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.

World Wonders: Mundo Wonders Pack expansion review is an article from The Board Game Family

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?"

Skyrise board 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

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.

Downforce – Such a fun racing game is an article from The Board Game Family

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.

16 Board and Card Games Played at SaltCon 2024 is an article from The Board Game Family

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!

Cascadia board game review is an article from The Board Game Family

When I heard Stonemaier Games was publishing a sequel to Scythe, my interest jumped into overdrive.

After all, if you've seen my video review "17 Things I Love About Scythe" then you know how much I enjoy the original board game. And even while I write this, I realize my original review was over 7 years ago in July 2016!

Wow, how time flies.

Anyway, earlier this year, Stonemaier Games released Expeditions to the delight of many.

I was fortunate enough to get a review copy and now I'm eager to share my thoughts after diving into the game wholeheartedly.

Expeditions board 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