Opinionated Gamers

  • My top 148 games of all time

    Has it been another two years already?  Guess it has.  And it’s time for a new shortest-list-ever – my 148 favorite games, and thus the ones I choose to have in my collection.  Not including games I’ve designed, 148 games … Continue reading →

  • Gen Con 2025 – Portal, Flatout, Gamelyn

    Portal Games unfortunately only had one copy of their new printing of Age of Galaxy. It was on display and I was excited to hear about the new solo modes in the game. Neuroshima Hex: Battle is a new, faster … Continue reading →

  • Dale Yu: Review of Rollie

    Rollie Designer: Joel Gagnon Publisher: Randolph Players: 2-6 Age: 8+ Time: 10 minutes Played with review copy provided by publisher Roll for the Cash… or the Crash!  Step right up, step right up, everyone can play! Roll the dice, take … Continue reading →

  • Gen Con 2025 – PlayPunk, Synapses, Matagot

    Card games are (relatively) inexpensive to produce and lane-battlers are a popular mechanic so it’s no surprise that I came across several new versions. PlayPunk’s Zenith combines a tug-of-war style lane-battle with card-costs and a technology tree. Synapses Games has … Continue ...

  • Dale Yu: Review of Tag Team

    Tag Team Designers: Gricha German, Corentin Lebrat  Publisher: Scorpion Masque Players: 2 Age: 10+ Time: 15 minutes Played with review copy provided by publisher Inspired by classic arcade-fighting games, Tag Team is an auto battler combined with a deck-building game. … Continue reading ...

  • Gen Con 2025 – North Star, MOCO

    The North Star Games booth was dominated by their new rework of Evolution, Nature. It’s a streamlined version of the original game that can be mixed and matched with (five so far) expansions to add in more complexity and/or chaos. … Continue reading →

  • Dale Yu: Review of The Four Doors

    The Four Doors Designer: Matt Leacock, Matthew Riddle, Ben Pinchback Publisher: Happy Camper Players: 1-5 Age: 10+ Time: 30 minutes Played with review copy provided by publisher Beneath a mystical light tower, an ancient Hollow has re-opened, releasing a horde … Continue reading →

  • Codenames Duet Refresh

      The summer of 2025 is clearly the season for refreshed versions of classic games.  Earlier this month, I looked at the new versions of classics such as Ticket to Ride and Catan.  Now, CGE have release their new versions … Continue reading →

  • Habitats (2024)

    Designer: Corné van MoorselPublisher: AllplayPlayers: 1-5Ages: 11+Playing Time: 40 minutes Amazon Affiliate link: Times Played: 15+ with all versions, 3 with review copy of 2024 Allplay version provided by publisher So, as readers of the blog have seen this … Continue reading →

  • Codenames Refresh (2025)

    The summer of 2025 is clearly the season for refreshed versions of classic games.  Earlier this month, I looked at the new versions of classics such as Ticket to Ride and Catan.  Now, CGE have release their new versions of … Continue reading →