Reviews & News

What Is an Abstract Strategy Game?
What Is an Abstract Strategy Game?
No dice, no hidden cards, no luck to blame — here's what abstract strategy actually means, and five worth trying. Read more...
The Short History of a Meeple
The Short History of a Meeple
Twenty-five years ago, a typo at a Carcassonne table gave the hobby its most famous word. Here's how "meeple" went from forum joke to courtroom fight. Read more...
A History of The Op Games
A History of The Op Games
From a Monopoly side-hustle sold out of a car boot to Telestrations and Hues and Cues — the story of The Op, one of the biggest names in party games. Read more...
A History of Z-Man Games
A History of Z-Man Games
From a defunct card game to Pandemic and Carcassonne — the story of Z-Man Games. Read more...
What Is a Social Deduction Game?
What Is a Social Deduction Game?
From Secret Hitler to Avalon, here's what social deduction actually means in board games. Read more...
5 Party Games You've Probably Never Heard Of
5 Party Games You've Probably Never Heard Of
Beyond Codenames and Pictionary — five party games on our shelves that deserve way more attention than they get. Read more...
What Is a Cooperative Game?
What Is a Cooperative Game?
Not all co-op games work the same way — here's the difference between full, silent, real-time and legacy co-op. Read more...
What Is a Tile-Laying Game?
What Is a Tile-Laying Game?
From Carcassonne to Cascadia, here's what tile-laying actually means in board games. Read more...
What Is an Engine-Building Game?
What Is an Engine-Building Game?
From Wingspan to Terraforming Mars, here's what "engine building" actually means in board games. Read more...
Where to Start With Magic: The Gathering
Where to Start With Magic: The Gathering
New to Magic: The Gathering? Here's exactly where to start, what to buy first, and why. Read more...
Point City: A Family Game Night Review
Point City: A Family Game Night Review
Point City is a card-drafting, engine-building game: each round you take two adjacent cards from a shared city grid and add them to your own growing city. Read more...
What Is a Deck-Building Game?
What Is a Deck-Building Game?
You've probably seen it on a box somewhere: "deck-building game." It sounds like it might just mean "a game with cards in it," which, unhelpfully, describes about half the store.... Read more...
Worker placement
What is a Worker Placement game?
If you've read our post on what makes a game a "euro", you've already met worker placement without knowing its name. It's one of the defining mechanics of the genre... Read more...
A Short History Of Trick-Taking Games
A Short History Of Trick-Taking Games
If you've spent any time in the card game aisle lately, you've probably seen the term "trick-taking" thrown around a lot — usually attached to something with a slick modern... Read more...
The Top 5 Ticket to Ride Versions (And Which One to Grab Next)
The Top 5 Ticket to Ride Versions (And Which One to Grab Next)
If you've ever stood in front of our board game wall wondering why there are so many different Ticket to Ride boxes, you're not alone. Read more...
What Is a Euro Game? Everything You Need to Know
What Is a Euro Game? Everything You Need to Know
Never heard of a Euro game? You've probably already played one. Cartell Games Brisbane explains what makes Eurogames different — and why they might be your new obsession. Read more...
Castle Combo: Small Box, Big Decisions
Castle Combo: Small Box, Big Decisions
I'm going to be upfront with you — I reviewed this game after playing it exactly once. One play. And I'm already certain we'll play it many, many times after... Read more...