Opinionated Gamers

  • Dale Yu: Review of String Railway Collection

    String Railway Collection Designer: Hisashi Hayashi Publisher: play for keeps Players: 2-5 Age: 14+  Time: 30-45 minutes Amazon affiliate link:  Played with review copy provided by publisher Originally published in 2009 and designed by Hisashi Hayashi (Yokohama, Trains, Metro X), … Continue ...

  • Dale Yu: Review of My Favourite Things

    My Favourite Things Designer: Nilgiri Publisher: play for keeps Players: 3-6 Age: 14+ Time: 30 minutes Played with review copy provided by publisher My Favourite Things, first released as 曖昧フェイバリットシングス (Eye My Favorite Things), is a trick-taking party game in … ...

  • Dale Yu: Review of Tantrix

    Tantrix Designer: Mike McManaway  Publisher: Gigamic Players: 1-6 Age: 6+ Time: 30 minutes Amazon affiliate link: Played with review copy provided by publisher The hexagonal tantrix tiles each have three different colour lines that must be juxtaposed while respecting … Continue reading ...

  • Dale Yu: Review of Finca (2024)

    Finca Designer: Ralf aur Linde and Wolfgang Sentker Publisher:  Pandasaurus Players: 2-5 Age: 10+ Time: 45 minutes Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4hMgV4E  Played with review copy provided by publisher Sprawling estates, or fincas, are ripe for the taking in each region … Continue ...

  • All By Myself: A Quartet of Solo Mini-Reviews

    January & February are big “on the road” times for my job – which means less time for mid-week gaming with friends and family. On the other hand, it does mean I play a lot of solo games. In the … Continue reading →

  • Dale Yu: Review of Botanicus

    Botanicus Designers: Samuele Tabellini Ferrari, Vieri Masseini  Publisher: Hans im Gluck Players: 2-4 Age:  12+ Time: 45-60 minutes Amazon affiliate link: Played with review copy provided by publisher How about creating your own botanical garden? As an aristocrat in … Continue reading ...

  • Preview: Auctions of Alchemists

    Designer: Tanax Publisher: Tanax Games Players: 2-4 Playing time: 30-60 minutes Preview is based on prototype played online, there may be changes before the final production.. In Auctions of Alchemists, players will use strategic bidding to gather the resources needed … Continue reading ...

  • Larry Levy – Review of Star Realms:  Rise of Empire

    Designers:  Robert Dougherty, Darwin Kastle Publisher:  Wise Wizard Games Developer:  Derek Funkhouser Players:  2 Age:  12+ Duration:  30 minutes Times Played:  14 Star Realms is a popular deckbuilding game that was first released in 2014.  Designed by a couple of … Continue reading ...

  • Josiah’s Monthly Board Game Round-Up – February 2025

    February 2025 Games I played for the first time this month, from worst to best, along with my ratings and comments.­ ­ Slavika – 3/10 ­Slavika is a take-that card game with a theme of Slavic folklore. These less-familiar creatures … Continue reading →

  • Dale Yu: Review of Cook Islands

    Cook Islands Designer: Klaus-Jurgen Wrede Publisher: Trefl Players: 2-4 Age: 8+ Time: 30-60 minutes Amazon affiliate link: Played with review copy provided by publisher Wspaniała przygoda na Oceanie Spokojnym, podczas której gracze biorą udział w wyprawie Jamesa Cooka i odkrywają … ...