Dale Yu: Review of Balconia

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Dale Yu

Balconia

  • Designer: Paul Schulz 
  • Publisher: Area
  • Players: 2
  • Age: 10+
  • Time: 20 mins
  • Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3YrGeRC
  • Played with review copy provided by publisher

Life in an apartment complex can be hectic at times! Every resident has their own preferences: some dabble in gardening and would like nothing more than to be surrounded by flowers, some are obsessed with cats and are always happy to see one on the balcony next to theirs, and some just want to take a nice long nap. How do you keep everyone happy?

In Balconia, two players build an apartment complex, block by block, by filling a 5х5 grid. Each building block has four sides with different faces, and on a turn one player draws a token to determine which block to place, then chooses which two sides of the building block they might get and which two sides will be left to the opponent — then the other player decides where to place that block. They then swap roles for the next turn. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

 

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Dale Yu: Review of Dewan

Posted on January 27, 2026 by Dale Yu

Dewan

  • Designers:  Johannes Goupy, Yoann Levet 
  • Publisher: Space Cowbows
  • Players: 2-4
  • Age: 10+
  • Time: 40 min
  • Played with review copy provided by publisher

 “Our territory was limited, and resources were scarce, we marched from camp to camp in pursuit of victory.” —Traditional Dewan song

Dewan is a fast-paced, competitive area-placement game for 2-4 players that features racing, placement, and hand strategy. During play, you collect terrain cards and spend them to strategically place your camps on the territory. Make the best use of terrain and resources so that you can satisfy the requirements on your story tiles. Along the way, gather berries and master fire to earn additional points.

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Posted in Essen 2025, Reviews | 1 Comment

Alison Brennan: Game Snapshots – 2026 (Part 6)

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Dale Yu

 

New-to-me games played recently include …

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S FAYRE (2024): Rank 19249, Rating 6.2

There are three races in play at any one time (ten for the game), placing a die that meets a race condition (eg a 6, not 1-3) etc. A turn is to place one die on one of the races. If you’re first in, your intent will be to win, but usually you’re placing later for the participation trophy. Everyone collects dice manipulation cards each turn so inevitably your dice will be screwed with anyway, just as you screw with theirs, and it happens so frequently that even schadenfreude junkies will start yawning. Your turn is so simplistic, there’s no control, and it’s way too long for what it offers … which is nothing interesting.

Rating: 3

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Dale Yu: Review of Glyphics

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Dale Yu

Glyphics

  • Designer: Eric Olsen 
  • Publisher: The Op
  • Players: 3-99
  • Age: 8+
  • Time: 15 minutes
  • Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3YxbPBj
  • Played with review copy provided by publisher

Bored with charades? Terrible at drawing? Then Glyphics is for you! Simply choose a word from your card, create using any shapes you need, and be the fastest guesser to win a point! Packed with a variety of game pieces and a vast array of prompts, every game night becomes a uniquely engaging tabletop adventure that’s never the same twice.

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Posted in Essen 2025, Reviews | 1 Comment

Happy 15th Birthday to the Opinionated Gamers!

Posted on January 24, 2026 by Dale Yu

It’s amazing how much time flies when you’re having fun.  Fifteen years ago on this cold day, we published our first review – https://opinionatedgamers.com/2011/01/24/game-review-norenberc/

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Dale Yu: Review of Leaders

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Dale Yu

Leaders

  • Designer: Hugo Frenoy 
  • Publisher: Studio H
  • Players: 2
  • Age: 10+
  • Time: 10-20 minutes
  • Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/498UswO 
  • Played with review copy provided by publisher

What is the secret of this kingdom, where peace has reigned for thousands of years? Every spring, aspiring rulers recruit four allies and face off in unusual duels. No armies, no blood: the first to capture their rival wins. Your time has come. Tactical thinking, daring, and strategy will distinguish the true Leaders!

Create a team of unique Champions in order to defeat the opposing Leader! To win, either position two of your champions next to your opponent’s Leader to capture them, or skillfully maneuver so the opponent’s Leader is surrounded, leaving no adjacent empty spaces.

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