Episode 396 – 5 Games that Surprise!
We’ve been reviewing board games for almost ten years. And sometimes, we run across ones that REALLY surprise us. Let’s talk about a few this week.
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Woodland Rush
There are lots of different kinds of tasks involved here – matching, dexterity, memory, logic, and following instructions. And the combination of the timer and group participation on the Hide-and-Seek task means that no one has time to get bored.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Octo Grabbo
Roll a die or flip a card, then use chopsticks to grab the right food in Octo Grabbo, a dexterity game that’s best for kids age 4-10.
EVERY kid under 12 years old that played this with me loved it and couldn’t get enough.
Jalape-No!
When it comes to spicy food, less is definitely more. My taste buds don’t handle heat well. That’s why Jalape-No! hit the spot for me.
» Read moreReign of Dragoness
Reign of Dragoness is a light, approachable game that plays well across generations. If you’re familiar with traditional card games, you’ll pick this up quickly.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Word Fluxx
Looney Labs did some fun and clever things with how they want you to put your words together for success in this game.
» Read moreEpisode 395 – Euro, Ameritrash, and Other Boardgamer Jargon
Do you know what a “eurogame” is? Could you explain it to someone who hasn’t played a lot of boardgames? What are some other jargon terms we use that are unfriendly to new players?
» Read moreFlutter
Flutter is a beautiful, thematic game. But the petal tracking and some of the complexities set the experience back. It’s a fun puzzle, but I would wait to bring it to the table until the kids are a little older and have better fine motor control.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Alpina
“The dual nature of the cards forced me to keep swapping back and forth and think of both aspects of every card – how it could be used for its scoring condition, and how it could contribute to the goals I’d already set out.”
» Read moreIn the Footsteps of Marie Curie
With so few points in play, you’ll quickly realize that every single point matters. But all of the combos and non-point bonuses fill the gap to keep every turn satisfying.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Little Alchemists
Little Alchemists is a “room to grow” game all by itself, starting at a very low level and slowly adding more complexity. You can stop at any time on a level you feel comfortable with and just play that for a while, or even move back a level if you or your kids aren’t ready to move up.
» Read morePack The Essentials
Choose clothing and accessories to fill your suitcase, and don’t forget the cute cats! Pack the Essentials is a cute board game for 1-4 players that’s best for ages 12+.
» Read moreEpisode 394 – 7 Party Game Favorites
SNAP Review – Medieval Academy – Choices in Chivalry
I had picked up this game because I heard great things about it – and the new version fixes some small issues with the first edition. Is it worth it?
» Read moreAvatar The Last Airbender: Aang’s Destiny
We love Avatar: The Last Airbender. Now we can work together to fulfill Aang’s destiny, while building each character’s strengths.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Mezen
I’d recommend Mezen to two distinct audiences: Families who want a jumping off point to study more about folk art, especially in Russia or Scandanavia – and gamers who want a puzzley game with no player interference and challenges that never feel punitive.
» Read moreEpisode 393 – Board Game Terms: Asymmetric, Auction, Bidding
It’s been a long time since we defined some board game terms. Let’s do a deep dive into asymmetric games and auction games.
» Read moreStar Realms Academy
My youngest just wasn’t ready for a regular deck building game. So I had to take her to deck builder school. Or more accurately, Star Realms Academy.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Floristry
Who knew the floral market was so competitive? Floristry is quick and cozy for two players.
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