— Board Game Review

Chock-A-Block [Review]

Chock-A-Block exhibits an unexpected degree of strategic depth. We begin with an initial hand of two cards, and from this, we form the foundation of our respective apartment block. The game imposes placement restrictions on Block cards. Well, at least for the default game rule. This thoughtful constrains is the source of the depth. The construction space is limited to four blocks high and three blocks wide only. And the placement must adhere to the rule of gravity. That means, no floating structures allowed.

IKI [Review]

by Stephan Sonny

Since the days when Tokyo was known as Edo, or even earlier, the Japanese have always pursued an ideal of aesthetics. The so-called Iki. I can’t claim to fully grasp the concept, but, roughly speaking, it’s about showing off refinement and wealth. Quite an easy feat, perhaps. Yet, the swagger must be done without crossing into outright bourgeois arrogance. From what I’ve read, it’s… a pretty nuanced philosophy.

Mooncake Master [Review]

by Stephan Sonny

The perk that I truly enjoy as an Indonesian of Chinese descent is celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. Well, we don’t really celebrate it like a party. But it’s a time synonymous with mooncakes. Sharing the cultural ties with the Chinese community in Singapore, it feels fitting that a game centred on this tradition was born: Mooncake Master.

Steam Power [Review]

by Stephan Sonny

So, we do have a streamlined train game in Steam Power. One that’s highly accessible even. Compared to Brass: Birmingham, the network-building mechanic remains intact, where we construct railways to connect cities, transfer and make use of resources. Yet, this game trims away the more economic aspects and the technology tree. It reduces the intricacies. Which, in the end, makes the game more approachable.

Golem Run [Preview]

by Stephan Sonny

There’s a certain darkness that seems to shroud everything emerging from Dragon Dawn Productions’ forge. Their games exude a ghastly atmosphere. It is drenched in themes that… I don’t know… feel pulled straight from the shadowy recesses of a mythical netherworld. Golem Run may still carry the DNA of its dark and gritty dwarves society with whatever dwelling along in their deep caves. But this time, it brings us closer to the surface. Perhaps, there’s no place to conjure a racetrack in the underworld.

Nightmares of Sushi [Review]

by Stephan Sonny

There’s an undergoing genre transformation in Good Spirit Games. It seems so. After delving into the dreadful world of gangsters, they have switched gears. In 2023, we embraced a lighter mood in their new game. A rather whimsical one, truthfully. Last year’s Nightmares of Sushi was a complete curveball. And it does raise a curious question: how does one even manage to get nightmares from sushi? It’s a great cuisine. Seems harmless.

Snow Planner [Preview]

by Stephan Sonny

Snow Planner is, at its core, a game of simplicity. Everything lies on the table. It’s straightforward generating resources to pay and optimising our moves with it. Despite the straightforward nature, it still offers a bit of complexity. Just a sprinkle of it. And let’s not confuse the simplicity and less complex bits with a lack of depth. Complexity itself is not linear with the latter part.

Holiday board game gift guide 2024 [Guides]

by Stephan Sonny

With thousands of board games flooding the market in recent years, finding the perfect board game gifts for 2024 can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re searching for budget-friendly games, options for beginners and new players, or something with a bit more depth than a typical lightweight game, you’re in the right place.

The Vale of Eternity [Review]

by Stephan Sonny

The Vale of Eternity penetrates the market as a lighter side of euro game. Belonging to this category, I see it tailored as a family game, thanks to the integration of familiar mechanics, such as engine building and open drafting. The gameplay is straightforward, too. Thus, making it accessible and approachable, an easy choice to get to the table.

Dawn [Review]

by Stephan Sonny

I imagine some gamers might take their first step into the board game world with more accessible games. Social deduction is one of the entry points. Easy to learn and ready-to-play in just a few minutes of explanation. We are granted some big titles, one of them being The Resistance. Of course, I would not forget the more classic Werewolf, which for some of you maybe more well-known as Mafia. These are undoubtedly fun games. However, they share one particular trait that Taylor Hayward has notably refined in Dawn.