board game Archives — MeepleEksyen

Dawn [Review]

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.

Shallow Sea [Preview]

von Stephan Sonny

Das Meer ist unheimlich und seine rätselhaften Bewohner ebenso — aber verwechseln Sie die beunruhigenden Wunder der Unterwasserwelt nicht mit Monotonie. Unter den Wellen gibt es eine ganze Welt, die vor lebendigem Leben nur so strotzt. Shallow Sea taucht tief ein in das farbenfrohe Spektakel des Great Barrier Reef. Seine Pracht entfaltet sich auf Ihrem Tisch. Es ist eine Herzensangelegenheit von Bad Comet Games, dem südkoreanischen Studio, das für visuelle Opulenz bekannt ist. Dieses Spiel scheint ihre bislang atemberaubendste Kreation zu sein.

An interview with Michael Raftopoulos, MOB Vanguard [News]

von Stephan Sonny

We had the pleasure of interviewing none other than Michael Raftopoulos, the founder and co-owner of MOB Vanguard. The company is well-known for specializing in board game licensing. And they have been working tirelessly to bring games to a global audience, negotiating localization and publishing deals are their bread and butter. Making sure your favourite titles are available in your own language. I think breaking language barriers is their hobby.

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.

Dragon vs Kingdom [Preview]

von Stephan Sonny

Dragon vs Kingdom is, as the title suggests, about a furious dragon facing off against a kingdom. Or a bunch of them, actually. Each player receives his/her own sheet — it represents his/her dragon’s side. Meanwhile, the rest of the player will act as the kingdoms’ rulers on that dragon’s sheet. It might sound like a complex setup at the first glance, but practically, it’s much more straightforward. And what’s important: it’s entertaining.

West Story: A Town Building Game [Preview]

von Stephan Sonny

I promised myself: no more crowdfunding after Spiel 2024. No more Gamefound or Kickstarter rabbit holes. Yet here I am, staring at West Story: A Town Building Game, and honestly, it’s testing that resolve. The campaign is live on Gamefound. Check it out, though. So I might not be the only one giving in to temptation.

SPIEL Messe Essen 2024 [News]

von Stephan Sonny

It’s that time of year again! SPIEL Messe 2024, the event I wait for annually, is back. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to the novelty show on Wednesday this year—a bit of a letdown, but that’s life. Thanks to some insider tips, though, I learned that my home country received a spotlight during Press Day.

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.

Verdun [Preview]

von Stephan Sonny

Regarded as the longest battle in World War I — if not the most devastating — The Battle of Verdun saw German and French armies locked in a brutal trench warfare. This conflict resulted in staggering casualties. Ren Multamäki from Dragon Dawn Productions, he’s not a stranger to trick-taking card game. Taking this grim historical event, he transformed it into his next card game project. I expect another great game coming out of Verdun.