I first learned what a “DEFCON” was by watching “WarGames” starring Matthew Broderick. While I would often prefer to play a nice of “Chess”, there’s something to be said for games involving global thermal nuclear war. Yes, the theme is both morbid and gruesome, but you can play such games without the risk of your hair falling out or your skin melting off the bone. “ELEVEN FIFTY NINE”, a quick two-player micro dice game that is due to launch in early April 2019, will task players with surviving an arsenal full of nasty nuclear bombs. Before we begin it’s important to stress that I received a prototype for press coverage purposes. Prototypes are not often reflective of the finished product, making everything you read about and see here subject to change. I am also required by FCC regulations to disclose that I was paid to cover this game, however my thoughts and opinions are my own.
Board Games
Roughly ten years ago I was diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder called ITP. I consider myself lucky however, as my platelets usually hover around 60,000-90,000 which generally doesn’t require hospitalization or treatment if you’re careful. There are folks out there who have much lower levels and require weekly IVIG treatments and steroids to stay out of the red zone. It’s serious medical issues like this that folks need to be aware of as it can happen to anyone and that’s why I was happy to check out “Blood Drive Solitaire“, a card game that promotes blood donation. Before we begin I’m required by FCC regulations to disclose that I was paid to cover this game, though any and all opinions are my own. Continue Reading
Hey folks! Just dropping a quick line to let you know that “VikingJarl” is looking for your help to successfully fund on Kickstarter. “VikingJarl”, with 17 days left to as of this article’s publishing date, has reached $11,262 of it’s $19,183 goal…meaning there’s still time to set sail and jump in on the action. Roughly $50 USD will grant you a copy of the game with an estimated delivery date of December 2019. There are plenty of pledge levels and some cool looking stretch goals, so feel free to go above and beyond to pick what suits you best. Continue Reading
If “The Sims” has taught me anything, it’s that gardening is hard work. That, and the fact that I should never, ever sing Karaoke and attempt to make friends at the same time. “Gartenbau”, a game that’s coming to Kickstarter in late March, 2018, lets you garden in a semi-imaginary way without all the fuss. It supports 2-4 players & ages 12+ with an average play time of about 60 minutes. It’s important to stress that the copy I received is a prototype, so everything you’re about to see and read about (including the rules) are subject to change. I’m also required by FCC regulations to disclose that I was paid to cover this game, however my thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’m a kid of the 80’s, so I’m no stranger to games like “Sorry!” and “Trouble”. Enter, “uDog”: a relatively casual game that takes a lot of inspiration from the aforementioned games. Your team’s job is to get all of your marbles from their “kennel” to their home spaces before anyone else. It supports anywhere from 2-8 players, depending on the model that you buy (more on that in a bit). Before we begin I’m required by FCC regulations to disclose that I was paid to cover this game, though any and all opinions are my own.
I hate “Yahtzee”. Specifically, I hate the dice and the dice hate me. Every roll…okay, 90% of them, come up with some combination only suited for the Chance category. “Poker”, on the other hand, was an enjoyable cutthroat event that both sides of my family played on a regular basis. My grandfather was a notoriously mean “Pinochle” player. Long story short: I grew up playing both “Yahtzee” and “Poker”, but I never imagined that both games could be combined to form their own entity. Enter “Royal 9”, a dice poker game for 2-6 Players and Ages 12+ with an average play time of 30-60 minutes. Before we begin I’m required per FCC Regulations to disclose that I was paid to cover this game, though any and all opinions are my own. Continue Reading
I don’t get to post recommendations often, what with my time being tied up with Kickstarter previews and video game content, but I just had to take the time to recommend “Ganz Schön Clever”. It’s a roll-and-write, like “Yahtzee”, but beefed up on about seven kinds of steroids. With six different categories in which to score, you’ll be trying to figure out which boxes to tick and which dice to sacrifice as you’re rolling them. Further, you can choose a die as the passive player, but only one that your opponent didn’t choose. Other abilities, like +1’s and rerolls, can make or break your victory dance. This is easily in the running for the 2019 DGA Awards and I guarantee that you won’t be able to play it just once.
Times sure have changed. I remember a day where “going outside to play” was a thing…now I have to wonder if the sole reason for going outside nowadays is so that folks can finally catch a Snorlax on their Pokémon Go app. Seriously, I can’t make it through a single day without seeing someone on their phones doing something…and I’m big enough to admit that I’m probably one of the worst offenders. “Off The Grid”, a tabletop game that’s currently retailing on Amazon for roughly $19.99, attempts to get kids away from the phones and “Internets”. Before we begin I am required by FCC regulations to disclose that I was paid to cover this game, however my thoughts and opinions are my own.
Engine builders are probably my favorite type of board game, mainly because I feel a sense of satisfaction when I’m able to pull off an amazing set of combinations that tie together flawlessly. “Steampunk Rally”, a steampunk racing game, didn’t disappoint. It’s light to moderate in difficulty and plays in under an hour once you know what you’re doing. The components are quality too, making this an easy recommend.
I’m a firm believer that everyone is good at something, regardless of sex, age, race, religious preference, and what have you. People can really surprise you, if you’re wise enough to do away with stereotypes and open your mind. Along those lines, “UNRIVALED”, a party game that supports 4-10 players / Ages 16+ with an average play time of 30-90 minutes, tasks players with reading the room in an attempt to figure out who is good at what. Before we began I am required by FTC Regulations to note that I was paid to sponsor/cover this game. That said, any and all opinions contained herein are my own.
It’s game night at your house and you’ve got a bunch of restless friends chomping at the bit to play something new and exciting. The answer is simple: ready your toxic bite and prep your skull for a head-butt, because “Monster Mania” has you covered. Within minutes, you’ll be grappling, punching, kicking, and monstering your way to victory as if your Godzilla VHS collection depended on it. The game has already launched on Kickstarter and is looking for your help to make it a success. I’ve already covered the game via a written preview and I have to say, it brought back some fond memories of when I used to play “Rampage” on the NES.
Orcs! Elves! Dwarves! Undead! Humans! Lend me your ears! *Waits for the barrage of ears to end* #RobinHoodMenInTightsReference
It’s that time of year again, the time where we look at the Top Ten Board Games and Video Games. Vinnie Jr, Aidalee, and I have prepared separate lists just in time for holiday shopping. If you’re buying tabletop games, please feel free to buy through Amazon via this link so that I get a small percentage of the sale. If you’re buying video games, check out Green Man Gaming and Humble Bundle for the same reasons.
I’m not sure how many of you owned a Nintendo Entertainment System, but I have fond memories of playing “Godzilla”, “Rampage”, and its successors. I’m sure at least SOME of you feel the same way…if not about NES games, but of Kaiju (roughly translated to “strange beast” in Japanese) in general. “Monster Mania”, a game that is exactly what it sounds like, launches on Kickstarter December 1st, 2018. As many as six players can join in on the fun, though there is a solo mode available should you happen to scare the rest of your friends away with your monster-like prowess. Special thanks to Josh McMurray, owner of Meet Me At The Table Games, for providing me with a prototype for preview purposes. It’s important to stress that prototypes are not often reflective of the final product, making everything you see here (including the rules) subject to change. I’m also required by FTC regulations to inform you that I was paid to cover this game, though my opinions are my own.
“Mille Bornes” was one of the first card games that I truly remember playing as a kid. Its premise was simple too…travel a set distance to win the game. “New Planet” by Twistid Klown Games is somewhat similar in that regard, though you’ll be trying to successfully grow a civilization instead. It supports 2-10 players, is for ages 12+, and has an average play time of about 30-60 minutes. I’ve been told that there may be changes to the artwork so what you’re looking at here may or may not be subject to change. As such, this article will follow my usual “previews” format as it wouldn’t be fair to score a game that is not yet finished. It’s important to note per FCC regulations that this preview is sponsored and that I was paid to cover this game, however my opinions are my own.
Something is amiss in the Animal Kingdom and Pet Detective Ace Ventura is nowhere to be found. That, of course, is where you come in. In “Face to Face”, a game that’s coming to Kickstarter on Monday, November 5th, 2018, tasks players with finding missing animals and putting them back in the environment to which they belong. The game supports 2-4 players and ages 4+, with an average play time of about 30-45 minutes. It’s important to stress that I received a prototype copy for preview purposes and as such, everything that you’re about to see and read about is subject to change. I should also note that (per FCC regulations) I was paid to cover this game, however my opinions are my own.
When your logo and company name includes a ferret, you’d better believe I’d be all over at least one game you’ve made. “Wordsy” is another one of those quick word games that always makes me question my intelligence, but I enjoy them nonetheless. I enjoyed the freedom I had with this one…that is, you can create words using letters that aren’t on the grid. You simply won’t score points for those letters. This one’s an easy recommend.