The Family Gamers

Lost Kingdoms: Lost in the Rulebook

July 25, 2022 Corey Lagunowich Reviews

Tile-laying games are special to me because they were my first introduction to the wider world of board games beyond the Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers games of my youth. They promise more intriguing replay because it’s nearly impossible to build the same board twice.

Gutenberg – More than An Ink-ling of Fun?

July 4, 2022 Updated: September 19th, 2022 Dave Smith Hall of Fame Reviews, Reviews

Many would say Gutenberg’s printing press is one of the greatest inventions in all of human history. Is the game Gutenberg also a great invention? How will it rank?

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2 players, 3 players, 4 players, adults, Dave, history, Portal Games, solo

Under Falling Skies

June 6, 2022 Updated: July 4th, 2022 Anitra Smith Reviews

Under Falling Skies is a game for just one player to defend Earth’s cities from the alien invasion. Best for adult players who are ready for a challenge.

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aliens, Anitra, CGE (Czech Games Edition), Kwanchai Moriya, solitaire, solo

294 – Super-Short Games – The Family Gamers Podcast

May 23, 2022 Anitra Smith The Family Gamers Podcast

We’ve run out of time for games lately! So what better to talk about than games that only take a few minutes to play?

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2 players, Andrew, Anitra, cooperative games, Family Games, solo, timed game

The Loop

April 26, 2022 Updated: November 28th, 2022 Andrew Smith Reviews

You won’t have to step into a blue box or twist your necklace to turn back time in The Loop. Do you have the wits to tread and retread ground to defeat Dr. Faux? Only time will tell.

SNAP Review – The Key: Theft at Cliffrock Villa

April 8, 2022 Updated: September 5th, 2024 Anitra Smith SNAP Reviews

The Key: Theft at Cliffrock Villa screenshot

Looking for a family-friendly detective game that really feels like gathering clues to solve a crime? The Key series might be a good choice. It uses a logical deduction matrix puzzle along with the ability to choose which kind of clues you need.

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2 players, 3 players, 4 players, Andrew, Anitra, deduction, HABA, mystery, older children, solo, The Key, Thomas Sing

SNAP Review – Sherlock Holmes: Baker Street Irregulars

March 18, 2022 Anitra Smith SNAP Reviews

Up to four readers solve mysteries and puzzles in this graphic novel adventure. But can you really play without all four books?

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3 players, 4 players, adventure, books, mystery, puzzles, reading, Sherlock Holmes, solo, Van Ryder Games

SNAP Review – Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game

March 11, 2022 Updated: August 7th, 2023 Anitra Smith SNAP Reviews

We love the style of Cuphead, and the way this dice game preserves the frantic feel of the video game. But is it right for family play?

Chai: Quali-tea? or Tea-dious?

February 14, 2022 Anitra Smith Reviews

Chai is perfect for playing in a casual group. We can talk while we play, and our kids won’t spill it like they might with a real cup of tea.

Small Islands – Courageously Explore For Prestige

February 7, 2022 Nick Martinelli Reviews

Explore a brand new archipelago and bring back prestige and resources in this language-independent game.

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2 players, 3 players, 4 players, exploration, Lucky Duck Games, Nick, solo, tile laying

SNAP Review – Canopy

December 17, 2021 Updated: March 7th, 2023 Anitra Smith SNAP Reviews

Play Canopy to learn more about rainforests while enjoying lush tropical art from Vincent Dutrait. Technically a 2 player game, but we enjoy it better at 3 players!

Big Easy Busking

December 14, 2021 Anitra Smith Reviews

“Busking” is playing music in a public place to earn money. And there’s no better place in the world for street musicians than New Orleans, the Big Easy. Use your band’s energy to play jazz standards and new pieces – then gain money and influence from the crowd! Big Easy Busking is a game for 1-5 players by Joshua J.

SNAP Review – ROVE

November 22, 2021 Updated: March 10th, 2023 Anitra Smith SNAP Reviews

The Results Oriented Versatile Explorer (ROVE) has crash-landed on an alien planet. It must reconfigure its modules to navigate the planet and report back! Game ROVE is a game for one player, age 8+. It was designed (and illustrated!) by Dustin Dobson & Milan Zivkovic and it’s published by Button Shy. Art The art uses some familiar sci-fi and robot

SNAP Review – Super Mega Lucky Box

October 29, 2021 Updated: August 7th, 2023 Anitra Smith Hall of Fame Reviews, SNAP Reviews

Andrew and Anitra hold Super Mega Lucky Box

Why does this game have us singing? Watch the video and find out.

SNAP Review – Tiny Ninjas Heroes

October 22, 2021 Andrew Smith SNAP Reviews

Who doesn’t want to be a Ninja? Ninjas are cool. They’re mysterious, deadly, and silent. But what happens when we match up ninja heroes tactically on a battlefield?

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2 players, Andrew, Asher, attack, ninja, solo, video

SNAP Review – Grove

October 15, 2021 Updated: September 19th, 2022 Anitra Smith Hall of Fame Reviews, SNAP Reviews

Grove is a solitaire card placement game that uses dice to track your progress through its puzzle. It takes less than ten minutes to play and I review it in less than five.

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Anitra, Kickstarter, Side Room Games, solitaire, solo, video

Capital Lux 2: An Absurdly Awesome Tactical Game

September 21, 2021 Dave Smith Reviews

I love games that require constant reconfiguring of strategy due to changing conditions. I can’t think of many other games that force this upon you more than Capital Lux.

SNAP Review – Off to Bed!

September 17, 2021 Updated: June 30th, 2025 Anitra Smith SNAP Reviews

It’s time for bed, and we’re going to use a game. But Andrew’s too old to help with this review – so we get Elliot instead!

Ubongo! 3D

September 14, 2021 Updated: August 7th, 2023 Anitra Smith Reviews

I love puzzle games, and for some reason I like them even more when they’re abstract – fitting colors and numbers and shapes together just right.

EXIT: The Cursed Labyrinth – A-Maze-ingly Difficult

August 30, 2021 Updated: June 25th, 2022 Anitra Smith Reviews

As you can tell from the title, you and your friends are stuck in a mysterious labyrinth. You must find your way out through a puzzling series of twists & turns. But is this EXIT a worthy puzzle, or just an impenetrable maze?

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2 players, 3 players, 4 players, Anitra, escape room, EXIT, Inka Brand, KOSMOS, Markus Brand, monster, puzzles, solo

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