Dale Yu: Review of Suna Valo

Suna Valo

  • Designer: Ode
  • Publisher: Game Builders / Capstone Games
  • Players: 2
  • Age: 14+
  • Time: 75mins
  • Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3HRmLFx
  • Played with review copy provided by publisher

In Suna Valo, two individuals take on the task of establishing their own farm in the Solarpunk world of Overgrown. Located in the picturesque “Sunny Valley” (Suna Valo), nestled at the foot of a mountain and crisscrossed by a broad river, the village of Foriro has been erected — a place of new beginnings! The farmers in this village supply valuable goods using their transport drones and river ships.

The construction of your farms is made possible through farm cards across various categories. Cultivate vast grain fields, and harvest beautiful water lilies or blue flowers. Deliver your sheep’s wool to the village for clothing production or collect eggs from your free-roaming chickens. But amidst your explorations of the surrounding lands, don’t forget to reinforce your fleet of transport drones!

Suna Valo features an innovative purchasing mechanism. Secure the right cards before your opponent does, snatch up the more valuable ones, and host prestigious events! Each time you acquire a new card for your farm, you activate an entire column of cards, causing your farm to flourish. However, you must also earn the resources to cover the costs of these cards.

After three game rounds, the player with the most victory points emerges as the winner of this peaceful competition, having contributed the most to the development of Foriro!

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Posted in Essen 2024, Reviews | Leave a comment

Dale Yu: Review of Duel for Cardia

Duel for Cardia

  • Designer: Mathieu Rivero and Faouzi Boughida
  • Publisher: Hans im Gluck
  • Players: 2 or 4
  • Age: 9+
  • Time: 15 minutes
  • Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4gucImm
  • Played with review copy provided by publisher

Cardia is a fast paced, strategic card game for two players: Choose your card wisely to win each encounter against your opponent. In gratitude for her liberation, a mighty djinn created the wondrous city of Cardia. Legend has it that whoever wins over the four factions and gains their five powerful signet rings will rule the city. Your goal is set!

Players will each pilot one of two Decks, made up of the same cards for each, with values from 1-16 and with each card having unique abilities. Play your cards at the moment your opponent does not expect them and use their abilities wisely to outwit them!

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Posted in Essen 2025, Reviews | Leave a comment

Dale Yu: Review of Rival Cities

Rival Cities

  • Designer: Andreas Steding
  • Publisher: Pegasus / Deep Print
  • Players: 2
  • Age: 14+
  • Time: 30-45 min
  • Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/45w6A9y
  • Played with review copy provided by publisher

In the 16th century, the small fishing village of Altona was founded in Northern Germany, initially posing no threat to its long-established neighbor, Hamburg. However, as Altona rapidly grew, a fierce rivalry emerged between the two cities, each constantly trying to outdo the other.

In Rival Cities, you face off in an enthralling city duel. Outmaneuver your opponent to achieve an instant victory — but beware as either of you can pull this off in many ways. Only by combining foresight with the art of deflection will you lead your city to victory. The suspenseful back and forth between the players makes it a very confrontational gaming experience full of weighty decisions.

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Dale Yu: Review of Gatsby

Gatsby

  • Designers: Bruno Cathala, Ludovic Maublanc
  • Publisher: Pandasaurus
  • Players: 2
  • Age: 10+
  • Time: 30 min
  • Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/46g9rnv
  • Played with review copy provided by publisher

Long Island, the early 1920s. A smooth jazzy tune plays while, glass in hand, Dorothy Williams and James Miller rival in hopes of drawing the attention of the legendary Jay Gatsby. Within the pomp of the high society’s dinners, they exert their influence to rally prominent figures of the American smart set, ready to do anything to climb the stairs to glory. In this game of power and appearances, how far will they go to get close to the American dream made man – Jay Gatsby?

Welcome to the Roaring Twenties! Gatsby is a two-player game in which you take on the role of either Dorothy Williams or James Miller, competing to spread their influence and draw the attention of the great Jay Gatsby.

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Posted in Essen 2025, Reviews | 1 Comment

Dale Yu: Review of Tango

Tango

  • Designer: Matt Sims, David Harding
  • Publisher: Grail Games
  • Players: 2 
  • Age: 10+
  • Time: 30 mins
  • Amazon affiliate link: 
  • Played with review copy provided by publisher

It takes two to tango, but only one dancer will stand tall in this trick-taking game for two players! In Tango, players play cards (both from their hand and from their face-up display), in order to perform the best possible dance steps.

Plan ahead as best you can, but remember your opponent knows some of the steps you will take! Will you be named lord or lady of the dance?

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Posted in Essen 2025, Reviews | 2 Comments

Dale Yu: Review of Gwent: The Legendary Card Game

Gwent: The Legendary Card Game

  • Designer: CD Projekt
  • Publisher: No Loading Games
  • Players: 1-5
  • Age: 14+
  • Time: 20 minutes
  • Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4g26XMD
  • Played with review copy provided by publisher

Experience The Witcher universe in an entirely new way with Gwent: The Legendary Card Game. Inspired by the iconic mini-game from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, this official physical edition brings the strategic, faction-based card game to your tabletop.

In Gwent, two players build decks from factions such as the Northern Realms, Scoia’tael, Monsters, Skellige, and Nilfgaard, each with its own unique set of cards and abilities.

The goal of the game is to win two out of three rounds. The battlefield features multiple rows to which players will deploy their units and special ability cards to battle it out. Players must skillfully bluff, manage their resources, and read their opponent’s moves in order to wisely choose when to push aggressively to win a round — and when to hold back and play for the long game.

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