Gametek Book Review
January 1, 2025
Gametek is a book on tabletop gaming by author Georffrey Engelstein. It covers a wide variety of topics including the math and history underscoring games and game design.
All
Category: All
The Optics – and Actuality – of Depth and Replayability in Games
December 22, 2024
The Optics – and Actuality – of Depth and Replayability in Games By MARK WILSON All else being equal, it’s good if a game has
Eggs of Ostrich Board Game Review
December 15, 2024
Eggs of Ostrich Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2012 Players: 3 Playing Time: 10 Minutes Eggs eggs eggs, lovely eggs. Broken eggs.
The Novelty Trap
December 8, 2024
The Novelty Trap in Tabletop Game Critique By MARK WILSON In the often-forgettable general forums for Board Game Geek, I found a lovely thread on
Cosmic Frog Board Game Review
December 1, 2024
Cosmic Frog Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2020 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 45-90 Minutes This one hurts. Cosmic Frog was my most
Challengers! Board Game Review
November 15, 2024
Challengers! Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2022 Players: 1-8 (I don’t know why you’d play solo) Playing Time: 45 Minutes Lemme check
Framing in Game Critique
November 8, 2024
Framing in Game Critique By MARK WILSON What’s the difference between these phrases? The game’s ending was boring, merely counting up points to see who
Cat in the Box Board Game Review
November 1, 2024
Cat in the Box Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2020/2022 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 20-40 Minutes “If it’s not a horrible game
First Bias and Reducing Influence of Bias
October 22, 2024
First Bias and Reducing Influence of Bias By MARK WILSON When you go to the grocery store, at least here in the US, often the
A Review of Every Major Muppet Movie
October 15, 2024
A Review of Every Major Muppet Movie The Muppets – from 1979 to 2014 By MARK WILSON The Muppets are an institution. Nothing I have
Useless Gaming Terms, and What the True Problem Is
October 8, 2024
Useless Gaming Terms, and What the True Problem Is By MARK WILSON Frequent any forum on gaming long enough and you’ll start to see threads
Marracash Board Game Review
October 1, 2024
Marracash Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1996 Players: 3-4 Playing Time: 60 Minutes The austerity in Marracash is stunning. It makes me
Connecting Gameplay to Theme in Tabletop Games
September 22, 2024
Connecting Gameplay to Theme in Tabletop Games By MARK WILSON I saw a depressing discussion thread recently online. I suppose that’s my fault for reading
Camel Up Board Game Review
September 15, 2024
Camel Up Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2014 (2nd edition 2018) Players: 2-8 Playing Time: 30-45 Minutes Probably the best compliment I
Sidereal Confluence Board Game Review
September 8, 2024
Sidereal Confluence Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2017 Players: 4-9 Playing Time: 120-180 Minutes Some reviewers will frame games as mere playthings.
Amerigo Board Game Review
September 1, 2024
Amerigo Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2013 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 90 Minutes I’m not a big fan of designer Stefan Feld’s
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation Board Game Review
August 22, 2024
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2002/2005 Players: 2 Playing Time: 30 Minutes Reiner Knizia, almost inarguably
Kemps Card Game Review
August 8, 2024
Kemps Card Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: N/A Players: 4-8 Playing Time: 30 Minutes I did not know this game was a real
The Problem With Social Deduction Board Games
August 1, 2024
The Problem With Social Deduction Board Games By MARK WILSON I’m a social gamer. If I am indifferent toward a game, or even if I
Intrigue Board Game Review
July 22, 2024
Intrigue Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1994 Players: 3-5 Playing Time: 45-60 Minutes Do you need new friends? Are your old ones
High Society Board Game Review
July 8, 2024
High Society Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1995 Players: 3-5 Playing Time: 15-30 Minutes I didn’t think I needed another auction game.
Theme, Setting and Mechanics in Games
July 1, 2024
Theme, Setting and Mechanics in Games By MARK WILSON There’s a problem in how hobby gamers talk about tabletop games (board games + RPGs). Many
War of the Ring, 2nd Edition Board Game Review
June 15, 2024
War of the Ring, Second Edition Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2011 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 150-180 Minutes Approaches to Theme –
The Power of a Sincere Story
June 8, 2024
The Power of a Sincere Story By MARK WILSON R.A. Salvatore is an author best known for his many fantasy novels. In particular, his legacy
Successful Player Characters in TTRPGs
June 1, 2024
Successful Player Characters in D&D and TTRPGs By MARK WILSON How to Define PC Success in Tabletop Roleplaying Games Success is a nebulous term in
D&D’s Ranger Problem
May 22, 2024
D&D’s Ranger Problem and How to Solve It By MARK WILSON D&D has a problem, and it’s with the Ranger class. This isn’t a new
Modernism, Postmodernism and Meta-Modernism in Roleplaying
May 15, 2024
Modernism, Postmodernism and Meta-Modernism in Roleplaying By MARK WILSON I saw a good Youtube video on this topic. It was in reference to movies, but
AI Writing, Gaming Media and My Position on AI Use
May 8, 2024
AI Writing, Gaming Media and My Position on AI Use By MARK WILSON We’re still in an age where people are discovering artificial intelligence (AI)
The King is Dead, 2nd Edition Board Game Review
May 1, 2024
The King is Dead, Second Edition Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2020 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 30-45 Minutes In The King is
Euchre Card Game Review
April 22, 2024
Euchre Card Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1848 Players: 4 Playing Time: 45 Minutes Euchre is not a great card game. But it’s
Riding Chaos in Tabletop Games
April 15, 2024
Riding Chaos in Tabletop Games By MARK WILSON A particularly chaotic session of Inis I like chaos in games. But I also like strategy and
Eat Poop You Cat, Board Game Review
April 8, 2024
Eat Poop You Cat: Telephone, Telestrations and the Art of Drawing Stuff Badly Also Somehow a Sociological Manifesto By MARK WILSON Year Published: ?? Players:
Provisional Gaming Reviews
April 1, 2024
Provisional Game Reviews By MARK WILSON When we write a review, we like to think it’s definitive. “Here,” we seem to say, “this is what
Bring Your Own Book, Board Game Review
March 22, 2024
Bring Your Own Book, Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 3-8 Playing Time: 20+ Minutes Books. Reading. Literature. A separate hobby
Trick of the Rails Board Game Review
March 15, 2024
Trick of the Rails Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2011 Players: 3-5 Playing Time: 20 Minutes An economic train game merged with
Bohnanza Board Game Review
March 8, 2024
Bohnanza Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1997 Players: 2-7 Playing Time: 45 Minutes I have a game group that meets on occasion
Railways of the World Board Game Review
March 1, 2024
Railways of the World Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2005 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 120 Minutes Railways of the World is a
Holding the Lead: King of the Hill in Combative Board Games
February 22, 2024
Holding the Lead: King of the Hill in Combative Board Games By MARK WILSON One of the more controversial elements of some of my favorite
Pictomania Board Game Review
February 15, 2024
Pictomania Board Game Review By MARK WILSON There are a lot of “draw things in a hurry and guess at what it is” party games.
Board Game Reviewers are Too Nice, But It’s Not Their Fault
February 8, 2024
Board Game Reviewers are Too Nice, But It’s Not Their Fault By MARK WILSON Reviewers have a tough job. What they do is largely thankless,
Mouse Guard: Swords & Strongholds Review
February 1, 2024
Mouse Guard: Swords & Strongholds Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 2 Playing Time: 15-30 Minutes What do we need out
Open Information and Game Flow: How Game Design Incentivizes Analysis Paralysis
January 22, 2024
Open Information and Game Flow: How Game Design Incentivizes Analysis Paralysis By MARK WILSON Chess is a perfect information game. While it’s become popular to
Asynchronous Board Games and RPGs: Pros and Cons
January 15, 2024
Asynchronous Board Games and RPGs: Pros and Cons By MARK WILSON COVID changed the world’s landscape. I’m not smart enough to encapsulate even a fraction
Thematic Games and Role Differentation
January 8, 2024
Thematic Games and Role Differentiation By MARK WILSON I don’t think it’s terribly controversial to say that so-called “thematic” board games – as loosely defined
Kemet: Blood & Sand Board Game Review
January 1, 2024
Kemet: Blood & Sand Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2021 (original in 2012) Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 90-120 Minutes REVIEWER’S NOTE: This
Tammany Hall Board Game Review
December 15, 2023
Tammany Hall Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2007 Players: 3-5 Playing Time: 90 Minutes Welcome to Tammany Hall, an historical game about
Paris Connection Board Game Review
December 1, 2023
Paris Connection Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2010 Players: 3-6 Playing Time: 30 Minutes Paris Connection sits in the “cube rails” genre
Mottainai Board Game Review
November 15, 2023
Mottainai Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 15-30 Minutes Carl Chudyk has a reputation as a designer. It’s
The Table is Lava Board Game Review
November 1, 2023
The Table is Lava Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2018 Players: 2-4 (2-5 w/expansion) Playing Time: 20 Minutes Once in a generation,
Medina Board Game Review
October 15, 2023
Medina Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2001 / 2014 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 60 Minutes Medina is a lightly-themed abstract strategy game
Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile Board Game Review
October 1, 2023
Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2021 Players: 1-6 Playing Time: 45-150 Minutes Hoo boy. I almost
Pax Porfiriana Board Game Review
September 15, 2023
Pax Porfiriana Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2012 Players: 1-6 Playing Time: 120 Minutes Let’s play a game. No, not Pax Porfiriana.
Letters From Whitechapel Board Game Review
September 1, 2023
Letters From Whitechapel Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2011 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 90 Minutes Letters from Whitechapel (LFW) exists within a
It’s a Great Game…I Don’t Like It
August 15, 2023
It’s a Great Game…I Don’t Like It By MARK WILSON “Oh, Jimmy would love this game.” “You know, I think I should mention this to
Letter Jam Board Game Review
August 1, 2023
Letter Jam Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2019 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 45 Minutes I saw noted designer Eric Lang mention that
Kingdom Builder Board Game Review
July 15, 2023
Kingdom Builder Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2011 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 45 Minutes Restriction breeds creativity. You’ve probably heard variations on
Hardback Board Game Review
July 1, 2023
Hardback Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2018 Players: 1-5 Playing Time: 45-90 Minutes Word games. Inherently problematic. Not in the sense that
In Defense of Subjectivity in Game Critique
June 15, 2023
In Defense of Subjectivity in Game Critique By MARK WILSON On a basic level, we all understand (or I hope we do) that gaming preferences
Hundreds of Horses Board Game Review
June 1, 2023
Hundreds of Horses Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 3-4 Playing Time: 20-30 Minutes It’s like a less-complicated Dixit. And all
Podcast Appearance – Sidekicks & Sidequests
May 13, 2023
Podcast Appearance – Sidekicks & Sidequests We create Leeroy Jenkins…the Vampire By MARK WILSON I was recently a guest for the second time on a
5 Ways to Become a Better D&D Player
May 6, 2023
Become a Better Tabletop RPG Player – Part I By MARK WILSON An online discussion forum I frequent recently lamented the lack of discussion on
The Burden of Narrative in TTRPGs: Part 2
May 1, 2023
The Burden of Narrative in Tabletop Roleplaying Games: Part 2 By MARK WILSON In Part 1 of this article series, we looked at the burden
Finding Your Sweet Spot in Tabletop Gaming
April 15, 2023
Finding Your Sweet Spot in Tabletop Gaming By MARK WILSON I’m increasingly convinced that much of our gaming preferences are just people finding and defending
The Burden of Narrative in TTRPGs
April 3, 2023
The Burden of Narrative in Tabletop Roleplaying Games By MARK WILSON Avatar: Legends and My Narrative Struggle I’ve been reading the core system book and
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy Board Game Review
April 1, 2023
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2020 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 60-200 Minutes It would be clickbait
Twilight Imperium 4th Edition Board Game Review
March 15, 2023
Twilight Imperium: 4th Edition Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2017 Players: 3-6 (8 with expansions) Playing Time: 240-480 Minutes Well, this is
Fury of Dracula (3rd/4th Edition) Board Game Review
March 1, 2023
Fury of Dracula (3rd/4th edition) Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 120-180 Minutes Fury of Dracula exists on
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #44
February 16, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #44 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 12 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
Dominant Species Board Game Review
February 15, 2023
Dominant Species Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2010 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 120-240 Minutes Every bad thing you’ll read about Dominant Species
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #43
February 14, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #43 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 11 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #42
February 13, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #42 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 11 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #41
February 12, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #41 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 11 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #40
February 11, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #40 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 10-11 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #39
February 10, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #39 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 10 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #38
February 9, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #38 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 10 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #37
February 8, 2023
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #37 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 10 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
Diamonds Card Game Review
February 1, 2023
Diamonds (2nd edition) Card Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2014 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 20-30 Minutes I have a mostly amiable relationship with
Gardens of Babylon Board Game Review
January 15, 2023
Gardens of Babylon Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2019 Players: 1-4 Playing Time: 60 Minutes Everyone has a weakness. In fact, most
There Are No Gamers Anymore, Only Game Critics
January 11, 2023
There Are No Gamers Anymore, Only Game Critics By MARK WILSON Art can be sectioned off into all sorts of sub-categories, but for our purposes
Decrypto Board Game Review
January 1, 2023
Decrypto Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2018 Players: 3-8 Playing Time: 15-45 Minutes A Divergence on Storytelling I talk about narrative arcs
Concept Board Game Review
December 15, 2022
Concept Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2027 Players: 4-12 Playing Time: 40 Minutes Concept feels like a victim of circumstance to me.
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #36
December 12, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #36 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 10 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #35
December 6, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #35 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
Doctor Who Season 13 – “Flux” Review
December 1, 2022
Doctor Who Season 13 (“Flux”) Review By MARK WILSON Spoilers ahead. Can a full story arc be redeemed by a good ending if the early
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #34
November 29, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #34 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #33
November 22, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #33 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
Chess in the Modern Digital Era
November 15, 2022
Chess in the Modern Digital Era By MARK WILSON Can one really review Chess? Not in the traditional sense, I suspect. I won’t be attempting
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #32
November 8, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #32 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
Castles of Tuscany Board Game Review
November 1, 2022
Castles of Tuscany Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2020 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 45-60 Minutes Castles of Tuscany is a problematic game.
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #31
October 29, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #31 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #30
October 22, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #30 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 9 Players:Dahlia, the Mother
Balance in Board Games: Cosmic Encounter Review
October 15, 2022
Balance in Board Games: A Cosmic Encounter Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1977/2008 Players: 3-5 Playing Time: 60-120 Minutes What can I say about
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #29
October 8, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #29 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 8 Players:Dalia, the Mother
Commands & Colors: Ancients Campaign Report
October 1, 2022
Commands & Colors: Ancients Campaign Report By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2006 Players: 2 Playing Time: 60 Minutes BGG Link: Commands & Colors: Ancients My C&C:A
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #28
September 22, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #28 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 8 Players:Dalia, the Mother
Commands & Colors: Ancients Board Game Review
September 15, 2022
Systems, Simulation, and Stampedes: Commands & Colors: Ancients Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2006 Players: 2 Playing Time: 60 Minutes Commands & Colors: Ancients
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #27
September 8, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #27 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 8 Players:Dalia, the Mother
Dragon Castle Review
September 1, 2022
Dragon Castle Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2017 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 30-45 Minutes I play a lot of games once or twice. My
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #26
August 22, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #26 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 8 Players:Dalia, the Mother