board game review Archives

Golem Run [Preview]

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.

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.

Shallow Sea [Preview]

by Stephan Sonny

Scary is the sea and whatever enigmatic inhabitants — yet don’t mistake the unsettling underwater wonders for monotony. There’s an entire world beneath the waves, brimming with vibrant lives. Shallow Sea takes that deep dive into the colourful spectacle of Great Barrier Reef. Its splendor breaths live on your table. It’s a labour of love from Bad Comet Games, the South Korean studio that’s no stranger to visual opulence. This one is delivered as something that looks to be their most stunning creation yet.

An interview with Michael Raftopoulos, MOB Vanguard [News]

by 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.

Dragon vs Kingdom [Preview]

by 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]

by 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.

Jekyll & Hyde vs Scotland Yard [Review]

by 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]

by 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.