Babylonia Board Game Review
August 15, 2022
Babylonia Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2019 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 60 Minutes I discovered Babylonia in a somewhat odd manner: a
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Celestia Board Game Review
August 1, 2022
Celestia Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 30 Minutes I’m often wary of games that seem to bolt
Incan Gold / Diamant Review
July 15, 2022
Incan Gold/Diamant Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2005 Players: 3-8 Playing Time: 30 Minutes Let’s pull the band-aid off early: Incan Gold/Diamant is my
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #25
July 12, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #25 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 8 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #24
July 5, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #24 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7-8 Players:Dalia, the Mother
Five Tribes Review
July 1, 2022
Five Tribes Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2014 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 60-80 Minutes The Premise In a very colorful “Arabian Nights” environment, players
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #23
June 25, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #23 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #22
June 18, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #22 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
Tournament at Avalon Review
June 15, 2022
Tournament at Avalon Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2020 Players: 3-6 Playing Time: 45 Minutes Trick-taking feels like it belongs in a
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #21
June 11, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #21 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #20
June 4, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #20 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
Can’t Stop Review
June 1, 2022
Can’t Stop Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1980 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 30 Minutes If you like press your luck games, Can’t Stop will
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #19
May 24, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #19 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
Love Letter Review
May 22, 2022
Love Letter Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2012 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 20 Minutes Love Letter – The Premise In Love Letter, you have
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #18
May 17, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #18 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #17
May 11, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #17 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
Lost Cities Review
May 8, 2022
Lost Cities Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1999 Players: 2 Playing Time: 30 Minutes Lost Cities – The Premise OH HOLY HECK it’s Lost
Tzolk’in Review
May 1, 2022
Tzolk’in: The Mayan Calendar Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2012 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 90 Minutes This review assumes basic knowledge of the game’s
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #16
April 27, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #16 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 6-7 Players:Dalia, the Mother
Lords of Waterdeep Review
April 22, 2022
Lords of Waterdeep Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2012 Players: 2-5 (2-6 w/expansion) Playing Time: 60-120 Minutes The PremiseLords of Waterdeep is a worker
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #15
April 19, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #15 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 6 Players:Dalia, the Mother
Get Out of the Way, Game!
April 15, 2022
Get Out of the Way, Game! Trying to navigate the murky waters of genre to define my tastes By MARK WILSON I’ve got a problem,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #14
April 12, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #14 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 6 currently Players:Dalia, the
Problematic Games
April 8, 2022
Problematic Games And how to have better conversations about them By MARK WILSON We’re going to discuss problematic games today. That is, games with morally
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #13
April 5, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #13 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 6 currently Players:Dalia, the
Treasure Island Board Game Review
April 1, 2022
Treasure Island Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2018 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 45 Minutes In Treasure Island, you will either play as
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #12
March 25, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #12 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevel: 6 currently Players:Dalia, the
The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine Review
March 22, 2022
The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2019 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 20 Minutes I recently reviewed The Mind,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #11
March 18, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #11 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
Best Doctor Who Stories – Review & Retrospective
March 15, 2022
The Best Doctor Who Episodes Reviews and commentary on fan favorites from Doctor Who By MARK WILSON Doctor Who Magazine periodically polls its readers on
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #10
March 11, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #10 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Mind Board Game Review
March 7, 2022
The Mind Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2018 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 15 Minutes I scoffed at The Mind. Raised my eyebrow
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #9
March 4, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #9 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
Abomination: Heir of Frankenstein Review
March 1, 2022
Abomination: Heir of Frankenstein Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2019 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 90-180 Minutes You know how board games sometimes inspire phrases
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #8
February 25, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #8 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
Multiplayer Solitaire vs. Bash the Leader
February 22, 2022
Multiplayer Solitaire vs. Bash the Leader By MARK WILSON I dislike tribal mentality leaking into my hobbies. Hopefully it’s clear what I mean by that,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #7
February 18, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #7 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
Survive: Escape From Atlantis Review
February 15, 2022
Survive: Escape From Atlantis Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1982 Players: 2-4 (2-6 w/expansion) Playing Time: 45-60 Minutes Thousands of titles have been buried
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #6
February 11, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #6 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
Emotional Spectrum in Gaming
February 7, 2022
The Emotional Spectrum in Gaming By MARK WILSON A Comparison Between Gaming and Pizza I occasionally get annoyed at the limitations of our language when
Takenoko Review
February 1, 2022
Takenoko Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2011 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 45 Minutes Look kids, it’s cute pandas! Look mom, you only need to
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #5
January 31, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #5 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #4
January 24, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #4 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
Buttons Board Game Review
January 22, 2022
Buttons Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 20-30 Minutes Buttons is an entry into the “press your luck”
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #3
January 17, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #3 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
Food Chain Magnate Review
January 15, 2022
Food Chain Magnate Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 120-240 Minutes This is the perspective of someone who’s played several
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #2
January 10, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #2 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
The Problem With D&D Tips
January 7, 2022
The Problem With D&D Tips By MARK WILSON I have a Youtube channel devoted to discussing Dungeons & Dragons. The videos are largely on individual
The Djinn of Al-Qadim: Session #1
January 3, 2022
The Djinn of Al-Qadim Campaign Session Report #1 By MARK WILSON GM: MeSetting: Al-Qadim (aka the continent of Zakhara)System: D&D 5eLevels: 3-?? (probably 12) Players:Dalia,
Seasons Review
January 1, 2022
Seasons Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2012 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 60 Minutes Seasons is a game with a lineage. It’s not uncommon to
Songbirds Board Game Review
December 15, 2021
Songbirds Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2016 Players: 1-4 Playing Time: 20 Minutes Songbirds vs. Birdie Fight – What’s In a Name?
Saboteur Board Game Review
December 1, 2021
Saboteur Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2004 Players: 3-10 Playing Time: 30 Minutes Saboteur is one of several games I discovered through
Tokaido Review
November 15, 2021
Tokaido Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2012 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 45 Minutes Tokaido – The Premise In what may be one of the
Libertalia Review
November 1, 2021
Libertalia Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2012 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 40-60 Minutes “Pirates” is a theme that’s well covered in board games. Libertalia
Paperback Review
October 15, 2021
Paperback Card Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2014 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 45 Minutes Paperback – The Premise Dominion and Scrabble had a
Elfenland Review
October 1, 2021
Elfenland Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1998 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 60 Minutes A Forgotten Pioneer Elfenland is an odd duck; it’s Alan Moon’s
One Night Ultimate Werewolf Review
September 15, 2021
One Night Ultimate Werewolf Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2014 Players: 3-10 Playing Time: 10 Minutes ONUW – The Premise There are two teams:
Dice Forge Review
September 1, 2021
Dice Forge Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2017 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 45 Minutes Dice Forge is a gimmick game. I don’t mean that
Targi Review
August 15, 2021
Targi Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2012 Players: 2 Playing Time: 60 Minutes Targi – The Premise Targi is a moderately abstract worker placement
Colt Express Review
August 1, 2021
Colt Express Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2014 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 30-40 Minutes In Colt Express, you’re a train robber trying to get
Tales of the Arabian Nights Board Game Review
July 15, 2021
Tales of the Arabian Nights Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1985 (2009 reprint) Players: 1-6 Playing Time: 120 Minutes (longer at 5-6P)
Session Zero in D&D and Other TTRPGs
July 1, 2021
Session Zero in Dungeons and Dragons Campaigns By MARK WILSON What Is Session Zero in D&D? Session Zero is the unofficial name for what happens
Ghosts of Saltmarsh | D&D 5e Review
June 24, 2021
Ghosts of Saltmarsh | 5e D&D Review By MARK WILSON Ghosts of Saltmarsh – The Premise The region of Saltmarsh is a classic D&D setting.
NPC Archetype – The Reluctant Ally
June 16, 2021
The Reluctant Ally A template for NPCs that can add tension to your game. By MARK WILSON We tend to disparage cliches and tropes today,
Mr Jack Review
June 15, 2021
Mr. Jack Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2006 Players: 2 Playing Time: 30 Minutes Mr. Jack – The Premise Jack the Ripper is one
Dixit Review
June 8, 2021
Dixit Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2008 Players: 3-6 Playing Time: 30 Minutes Dixit – The Premise Dixit is a simple card game wherein
Quacks of Quedlinburg Review
June 1, 2021
Quacks of Quedlinburg Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2018 Players: 2-4 (2-5 w/expansion) Playing Time: 45 Minutes Quacks of Quedlinburg breaks a general rule
El Grande Review – The Granddaddy of Area Control Games
May 22, 2021
El Grande Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Big Box 2015 reprint Year Published: 1995 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 90 Minutes El Grande Gameplay Spain
Thousand Year Old Vampire – Session Report #2
May 13, 2021
Thousand Year Old Vampire: Session Report The Tale of Iri Thorgrimsson By MARK WILSON The Premise Thousand Year Old Vampire is a solo RPG intended
Tigris & Euphrates Review
May 8, 2021
Tigris & Euphrates Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1997 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 90 Minutes Tigris and Euphrates (T&E) is a pillar of board
Thousand Year Old Vampire – Session Report #1
April 30, 2021
Thousand Year Old Vampire: Session Report The Tale of Saladin By MARK WILSON The Premise: Thousand Year Old Vampire is a solo RPG intended for
The Authority Roleplaying System Review
April 22, 2021
The Authority Roleplaying System Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2004 Product Link The Authority – Wildstorm’s Comic Legacy The Authority was a superhero team
Thousand Year Old Vampire RPG Review
April 15, 2021
Thousand Year Old Vampire RPG Review By MARK WILSON RPG: Thousand Year Old VampireYear Published: 2018 The Premise Thousand Year Old Vampire is a solo
Keyflower Review
April 8, 2021
Keyflower Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2012 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 90-120 Minutes Keyflower plays out over four rounds (seasons). In each season, you’ll
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Campaign Retrospective
April 1, 2021
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Campaign Retrospective “Wrap-Up Session & Thoughts” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #28
March 15, 2021
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #28 “Out With a Bang” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial
Emergent Gameplay
March 8, 2021
Emergent Gameplay Emergent elements in board games, video games, and tabletop roleplaying games By MARK WILSON Emergent gameplay is a slippery duck. Any longtime gamer
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #27
March 1, 2021
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #27 “Bathtub Full of Butter” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial
Magical Athlete Board Game Review
February 22, 2021
Magical Athlete Review Roll and move…probably backwards By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2002 Players: 4-5 Playing Time: 60 Minutes Magical Athlete – The Premise The
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #26
February 15, 2021
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #26 “Strahdegy” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial – Female Aarakocra
Scythe Board Game Review
February 12, 2021
Scythe Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2016 Players: 1-5 Playing Time: 90-115 Minutes What’s in a Name? 4X Games in Modern Board Gaming There
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #25
February 8, 2021
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #25 “Touching the Things” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial –
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #24
February 1, 2021
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #24 “Temptations” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial – Female Aarakocra
Concordia Review
January 29, 2021
Concordia Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2013 Players: 2-5 (2-6 w/Concordia: Venus) Playing Time: 100 Minutes Concordia is a game with a lot of
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #23
January 25, 2021
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #23 “Legends of the Hidden Temple” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #22
January 18, 2021
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #22 “Age and Wisdom” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial –
Forgotten Waters Review
January 12, 2021
Forgotten Waters Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2020 Players: 3-7 Playing Time: 120-240 Minutes Forgotten Waters is a game that is trying to be
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #21
January 11, 2021
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #21 “Tomb of the Advent Calendar” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #20
January 6, 2021
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #20 “Dinner With the Devil” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial
Russian Railroads Review
January 4, 2021
Russian Railroads Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2013 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 90-120 Minutes Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a dense,
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Sessions #18-19
December 28, 2020
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Sessions #18-19 “Seeds of Romance” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial –
War of Whispers Board Game Review
December 25, 2020
War of Whispers Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2019 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 30-60 Minutes There’s a word I love using in reference to
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #17
December 21, 2020
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #17 “Wedding Plans” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial – Female
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #16
December 14, 2020
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #16 “Hy-bird-ization” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial – Female Aarakocra
Sushi Go Party Review
December 12, 2020
Sushi Go Party Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2016 Players: 2-8 Playing Time: 20 Minutes If I ever want to remember the value of
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #15
December 7, 2020
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #15 “Wereakocra” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial – Female Aarakocra
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #14
November 30, 2020
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #14 “Windmill Full of Bears” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial
Mysterium Review
November 27, 2020
Mysterium Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 2-7 Playing Time: 42 Minutes The Balance of Ambiguity When I play Mysterium, I see something
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #13
November 23, 2020
Barovia Goes to the Birds: Curse of Strahd Session #13 “Lathander’s Eleven” By MARK WILSON DM: A Friend Party:(Me) Ahk-wa – Female Aarakocra RangerAial – Female