Dale Yu: Review of Indiana Jones Cryptic (A Puzzles and Pathways Adventure)

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Dale Yu

Indiana Jones Cryptic (A Puzzles and Pathways Adventure)

  • Designer: Prospero Hall
  • Publisher: Funko Games
  • Players: 1+
  • Age: 10+
  • Time: 60-90 mins per chapter, 3 chapters in box
  • Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3I3DaDp

Says the publisher: “Face booby traps, menacing villains, and supernatural threats in this puzzle-filled, action-packed “escape room” game. Using Dr. Jones’ journal as your guide, you’ll decipher ancient texts, uncover valuable clues, and defeat unknown evils with logic, deduction, and creative thinking. Plus, you’ll navigate trap-filled temples and mysterious jungles by drawing your route through perilous maps. Choose wisely, and you’ll find fortune and glory in this unforgettable adventure!”

As the front of the rules proudly proclaims “THIS IS NOT A NORMAL GAME!”.  It is a game of puzzles and pathways.  The story is outlined in a journal, and you’ll read through this interactive story as you play the game.  You will encounter two types of challenges…

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Dale Yu: Review of Solar Sphere

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Dale Yu

Solar Sphere

  • Designers: Simon Milburn, Ayden Lowther
  • Publisher: Dranda Games
  • Players: 1-4
  • Age: 13+
  • Time: 60-120 minutes
  • Played with review copy provided by Dranda Games

“The human race has exhausted all the energy available on planet Earth. If they are to advance into an intergalactic civilization they must harness the power of a solar system. They must build a dyson sphere.  Solar Sphere is a dice placement/manipulation game with elements of engine building, resource management, and set collection. Set hundreds of years in the future in a time when competition will move mankind forward, but when collaboration is also sometimes necessary. In Solar Sphere, each player commands a mothership. Their primary task is to build a dyson sphere. But, with crew to hire and aliens attacking the sphere, there are many other ways to earn prestige and become the savior of mankind… As the game progresses, more aliens will arrive to defend a sun that they also need. Fight them off alone, or join forces with other players and share the rewards. However, if no one takes on the rebellious aliens, then you all lose points. Solar Sphere combines a combination of mechanisms with a powerful theme to bring players an immersive experience.”

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Dale Yu: Preview of Mini Plakks

Posted on May 16, 2023 by Dale Yu

Mini Plakks is a new game coming out from Plakks, a company which has made its mark with physical dexterity games that are sports related.   The game is coming to Kickstarter in May 2023, and it is a campaign that I am watching closely.

I have been interested in Plakks in the past, but the game was always just a bit too big for me to easily take home from my European travels – and thus, the original had never been added to the collection.  Also, it was fairly familiar to a couple of other games that I own (like Fubi).

This new version is a bit smaller, and has fewer peg players as obstacles.  Yet, despite the smaller size, the game appears to be the same – flick the ball and try to get it in your opponent’s goal. Continue reading →

Posted in Kickstarter, Preview | 2 Comments

Tokyo Game Market – Spring 2023 Impressions

Posted on May 13, 2023 by Chris Wray

If you talk to old-school gamers (and we have a lot of them that write for this blog), you’ll hear lamentations about how the experience of attending Essen has changed. As the tales go, back in the day, a gamer would show up in Essen, games would be for sale with little to no prior announcement, and the quality of the games would spread via word-of-mouth. It was an adventure of discovery. People miss that.

I wouldn’t know. My first trip to Essen was in 2015. While a lot has changed since then — the last time I went in 2019 felt very different from the first time I went — even in my first couple of years there were decently detailed “previews” of what games would be available. There were a few surprises, but Essen is certainly a scripted affair in recent years. To me, that always seemed like a good thing — I like to know something about the games I’m buying.

That’s a long-winded introduction, but it is necessary for me to make a point. Today I felt that joy of discovery, the one I’ve long heard other gamers mention. Today was a ton of fun.

This is my reflection on visiting Tokyo Game Market.

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Two Days in Tokyo: The Lead Up to TGM Spring 2023

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Chris Wray

I few years ago, I made a list of conventions I wanted to attend, games I wanted to play, and other gaming “bucket list” items. The only item list I had not checked off was going to Tokyo Game Market. The pandemic got in the way, then work. But tomorrow morning, I’ll be at the convention. I suppose it is time to make a new list.

There are three Game Market events in Japan each year, and two of them are in Tokyo. My understanding is that the fall event is bigger, but I’m only here partially for the convention — I also want to see the sights of Tokyo — so coming this spring felt as good a time as any. I’ll do a wrap up post after the convention here for OG, then I’m doing a broader piece for Tabletop Spirit Magazine.

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Carnegie, Heat, and Cat in the Box Win 2022 Golden Geek Awards

Posted on May 11, 2023 by huzonfirst

The results of the Golden Geek awards for the 2022 calendar year have just been announced.  The Golden Geeks give Game of the Year (GotY) awards for three categories:  Light, Medium, and Heavy.  Here are the results, together with the designers and publishers:

Light GotY – Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition (Muneyuki Yokouchi, Hobby Japan/Bezier Games)
Medium GotY – Heat: Pedal to the Metal (Asger Granerud/Daniel Pedersen, Days of Wonder)
Heavy GotY – Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games)

The Golden Geeks gives awards for other categories as well and here are the winners for those:

2-Player Game – Splendor Duel
Artwork/Presentation – Flamecraft
Cooperative Game – Return to Dark Tower
Expansion – Dune: Imperium – Rise of Ix
Innovative – Cat in the Box
Party Game – Ready Set Bet
Print & Play – Aquamarine
Solo Game – Turing Machine
Thematic Game – Heat
Wargame – Undaunted: Stalingrad
Best Podcast – This Game Is Broken
Best Board Game App – Everdell

Congratulations to all the winners!

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