Board Games

SoCal Smackdown, Part Deux

Rather than my usual Errata Q&A post, I’m going to finish up my recap of SoCal Smackdown. Errata will be back next week, so keep the questions coming. With several good games under my belt, I went out with increased gusto trying to play as many different games as I could get my grubby little [...]

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Recap: SoCal Smackdown – Part 1

While many people were attending other, larger conventions, I elected to participate in a far smaller and more intimate endeavor – SoCal Smackdown. In prior years, Smackdown has been simply a giant miniatures competition. Primarily Warmachine and Warhammer 40k. This was the first year that Smackdown was opened to card games, board games, RPGs, and [...]

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Review: Fluxx – Never the Same Twice

Fluxx has been around for a while now. Like Munchkin, Fluxx can now be found in several flavors (including, most recently, Monty Python and Martian). Each plays almost exactly the same, so you can pretty much pick up the theme you like best and not bother much with the others. Fluxx is the ultimate “waiting [...]

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Variant: How important is theme?

A lot of players make the “theme” of a game a central focus of their discussion.  Some games, like Battlestar Galactica, have a very strong theme. If it wasn’t about hidden cylons and the struggle of mankind, the game wouldn’t make much sense.  The theme is integral to the enjoyment of the game. On the [...]

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News: More Games On the iPad

More iPad games continue to roll into the App Store. Most recently, Medici has arrived. Codito Development has announced numerous board games coming to the App Store, including most recently, Through the Ages here. As it turns out, this is making me want an iPad. I’ve had no interest, really, since I already have a [...]

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Errata: Where to Start?

Today we take a look at a non-gamer’s query. Yes, even the non-gaming heathen is welcome at Errata. Curious asked, “I’ve been reading your site and am getting more and more interested in board games. I’ve played Battleship and Monopoly when I was a kid, but want to see some of these non-kid games. I’m [...]

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Recap: Dixit & Roll Through the Ages First Impressions

This week, I was able to get my board gamer’s hands on Dixit and Roll through the Ages.  Dixit won the Spiel des Jahres this year, and I was eager to open her up. If you’ve played Apples to Apples, you get the gist of Dixit. Each player receives a set of six unique, but [...]

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Review: San Juan – Puerto Rico Jr.

Last week we looked at Puerto Rico – one of the giants of the Euro game genre. Puerto Rico proved to be so popular that it wasn’t long before a spin-off card game was created. I’m happy to report, however, that San Juan is a tremendous game. It brings the same flavor and challenge of [...]

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Variant: Playing to Win?

Variant is the weekly board game discussion topic. Contribute your thoughts in the comments below! Board games are for fun. Everyone gathers around the board, ideally, because they are looking for a good time. Whether it’s competitive or cooperative, the goal is to have an enjoyable experience along the way – not necessarily to be [...]

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News: Through the Ages Costa Rican Game of the Year!

Congratulations to Through the Ages which won the Costa Rican game of the year award! Costa Rica doesn’t have quite oomph that Germany does with its Spiel des Jahres, but an award is an award. In fact, if anyone was thinking about giving Through the Ages a try, just remember: it’s big in Costa Rica. [...]

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