The Family Gamers - Pencil First Games

Vineyard: A Winemaking Game – A Shared Vintage

June 22, 2026 Nick Martinelli Reviews

Vineyard board game box displayed with two wine bottles and an empty wine glass

In Vineyard, players cultivate grapes, harvest them, craft wines, and ship them to earn stars. The player who contributes the most to producing quality wines wins the game.

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2 players, 3 players, 4 players, adults, food, hand management, Katherine Waddell, Nick, Pencil First Games, Roberta Taylor, solo, tech tree, worker placement

SNAP Review – Delicious

October 7, 2022 Updated: August 7th, 2023 Andrew Smith SNAP Reviews

We were surprised how much this game GREW on us. It’s definitely worth checking out if you love gardening, or if you’re a big fan of roll-and-writes and flip-and-writes. As long as you don’t mind the limited interaction.

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10 players, 2 players, 3 players, 4 players, 5 players, 6 players, 7 players, 8 players, 9 players, Andrew, Anitra, Clémentine Campardou, Dr. Finn's Games, drawing, Edo Baraf, food, garden, pen and paper games, Pencil First Games, roll and write, Simultaneous Play, solo

SNAP Review – Sunset Over Water: Pocket Edition

September 17, 2022 Anitra Smith SNAP Reviews

Travel, paint, and sell landscapes in this compact card game. We think it’s best for older kids and adults.

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2 players, 3 players, 4 players, art, Beth Sobel, Card Game, card games, Dr. Finn's Games, Edo Baraf, Pencil First Games, set collection, small games, solo

SNAP Preview – Maul Peak

April 1, 2022 Updated: February 26th, 2024 Anitra Smith Hall of Fame Reviews, SNAP Reviews

Maul Peak is a standalone sequel to one of our favorite battling games, Skulk Hollow. What does it add to this game style? Is it the right fit for your family?

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2 players, Andrew, Anitra, asymmetric, battle, Kickstarter, Pencil First Games, Preview

Holiday Gift Guide 2020

November 11, 2020 Updated: September 30th, 2021 Anitra Smith Resources for Parents

It’s been a long year. Maybe you have a better idea of what your family likes in board games? Or maybe you need some different, more accessible games. We’ve got your back, with board game gift suggestions for any age, player count, and experience level.

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10 players, 2 players, 3 players, 4 players, 5 players, 6 players, 7 players, 8 players, 9 players, adults, Andrew, Anitra, Best of 2020, Blue Orange Games, Calliope Games, Fireside Games, Funko Games, Galactic Raptor Games, Gamewright, gifts, Grand Gamers Guild, HABA, Holiday, Horrible Guild, Hub Games, KOSMOS, Letiman Games, Luma Games, Outset Games, Palm Court, Pencil First Games, Ravensburger, Repos, Restoration Games, Skybound Games, Stellar Factory, The OP, Thunderworks Games, University Games, young children

Skulk Hollow: A Hulking Masterpiece

July 13, 2020 Updated: September 19th, 2022 Andrew Smith Hall of Fame Reviews, Reviews

Skulk Hollow is an asymmetric 1v1 battle game where the Foxen smallfolk try to defend Skulk Hollow from various Guardians! Will the Guardians overwhelm the Foxen, or will the smallfolk overcome the Guardian with sheer numbers?

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2 players, Andrew, animals, asymmetric, battle, duel, monster, Pencil First Games