Tabletop Games Blog (Tabletop Games Blog)
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| Date | Titre | Durée | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Jan 2019 | Scythe (Saturday Review) | 00:15:46 | |||||
I know, Scythe by Stonemaier Games has been out since 2016 and has had a couple of expansions released as well, including promo packs with additional encounter cards. So chances are you have already heard plenty of reviews about this game and maybe own it yourself, but I still felt it’s worth reviewing, because I am sometimes surprised by how many people still don’t know Scythe. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/19/scythe/ Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 30 Jul 2022 | Union Station (Saturday Review) | 00:09:50 | |||||
It was a glorious time of progress, industry and opportunity. The turn of the 20th century promised so much and if you were flush with cash, there were plenty of opportunities to invest and reap huge rewards. That was especially true for the railroad industry in the United States. In one place alone, there were five companies working together to build the greatest station in the world. They all bought stock in one of the potentially most lucrative companies in Chicago. Their hopes and dreams all began at Union Station by Travis D. Hill from New Mill Industries. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/07/30/union-station-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 14 Feb 2023 | Family Game Time - games that are great for all the family (Topic Discussion) | 00:08:13 | |||||
I recently asked for some suggestions for board game topics I could write about. Phil Gross answered my plea and suggested I write about the best game to play with your in-laws. I loved the idea, but I wanted to open it up a bit wider and talk about games that are great for all the family, young and old, blood relatives and in-laws alike. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/02/14/family-game-time-games-that-are-great-for-all-the-family-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 10 Feb 2024 | Votes for Women (Digital Eyes) | 00:10:02 | |||||
The Women's Suffrage Movement in the US started small, very small in fact, in a tiny hamlet in New York State. Over time, it spread from state to state across the whole country as its following grew. Their fight for equal rights culminated in the ratification of the 19th Amendment after a seventy-year battle. However, while this monumental achievement was a vital step, it did not guarantee every woman access to the ballot. The story continues to this day across the globe and the fight is still fought to achieve Votes for Women by Tory Brown from Fort Circle Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/02/10/votes-for-women-digital-eyes/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Music: "Wounded Heart" by AShamaluevMusic. Music: "Memorials" by AShamaluevMusic. Music: "Wonder" by AShamaluevMusic. If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo courtesy of Fort Circle Games) | |||||||
| 02 Jul 2024 | Round and Refined - when games are perfectly designed (Topic Discussion) | 00:08:33 | |||||
Games come in all shapes and sizes. Designers create them in different ways and with different intentions. Some games are an interesting mix of mechanisms, others are a passion project that tries to evoke certain emotions when people play them. Games can have simple rules with deep emergent gameplay or they can be rules-heavy. While some games take minutes to play, others can take hours to complete. However games are designed, there are some that feel round and refined, while others seem awkward or overly difficult. So in this article, I want to investigate what it is that makes a game perfectly designed. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/07/02/round-and-refined-when-games-are-perfectly-designed-topic-discussion/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Music: Plum Blossom by Blue Dot Sessions If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Tahlia Doyle on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 27 Dec 2022 | Dented replacements - the issue with replacement parts for board games (Topic Discussion) | 00:08:39 | |||||
Inspired by a Twitter post from Matt at Lost My Meeples, I wanted to talk about what I think a publisher's responsibilities are when it comes to replacing board game components. I think there are some things we will all agree on that a publisher should replace and others where we probably all agree that a publisher doesn't have to send replacements. There will also be plenty of things somewhere in between, that sit in a grey area somewhere and aren't so clear-cut. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/27/dented-replacements-the-issue-with-replacement-parts-for-board-games-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Guillaume de Germain on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 10 Sep 2024 | Objective Bias - why reviews are always subjective (Topic Discussion) | 00:09:39 | |||||
If you have spent a number of years reviewing board games, you will have seen how people keep bringing up the topic of how reviewers should not be biased and remain as objective as possible. Of course, reviewers, like all people, are always going to have biases and a review will never be objective. As this topic was recently discussed yet again, I wanted to share my thoughts on bias and subjectivity in my writing. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/09/10/objective-bias-why-reviews-are-always-subjective-topic-discussion/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Easy by | e s c p | https://www.escp.space If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
(Photo by Ayo Ogunseinde on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 26 Nov 2022 | Gaslands: Refuelled (Saturday Review) | 00:08:10 | |||||
The apocalypse has finally come. After the breakdown of society, survivors have formed gangs of motorheads, that scour the wasteland for rare and very precious petrol reserves. Their vehicles are highly tricked-out, finely tuned, heavily reinforced and equipped with a wide range of weapons. They will stop at nothing, which is exactly why a small number of the surviving rich elite have organised deadly races, where the gangs are pitted against each other to be the first to reach the finishing line and claim their prize - or be the last survivor in the arena of these Gaslands: Refuelled by Mike Hutchinson from Osprey Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/11/26/gaslands-refuelled-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 09 Aug 2022 | Uncertain death - end game triggers (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:14 | |||||
It's always interesting to see how different games decide when they end. There are so many different ways of ending a game. Some games are played over a fixed number of rounds and others end when a certain goal or goals are achieved. There are also games that have a slightly more random timer. What happens when a game ends is also not always the same. In some games, all players get one more turn or the current round is played out. Other games end immediately and nobody gets another chance. In this article, I want to look at how all of these different endings create different player experiences. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/08/09/uncertain-death-end-game-triggers-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 09 Nov 2021 | The Metaverse (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:44 | |||||
Learning a new game, playing it for the first time, probably with a few rules mistakes, then playing it again, now with a better understanding of how the game works, then playing it once more, after having formulated a rough strategy and feeling you know what the game wants from you is a lot of fun. We've all experienced this, I'm sure, but there is another level to playing games that only becomes apparent after several plays. It is what is often called the "meta" of a game. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/11/09/the-metaverse-topic-discussion/ Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Robynne Hu on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 30 Aug 2022 | Teaching games - responsibilities as a teacher (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:46 | |||||
Continuing my series of articles about teaching games, in this article I want to talk about what responsibilities the teacher has. It's not always obvious, but when you teach a game, you're not done after explaining the rules to the group. You have to continue to keep an eye on things, to make sure everyone plays correctly. You also have to be ready to answer questions during the game. That's a lot of responsibility to shoulder. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/08/30/teaching-games-responsibilities-as-a-teacher-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Big Potato on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 09 Mar 2024 | The Plot Thickens: Sci-Fi Edition (Saturday Review) | 00:07:13 | |||||
Space - the final frontier. These are the adventures of space pirate Oliver, who is on a mission to catch bounty hunter Boba on the star Alpha Centauri. Bob knows where their towel is - at all times. Meanwhile, in an underwater base, crime lord Jabba has built their shrink ray using the data chip that Boba had stolen. And so, The Plot Thickens: Sci-Fi Edition by Mike Callahan, Brigette Indelicato and Thomas Rochelle from Bright Eye Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/03/09/the-plot-thickens-sci-fi-edition-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Music: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 02 Jan 2024 | Stop Toying With Me - when gimmicks in board games have a purpose (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:14 | |||||
Some might argue that board games are basically just toys. Some games add to that argument when they play on the toy factor by including one or more components that are basically just a gimmick. These components could easily be replaced by something else without affecting gameplay. Yet, some games are accused of capitalising on the attraction of gimmicks when these playful components are actually an integral part without which the game wouldn't function. In this article, I want to look at this a bit more closely. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/01/02/stop-toying-with-me-when-gimmicks-in-board-games-have-a-purpose-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Music: "Shade" by AShamaluevMusic. Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 31 Aug 2024 | Star Trek: Away Missions - Captain Kirk: Federation Expansion (Saturday Review) | 00:07:21 | |||||
Captain's Log - Stardate... well, nobody is really sure. After having been drawn into some sort of temporal disturbance, the Enterprise is now floating helplessly in space without thrust and only minimal power. Our viewscreens show the presence of another vessel. It isn't completely clear, but it looks like we have been transported into the aftermath of a massive battle. To find out what we are dealing with, Spock, McCoy, Chekov and myself, the captain, have decided to beam across and investigate. I know this is going to be our first of many Star Trek: Away Missions - Captain Kirk: Federation Expansion by Andrew Haught, Mike Haught and Phil Yates from Gale Force Nine. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/08/31/star-trek-away-missions-captain-kirk-federation-expansion-saturday-review/ Useful Links
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| 15 Oct 2022 | Outpost 18 (Saturday Review) | 00:06:14 | |||||
Natural resources had long been depleted on Earth, but the asteroid belt was rich in ion and ore. The battle for control of these invaluable commodities had begun. We were part of this fight and were operating from our own Outpost 18 by Adam Wilk. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/10/15/outpost-18-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 09 Jul 2022 | A game about stuffing balloons as a team, without talking. But it's a card game - there are no actual balloons (Saturday Review) | 00:06:11 | |||||
I thought long and hard about how to start this review. Usually, the introductory paragraph of my reviews is like a short story, setting the scene of the game and the experience you're likely to get. I finish by linking back to the title of the game, making it part of the short story. Yet, for this game, its name is a little short story in itself. So I might as well just go straight to the title. Here goes... In this review, I look at A game about stuffing balloons as a team, without talking. But it's a card game - there are no actual balloons by Bez Shahriari from Stuff by Bez. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/07/09/a-game-about-stuffing-balloons-as-a-team-without-talking-but-its-a-card-game-there-are-no-actual-balloons-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 20 Nov 2021 | Fluttering Souls (Saturday Review) | 00:05:32 | |||||
Takahama was dying. We were tending to him and tried to make him as comfortable as possible. The windows were wide open and a warm breeze filled the room. Takahama was muttering about how he was too ill to visit his love Akiko's grave and how she would miss the white rose he brought her every day. We told him that he would visit again as soon as he was better, when suddenly, a pure white butterfly flew in through one of the windows and landed on his pillow. We tried to shoo it away, but to no avail. The butterfly would keep coming back, so we relented and allowed it to stay. Takahama looked at the butterfly, smiled and then his final breath left his lungs, as he died in peace. The butterfly saw this, lifted off the pillow and flew out of one of the windows. We didn't know this at the time, but it flew all the way to Akiko's grave and when it landed, it disappeared. The butterfly was one of the Fluttering Souls by Joel Lewis from Good Games Publishing. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/11/20/fluttering-souls-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 13 Aug 2019 | Image matters | 00:06:47 | |||||
Unless you're a very outgoing person or working in marketing, you will probably not want to boast about your achievements, or maybe not even see what you do as worth mentioning at all. In fact, you might hate the idea that everyone expects that you constantly post photos and write updates about every little thing that happens in your life. I can see where you're coming from, and there is nothing wrong with that, but if you're a game designer, publisher or a press person, you will need to try and be somehow present, even if that feels alien. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/13/image-matters/
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Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 11 May 2019 | Sensor Ghosts (Saturday Review) | 00:09:07 | |||||
Imagine the asteroid field scene from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, where our heroes risk their lives to try to get away by entering an asteroid field, then add the AI HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey, which has gone mad and taken over the spaceship, forcing the crew to try and outwit it - and you basically end up with the gameplay of Sensor Ghosts, the new game by Wren Games, due to launch on Kickstarter on 28 May. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/05/11/sensor-ghosts/ Links
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Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 18 May 2019 | Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game (Saturday Review) | 00:06:31 | |||||
The rain is relentless, pouring down in heavy sheets, making the city outside your office window appear like it is behind net curtains. The James River appears to be bubbling, but you haven't noticed any of it. You have spent the last few hours staring at your computer, checking various databases and cross-referencing intel. You drank at least six coffees, yet you're no further. Welcome to Detective by Portal Games where you're an officer in the recently created special unit of Antares. Your task is to solve curious cold cases, following up leads and doing other detective work, all against a mercilessly ticking clock. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/05/18/detective-a-modern-crime-board-game/ Links
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Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 18 Apr 2023 | Board Game Library - books and board games (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:19 | |||||
The other day I noticed how similar books and board games are. The thought was triggered when I held a board game box in my hand and then plonked it on the table. The sound it made was very much like that of a tome being placed down. It also felt as heavy as a thick hardback book. I soon realized that there were many more commonalities. So let me investigate the spiritual twins that are books and board games. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/04/18/board-game-library-books-and-board-games-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by 2H Media on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 15 Jun 2019 | Six Gun Showdown (Saturday Review) | 00:05:43 | |||||
The sun is high in the sky, shining directly down onto Main Street in this ramshackle town of wooden buildings. The heat is almost unbearable, if it wasn't for a light breeze that is creating small swirls of sand and dust. You have to squint in the bright light, as you stand outside the saloon waiting for the clock to strike twelve. A speck of dust makes you blink, which doesn't bode well. You need to be able to see your opponent clearly, so this won't do. You step away from the saloon and try and position yourself in a more sheltered spot, where dust will be less of an issue and there is more shade, making it easier to see. Yet, this duel is different. You actually have to face off several people in this Six Gun Showdown, and you also have to play your cards right to make sure you come out victorious. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/06/15/six-gun-showdown/ Links
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Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 22 Jun 2019 | Microbrew (Saturday Review) | 00:05:48 | |||||
Inside the brewery, the mash and lauter tuns hum away happily on one side, as the brew kettle bubbles silently on the other. Outside, the fermentation vessels slowly turn the malt's wonderful sugars into delicious alcohol. On the other side of the yard is the bottling line, where the beer is filled into bottles, and then it's finally ready to be sold. It is your job to create the right balance of malts to create the best beer for your micro brewery's customers, eagerly waiting in your bar. The whole process takes time and patience, but is worth it, when the number of loyal customers grows in appreciation of your effort. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/06/22/microbrew-saturday-review/ Links
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Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 05 Jan 2023 | Tabletop Games Blog Statistics for 2022 (Announcement) | 00:05:08 | |||||
In a slight change to our usual schedule, I thought I'd write a quick update and release it outside the normal Tuesday and Saturday slots. I already spoke about some of the highlights from last year in my article "2022 - A Year in Review", including costs and expenses. So in this article, I want to talk about how the Tabletop Games Blog itself performed in 2022, including the time I spent on it as well as how many visitors and views the blog got. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/05/tabletop-games-blog-statistics-for-2022-announcement/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Pietro Jeng on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 17 Dec 2022 | Str!ke (Saturday Review) | 00:04:27 | |||||
It was going to be a real spectacle. The crowds had gathered to watch the masters at work and battle to the bitter end. Only one of them would survive. Then, as the match was about to begin, everyone hushed and an eerie silence filled the arena. It was time for the combatants to throw their dice and Str!ke by Dieter Nüßle from Ravensburger. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/12/17/strike-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo courtesy of Ravensburger) | |||||||
| 12 Oct 2024 | Dragon vs Kingdom (Saturday Review) | 00:08:42 | |||||
The new town was going to be glorious. Here in this wasteland that had seen many battles, it was important to create defenses, while also ensuring there were enough shops and houses for the people. It was going to take some time and our initial focus was on building towers that would allow us to see invaders far into the distance. The towers would also allow us to protect ourselves, because in these lands it was a matter of Dragon vs Kingdom by Chris Backe from No Box Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/10/12/dragon-vs-kingdom-saturday-review/ Useful Links
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(Photo courtesy of No Box Games) | |||||||
| 06 Jul 2019 | Clans of Caledonia Insert by Folded Space (Saturday Review) | 00:04:12 | |||||
Clans of Caledonia by Karma Games comes with a lot of wooden pieces, cardboard tokens, player boards and the modular game board. Fitting everything in the box, while keeping things organized, isn't easy. It's a very tight fit, if you separate all the different pieces into baggies or small plastic containers. However, the insert from Folded Space sorts everything neatly into separate boxes. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/07/06/clans-of-caledonia-insert-by-folded-space-saturday-review/ Links
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Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 11 Jan 2022 | Teaching games - learn yourself (Topic Discussion) | 00:08:03 | |||||
I want to continue my series on how to teach board games to others by talking about how you can learn the game yourself or ask others to learn it for themselves. After all, you can't teach others until you know how to play it yourself and you're a better teacher if you've actually played the game yourself. Also, sometimes it's actually fun to learn a game and not always a big onus to expect others to learn a new game for themselves before you all meet up to play it. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/01/11/teaching-games-learn-yourself-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
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| 02 Nov 2019 | Roam (Saturday Review) | 00:04:12 | |||||
Here is another beautifully illustrated game by Ryan Laukat. You will immediately recognize it from his other games, such as Near and Far. You will also recognize a lot of the characters he created in his other games and which appear in Roam as well. Yet, this game from Red Raven Games is quite different from the others. There is no resource management, no movement and no storytelling. Instead, you get a lovely, light game that is very easy to explain and learn and relatively quick to play. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/02/roam-saturday-review/ Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 27 Jul 2019 | Vector Wars (Saturday Review) | 00:04:43 | |||||
In a future where mankind has resolved to abandon war and replace it with virtual battles, teams of nine elite fighters selected by their nations face each other in pairs to win a precious new energy source that promises to bring the world back from the ashes. You have the opportunity to lead one of these teams out onto the 3 by 3 grid, where you take turns with your opponent and carefully occupy key positions in the hope that you win battle after battle to become a hero of the Vector Wars. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/07/27/vector-wars-saturday-review/ Links
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| 06 Aug 2019 | Market prices | 00:05:54 | |||||
When you look at buying a modern tabletop game, you will have a rough idea as to how much you think it is worth - or you will have some sort of budget in your head that you want to stick to, and which guides you to the sort of games that you think you can afford. Your price expectations will be based on things such as the quantity and quality of the components, replayability and probably also rarity or hotness of a game. Yet, the amount of money you're willing to put on the counter doesn't always match the real cost or value of a game and is either too much or too little in comparison. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/06/market-prices/ Music: Relax by AShamaluevMusic If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below
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| 03 Aug 2019 | Tiny Epic Mechs (Saturday Review) | 00:05:16 | |||||
Release Date: 2019 Players: 1-4 Designer: Scott Almes Length: 30-60 minutes Artist: Roland MacDonald, Benjamin Shulman Age: 10+ Publisher: Gamelyn Games Complexity: 2.5 / 5 In the year 3030, mankind has developed the technology to hold epic real-life battle events where daring fighters skilled in direct combat and with hundreds of hours of experience piloting the latest advancement in […] Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/03/tiny-epic-mechs-saturday-review/ Links
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| 10 Aug 2019 | The Board Game Book (Saturday Review) | 00:03:49 | |||||
I am making a slight diversion from my usual reviews and am looking at a book instead. However, it's The Board Game Book, so don't worry, we're still on topic. It's not the first book all about board games of course, but it certainly stands out, because it counts a number of professional writers among its contributors. So the quality of the writing is high, and the editing and production are also excellent - but let me start at the beginning. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/10/the-board-game-book-saturday-review/ Links
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| 20 Aug 2019 | Viewing platforms | 00:06:05 | |||||
I recently talked about how some of us need to let people know what we're up to, by regularly sharing updates with our followers - see my article Image matters. Now I want to drill into this a little deeper and discuss the various platforms you might want to use. My focus is on tabletop game reviews, as this is one of the things I do, but you can apply the same ideas to similar content. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/20/viewing-platforms/
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| 11 Jun 2022 | UK Games Expo 2022 (Saturday Review) | 00:12:28 | |||||
The UK Games Expo is the largest hobby games convention in the United Kingdom. It covers all types of hobby games, including board games, card games, RPGs, war games and many, many more. After a break of a couple of years, I was finally ready to make my way up to the NEC, Birmingham again in 2022. However, this time, a friend from my games group joined me. I was really looking forward to finally meeting many of the people I only knew via social media. I also wanted to introduce myself to some of the publishers exhibiting there. My schedule was really full. It was going to be exhausting, but also a huge amount of fun. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/06/11/uk-games-expo-2022-saturday-review/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 17 Aug 2019 | Mint Works (Saturday Review) | 00:04:25 | |||||
As many of you will know, I absolutely love small box games, and mint tin games in particular (see episode 6 of the Tabletop Inquisition podcast). They're so easy to stash away and take with you anywhere, and Mint Works by Five24 Labs is a great example. The small mint tin is robust and can easily deal with knocks, it's quick to set up, as it consists basically of a deck of cards, and the tin itself functions as the pool for the mint worker tokens. The gameplay is also relatively quick, so overall it's ideal for when you're out and about - on a train, plane or a bus, or while you're waiting for food in a pub or restaurant. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/17/mint-works-saturday-review/ Links
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| 24 Aug 2019 | Hardback (Saturday Review) | 00:04:43 | |||||
I don't like word games. Even though I love writing, which is one of the reasons for this blog, I was never any good at crosswords or Scrabble, and it's not because English is my second language. Even when I do a German crossword or play German Scrabble, I'm still not very good, at least not compared to my parents or a couple of my friends who seem to excel at these. Yet, when I play Hardback by Fowers Games, I have a lot of fun and have a good chance of winning. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/24/hardback-saturday-review/ Links
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| 27 Aug 2019 | Independent perceptions | 00:06:20 | |||||
I think supporting independent game publishers, and I include self-publishers too here, by buying their games gives you a warm feeling. In many cases, your money goes directly to one or two people who you know by name, whose photos you've seen many times, whose newsletters you've read, who you followed on Twitter and who you've started to trust. If their game was published with the help of a crowdfunding platform, you will have lived through the journey of the game from its first public outing to the final, finished product. Yet, independent doesn't always mean small, and some publishers who seem to be large are actually only a handful of people. So if you like helping small publishers, because you want to know that your money goes to a couple of great people who deserve your support, you might have to think carefully. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/27/independent-perceptions/ Music: Documentary Soundtrack by AShamaluev Music If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
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| 03 Sep 2019 | Plastic fantastic | 00:09:47 | |||||
We all know that the use of plastics has become a huge issue. So-called microplastics, tiny particles of plastic, have been found in fish and other marine life, and more recently even in arctic snow. Only last week did the World Health Organization ask for "further assessment of microplastics in the environment and their potential impacts on human health." A lot of us have started replacing single-use plastics with recyclable alternatives, such as plastic straws with paper ones, or even plastic toothbrushes with ones made from bamboo. Yet, there is still a lot of plastic in a lot of tabletop games, and I want us to consider its impact. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/03/plastic-fantastic/ Links
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| 31 Aug 2019 | Silver (Saturday Review) | 00:05:03 | |||||
Here is another game that I shouldn't like, because I don't like memory games, what you have to remember where certain cards are. However, there is something very addictive about Silver, the new card game by Bézier Games. I can't put my finger on it, but somehow I look past my dislike of games where I have to remember things when I play Silver. In fact, I can't stop playing it, especially against the AI that comes with the app. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/08/31/silver-saturday-review/ Links
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| 01 Jun 2024 | Doomlings (Saturday Review) | 00:07:19 | |||||
Space: an endless void with countless stars, some of which capable of harbouring a planet that can support life. On one of these Goldilocks planets far away from our own, life has indeed emerged. Yet, nothing is ever allowed to last. One day, the inevitable end will come. So in the meantime, life on this planet is competing for supremacy. They do not know it yet, but they are the Doomlings by Justus Meyer and Andrew Meyer from Doomlings LLC. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/06/01/doomlings-saturday-review/ Useful Links
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| 10 Sep 2019 | Overproduced | 00:07:39 | |||||
I am not sure if you've come across this before, but you may have heard some people on a podcast or in a tabletop games review video talk about a game being overproduced. Often the term is used in a negative way, implying that a game includes unnecessary components and therefore is more expensive than it needs to be. However, different people seem to apply this term to different games in different ways, so I wanted to look at it a bit more closely and see whether we can investigate what overproduced actually means and whether it is indeed a bad thing. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/10/overproduced/
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| 20 Feb 2024 | Repeatable Replay - the importance of replayability of board games (Topic Discussion) | 00:08:12 | |||||
I keep hearing people talk about replayability in board games. I've talked about the topic a few times in the past. I've also clarified the difference between variability and replayability. However, as the topic keeps popping up from time to time, I thought I'd share some more of my thoughts. After all, I think replayability is an important criterion when it comes to buying board games. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/02/20/repeatable-replay-the-importance-of-replayability-of-board-games-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
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| 16 Oct 2021 | Tharos (Saturday Review) | 00:10:53 | |||||
We had been on this planet for decades now, exploring its riches, mining for crystals and ore, building factories, markets and other public buildings, growing our pool of experts and increasing our commerce. Now it was time for the steam guilds to move to another section of the amazing planet Tharos by Spielworxx. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/10/16/tharos-saturday-review/ Links
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| 17 Sep 2019 | Count me out | 00:07:53 | |||||
Games change when played with different numbers of players. I think many of us will have found that games that are said to work for two or more players often are quite a different experience when played with two versus more players. Some games are said to work with a larger number of players, but really work best with a specific number. Games, where you form teams, are often like that, working best with an even number of people, even though they're said to also work with odd numbers. I discussed many of these points in my article Group mentality, so this time I want to focus on some specific issues. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/17/count-me-out/ Links
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| 07 Sep 2019 | Exchange: A Stock Trading Game of Strategy & Wit (Saturday Review) | 00:04:33 | |||||
The stock market is in turmoil. There is a financial crisis. Companies' solvency is in doubt. Panic selling has started for some securities. The year is 1792, and 24 stockbrokers meet in Wall Street in New York under a buttonwood tree to sign an agreement that creates a new way of securities trading, which creates a closed market where everyone can trust each other to honour payments and where investments are legitimate. In Exchange: A Stock Trading Game of Strategy & Wit by Eric Sillies, you are one of the group of 24 and you have to use your wit and cunning to take the beginnings of a new stock exchange to what will eventually become the New York Stock Exchange. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/07/exchange-a-stock-trading-game-of-strategy-wit-saturday-review/ Links
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| 14 Sep 2019 | Kodama: The Tree Spirits (Saturday Review) | 00:04:58 | |||||
In a world where every tree is inhabited by its own gentle and benign spirit, it is your important task to ensure that every sapling grows strong and big, and offers a home for as many small creatures and plants as possible, thereby creating harmony and balance in the forest. If you can work in harmony with the seasons and nurture the worms, fireflies, flowers and mushrooms that grow on the tree that you have been tasked to look after, you will come out as the best caretaker and will be generously rewarded with health and happiness by the tree spirit, the kodama, that inhabits your tree. It is this work that you carry out in Kodama: The Tree Spirits by Action Phase Games. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/14/kodama-the-tree-spirits-saturday-review/ Links
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| 24 Sep 2019 | Awarding times | 00:07:50 | |||||
It is always nice to get some positive feedback for the work you do, so winning awards is even more satisfying, especially if you receive one of the many prestigious awards from the industry you work in. So far, the Tabletop Games Blog hasn't won any awards, but in this article I am not fishing for praise, but I want to look at the many board game awards that are run every year and show how winning an award affects the popularity of a game, what costs may be attached with some awards and what the different awards try to achieve within the industry. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/24/awarding-times/ Links
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| 21 Sep 2019 | Near and Far: Amber Mines (Saturday Review) | 00:05:30 | |||||
In the world of Arzium, groups of brave adventurers travel from town to town, where they load up on supplies and pack animals and recruit new members, who are willing to join them on the long journey, as they look for a lost city, called Last Ruin, where legend says lies a powerful artefact that will fulfil the finder's innermost wishes. It is time for you to add your name to the list of famous explorers, venture into the wild to collect valuable and useful items, meet new people, return to town to work for money and food, travel through abandoned mines and do what is needed to successfully complete the journey. Near and Far: Amber Mines by Red Raven Games allows you to become a hero, if you can compete with your fellow bands of explorers and come out ahead. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/21/near-and-far-amber-mines-saturday-review/ Links
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| 23 Jan 2024 | In All Seriousness - board games with sensitive topics (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:55 | |||||
I know that many of us play board games to have fun. Whether we enjoy lighter or heavier games, it's all about spending time, either alone or with friends or family, getting away from the day-to-day worries and immersing yourself in another world for an hour or two or three. Yet, there are games that are set against the background of a very serious topic. These games want us, the players, to engage with the topic in a safe environment. They will never be perfect representations of the reality they portray, but hopefully, they will make us want to engage with the topic further. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/01/23/in-all-seriousness-board-games-with-sensitive-topics-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
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| 05 Nov 2022 | A Race in Time (Saturday Review) | 00:06:37 | |||||
History was an interesting place for all of us. We recognized a number of famous figures, while some were new to us. As we travelled through the ages, we encountered new people and learned about different events. Some eras were more familiar than others. Our aim was to be the first to reach the present day. We all took part in A Race in Time from History Heroes. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/11/05/a-race-in-time-saturday-review Useful Links
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| 28 Dec 2021 | 2021 in review (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:52 | |||||
Like probably everyone else does at the end of another calendar year, it's time for me to look back on 2021 and share with you what I've been up to. In fact, this year I want to share with you some more detail, so that you can see what is involved in doing what I do in the name of the Tabletop Games Blog. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/12/28/2021-in-review-topic-discussion/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 01 Jan 2022 | Colt Express (Saturday Review) | 00:07:03 | |||||
It's the 11th of July in the year of our Lord 1899. At 10am Mountain Daylight Time, the Union Pacific Express departed Folsom in Union County, New Mexico as scheduled, but only a few minutes after leaving the village's last buildings behind, heavily armed bandits started robbing the 47 passengers, taking purses and jewellery. A short while later, gunshots could be heard and some of the bandits had climbed onto the roof of the train. It was feared that Marshal Samuel Ford, who was protecting the Nice Valley Coal Company's weekly pay, was being attacked. The whole incident went down in history as the "Attack of the Colt Express" by Christophe Raimbault from Ludonaute. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/01/01/colt-express-saturday-review/ Useful Links
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| 26 Mar 2022 | Airecon 2022 (Saturday Review) | 00:08:05 | |||||
My last board game convention was Airecon 2020 and it was the last event of its kind in the UK - and as it turned out, there wasn't going to be another in-person UK board game convention until 2021. It was a wonderful event, even though everything felt weird. Nobody was sure whether to shake hands or not. The special guests who had flown in from the USA weren't even sure if they would be able to get back home. Luckily, they did make it back safely and it wasn't long until the UK went into full lockdown. So, I was keenly looking forward to Airecon 2022, the first board game convention I was happy to attend after a two-year break. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/03/26/airecon-2022-saturday-review/ Useful Links
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| 28 Sep 2019 | Bespoke Cargo Bike (Saturday Review) | 00:04:16 | |||||
Travelling to games night, weighed down with a giant bag full of games isn't easy. I appreciate that many people have a car and use that to get to games night, and that makes sense, especially if you travel a bit further. However, if your friends live only a short while away, then going by bike would be another, and possibly better, option. Yet, a lot of bikes aren't really designed to carry much. Yes, you could get panniers, but they're not ideal. However, these days there are a lot of utility orientated bicycles available from your local bike shop, or you can go one better and get a custom-built bike that is not only up to the task of ferrying around bulky loads, like board games, but is also made exactly how you want it. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/09/28/bespoke-cargo-bike-saturday-review/ Links
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| 12 Oct 2019 | Essen Spiel 2019 Most Wanted (Saturday Review) | 00:08:15 | |||||
It's that time of the year again. The huge Essen Spiel game fair is upon us, so as is custom, here is my list of games that will be at the exhibition and that I'm looking forward to. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/12/essen-spiel-2019-most-wanted-saturday-review/ Links
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| 19 Nov 2019 | Hitting the mainstream | 00:06:33 | |||||
Apparently, modern tabletop games have had a huge surge worldwide recently. Mind you, "recently" really means a few years, and it doesn't seem to let up. It's great to see so many people pick up cardboard and have a great time, whether it's alone or with friends, family or complete strangers. So I want to look at what has been happening and see where and how tabletop games have appeared in people's lives. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/19/hitting-the-mainstream/ Links
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| 15 Oct 2019 | Games with friends | 00:07:20 | |||||
Trying to organize a group of people to regularly play games with isn't always straightforward. I am lucky to have a weekly games night group of four, including myself, with people who live quite close, making it easy for us to meet up. I have previously described how you can play games with different groups of people (see "Night, night"). So this time I want to focus on what to consider when trying to organize regular games nights with friends. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/15/games-with-friends/
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| 14 Dec 2021 | Teaching games - learning together (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:04 | |||||
Continuing in my series of articles about how to teach games to others, I want to talk about maybe the best approach - and that is getting your games group to learn a game together. After all, for many of us, playing board games is a social activity and at the very least, it's a hobby we share. So it makes sense to also share the burden of teaching, or rather learning, how to play a new game. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/12/14/teaching-games-learning-together-topic-discussion/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 23 May 2023 | Deck Building - a modern card mechanism (Topic Discussion) | 00:09:28 | |||||
Card games date back to the 1400s with Karniffel, or Thuringian Karnöffel, often listed as the oldest one, at least the oldest in Europe that we know of. As a popular trick-taking game in Germany for centuries, it clearly started a trend. Many trick-taking games are still popular in Germany today and I certainly grew up with a fair few. However, card games have come a long way since then. In this article, I want to look at deck-building games specifically and how this mechanism has been applied in many different ways since Dominion made it popular. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/05/23/deck-building-a-modern-card-mechanism-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
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| 08 Oct 2019 | Breaking down | 00:08:05 | |||||
Classifying things we encounter is important. It gives us a way to describe them to others, allows us to decide whether things are similar or different and provides a method to create connections between them. Classifications help us with decision making and prediction. However, classifications alone don't fully describe things and especially when we talk about classifying tabletop games, there are a lot more nuances and details that cannot be described by classifications alone. So I want to explore how far classifications can go until their usefulness deteriorates. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/08/breaking-down/ Links
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| 19 Oct 2019 | Jetpack Joyride (Saturday Review) | 00:05:00 | |||||
When struggling gramophone salesman Barry discovers a not-so-secret secret lab (I recommend you watch the trailer on Halfbrick's website) which has developed a number of different and increasingly crazy jetpacks, his life changes. He starts with a basic jetpack and flies through the various rooms of the lab to avoid obstacles and find the next and better jetpack to try out for himself. A lot of frantic horizontally scrolling fun ensues, which the boardgame conversion of Jetpack Joyride by Lucky Duck Games tries to reproduce on your dining room table. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/19/jetpack-joyride-saturday-review/ Links
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| 22 Oct 2019 | One of a kind | 00:06:24 | |||||
I have previously spoken about unique games, which were something new at the time - see my article "There can be only one". It was KeyForge by Fantasy Flight Games and designed by Richard Garfield of Magic: The Gathering fame, which started this new way of making games. There is probably a better and longer description of the term, but in short, the term unique in this context describes games where every published copy is different in a number of ways. In KeyForge this is, for example, the name and logo, as well as the composition of the different cards, but different decks will still have some cards the same. I want to look at some aspects of unique game design in more detail to explore the concept. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/22/one-of-a-kind/ Links
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| 30 May 2023 | Round the Outside - tracking scores in board games (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:49 | |||||
Pretty much every hobby game contains some sort of score which measures who is in the lead and decides who wins the game. That's undoubtedly true for competitive games, but sometimes also for cooperative ones. The score can be in the form of victory points, glory points, reputation, money or something else or even a mix of different things. Some games keep track of players' scores throughout the game, others count everything up at the end and there are also games that have a mix of in-game scoring and end-of-game points. In this article, I want to look at these different ways of score keeping and how it affects gameplay experience. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/05/30/round-the-outside-tracking-scores-in-board-games-topic-discussion/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog | |||||||
| 26 Oct 2019 | Rising Sun (Saturday Review) | 00:06:07 | |||||
Feudal Japan is in turmoil. Warring clans are roaming the land to claim territories and gain influence and power, while vying for the favour of the spirits, the Kami, whose support will help cement the superiority over the enemies. As clans form alliances and recruit legendary monsters to bolster their armies' ranks, everyone prepares for multiple battles which will change the face of Japan. Yet, territories are often held only fleetingly as alliances are betrayed and powers shift. It is up to you to use your cunning and strategic planning to come out the victor in Rising Sun by CMON. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/26/rising-sun-saturday-review/ Links
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| 29 Oct 2019 | Tabletop Player Profile – Updated | 00:03:41 | |||||
It has been nearly a year since I last updated my tabletop player profile using the Quantic Foundry‘s online form. Let’s see what has changed since December 2018. I have played a lot of games since then, so there must be some change. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/10/29/tabletop-player-profile-updated-3/
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| 18 Dec 2021 | 5 Heavy Christmas Board Games (Saturday Review) | 00:11:34 | |||||
Most of us will have a lot of spare time over the holidays and if we have board game enthusiasts among the family, this is the perfect time to set up and play some heavy games. We might also have more time to meet up with our games group and again, now is the time to get those heavy games to the table that we might not feel like playing of an evening after a busy day at work. So, here are 5 heavy board games I think you should play over the holidays. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/12/18/5-heavy-christmas-board-games-saturday-review/ Useful Links
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| 05 Nov 2019 | Post-show blues | 00:10:27 | |||||
I'm sure, many of you are tired of hearing all about Essen Spiel 2019. Everyone who went is talking about all the games they saw, played and bought, and anyone who didn't go is reading about all the games everyone saw, played and bought. So I want to talk about the people side of the exhibition and share my experiences of attending this major event for the first time. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/05/post-show-blues/ Links
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| 09 Nov 2019 | Tapestry (Saturday Review) | 00:11:41 | |||||
Through five millennia you guide your civilization from the discovery of fire through vastly different eras to its ultimate end. You discover and develop different technologies, flex your military muscle, explore new lands and execute unexpected and sometimes devastating science experiments as your people advance from generation to generation. In Tapestry by Stonemaier Games, you write an alternative history that has echoes of mankind's but turns out completely different, but hopefully for the better. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/09/tapestry-saturday-review/ Links
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| 26 Nov 2019 | Games of Christmas | 00:08:54 | |||||
I guess it has become tradition now for boardgame blogs to suggest a number of games that people should play with their friends and family over the festive period. As I love tradition, I will do what everyone else is doing and give you a selection of games some of which may suit your taste and may also be a good match for whoever you choose to play with when you enjoy some time off over Christmas. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/26/games-of-christmas/
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| 12 Nov 2019 | Breaking down walls | 00:07:05 | |||||
As we commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall 30 years ago, I wanted to talk about walls in tabletop gaming and look at what walls there still are that might stop people from enjoying the hobby or becoming a part of our growing community. I don't proclaim to be able to tear down all the walls that still exist, but hopefully my thoughts will start a constructive discussion and help move us forward in some way. Maybe we can look back in 30 years and see the positive things that have happened and evaluate what else needs to be done. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/12/breaking-down-walls/ Links
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| 16 Nov 2019 | Sub Terra II: Inferno's Edge (Saturday Review) | 00:06:29 | |||||
You and a handful of brave explorers have finally found the entrance to Mount Arima, the fearsome volcano that has laid sleeping for decades, and which hides an important secret in its maze of tunnels. Tales of a magical sanctum have drawn you and your fellow adventurers together. You all promise to work together and face whatever dangers you may encounter in the depths of this mountain. Yet, none of you have realized that your allegiance will be tested to your death, if you are not able to escape before the volcano erupts and burns you alive. Sub Terra II: Inferno's Edge by ITB Board Games will require you to work together effectively and swiftly if you want to succeed. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/16/sub-terra-ii-infernos-edge-saturday-review/ Links
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| 23 Nov 2019 | Vivaldi (Saturday Review) | 00:04:33 | |||||
It's been a very long time since I have played one of the classic, German trick-taking games, like Skat or Doppelkopf. My family and I used to play Skat at home a lot when I was in my late teens, early twenties, and I used to play Doppelkopf pretty much every break with my friends in school when I was in my late teens, keeping the session going virtually all day, as one person would leave to get to their lesson and someone else would take their place. I had very much forgotten how much I loved these sort of games, especially the uncertainty in Doppelkopf where you don't know who your partner is until later in the game. However, when someone bought Vivaldi by XV Games at Spiel Essen this year and brought it to the Gaming Rules meet-up, we had so much fun and all my fond memories flooded back. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/23/vivaldi-saturday-review/ Links
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| 20 Jan 2024 | Next Station: Tokyo (Saturday Review) | 00:06:53 | |||||
We were on our way to the city's main station to board the bullet train to Kyoto. Travelling on the Asakusa underground line towards Ikebukuro, we had just passed through Kasumigaseki and arrived at Ginza station. We were nearly there. It was Next Station: Tokyo by Matthew Dunstan from Blue Orange. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/01/20/next-station-tokyo-saturday-review/ Useful Links
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| 13 Aug 2022 | Town 66 (Saturday Review) | 00:06:38 | |||||
A brand new greenfield site was ready for development. The architects had submitted their drawings and the planners were satisfied that everything was in order. Everyone was in agreement that this new place should grow organically, but had to follow strict rules. New houses could only be placed in certain ways to create this brand new Town 66 by Christoph Cantzler and Anja Wrede from Oink Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/08/13/town-66-saturday-review/ Useful Links
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| 30 Nov 2019 | Magnate: The First City (Takebacks) | 00:07:51 | |||||
The price bubble has burst and the property market has crashed. People have lost a lot of money when they were forced to sell everything at a much lower price. They bought too high and got out too late. Yet, there are also a number of happy faces around the table. They bought land when prices were still extremely low, built properties, rented them out, earned a decent income and then sold everything at the peak of the market - or at least sold most of it, breaking even with everything else. These are the property tycoons that managed to make it big in Magnate: The First City by Naylor Games. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/11/30/takebacks-magnate-the-first-city/ Links
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| 28 Dec 2019 | Top 5 Tabletop Games of 2019 (Saturday Review) | 00:05:52 | |||||
For the first time, the Tabletop Games Blog is giving away an award: the Top Table Award for the best game released in 2019. As you know, a lot of new tabletop games were released this year, probably around 3,000 to 4,000, excluding expansions. That's more games anyone will ever be able to play in a year, and I have probably only seen 20-30 of those. However, I still thought it'd be good to share with you my top 5 games that were published in 2019 and crown the winner. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/28/top-5-tabletop-games-of-2019-saturday-review/ Links
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| 21 Dec 2019 | 2019 (Saturday Review) | 00:08:25 | |||||
Another year has come and gone. A lot has happened in the world, some good, some bad. The tabletop game community has not got away unscathed of course. Yet, there have also been a lot of positive trends and changes. So as we're nearing the end of 2019, I want to look back at what happened in the tabletop games hobby. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/21/2019-saturday-review/ Links
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I wanted to use this opportunity to thank everyone who supports me via Patreon, follows me on Twitter, has subscribed to my YouTube channel, follows me on Instagram, likes my LinkedIn page or who supports me otherwise. A particular thank you goes, of course, to Antoinette from Board Game Inquisition with whom I'm running the Tabletop Inquisition podcast. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/31/thank-you-for-a-wonderful-2019/
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| 13 May 2023 | Bagh Chal (Saturday Review) | 00:05:57 | |||||
The tigers were stealthily making their way onto the meadow, where the goats were grazing. Watching their calm and coordinated approach made you believe there was going to be only one outcome - and it wasn't going to be in favour of the goats. However, the sheer number of grazing animals didn't make it easy for the hunters. It didn't take long for one animal to sense the danger. Suddenly, the whole flock was alert and bunched together, making it virtually impossible for the large cats to attack. It was now their turn to make the next move in this Bagh Chal from Lemery Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/05/13/bagh-chal-saturday-review/ Useful Links
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Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo courtesy of Lemery Games) | |||||||
| 14 Dec 2019 | The Mind Extreme (Saturday Review) | 00:06:09 | |||||
There is absolute silence and the flickering candles cast eerie shadows of the four people sitting around the table. Everyone has one hand on the table and moves their gaze from face to face, trying to lock onto the thoughts that waft through the other person's mind. The tension is palpable and the air is thick. There is a faint sound of ticking, as if from a grandfather clock, but it's not real. It's in everyone's head. Yet, it's not a single clock, but a jumbled rhythm as each player counts down at their own frequency. Then, slowly, everyone withdraws their hand and the game begins. It's time to get into synch as the game of The Mind Extreme by Nürnberger-Spielkarten-Verlag begins. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/14/the-mind-extreme-saturday-review/ Links
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| 10 Dec 2019 | Working 9 to 5 | 00:06:52 | |||||
I thought it might be time to give everyone an update of where I'm at with the blog, the podcast, videos and everything else I do in the industry. After all, we're nearing the end of the year and everyone is starting to reflect on what they have achieved. However, there will be a separate article on my blog talking about what happened in 2019 in the industry in general and with regards to my work specifically, so here I focus on what is involved in producing the content for my various outlets and give you a behind-the-scenes look of what I do. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/10/working-9-to-5/ Links
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| 17 Dec 2019 | Dark times | 00:05:54 | |||||
I thought it would be helpful to talk about something that I, and many other people, struggle with around this time of year. It's not quite a tabletop games related topic, but there is a link, as you will see. What I am talking about is the feelings of gloom, self-doubt and general negativity when the days get shorter and the weather is less pleasant. I hope my experiences are helpful to others, even if it's just so people know they are not alone. After all, mental health does matter. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/17/dark-times/ Links
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| 16 Apr 2022 | Brian Boru: High King of Ireland (Saturday Review) | 00:09:29 | |||||
It is the 11th century AD and the Vikings regularly invade our lands, while my domestic rivals try to forcefully take territory from me, without much luck. My military prowess is well known and I prove myself again and again, while also forging political alliances by strategically arranging marriages between my family members and other important houses. I even have time to rebuild the many monasteries in my realm, bringing the Church and its wealth onto my side. My name is Brian Boru: High King of Ireland by Peer Sylvester from Osprey Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/04/16/brian-boru-high-king-of-ireland-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 24 Dec 2019 | Resolutions | 00:04:22 | |||||
I know, it's Christmas Eve, so talking about New Year's resolutions might feel a little early, but I thought I'd get them out of the way now, so I can enjoy the holidays. As this blog is about tabletop games, my list of resolutions featured here focuses solely on what I promise to do, or stop doing, with regards to the hobby. Of course, there are many other things, that are personal and private to me and that I aim to become better at next year, but that I won't mention below. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/12/24/resolutions/ Links
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| 21 Oct 2023 | Planet Unknown (Saturday Review) | 00:09:34 | |||||
It was inevitable. After decades of exploiting our home, Earth has finally run out of resources. It is time for Plan B. We have to leave and settle on a new planet. Potential targets have been selected and planeteers will be sent to develop them. Each of these adventurous heroes will be tasked with preserving the future of humanity and preparing one Planet Unknown by Ryan Lambert and Adam Rehberg from Adam's Apple Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/10/21/planet-unknown-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Music: "Mission", "Destination" and "Inspiration" by AShamaluevMusic. If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 19 Nov 2022 | Matches (Saturday Review) | 00:07:51 | |||||
A great fire engulfed the Whelming Matches factory. All the water in the world couldn't put it out, so hot it burned. When the flames eventually died down many hours later, one artefact was found among the glowing embers. It was cold to the touch and nobody knew what it was. Maybe it was one of the Matches by Daniel McKinley from Thing 12 Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/11/19/matches-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2002 BBC The following music was used for this media project: If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 07 Jan 2020 | Turn order (Topic Discussion) | 00:05:22 | |||||
Let's start 2020 with a serious topic and wade straight in. I might as well start the year as I mean to go on. So, turn order. It's something that matters very little in some games, and a lot in others. In some games, players take their turns in clockwise order, in others it's based on the faction they've chosen or some other similar measure, or you might bid for turn order. In some games, turn order remains the same throughout the game, in others it changes from round to round. I want to look at the different ways turn order is implemented in games and the effect this can have. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/07/turn-order/
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| 11 Jan 2020 | On the Underground London/Berlin (Saturday Review) | 00:04:50 | |||||
After a short journey by train, you arrive in Berlin at Friedrichstraße central station. Wasting no time, you immediately take the stairs down to the U-Bahn platforms. You want to see as much of this metropole as possible, not just the usual tourist sites, but also the more regular stations that locals would travel to. Your first destination is Zitadelle in Spandau, after which you want to see the famous Potsdamer Platz. However, as you arrive on the platform, you notice there are no trains running. It turns out that you have to take a taxi to Jungfernheide, after which you can take the yellow line to Zitadelle, then back to Jungfernheide and another taxi to Zoologischer Garten, where you can catch the white line. It seems weird, but this is On the Underground London/Berlin by LudiCreations. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/11/on-the-underground-london-berlin-saturday-review/ Links
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Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 18 Jan 2020 | Pandemic (Saturday Review) | 00:04:53 | |||||
"...as more people are put into isolation in specifically built camps that are guarded by military personnel and run by medical experts and support staff brought in from around the country. The World Health Organization has so far identified five different viruses in this global epidemic. A number of scientific laboratories across the world are working around the clock in an attempt to discover a cure for them all, while teams on the ground travel to infection sites to gather samples and monitor outbreaks." You switch off the TV, because you have to return to your fieldwork and help your team find cures in Pandemic by Z-Man Games. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/18/pandemic-saturday-review/ Links
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Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 07 Jan 2023 | Top Table Award 2022 - the best board games of the year (Saturday Review) | 00:12:06 | |||||
Yes, it's time for my annual list of the best games of the year. As has become tradition, I also announce which game won the accolade of the Top Table Award, which is now in its fourth year. However, you have to be patient for a little while longer, while I list the best five board games of 2022 in reverse order. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/07/top-table-award-2022-the-best-board-games-of-the-year-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2002 BBC The following music was used for this media project: If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 25 Jun 2024 | Rule Breakers - when breaking the game rules is more fun (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:44 | |||||
Good games will have had a lot of time put into them to ensure they create the experience that the designer wanted. The rules will have been created with intent and purpose. Rules are the skeleton around which the muscles, sinews, skin and the whole living body of the game grows. Games are meant to be played by their rules, or at least that's what we're being told. In this article, I want to look at why rule-breaking can be a better option. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/06/25/rule-breakers-when-breaking-the-game-rules-is-more-fun-topic-discussion/ Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Music: Bensound If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo Ian Barsby on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 14 Nov 2023 | The Representation of Bees - the latest buzz in the board game hobby (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:23 | |||||
Here is another article inspired by the wonderful Bez from Stuff by Bez. She suggested I talk about the representation of bees. There wasn't any particular angle she wanted me to take, but the title alone gave me some inspiration. So in this article, I want to look at board games that feature bees in some way. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/11/14/the-representation-of-bees-the-latest-buzz-in-the-board-game-hobby-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Music: Sunny Morning by MusicLFiles Music: Falling Tears by MusicLFiles Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 01 Aug 2023 | Home from Home - a con visit with a difference (Topic Discussion) | 00:08:40 | |||||
I always love going to board game conventions, shows, conferences or whatever you want to call them. Just walking into the halls and seeing lots of excited people who share the same hobby is invigorating. The prospect of catching up with friends whom I might not otherwise see is wonderful. Finally meeting the people I only know from social media face-to-face is fabulous. Board game events are always very much like a home from home. Yet, my visit to Berlin Brettspiel Con 2023 and the Spiel des Jahres awards a few weeks ago took this to another level. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/08/01/home-from-home-a-con-visit-with-a-difference-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Music by AShamaluevMusic. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 07 Mar 2023 | Risky games - playing to win vs taking risks (Topic Discussion) | 00:07:11 | |||||
I normally don't win, at least not when I play with my games group. That's not a problem and I still have a lot of fun, whatever the outcome. In fact, I sometimes create some extra excitement by not playing it too safe. I actually really like games where you can gamble and create huge point swings. However, I know many people who play to win and who will always play it safe. So in this article, I thought I'd compare the different approaches. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/03/07/risky-games-playing-to-win-vs-taking-risks-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Eyestetix Studio on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 28 Jan 2023 | Red Rising (Saturday Review) | 00:10:25 | |||||
As a member of the lowest caste in our colour-coded society, I worked extremely hard every day. I believed that my blood and sweat would create a better world for my children. I prayed that one day, Mars' surface would become habitable. However, my caste and I had been betrayed. I and others like me were nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class. So now was the time for my caste to revolt. It was time for the Red Rising by Jamey Stegmaier and Alexander Schmidt from Stonemaier Games. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/01/28/red-rising-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Song: Max Brhon - Redemption [NCS Release] Song: Jim Yosef - Volcano (feat. Scarlett) [NCS Release] Song: Aero Chord & Anuka - Incomplete [NCS Release] If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
| 29 Aug 2023 | Reviews Kant Be Paid - a look at paid "reviews" (Topic Discussion) | 00:11:13 | |||||
The discussion about whether board game reviews should be paid for comes up regularly. Arguments can centre on the moral angle, come from a legal viewpoint or be purely personal opinions. More often than not, what is being debated is not well defined and the discourse starts to drift into different, seemingly opposing, directions. In this article, I want to try and untangle the topic and focus on maybe one or two specific areas. Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/08/29/reviews-kant-be-paid-a-look-at-paid-reviews-topic-discussion/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) Music: Beauty Flow by Kevin MacLeod Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ (Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash) | |||||||
| 05 Oct 2024 | Ultramassive (Saturday Review) | 00:07:48 | |||||
A black hole is a region of spacetime where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. Black holes are enormous and entirely ungovernable. They form when massive stars collapse on themselves at the end of their life. They grow by absorbing mass from their surroundings and if they absorb other stars or merge with other black holes, they become supermassive, millions of solar masses in size. Yet, some black holes are even more gigantic and powerful. They are Ultramassive by Alex Greenberg and Jacob Phillips from Studio Unknown. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/10/05/ultramassive-saturday-review/ Useful Links
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| 24 Aug 2024 | Charms (Saturday Review) | 00:08:45 | |||||
Whether it is coins, keys, clover or rabbit feet, there are many items that, according to ancient superstitions, bring you luck and maybe even protect you from evil. You merely need to wear them around your neck or on a bracelet and their magic becomes active. Collectively, these items are known as Charms by Taiki Shinzawa from New Mill Industries. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/08/24/charms-saturday-review/ Useful Links
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| 17 Sep 2022 | Float Downstream (Saturday Review) | 00:07:17 | |||||
"Afloat, upon the surface of a smooth and silent river, slowly breathing, you observe the shifting currents [...]. There is little much to do, but let the river take you. Surrendering to its flow, slowly you realise that perhaps there is no separation between surface and sky, between your mind and the river itself and if your mind is the river and the river your mind, perhaps if you can balance the thoughts and feelings and sensations that arise, you may have some say in where you are taken" as you Float Downstream by Jeremy Dawson from Blood Moon Games Ltd. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2022/09/17/float-downstream-saturday-review/ Useful Links
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/) The following music was used for this media project: If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below: Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/ | |||||||
