Opinionated Gamers

  • Simon’s Short Sunday report (really a Kavango mini review)

    The last day of Essen saw us rush in to grab a game of Kavango and boy was it a highlight. Kavango is a medium weight game designed by husband and wife Matt Brown and Zara Reid, who are British … Continue reading →

  • Dale Yu: Review of Strange World above the clouds

    Strange World above the clouds Designer: Florian Grenier Publisher: Grrre games Players: 1-4 Age: 10+ Time: 15 minutes Amazon affiliate link: Played with review copy provided by publisher Create a strange world inhabited by puzzling creatures. At each creation … Continue reading →

  • Matt Carlson: Review of The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era

    In The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era, players take on the role of adventurers travelling across the world in search of adventure. Over a series of three sessions, players increase in power, eventually gaining enough strength to engage … Continue reading →

  • Friday and Saturday news from Spiel 2025 (Dale and Simon W)

    Saturday at the fair is its usual crowded and loud self.  So many people crammed into the halls – made worse this year because of the bad weather; so no one is standing around in the open spaces.  I must … Continue reading →

  • Review of Neuroshima Hex – Battle!

    Neuroshima Hex is a tile-placement skirmish game with a very clever initiative system. First published in 2006, it has numerous fans who collect each expansion army as it comes out. This new version is a great entry point because Neuroshima … Continue reading →

  • Castle Combo Wins 2025 a la carte Award!

    Every year during Essen, Fairplay Magazine announces the winner of their a la carte award, given to the best card game of the year.  This year, the winner is Castle Combo, designed by Gregory Grard and Mathieu Roussel.  The tableau-building … Continue reading →

  • Opinionated Gamers Review of Bohemians

    Bohemians Designer: Jasper de Lange Illustrations: Tomasz Jedruszek, Mateusz Kopacz, Roman Kucharski, Hanna Kuik Publisher: Portal Games Players: 1-4 (competitive, solo, and 2p co-operative modes) Age: 14+ Time: 45-60 minutes Amazon affiliate link: Played with the review copy provided … ...

  • Simon W – Essen Day 1

    Short article today – the main event being an enjoyable game of Tianxia, the latest Board and Dice “T” game. True to form this game has Tascini’s trademark paths to advance on, and pain if you fail to do something … Continue reading →

  • Photos and Thoughts from Spiel 2025, Setup Day

    Well, it is late October – must be time for Spiel!  I have again made the trip to Germany to see ALL the games.  I’ve been in the country for a few days now, but really all of the gaming … Continue reading →

  • Review of Age of Galaxy (Second Edition)

    [Second Edition reviewed, but changes between the editions are minimal and noted below.] Are you used to playing a game once and judging it?  I am, especially when not reviewing it. Many games seem to reveal much of what they … Continue reading →