Board Game Reviews, Guides & Best-Of Lists

Best-Of List Aug 3, 2026

Best Japanese Themed Board Games

The best Japanese themed board games — Tokaido, Takenoko, Hanamikoji, Onitama, Sushi Go, Tokyo Highway and more, sorted by the mood each one actually puts your table in.

Best-Of List Aug 1, 2026

Ticket to Ride Versions Ranked (And Which One to Buy First)

The main Ticket to Ride versions ranked — standalone boxes, city Express editions, First Journey, Legacy and the map collections, with a clear answer on which to buy first.

Games Aug 1, 2026

Viticulture Essential Edition: Review

Our Viticulture Essential Edition review — Stonemaier's Tuscan vineyard worker placement game. Wake-up order, visitor cards, and whether it earns the shelf space.

Best-Of List Jul 31, 2026

Best Educational Board Games That Kids Actually Want to Play

Educational board games that don't feel like homework. 13 games that teach logic, spatial reasoning, maths and deduction, picked for whether kids ask to play again.

Games Jul 30, 2026

Avalon Setup by Player Count — 5 to 10 Players (Official Rules)

Exact Avalon setup for 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 players — good/evil split, quest team sizes, which roles to include, and the two-fails rule. Straight from the official rulebook.

Best-Of List Jul 30, 2026

Best Board Games for 4 Year Olds (Preschooler Picks)

The best board games for 4 year olds and preschoolers: short, no-reading-required picks that survive a losing streak and are fun for adults too.

Games Jul 30, 2026

Sea Salt & Paper Review — Is This Origami Card Game Worth It?

Sea Salt & Paper review — the origami card game from Bruno Cathala for 2 to 4 players. How it plays, why the STOP call is the whole game, and whether it's worth adding to your shelf.

Best-Of List Jul 29, 2026

Gloomhaven vs Frosthaven: Which Should You Buy?

Gloomhaven or Frosthaven? We compare campaign length, complexity, the outpost phase and price to work out which giant box belongs on your table first.

Best-Of List Jul 28, 2026

Best Gifts for Board Game Players (from Etsy)

41 handmade board game gifts from Etsy: dice trays, modular organizers, meeple jewelry and personalized pieces you can't get anywhere else.

Best-Of List Jul 28, 2026

Ticket to Ride vs Ticket to Ride Europe: Which Should You Buy?

Ticket to Ride or Ticket to Ride Europe? We compare tunnels, ferries, stations, map difficulty and teaching load to help you pick the right box first.

Games Jul 27, 2026

Cash 'n Guns: How To Play – Simplified

How to play Cash 'n Guns, simplified — the full turn sequence, wounds, loot sharing and every character power, explained in about five minutes of reading.

Games Jul 27, 2026

Root Board Game Review

Root puts 2–4 players in a forest with completely different rules for each faction — cats build, birds flock, woodland creatures rebel. Nobody plays the same game.

Best-Of List Jul 24, 2026

Best Board Games

The best board games, picked two ways: the ten our group actually plays, and the ten the hobby agrees on, plus a full breakdown of every genre and what makes a game great.

Best-Of List Jul 24, 2026

Best Engine Building Board Games

The best engine building board games of all time — Wingspan, Terraforming Mars, Agricola, Everdell, Scythe and more, with what each engine actually feels like to build.

Games Jul 24, 2026

Century Board Games: Every Version Explained (And Which One to Buy)

Confused by the three Century boxes and the shiny Golem one? Here's how the series fits together and which version to actually buy.

Best-Of List Jul 22, 2026

Best Pandemic Expansions and Versions (Ranked)

Which Pandemic expansion or version should you actually buy? A ranked guide by what you want out of it: more of the same game, a campaign, or something that feels new.

Games Jul 22, 2026

Everdell Review: Is It Worth Buying?

Everdell has the best table presence of any game we own — and a card engine underneath it. Here's whether the tree is worth the price tag.

Best-Of List Jul 22, 2026

Every Pandemic Expansion and Version, Explained

A full rundown of every Pandemic expansion, standalone version, and Legacy season: what each one actually changes, and what we like and don't like about them.

Games Jul 21, 2026

Coup Cheat Sheet — Printable Reference Card (All Actions & Blocks)

A printable Coup cheat sheet — every character, action, coin cost and counteraction on one page. Print it, hand one to each player, stop passing the rulebook around.

Games Jul 21, 2026

Ticket to Ride Europe Rules PDF — Official Download + Full Rules Summary

Download the official Ticket to Ride Europe rules PDF from Days of Wonder, plus a complete rules summary — setup, turn actions, tunnels, ferries, stations and scoring.

Best-Of List Jul 20, 2026

Best Board Games for 7 Year Olds

The best board games for 7 year olds: real strategy games with light reading, honest losing, and enough depth that the adults at the table actually want to play.

Best-Of List Jul 17, 2026

Best Tabletop War Games

The 10 best tabletop war games, from a 20-minute WWII skirmish to a day-long galactic conquest — with the honest pros and cons of each.

Games Jul 14, 2026

Catan vs Wingspan: Which Game Should You Buy?

Two of the most recommended gateway games on the market, broken down so you know which one to buy first — or whether you need both.

Games Jul 14, 2026

Forbidden Desert: How To Play – Simplified

Your helicopter crashed in a shifting desert. Learn Forbidden Desert in about 5 minutes — nothing important left out.

Games Jul 14, 2026

Forbidden Island: How To Play – Simplified

Four treasures, a sinking island, and a helicopter waiting at Fool's Landing. Learn Forbidden Island in about 5 minutes — nothing important left out.

Best-Of List Jun 30, 2026

Best Board Games for Kindergarten

The best board games for kindergarten — cooperative, colourful, no-reading-required games that teach turn-taking and counting while actually being fun.

Best-Of List Jun 30, 2026

Best Board Games for Seniors

The best board games for seniors — readable components, gentle strategy, and games that keep the mind sharp without fiddly rules or tiny pieces.

Best-Of List Jun 30, 2026

Best Family Board Games

The best family board games that actually work with mixed ages at one table — quick to teach, fun for kids and adults, and not a chore to play twice.

Best-Of List Jun 29, 2026

Best Party Board Games in 2026

The best party board games released in the last few years (2023-2026) — the new big-group, high-energy games worth a game night, not the old standbys.

Best-Of List Jun 26, 2026

Best Gateway Board Games in 2026

The best gateway board games released in the last few years (2023-2026) — the new easy-to-learn games for beginners worth teaching, not the old standbys.

Best-Of List Jun 26, 2026

Best Solo Board Games in 2026

The best solo board games released in the last few years (2023-2026) — the new one-player games and great solo modes worth your table, not the old standbys.

Best-Of List Jun 25, 2026

Best Two-Player Board Games in 2026

The best two-player board games released in the last few years (2023-2026) — the new games worth a date night or a head-to-head, not the same old classics.

Best-Of List Jun 23, 2026

Best Social Deduction Board Games in 2026

The best social deduction board games released in the last few years (2023-2026) — the new hidden-role and bluffing games worth a game night, not the old standbys.

Best-Of List Jun 23, 2026

Best Worker Placement Board Games in 2026

The best worker placement board games released in the last few years (2023-2026) — the new heavy euros worth clearing space for, not the old standbys.

Best-Of List Jun 22, 2026

Best Board Games for Camping

The best board games for camping — small, fast, packable games that survive a picnic table, a tent, and a few drinks around the fire.

Best-Of List Jun 20, 2026

Best Card Drafting Board Games in 2026

The best card drafting board games of the last few years (2023-2026) — the new pick-and-pass and open-drafting hits, not the 7 Wonders-era classics.

Best-Of List Jun 19, 2026

Best Cooperative Board Games in 2026

The best cooperative board games released in the last few years (2023-2026) — what's actually new in co-op, not the same old classics.

Best-Of List Jun 18, 2026

The Best Board Games for 8 Players

Eight players kills most board games dead. Here are ten that don't just tolerate the crowd — they need it to work.

Best-Of List Jun 18, 2026

Best Deck Building Board Games in 2026

The best deck building board games of the last few years (2023-2026) — the new releases reshaping the genre, not the old Dominion-era classics.

Best-Of List Jun 16, 2026

Best Board Games Under $30 (That Are Actually Worth Buying)

The best board games under $30 — ten genuinely great picks that won't blow your budget but will get played over and over.

Games Jun 15, 2026

Is Gloomhaven Worth It?

Gloomhaven costs as much as five normal games and weighs more than a toddler. Is it actually worth it? The short answer, then the honest one.

Games Jun 12, 2026

Azul vs Sagrada: Which Game Should You Buy?

Azul or Sagrada? Two gorgeous tile-and-tile-shaped games that look similar on the shelf but feel nothing alike. Here's how to pick the right one for your group.

Best-Of List Jun 12, 2026

Best Zombie Board Games (Survival, Co-op & Backstabbing)

Our pick of the best zombie board games, from tense co-op survival to backstabbing betrayal and quick brain-eating dice fillers.

Games Jun 11, 2026

Avalon Characters & Roles Explained — Every Role in The Resistance: Avalon

Every character in The Resistance: Avalon explained — Merlin, Percival, Mordred, Morgana, Oberon and the rest, plus who sees whom and which roles to use.

Games Jun 10, 2026

What Are the Board Game Awards? A Plain-English Guide

Spiel des Jahres, Golden Geek, Dice Tower, As d'Or — board games win a lot of awards, but what do they actually mean? A plain-English guide to who hands them out, when, and why.

Best-Of List Jun 9, 2026

Best Monopoly Versions — 10 Editions Worth Buying (And a Few to Skip)

How many Monopoly versions are there? Over 1,000 — but only a handful are worth owning. Here are the 10 best Monopoly editions, from the fastest 10-minute version to the best for cheaters.

Best-Of List Jun 8, 2026

Best Games Like Secret Hitler

Loved the political bluffing and group accusations in Secret Hitler? Here are 7 games that scratch the same itch — some lighter, some sharper, all built for chaos.

Best-Of List Jun 5, 2026

The Best Board Games for 6 Players

Six players is the count that breaks most games — here are ten that don't just survive it, they're actually better for it.

Best-Of List Jun 4, 2026

Best Board Games for Non-Gamers

Ten board games that actually work with people who think they hate board games — easy to learn, fun within minutes, and no board game experience required.

Games Jun 3, 2026

Splendor: How To Play – Simplified

You're a Renaissance merchant collecting gem tokens, using them to buy gem cards, then better ones on your way to 15 prestige points. Learn Splendor in five minutes.

Games Jun 3, 2026

Wingspan: How To Play – Simplified

Learn Wingspan in five minutes. Play birds, build an engine across three habitats, gather food and lay eggs, and out-score your rivals over four rounds.

Games May 31, 2026

Carcassonne: How To Play – Simplified

Draw a tile, grow a shared medieval landscape, then drop a meeple to claim a road, city, monastery, or field. Score features as they complete and finish with the most points — a five-minute teach.

Games May 31, 2026

Catan: How To Play – Simplified

Learn Catan in five minutes. Roll for resources, trade with rivals, build roads and settlements, and race to 10 victory points — the whole base game, simplified.

Games May 31, 2026

Dominion: How To Play – Simplified

Dominion invented the deck-builder: start with a weak deck, buy better cards into it, and build an engine that draws and buys more each turn. A condensed, play-fast guide to the rules.

Best-Of List May 29, 2026

Best Micro Games (Pocket Games)

The best micro games — wallet games, Oink boxes, and tiny-footprint designs that pack a full game night into something you can carry in a pocket.

Best-Of List May 28, 2026

Best Bluffing Board Games

The best bluffing board games reward lying well and reading people — here are our top picks for every group size and experience level.

Best-Of List May 28, 2026

Best Board Games for 3 Players (That Actually Work at Three)

Three players is a weird spot — too many for head-to-head, too few for big group games. These are the games that genuinely shine at exactly three.

Best-Of List May 28, 2026

Best Dexterity Board Games

The best dexterity board games ranked — from flicking and stacking to magnet hockey and penguin racing. Our top picks for every group and skill level.

Best-Of List May 25, 2026

Best Board Games for Couples (That You'll Actually Want to Play Again)

The best board games for couples — from quick fillers to deep strategy nights — with honest picks your partner will actually want to play again.

Best-Of List May 25, 2026

10 Board Games Similar to Catan (That You'll Actually Want to Play Next)

Loved Catan but ready for something new? These 10 games scratch the same itch — resource gathering, territorial tension, and big decisions.

Games May 23, 2026

Azul: Review

Draft tiles from a shared market, fill your mosaic wall, and score before your rivals — but don't grab more than you need.

Games May 23, 2026

Flip 7: Review

Flip 7 is a push-your-luck card game that fits in your pocket and plays in minutes. High luck, low strategy — but that's kind of the point.

Best-Of List May 22, 2026

The Best Board Games for 4 Players

Four players is the sweet spot for most games — here are ten titles that don't just work at that count, they're genuinely best at it.

Games May 22, 2026

Wingspan vs Everdell: Which Game Should You Buy?

Two gorgeous nature-themed engine builders, one shelf. Wingspan vs Everdell broken down so you know exactly which one to buy first.

Games May 21, 2026

Wingspan: Review

You're a bird enthusiast trying to attract birds to your wildlife preserves. Each bird you play extends a chain of powerful actions. Simple to learn, genuinely hard to master.

Games May 1, 2019

Danger The Game – Review

Our review of Danger, the storytelling party game where one player is trapped in a bizarre situation and everyone else competes to pull off the best rescue.

Best-Of List Jan 18, 2019

Best Party Board Games 2019 – Games You Can Play To Get That Party Going

Party games that beat Catch Phrase and Taboo at their own game. Our favourite crowd-pleasers for big groups, each with an honest review and player counts.

Best-Of List Aug 13, 2018

Cultural-Themed Board Games: Asia

The best Asian-themed board games — Tokaido, Hanamikoji, Takenoko, Lanterns, Sushi Go and more. Beautiful games steeped in the art and culture of Asia.

escape-rooms Aug 8, 2018

DreamEscape Gaming: Empress & Puzzler Review

Our review of DreamEscape Gaming in Leduc, Alberta. We played two of their escape rooms — here's how the puzzles, staff, and difficulty actually held up.

Games Aug 7, 2018

Raptor: Review

Our Raptor board game review: a two-player duel of mother raptor versus scientists. How the asymmetric card play works and whether it's worth buying.

Games Jul 2, 2018

Squirmish: Review

Our Squirmish review: draft absurd monster cards, brawl them in a shared arena, and steal the losers. How the card battler plays and whether it's worth it.

Best-Of List Mar 14, 2018

Best Settlers of Catan Expansions (Ranked and Reviewed)

Already love Catan but feel like the base game has run its course? Here's our honest rundown of every major Catan expansion and which ones are actually worth buying.

Games Mar 4, 2018

Uprise: Review

Our review of Uprise, an indie board game by Alex Racine we playtested before its Kickstarter. How the secret-society tower building plays across 2-8 players.

Games Feb 25, 2018

Pandemic Legacy S1 Logs: February

> **Spoiler warning:** This post contains details about Pandemic Legacy Season 1. Don't read if you want to experience it fresh.

Games Feb 25, 2018

Pandemic Legacy S1 Logs: January

> **Spoiler warning:** This post contains details about Pandemic Legacy Season 1. Don't read if you want to experience it fresh.

Games Feb 23, 2018

Dimension: How To Play – Simplified

How to play Dimension, simplified — setup, the seven rule cards, scoring, and penalties. Learn the ball-stacking puzzle game in about five minutes.

Games Feb 18, 2018

Gloom: Review

Our review of Gloom, the card game where you make your family miserable before killing them off. How the transparent cards work and whether the joke lasts.

Games Feb 14, 2018

Dimension: Review

Our Dimension review: stacking coloured balls into a rule-breaking pyramid against a one-minute timer. How the puzzle game plays and whether it's worth buying.

Best-Of List Feb 9, 2018

Best Board Games for Adults

The best board games for adults — date nights, dinner parties and grown-up game nights. Risqué party games, couples games and group favourites, with player counts.

Best-Of List Dec 7, 2017

25 Games Under $25

25 board games you can buy for under $25 — Patchwork, Love Letter, Sushi Go!, Codenames and more. Great picks for gift exchanges, birthdays and stocking stuffers.

Article Nov 30, 2017

Murder Mystery Party: MyMysteryParty.com Review (No Spoilers)

An honest, no-spoilers MyMysteryParty.com review — what you get for your money, how good the packet is, and how our 80s murder mystery night actually played out.

Article Nov 24, 2017

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Board Game Deals

Looking for a new game over the holidays? Black Friday and Cyber Monday are prime weekends to pick one up — or find a great gift for someone on your list.

escape-rooms Oct 20, 2017

UNCLE: SideQuests Escape Room Review

A puzzle-heavy prison break room from SideQuests. Linear and non-linear sections, heavy clue density, and a high challenge floor. Not for beginners.

Best-Of List Oct 17, 2017

Board Game-Related Gifts (That Aren’t Board Games) — 2017

Gift ideas for board game lovers who already own the games: accessories, storage, playmats, and tabletop-themed extras that make better presents.

Best-Of List Oct 16, 2017

Best Murder Mystery Party Companies

We compared the top murder mystery party companies — Night of Mystery, My Mystery Party, Shot in the Dark and more. Scripted vs unscripted, pricing, group size.

Best-Of List Oct 12, 2017

Best Board Games for Christmas Gifts

Our board game Christmas gift guide, sorted by who you're buying for — party games, kids' games, two-player picks, co-ops and games that make you think.

game-play-variations Oct 11, 2017

Carcassonne: Versions & Expansions

Every Carcassonne version and expansion in one place — all the standalones and major expansions in order, each with a quick brief on what it adds.

Games Sep 28, 2017

The Gallerist: Review

Our review of The Gallerist, Vital Lacerda's heavy art gallery game. Discover artists, sell their work, and see whether the weight is worth it for you.

Games Sep 27, 2017

The Gallerist: How to Play — Simplified

How to play The Gallerist, simplified — actions, artists, buying and selling art, and endgame scoring. Vital Lacerda's heavy euro explained without the rulebook.

Games Sep 26, 2017

Zombie Fluxx: Review

Our Zombie Fluxx review: the card game where the rules and win condition change every turn. How the chaos plays out and whether it's worth picking up.

Games Sep 25, 2017

Hive: Review

Our Hive review — the two-player bug tile game with no board. How ants, beetles, grasshoppers and spiders move, and why it travels better than chess.

Games Sep 22, 2017

Coloretto: Review

Our Coloretto review: how the colour-set card game plays, why pushing your luck on a fourth colour hurts, and whether this quick filler is worth buying.

Games Sep 21, 2017

Lords Of Waterdeep: How To Play – Simplified

How to play Lords of Waterdeep, simplified — setup, worker placement, quests, Intrigue cards and scoring across all 8 rounds. The full rules without the rulebook.

Games Sep 21, 2017

Settlers of Catan Strategies

> Read our full thoughts: Ryan's Review of Settlers of Catan

Games Sep 20, 2017

Lords of Waterdeep: Review

Our Lords of Waterdeep review: the worker placement game that hides real strategy behind a friendly D&D theme. Player count, play time and what we thought.

escape-rooms Sep 18, 2017

SS Tiberia: SmartyPantz Escape Room Review

Our review of SS Tiberia at SmartyPantz Edmonton — Canada's first VR escape room. How the 30-minute space station mission played and whether it's worth booking.

escape-rooms Sep 17, 2017

The Directive: GTFO Escape Room Review

GTFO's hardest room. A 45-minute mission to infiltrate, complete an objective, and escape undetected. Recommended for 6 players and experienced teams only.

Best-Of List Sep 14, 2017

Best Social Deduction Board Games

The best social deduction board games — hidden roles, bluffing and betrayal. If you love Secret Hitler or Avalon, here's what to play next, with player counts.

Games Sep 9, 2017

Dragon's Hoard: Review

Our Dragon's Hoard review — the card game where you play a dragon stealing sheep from farmers to buy treasure, and sic angry mobs on everyone else's lair.

Best-Of List Aug 29, 2017

Best Board Game Podcasts You Should Be Listening To – 2017

Do you listen to everything from how to better your life to bio-hacking your body and everything in between?

board-game-cafes Aug 25, 2017

Edmonton Board Game Cafes

Every board game cafe in Edmonton, compared — Board N Brew, Gamers' Lodge, Hexagon, Table Top Cafe and more. Library size, food, fees and which one to pick.

Games Aug 22, 2017

One Night Ultimate Werewolf: Review

Our review of One Night Ultimate Werewolf — social deduction in a single ten-minute round, no elimination. How the roles work and how big a group you need.

Article Aug 17, 2017

Catan Rolling a 7 Meme

Best-Of List Aug 15, 2017

Catan Vs Ticket To Ride: Which Game Should You Buy?

Catan vs Ticket to Ride — which should you buy? We compare difficulty, player interaction, play time and replay value to help you pick the right one.

Games Aug 14, 2017

Forbidden Desert: Review

Our review of Forbidden Desert, the co-operative sequel to Forbidden Island. How it plays, why the shifting storm makes it harder, and whether it's worth buying.

Games Aug 11, 2017

Forbidden Island: Review

Our review of Forbidden Island, the co-operative treasure hunt on a sinking island. How it plays, difficulty levels, player count, and whether it's worth buying.

Games Aug 11, 2017

How to Play Ticket to Ride: Europe — Rules Explained Simply

Learn the rules of Ticket to Ride: Europe in five minutes — setup, turn actions, scoring, and how stations, tunnels and ferries work. Start playing tonight.

Games Aug 9, 2017

Ghost Blitz: How To Play – Simplified

Ghost Blitz rules made simple: how the five wooden pieces work, when to grab the exact item and when to grab the one that's missing, plus setup and scoring.

escape-rooms Aug 8, 2017

Best Edmonton Escape Rooms and Companies

The best escape rooms in Edmonton, ranked and reviewed — The Heist, Nightfall, Division 37 and more, with the companies running them, difficulty and group size.

Games Aug 7, 2017

Cash 'n Guns Review — Is the Cash and Guns Board Game Worth It?

Cash 'n Guns review — the foam-gun standoff game for 4 to 8 players. How it plays at every player count, the wounded-player problem, which edition to buy, and whether it's worth it.

Games Aug 7, 2017

Count Your Chickens: Review

Our review of Count Your Chickens, the co-operative counting game for ages 3+. How it plays, whether preschoolers stay engaged, and if it's worth the shelf space.

Games Aug 6, 2017

Ghost Blitz: Review

Our review of Ghost Blitz (Geistesblitz) — the fast reaction game where you grab the right wooden piece first. How it plays, who it suits, and is it worth buying?

Games Aug 5, 2017

Hoot Owl Hoot: Review

Our review of Hoot Owl Hoot, the co-operative colour-matching game for ages 4+. How it plays, how long it lasts, and whether young kids actually stay hooked.

Games Jul 24, 2017

7 Wonders: How To Play – Simplified

7 Wonders board game rules explained simply: setup, how card drafting works across the three ages, scoring military and science, and the two-player variant.

Best-Of List Jul 6, 2017

Best Worker Placement Board Games (with Reviews)

The ten best worker placement board games, reviewed — Lords of Waterdeep, Agricola, Caverna, Caylus, Tzolk'in, Stone Age, Le Havre and more, ranked in order.

Games Jul 4, 2017

Love Letter: Review

Our review of Love Letter, the 16-card deduction game. How many players it takes, how a round plays out, and why it keeps ending up in people's bags.

Games Jun 22, 2017

Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

Our review of Deception: Murder in Hong Kong. How the Forensic Scientist's coded clues work, how it compares to other social deduction games, and who it suits.

Games Jun 19, 2017

Cards Against Humanity: Review

Our honest review of Cards Against Humanity — how it plays, the age rating and who it's actually for, and whether the party game for horrible people still lands.

Games Jun 17, 2017

Stone Age: Review

Our Stone Age board game review: worker placement, dice-driven resources, and feeding your tribe. How it plays, basic strategy, and whether it's worth buying.

Best-Of List Jun 10, 2017

Best (Settlers of) Catan Gifts

The best Catan gifts for the Settlers fan in your life — t-shirts, wall art, socks, coasters, pillows and more. Handpicked gift ideas beyond another expansion.

Best-Of List May 31, 2017

Best Custom (Settlers of) Catan Game Boards

The best custom Catan boards and pieces we could find — handmade wooden sets, 3D terrain, resin tiles and upgraded resource pieces, with credit to their makers.

Article May 21, 2017

Wonka - Catan Meme

This one is courtesy of Board Game Geek.Catan Meme: Tell me again why your 2 sheep are worth my 1 ore??

Best-Of List May 20, 2017

Best Two Player Board Games 2017 (with Reviews)

The best 2 player board games, reviewed and compared — 7 Wonders Duel, Patchwork, Hive, Splendor, Carcassonne and more. Games built for two, not scaled down.

Article May 20, 2017

Why Are Board Games Important For Kids

Why board games matter for kids: the turn-taking, patience, memory, and maths skills they quietly build, plus how to pick games that actually deliver them.

Games May 18, 2017

7 Wonders: Review

Our honest 7 Wonders review: what card drafting across three ages actually plays like, who it suits, where it falls short, and whether it's worth buying.

Best-Of List May 10, 2017

Best Card Drafting Board Games (with Reviews)

(Click the image to jump to our comparison table)

Games May 9, 2017

Catch Phrase: Review

What is Catch Phrase and is it any good? Our review of the fast-talking word-guessing party game — how it plays, best group size, and when it works at game night.

Games Apr 28, 2017

Betrayal at House on the Hill: How To Play – Simplified

How to play Betrayal at House on the Hill, simplified — exploring rooms, omens and the Haunt roll, then how the game flips once the traitor is revealed.

Games Apr 28, 2017

Takenoko: Review

Our Takenoko review — the panda and bamboo game from imperial Japan. Player count, play time, what the objectives feel like, and who it actually suits.

Best-Of List Apr 26, 2017

Best Board Games for Teens

The best board games for teens that actually hold their attention — social, strategic, and fast enough to compete with a phone.

Best-Of List Apr 26, 2017

Best Gateway Board Games For Beginners (With Reviews) 2017

The ten best gateway board games for beginners, reviewed — Catan, Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, Pandemic, Sushi Go and more, with what each one teaches you.

Games Apr 26, 2017

Time's Up!: Review

Our Time's Up! review — the party game where the same names get guessed three times, from describing to one word to charades. Player count, length and verdict.

Games Apr 19, 2017

Rack-O: Review

Our review of Rack-O, the classic card game of sorting your rack from low to high. How it plays, how the rules hold up today, and whether it's worth picking up.

Games Apr 14, 2017

Agricola: How To Play – Simplified

How to play Agricola, simplified — worker placement, growing crops, raising animals, expanding your farm and keeping everyone fed through every harvest.

Article Apr 14, 2017

Catan Robber Meme

Games Apr 13, 2017

Sheriff of Nottingham: Review

Our Sheriff of Nottingham review — the bluffing game where you smuggle goods past the Sheriff, bribe your way out, and find out who at the table can lie.

Games Apr 12, 2017

Agricola vs Caverna: Which Game Should You Buy?

Are you stuck trying to decide if you should buy the board game Agricola or Caverna?

Best-Of List Apr 10, 2017

Best Board Games for 2 Year Olds — 6 Toddler Games That Actually Work

The 6 best board games for 2 year olds, tested by parents — cooperative, no reading required, no choking hazards. Which to buy first and what each one teaches.

Games Apr 8, 2017

The Resistance: Avalon: How To Play – Simplified

How to play The Resistance: Avalon, simplified — setup, the five missions, team voting, and every role from Merlin to Mordred. Learn the game in five minutes.

Article Apr 7, 2017

Fry Sheep Meme

Games Apr 7, 2017

The Resistance: Avalon – Review

The Resistance: Avalon review — how it plays at 5, 6, 7 and 10 players, how it compares to Secret Hitler, and whether the Merlin twist is worth it for your group.

game-play-variations Apr 1, 2017

Coup: Alternative Game Play Variations

Coup house rules and variants we've actually tested — new roles, team modes and rule tweaks for when the standard 15-minute bluff starts feeling too familiar.

Best-Of List Mar 30, 2017

Best Board Games For 3 Year Olds (With Reviews)

The best board games for 3 year olds, reviewed by parents — Hoot Owl Hoot, Zingo, Count Your Chickens, Candy Land and Hi Ho Cherry-O, and why each works.

Best-Of List Mar 25, 2017

Top Rated Board Games That Teach Math Skills

Five board games that teach math skills without feeling like homework — Rummikub, Qwirkle, Sum Swamp, Sequence Num6ers and Cashflow For Kids, each reviewed.

Games Mar 24, 2017

Splendor: Review

Is Splendor a good board game? Our review of the gem-buying engine builder: how the card economy snowballs, who it suits, and whether it's worth the price.

Games Mar 23, 2017

Everything you Need to Know about Board Games

New to modern board games? A beginner's guide to reading the box, the main game types — deck building, co-op, party, worker placement — and where to start.

Games Mar 14, 2017

Agricola: Review

Our Agricola review — Uwe Rosenberg's farming worker placement classic. Feed your family, expand your house, and find out if the pressure is your kind of fun.

Games Mar 10, 2017

Pandemic: How To Play – Simplified

How to play Pandemic, simplified — setup, your four actions per turn, outbreaks and epidemics, and every role's ability. Cure all four diseases as a team.

Games Mar 9, 2017

Dominion: Review

Our Dominion review — the deck-building game that started the genre. How the kingdom cards keep it fresh, player count, play time, and who should buy it.

Games Mar 6, 2017

Codenames: How To Play – Simplified

How to play Codenames, simplified — giving one-word clues as Spymaster, plus the rules people argue about: proper nouns, acronyms, passing, and 2-3 player games.

Games Mar 5, 2017

Pit: Review

Pit review — the loud, fast commodity-trading card game for 3 to 8 players. How the shouting and blind swapping works, and why it's still a great party opener.

Games Mar 4, 2017

Codenames: Review

Our honest Codenames review: how one-word spymaster clues create the tension, what it plays like at different group sizes, and whether it's worth buying.

Games Mar 4, 2017

Pandemic: Review

Does Pandemic still hold up? Our review of the co-op classic — how the disease spread creates tension, where it drags, and whether it's still worth buying.

Best-Of List Mar 1, 2017

Best One Player (Solo) Board Games (With Reviews) – Games You Can Play By Yourself

The best solo board games you can play by yourself — Mage Knight, Robinson Crusoe, Friday, Eldritch Horror and more, with reviews and a comparison table.

Games Feb 23, 2017

Flash Point – Fire Rescue: Review

Our Flash Point: Fire Rescue review. How the co-op firefighting game plays, how punishing the fire spread gets, and whether it's worth adding to your shelf.

Best-Of List Feb 21, 2017

Best Cooperative Board Games (With Reviews)

Cooperative Board Games! One of our favorite categories!

Best-Of List Feb 18, 2017

Best Deck Building Board Games (With Reviews)

The best deck building board games, reviewed — Dominion, Star Realms, Clank!, Ascension, Legendary, Friday and more, with what makes each deck feel different.

Games Feb 17, 2017

Understanding Deck Building Games – A Guide To What You Need To Know

What is a deck building game? A plain-English guide to how the genre works, the core mechanics behind it, and the best deck builders to start with as a beginner.

Games Feb 13, 2017

Exploding Kittens: Review

Our review of Exploding Kittens, the card game of Russian roulette with cats. How it plays, how well it holds up after repeat plays, and whether it's worth it.

Games Feb 10, 2017

Bang! The Dice Game: Review

Our Bang! The Dice Game review — hidden roles, wild west shootouts, and five dice. How Sheriff, Deputy, Outlaw and Renegade play, and how long a round runs.

Games Feb 10, 2017

Coup: How To Play – Simplified

How to play Coup, simplified — every character, action and counteraction in one place, plus a quick cheat sheet. The whole 15-minute bluffing game explained.

Games Feb 10, 2017

Wits and Wagers: Review

Our Wits and Wagers review: the trivia game you can win without knowing any answers. How the betting round works and whether it's worth buying for parties.

Games Feb 7, 2017

Mammut: How To Play – Simplified

Mammut rules explained simply: how to divide the mammoth hunt spoils, when other players can steal your pile, and how scoring works across the rounds.

Games Feb 5, 2017

Camel Up: Review

Our Camel Up review — the camel racing betting game where camels stack on each other's backs and one die roll can flip the whole race. Player count and verdict.

Article Jan 31, 2017

End To A Game Of Monopoly!

Has this ever happened to you during your games night?What's your story?! We want to hear it! Add it to the comment section below for all to enjoy.

Games Jan 22, 2017

Carcassonne: Review

Our Carcassonne review: how tile placement and meeple scoring actually play at the table, what the base box lacks, and whether it earns a spot on your shelf.

Article Jan 22, 2017

New Board Game You Say?!

Games Jan 18, 2017

Betrayal at House on the Hill: Review

Betrayal at House on the Hill is a semi-cooperative game set in a haunted house. Three reviewers, three very different takes — one loves it, one hates it, one sold their copy.

Games Jan 16, 2017

Cashflow Board Game Review — Is Kiyosaki's Game Worth It?

Is the Cashflow board game worth it? An honest review of Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad financial game — gameplay, dated components, the $60+ price, and who should actually buy it (and who shouldn't).

Best-Of List Jan 15, 2017

Board Games That Play Better as Four Player Games.

Four players is the sweet spot for most game nights. Here are the titles that seem to work better as four player games than two or three player games., and generally are just games worth buying.

Games Jan 11, 2017

Ticket to Ride Europe: Review

Is Ticket to Ride Europe a good game, and is it easy to learn? Our review covers how it plays, how it differs from the original, and whether it's worth buying.

game-play-variations Jan 9, 2017

Battleship Beer Pong!!

Battleship Beer Pong — the mashup nobody asked for but everybody needs.

Games Jan 9, 2017

Mammut: Review

Our Mammut review — the tile-drafting game where you divide the mammoth hunt spoils, and taking too much means the next player steals your entire pile.

Games Jan 6, 2017

Coup: Review

Our review of Coup, the two-minute bluffing card game set in The Resistance universe. How it plays, best player count, and whether it earns a spot in your bag.

Games Jan 2, 2017

Catan: Review

Is Catan actually fun? An honest review after years of plays — the trading, the robber, the runaway leader, and whether it still deserves a spot on your shelf.