Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games

Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.

How To Play: Niagara

Niagara: Box Cover Front

Niagara is a fast river race where players guide canoes, collect gems, and try not to tumble over the waterfall. Each turn, you secretly choose a paddle card to move the current and your boats. Plan carefully, watch your rivals, and bring back the right gems to win.

How To Play: Dark Tower

Dark Tower cover

Dark Tower is a fantasy adventure game where heroes explore lands, gather supplies, fight monsters, and complete quests. Players use the electronic tower to track events, issue commands, and reveal nasty surprises. Plan your moves, manage your gold, and reach the tower prepared, or its dark magic will ruin your day.

How To Play: Medici

Medici cover

Medici is a fast auction game where players buy goods for their merchant ships. Each round, reveal cargo cards and bid against your friends, balancing tempting deals with a tight purse. Score points by shipping valuable goods and winning majorities, but spend too much and your trading empire may sink.

How To Play: Three Musketeers

Three Musketeers: Box Cover Front

Three Musketeers is a two-player strategy game where one player guides three brave musketeers and the other controls a crowd of guards. Players move pieces across the board, use clever positioning, and chase different goals. The musketeers seek freedom, while the guards work together to trap them.

How To Play: Wildlands

Wildlands - Wildlands, Osprey Games, 2018 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Wildlands is a fast fantasy skirmish game where rival warbands battle across a changing map. Players use cards to move fighters, attack enemies, claim objectives, and trigger special powers. Smart positioning matters, but so does knowing when to grab points and run. It plays best with bold plans and sneaky surprises.

How To Play: Distilled

Distilled: Box Cover Front

Distilled is a lively strategy game about running a small spirits company. You buy ingredients, manage your cash, age recipes, and bottle drinks for profit. Each round brings tough choices as prices shift and rivals chase the same goods. Build your distillery wisely, complete secret goals, and become the best producer.