Category: Tabletop Games

— Tabletop Games —

Marrying Mr. Darcy: Emma Expansion | Tabletop Review

4 December, 2018

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. I just like playing at meddling in the lives of others. Marrying Mr. Darcy is copyright Evensen Creative. Images used for reference and commentary.

For fans of Jane Austen and Emma comes a game expansion that turns Marrying Mr. Darcy into Marrying Mr. Knightley.

The Emma Expansion includes six heroines, five suitors, and a brand new event deck. The die and character card deck from the base game remain the same and are needed to play. It also includes three Undead cards, so you can play with the Undead Expansion. Be prepared for the Undead Expansion to refer to characters from Pride & Prejudice. You can choose to substitute them for Emma characters or pretend there is a crossover zombie apocalypse.

The biggest changes are the matchmaking, blunder and revelation cards – because Emma is all about getting up in people’s business! This spices up gameplay, especially if someone is playing as Emma and can choose to steal matchmaking cards.

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Marrying Mr. Knightley – as I insist on calling it – is a great game for fans of Jane Austen and Emma. There are enough noticeable differences to Marrying Mr. Darcy that make the Emma Expansion worthwhile.

4 out of 5 stars

— Tabletop Games —

Marrying Mr. Darcy: Undead Expansion

30 October, 2018

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. I just do it for the undead masses. Marrying Mr. Darcy is copyright Evensen Creative. Images used for reference and commentary.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a game about marrying Mr. Darcy can only be enhanced by zombies.

This is a small expansion of 20 cards that add an extra obstacle to your pursuit of the perfect husband – the undead! New cards include undead mob attacks, as well as weapons and items. These can help you conquer or avoid the zombie hordes.

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The biggest change is that the heroines and their suitors can become zombies themselves. This drastically changes the proposal stage. You don’t want to marry a rotting corpse! But…if you have been zombified, you can turn and claim one of the menfolk – even if he’s already married! It all depends on the roll of the dice.

Like in the original game, the heroine with the highest points wins – whether she is married, an old maid, or undead.

This is a small but worthy expansion. I would like a few more cards, and many of the zombie cards simply require you to exclaim something to get a +1 on your roll. I do not like having to exclaim things! People are always misunderstanding me.

The Undead Expansion is recommended for people who like both Mr. Darcy and zombies. The base game is required to play. It can also be coupled with the Emma Expansion.

3 out of 5 stars

— Tabletop Games —

Settlers of Catan | Tabletop Review

11 September, 2018

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. Not even in the form of wool or grain. Settlers of Catan is copyright KOSMOS. Images used for reference and commentary.

Settlers of Catan – known by today’s youngters as “Catan” – is a game of strategy and luck. The aim is to build roads and settlements to gain points and resources. The player to reach 10 points wins.

If you do not place your initial two settlements on spaces that will give you different types of resources and often, you have screwed yourself for the whole game. Choose wisely or suffer!

Catan is known as the modern replacement for Monopoly. Why is this? Because it is a gateway game that is accessible to non-gamers. Yes, you can get your family of noobs to play this game. It is also because it is a game that you play when you don’t have any better games to play.

Catan has several expansions. It is the sort of game that needs to get decked out and upgraded to keep old-timers invested. It is a game for 2-4 players, but you can also buy an expansion to widen that number of people to 6.

Settlers of Catan is recommended for new gamers, or people who want to connect with – or convert – some noobs.

3 out of 5 stars

— Tabletop Games —

Marrying Mr. Darcy | Tabletop Review

28 August, 2018

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. But Mr. Darcy is mine now. Aw yeah, be jealous! Marrying Mr. Darcy is copyright Evensen Creative. Images used for reference and commentary.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune needs to be snatched up ASAP.

In Marrying Mr. Darcy, players try to snag the most suitable husband. You each play as one of six Pride & Prejudice heroines – Lizzy, Jane, Lydia, Charlotte, Caroline and Georgiana. Different heroines get a certain number of points depending on which man they bag. If you can’t get anyone to marry you, you will end up an old maid!

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There are two main card types – character cards and event cards. Character cards are full of attributes you need to possess to lure in the men-folk, such as beauty, wit, friendliness and reputation. There are also cunning cards. These will ensure you get first crack at the man of your dreams! Event cards are drawn each turn by players and can affect one player or the whole game.

Heroines all have their own attributes or special abilities. Lizzy starts the game with 3 wit, whereas Caroline picks up two character cards instead of one, choosing one to discard. This means you discard one of the two cards you have picked up, not any card from your hand.

When the deck of event cards is depleted, the proposals come flooding in. Hopefully. You best pray you get to the man of your dreams before some other wench. If you can’t bag a man, you become an old maid – but depending on your character card score, you could still win. You don’t need no Mr. Darcy!

Marrying Mr. Darcy is a fun game, best enjoyed by fans of Jane Austen and Pride & Prejudice. Look out for the Emma Expansion and the Undead Expansion.

4.3 out of 5 stars

— Tabletop Games —

The T-Shirt Game | Tabletop Review

21 August, 2018

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. Not even a free t-shirt. The T-Shirt Game is copyright Buffalo Games and Tactic. Images used for reference and commentary.

In The T-Shirt Game, you play as witty T-Shirt designers.

The game uses the same mechanics as Apples to Apples or Cards Against Humanity. One player reveals a T-Shirt design and the other players must submit their best slogan card. The winner for the round is chosen and the game continues.

Where the game differs is the points system. The winner of the round picks a “Hot or Not” card, which tells them how their shirt was received by the public, the celebrity that was caught wearing/endorsing it, and how many points it is worth. There is also the “BOOYAH!” card. This allow you to steal points from other players.

The T-Shirt Game isn’t as funny (or crude) as some of the other games that follow this format. It will not ensue laugh out loud funny times, but it is mildly enjoyable. The points system is excellent.

2.3 out of 5 stars

— Tabletop Games —

Disney Family Feud | Tabletop Review

24 July, 2018

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. I just like Disney. Hit me up. Family Feud is copyright Imagination, Disney and Pixar. Images used for reference and commentary.

For fans of Disney comes a board game that brings the Family Feud TV show into your home, Mickey in hand.

Each card has a question that has been surveyed to 100 people. One player acts as host, while two teams – of one player or more – must try to give the answer that matches the survey. The more surveyed people that have given the answer, the more points it is worth.

This – is – not – a – trivia – game. There is no “right” answer. What you think is logical will not be what popped into other people’s heads. Get off your high horse and try to think like the masses.

I thought this game was called Family Feud because it pits two “families” against each other. Nope! It is because someone is going to flip their wits when their answer isn’t one of the top survey answers.

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This is a very fun game to play…with the right people. You want to play with people who go “Whaaaaaaaaat?” when they don’t get the right answer, but not with people who will threaten to flip the table. For this reason, Disney Family Feud is not only accessible to play with casual Disney fans, but preferable to playing with hard-core know-it-all busy-bodies.

Do not ask me, “Who did they survey? What is the age range? What is the gender ratio?” I – do – not – know! Leave me be!

Due to the limited number of cards, there is a cap on how much you can play this game before you know all the answers. If you survive that long. Enjoy the game for what it is and then pass it on for someone else to destroy or enjoy.

3.5 out of 5 stars

— Tabletop Games —

BANG! The Dice Game: The Walking Dead | Tabletop Review

17 July, 2018

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. I’m just here to slay. Zombies. BANG! The Dice Game: The Walking Dead is copyright of Asmodee and USAopoly. Images used for reference and commentary.

Zombies aren’t the only threat in this game, which pits you against the biggest evil of all – humans! Roll the dice and think twice about those you can trust. You never know who is really on your side in this deadly bluffing game.

BANG! The Dice Game: The Walking Dead uses five dice with different symbols. These let you shoot guns, throw grenades and heal. They also expose you to zombies and deadly toxins. You have three rolls to try and inflict as much damage to the people you believe to be your enemies. Be prepared for people to hold a grudge and come for you.

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There are two main factions that people play as – the Survivors and the Saviors. There are also two loners – Hilltop and The Kingdom – but depending on how many players you have, you might only play with one Loner. The Survivors want to kill the Saviors. The Saviors want to kill the Leader of the Survivors. The Loner wants to kill everyone.

Note: “Survivor” and “Savior” are easy to get confused. Especially when “Savior” sounds like it should be good but is actually evil. Try not to get caught out when you are bullshitting everyone that you are good.

The alliances are all kept secret, except for the Leader of the Survivors. The role of Leader of the Survivors can be overwhelming for certain people, especially if it is their first time playing. Consider reshuffling and redealing the roles if you think this will be too stressful or elect someone to be Leader and randomise the rest.

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Each player also has a character card. These are dealt randomly but not kept secret. Remember to read your character’s special ability – and don’t forget to give the Leader of the Survivors +2 health!

Note: This edition of BANG!  The Dice Game is based on The Walking Dead comics and uses the awesome character artwork. This means that if you have any hopes of playing characters like Daryl, Sasha, Beth or Noah, prepare to be disappointed, because they were made up by the TV people.

It is important to realise that this is not only a bluffing game but an elimination game. Once you are dead, you are out of the game. And if you play with a lot of people, you may find that you don’t get many turns before you die. Which is not fun. This game can be played with 3-8 players, but the best number to play with is 5-6.

The game’s only real big fail is that, unlike the original BANG! The Dice Game, the dice are not engraved. This means that the images on the dice will eventually wear off. Grr!

This is a very fun game to play, as long as you play with the right kind of people. Friendly competitiveness is fab. Cutthroat nastiness is gross. Good luck finding the right balance!

3.8 out of 5 stars

— Tabletop Games —

Sheriff of Nottingham | Tabletop Review

10 July, 2018

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. Alms for the poor? Sheriff of Nottingham is copyright of Arcane Wonders. Images used for reference and commentary.

In Sheriff of Nottingham, you are trying to smuggle contraband past the Sheriff to help the outlaw Robin Hood. Players take turns as the Sheriff, while the others declare what type of legal goods they are bringing to market. The Sheriff must decide whether to inspect their wares or let them pass, based on how shifty looking they are and how probable their story is.

If you are caught red-handed with illegal wares, they are confiscated and you pay a fine to the Sheriff. If the Sheriff checks and there is no funny business, then you get some hush money to keep you from blabbing that he done goofed. It is possible to slip the Sheriff some coin to easy along the procedure. They must decide whether to take it and let you pass or refuse it and check your wares, because you are clearly suspect.

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This is a hard-core bluffing game. Good luck if you are incapable of lying or have no poker face. You need to be able to bluff and double-bluff. You must also suss out whether your fellow players will think you are legit or full of it. Play it to your advantage, take risks and have fun.

You can choose to play the entire game by only ever declaring legal goods, but how is that going to help Robin Hood? Don’t you want to help the cause? Don’t you? Also, contraband is worth more, so if your opponents get that sweet sweet swag past the Sheriff, while you play it safe, you shall be royally screwed.

Each gameplay is different, depending on the players, suspicion and strategy. A fun game for 3-5 players.

4 out of 5 stars

— Tabletop Games —

Love Letter | Tabletop Review

3 July, 2018

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this review. But the Princess loves me, so there! Love Letter is copyright of Seji Kanai and AEG. Images used are for reference and commentary.

Love Letter is a travel-sized card game for 2-4 players…but a 2 player game is a dud game. You have been warned. It is fun, quick and easy to learn and play. Gameplay averages at 20 minutes.

In Love Letter, players vie for the attention of Princess Anette. The goal of the game is to get your love letter to the Princess without being caught. You are also trying to intercept the letters of other sneaky suitors. The game is a mixture of strategy and luck, and uses a small deck of 16 cards that may help or hinder you and your rivals.

Each player begins the round with one card. On their turn, they draw a second card and choose one to play. For instance, Odette the Guard may interrogate your rivals. If you play her, you must accuse another player of having a certain accomplice.

“Avast, fiend! I know you cavort with the Prince!”

If you are wrong, you look like a bit of a nob, but nothing happens. If you are right, the player must discard the Prince – their letter intercepted – and they are out of the round. The last suitor standing – or the one with the highest valued card at the end of the round – succeeds in getting their letter to the Princess and gains a token of affection. The game ends when one suitor has four tokens of affection and wins the heart of the Princess.

Love letter is a game of luck and deduction. It incorporates some bluffing, but not enough that it will hinder those without a poker face. Just those without a brain. The fact that is is small and compact makes it great for playing on the go, and it is accessible to even the greatest gaming noobs. Remember to read the instruction book inside, not just for the rules but for the rich backstory of all the different characters.

There are many other editions of Love Letter. There is a deluxe edition, with more cards and characters, and many other themed versions of the game. Each edition changes an element to switch up the gameplay, keeping interest fresh and allowing gamers to choose the version that best suits them.

4 out of 5 stars