SNAP Review – Metro X
Flip cards and write Xs into your transit stops to fill your train lines and get passengers all the way to the end. Colorful and bright, Metro X always leaves us saying “let’s play again!”
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Animal Kingdoms
Gain the most influence in the Animal Kingdoms by placing Noble Beast cards that match each kingdom’s (randomly-chosen) Decree. Animal Kingdoms feels very “adult” but is definitely approachable for kids.
» Read moreImhotep: The Duel – Construction Made Compact
Be the best builder in Egypt! Place pawns carefully to claim tokens; use those tokens to build your four monuments for the Pharoah.
» Read morePasstally
Lay and stack tiles to make paths that pass through as many tiles as possible. “Tally” your “passes” after each turn and add up the points. A game for 2-3 players.
» Read moreCriss Cross: Will Make You Roll, Roll
In Criss Cross, you’ll roll two dice and write the pair of symbols anywhere on your player sheet. Make groups of matching symbols in rows and columns to get the best score.
» Read moreSNAP Review – SHOBU: Beautifully Challenging
SHOBU is an abstract two player game that immediately feels classic. The simplicity of play and beautiful natural materials are immediately inviting. Splitting your focus between 4 boards and out-thinking your opponent will keep you coming back for more.
» Read moreIngenious: Who’s Smartest With Symbols?
Ingenious is a game with great accessibility for new players and depth of strategy for experienced players. Lay down a tile, making straight lines in each color.
» Read moreSNAP Review – The Stars Align
Who doesn’t like shooting stars – and laid-back puzzley gameplay? That’s the premise behind The Stars Align from Breaking Games.
» Read more142 – Abstraction! Top Abstract Games – The Family Gamers Podcast
Abstract strategy (or abstract puzzle) games are Anitra’s favorite! Let’s talk about what makes these games great for family game night.
» Read moreSNAP Review – Deblockle: Strategy of Tips & Turns
Deblockle is a beautiful and elegant game of abstract strategy that’s durable enough to keep on your coffee table – even with kids!
» Read moreScarabya: Excavations that Missed the Beet(le)
It is up to you to find the most Scarab relics! From the desert to the rain forest, from the Bermuda Triangle to Antarctica, these golden beetles are scattered across the world. Set up camps and mark Excavation Areas. Can you find the most Scarabs and uncover the mystery of Scarabya?
» Read moreSNAP Review – Drop It
Drop It was designed by Bernhard Lach & Uwe Rapp and published by KOSMOS. It feels a bit like Connect 4 played with tangram shapes, if your object was to make as few lines as possible. Hear our impressions of this strategic dexterity game in about 6 minutes, or read on for more.
» Read moreThe Game of 49: Three in a Row, Go for One More
Roll For It!: Let the Good Times Roll!
After dinner, I asked Nonnie if she was up for a game… By the second or third game her competitiveness kicked in; she was trash talking my dad, razzing my daughter and having a blast. Then, she ditched me and wanted to play on her own. She was smiling, laughing and really enjoying herself.
» Read moreCentury: Spice Road – Trading for Fun and Profit
Transport yourself to centuries past to a time when the trading along the spice roads led to great wealth and power. As a spice merchant you’ll lead your caravan to exotic markets to sell your valuable spices. Do you have what it takes to play your cards shrewdly, time your trades just right to acquire five point cards first and
» Read moreMatch Madness: Parallel Puzzling for All Ages
Playing puzzle games with children can be frustrating. If it’s mildly challenging for me, it may be impossible for my 7-year-old; but if it’s the right level for him, it’s far too easy for me. I don’t want to hold back: I want to beat my children fair and square. What to do? Match Madness gives us a possible solution.
» Read moreOK Play (Cinco Linko): Play Anywhere with Anyone
The rules are so simple and intuitive, even a toddler can understand them. In fact, since the game is easy enough for toddlers to understand, this makes it a great game to play with them. You can slowly introduce them to strategy, and the materials are resilient enough to handle whatever it is that makes their hands sticky all the time.
» Read moreOnitama: An Elegant Exploration of Strategy
Onitama replaces complexity with elegance and layers with simplicity. With a ruleset that could literally fit on an index card, Onitama delivers a quick, compact strategy game experience that allows its players plenty of room to breathe and ruminate on their next moves.
» Read moreSeikatsu: Beautiful from any Perspective
Birds and flowers and fish, oh my! This beautiful abstract game has players work together to make a beautiful garden. But will the garden be most pleasing from your perspective, or will your opponents have a better view?
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