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Thrones of Valeria card game review

Welcome back to the world of Valeria!

In May, we reviewed the first Valeria game published by Daily Magic Games, Valeria: Card Kingdoms. It’s a fun card and dice game where players build their crew of various citizens to expand their realm and fight monsters.

Since then, Daily Magic Games has published a number of card games in the Valeria universe. Each have unique game mechanics.

Today, we’re excited to share our thoughts on one of the most recent Valeria card games, Thrones of Valeria.

It’s a unique trick-taking card game where the ranks of the different Houses (suits) change constantly. Every card played may alter your plans. We hope you’ve got what it takes to win in Valeria.

September 11, 2024September 16, 2024 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, 6-player, card, Daily Magic Games, luck

Board Games Card Games Dice Games Family Games Game Reviews

Valeria: Card Kingdoms game review

My first encounter with Valeria: Card Kingdoms at SaltCon 2017 was an absolute blast, leaving me eager for more.

It reminded me a lot of Machi Koro, but I liked Valeria’s fantasy theme much better. Plus, I loved that everyone gains resources on anybody’s turn, not just on their own turn.

I added the game to my wish list soon after, but just never pulled the trigger on buying a copy. That is, until two years ago when Daily Magic Games published an updated version!

The new edition not only had upgraded components and streamlined play, but it was also much cheaper!

I’ve since introduced the game to many friends, and everyone has had a great time playing.

May 18, 2024 Trent 2 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, card, Daily Magic Games, dice, luck, solo, theme

Articles Board Games Card Games Cooperative Games Dice Games Family Games Game Reviews Kid Games Party Games Top 10 Lists

Board Game Gift Guide 2023 – 45 Favorites!

We’ve posted a Board Game Gift Guide for the past 12 years. And each year we’ve recommended around 40 games to get your friends and family as gifts.

Which means that through our annual gift guides, we’ve shared close to 500 game ideas!

Well, rather than give another list of new games to check out, we’ve decide to roll back through our 12 years of game gift guides and pick out our very favorites to recommend for 2023.

So, without further ado, here’s our recommended favorites in each category.

November 8, 2023November 10, 2024 Trent 3 Comments 2-player, abstract, board game gifts, card, deduction, dice, family, game gift guide, luck, party, Star Wars, strategy, theme

Articles Board Games Card Games Cooperative Games Dice Games Family Games Game Reviews Kid Games Party Games Top 10 Lists

15 Stocking Stuffer Games for 2022

Time is ticking down and there are only a few more shopping days left until Christmas Day.

If that puts you in a frantic rush for finding game gifts for your friends and family this year, we can help with that!

For starters, jump over to our 2022 Board Game Gift Guide and you’ll find a bunch of great games to choose from as gifts.

If you already have what you need with those game gifts and just need a few smaller games to pack a Christmas stocking with game goodies, then this list of 15 recommended games is for you.

December 21, 2022December 20, 2023 Trent 2 Comments card, dice, luck, party, Star Wars, top 10

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews

Mountains out of Molehills board game review

I love it when a board game gets a catchy title.

And that’s exactly what I thought when I heard about Mountains out of Molehills by The Op. My mind immediately started thinking about the possibilities.

Then I saw the box art, the cute mole characters, and the sweet looking 3D game space where the game box is actually part of the game play area and I totally wanted to play it!

The big question was if the game play would live up to what visually looked like such a fun family board game.

We’re happy to report that it does!

October 16, 2022November 7, 2022 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, card, drafting, programmed movement, The OP, theme

Dice Games Family Games Game Reviews

Marvel Dice Throne dice game review

Who would win between Doctor Strange and Captain Marvel?

Or between Black Panther and Black Widow?

Or between Loki, Mile Morales Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch, and Thor in a free-for-all match?

Well, in Marvel Dice Throne, by The Op and Roxley Games, you’ll get to find out.

And as you might guess, who comes out on top will change from one play to the next. That’s what makes this dice-rolling, dice manipulating, and card playing game a hoot. With a high amount of luck and some card management, almost anything could happen to turn the tide of fortune.

September 26, 2022 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, 6-player, card, dice, luck, Marvel, Roxley Games, strategy, The OP, theme

Card Games Family Games Game Reviews

Silver Card Game Review

When everyone you introduce a new game to starts buying their own copies, you know you have a hit game on your hands.

Such has been the case for us with the card game Silver!

It’s a card game with a mix of hidden information, memory, strategy, luck, variable character abilities, and fun artwork that has us playing it over and over.

Plus, the expansions Bezier Games has published for it makes it infinitely replayable.

August 7, 2022 Trent 0 Comments artwork, Bezier Games, card, luck, strategy

Card Games Family Games Game Reviews

Star Wars: Jabba’s Palace card game review

The number of people wanting to plays games over lunch at the company I work at has been growing. And for such a group and setting, the board games and card games that get played are those that are relatively short and can accommodate many players.

So when I got a review copy of Star Wars: Jabba’s Palace – A Love Letter Game from Asmodee, and realized that up to 6 players could play, I knew the perfect place to break it in!

Not only are the Love Letter games fun and quick-playing, but this new iteration is a Star Wars version of the game. And there are plenty of people who love Star Wars at the office.

So what better place to give it a go!

June 11, 2022December 20, 2023 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, 6-player, Asmodee, card, Love Letter, luck, Star Wars

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews

Everdell Board Game Review

“Within the charming valley of Everdell, beneath the boughs of towering trees, among meandering streams and mossy hollows, a civilization of forest critters is thriving and expanding. There are buildings to construct, lively characters to meet, events to host—you have a busy year ahead of yourself. Will the sun shine brightest on your city before the winter moon rises?

Prepare to be enchanted by the wondrous world of Everdell. Once you are here, you might never, ever, want to leave.”

Such is the intro text to the board game Everdell by Starling Games.

The big question is, is it true – Once you enter and play, will you ever want to leave?

April 24, 2022 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, card, luck, solo, Starling Games, strategy, theme

Card Games Family Games Game Reviews

The new Skull King!

Three years ago we played a family card game that immediately became a family favorite. We played it over and over and quickly reviewed it to share why we enjoyed playing it so much.

The game was Skull King, by Grandpa Beck’s Games, and the enjoyment we get out of playing hasn’t subsided at all since then!

If anything, we’ve enjoyed it more and more over the years.

And now, there’s a new version of Skull King to love!

We were very excited when we found out Grandpa Beck’s Games was updating Skull King with a few new twists. And now that we’ve had time to play it over and over, we’re excited to tell you all about it.

September 15, 2021 Trent 3 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, 6-player, 7-player, 8-player, card, Grandpa Beck's Games, luck, Skull King, trick-taking

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