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Author Archives: Chris Wray
The Opinionated Gamers (Try To) Predict the Spiel des Jahres and Kennerspiel des Jahres – 2022 Edition
For the past few years, our group of gamers has taken their best guess at trying to read the minds of the Spiel des Jahres jury members. The nominations for the Spiel des Jahres and Kennerspiel des Jahres will be … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews
Tagged Awards, board games, Cascadia, Dune Imperium, Game Awards, Kennerspiel des Jahres, Living Forest, Mille Fiore, Project L, Savannah Park, So Clover, Spiel des Jahres
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10 Great Games from the Past 2 Years (Article by Chris Wray)
Gaming largely went on a “pause” for the past two years. There were fewer releases of new games. Conventions were less well-attended — or canceled. Game groups temporarily disbanded. But as the hobby continues its effort to reconnect, we here … Continue reading
Posted in Best Of, Commentary, Essen 2020, Essen 2021
Tagged 10 Great Series, Anno 1800, Ark Nova, Beyond the Sun, Boonlake, Cat in the Box, Dune Imperium, Free Ride, Gloomhaven Jaws of the Lion, Hallertau, My City, Nidavellir, Paleo, Pandemic Legacy: Season 0, Sleeping Gods, The Crew Mission Deep Sea, The Lost Ruins of Arnak
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Trick-taking in 2021: Reflections on the Past, Present, and Future of My Favorite Mechanic
I played Ghosts of Christmas last night. It was, simply put, one of the best trick-taking games I’ve ever played. I’m hooked. Thematically, it is a nod to the Dickensian novel A Christmas Carol. Players can play into one of … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary
Tagged Card Games, Ghosts of Christmas, Trick Taking, Trick-taking, Tricks & Trumps
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7 Wonders Architects (Game Review by Chris Wray)
Designer: Antoine Bauza Publisher: Repos Productions Players: 2 – 7 Ages: 10 and up Time: 25 Minutes Times Played: 7 7 Wonders is one of my all-time favorite games, and Antoine Bauza is one of my all-time favorite designers. So … Continue reading
Posted in Essen 2021, Reviews
Tagged 7 Wonders, 7 Wonders Architects, Antoine Bauza, Asmodee, board games, Card Drafting, Essen 2021, Repos Productions, reviews
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American Bookshop Card Game (Game Review by Chris Wray)
Designer: Taiki Shinzawa Publisher: Twins Lion Do; Geeks N’ Orcs Players: 3-5 Ages: 8 and up Time: 30-50 Minutes Times Played: > 5 Trick taking is a hot genre in gaming right now. After the success of The Crew, gamers … Continue reading
Posted in Kickstarter, Reviews
Tagged Geeks N' Orks, Kickstarter, reviews, Taiki Shinzawa, Trick Taking, Twins Lion Do
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The Opinionated Gamers 
Congratulations to the 2022 Spiel des Jahres nominees!
The Spiel des Jahres jury announced their nominees and recommendations this morning. Congratulations to the nominees! We’ve listed the nominees below, but we’ve only put in the names of the German publishers (or what we assume is the German publisher). … Continue reading →