
I know that many of us play board games to have fun. Whether we enjoy lighter or heavier games, it's all about spending time, either alone or with friends or family, getting away from the day-to-day worries and immersing yourself in another world for an hour or two or three. Yet, there are games that are set against the background of a very serious topic. These games want us, the players, to engage with the topic in a safe environment. They will never be perfect representations of the reality they portray, but hopefully, they will make us want to engage with the topic further.
Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/01/23/in-all-seriousness-board-games-with-sensitive-topics-topic-discussion/
Useful Links
The Cost review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/12/12/the-cost-digital-eyes/
Doubt is our Product: https://hollandspiele.com/products/doubt-is-our-product
Holding On: The Troubled Life of Billy Kerr: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/245444/holding-troubled-life-billy-kerr
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)
Music: Sonnengruß by Sascha EndeWebsite: https://filmmusic.io/song/83-sonnengrussLicensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
(Photo courtesy of Hollandspiele)
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tabletopgamesblog/message
Jan 23, 2024
7 min

We were on our way to the city's main station to board the bullet train to Kyoto. Travelling on the Asakusa underground line towards Ikebukuro, we had just passed through Kasumigaseki and arrived at Ginza station. We were nearly there. It was Next Station: Tokyo by Matthew Dunstan from Blue Orange.
Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/01/20/next-station-tokyo-saturday-review/
Useful Links
Next Station: Tokyo: https://blueorangegames.eu/en/games/next-station-tokyo/
Rulebook: https://blueorangegames.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NextStationTokyo-Rules-EN.pdf
Blue Orange: https://blueorangegames.eu/en/
BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/380165/next-station-tokyo
Next Station: London review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/06/17/next-station-london-saturday-review/
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)
Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2024 BBC
Music: I Feel It (instrumental) by Sascha EndeWebsite: https://filmmusic.io/song/422-i-feel-it-instrumentalLicensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tabletopgamesblog/message
Jan 20, 2024
6 min

The snowshelf reached from horizon to horizon in all directions. We were in the Valley of the Ancient Ones, which was a frozen region, pounded by deadly storms, but which had made space for a single, lone city. It was summer and time for the guilds to go on their annual pilgrimage and explore this tundra. As one of the leaders, you were about to take your guild to look for vestiges of a civilization whose existence had been passed down through myths and stories. If you were successful, you would bring riches and prestige to your lodge. You knew the risks, but you were prepared to go out onto the I C E by Bragou and Samson F. Perret from This Way.
Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/01/13/i-c-e-saturday-review/
Useful Links
I C E: https://thiswayeditions.com/ice/
Rulebook: https://thiswayeditions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ICE_Rules_EN.pdf
This Way: https://thiswayeditions.com/
BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/306482/i-c-e
Scythe review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2019/01/19/scythe/
K2 review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2021/09/25/k2-digital-eyes/
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)
Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2024 BBC
Music: Die Unendliche Geschichte by Sascha EndeFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/512-die-unendliche-geschichteLicensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tabletopgamesblog/message
Jan 13, 2024
8 min

Let's be honest. Most of us in the hobby buy games that we play once or twice or in rare cases, three or four times. In fact, the term "shelf of shame" is a thing, describing games that people have bought but not yet played. The thing is, these games sit there unplayed for months on end and may never see the welcome sight of a table, let alone a board game table. So in this article, I want to look at this a bit further and investigate why we don't play the same games more than a handful of times.
Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/01/09/single-use-games-the-board-game-hobbys-throw-away-attitude-topic-discussion/
Useful Links
BG Stats app: https://www.bgstatsapp.com/
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)
Music: "Pleasure" by AShamaluevMusic.Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
Music: "Walking" by AShamaluevMusic.Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
(Photo by Brendan Church on Unsplash)
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tabletopgamesblog/message
Jan 9, 2024
8 min

Announcing the annual Top Table Award is always a pleasure and an honour at the same time. Choosing and deciding the order of the top 5 games I reviewed in 2023 is never easy. There usually isn't much between the games and they are all great for their own reasons. So, irrespective of which one won the coveted award, all of the games are worth a closer look. Here goes...
Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/01/06/top-5-games-of-and-i-reviewed-in-2023-saturday-review/
Useful Links
Mycelia review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/08/26/mycelia-saturday-review/
Opening Gambit article: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/08/15/opening-gambit-where-to-begin-in-the-modern-hobby-topic-discussion/
Beyond Solitaire: https://www.beyondsolitaire.net/
Cardboard Edison: https://cardboardedison.com/
Spiel des Jahres award winners and nominees 2023: https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/en/award-winners-2023/
Next Station: London review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/06/17/next-station-london-saturday-review/
Taiwan Night Market review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/12/02/taiwan-night-market-saturday-review/
Akropolis review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/09/09/akropolis-saturday-review/
Sea Salt & Paper review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/07/08/sea-salt-paper-saturday-review/
Enemy Anemone review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/10/14/enemy-anemone-saturday-review/
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)
Sound Effects: bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2024 BBC
Music: "Corporate Documentary" by AShamaluevMusic.Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
Music: "Corporate Motivation" by AShamaluevMusic.Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
Music: "Corporate Ambient" by AShamaluevMusic.Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
Music: "Corporation" by AShamaluevMusic.Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tabletopgamesblog/message
Jan 6, 2024
11 min

Some might argue that board games are basically just toys. Some games add to that argument when they play on the toy factor by including one or more components that are basically just a gimmick. These components could easily be replaced by something else without affecting gameplay. Yet, some games are accused of capitalising on the attraction of gimmicks when these playful components are actually an integral part without which the game wouldn't function. In this article, I want to look at this a bit more closely.
Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2024/01/02/stop-toying-with-me-when-gimmicks-in-board-games-have-a-purpose-topic-discussion/
Useful Links
I C E: https://thiswayeditions.com/ice/
Gold n' Grog review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/12/23/gold-n-grog-saturday-review/
Mystic Vale review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2018/12/08/mystic-vale/
Viking See-Saw review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/09/16/viking-see-saw-saturday-review/
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)
Music: "Shade" by AShamaluevMusic.Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tabletopgamesblog/message
Jan 2, 2024
7 min

Another year is almost over - and what an eventful year it has been. It is time to talk about everything that has happened, the events I attended and the games I played, give you all an update on the financial state of the blog and maybe share some sneak peeks for the year ahead. So, here goes...
Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/12/30/2023-a-year-in-review-saturday-review/
Useful Links
UK Games Expo 2023 review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/06/10/uk-games-expo-2023-saturday-review/
Berlin Con 2023 review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/07/22/berlin-brettspiel-con-2023-saturday-review/
Game-a-lot: https://www.game-a-lot.fun/
Roland MacDonald: https://rolandsrevenge.com/
Daniel Newman: https://www.newmillindustries.com/
Enemy Anemone review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/10/14/enemy-anemone-saturday-review/
Spiel des Jahres: https://www.spiel-des-jahres.de/en/
Brainwaves podcast Spiel des Jahres episode: https://giantbrain.co.uk/2023/07/24/brainwaves-episode-126-spiel-special/
Spielworxx: https://www.spielworxx.de/
Five Games for Doomsday: https://fivegamesfordoomsday.com/
Brainwaves podcast: https://giantbrain.co.uk/tag/brainwaves/
Support Brainwaves: https://giantbrain.co.uk/support-us-new/
Make My Game Travel: https://makemygametravel.com/
EPOS - A Gentes Game: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/409322/epos-gentes-game
Ecosfera: https://www.julibert.com/copia-de-ecosfera
Julibert Games: https://www.julibert.com/
Gavin Jones' reviews: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/author/gavinjones
Hope Thompson's reviews: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/author/hthompson/
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)
Music: "Stars" by AShamaluevMusic.Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
Music: "Pleasure" by AShamaluevMusic.Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
(Photo courtesy Rochak Shukla on Freepik)
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tabletopgamesblog/message
Dec 30, 2023
11 min

Whether we play competitive or cooperative games, we all expect someone to be the winner. Even if it's "the game" who wins in a cooperative game. In fact, there is usually a single winner or a team in team games. Most games will list one or multiple tie-breakers to decide who is the ultimate winner. So the idea of victory conditions has become second nature to most of us in the board game hobby. Yet, there are games that don't elect a winner and in this article, I want to talk about what this might feel like.
Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/12/26/no-win-situation-a-look-at-victory-conditions-in-board-games-topic-discussion/
Useful Links
Beyond Solitaire - Episode 134 - Amabel Holland on Doubt Is Our Product: https://beyondsolitaire.buzzsprout.com/1091807/13865556-episode-134-amabel-holland-on-doubt-is-our-product
Endurance: https://hollandspiele.com/products/endurance
The Rich and the Good: https://www.aresgames.eu/games/euro-games/the-rich-and-the-good
A game about drawing creatures, complimenting the drawings, then complimenting the compliments https://stuffbybez.bigcartel.com/product/agadcctdtctc
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)
Music: "Lonesome" by AShamaluevMusic.Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
Music: "Solitude" by AShamaluevMusic.Website: https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
(Photo by Joshua Golde on Unsplash)
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tabletopgamesblog/message
Dec 26, 2023
8 min

Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of rum! That was the song that accompanied the small boat being rowed by a motley crew of scallywags. We were heading to our secret pirate treasure island to retrieve the loot we had stashed over many, many years. The problem was, none of us knew exactly where we had buried our spoils. We had packed plenty of shovels though to make short work of this small patch of land. After we pulled up on shore and spread out on the island, it was time to dig for Gold n' Grog by Jake A Smith from Next Adventure Games.
Read the full review here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/12/23/gold-n-grog-saturday-review/
Useful Links
Gold n' Grog: https://nextadventuregames.com/product/gold-n-grog-pirate-card-game/
Next Adventure Games: https://nextadventuregames.com/
BGG listing: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/379921/gold-n-grog
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)
Music: In Pursuit Of A Pirate by Tim KuligFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8520-in-pursuit-of-a-pirateLicensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: The Song Of Sirens by Alexander NakaradaFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9663-the-song-of-sirensLicensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
If you want to support this podcast financially, please check out the links below:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tabletopgamesblog/message
Dec 23, 2023
5 min

In this latest guest post, Samuel Webb, an experienced news reporter and copywriter based in Coventry, discusses why some X-Wing Miniatures fans are unhappy with the company that they claim is ruining this beloved Star Wars tabletop skirmish game.
Read the full article here: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2023/12/19/fear-leads-to-anger-x-wing-miniatures-fans-claim-company-is-ruining-tabletop-skirmish-game-topic-discussion/
Useful Links
Samuel Webb: https://samwebbreporter.com/
Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures: https://www.atomicmassgames.com/xwing/
Fantasy Flight Games: https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/index/
Disney: https://www.disney.co.uk/
Atomic Mass Games: https://www.atomicmassgames.com/
Asmodee: https://www.asmodee.co.uk/
Pandemic review: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/2020/01/18/pandemic-saturday-review/
Oliver Pocknell: https://medium.com/@oliverpocknell
Sith Takes Snap Shots podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pbIE9FZderY7SYKeKuspU
Intro Music: Bomber (Sting) by Riot (https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/)
Music: The Boy Who Never Existed by Michal MojzykiewiczFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10072-the-boy-who-never-existedLicensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tabletopgamesblog
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/TabletopGamesBlog
Website: https://tabletopgamesblog.com/
(Photo courtesy of Samuel Webb)
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tabletopgamesblog/message
Dec 19, 2023
7 min
Load more
