Adventure/Narrative

These games focus on storytelling and immersion, often involving quests, character development, and exploration. Examples include “Gloomhaven,” “Tales of the Arabian Nights,” and “Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate.”

Guardians: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Guardians Review

Guardians packs a punch—quick turns, comic-book art, and wild card combos. We laughed, argued, and tried to outsmart each other. If you want strategy with a spark, plus some luck sprinkled in, this one’s worth a shot.

Aliens: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Aliens Review

Aliens had my group yelling at cardboard soldiers by round three. Its tense missions, strong teamwork, and nasty surprises feel spot-on, though a few lucky rolls can make the hive feel a bit unfair.

Bears!: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.3/5

Bears! Review

Diving into Bears! was like discovering a treasure trove of strategy and laughter. Each round pushed the boundaries of our friendship, crafting unforgettable memories around the board. It brought us closer, turning an ordinary night into an adventure.

Thebes cover
Rating: 4.5/5

Thebes Review

Thebes proves its uniqueness with a clever time-allocation mechanism, balancing risk in artifact digs. Its true charm lies in the social dynamics it fosters among players, leading to memorable game nights filled with strategy and laughter.

Dead Reckoning: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.3/5

Dead Reckoning Review

Dead Reckoning sails into your game night with a bang! Stunning art, clever card crafting, and thrilling exploration combat make this a treasure. Just watch out for those dicey moments where luck can sink your strategy.

Conan - Conan, Monolith, 2016 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Rating: 4.3/5

Conan Review

Played Conan with my pals and, wow, it's a blast! Imagine mixing brains and brawn for epic showdowns. Though, beware, luck isn't much of a factor here. If you love strategy, this game's a gem. Solid 4/5!

AuZtralia - AuZtralia, SchilMil Games/Stronghold Games, 2018 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Rating: 4/5

AuZtralia Review

Auztralia is what happens when train games and monster movies have a weird baby. It's wild, strategic, and occasionally unfair—just like my last family board game night.

Jamaica: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4.5/5

Jamaïca Review

Ahoy, mateys! Jamaica had us racing for treasure, laughing at our misfortunes, and planning sneaky moves. Simple yet engaging, it's a hit for game nights, though luck may steer your ship more than you'd like!