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

Before the dawn of time, Gaia, our Mother Earth, gave birth to the first trees. With their strong trunks and majestic crowns, they quickly converted the fallow land into fertile soil. They cherished the everlasting rituals of Gaia that sent a ferocious force through their veins, bringing life to the highest branches and deepest roots. It did not take long for them to cover the whole continent and create the vast Forests of Pangaia by Thomas Franken from Pangaia Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/05/20/forests-of-pangaia-saturday-review/ Correction The publisher pointed out that the backside of the box shows two FSC certificates, one for the paper and cardboard and the other for the wooden components. All wooden components are sourced from 100% FSC-certified beech and all paper and cardboard components are FSC-certified as well, with the exception of the German black core cards, which were not available in FSC quality. That's great to hear and I am sorry that I missed that in my review. Useful Links Forests of Pangaia: https://www.pangaia.games/ Rulebook: http://files.pangaia.games/rulebook Pangaia Games: https://www.pangaia.games/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/317859/forests-pangaia Tree-Nation: https://tree-nation.com/profile/pangaia Treecelet: https://treecelet.com/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Initial Music by Purple Planet (https://www.purple-planet.com) The following music was used for this media project:Music: Relaxing Piano Improvisation by Alexander NakaradaFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5978-relaxing-piano-improvisationLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/ 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/⁠⁠⁠

When you publish a review every week, there is a certain amount of pressure to frequently play games that are new to you. Even if you bear in mind that I sometimes re-review a game and that once a year I list my top 5 games as well as look back at the past 12 months, that still leaves around 50 games that I need to get to the table and play a few times. That's a fair amount and risks taking the fun out of it. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/05/16/review-pressures-fun-versus-review-topic-discussion/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) The following music was used for this media project:Music: Village Ambiance by Alexander NakaradaFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6586-village-ambianceLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ko-Fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tabletopgamesblog.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The tigers were stealthily making their way onto the meadow, where the goats were grazing. Watching their calm and coordinated approach made you believe there was going to be only one outcome - and it wasn't going to be in favour of the goats. However, the sheer number of grazing animals didn't make it easy for the hunters. It didn't take long for one animal to sense the danger. Suddenly, the whole flock was alert and bunched together, making it virtually impossible for the large cats to attack. It was now their turn to make the next move in this Bagh Chal from Lemery Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/05/13/bagh-chal-saturday-review/ Useful Links Bagh Chal: https://lemerygames.com/pages/bagh-chal Rulebook: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sdUY-efjt3K3XtSyiHGjN-XGh2nrzFU4?usp=sharing Lemery Games: https://lemerygames.com/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/315/bagh-chal Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2023 BBC The following music was used for this media project:Music: Australia by MusicParadiseFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5056-australiaLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: http://www.music-paradise.de 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/⁠⁠ (Photo courtesy of Lemery Games)

If you are a veteran board game hobbyist, you will have learned a lot of terminology and mechanisms. You will instinctively know what a draw deck is and that you usually shuffle a discard pile into a new draw deck, if it runs out. The concepts of action points and turn order are going to be obvious to you. It will be second-nature to you that resources can be converted not only into each other, but also into victory points, which is another concept that you will understand. However, many of these terms will mean very little to someone who is new to our hobby. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/05/09/board-game-beginnings-how-we-learn-board-games-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Nemesis review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/06/18/nemesis-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) The following music was used for this media project:Music: Afternoon by DreamHeavenFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6242-afternoonLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://www.patreon.com/dreamheaven Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ko-Fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tabletopgamesblog.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

"Troll!" came the shout from the battlements. "Where?!" we shouted back. "Southeast!" was the reply. Darn it. We didn't have any archers defending our fortress in that direction. It was fortunate that we still had time before we had to deal with the next wave of attackers. We were already in over our heads fending off orcs and goblins at the northern end of the bastion. Things were slowly becoming too chaotic. It was a real Castle Panic by Justin De Witt from Fireside Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/05/06/castle-panic-saturday-review/ Useful Links Castle Panic: https://firesidegames.com/product/castle-panic-big-box-second-edition/ Rulebook: https://www.firesidegames.com/downloads/CP-Big-Box-2E-Rules-WEB.pdf Lemery Games: https://firesidegames.com/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/278693/castle-panic-big-box Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2023 BBC The following music was used for this media project:Music: Fantasy Ambience by Alexander NakaradaFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4953-fantasy-ambienceLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 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/⁠⁠

Apart from being a great way to meet new people and make new friends, just like any other hobby, for many of us in the hobby, playing board games is a social activity. We enjoy spending time with friends or family and catching up over a game or two. We have snacks and drinks and chat away in between turns. However, not everyone shares that view and there are good reasons for this. So in this article, I want to investigate why games can be a great conduit for socialising while also potentially being a hindrance. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/05/02/right-time-right-place-board-games-and-socialising-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Gloria Liu's article from The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2023/04/board-games-bonding-game-night/673670/ Rachel Kowert: https://rkowert.com/ Love Letter review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/01/23/love-letter-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) The following music was used for this media project:Music: Village Ambiance by Alexander NakaradaFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6586-village-ambianceLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ko-Fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tabletopgamesblog.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Photo by Luis Cortes on Unsplash)

The two of us were strolling along the beach. We could feel the damp sand underneath our feet. We stopped for a moment to dig our toes in and take a look around. There were plenty of beautiful objects just waiting to be found: driftwood for sculptures, sea glass for earrings and many other things. So we followed the Tides by Mike Berg from Button Shy. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/04/29/tides-saturday-review/ Useful Links Tides: https://buttonshygames.com/products/tides Rulebook: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/230471/official-rules-button-shy Button Shy: https://buttonshygames.com/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/341963/tides Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2023 BBC The following music was used for this media project:Music: Australia by MusicParadiseFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5056-australiaLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: http://www.music-paradise.de 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/⁠⁠

Yes, my dear friends, Tabletop Games Blog is 5 years today. When I posted my first article, I didn't know where I was going with this and had no idea about the journey the site would take me on. Since then, I published 550 articles, releasing them also in audio format since December 2018, which means there are over 430 podcast episodes available as well. I played hundreds of games, attended many exhibitions, was a guest on a number of podcasts, met lots of people and made many good friends. So let me tell you about the journey so far to celebrate this anniversary with you. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/04/25/5th-anniversary-looking-back-to-the-beginning-topic-discussion/ Useful Links The very first article "Games nights": https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2018/04/25/games-nights/ About page: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/about/ Das Schwarze Auge: https://ulisses-spiele.de/game-system/das-schwarze-auge/ Dungeons & Dragons: https://dnd.wizards.com/ Digidiced: https://digidiced.com/ My very first review "Le Havre: The Inland Port": https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2018/10/20/le-havre-the-inland-port/ PSC Games: https://www.pscgames.co.uk/ Wren Games: https://wrengames.co.uk/main/ Steeped Games: https://steepedgames.com/ Good Owl Games: https://goodowlgames.com/ First episode of Tabletop Inquisition: https://tabletopinquisition.com/2019/03/11/episode-1-who-are-we/ Tabletop Inquisition: https://tabletopinquisition.com/ Die Spielträumer podcast, episode 54: https://www.spieltraeumer.de/podcast/the-spieltraeumers-54-deckbuilding-deathmatch/ Die Brettagoge podcast, episode 144: https://brettagoge.de/144-von-voegeln-und-hudern-teamteaching/ We're Not Wizards podcast: https://www.werenotwizards.com/e/episode-320-oliver-kinne-tabletop-games-blog/ Brainwaves podcast: https://giantbrain.co.uk/tag/brainwaves/ Essen Spiel: https://www.spiel-messe.com/de/ Slickerdrips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmtyR1piEzGwYR5cfHo_VTQ Gaming Rules: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvIWBOfYGXYQQQORhjAJKCQ Fog of Love: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/175324/fog-love Jess Cassidy: https://twitter.com/Boardgame_girl1 Heavy Cardboard: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnuxFrI7_2mBmeay2R5FhXg Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) The following music was used for this media project:Music: Lo-Fi Hip-Hop 03 by WinnieTheMoogFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7848-lo-fi-hip-hop-03License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://linktr.ee/taigasoundprod The following music was used for this media project:Music: Lofi Chill Hip-Hop by WinnieTheMoogFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6347-lofi-chill-hip-hopLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://linktr.ee/taigasoundprod The following music was used for this media project:Music: Lofi by DreamHeavenFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6148-lofiLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://www.patreon.com/dreamheaven Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ko-Fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tabletopgamesblog.com/⁠⁠⁠ (Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash)

It was dark in damp. Of course, that was not unusual for the Tacora Cave, a giant underground system which was strewn with precious jewels and priceless artefacts. Those were the reason why we were here in the first place. Armed with our torches, we explored one tunnel after another, always mindful of traps. Sooner or later, one of us would get scared and make their way back to the entrance with their share of the treasures we had found so far. The rest of us continued, praying we would not fall foul of another trap and lose everything. After all, we wanted to get rich and find the most Diamant by Bruno Faidutti and Alan R. Moon from Iello. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/04/22/diamant-saturday-review/ Useful Links Diamant: https://iello.fr/jeux/diamant/ Rulebook: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/136662/english-rules-2016-iello-version Iello: https://iello.fr/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/15512/incan-gold Karuba review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/04/08/karuba-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2023 BBC The following music was used for this media project:Music: The Big Adventure by Sascha EndeFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/431-the-big-adventureLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 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 other day I noticed how similar books and board games are. The thought was triggered when I held a board game box in my hand and then plonked it on the table. The sound it made was very much like that of a tome being placed down. It also felt as heavy as a thick hardback book. I soon realized that there were many more commonalities. So let me investigate the spiritual twins that are books and board games. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/04/18/board-game-library-books-and-board-games-topic-discussion/ Useful Links My article about war games: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/10/serious-war-games-controversial-or-not-topic-discussion/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠⁠) The following music was used for this media project:Music: A Very Brady Special by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5760-a-very-brady-specialLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ko-Fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tabletopgamesblog.com/⁠⁠ (Photo by 2H Media on Unsplash)

Cornwall, the early 19th century. Tin and copper mines are popping up everywhere. These metals are so important for the Empire. Tin is used in many alloys and copper to clad the ships of the Royal Navy. Both industries attract more and more people and lead to new developments and inventions. The growing demand for efficient water pumps leads to the development of the steam engine, which in turn allows the building of the first steam trains. However, it is the people who are at the heart of all of this activity and their daily walk from their homes to the mines becomes known as the Tinners' Trail by Martin Wallace from Alley Cat Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/04/15/tinners-trail-deluxe-edition-saturday-review/ Useful Links Tinners' Trail: https://www.alleycatgames.com/tinners-trail Rulebook: https://www.alleycatgames.com/_files/ugd/aa325b_557d5158ab1d4848bd8b863073230f76.pdf Alley Cat Games: https://www.alleycatgames.com/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/321277/tinners-trail Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠⁠) The following music was used for this media project:Music: Bugbears Be Approaching by Tim KuligFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8518-bugbears-be-approachingLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://timkulig.com/albums 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/⁠⁠

Board and other hobby games are a form of entertainment for the people who play them. It doesn't matter whether these are solo games, family games, heavy games or party games for larger groups of people. There should be a game for anyone and everyone. However, as we know, our large hobby still struggles with who is represented in the games themselves, let alone with what groups of people our community make feel truly comfortable and welcome. In this article, I want to explore why representation and diversity in our hobby matter and what we all can do to promote greater inclusivity in the board game community. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/04/11/representation-and-diversity-why-it-matters-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Black Voices in Board Games: https://www.elizhargrave.com/black-voices-in-board-games Women & Nonbinary Board Game Designers: https://www.elizhargrave.com/women-nonbinary-designers Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠) The following music was used for this media project:Music: Lo-Fi Hip-Hop 03 by WinnieTheMoogFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7848-lo-fi-hip-hop-03License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://linktr.ee/taigasoundprod Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog⁠⁠⁠ Ko-Fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://tabletopgamesblog.com/⁠ (Photo by Big Potato Games on Unsplash)

Each of us was part of a team of four brave explorers who had spent months on the high seas to reach an island of myths and legends. All of us were on an expedition to navigate through dense jungle, trying to uncover paths that had been long lost and many of which were dead ends. If we were lucky we might find treasures along the way: gold nuggets or precious jewels. However, the riches along the way were mere trifles compared to our ultimate goal. Each of us wanted to be the first to reach one of the four temples whose tips we could see sticking out above the giant trees. These temples would reward us with unimaginable treasure and glory. We were determined to make history on the island of Karuba by Rüdiger Dorn from HABA. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/04/08/karuba-saturday-review/ Useful Links Karuba: https://www.haba-play.com/de-de/p/karuba--1300932 Rulebook: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/126720/official-english-rule-book Digital Eyes review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/08/14/karuba-digital-eyes/ HABA: https://www.haba-play.com/de-de/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/183251/karuba Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠⁠) The following music was used for this media project:Music: Twin Explorers by Alexander NakaradaFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5108-twin-explorersLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license The following music was used for this media project:Music: Buzzkiller by Alexander NakaradaFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5820-buzzkillerLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/ 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/⁠ (Photo courtesy of Haba)

If you have ever managed to get a game to the table more than once, you may have experienced how it can feel different each time. The very first game can evoke emotions that starkly contrast with playing it for the fifth time. Games can become more exciting or interesting with every play, or they can become more and more boring. It's not necessarily a linear experience either. The same game can go from being a confusing morass and too overwhelming to comprehend to a highly engrossing battle of wits until eventually turning into a repetitive wilderness of tediousness. Of course, some games provide an almost level gameplay experience with every play. They simply keep on delighting everyone around the table, even after many plays. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/04/04/first-looks-how-the-gameplay-experience-changes-from-first-to-later-games-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Quacks of Quedlinburg review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/06/06/the-quacks-of-quedlinburg-saturday-review/ Tapestry review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/09/tapestry-saturday-review/ Oath review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/11/27/oath-chronicles-of-empire-and-exile-saturday-review/ Pax Pamir: Second Edition review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/08/27/pax-pamir-second-edition-saturday-review/ Mint Tin Mini Skulduggery review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/09/mint-tin-mini-skulduggery/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠) The following music was used for this media project:Music: Lofi Chill Hip-Hop by WinnieTheMoogFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6347-lofi-chill-hip-hopLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://linktr.ee/taigasoundprod The following music was used for this media project:Music: Lofi by DreamHeavenFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6148-lofiLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://www.patreon.com/dreamheaven Patreon: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog⁠⁠ Ko-Fi: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Marcel Eberle on Unsplash)

The canal era was over. It was the time of the steam railways. The industrial revolution was in full swing and coal was at the heart of new, booming industries. A lot of iron was needed to build the infrastructure that would allow resources and goods to be shipped around the country. The workforce needed to be kept happy and beer was the perfect lubricant for this task. The rise of cotton mills, potteries and manufacturing gave us the opportunities to earn our Brass: Birmingham by Gavan Brown, Matt Tolman and Martin Wallace from Roxley Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/04/01/brass-birmingham-deluxe-saturday-review/ Useful Links Brass: Birmingham: https://roxley.com/products/brass-birmingham-deluxe-edition Rulebook: http://files.roxley.com/Brass-Birmingham-Rulebook-2018.11.20-highlights.pdf Digital Eyes review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/10/03/brass-birmingham-saturday-review/ Roxley Games: https://roxley.com/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/224517/brass-birmingham Economic simulations article: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/06/economic-simulations-why-i-love-them-so-much-topic-discussion/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠⁠) Music: Vital Whales by Unicorn Heads (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 discussion that keeps popping up on social media ever so often is whether reviews should be paid for or not. After all, people deserve to be paid for their time. Also, if someone is sent a free copy of a game for review, then that's surely some form of payment. I mean, some publishers even send goodies to reviewers, which shows that these people deserve some recompense. Or maybe payment creates some level of bias and threatens the integrity and honesty of the review. There are also legal implications, of course. So in this article, I want to give you my opinion on the situation. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/03/28/ethically-paid-reviews-payments-and-their-impact-topic-discussion/ Useful Links An Influencer's Guide to making clear that ads are ads: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking The FTC's Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠) The following music was used for this media project:Music: Relaxing Piano Improvisation by Alexander NakaradaFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5978-relaxing-piano-improvisationLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/ The following music was used for this media project:Music: Safe From The Rain by Claus AppelFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4698-safe-from-the-rainLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog⁠ Ko-Fi: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog⁠ Website: ⁠https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

The gallery was packed. People were chatting, holding glasses of champagne or plates with little aperitifs. Some of the attendees agitatedly pointed at artworks, clearly moved by what they were seeing. The gallerist had picked the artists and their artwork according to a common theme. Everything worked harmoniously together, except maybe one or two pieces, which were slightly at odds with everything else on display. They seemed a bit vague. It was as if, among the list of creators in the exhibition, there was A Fake Artist Goes to New York by Jun Sasaki from Oink Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/03/25/a-fake-artist-goes-to-new-york-saturday-review/ Useful Links A Fake Artist Goes to New York: https://oinkgames.com/en/games/analog/a-fake-artist-goes-to-new-york/ Rulebook: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/91071/english-rules-oink-games Oink Games: https://oinkgames.com/en/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/135779/fake-artist-goes-new-york Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (⁠https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/⁠) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2023 BBC The following music was used for this media project:Music: Afternoon by DreamHeavenFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6242-afternoonLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://www.patreon.com/dreamheaven 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/ (Photo courtesy of Oink Games)

Playing games is often a very social activity, even though I don't want to neglect the many solo gamers that play an important part in our hobby. However, in this article, I want to focus on multiplayer games. I want to talk about what roles friends fulfil in our hobby. I basically want to write an ode to all the friends I have made through board games. See the following as my love letter to friends everywhere. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/03/21/an-ode-to-friends-topic-discussion/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Lofi by DreamHeaven Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6148-lofi License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.patreon.com/dreamheaven Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

"Captain!" came the shout from the deck. I turned around to see who from my Bluefin Squadron had called over to me. "What is it?" I shouted back in the general direction of my crew. "The crow's nest has spotted something. It looks like a smuggler ship." Ah, yes, the Smugglers. We were neither allies nor enemies. They would help us up to a point, while also always looking out for themselves. I only trusted them as far as my cannons could fire at them. "Fine, fine. Come about and let's see what they're up to." Minutes later the smuggler ship was upon us and I shouted "Ahoy!" by Greg Loring-Albright from Leder Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/03/18/ahoy-saturday-review/ Useful Links Ahoy: https://ledergames.com/products/ahoy Leder Games: https://ledergames.com/ Rulebook: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/245047/ahoy-rulebook BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/359402/ahoy Root review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/02/12/root-a-game-of-woodland-might-and-right-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2023 BBC Music by AShamaluevMusic. Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com 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/

As a reviewer, my collection has quite a large turnover. After all, I need to play at least 52 new-to-me games every year, one for each week, to have enough material to write about. I regularly buy new games and I also get a fair amount of review copies. Review copies usually go back to the publisher or are sent to the next reviewer. The games I buy don't always stay in my collection though. I do regularly prune it and get rid of games that I no longer want to keep. However, some games are evergreens for me. They stay in my collection, because I know I'll play them at least ever so often. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/03/14/evergreens-games-ill-always-play-and-never-sell-topic-discussion/ Useful Links 2022 - A Year in Review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/31/2022-a-year-in-review-saturday-review/ Board Game Geek Marketplace: https://boardgamegeek.com/market/user/oliverkinne?pageid=1 Wingspan review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/16/wingspan/ Quacks of Quedlinburg review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/06/06/the-quacks-of-quedlinburg-saturday-review/ Tapestry review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/09/tapestry-saturday-review/ Andrew Bosley interview: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/07/22/andrew-bosley-let-me-illustrate/ Brass: Birmingham review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/10/03/brass-birmingham-saturday-review/ Clans of Caledonia review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/02/clans-of-caledonia/ Terra Mystica review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/06/01/terra-mystica/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Village Ambiance by Alexander Nakarada Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6586-village-ambiance License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Jace & Afsoon on Unsplash)

Nestled between hills and blanketed with beautiful fields of grass, where cows grazed happily, our village was in the perfect place. Country life was slow and relaxed, because nobody had anywhere urgent to get to. However, that was all going to change soon. Metal tracks were soon going to crisscross between hills and along rivers. They would connect our sleepy corner of the world. They were the Village Rails by Matthew Dunstan and Brett J. Gilbert from Osprey Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/03/11/village-rails-saturday-review/ Useful Links Village Rails: https://ospreypublishing.com/uk/village-rails-9781472853967/ Osprey Games: https://ospreypublishing.com/uk/osprey-games/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/358085/village-rails Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2023 BBC The following music was used for this media project: Music: Sounds by Alexander Nakarada Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5877-sounds License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/ 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/

I normally don't win, at least not when I play with my games group. That's not a problem and I still have a lot of fun, whatever the outcome. In fact, I sometimes create some extra excitement by not playing it too safe. I actually really like games where you can gamble and create huge point swings. However, I know many people who play to win and who will always play it safe. So in this article, I thought I'd compare the different approaches. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/03/07/risky-games-playing-to-win-vs-taking-risks-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Mystic Vale review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2018/12/08/mystic-vale/ Deep Sea Adventure review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/04/11/deep-sea-adventure-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Buzzkiller by Alexander Nakarada Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5820-buzzkiller License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Eyestetix Studio on Unsplash)

We had been called out in the middle of the night. A major disaster had been declared. It was all hands on deck. After a swift site rep, we were dispatched to various locations around the oil platform. As we approached by helicopter, which was going to lower us onto the deck of our assigned rescue boats, we could see the extent of The Spill by Andy Kim from Smirk & Dagger Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/03/04/the-spill-saturday-review/ Useful Links The Spill: https://www.smirkandlaughter.com/the-spill Rulebook: https://www.smirkandlaughter.com/_files/ugd/693f33_96269c0a08db4f2aa86c354b7107a122.pdf Smirk & Dagger Games: https://www.smirkandlaughter.com/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/338479/spill Pandemic review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/18/pandemic-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2023 BBC The following music was used for this media project: Music: Mermaids by Rafael Krux Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6403-mermaids License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.orchestralis.net/ The following music was used for this media project: Music: Glory Hunters by Rafael Krux Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5654-glory-hunters License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.orchestralis.net/ 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/

An interesting question Phil Gross recently asked is why low-interaction games are so popular these days. Even though I'm not really sure whether these types of games are actually popular nowadays, I do wonder why people like games with very little player interaction. So in this article, I want to look at the attraction of games that are either completely multiplayer solitaire or provide very little opportunity for players to interfere with each other's game. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/02/28/solitary-happiness-multiplayer-solitaire-games-popularity-topic-discussion/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Epic Intro 2017 by Sascha Ende Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/558-epic-intro-2017 License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.sascha-ende.de Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Brendan Church on Unsplash)

It was time to take over Earth. We had cunning plans, but then, we were also all trying to sabotage each other at the same time. We knew we had to convince a couple of different regions to be loyal to us and the rest would happen automatically. We also had a super secret weapon. We were going to bribe the Earthlings with Cake of Doom by Amar Chandarana and Pearl Ho from Rainy Day Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/02/25/cake-of-doom-saturday-review/ Useful Links Cake of Doom: https://www.cakeofdoom.com/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/343312/cake-doom Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cakeofdoom/cake-of-doom Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2023 BBC The following music was used for this media project: Music: Orbitalmelody by Lilo Sound Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5577-orbitalmelody License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://electronicmoods.com/ 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 "hobby", as defined by Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, is "a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation." So hobby games are all about doing something different to what we usually do and doing it to relax. The definition of "serious", on the other hand, is a bit more complex. One option I found in Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines it as "requiring much thought or work" or "not joking or trifling." So a serious gamer invests a lot of thought and work into their hobby and doesn't want people to make fun of it. It's all a bit confusing and that's why I want to look at the idea of a "serious hobby gamer" in more detail in this article. I also want to look at how hobby games have entered the mainstream and how that relates to the "seriousness" of the hobby. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/02/21/serious-hobbies-serious-gamers-and-the-mainstream-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Merriam-Webster definition of "hobby": https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hobby Merriam-Webster definition of "serious": https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serious Pandemic review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/18/pandemic-saturday-review/ Wingspan review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/16/wingspan/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Afternoon by DreamHeaven Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6242-afternoon License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.patreon.com/dreamheaven Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Jay Bhadreshwara on Unsplash)

It was time to prove myself as a favoured crusader once again. My goal was to kill the devious Spider, while being very careful to avoid the Skeletons. Both of these enemies were out to kill me. I had my Fury and my Light, representing my devotion to my divine goals and I knew I could use these to powerful effect. Ultimately though, it was Grit that would increase my capabilities as a hero. I took a deep breath and then entered Vast: The Mysterious Manor by Patrick Leder from Leder Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/02/18/vast-the-mysterious-manor-saturday-review/ Useful Links Vast: The Mysterious Manor: https://ledergames.com/collections/full-catalog/products/vast-the-mysterious-manor Leder Games: https://ledergames.com/ Rulebook: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0106/0162/7706/files/TMM_Rulebook__Nov_6_2019.pdf?v=1594699333 BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/252399/vast-mysterious-manor Root review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/02/12/root-a-game-of-woodland-might-and-right-saturday-review/ Oath review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/11/27/oath-chronicles-of-empire-and-exile-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Bugbears Be Approaching by Tim Kulig Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8518-bugbears-be-approaching License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 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/

I recently asked for some suggestions for board game topics I could write about. Phil Gross answered my plea and suggested I write about the best game to play with your in-laws. I loved the idea, but I wanted to open it up a bit wider and talk about games that are great for all the family, young and old, blood relatives and in-laws alike. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/02/14/family-game-time-games-that-are-great-for-all-the-family-topic-discussion/ Useful Links DreamWorks: https://www.dreamworks.com/ Monopoly: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1406/monopoly Mouse Trap: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2679/mouse-trap Carcassonne: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/822/carcassonne Ticket to Ride: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9209/ticket-ride Yahtzee: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2243/yahtzee Aquamarine review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/07/16/aquamarine-saturday-review/ Deep Sea Adventure review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/04/11/deep-sea-adventure-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Chill Lofi by Ramol Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6788-chill-lofi License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash)

Look at the market. There are potions, vessels, artefacts and rings. Some are too expensive and others just don't let me mix up powerful concoctions. The Finger Ring of the Additional Pinkie looks useful and the Ghost Beaker is also a promising start. So let me buy both, add them to my deck and then see if, on my next turn, they would allow me to join the league of PotionSlingers by Anthony Fasano. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/02/11/potionslingers-saturday-review/ Useful Links PotionSlingers: https://www.potionslingers.com/ Rulebook: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c00880ff93fd43015c11d68/t/616b9630f50fef5de02d0dd6/1634440763355/Potionslingers+Full+Rules.pdf BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/349488/potionslingers Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Music: https://www.purple-planet.com 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/

Mixing digital tools with analogue games isn't for everyone. Many of us in the modern hobby games community prefer to switch off our smartphones, get away from our computer monitors or otherwise "disconnect" and instead spend some quality time with people face-to-face, playing together. Some of us are happy to compromise and allow apps or other digital tools to take part in game nights, at least to some extent. In this article, I want to look at some of this new technology and what it can add to the playing experience. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/02/07/digital-supplements-a-look-at-digital-accessories-for-board-games-topic-discussion/ Useful Links BG Stats: https://www.bgstatsapp.com/ Board Game Geek: https://boardgamegeek.com/ Melodice: https://melodice.org/ Dized: https://dized.com/ Teburu: https://teburu.net/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Afternoon by DreamHeaven Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6242-afternoon License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.patreon.com/dreamheaven Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Goran Ivos on Unsplash)

You have been tasked with building the sustainable energy network of the future. Your goal is to connect wind farms, hydro-energy plants and other green power sources to each other, as well as different cities. You have to decide which part of the network needs attention first and what can wait until later. Take care though and make sure you don't spread your workforce too thinly, but also avoid putting all of your light bulbs into one circuit. You want to end up making the best use of each and every Powerline by Dirk Henn from Queen Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/02/04/powerline-saturday-review/ Useful Links Powerline: https://new.queen-games.com/en/powerline/ Rulebook: https://rules.queen-games.com/powerline_en.pdf Queen Games: https://new.queen-games.com/en/start/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/367295/powerline Future Energy Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1082720051/green-planet-powerline-and-future-energy Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Broken by DreamHeaven Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6475-broken License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 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 concepts of replayability and variety are often considered to be one and the same. I have previously looked at whether replayability and variety are linked. My article "Variable replayability" came to the conclusion that those two concepts are not necessarily related. A game can offer a lot of variety, but little replayability and vice versa, a game can be very replayable without much variety. However, in this article, I want to look at whether variety should be important to players or whether we should focus more on replayability. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/31/repetitive-variety-a-game-doesnt-have-to-be-different-every-time-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Variable replayability article: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/02/15/variable-replayability-topic-discussion/ Tapestry review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/09/tapestry-saturday-review/ Clans of Caledonia review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/02/clans-of-caledonia/ Scythe review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/19/scythe/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Relaxing Piano Improvisation by Alexander Nakarada Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5978-relaxing-piano-improvisation License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Jeffrey Betts on Unsplash)

As a member of the lowest caste in our colour-coded society, I worked extremely hard every day. I believed that my blood and sweat would create a better world for my children. I prayed that one day, Mars' surface would become habitable. However, my caste and I had been betrayed. I and others like me were nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class. So now was the time for my caste to revolt. It was time for the Red Rising by Jamey Stegmaier and Alexander Schmidt from Stonemaier Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/28/red-rising-saturday-review/ Useful Links Red Rising: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/red-rising/ Rulebook: https://stonemaiergames.com/games/red-rising/rules/ Stonemaier Games: https://stonemaiergames.com/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/329465/red-rising Pierce Brown: https://www.piercebrown.com/ Euphoria review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/07/18/euphoria-build-a-better-dystopia-digital-eyes/ Mystic Vale review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2018/12/08/mystic-vale/ Scythe review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/19/scythe/ Wingspan review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/03/16/wingspan/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Song: Max Brhon - Redemption [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/MB_Redemption Watch: http://youtu.be/ Song: Jim Yosef - Volcano (feat. Scarlett) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/Volcano Watch: http://youtu.be/ Song: Aero Chord & Anuka - Incomplete [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/Incomplete Watch: http://youtu.be/UaiqX2syHT4 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/

There seems to be quite an overlap between people who love playing board games and those who love playing video games. Many actually enjoy playing both. There also seems to be a growing overlap between the hobby and video game industries themselves. So in this article, I want to look at what synergies there might be between the two and how both can benefit from each other. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/24/digital-analogues-synergies-between-board-and-video-games-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Embracer Group: https://embracer.com/ Asmodee: https://www.asmodee.co.uk/ Video games tax relief: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claiming-video-games-tax-relief-for-corporation-tax Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Background Music: Inspirational Flight by AShamaluevMusic Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/

In the Qing dynasty, camels were one of the main means of transport. People would travel for days to cross deserts, wilderness and plains to reach the city of Pingyao, where they would trade their wares to increase their wealth. So an agency of bankers was established to help grow the economy and slowly build up a financial network. Soon, wealth began to accumulate in the city of Pingyao: First Banks of China by Wu Shuang from Jing Studio. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/21/pingyao-first-banks-of-china-saturday-review/ Useful Links Pingyao: First Banks of China: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jingstudio/pingyao-first-chinese-banks/description Rulebook: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/211862/pre-kickstarter-english-rules Jing Studio: https://www.facebook.com/jingstudio/ BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/303263/pingyao-first-chinese-banks Brass: Birmingham review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/10/03/brass-birmingham-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Wanderer by Alexander Nakarada Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4772-wanderer License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 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 following article was written by Filip Redelius, designer of Fog of Adventures. As a tabletop game enthusiast, I've always been fascinated by the endless possibilities of creating new and exciting gameplay experiences. So when I set out to design my own game, Fog of Adventures, I knew I wanted to push the boundaries and explore the role of AI in the development process. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/17/creating-a-tabletop-game-with-ai-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Fog of Adventures: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fogofadventure/fog-of-adventure-a-unique-card-game-for-strategy-lovers Magic: The Gathering: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/463/magic-gathering Talisman: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/714/talisman Rimworld: https://store.steampowered.com/app/294100/RimWorld/ Dall-E 2: https://openai.com/dall-e-2/ 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/

You had received a mysterious invitation to the old mansion on top of the hill, which had lain empty for decades - if not centuries. You were about to throw the letter in the bin, along with the junk mail, when you hesitated. It could be interesting to see who else would turn up. After all, there was this old story linking your ancestors to a Betrayal at House on the Hill: 3rd Edition by Dave Chalker, Banana Chan, Noah Cohen, Bruce Glassco, Brian Neff, Will Sobel and Jabari Weathers from Avalon Hill. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/14/betrayal-at-house-on-the-hill-3rd-edition-saturday-review/ Useful Links Betrayal at House on the Hill: https://www.avalonhill.com/en-us/product/avalon-hill-betrayal-at-house-on-the-hill-3-rd-edition-cooperative-board-game-for-ages-12-and-up-for-3-6-players:ED896E92-3AFB-45C9-A7B6-95CF37579449 Avalon Hill: https://www.avalonhill.com/en-us BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/358504/betrayal-house-hill-3rd-edition Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Halloween Atmosphere by Sascha Ende Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/87-halloween-atmosphere License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 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/

War games are often seen as controversial. Replaying the atrocities that occurred during a large-scale conflict seems completely inappropriate. Condensing the huge amount of suffering, death and destruction into a game of pushing tiles around a board and rolling dice or playing cards seems perverse. So in this article, I try to put everything into a bit more context and tease out the pros and cons of war games and how controversial they really are when compared to some of the other games in our vast hobby. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/10/serious-war-games-controversial-or-not-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Undaunted: Normandy review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/07/23/undaunted-normandy-saturday-review/ March on the Drina review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/08/21/march-on-the-drina-saturday-review/ Twilight Struggle BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12333/twilight-struggle Pax Pamir: Second Edition review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/08/27/pax-pamir-second-edition-saturday-review/ This War of Mine BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/188920/war-mine-board-game Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Battle For Honor by Michal Mojzykiewicz Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10053-battle-for-honor License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license The following music was used for this media project: Music: Hoplites In Battle by Euan Ford Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/6936-hoplites-in-battle License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 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/ (Photo by Omar Sotillo Franco on Unsplash)

Yes, it's time for my annual list of the best games of the year. As has become tradition, I also announce which game won the accolade of the Top Table Award, which is now in its fourth year. However, you have to be patient for a little while longer, while I list the best five board games of 2022 in reverse order. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/07/top-table-award-2022-the-best-board-games-of-the-year-saturday-review/ Useful Links Town 66: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/08/13/town-66-saturday-review/ Gaslands: Refuelled: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/11/26/gaslands-refuelled-saturday-review/ Crescent Moon: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/05/21/crescent-moon-saturday-review/ Nemesis: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/06/18/nemesis-saturday-review/ Pingyao: First Chinese Banks: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/303263/pingyao-first-chinese-banks Brass: Birmingham: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/10/03/brass-birmingham-saturday-review/ Pax Pamir: Second Edition: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/08/27/pax-pamir-second-edition-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2002 BBC The following music was used for this media project: Lo-Fi Hip-Hop 03 by WinnieTheMoog (https://filmmusic.io/song/7848-lo-fi-hip-hop-03 - License (CC BY 4.0) - https://linktr.ee/taigasoundprod) Glory Hunters by Rafael Krux (https://filmmusic.io/song/5654-glory-hunters - License (CC BY 4.0) - https://www.orchestralis.net/) Bugbears Be Approaching by Tim Kulig (https://filmmusic.io/song/8518-bugbears-be-approaching - License (CC BY 4.0) - https://timkulig.com/albums) Lofi Chill Hip-Hop by WinnieTheMoog (https://filmmusic.io/song/6347-lofi-chill-hip-hop - License (CC BY 4.0) - https://linktr.ee/taigasoundprod) Epic Intro 2017 by Sascha Ende (https://filmmusic.io/song/558-epic-intro-2017 - License (CC BY 4.0) - https://www.sascha-ende.de) In Pursuit Of A Pirate by Tim Kulig (https://filmmusic.io/song/8520-in-pursuit-of-a-pirate - License (CC BY 4.0) - https://timkulig.com/albums) 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/

In a slight change to our usual schedule, I thought I'd write a quick update and release it outside the normal Tuesday and Saturday slots. I already spoke about some of the highlights from last year in my article "2022 - A Year in Review", including costs and expenses. So in this article, I want to talk about how the Tabletop Games Blog itself performed in 2022, including the time I spent on it as well as how many visitors and views the blog got. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/05/tabletop-games-blog-statistics-for-2022-announcement/ Useful Links 2022 - A Year in Review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/31/2022-a-year-in-review-saturday-review/ 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/ (Photo by Pietro Jeng on Unsplash)

Even if you're not a particularly competitive player, trying to win the game is what you should aim for. You may not care if you do eventually win and prefer to focus on doing better than previously. That's fine and at the end of the day, playing games is about having fun. However, if you do have even a small competitive streak in you, then this article may help you become a better player and win more often. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/03/winning-strategies-ideas-to-help-you-win-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Article about learning from computer players: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/11/29/digital-cheats-practising-against-ais-topic-discussion/ Scythe review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/19/scythe/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Buzzkiller by Alexander Nakarada Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5820-buzzkiller License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/ 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/ (Photo by AbsolutVision on Unsplash)

Another year has gone by and a lot has happened, both, in the world at large as well as in the board game hobby. Exhibitions were attended, games were played, articles were written, podcasts were recorded and plenty of other exciting things happened. So let me share with you some of the highlights for me from 2022 and also give you an update on the financial situation of the blog. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/31/2022-a-year-in-review-saturday-review/ Useful Links Naylor Games: https://naylorgames.com/ Gaming Rules: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvIWBOfYGXYQQQORhjAJKCQ Ruined Sky: https://www.ruinedsky.com/ Jones Family Games Night: https://linktr.ee/jonesfamilygamesnight Brainwaves podcast: https://giantbrain.co.uk/tag/brainwaves/ Make My Game Travel: https://makemygametravel.com/ Games I have for sale: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/mygames/#games-for-sale Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/tabletopgamesblog Sir Meeple: https://sirmeeple.com/collections/tabletop-games-blog Support me: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/support/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Background Music: The Long View and The Coffee Lounge by Purple Planet Music (https://www.purple-planet.com) Moda and Corporation by AShamaluevMusic (https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com/) 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/ (Photo by Eyestetix Studio on Unsplash)

Inspired by a Twitter post from Matt at Lost My Meeples, I wanted to talk about what I think a publisher's responsibilities are when it comes to replacing board game components. I think there are some things we will all agree on that a publisher should replace and others where we probably all agree that a publisher doesn't have to send replacements. There will also be plenty of things somewhere in between, that sit in a grey area somewhere and aren't so clear-cut. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/27/dented-replacements-the-issue-with-replacement-parts-for-board-games-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Twitter post from Matt of Lost My Meeples that inspired this article: https://twitter.com/lostmymeeples/status/1601299663784931328 Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Sincerely by Kevin MacLeod Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5033-sincerely License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://incompetech.com 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/ (Photo by Guillaume de Germain on Unsplash)

It was 2100 and the construction of our gigantic project had begun. We were trying to tackle overpopulation and rising sea levels. Recent advances in technology had enabled us to build higher and stronger buildings that could house more people. We were also able to build on the water, using immense floating platforms as foundations for these wonderful structures. It would take time, but eventually, we would be able to complete our first MegaCity: Oceania by Jordan Draper and Michael Fox from Hub Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/24/megacity-oceania-saturday-review/ Useful Links Hub Games: https://www.instagram.com/wearehubgames/ Rulebook: https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/177632/megacity-oceania-rulebook BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/266304/megacity-oceania Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Cyberpolis by Michal Mojzykiewicz Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10057-cyberpolis License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://soundcloud.com/michaldrums 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/

I always say that not everyone will like every board game, but there is a board game for everyone. I suppose, I should concede that some people don't like board games at all. Our hobby isn't for everyone and that's fine, of course. However, in this article, I want to look at the sort of games that should suit most people. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/20/everyone-can-play-games-that-should-suit-most-people-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/11/12/libertalia-winds-of-galecrest-saturday-review/ Colt Express review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/01/01/colt-express-saturday-review/ Pandemic review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/18/pandemic-saturday-review/ Forbidden Island review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/05/02/forbidden-island-saturday-review/ Jaws review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/10/10/jaws-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Sincerely by Kevin MacLeod Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5033-sincerely License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://incompetech.com 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/

It was going to be a real spectacle. The crowds had gathered to watch the masters at work and battle to the bitter end. Only one of them would survive. Then, as the match was about to begin, everyone hushed and an eerie silence filled the arena. It was time for the combatants to throw their dice and Str!ke by Dieter Nüßle from Ravensburger. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/17/strike-saturday-review/ Useful Links Str!ke: https://www.ravensburger.us/products/games/family-games/strike-26840/index.html Ravensburger: https://www.ravensburger.co.uk/en-GB Rulebook: https://www.ravensburger.us/spielanleitungen/ecm/Spielanleitungen/26840%20anl%202050897.pdf?ossl=pds_text_Spielanleitung BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/123570/strike Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Here Be Dragons by Tim Kulig Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8523-here-be-dragons License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://timkulig.com/albums 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/ (Photo courtesy of Ravensburger)

Noah (“Nomich”) Johnson started his family games company, Nomich Games, back in 2020 and he wears many other hats, such as: game design, graphic and web design, customer service, marketing, networking and sales. Nomich Games' mission is to promote community through simple, quick-to-learn, addictively-fun games that get people interacting and laughing together. Read the audio transcript here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/14/noah-johnson-let-me-illustrate/ 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/

In digital games, the idea of a high score table dates back to the 1970s and 80s. Yes, you would eventually run out of lives or credits and therefore lose a console game, but beating your own or someone else's highest point score was much more important. Finishing a game and beating the last boss monster was not really a thing. Many digital games didn't even have an ending as such. They just got more and more difficult. So the question is, if something similar is also possible for analogue games. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/13/victorious-losses-games-without-loss-or-victory-condition-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Elizabeth LaPensée: http://www.elizabethlapensee.com/ Thunderbird Strike: https://www.thunderbirdstrike.com/ 7th Continent: https://the7thcontinent.seriouspoulp.com/ Hamlet review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/03/hamlet-the-village-building-game-saturday-review/ Autismo: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/349394/autismo-autism-challenge Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Relaxing Piano Improvisation by Alexander Nakarada Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5978-relaxing-piano-improvisation License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/ 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/ (Photo by Vince Fleming on Unsplash)

Yes, it is that time of year again when I release a list of games that I think are ideal for you to play over the holidays. My list of Christmas games is not ordered in any particular way. Instead, I am trying to offer five different types of games that will hopefully provide you with one or two choices that suit your taste in games and are a great fit for the festive period. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/10/5-great-christmas-games-saturday-review/ Useful Links Town 66 review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/08/13/town-66-saturday-review/ Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/11/12/libertalia-winds-of-galecrest-saturday-review/ Aquamarine review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/07/16/aquamarine-saturday-review/ Suspects review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/04/09/suspects-saturday-review/ Brian Boru: High King of Ireland review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/04/16/brian-boru-high-king-of-ireland-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Wundervolle Weihnacht [instrumental] (feat. Klangkommune) by Sascha Ende Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7169-wundervolle-weihnacht-instrumental-feat-klangkommune License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.sascha-ende.de The following music was used for this media project: Music: Snowflakes by Agnese Valmaggia Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8701-snowflakes License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://soundcloud.com/user-801147991 The following music was used for this media project: Music: Cinematic Angelical Upeat Ambient by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7213-cinematic-angelical-upeat-ambient License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://cemmusicproject.wixsite.com/musiclibraryfiles 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/ (Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash)

There is one genre of games that really stands out for me: economic simulations. These types of games scratch a very specific itch, right in the middle of my back, that other games just can't reach. I get an immense feeling of bliss when the tingling finally subsides as I invest money to make more money. In this article, I want to explain in a bit more in detail why this genre makes me feel so good. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/06/economic-simulations-why-i-love-them-so-much-topic-discussion/ Useful Links Brass: Birmingham review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/10/03/brass-birmingham-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Music: Epic Intro 2017 by Sascha Ende Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/558-epic-intro-2017 License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://www.sascha-ende.de 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/ (Photo by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash)