Playing Card Information

Dale Yu: 4 mini-reviews of 4 mini games from Deck Hand Games: The Dig, Boil and Bubble, Spymaster One and Pogo Possum Posse Poker

So, while at the most recent Gathering of Friends, Deck Hand Games offered each invitee one of their small format games as a welcome gift. I managed to get a full set of the four games on offer, and … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/28/dale-yu-4-mini-reviews-of-4-mini-games-from-deck-hand-games-the-dig-boil-and-bubble-spymaster-one-and-pogo-possum-posse-poker/">Continue reading →</a>

Dale Yu: Review of First Giants

First Giants Designer: Matthew Dunstan, Brett J. Gilbert Publisher: Space Cowboys Players: 2-5 Age: 10+ Time: 30 minutes Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/42Ziqac Played with review copy provided by publisher Dive into First Giants, a race to create the … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/27/dale-yu-review-of-first-giants/">Continue reading →</a>

Dale Yu: Review of Ace of Spades

Ace of Spades Designer: Benja Amorin Publisher: DEVIR Players: 1-2 Age: 14+ Time: 40 minutes Played with review copy provided by publisher Your path of vengeance has led you to Sweet Haven, Arizona. You know that the necromancer who … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/26/dale-yu-review-of-ace-of-spades/">Continue reading →</a>

Smashing House of Cards With a Baseball Bat #satisfying #playing cards

It took two attempts and thousands of playing card.

Dale Yu: Review of Diceocracy

Diceocracy   Ever since you were a kid, your mama told you that you’re destined for grand things! So you’re pretty certain that things can only be better with more “you” in it! Well, it’s finally time for more … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/20/dale-yu-review-of-diceocracy/">Continue reading →</a>

2026 SdJ Nominations Announced

The Spiel des Jahres (SdJ) jury announced the nominated games for the SdJ, Kennerspiel (“connoisseur” games), and Kinderspiel (children’s games) awards earlier today and I think it’s safe to say that nobody had these titles on their Bingo cards. For … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/19/2026-sdj-nominations-announced/">Continue reading →</a>

Dale Yu: Review of Purrramid

Purrramid Designer: Renier Knizia Publisher: Lucky Duck Games Players: 2-4 Age: 8+ Time: 30 minutes Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3PcZi55 Played with review copy provided by publisher Your grandma loves cats – but she’s adopted so many that she … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/19/dale-yu-review-of-purrramid/">Continue reading →</a>

2026 Jogo do Ano Nominees Announced

One of my favorite annual game awards is Spiel Portugal’s Jogo do Ano (which is Portuguese for “Game of the Year”). What I like about it is that the nominated games are all heavier ones and titles like that often … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/15/2026-jogo-do-ano-nominees-announced/">Continue reading →</a>

Solo Gaming 2026: The First Four Months

The new era of well-designed automata and solo modes for multiplayer games, coupled with excellent new solo game designs, is actually quite heartening to someone (me!) who finds something very satisfying about physically playing a game: shuffling cards, moving pieces, … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/15/solo-gaming-2026-the-first-four-months/">Continue reading →</a>

Dale Yu: Review of Rebuilding Chicago

Rebuilding Chicago Designer: Quinn Brander Publisher: Wizkids Players: 1-5 Age: 12+ Time: 60-120 minutes Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4n29utO Played with review copy provided by publisher In Rebuilding Chicago, a standalone successor to 2023’s Rebuilding Seattle, you’re responsible for … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/14/dale-yu-review-of-rebuilding-chicago/">Continue reading →</a>

Dale Yu: Review of Catan Zip! edition

Catan Zip! Designer: Klaus Teuber Publisher: Catan Studio Players: 3-4 Age: 10+ Time: 60 minutes Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4tVMLCs Played with review copy provided by publisher Welcome to the unexplored island of Catan!   As you and your fellow … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/13/dale-yu-review-of-catan-zip-edition/">Continue reading →</a>

Play – The Games Festival – 2026 edition

PLAY – The Game Festival, the international event dedicated to Board-Games, Role-playing Games, Miniatures Games, Live, and Collectible Card Games returns from May 22nd to 24th at Bologna Fiere with more than 40.000 square meters of covered area in five different … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/12/play-the-games-festival-2026-edition/">Continue reading →</a>

Dale Yu: Review of Bare Bones

Bare Bones Designer: not listed Publisher: West Coast Bias Games Players: 2-4 Age: 10+ Time: 20-30 minutes Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4vhW0hg Played with review copy provided by publisher In Bare Bones, players each begin with an identical base … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/12/dale-yu-review-of-bare-bones/">Continue reading →</a>

He Loved Being at the Table

The Rummy family was always lurking nearby: Rummy, Rummy 500, Rummikub, Rummoli (the Poker/Rummy variant of Michigan Rummy that I grew up with).It felt like Dad was always working late, so games were usually limited to weekends, and my time with him was further limited thanks to a divorce that changed our family dynamic when I was just a child. For my father, games clearly felt like work, so he was less inclined to playing games and more inclined to other leisure pursuits—long meals, action movi

Unmatched: Stars & Stripes (Forever!)

Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this Unmatched box for three long years. My younger son and I were playtesters for these characters in 2023 and fell head over heels in love with them. It’s a treat to get to write … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/08/unmatched-stars-stripes-forever/">Continue reading →</a>

Matt Carlson: Review of Unstoppable

A recent entry in the excellent Solo Hero series by Renegade Game Studios, Unstoppable is a unique combat-focused card-crafting game set in a dystopian future. It is a combat deck-builder where the focus of the game is to damage enemies … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/07/matt-carlson-unstoppable/">Continue reading →</a>

Dale Yu: Review of Catan on the Road

Catan on the Road Designer: Benjamin Teuber Publisher: Asmodee Players: 3-4 Age: 10+ Time: 15-30 min Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/47mjaZu Played with review copy provided by publisher In CATAN – On the Road, gameplay is driven by a … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/07/dale-yu-review-of-catan-on-the-road/">Continue reading →</a>

Be the Gulo of the Sandcastle Kingdom

by <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/1?bloggerid=10014" >Steph Hodge</a> <div style=''><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/5144995"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/g32yzFv-0QwHCYgi8vX6ww__small/img/sb200ochVXjrV58zh-77tKebppg=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic5144995.png" border=0></a></div>▪️ <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamepublisher/21847/pandasaurus-games" >Pandasaurus Games</a> always has a lot of really cool games in the pipeline, and they recently announced a few titles being released this summer, but don't forget about their other just-released titles as well! <div style=''><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/9086369"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/q8z1jLt70WjTwtVEXvPbvQ__small/img/pS4iaDTSZwm_sQdYHFRMOVSPOvs=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic9086369.png" border=0></a></div><div style=''><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/9344596"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/dCc29ngMNPfMSgWDS2OcEw__small/img/rWWw3665gUkEmhJXWVYtaJPDhiU=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic9344596.jpg" border=0></a></div><div style=''><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/9474732"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/IcKUoliV8iDb9RcRRE4FBg__small/img/YRhBbmM31ujZd-QMePciJX9T34Y=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic9474732.png" border=0></a></div>▪️ <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/453037/shackleton-base-below-within-above" >Shackleton Base: Below. Within. Above.</a> is a new expansion just released! This expands the very popular <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/408180/shackleton-base-a-journey-to-the-moon" >Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon</a> which was released last year. In the box, you can expect to find 3 new corporations to mix with your base game, new scoring milestone tokens, and more content for the solo gamers out there. ▪️Also recently released were the two small expansion packets for <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/385761/faraway" >Faraway</a> and <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/416851/castle-combo" >Castle Combo</a>. Don't underestimate a few cards being added to your games; they add a big punch! Check out <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/448182/castle-combo-out-of-the-oubliette" >Castle Combo: Out of the Oubliette!</a> & <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameexpansion/451708/faraway-under-starry-skies" >Faraway: Under Starry Skies</a>. And now for all of the summer releases! I have three exciting new games that have been announced for release this August! [imageid=8660175 medium rep]▪️ Time to check out <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/437245/kingdom-crossing" >Kingdom Crossing</a> from designers <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/12293/marco-canetta" >Marco Canetta</a>, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/12294/stefania-niccolini" >Stefania Niccolini</a> the team that brought you <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/381819/zhanguo-the-first-empire" >Zhanguo: The First Empire</a> & <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/207691/railroad-revolution" >Railroad Revolution</a>. This game plays 1-4 players in 45-90 minutes. From the newsletter: <div class='quote'><div class='quotebody'>Welcome to Brightspring! In a faraway land in the midst of a verdant forest crossed by the Crystal River lies the small kingdom of Brightspring, ruled by the wise Queen Beavery, who is facing a problem: Her four regions are separated by seven bridges, and to divide her time evenly between the subjects of these regions, the kingdom would need an eighth bridge... Help the Queen build a new bridge! Scour the kingdom, recruit the best artisans, gather construction resources, and create magnificent decorations. Note, however, that you can never use the same bridge more than once in the same day.</div></div> <div style=''><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/9563393"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/xuLnVC8ypyeBUDcOQ6k_oA__small/img/b42HuToJFzn4obeU0UxMVxi6IOc=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic9563393.png" border=0></a></div>▪️ Seems like a perfect time for <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/469599/sandcastles" >Sandcastles</a> to be released as we get ready for the warm beach weather. For 2-6 players and plays in 20 minutes. More on the mechanics from the newsletter: <div class='quote'><div class='quotebody'>Over 15 rounds, players draft a single tile per round and add it to their sandcastle: a personal 5×5 grid anchored by a Starter Tile. The catch? Tiles are revealed one at a time, and once you take one, you're out of that round. Wait too long hoping for something better, and you might be forced to take whatever's left. Tiles score through a mix of mechanisms: adjacency bonuses for matching starfish colors, row-by-row window counts, birds on sky tiles, and flat values for shells, shovels, and buckets. This gives players a satisfying puzzle to optimize across their grid. Designed by <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/92270/alex-cutler" >Alex Cutler</a> (<a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/393429/critter-kitchen" >Critter Kitchen</a>, <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/431481/a-place-for-all-my-books" >A Place for All My Books</a>), it's a clean, quick game that's equally at home on a family table or as a warm-up for game night.</div></div> <div style=''><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/image/9563449"><img src="https://cf.geekdo-images.com/iOvN0oqwnxh6PztOHdNgIA__small/img/2DF6pyXzYPTw0ayVtbAvIi8YyCI=/fit-in/200x150/filters:strip_icc()/pic9563449.png" border=0></a></div>▪️ Finally, a new release of a classic game from 2003 called <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/6351/gulo-gulo" >Gulo Gulo</a>. This is a family game that will play well with kids and large gatherings, as it plays 2-6 players in 20 minutes. From the newsletter: <div class='quote'><div class='quotebody'>Re-introducing Gulo Gulo 🥚 Some games never should have gone away. Gulo Gulo is one of them. Originally published in 2003, this Kinderspielexperten Nominee spent years as a sought-after out-of-print gem. Now, with all-new art by <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgameartist/13186/jennifer-l-meyer" >Jennifer Meyer</a> and a freshened-up ruleset, it's finally coming back to retail on August 21. The premise is as follows: you're a family of wolverines racing to rescue Gulo Junior from a nest guarded by suspicious swamp vultures. The nest is packed with colorful eggs, but hiding somewhere in the middle is the alarm pole. You need to reach in and steal the right one without knocking anything over. It's harder than it sounds, but also extremely fun to watch.</div></div>

Dale Yu: Review of Treat, Please!

Treat, Please! Designer: Courtney Shernan Publisher: Solis Players: 2-4 Age: 10+ Time: 30-60 minutes Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4cbRgAX Played with review copy provided by publisher You live a cozy life with your fellow dogs and loving human. Each … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/06/dale-yu-review-of-treat-please/">Continue reading →</a>

Dale Yu: Review of Questline

Questline Designers: Marc-Andre Lavoie and Martin Lavoie Publisher: Thunderworks Players: 1-6 Age: 14+ Time: 15 minutes Preorder link – https://thunderworksgames.com/products/questline-card-game Played with review copy provided by publisher In Questline, players compete to earn the most reputation stars by … <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/05/05/dale-yu-review-of-questline/">Continue reading →</a>