Board Games Archives - The Board Game Family

Codenames digital app review

We first played the party game Codenames in 2015 and were hooked like so many people around the world.

We reviewed the original party game in January, 2016 and reviews for many of the follow-up games since.

Today, we’re happy to share our thoughts on the app version of this super-popular party game.

For starters, now that Codenames is in my digital pocket, it’s not reserved for just being a party game. I can play it on the fly whenever I want since I can match up with people worldwide in asynchronous play.

October 2, 2024October 2, 2024 Trent 0 Comments app, Czech Games Edition, party, solo

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews

World Wonders: Mundo Wonders Pack expansion review

In our recent review of World Wonders we mentioned how it’s more than just a tile-laying game and that there’s plenty to think about during the game.

In addition to the spatial layout of your city, you need to consider the money you have to spend, how your resources are growing, where you want to be in turn order, how to keep expanding with roads, and when you’ll meet the requirements for adding a monument to your city.

Well, if that’s not enough for you, Arcane Wonders has already published an expansion for the game!

It’s time to take a look at World Wonders: Mundo Wonders Pack.

August 8, 2024 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, Arcane Wonders, expansion, solo, theme

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews

World Wonders board game review

Earlier this year, I had my first chance to play World Wonders – a fun new tile-laying board game published by Arcane Wonders in 2023.

I played it at one of the Hot Games tables at SaltCon Spring 2024 and immediately wanted to play it again.

I couldn’t get it out of my mind and was still thinking about it a month later.

That’s when you know you’ve found another great family board game.

Even though I’d categorize World Wonders as a tile-laying game, it’s packed with much more than that. The game also includes economic, turn-order, and resource elements that keep players considering many choices throughout the whole game.

August 3, 2024August 8, 2024 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, Arcane Wonders, luck, solo, strategy, tile-laying

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews

Skyrise board game review

In 2016, I played a fun board game at SaltCon that left me thinking about it long after – Metropolys.

The only problem was that the game was first published in 2008 and was out of print, and I couldn’t find a copy anywhere. I’ve kept an eye out for it ever since.

That’s why I got super excited a few years ago when I heard the game was being reimplemented as Skyrise!

And I was even more excited when I learned it was being designed by Adam Wyse (a game designer I’ve met, played some games with, and reviewed a couple of his games, Head of Mousehold and Gorilla Marketing) and published by Roxley Games (a publishing company that produces fantastic games and that we’ve also reviewed a bunch of).

But the real questions you’re asking are, “What’s the game all about?”, “Why did you find it so fun?”, and “Is the reimplementation any good?”

July 17, 2024 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, auction, city buidling, Roxley Games, strategy, theme

Board Games Cooperative Games Family Games Game Reviews Kid Games

Find Finley game review & GIVEAWAY

Strange things are happening at the Wonderland amusement park.

That can mean only one thing – Finley has struck again.

It’s up to you to stop all the madness. You must Find Finley!

Find Finley is a new family board game from Fat Brain Toy Co. that will have your kids exercising their deduction and reasoning skills.

Read on to discover more about this new family board game and get a chance to win a copy for your family!

June 3, 2024June 18, 2024 Trent 2 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, deduction, Fat Brain Toy, reasoning, skill, solo, thinking

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

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews

Downforce – Such a fun racing game

A few years ago, I was introduced to a new racing game from by Restoration Games that has become one of my favorite racing games of all time – Downforce!

In the game, players bid in car auctions, race the cars, use special powers, and bet on the outcomes. There’s no dice rolling as it’s the cards that determine which color cars move and how far. And even though you want to favor the cars you bought in the auction, the cards you play will also be moving other player’s cars as well.

I first played Downforce at SaltCon End of Summer 2021 and then bought a copy later that year.

So it’s high time for me to write a review about it and share why I enjoy it so much.

April 9, 2024 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, 6-player, luck, racing, Restoration Games, strategy, theme

Articles Board Games Card Games Cooperative Games Dice Games Family Games Game Reviews Kid Games Party Games

16 Board and Card Games Played at SaltCon 2024

The first weekend of March, I spent a couple of days playing a bunch of fun games at SaltCon Spring 2024.

SaltCon Spring is a 4-day event held on the first weekend of March. This year, I arrived Thursday night after work and stayed through Saturday afternoon (taking Friday off work so I could play all day).

Even though SaltCon now hosts game events a few times each year, the spring gathering is the biggest of the bunch and one I look forward to every year.

This year, the attendance hit 2,400!

Read on to get a quick recap of the 16 different games I played and my thoughts on each.

March 16, 2024March 16, 2024 Trent 2 Comments bluffing, Board Games, deduction, Family Games, luck, party, SaltCon, space, strategy, theme

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews

Cascadia board game review

We really enjoy tile-laying board games.

Whether we’re building out our own areas like in Barenpark or adding to a central area like in Carcassonne, we love creating a unique arrangement every time. No matter whether we win or not, we feel accomplished seeing what we’ve made.

That’s one reason we were drawn to Cascadia when it was first published in 2021 by Flatout Games.

We were also drawn to the gameplay and the wonderful theme of habitats and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.

And after having played it numerous times, we’re happy to report that Cascadia knocks it out of the park on all accounts!

February 18, 2024 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, animal, Flatout Games, luck, strategy, theme, tile-laying

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews Kid Games

Lucky Numbers board game review

When playing with family, we like games that have a good balance of both luck and strategy. We enjoy having to make interesting choices during a game but also like an element of luck to keep things interesting.

So when a game has “Lucky” in the very name, should we shun it?

Don’t be too quick to do so!

At least, you shouldn’t do so with Lucky Numbers by Tiki Editions.

That’s because Lucky Numbers has great choices throughout to keep players engaged and having fun.