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: 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.

How To Play: Trade

Trade: Box Cover Front

Trade is a fast trading game where players collect goods, swap resources, and plan clever deals. Each turn, you must weigh your current stash against future gains while watching what rivals want. Make smart trades, build your wealth, and finish with the most valuable collection to win.

How To Play: War and Peace

War and Peace: Box Cover Front

War and Peace is a tense strategy game where players lead armies, manage resources, build alliances, and fight for control. Each turn brings tough choices: advance, defend, negotiate, or save supplies. Plan ahead, watch your rivals, and pick battles carefully to claim victory without wrecking your own side.

How To Play: Top Ten

Top Ten - Top Ten, Cocktail Games, 2020 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Top Ten is a party game where players answer a silly prompt with a number from one to ten. One player, the Captain, then puts everyone’s answers in order from low to high. The team wins by getting the sequence right, though wildly creative clues often cause the funniest disasters.

How To Play: Picture Perfect

Picture Perfect: Box Cover Front

Picture Perfect is a deduction game where players arrange guests around a photographer, using clues to work out who belongs where. Each player secretly chases photo goals, so clever placement matters twice. Read the hints, swap people when needed, and check your final scene before scoring the best-looking—and best-planned—picture.