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.

Thrones of Valeria card game review is an article from The Board Game Family

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.

Valeria: Card Kingdoms game review is an article from The Board Game Family

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.

Board Game Gift Guide 2023 – 45 Favorites! is an article from The Board Game Family

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.

15 Stocking Stuffer Games for 2022 is an article from The Board Game Family

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!

Mountains out of Molehills board game review is an article from The Board Game Family

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.

Marvel Dice Throne dice game review is an article from The Board Game Family

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.

Silver Card Game Review is an article from The Board Game Family

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!

Star Wars: Jabba’s Palace card game review is an article from The Board Game Family