Review Archives — MeepleEksyen

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]

von 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]

von 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]

von 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.

Nightmares of Sushi [Review]

von Stephan Sonny

Bei Good Spirit Games zeichnet sich ein Genrewechsel ab. Es scheint so. Nachdem sie sich in die düstere Welt der Gangster gewagt hatten, haben sie den Kurs gewechselt. 2023 wurden wir in ihrem neuen Spiel in eine leichtere, geradezu skurrile Stimmung versetzt. Letztes Jahr war *Nightmares of Sushi* eine echte Überraschung. Und das wirft eine spannende Frage auf: Wie bekommt man überhaupt Albträume von Sushi? Es ist doch eine großartige Küche. Scheint harmlos zu sein.

The Vale of Eternity [Review]

von 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]

von 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.

ADAPTOID 24 [Review]

von Stephan Sonny

If there’s one moral lesson I can cherry-pick from most horror sci-fi movies as a fellow scientist, it’s definitely this one: tampering in genetic level is a perilous endeavour. Genetic modifications, albeit its allure of creating new life forms based on our images, comes with a catastrophic risk. TL;DR — it’s not worth it. Alas, here we are again, facing the consequences. After 23 failed attempts, the last one unleashes havoc. This is Adaptoid 24. The message still remains — never play God.

Jekyll & Hyde vs Scotland Yard [Review]

von Stephan Sonny

Jekyll & Hyde vs Scotland Yard is a spin-off, if not a sequel, to the earlier competitive trick-taking games. It shares the same name and, largely, the mechanics of its predecessor. Yet, the shift from competitive to a cooperative affair makes all the difference.

Old Salt [Review]

von Stephan Sonny

In many wargames, the designers dive into historical facts. Their aim to recreate those events is complimented with some possible what-if scenarios that alter the course of events. Yet, I long for another approach. I believe there’s value in using fiction as a background story for this kind of game.