Dale Yu: Review of Art Decko

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Dale Yu

Art Decko

  • Designer: Ta-Te Wu
  • Publisher: Rio Grande Games
  • Players: 2-4
  • Age: 14+
  • Time: 60 minutes
  • Times played: 4 (2 on review copy of new version provided by RGG, 2 on original Promenade, 2019 version)

art decko

Art Decko was once known as Promenade.  As Alan How once wrote about the game: “It was my hidden gem from Essen 2019, proving that despite copious amounts of information now available before the show, there are interesting games to find.”  After hearing about the game, I managed to track down a copy and play a few times prior to the COVID era.  Copies were pretty scarce, and their value on the secondary market was rising; but then I heard that the game had been licensed to Rio Grande Games, and I endeavored to wait it out…

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Dale Yu – Review of Full Throttle

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Dale Yu

Full Throttle

  • Designer: Friedemann Friese
  • Publisher: 2F
  • Players: 2-6
  • Age: 10+
  • Time: 20-30 minutes
  • Played with review copy provided by 2F

Full Throttle

So one of the highlights of my trip to Essen each year is stopping at the 2F Booth to see what the new games are. Unfortunately, neither of us was there this year for Covid reasons. However, I was still able to get a copy of one of their new games,  Full Throttle, an intriguingly themed game about moped racing.  I was worried that the game would not arrive here until Christmas time, but they shipping Gods smiled upon me, and the game actually made it here in just under two weeks from Deutschland (much sooner than the box of games I had someone collect and ship for me!)

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Gift Guide #13 – Puzzles of all types

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Dale Yu

Well, about a month ago, we (as a group) had a great idea to get a bunch of things written down and provide our readers with a nice gift giving list.  Welp, let’s just say that we didn’t get our you-know-what together…  So, instead of a big list, I have decided to just make some shorter posts with things that catch my eye (or things that I notice to be on sale).   As I make these impromptu posts, I will try to stick to things which can be delivered prior to Dec. 25 — this likely means that they are things in stock on Amazon Prime.  (All the Amazon links here are affiliate links, and the Opinionated Gamers may earn a commission if you buy from those links)

You know, some days you just want to put some puzzles together.  While this is really a boardgame blog, and not a puzzle blog – there is a fair amount of overlap here as well as a few hybrid products that will appeal to fans of both.

This fall, I just received a set of puzzles thru Kickstarter which I have really enjoyed – Quezzle: https://amzn.to/3yhqtig

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Holiday Gift Guide, Part 12 – Books!

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Dale Yu

Well, about a month ago, we (as a group) had a great idea to get a bunch of things written down and provide our readers with a nice gift giving list.  Welp, let’s just say that we didn’t get our you-know-what together…  So, instead of a big list, I have decided to just make some shorter posts with things that catch my eye (or things that I notice to be on sale).   As I make these impromptu posts, I will try to stick to things which can be delivered prior to Dec. 25 — this likely means that they are things in stock on Amazon Prime.  (All the Amazon links here are affiliate links, and the Opinionated Gamers may earn a commission if you buy from those links)

You know, some days you just want to give someone a book.  Yeah, I know that there isn’t much reading going on in the world these days – but there are still some people (like myself and Joe Huber) who really enjoy this sort of thing.  Many of the books can also be purchased in E-Book form, so you know, those youngsters can read them on their phones…

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Dale Yu: Review of Neoville

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Dale Yu

Neoville

  • Designer: Phil Walker-Harding
  • Publisher: Blue Orange
  • Players: 2-4
  • Age: 10+
  • Time 45 minutes
  • Played with review copy provided by Blue Orange USA

neoville

In this game, players are visionary architects, each trying to make the best nature-based city plan that they can.  Each player will design their very square city on the table in front of them, eventually making a 4 x 4 grid of square tiles in their city design.  Each of the tiles is further subdivided in a 2 x 2 grid with 4 different types of terrain possible, brown soil, green grass, gray rocks, and blue water.

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Holiday Gift Guide, Part 11 – Player Aid shirts

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Dale Yu

Well, about a month ago, we (as a group) had a great idea to get a bunch of things written down and provide our readers with a nice gift giving list.  Welp, let’s just say that we didn’t get our you-know-what together…  So, instead of a big list, I have decided to just make some shorter posts with things that catch my eye (or things that I notice to be on sale).   As I make these impromptu posts, I will try to stick to things which can be delivered prior to Dec. 25 — this likely means that they are things in stock on Amazon Prime.  (All the Amazon links here are affiliate links, and the Opinionated Gamers may earn a commission if you buy from those links)

You know, some days you just want to give a gift that allows your gamer friend to proudly display their hobby on their chest (or feet or head or whatever).  So, today, a list of gaming-related apparel to help you remember how to play the games on the table! Continue reading →

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