/tiny-epic-mechs-saturday-review/Links Tiny Epic Mechs: https://www.gamelyngames.com/tiny-epic/tiny-epic-mechs-deluxe Tiny Epic series: https://www.gamelyngames.com/tiny-epic Gamelyn Games: https://www.gamelyngames.com/ Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/HJDaLR8zb84 If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

In a future where mankind has resolved to abandon war and replace it with virtual battles, teams of nine elite fighters selected by their nations face each other in pairs to win a precious new energy source that promises to bring the world back from the ashes. You have the opportunity to lead one of these teams out onto the 3 by 3 grid, where you take turns with your opponent and carefully occupy key positions in the hope that you win battle after battle to become a hero of the Vector Wars.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/07/27/vector-wars-saturday-review/Links Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VectorWarsTheBoardGame/ Board Game Geek entry: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/274717/vector-wars If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Clans of Caledonia by Karma Games comes with a lot of wooden pieces, cardboard tokens, player boards and the modular game board. Fitting everything in the box, while keeping things organized, isn't easy. It's a very tight fit, if you separate all the different pieces into baggies or small plastic containers. However, the insert from Folded Space sorts everything neatly into separate boxes.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/07/06/clans-of-caledonia-insert-by-folded-space-saturday-review/Links Folded Space: https://www.foldedspace.net/ Clans of Caledonia Insert: https://www.foldedspace.net/store/clans-of-caledonia/#cc-m-product-14383635130 Karma Games: https://karma-games.com/ Clans of Caledonia review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/02/clans-of-caledonia/ Podcast review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/folded-spcae-clans-of-caledonia-insert-saturday-review-podcast.mp3 Review video: https://youtu.be/3VmpHfmjHA8 Unboxing video: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/05/13/folded-space-clans-of-caledonia-insert-unboxing/ Keeping it in article: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2018/08/09/keeping-it-in/ If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Inside the brewery, the mash and lauter tuns hum away happily on one side, as the brew kettle bubbles silently on the other. Outside, the fermentation vessels slowly turn the malt's wonderful sugars into delicious alcohol. On the other side of the yard is the bottling line, where the beer is filled into bottles, and then it's finally ready to be sold. It is your job to create the right balance of malts to create the best beer for your micro brewery's customers, eagerly waiting in your bar. The whole process takes time and patience, but is worth it, when the number of loyal customers grows in appreciation of your effort.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/06/22/microbrew-saturday-review/Links Microbrew: https://www.onefreeelephant.co.uk/Microbrew/ One Free Elephant: https://www.onefreeelephant.co.uk/ Podcast review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/microbrew-podcast-review.mp3 Review video: https://youtu.be/3OcrgHv50cU Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/PuahVpDF0qA Slickerdrips playthrough video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTWcnzyhjA8 If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

The sun is high in the sky, shining directly down onto Main Street in this ramshackle town of wooden buildings. The heat is almost unbearable, if it wasn't for a light breeze that is creating small swirls of sand and dust. You have to squint in the bright light, as you stand outside the saloon waiting for the clock to strike twelve. A speck of dust makes you blink, which doesn't bode well. You need to be able to see your opponent clearly, so this won't do. You step away from the saloon and try and position yourself in a more sheltered spot, where dust will be less of an issue and there is more shade, making it easier to see. Yet, this duel is different. You actually have to face off several people in this Six Gun Showdown, and you also have to play your cards right to make sure you come out victorious.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/06/15/six-gun-showdown/Links Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/redwellgames/six-gun-showdown Redwell Games: http://redwellgames.com/ Podcast review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/six-gun-showdown-podcast-review.wav Review video: https://youtu.be/XvfUDDfDGOI Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/IVZg2UfT8MA If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Strolling along the parterres, taking in the view of the stepped garden to one side and the water garden on the other, you relax and try to fully appreciate the immensity of this Wonder of the world. The whole arrangement is cleverly emphasized by carefully placed temples. The huge amount of work and dedication that has gone into this expansive and exquisitely manicured design, the countless shrubs, hedges and flowering plants, all add to the feeling that you are but a small creature in this giant world. Suddenly the zen-like peace is rudely interrupted by deafening noises, as you watch in disbelief as the water garden is bulldozed to the ground to make room for more parterres. Welcome to The Hanging Gardens by Hans im Glück, which are in constant change to score the gardener as many points as possible. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/05/25/the-hanging-gardens/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

The rain is relentless, pouring down in heavy sheets, making the city outside your office window appear like it is behind net curtains. The James River appears to be bubbling, but you haven't noticed any of it. You have spent the last few hours staring at your computer, checking various databases and cross-referencing intel. You drank at least six coffees, yet you're no further. Welcome to Detective by Portal Games where you're an officer in the recently created special unit of Antares. Your task is to solve curious cold cases, following up leads and doing other detective work, all against a mercilessly ticking clock.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/05/18/detective-a-modern-crime-board-game/Links Portal Games: https://portalgames.pl/en/ Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game: https://detectiveboardgame.com/ Detective: L.A. Crimes: https://detectiveboardgame.com/la-crimes/ Review video: https://youtu.be/D8RspWJYXTo Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/6Xsr9zzqUFo Podcast review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/detective-a-modern-crime-board-game-saturday-review-podcast.wav Watch It Played video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q9lWB5qffs Portal Games rules video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdQCPCmjtvk If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Imagine the asteroid field scene from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, where our heroes risk their lives to try to get away by entering an asteroid field, then add the AI HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey, which has gone mad and taken over the spaceship, forcing the crew to try and outwit it - and you basically end up with the gameplay of Sensor Ghosts, the new game by Wren Games, due to launch on Kickstarter on 28 May.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/05/11/sensor-ghosts/Links Wren Games: http://wrengames.co.uk/main Kickstarter for Sensor Ghosts: https://ks.wrengames.co.uk/ Review video: https://youtu.be/zWk-FENnLFw Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/ktL0z5AE7kY If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

As you can tell from my previous reviews of subQuark's games (Mint Tin Mini Skulduggery, Mint Tin Mini Apocalypse and Mint Tin Aliens), I love mint tin games. The love and effort Kate Beckett and David René Miller put into every game makes them very special indeed, and Mint Tin Pirates is no exception of course. It offers lots of pirate fun in a small tin that you can easily take with you, that is easy to learn, quick to play and has a small footprint, so can be played virtually anywhere. I believe Mint Tin Pirates was subQuark's first game, and it already showed that it is possible to squeeze a lot of fun into a small package, something that the whole line of subQuark games shares.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/04/13/mint-tin-pirates/LinksReview video: https://youtu.be/xBUJtwIotvQUnboxing video: https://youtu.be/q1J8NjKymN0subQuark run through video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O01PcmkecNAIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

It might be time to call me the Mint Tin Man, à la The Wizard of Oz, given how many of subQuark's mint tin games I have now reviewed and made videos about. However, there is just so much fun in these small packages that I just have to write about them. Of course, games that last only 5 to 15 minutes won't satisfy everyone's needs - but then, few games do. Also, being only two player limits who these games are for. Yet, it is exactly the length, player count and box size that make these games perfect for taking with you and playing with anyone, including people who may not otherwise be much into modern games. Of course, Mint Tin Aliens is no exceptionRead the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/30/mint-tin-aliens/LinksReview video: https://youtu.be/1CcLW3Pacc8Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/S4Ccqm3zNz8If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I've been saying it for a while now: Wingspan by Elizabeth Hargrave and Stonemaier Games is an amazingly beautiful game. The great physical table presence created by the dice tower and eggs, the gorgeous illustrations on the player mats and cards, the sheer number of different birds on the cards, all with their latin name and a brief description of what they are, and the high quality of all the components and parts make it very special. The artists, Ana Maria Martinez Jaramillo, Natalia Rojas and Beth Sobel, have done an amazing job, and Stonemaier Games has ensured that the product meets, if not exceeds, everyone's expectations. However, the beauty and quality are only one part of what makes this game so outstanding. For me, it is the gameplay that lifts Wignspan to the next level.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/16/wingspan/LinksReview video: https://youtu.be/jk9zv17bhQgUnboxing video: https://youtu.be/OBG3s-BsYDIBrief impressions video: https://youtu.be/Fn-MBwoVhYMWatch It Played rules video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgDgcLI2B0UJon Gets Games rules and play through video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDJ5WwpV3SgIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I absolutely love mint tin games, and Mint Tin Mini Skulduggery by subQuark fits this bill perfectly, as it comes in a properly small, rectangular mint tin, rather than the larger format that many other mint tin games come in. That means it fits perfectly into your coat pocket, so you can have it with you at all time. After all, you never know when the opportunity arises to play a game when you're out and about.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/09/mint-tin-mini-skulduggery/LinksKickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/subquark/mint-tin-mini-skulduggeryReview video: https://youtu.be/JVwS2PE3h-gUnboxing video: https://youtu.be/vRA7ZquQ7bcIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

In Project Dreamscape by Undine Studios your aim is to chain together as many of the same dream types as possible to get the most points. However, building those chains is a lot harder than it looks. Very quickly you realize that you have to plan a few cards in advance to make sure you get the longest chains, and if you're not careful, you can easily undo all that great planning. Project Dreamscape first draws you into a false sense of being a light game, and then pounces and makes your head hurt as you try and find the best order in which to build your dream sequence. The illustrations by Julie Okahara are beautifully dreamlike, adding to the sense that there is a lot more to the game than you might think.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/02/16/project-dreamscape/LinksReview video: https://youtu.be/uJPHuzoUKmAUnboxing video: https://youtu.be/JmzWM0eYGfsRahdo Runthrough video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDFHKiC-lIYIf you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

If you like dice action selection games where you slowly build up action combos, then Oaxaca: Crafts of a Culture by Undine Studios is for you. Now don't be put off by dice rolling, beause in this game you can easily mitigate bad luck and even bad rolls still give you plenty of opportunities. Oaxaca ("wa-ha-ka") is also beautifully illustrated, quick to learn and really quick to play, while still maintaining enough interest even for very "serious" gamers. So there is something for everyone and one of the few games that I can confidently recommend for family gaming as well as regular games night groups.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/02/09/oaxaca-crafts-of-a-culture/Links Review video: https://youtu.be/m4rY25BFH7M Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/qBcweJNmyrs Rahdo Runthrough video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McTFzyr8B7g If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

GoodCritters by Arcane Wonders is an i-cut-you-choose sort of game with a twist. Players are members of a very successful gang of burglars and take turns to be the boss who divvies up the loot amongst everyone in whichever way they see fit. There is plenty of opportunity to be selfish or favour some players over others. Yet, it is up to the whole gang to vote on whether to accept the split or not. It's a bit like being a pirate really - but that's a different story.Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/02/02/goodcritters/Links Video review: https://youtu.be/GGGYCRw4o9k Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/7bhF5yQe7EE Brief impressions video: https://youtu.be/zPU7cJ7aR9E Podcast review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/goodcritters-saturday-review.wav If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblogKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlogPayPal: https://paypal.me/pools/c/8hovaYouKDWebsite: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

I know, Scythe by Stonemaier Games has been out since 2016 and has had a couple of expansions released as well, including promo packs with additional encounter cards. So chances are you have already heard plenty of reviews about this game and maybe own  it yourself, but I still felt it’s worth reviewing, because I am sometimes surprised by how many people still don’t know Scythe. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/19/scythe/ Links Video review: https://youtu.be/tKmqmUU_aTo Brief impressions video: https://youtu.be/PSWJrIprSfQ Brief impressions video: https://youtu.be/_gT4ojUdhVA Podcast review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/scythe-saturday-review.wav Watch It Played rules teach video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffMLIL5qGQg Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

KeyForge: Call of the Archons by Fantasy Flight Games is the first Unique game – and the word “unique” has a very special meaning, but I will talk about this later. KeyForge, for short, is a competitive two-player-only card game where players aim to forge three keys, each costing six Æmber. As players draw and play cards, they can attack their opponent and collect Æmber. The player to first forge their third key is the winner. So far it’s very much like any other card game of their kind, but it is the uniqueness of the decks that is new and is what interests me about this game. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/12/keyforge-call-of-the-archons/ Links Video review: https://youtu.be/L82U1j5lDZA Brief impressions video: https://youtu.be/h1ExoCniLec Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/9HsyYwVcev8 Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/Hd9m1aZ7fMk Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/Q_M3I5PuAYI Podcast review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/keyforge-saturday-review.wav Gaming Rules teach and play through video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dt46ityLdk Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

If you are looking for an easy-to-teach, easy-to-carry, quick, fun, co-operative card game, then The Mind by Coiledspring Games is the right game for you. However, let’s start at the beginning. The game is really simply: there is a deck of cards numbered 1 to 100, every players is dealt a certain number randomly from the deck, there is no turn order and everyone plays when they feel the time is right, without co-ordinating with each other, and as long as all cards are played in ascending order everyone wins. That’s pretty much all there is to it. Sounds easy enough – but it’s actually really hard – and that’s what makes this game so interesting in my view, as it creates a new gameplay mechanism that I have not come across before. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/05/the-mind/ Links Review video: https://youtu.be/6NmGIyUNjoA Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/UyLfbYqeMEY Podcast review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/the-mind-saturday-review.wav Watch It Played rules teach video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXl8MC0GMYE Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

Haspelknecht: The Story of Early Coal Mining, to give it its full title, is a kind of action selection game by Quined Games set in the Ruhr region of Germany. The game is set at a time when the area was still covered by forests and coal was first discovered close to the surface. During the game your task is to dig up that coal until its depleted and you have to start digging deep pits to get to this precious resource. The great mechanism in this game is the action selection element, where you draw all tokens of one colour from one of a number of common pools at the start of each round. These tokens are then used to activate your workforce and develop new technologies. It sounds simple, but it creates a really complex, interesting game with lots of options and very few player interaction. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2018/12/01/haspelknecht/ Links Video review: https://youtu.be/DVzfQ_v-Gz8 Brief impressions video: https://youtu.be/5p29yZ8PNUY Podcast review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/haspelknecht-review-final.wav Rahdo Runthrough video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBoQ0PN2CGs Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/