Game Reviews Archives - Page 11 of 84

Butterfly collecting isn’t just fun for kids

Did you ever wander through fields swinging a net trying to catch butterflies?

Or if you haven’t experienced that joy, I bet you can still picture kids having fun in such an activity.

But can you imagine adults doing that same thing?

For some reason, it’s hard to imagine adults wandering around a field swinging butterfly nets to catch the flying insects.

So when we received the game Butterfly by Rio Grande Games, we just assumed it would be a game only kids would enjoy. But we were wrong!

Butterfly can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

January 27, 2021January 27, 2021 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, kids, luck, Rio Grande Games, strategy, variable set up

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews

Meeple Land Board Game Review

In Meeple Land players will be creating their very own amusement park by purchasing a variety of attractions and services while luring in lots of paying customers.

Attention will need to be given to how things are laid out, making sure services are within reach of visitors, and paths don’t lead to dead ends.

The game ends after 4 rounds, at which point the player with the most reputation points wins. Reputation is earned from a diverse collection of attractions and services, number of visitors in the park, and lack of dead ends and stranded visitors at the entrance.

January 20, 2021February 2, 2021 Dane Trimble 2 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, Blue Orange Games, family, strategy, theme

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews Kid Games

Smart Four Connected board game review

Growing up, I loved playing a 3D version of 4-in-a-row game called Score Four.

Playing it made me feel so clever because I could look for tons of ways to get 4 in a row. I wasn’t limited to the 2-dimensional way to get 4 in a row like in Connect 4.

However, my siblings didn’t like playing it as much as I did, so the game sat on the shelf a lot. It’s hard to play a 2-player board game when you don’t have another person to play against.

But with Smart Four Connected, by Giiker, all that has changed!

January 16, 2021 Trent 1 Comment 2-player, digital, Giiker, physical, remote, solo, strategy

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews

Cloud City Board Game Review

Cloud City, a board game from Blue Orange Games, should not be confused for a Tibanna gas mining colony floating in the clouds of the planet Bespin run by a smuggler named Lando.

Although that might make a really cool game…

In the game, 2 to 4 players ages 10 and up, take on the roll of architects vying to win city council votes to become the best city planner. They will zone land, build skyscrapers that reach the clouds, and connect them with spectacular walkways high above the ground. The player to do this the best wins.

January 11, 2021 Dane Trimble 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, Blue Orange Games, building, family, strategy

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews Party Games

Smart10 – Trivia Challenges That Are Fun

I really don’t like trivia games.

At least, the trivia game most people are familiar with — Trivial Pursuit. And I’ve tried to like it. But to no avail. It’s just not for me.

That’s why I was a bit wary when we got a copy of Smart10 from Bananagrams.

Yet, once we pulled it out and played it, Smart10 became the hit group game this holiday break!

And I’m happy to tell you why.

January 2, 2021 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, 6-player, 7-player, 8-player, Bananagrams, party, questions, quiz, trivia

Minecraft Builders and Biomes board game

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews

Minecraft Builders and Biomes – More Than Punching Trees

Back in early 2019, my four boys started asking me if we could get the hit game–Minecraft. I said “No” for a long time. Until after much research and finding out that you can play solo and in private servers, I finally relented and Minecraft entered our home.

Flash forward a year and a half and Minecraft has become a huge hit in our house, not only by my kids, but also by me!

Many hours have been spent creating worlds, adventuring to find treasure, and fighting the steady stream of monsters placed in our way.

When Ravensburger released the board game Minecraft Builders and Biomes, in late 2019 we were all very interested in how it would compare to its digital counterpart. I watch some play-throughs and sure enough, it looked like something we would enjoy very much. Once I got connected with The Board Game Family, I asked Trent to hook me up, and boy did he come through.

December 30, 2020December 30, 2020 Dane Trimble 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, children, expansion, family, luck, Ravensburger, strategy, toy

Family Games Game Reviews Kid Games

Laser Pegs toy review

In 1942 a man by the name of Ole Kirk Christiansen created a toy that would forever change the landscape of the industry. The name of that toy…LEGO, a plastic interlocking building toy that has grown into an empire worth billions.

With continued popularity and the expiration of patents, it’s not surprising that more and more companies are now manufacturing LEGO-like products.

The big question is — can they offer something new and unique?

Enter Laser Pegs, “the first lighted construction toys in the world that feed the next piece low voltage current to illuminate your creations with LED’s.”

That’s right, Laser Pegs light up!

December 22, 2020 Dane Trimble 0 Comments Laser Pegs, toys

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews Kid Games

Ticket to Ride: London board game review

Ticket to Ride is one of the most popular modern board games in the world. So it’s no surprise Days of Wonder keeps cranking out more iterations of the game.

Of course, we’re not complaining because we love playing Ticket to Ride in its many forms!

The first Ticket to Ride game was published in 2004 with a map of the United States. The next year Days of Wonder published Ticket to Ride: Europe and many more map versions followed. Then in 2018, they published a small version of the game focused on just one city – New York City. It plays in a fraction of the time and is essentially a bite-sized version of the original game.

Their latest iteration is the game we’re reviewing today — Ticket to Ride: London.

December 19, 2020 Trent 0 Comments 2 players, 3-players, 4 players, Days of Wonder, luck, map, strategy, Ticket to Ride

Card Games Family Games Game Reviews Kid Games

Gremlins: Holiday Havoc Card Game Review

As a child of the 80’s, I remember seeing Gremlins when it opened in movie theaters in 1984. And I loved it!

I also remember watching Gremlins with my kids when they were old enough for me to enrich their lives with classic 80’s culture. And that’s when I realized, Gremlins really isn’t a kids movie!

Those Gremlins are pretty nasty creatures. But the excruciating deaths by kitchen appliances is quite an eye-opening scene (when I’m now seeing it through the eyes of my kids).

How irresponsible of a parent could I be?

But I digress…let’s talk game instead!

With the Christmas holiday upon us, it’s time we slap some Gremlins around in this new game by Funko — Gremlins: Holiday Havoc.

December 14, 2020 Trent 0 Comments 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, card, Funko, luck

Board Games Cooperative Games Family Games Game Reviews

Break In: Alcatraz Game Review

It’s June 11, 1962, the day you’re going to break into Alcatraz.

Yes, you read that right. You’ll be breaking into the most secure prison in the world to break 4 inmates out. Months of planning has gone into this daring operation and now it’s time to act.

At least it will be if you’re playing Break In: Alcatraz!

From the publisher, Playmonster: “Throughout this collaborative experience, you must work together to follow a series of clues and solve puzzles to unfold multiple layers of the game and move deeper into the prison to help your friends escape! You’ll encounter many obstacles and characters along the way…this game provides the thrill and challenge of an escape room, combined with the experience and world-immersion of a movie”!

Do you have what it takes to break into Alcatraz?