Strategy

These games focus on planning, resource management, and decision-making. Examples include “Catan,” “Risk,” and “Twilight Struggle.”

Treehouse: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3.3/5

Treehouse Review

Treehouse is a colorful, fast-paced game where you chase pyramid patterns and mess up your friends’ plans. Fun for a quick play, but luck rules the day. Not for those who crave deep strategy or fairness.

Bang! cover
Rating: 2.9/5

BANG! Review

Bang! slaps you in the face with chaos, secret roles, and backstabbing bullets. Perfect for wild groups—less fun for those who hate luck. Saddle up if you like unpredictable mayhem and accusing your grandma of being an outlaw.

Landlord!: Box Cover Front
Rating: 3/5

Landlord! Review

Landlord! gives you laughs, table-flipping moments, and a taste of being a ruthless property tycoon. Just don’t expect much strategy—luck runs this show. Fun for a rowdy group, but probably not for hardcore gamers or sore losers.

Foodies - Foodies, CMON Limited/Spaghetti Western Games, 2019 — front cover - Credit: W Eric Martin
Rating: 3/5

Foodies Review

Foodies is a tasty blend of light strategy and luck. It’s colorful, quick, and fun, but don’t expect deep thinking. Best served as a light snack between heavier games!

Oliver Twist - Oliver Twist, Purple Brain Creations, 2017 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Rating: 4/5

Oliver Twist Review

If you like sneaky moves and outsmarting your pals, Oliver Twist gives you a few laughs and tense moments. Just don’t expect pure strategy—sometimes the dice giveth, sometimes the dice smack you right in the face.

Cryo - Cryo, Z-Man Games, 2021 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Rating: 4.3/5

Cryo Review

Cryo serves up chilly tension and tough choices. Worker placement feels clever and rewarding, but if you mess up, that's on you—not the dice! My group couldn't stop at one round. It's a brain-freeze worth catching.

Casablanca: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Casablanca Review

Casablanca made me feel like a conniving movie villain—trading, scheming, and pretending not to betray my friends (I lied). It's dramatic, fun, and occasionally unfair, just like a real night at Rick’s bar.

Mighty - Mighty, Korea Boardgames, 2023 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
Rating: 4.3/5

Mighty Review

Mighty brings sharp tactics, lively teamwork, and just enough chaos to every table. If strategic trick-taking gets your heart racing, you’ll love it—just don’t expect fancy art or wild surprises. Bring your clever friends, not your luckiest ones.

The Duke cover
Rating: 4.8/5

The Duke Review

The Duke feels like chess’s cooler cousin who actually gets invited to parties. It’s all about clever moves, chunky tiles, and zero luck—just pure head-to-head strategy. My friends got hooked, and so did I!

Captains of Industry: Box Cover Front
Rating: 4/5

Captains of Industry Review

Captains of Industry is a cutthroat game where your brain sweats more than your brow. If you like smart moves, tough choices, and stealing markets from your friends, you’ll find plenty to love (and a little to grumble) here.