Board Games Categories

So few games now-a-days can be taken out and about, played anywhere and everywhere, with little setup and almost no time commitment. Whether travelling on a train, flying through the skies, or simply sitting down with friends around a coffee shop table, having something you can pull out of a backpack or a purse, and play with friends is an extraordinary. Enter TinyNinjas, a card and dice game for two players that can be learned and played within 15 to 20 minutes! How does it hold up? Let's dive in!

Each time we review a new expansion for The Pokemon Trading Card Game, the  Pokemon Company International is usually kind enough to send along a few Themed Decks for us to try. In the past, my son Logan and I have pitted the two themed decks against each other, and talked about the values and considerations for each. We did that again, so let's dive into our experiences!

While fans of the Pokemon Trading Card Game continue to clamour for new cards and expansions, The Pokemon Company International continues to invest in the franchise and creates new and unique ways to play the game. It began with EX and GX cards, and has blossomed from there; with the latest expansion, the PTCG is now implementing dual Pokemon cards, or more appropriately, Tag-Team cards. Let's dive in!

My Little Scythe is the kids friendly, less intense version of the popular board game Scythe, but Stonemaier Games. Will the original Scythe is a complicated, detail heavy board game experience meant for established and veteran board game players, the more basic My Little Scythe is a great way for young and old alike to enjoy the concepts established in Scythe, but in a more manageable, and much shorter, way. While I would argue this title is aimed at kids, can it possibly hold the attention of adults as well? Let's dive in!

Earlier in July we looked at how to play Viticulture and what we thought about the game, and this month we've been taking one of the games expansions for a spin, Visit from the Rhine Valley. While not a major expansion, Visit from the Rhine Valley gives players brand new summer and winter visitor cards to play with, which ultimately change up the game in major ways, while not swapping out too many components. Let's dive in!

If you enjoy playing games like Apples to Apples, or party games in general, there is a (somewhat) new kid on the block who is sure to make your next large gathering incredibly enjoyable. Although When I Dream was originally released many years ago, the game has gone through a reprint, with brand new cards, artwork, and event extra goodies that make the package that much more enjoyable. But even though the game looks aesthetically pleasing, does it work well in a group setting? Let's dive into When I Dream, and see how it all works.

Ever wanted to drift away and own your own vineyard in Europe? Well that dream could be a reality should you choose to pick up Viticulture Essential Edition and being creating your own vineyard that will be the envy of all your neighbors. In Viticulture, players will build up there vineyards by growing grapes, crushing grapes and creating wine, and selling that wine for profit, all while performing other tasks and operating money making ventures. The person with the most victory points at the end of the game is the winner. Let's dive into the setup.

If you've never been to an Escape Room before, I strongly suggest getting a group of friends together and giving it a try. It is a fantastic experience for going out with friends, as well as a great teambuilding exercise for companies. For those who have tried an Escape Room, or just cannot find the time to get out to one, Unlock! Escape Adventures offers a very similar experience, but in the comfort of your own home. With multiple different adventures to choose from with a varying degree of difficulty, there is something for everyone! Let's dive in.

Ticket to Ride has been around for a long while, and the game has gone through many iterations. From player-on-player games in Europe and North America, to team games in Western Europe, Ticket to Ride is always attempting to do something a little different with each release. Ticket to Ride New York is a huge break from the franchise, bringing forward a very short, very simple experience that is likely to draw in more players than a traditional game in the franchise would? But is it worth owning? Let's dive in and take a look!

Back in 2002, Z-Man games released a title called Clans, a quick 30 minute experience that had players moving pawns around a fantasy map to score points. For what ever reason - perhaps Clans was very popular? - Z-Man decided to relaunch the game under a new coat of paint, and in 2018 released the refreshed version of Clans called Fae. Fae is designed by Leo Colovini, and is a 2-4 player, 30 minute experience that, like Clans, has players moving druids around a map in order to score points. Let's dive in and take a look!