Opinionated Gamers

  • Dale Yu: First Impression of Dungeons and Dragons: Trials of Tempus

    Dungeons and Dragons: Trials of Tempus Designers: Thor Knai, Adam Carasso, Kyle Newman Publisher: Wizkids Players: 2-8 Age: 12+ Time: 90-150 minutes Played with review copy provided by Wizkids Says the publisher: “Dungeons and Dragons: Trials of Tempus  is a … Continue reading →

  • Patrick Brennan: Game Snapshots – 2023 (Part 4)

    We’ve been thoroughly enjoying Pandemic Season 0 on our Wednesday nights. A major part of that is no doubt because we’ve been nailing it. Veterans of Season 1 and Season 2, we had a pretty fair idea of how to … Continue reading →

  • Portugal’s Jogo do Ano Award Announces Its 2023 Nominees

    One of my favorite of the lesser known annual game awards is the Jogo do Ano, Spiel Portugal’s Game of the Year, and they just announced their five nominees for 2023.  Bucking the current trend towards honoring lighter designs, the … Continue reading →

  • Origins game report

    by: Valerie Matthews I attended Origins for one day (Friday) and spent my day in the dealer hall.  I was able to try out (and play full games) of 8 different games:  Sea of Plunder, Miller Zoo, What the Cup!?, … Continue reading →

  • Dale Yu: Review of Reef Rescue

    Reef Rescue Designer: Daryl Chow Publisher: Origami Players: 2-5 Age: 7+ Time: 20 minutes Played with copy provided by publisher In Reef Rescue, “the seas are teeming with life of all shapes and colours. But how much do you know … Continue reading →

  • The Meeples Choice Awards Voters Speak: Comments on the Best Games of 2022

    The voting for the 2022 Meeples Choice Awards has just been concluded and the winning games are Heat, Cat in the Box, and Challengers!.  But who determines which games are chosen each year?  It’s not some high-powered anonymous jury, but … Continue reading →

  • Heat, Cat in the Box, and Challengers Win 2022 Meeples Choice Awards!

    The Meeples Choice Awards for the 2022 calendar year have been announced.  The voters three favorite games from last year are: HEAT: PEDAL TO THE MEDAL CAT IN THE BOX: DELUXE EDITION CHALLENGERS! In a closely fought vote, Carnegie and … Continue reading →

  • Dale Yu: Review of Walking in Burano Roll & Write

    Walking in Burano Roll & Write Designer: Wei-Min Ling Publisher: EmperorS4 Players: 1-4 Age: 10+ Time: 30 minutes Played with review copy provided by publisher Says the publisher: “The citizens of Burano, a picturesque island in Venice, are known for … Continue reading →

  • Dale Yu: First Impressions of Fortitude

    Fortitude Designer: J.L. Reid Publisher: Bent Pin LLC Players: 1 Time: 45 minutes Played with copy provided by designer/publisher KS link: I was contacted by the designer of Fortitude over email with this elevator pitch: “Fortitude is a solo-only … Continue reading →

  • Talia Rosen: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Publication

    I finished designing First Monday in October in 2020 after years of working on the game.  Or I thought I was finished.  I had published the first designer diary that summer and a follow-up article about the game’s design a … Continue reading →