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.
Archives
All posts by Vincent
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.
Clue meets alchemy…at least, those were my initial impressions of the game. Throw in some worker placement and you have “Alchemists”. To be honest, this is one of those complex games that I’d no doubt have to research again in order to play it in the distant future (unless I play it regularly, which almost never happens due to time constraints). While deep and quite involved, the deduction mechanics kept me engaged from start to finish.
Watches are a dime a dozen nowadays, but very seldom do I find any that are both different AND stylish. Then JORD (“Yode”) watches came along. I honestly sat at my desk for an hour going back and forth trying to decide which style I liked the best. I’m fairly sure that my favorite is the Meridian Series, specifically the Dusk and Argent watches, but I also liked the steampunk feel of the Dover Series.
As a huge “Lost Cities” fan, I was pumped to receive “Lost Cities: Rivals” in the mail. Perhaps I was too pumped. While the game is very similar to other in the series in the sense that you’re forming runs (expeditions) in order to score points, the auction mechanic received mixed reviews from Aidalee and me. Personally, I found the original two-player exclusive card game to be more fun than this one. Still, it’s a unique twist on a popular theme that most might enjoy. Take a gander at our gameplay session below if you’re interested in learning more.
I’m hungry, how about you? “What’s for Dinner?”, a game that you can really sink your teeth into, launched on Kickstarter just moments ago. It supports 2-6 players and takes about 15-20 minutes to play. Pledging just $19 will get you access to one copy of the game when it’s ready. “What’s for Dinner” promises to be a palette cleanser, so be sure to check this out before you dive into your next meal.
I can’t ever picture myself not being a dog owner. I’ve owned more cats than dogs, but cats can be jerks when they want to be. Dogs are just so loyal and easy to please and depending on the breed, they’ll follow you EVERYWHERE! If you like dogs as much as I do, then you may want to look at “Dogtag”, a successful Kickstarter project that is now retailing for $25.00. It supports 2-5 players, is appropriate for ages 8+, and the average play time is 20-40 minutes. Special thanks to Marketing & Development Manager Christian Miyamae for sending me a copy of the game for review purposes. FCC Regulations require me to disclose that this article is sponsored, though my opinions are my own.
Are you the type of person who can’t get enough cake? Do you sit on your sofa eating cake while watching “Cake Boss?” Are there pictures of the producers of “Cupcake Wars” sitting in a shrine above your pantry? Do you wish Gordon Ramsey would stop yelling so much about undercooked scallops, but would rather want him to tell the blue team that his dead grandmother made better cakes than them? Maybe you should take a look at “Cake Duel”, a light-hearted two-player card game by Game Designer Haitao Mao. It plays in two-minute rounds, so gameplay is fast and furious…meaning you won’t have to wait hours like you normally would if baking an actual cake. Win-Win!