It was the first day of our project. It was also the first day on Mars. There were another forty-two days ahead of us, and every day, including today, we were faced with a different mission. These missions were going to get more challenging as we progressed. Our team consisted of a cryptographer, a navigator, a geologist, a mineralogist, a geochemist, a physicist, and even a futurist. So we were hopeful that we would successfully make it through this Mars Expedition: Sol 43 by Sergii Cherkasov a...
Jul 12, 2025•8 min
I am sure many of us have been there. I know I certainly have. There are some games you simply overlook and don't give a fair chance. Maybe it’s the box art that doesn’t speak to you, or the components that look dull or too childish. Whatever it is, you just don't give it another thought. You have already formed an opinion of what the game is in your mind. Of course, that mental image is sometimes completely wrong. In this article, I want to talk about what first impressions are and how they can...
Jul 08, 2025•9 min
The lake was very peaceful and still. Its surface was covered by countless lily pads from eight different varieties. These lilies were extremely rare. Seeing all of them bloom at once was a very special moment. It only ever happened when there was A Gentle Rain by Kevin Wilson from Incredible Dream Studios with art by Chris Bilheimer and Wiktor Kozyra . Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/07/05/a-gentle-rain-saturday-review/ Useful Links A Gentle Rain : https://kinfirec...
Jul 05, 2025•7 min
In response to Queen Victoria's love of Osborne House, railways were built that ran from Cowes to Newport and from Ryde to Ventnor. As if to underline the significance of the project, two rival companies, the LSWR and LBSC , collaborated to create a train network that was soon hailed as a triumph of public service over profitability and that ran from Ryde to Ventnor, Freshwater to Newport, Cowes to Ryde via Newport, Newport to Sandown and Merstone to Ventnor. All of this happened in 1860: Railwa...
Jun 28, 2025•10 min
You just wanted to take a quiet and relaxing bath, but your plastic companions had other ideas. Instead of peacefully bobbing on the water, they turned into mad mallards. Water started to splash everywhere. Argh! You had only one choice. You had to Duck & Cover by Oussama Khelifati from Captain Games with art by Adrien Journel . Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/06/21/duck-cover-saturday-review/ Useful Links Duck & Cover : https://captain.games/en/games/duck-a...
Jun 21, 2025•7 min
The goal is super simple. Get all of your four pawns from one end of the nine-by-nine grid to the other. It seems like a long way and as your opponent has the same goal, you need to be clever and outmanoeuvre them. Choose the right card to move your pawns in a pattern that allows you to get around your opponent's pawns and get closer to your goal. However, if you're not careful, one of your pawns will get knocked out. If this happens too many times, you will be Booted! by Karissa Tang and Skyden...
Jun 14, 2025•6 min
The first time I covered this massive board game event was back in 2018. It was well-established at the Birmingham NEC by then, sprawling across halls 1, 2, 3 and 3A. During the COVID pandemic in 2021 and 2022, I skipped the show, but since 2023, I have attended again every year. So, technically speaking, this is my 6th UK Games Expo . Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/06/07/uk-games-expo-2025-saturday-review/ Useful Links UK Games Expo : https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk...
Jun 07, 2025•12 min
On a remote island in the middle of the Boiling Sea , two factions build their fortresses, facing each other at opposite ends of the battlefield. They suppress their enemy while searching for two ancient crystals which promise great power. Whoever can find the crystals first will be able to summon an almighty dragon and launch their final attack and obliterate their mortal enemy's Crimson Keep a self-published game by Nick Warren with art from Filippo Gallo . Read the full review here: https://t...
May 31, 2025•10 min
Georgian England saw London quickly growing into one of the largest cities in Europe. As the city grew, coffee houses equally gained importance in society. For a mere penny, customers could purchase a cup of coffee and gain admission to these new spaces where they could learn the news of the day and perhaps meet other local residents and discuss mutual concerns. At the same time, some of these establishments were the birthplace of a new community. They became a place where people could explore g...
May 24, 2025•13 min
I don't know how many times I have now attended, but during my first visit, I was walking the halls hoping to speak to publishers about my blog and praying that I might get a review copy or two. I attended for a single day, driving up all the way and back again by myself, trying to cram it all on. That's all changed over the years. So let me tell you my plans for UK Games Expo 2025 . Read the full topic discussion article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/05/20/uk-games-expo-2025-looking-...
May 20, 2025•11 min
It is time for the Day of the Dead , the Día de los Muertos . It is also time to prepare our altar of family portraits with beautiful marigolds and candles to remember those who have passed away. Soon, we will make offerings of the things they loved, to guide their spirits back to us. At the same time, we have to be very careful how we arrange the photos. Like in any family, not everyone is happy to be right next to just anyone in our Ofrenda by Orlando Sá and André Santos from Osprey Games with...
May 10, 2025•8 min
Deep within the ruins of an ancient Sith temple, Kylo Ren stood with his unstable blade crackling, caught between admiration and resentment, as Darth Vader emerged, his presence suffocating, the air itself recoiling. Then Moff Gideon entered, while Asajj Ventress prowled the edges, twin sabres igniting, her gaze calculating. A metallic rasp followed as General Grievous stepped forward, stolen lightsabres humming in his grasp. Past, present and future - each a force of ambition, none willing to y...
May 03, 2025•7 min
Welcome to the Royal Scavenger Hunt of Tockton Clock. You are cordially invited. It is time to gather your team. Hop onto the big hand and journey around the clock face, pushing other mice off in the process. Don't waste any time though, because when the clock strikes midnight, the hunt is over. So be quick and line up your crew alongside Hickory Dickory by Sawyer West from Plaid Hat Games with illustrations by Sonja Müller . Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/04/26/hi...
Apr 26, 2025•8 min
Six scoundrels had gathered: Captain Hook was plotting his revenge, Jafar envisioned ruling unopposed, Maleficent smiled at the thought of thorns engulfing the kingdom, Prince John was devising new taxes to fill his coffers, the Queen of Hearts brooded over her next decree of decapitation, while Ursula lounged with a sly grin, imagining helpless souls entangled in her tentacles. Each was driven to prove their wickedness and become the evilest Disney Villainous: The Worst Takes it All by Aaron Do...
Apr 12, 2025•9 min
Suddenly, you come to. You've woken from a deep dream - or maybe it was a nightmare. You're lying on the cold ground. Your immediate thought is to check for injuries, but you only have some light bruises and scratches. Your memory seems worse though. Everything is a bit muddled. You can’t remember where you are or why you are here. You dimly recall the scent of flowers. Yes, that's it. The flowers were what made you come here. They were so beautiful and inviting. But then something changed as th...
Apr 05, 2025•10 min
As the long, dark winter looms, bears gather along the river, drawn by the promise of a feast. They fight for the best fishing spots, where leaping salmon offer a chance at survival. The strongest dominate the prime locations, while others perfect their own hunting techniques. Each catch is a battle, each meal a lifeline. Only those who have feasted well will endure in the wild heart of Katmai: The Bears of Brooks River by Peter Ridgeway from Osprey Games with illustrations from Tom Lopez . Read...
Mar 29, 2025•7 min
The sun beats down as you and the other craftsmen raise the walls, just like your ancestors once built their great stone villages. Be careful though, because if the Chieftain spots your signature stones, you will be penalised. As space runs out, only the most cunning will earn the Chieftain’s favour and successfully build their Pueblo by Michael Kiesling and Wolfgang Kramer from Mojito Studios with art from SillyJellie . Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/03/22/pueblo-...
Mar 22, 2025•7 min
The sun blazes over the wasteland as your tribe fights for survival, its fate tied to three fragile camps and its lifeblood measured in precious drops of water. A single rival warband looms on the horizon, ready to strike. You need to be ready to fight and unleash chaos. Every drop of water spent is a gamble, a step toward victory or ruin. When the dust settles, only one tribe will remain in the desolate Radlands by Daniel Piechnick from Roxley Games with illustrations from Delia Arnone , Lina C...
Mar 15, 2025•8 min
In the grand arena, two teams stepped onto the sacred battlefield, chosen by fate to clash in a relentless battle. The indomitable Dragon Hunters , descendants of war heroes who once battled the Dark Flame dragons, faced the elusive ninjas of the Hidden Temple , protectors of the grand Gang Port , who in turn would fight either the unyielding Guards of Witgat , heirs of a mountain tribe that endured the Celestial Fall , or The Institute , the largest team, yet the weakest individually, led by th...
Mar 01, 2025•11 min
The skiers were lined up at the starting line, rifles strapped across their backs, ski sticks in hand. They proudly represented their nations and each represented a different mix of skills. Some were faster going cross-country, others had better endurance and there were some with precision shooting skills. It would be a tense race. It would be a Biathlon Blast by Lars Max Jensen and Carl Tenland from carlMax with art from Damien Mammoliti and Alex Tantraz . Read the full review here: https://tab...
Feb 22, 2025•9 min
It seemed like a normal day until you listened to the voice message from your friend. It sounded urgent and like their life was in danger. They wanted to meet you at this club. You tried to call them back to find out more, but nobody answered. You started to worry and fear the worst, but you plucked up your courage. You just wished there still was Neon Hope by Francesco Grothe and Dominik Schönleben from Hopeful Games with illustrations from Robert Herzig and Consuelo Pecchenino . Read the full ...
Feb 15, 2025•9 min
It is the golden age of American railways. Rail stocks are all the rage, with new companies flooding the stock market all the time. The stakes are high, but you want to have a slice of the pie. The returns look great and investors get a say on a company's track-laying. To make it big, you have to be clever and know the Trick of the Rails by Hisashi Hayashi from Grok Games with illustrations from Ann-Sophie De Steu and Diego Sá . Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/02/08...
Feb 08, 2025•8 min
We were on a road trip. As our car was eating the miles, our journals and scrapbooks were filling up with photos, postcards and other souvenirs that would later remind us of the wonderful time we had. We were exploring towering peaks and massive canyons as we were making our way through this amazing desert, always being mindful of hazards. We loved every moment as we traversed Death Valley: Highs & Lows by Kevin Ellenburg from Button Shy with illustrations from Fachri Maulana . Read the full...
Feb 01, 2025•8 min
Feudal Japan is in turmoil. The collapse of the ancient authority of the Ashikaga Shogunate has plunged the country into a brutal civil war, known to history as the Sengoku Jidai . Clans clash in a relentless struggle for power and prestige. Now it is your turn to enter this bloody conflict as a great warrior. This is Senjutsu: Battle for Japan by Paul D. Allen and James Faulkner from Lucky Duck Games with illustrations from Imad Awan and Raben White . Read the full review here: https://tabletop...
Jan 25, 2025•12 min
The land of Arzium is facing a new threat. Ember Zombies have left their volcanic lands to the north and are walking through the previously peaceful lands that we call our home. You can easily recognise them with their charcoal bodies. Yet, there is hope. The city of Eastrey offers a safe haven for the creatures that are threatened by the malicious fire fairies. Everyone must make their way across deserts and plains, over mountains and through deep canyons and seek refuge, picking up other wande...
Jan 18, 2025•10 min
In a distant future, giant clay figures are pitted against each other in a race through a desolate terrain. They are controlled by racers who have secretly bet on a specific creature to cross the finish line first. However, all racers have control over all of the creatures and can change their bets during the race. The locals call this chaotic contest Golem Run by Tony Cotterill and Ren Multamäki from Dragon Dawn Productions . Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/01/11/g...
Jan 11, 2025•10 min
With 2024 now being officially over, it's time for me to crown the top game of the year. However, in a slight change to the usual proceedings, this time around I am going to announce a total of four awards. After all, one game is never enough. So, here goes... Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2025/01/04/top-table-award-2024-saturday-review/ Useful Links Knarr review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/07/20/knarr-saturday-review/ Tapestry review: https://tabletopgamesblog...
Jan 04, 2025•10 min
As another year draws to a close, it's time to look back, take stock and also glimpse ahead. So let me share how 2024 was for me and give you an idea of what 2025 has in store. Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/12/28/2024-a-year-in-review-and-a-look-ahead-saturday-review/ Useful Links 10x10 Challenge : https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/166160/2014-challenge-play-10-games-10-times-each Knarr review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/07/20/knarr-saturday-review/ Tapes...
Dec 28, 2024•9 min
In the dark and damp tunnels, creatures lurked. Brave heroes dared to venture deep into the labyrinth, hoping to defeat fiends and undead creatures, while avoiding spells. It was a battle to the death and whoever came out victorious would enter the annals of the Dungeon Champs by Matt Garbutt from Outland Entertainment . Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/12/21/dungeon-champs-saturday-review/ Useful Links Outland Entertainment : https://outlandentertainment.com/ Intro ...
Dec 21, 2024•5 min
Take some sheep's heart, liver and lungs, mince them together with some chopped onion, oatmeal, suet, spices and salt, mix in some stock and cook it all together in the animal's stomach for about an hour. Add some neeps and tatties and enjoy your Haggis by Sean Ross from Portland Game Collective . Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/12/14/haggis-saturday-review/ Useful Links Haggis : https://portlandgamecollective.bigcartel.com/product/haggis Rulebook: https://boardg...
Dec 14, 2024•8 min
