Category Archives: Game Reviews

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Game Reviews, Video

Dice Hospital – Coming to Kickstarter soon!

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A while ago I read a passing comment on the Board Game Trading and Chat UK Facebook page that someone was developing what was,  in essence, a board game version of the video game Theme Hospital, a game that I really enjoyed in my “youth”. When I then read that it may be being demoed at to the UK Games Expo 2017, it went to the top of my list of things to see and do!

Unfortunately, it seem high on a lot of people’s priorities and every time I went past the demo tables there were queues of people waiting to play. Was I going to miss my chance to try it out?

Continue reading Dice Hospital – Coming to Kickstarter soon! →

Game Reviews, Review

BUFFY, STILL THE CHOSEN ONE AFTER 20 YEARS?

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We had our first play of Buffy the Vampire Slayer last night. As it was only a single play, this is merely my initial reaction to the game and I will wait until I get a few more plays in before forming a full opinion.

 

The Short version is I like it, but don’t love it. It has a decent amount of things for the fans and the uninitiated alike. However, I would say if you actively dislike the show, then this may be avoid this title as there probably isn’t enough of a game to get you past the theme.

 

I can see why people are calling it Eldritch Horror light as there are some strong similarities. A The board image taken from the rule bookfully co-op game in which you take on one of the well known larger foes. The board is made up of locations, familiar to those who know the Buffyverse, where you move to in order to fight lesser bad guys (demons and vampires) and mid-range Monsters of the week. If you don’t do that well enough then the corpses of their victims or your injuries get added to the Apocalypse track at the bottom of the board – potentially causing you to lose the game. Once you’ve fought off 3 of the Monsters of the week and ‘solved’ the clues they leave behind, then the Big Bad reveals itself. Those familiar with Eldritch Horror may have already transposed the words Elder God, Doom Track, Cultists, etc.

Continue reading BUFFY, STILL THE CHOSEN ONE AFTER 20 YEARS? →

Game Reviews, Review, Video

Zombie 15 a 90 second review

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John races through, tripping and stumbling along the way in an adrenaline filled panic… and that’s merely his review. Imagine how bad it would be if he actually was one of the characters in the new release from iello games – Zombie 15′

Zombie 15′ is actually the Kickstarter campaign I wrote this soapbox piece about. As you can tell by the fact that I already have my copy, I did change my mind and indeed backed the project.

Zombie 15 plastic figures
Teens face The Horde

Zombie 15′ takes the best elements of co-operative play and of real-time gaming and smooshes them together very effectively. It avoids usual dominant player problem which most co-ops suffer, simply by not providing time to discuss it. Even so, you can’t just play your own game and hope for the best. Our failed attempts so far were purely because someone is left on a tile alone (getting greedy whilst searching) and the Horde showed up. Almost every play has led to loud laughter and each of us frantically impelling the others to make a damn choice! With surging adrenalin the pay-offs are invigorating and the failures are inspiring. Continue reading Zombie 15 a 90 second review →

Game Reviews, Review, Video

Fox and Chicken – Jona’s Bargain Basement Review

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We return to Jona’s Bargain Basement to be shown the cracking game of cunning that is Fox and Chicken

It’s quiet down there, all too quiet is something hiding down there? Should you be afraid of it, or should it fear you? Will you crack under the pressure or slyly have a tasty meal?

Jona’s Bargain Basement is here to discuss games which may appeal to the budget conscious among us or those who just love a bargain.

So pull up a crate, camping chair or over-turn a bucket and prepare to learn about Fox and Chicken.

Game Reviews, Review, Video

TSCHAK! – Jona’s Bargain Basement Review

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Jona’s Bargain Basement opens it’s doors for the first time and takes a look at the Swiss monster fighting card game with an interesting mechanic that is TSCHAK!

The door creaks open, the light plinks into life and dank steps stretch out before you. Strange sounds are emanating from the room below, hushed tones and shuffling noises… wait, did you just hear a monster? Well yes, you did and if you can summon the courage to venture down there Jona will tell you all about them!

Jona’s Bargain Basement is here to discuss games which may appeal to the budget conscious among us or those who just love a bargain.

So pull up a crate, camping chair or over-turn a bucket and prepare to learn about TSCHAK!

Game Reviews, Review, Video

King of Tokyo Halloween – 90 Second review

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John makes a really simple Halloween snack and reviews King Of Tokyo Halloween.

This was intended to be uploaded for Halloween, but I’m not only famous for being hated by dice, but also for being late!

I’ve decided to add in some random additional content before the reviews. In this instalment I show you how to make the ridiculously simply Mummy Fingers using hot dog sausages. Then we dive right into the 90 second review for the King of Tokyo Halloween collectors pack.

These snacks are delicious at any time and I hope the reviews are usually satisfying.


Let us know what you think

Click here for the original King of Tokyo 90 Second review

Game Reviews, Review

First Impressions: Doom

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Well that was a fun evening. Only part way through our first campaign of Doom and I am really enjoying myself. Three (totally badass) marines vs the (frankly hideous) Invaders and until the last round we appeared to be surviving quite well. This, despite the fact that at one point Clichegoth somehow managed to expend his ammo without actually firing his gun! (Poor guy – the dice really do hate him).

Continue reading First Impressions: Doom →

Game Reviews, Review

First Impressions: Bioshock Infinite: The Siege of Columbia

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Ok, so we finally got to play Bioshock Infinite: The Siege of Columbia and it was….ok, I guess. Our first play through was a little rushed and muddled (as is often the case with new games), but it didn’t leave me with a burning desire to return to it.

Continue reading First Impressions: Bioshock Infinite: The Siege of Columbia →

Game Reviews, Review

Mystery Express

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Review

Designed by Antoine Bauza (the same genius who bought us 7 Wonders and Ghost Stories), Mystery Express is essentially a grown-up version of Cluedo. You better start sharpening your sleuthing skills though because this game is hard. Very hard.

Oh I do love a good mystery. It’s actually quite common to see me running around town in a deerstalker, thwarting ne’er do wells in their evil schemes and thrilling all and sundry with the might and glory of my mystery-solving brain. Or, at least it would be if that pesky restraining order wasn’t in place. Some people have no sense of justice *sigh* Lucky for me then, that I have found a new outlet for my canny mind – Mystery Express.

Continue reading Mystery Express →