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
Board Games
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Category: Board Games
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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 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 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
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
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,
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
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
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”
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
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)
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 Review By MARK WILSON Big Box 2015 reprint Year Published: 1995 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 90 Minutes El Grande Gameplay Spain sets the
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
Dune, the Board Game – A Review
November 12, 2020
Dune Board Game Review The Black IPA of Board Games By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1979 (2019 reprint) Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 120 Minutes The
Board Game Roundup #9: Keyflower, Whitehall Mystery, Board Game Arena
November 1, 2020
Board Game Roundup #9 Keyflower, Whitehall Mystery, Board Game Arena By MARK WILSON Board Game Roundups are where I discuss games I’ve been playing recently.
Ethnos Review
October 15, 2020
Ethnos Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2017 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 45-60 Minutes Ethnos burst onto the scene with some fanfare, in large part
Board Game Roundup #8: Food Chain Magnate, Mage Knight, Dragon Castle
October 1, 2020
Board Game Roundup #8 Food Chain Magnate, Mage Knight, Dragon Castle By MARK WILSON Board Game Roundups are where I discuss games I’ve been playing
Board Game Roundup #5: Gardens of Babylon & After Midnight Games
September 10, 2020
Board Game Roundup #5 Gardens of Babylon and After Midnight Games By MARK WILSON Board Game Roundups are where I discuss games I’ve been playing
Board Game Roundup #7: Tiny Towns, Bruges, Targi
September 1, 2020
Board Game Roundup #7 Tiny Towns, Bruges, Targi By MARK WILSON Board Game Roundups are where I discuss games I’ve been playing recently. These aren’t
Sun Tzu Board Game Review
August 20, 2020
Sun Tzu Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2005 Players: 2 Playing Time: 30 Minutes Calling your game Sun Tzu is a dangerous
Captain Sonar Review
August 15, 2020
Captain Sonar Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2016 Players: 2-8 Playing Time: 45-60 Minutes Captain Sonar – The Premise Captain Sonar is an audacious,
Board Game Roundup #6: Raiders of the North Sea, Unexploded Cow, Mysthea
August 1, 2020
Board Game Roundup #6 Raiders of the North Sea, Unexploded Cow, Mysthea By MARK WILSON Board Game Roundups are where I discuss games I’ve been
Board Game Roundup #4: Condottiere, Sherlock Holmes and Fillers
July 15, 2020
Board Game Roundup #4 Condottiere, Sherlock Holmes and Fillers By MARK WILSON Board Game Roundups are where I discuss games I’ve been playing recently. These
Tsuro of the Seas Review
May 15, 2020
Tsuro of the Seas Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2012 Players: 2-8 Playing Time: 30 Minutes BGG Link: Tsuro of the Seas The Premise
Board Game Roundup #3: Brass: Birmingham and Concordia: Venus
May 1, 2020
Board Game Roundup #3 Brass: Birmingham and Concordia: Venus By MARK WILSON Board Game Roundups are where I discuss games I’ve been playing recently. These
Guide to Gaming on Board Game Arena
April 21, 2020
Guide to Gaming on Board Game Arena By MARK WILSON Like many during the COVID-19 crisis, I’ve shifted to playing a lot of online games.
Board Game Roundup #2: Treasure Island, Archipelago, Concordia
April 1, 2020
Board Game Roundup #2 Treasure Island, Archipelago, Concordia By MARK WILSON Board Game Roundups are where I discuss games I’ve been playing recently. These aren’t
Board Game Roundup #1: Roll for the Galaxy, Tammany Hall, Inis
March 1, 2020
Board Game Roundup #1 Roll For the Galaxy, Tammany Hall, Inis By MARK WILSON Board Game Roundups are where I discuss games I’ve been playing
Codenames Review
February 17, 2020
Codenames Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 2-8 Playing Time: 15 Minutes Codenames – The Premise Two teams and a 5×5 tableau of
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Review
February 17, 2020
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 1981 Players: 1-8 Playing Time: 60-120 Minutes Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective – The Premise Sherlock
Seasons of Inis Review
February 8, 2020
Seasons of Inis Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2019 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 90 Minutes I’m a huge fan of Inis; it might be
Viticulture Essential Edition Review
February 8, 2020
Viticulture: Essential Edition Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 1-6 Playing Time: 45-90 Minutes How To Play Viticulture Essential Edition Add-Ons Components The
Project Dreamscape Review
February 8, 2020
Project Dreamscape Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 1-4 Playing Time: 30 Minutes Theme & Concept It’s easy for card games to get
Lanterns: The Harvest Festival Review
February 8, 2020
Lanterns: The Harvest Festival Review With The Emperor’s Gifts expansion By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 30 Minutes Lanterns – The
Laser Cat Attack Review
February 8, 2020
Laser Cat Attack Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2014 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 10 Minutes This is a bit of a divergence for my
Inis Review
February 5, 2020
Inis Review A masterpiece of a game By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2016 Players: 2-4 (2-5 w/expansion) Playing Time: 60-90 Minutes Normally I break down
Pretense Review
February 5, 2020
Pretense Review MetaMicroGaming By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2015 Players: 2-12 Playing Time: 60-360 Minutes The Premise Pretense is a game that happens concurrently with
Secrets Board Game Review
February 5, 2020
Secrets Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2017 Players: 4-8 Playing Time: 15-35 Minutes Secrets – The Premise Secrets is an elaborate shell game, the
Two Rooms and a Boom Review
February 5, 2020
Two Rooms and a Boom Review Problems and praise in a wildly social, deduction party game. By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2013 Players: 6-30 Playing
Red Dragon Inn Review
February 5, 2020
Red Dragon Inn Review Drinking without the camaraderie By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2007 Players: 2-4 (more with expansions) Playing Time: 45 Minutes Red Dragon
Viticulture: Tuscany Essential Edition Review
February 5, 2020
Viticulture: Tuscany Essential Edition Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2016 Players: 1-6 Playing Time: 60-150 Minutes One of the first reviews I ever did
Cockroach Poker Review
February 5, 2020
Cockroach Poker Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2004 Players: 2-6 Playing Time: 20 Minutes The Premise You get a bunch of cards that are
Welcome To… Board Game Review
February 4, 2020
Welcome to… Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2018 Players: 1-100 Playing Time: 25 Minutes The Premise Welcome To is a roll & write –
Cartographers Review
February 4, 2020
Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2019 Players: 1-100 Playing Time: 30-45 Minutes The Premise Cartographers is a recent entry
Tournay Board Game Review
February 3, 2020
Tournay Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2011 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 30-60 Minutes Tournay – The Premise Fans of the game will push back
Troyes Board Game Review
February 3, 2020
Troyes Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2010 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 90 Minutes Welcome to the city of Troyes. We got your
Carcassonne Review
February 2, 2020
Carcassonne Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2000 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 30-45 Minutes Carcassonne – The Premise You draw a tile, then place the
Blood on the Clocktower Review
February 2, 2020
Blood on the Clocktower Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2020 Players: 5-20 Playing Time: 30-120 Minutes The PremiseBlood on the Clocktower is social deduction.
Beyond Baker Street Review
January 31, 2020
Beyond Baker Street Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2016 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 20 Minutes The PremiseThe next in an endless string of Sherlock
World’s Fair 1893 Review
January 31, 2020
World’s Fair 1893 Board Game Review By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2016 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 35-45 Minutes World’s Fair 1893 – The Premise The
Azul Board Game Review
January 31, 2020
Azul Review An existential relationship crisis in a box By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2017 Players: 2-4 Playing Time: 30-45 Minutes Azul – The Premise
Stratego Review
January 27, 2020
Stratego Review An old warhorse, and many gamers’ intro to wargaming By MARK WILSON An older copy, likely from the 80’s Year Published: 1946 Players:
Top 10 Most Popular Board Games in the Modern Hobby Era
January 26, 2020
Most Popular Board Games in the Modern Hobby Era By MARK WILSON Most will agree that 1995’s Catan (then Settlers of Catan) kicked off what
My Gaming Review Criteria
January 26, 2020
My Gaming Reviews Criteria, preferences and other considerations By MARK WILSON Knowing a reviewer’s tendencies and biases is important to gauge whether or not you
Council of Verona Review
January 26, 2020
Council of Verona Review An underappreciated filler By MARK WILSON Year Published: 2013 Players: 2-5 Playing Time: 20 Minutes If I were given to subjective