Fair Play Games - Customer Reviews (Raves)

Customer Raves

Customer Raves
(Click on a game, person's name or game group to see other matching raves)

Telestrations Party Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Telestrations is a riotous good time!! Good with all ages, this game gets better as you tell people to engage their creativity! Definitely give this one a try as its different than anything else you've ever done!

6 Nimmt (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Every game group needs that game that you play for the 10-15 minutes while people are showing up before the "big event" games. This game definitely fits the bill. It's pleasant, easy to play, and allows you the brain power to carry on conversations while you play. If you need a starter/filler game but this one doesn't quite grab you, definitely try out No Thanks or For Sale!

At the Gates of Loyang (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you're into a tight economic game with tons of amazing components, look no further than the Gates of Loyang. For me, it's hard to differentiate yourself from your opponents by more than a point or so, but that is a positive if you prefer your games to be tense until the end! If you think this looks interesting, also check out Agricola!

Confusion: Espionage and Deception in the Cold War (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

While this game has a slightly heavier theme than chess, somehow it just works. This game is great as long as you have someone else who is into the more "cerebral" games!

Balderdash (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

After diving into the "deeper" strategy games, I've found that I have very little patience for "dumb" party games. This is one of the few exceptions; a party game that I still have a blast playing! I should mention that if you can get your hands on the "Beyond Balderdash" version/upgrade of this game, definitely do it!

Word on the Street (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

As far as word games go, this one excels because of the tense tug-of-war over each of the available letters. Also, it's great that no matter what, you can pretty much always come up with an answer (no hard feelings over difficult questions or categories), but the winner will usually be the one who can think on their toes to match the word to the letters that are still in play. Very neat game.

Winner's Circle (English version of Royal Turf) - Damaged Box (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

At it's heart, this is a simple roll-and-move game with a little betting at the outset of each of three races. While you won't get a brain-cramp from trying to work your way through this game, it has a certain simplistic charm that is important to have in a few games in your collection. Great game even if you have non-gamers in your group!

Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Ring 2nd Edition Upgrade Kit (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I had purchased the original printing of the War of the Ring just weeks before the announcement of the second printing came out. I was naturally perturbed at the timing. Thankfully, they have released this upgrade pack that allows original game owners like me to shift up to the new rules changes and cards that come in the second edition. This was a very nice gesture for the company to make to the customers that have helped this game to become popular.

Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Ring (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I am not a big fan of war games...... I grew up playing Risk, and yeah...... not the best of times :) Anyways! This game incorporates the LOTR theme inside of a wargame that almost has a mini-game going on inside of it! There is a ton of rules to get through with this one, but once you get it down, there is a wonderful experience in here!

Troyes (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Some games can get too repetitive....almost scripted (Caylus, I'm looking at you). The dice and cards in this game are randomized in such a way as to always keep things fresh and interesting. While rolling high is perhaps better than rolling low, there are ways to mitigate your luck and win with even sub-optimal rolls. This is by far (in my opinion, obviously) the best dice-euro ever made.

Time's Up (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Okay, so you've played Taboo and Password and Gestures and Headbandz and you now think that all party games are the same. Time's Up takes the best parts of all those games and squeezes them together. But what makes this game special is that from round 1 to round 3, you keep re-using the same cards so that you begin to build up inside jokes with the other players in your group that will last for years to come. A truly enjoyable party-game experience!

Tichu (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is my ultimate 4-player card game. When you're really young, you learn how to play go-fish. Then you learn Uno. Then maybe Skip-Bo on the way to Euchre (at least in the midwest!). This is the card game that is at the end of this long road. (perhaps along with Bridge and Spades.....although I don't really enjoy either of those as much as Tichu). Sure, you can always have tons of cards games at your disposal; but I would say that without Tichu, you'd be missing something great.

Star Trek Fleet Captains (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Simply put, this is one of the most thematic games that I have ever played. I actually received this game in an online trade, and it made me want to watch the show for the first time just because of the in-game content. Now, I've watched the original series and the Next Generation and can appreciate this game's content even more. Okay, theme aside, the materials of the game are super cool! The game mechanics allow you to feel that you actually are commanding a small fleet of ships as you navigate the universe. Superb game!

The Speicherstadt (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Wow! This game is ugly!!!! BUT it is simply AMAZING! Perhaps an oversimplification, but I wrote this game off several times in the discount bin because of how dated and boring the game looked from the pictures on the back of the box. Instead of a boring game, this is a very tight economic/auction game with a very cool twist on the actual bidding: you have a few workers to place out to either try to win a bid, or at least drive up the price on your opponents. This is definitely a gem of a game.

Civilization: The Board Game - Fame And Fortune Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

For a game that probably didn't require any more depth, this expansion does a good job of giving you more of the same good stuff without mucking up the basics of the original game. Along with the ability to add a 5th player (who would do that?!?!), the additional techs and civilizations and cards bring enough materials to justify the cost. If you like the base game, and get to play it enough to want more options, this is a must-get.

Saint Petersburg (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Along with Race for the Galaxy, this is my favorite card-tableau-building game! There is just something so satisfying about the simplicity of selecting one of the available cards to add to your stable of resources. While the game may be easy to pick up, there are lots of nuanced decisions to be made, and that's where you can be sneaky.... it's really a game of very small incremental gains to be able to pull out a victory in the end.

Race For The Galaxy (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I wasn't a huge fan of San Juan, so I didn't even plan on trying this game out at all.... I heard that the icons were hard to read.... all that stuff. I'm glad that I ignored all of that and gave this game a try, because it's turned out to be (along with Saint Petersburg) my favorite tableau-building card game ever! The action-phase selection mechanic is what really makes this game something special..... you need to do a little guess work to think about what your opponent will do so that you can make the most out of their action as well. Very slick game!

Princes of Florence (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

While I'm not usually a big fan of auction games, the added spacial element of your palazo, and the satisfaction of seeing your "works" increase over time makes this game a very satisfying experience. There's quite a deep game here for those who are interested!

Notre Dame (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Well, I finally played this game (and have done so many more times!) and it is fantastic! Mix in some card drafting, a little long-term planning, a whole bunch of tactical choices (particularly in whom to hire at the end of each round), and a little dash of the Black Plague, and you have a wonderful experience! The best part about this game is, even with all of the choices and depth, the game still clocks in at a very reasonable 40ish minutes for us when we play!

Mu & Lots More (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

While Tichu is my personal favorite card game, Mu does for 5 players what Tichu does for 4. What that is to say is that Mu is the best 5 player card game that I've ever played. I don't think that I would ever choose to play another card game over this one if there were five total players. It's a weird number of players, but if you have the appropriate group, pick this up!

Merchants & Marauders (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

One of the best games out there for integrating theme with the mechanics of the game. What that really means is, that once you learn the game, you can really feel that you're sailing around on the Caribbean, raiding innocent merchants, and what have you. Unfortunately, that also means that someone needs to invest a decent amount of time before hand getting to know the rules. This is definitely not a game that you want to open up and have a group try right away, on the fly, with no "expert" ahead of time. However, with that warning aside, this is definitely THE game for any pirate-lover out there!

Macao (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This game has a windrose for each player. At the start of your turn, you have to decide which of two resources you are going to stock up on for future turns. The combination of resources, especially when compared to the reserve of cards at your disposal, make for some agonizing choices as you try to gain abilities, gain money, and most importantly, gain victory points. This is truly a gamer's-game.... If you like to think, and to see your best plans come together (or perhaps not!), then this is the game for you.

Louis XIV (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

First off, this is a fairly compact game, but it packs great strategic depth. While essentially an abstract game of area-control, I definitely enjoy the theme that's been pasted on, and it gives the game a definite "feel" to it that I've come to appreciate. The decisions in this game come from how best to spread your influence in and amongst the elite of Louis' court. The order that you play your cards in, the spread of your influence cubes, the secret agenda cards....all of these you'll have to keep in mind to best utilize your limited resources. This is a great game that can be had for a very reasonable price!

Lords of Vegas (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I introduced this game at christmas to my non-gaming in-laws, and we all had a blast. The concept of getting more money is very familiar to anyone who ever played Monopoly growing up, so it's easy to grasp the big picture of this game right away. What separates this game from the tedium that is Monopoly is the interesting way that the game makes you play the odds in different ways. Do you want to gamble for money at someone else's casino? Do you want to try a hostile takeover of a casino once you have enough low level employees in the door? What casino do you choose to invest in as you start to expand your empire? There are interesting decisions to be made throughout, and that makes this game great!

The Lord Of The Rings: The Card Game Core Set (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The idea of a cooperative CCG/LCG is so amazing! You and a friend get a core set each, customize your decks, and then gear up for a battle against the worst that the game can throw at you! For me, this alleviates the bad feelings that always cropped up in other, competitive, CCG/LCG games; if you're deck got beat, you wanted to blame the other person for spending more money on their deck, etc. etc. Beyond the mere concept, the actual game itself is dripping with theme, fun to play, and tense throughout. A definite must buy for CCG/LCG and LOTR fans!

Lord of the Rings Board Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This game is presented in such a way that makes you feel that you're really progressing through the epic journey of the books. If you've read the books (or seen the movies, I guess), check this game out!

In The Year Of The Dragon (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I love the theme of ancient China and the dynasties found in their history. This game puts you in charge of a few palaces and the workers that they can hold. To be successful in this game, you have to be ruthless with your own holdings..... can you let the doctor who just saved two others die to the very same disease? You can if you want to have a shot at amassing some serious points!

In the Shadow of the Emperor (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

A perfectly balanced political game for 4 players. If you are going to play it with fewer than 4 players, it loses some of its appeal, but the aging mechanic, along with the tough decisions on choosing which actions to take (and what gender of baby it may give you) is still plenty enough to make it a fun game to play.

El Grande - Decennial (10 year) Edition (Expansions Included) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

One of the classic games that has certainly held its appeal over time. The inclusion of the modular expansions pushes this one over the top.... it's a must buy for anyone with a serious game collection!

Glen More (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

One of the best games for 2-5 players. There's tons of tough decisions, the tactile satisfaction of building your own village/city, and different ways to focus on in order to score points. One of the best games that I have in my collection.

Gipf (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

For anyone who wants an alternate to chess, GIPF (and the rest of its namesake series) is a very welcome addition to any game collection.

A Few Acres Of Snow (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I am not a war-gamer (at all!). However, I love this game. The way that the card draw, the different uses for each card during play, the ability to draft new cards into your deck, and expand across the board all combines into a very satisfying experience. One note: DO NOT read anything on the "Halifax Hammer" strategy. Knowing the strategy will rob much of the beauty of the game, and to be completely honest, you would never realize an issue until after dozens, if not hundreds of plays.

Dungeon Petz (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

A shockingly deep game despite its cutesy look. There are a ton of decisions to be made....how to group your workers, where to send them, how to arrange your petz, how to prepare for the explosive personalities of your petz, how to react when your petz surprise you...... all of it combines into one of the most thematic and enjoyable gaming experiences of all time!

Dragon's Gold (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The whole of whether or not you should get this game comes down to one issue: Does your group like negotiations?

Cosmic Encounter: Cosmic Incursion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Any expansion to Cosmic Encounter is worth it just by the sheer amount of new alien races you get. Additionally, we always play with the rewards deck and the option to add another player is sometimes very useful.

Cosmic Encounter: Cosmic Conflict (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

It's simple - If you like Cosmic Encounter, you want as many new races and modular expansions as possible. Therefore, if you like CE, you must get this as soon as you can!

Clash of the Gladiators (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I can't believe that this is a Knizia game. While his games are usually themeless, tight, somewhat plodding experiences, this game is a light, fun, dice-fest! Don't buy this game expecting a deep strategic game, where you can control your destiny. Buy this game because it's a riot, it's chaotic, and it's theme oozes throughout!

Caylus Magna Carta (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This small(ish) game maintains the guts of it's big brother Caylus, but is a much quicker and easier to explain and get into game when looked at in comparison. I actually would suggest that you try out this game before jumping to Caylus if you've never played either one of them before.

Caylus (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

As long as you play with people who won't bog the whole process down with their AP tendencies, this game is a real treat. With a slightly different setup each time, you can't simply rely on the same scripting of steps to be successful. A wonderfully deep game for anyone who loves to think!

The Castles of Burgundy (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Stephan Feld has really come up with a gem of a game here (and he already has many!). The balance of how to approach your particular board, which tiles to prioritize, and when to push your advantage makes for many tough decisions. Great, great game!

Campaign Manager 2008 (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is a pretty quick game all things considered. The theme is well-done and the cards do a great job of bringing it out throughout the play. If you're good with playing around with the political theme, this one is a good amount of fun.

Brass (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is one of the most brain-burn-iest games that I have ever played (and in a good way!). There is so much meat to this game that I can see how you could play this game every week for a year and still not get your fill with it. If you're not afraid to think deeply, this game could be the one for you!

Aton (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Quick, portable, abstract, surprisingly fun game. This may be the perfect coffee-house game.

Asara (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I can't believe that this game doesn't get more love and attention! To me, this is the perfect gateway game - it's easy to teach, easy to grasp the goal, but has quite a lot of decisions to make through each round. Because it's fairly easy to play, I'm not sure it's my favorite strategic game to play when I want to think a lot, but you can't beat it for getting someone into the hobby!

Roma II: Arena (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This takes the basic game found in Roma and adds one HUGE factor - the bribery spot. Now you have much more control over your turn because you can always count on using the card you've put in the bribery spot (and a cost). I would never go back to playing without this option.....and it's easy enough to play the original Arena cards with this new set up as well, so buying this expansion (which is also playable by itself) should be a no-brainer.

Roma (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is simply a brilliant balance between fast, luck-driven gameplay with strategic choices and planning. It's fast and portable so it makes a pretty good coffee-house game, and the fact that it plays fast makes it so that you can easily play best of 3 (or 5, or 7) series..... and then start again if you want to!

Agricola (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

It's hard to come up with anything to say about Agricola that hasn't already been said. For me, the beauty of this game is that even though you are playing "against" the other people at the table, this game in particular has the feeling that, each time you play, you are trying to out-do yourself and your previous scores. To promote that feel, we keep our scores and track how much improvement we make each time we play. Because of the focus of beating yourself, it becomes much less of a cut-throat, blocking experience and becomes a situation where everyone is working to do what benefits them the most. There's just so much going on in the game that you should never get bored with it!

Empires: The Age of Discovery - Builder Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The naming of the expansion is a bit misleading - this expansion goes with Age of Empires III which was renamed (post production?) to Age of Discovery after they lost the license. Anyways, this is a no-brainer purchase for anyone who likes the base AOE game. It adds different starting conditions for each different nation, an extra worker type, and materials for a 6th player. Must buy!

Age Of Empires III: Age Of Discovery (2nd Edition) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I am not a war-gamer at all. Thankfully, this game is much more of a worker-placement/area-control game than a war-game. The way that you have to balance your time and resources between the New World and developing your economy and lining up more workers for next turn keeps things tense and interesting throughout. This is one of the best, big game to play with 4-6 players (with expansion) and it should be one that you check out if you like the theme or the style game.

Hive Ladybug Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I finally got the Ladybug Expansion. It's a decent expansion piece. Any variety to keep the games different from one another are good and the 2-up, 1-down movement of the Ladybug is different enough to make it feel like it's own unique addition to the strategy.

Hit Or Miss (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This game seems to balance the length of play with thinking required very well and is one of my favorites. The game works because it'll keep flip-flopping at random between you trying to pick words that Everyone will guess and words that are so unique that Noone will guess. Changing back and forth between those keeps your brain active and keeps it from getting in a rut!

Risk Legacy (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Risk Legacy puts "regular" Risk to shame for two very important reasons: 1) You do not win by the "total Global domination" that was used in previous games. Instead, you must gain 4 victory points, so you'll find yourself trying to strategize quick strikes to gain control of key regions. 2) With each game that you play, you alter the world in the game FOREVER! You use a permanent marker to name regions and place stickers on the board to show ammo shortages and new cities. After several games, you will have a completely unique game that no one else in the world will have an exact copy of. This is such a unique idea for a game; I truly hope that designers use this idea more in the future!

Ninjato (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I was initially concerned that this game was too much like Stone Age to warrant a spot in my gaming collection seeing as I already own (and enjoy) SA. These concerns were unfounded! This is a game dripping with theme, and while you will be able to tell that the designers were largely influenced by SA, the press-your-luck element of the house invasions keep this one tense and fresh!

Defenders Of The Realm: Hero Expansion #1 (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

These characters adds more flexibility and variety to the base game. If you need something to add a little more spice to your game to keep it from getting repetitive, this is a good way to go.

Defenders Of The Realm: Barbarian Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This character adds more flexibility and variety to the base game.

Agricola: Farmers Of The Moor Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I've played Agricola quite a bit and it seems to greatly boil down to whoever can grow their family the quickest has a huge advantage..... this strategy seems to dominate our games. This expansion helps to balance out this observed imbalance by requiring you to heat your home....the bigger the home, the more fuel is required. Now, small-family strategies are much more reasonable and make the game much less repetitive. If you've played the base game and have seen any of what I've observed, please give this expansion some consideration.

Agricola: The Goodies Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you have Agricola and enjoy it to any extent, this is well worth the money. You get a ton of stuff to make the game look better and you get some great cards as well. A definite must buy!

Munchkin Zombies (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

While this game is a bit too chaotic for me, if you like Munchkin, I would definitely recommend this version!

Save Doctor Lucky Box Set (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

More of a random game, but if played with a variant where you get a power token for each time you are thwarted from saving Dr. Lucky, things really take off and the game offers a lot of enjoyment for the little time that it takes to set up and play.

Biblios (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is a great game largely because of the significant bang that it gives for the low price point and minimal time commitment. If you do not have a go-to filler that you're happy with, definitely give this on a look.

Tribune Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The base game was a big hit for people in my area, but after many plays, the game begin to get a bit stale. This expansion goes a long way in revitalizing the base and gives you several significant other avenues to exploit or ignore at your discretion. If you enjoy the base game at all, this should be a no-brainer purchase.

Summoner Wars: Guild Dwarves vs Cave Goblins (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

For those that enjoy the base game; more is better and you should really like the different play styles that these factions promote.

Summoner Wars: Phoenix Elves vs Tundra Orcs (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

As a old time Magic: The Gathering player, I wanted a deep card game experience but didn't want to have to constantly purchase new cards to update old decks. This game delivers on being deep enough with just what comes in the standard decks to keep me coming back form more (and purchasing new factions unfortunately). If you like CCGs but don't want to keep dumping money in, this is a good alternative.

Sid Meier's Civilization:The Boardgame (Second Edition) *ND (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is just about the deepest and longest game that I can imagine playing, but the experience of it is very much worth the time investment. If you've ever been a fan of the computer games, this game should be right up your alley. You are given the freedom to pursue one of four pathways to victory and you'll need to keep a constant eye on your opponents so that you can keep them in check. Check out this game if you enjoy thought-provoking decisions and the pay offs that come from long-term planning.

Shadow Hunters Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

We loved the base game so much that I had to get the expansion. The new characters mix it up well enough to keep it fresh and to keep us on our toes looking out for those darned neutral players!

Roll Through the Ages (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Want a civilization game that you can play in 12 minutes? Want to have several different legitimate strategies to victory? Are you okay with a little luck and trying to mitigate bad rolls with variable tactics? Try this game!

The Resistance (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This game will make it so that you can play up to a 10 person game that isn't Werewolf (not a huge fan of that one). Through increasing missions, certain players are trying to sabotage the rest of the group while the loyalists are trying to pass the missions. There will be tons of discussion, accusations, and good times.

Quarriors! Dice Building Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This game is modeled after the other deck building games (like Dominion), but manages to incorporate dice rolling into the mix. As such, it is more luck-dependent than Dominion and the others, but as long as you can appreciate a good time where you can try out new and different cards/strategies, this game will be very much worth your time.

Memoir '44 (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I have a friend who is open to playing some of my new, crazy games; he is a history nerd and this game was a major hit. It is great that this game is light enough to be able to explain to a non-gamer and still have fun and experiment with different tactical decisions. It can be frustrating to not be able to give any commands that you want, but as long as you accept and embrace the luck elements that represent the imperfect chain-of-command system in real war, you can have a great time!

Isla Dorada (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This game deserves a spot in your collection because it is UNIQUE, totally unlike any other game I own. Instead of moving around the island wherever you want, you are all stuck together (for protection) and you have to outbid your fellow-travelers to be able to move the expedition of where you want to go. The bidding, hidden objectives, and interesting end-game-goals make this game very interesting for a fairly light affair.

Incan Gold (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

While this is not my favorite game, it is perfect for when you have time to kill while waiting for people to show up to start a heavier game. The press-your-luck element may annoy some, but as long as you don't take it too seriously it can be a lot of fun.

Iliad (Iliade) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This game is way better than I ever could have guessed. I grew up playing Spades, Euchre, and the like....... this game reminds me of them, except that it builds from hand to hand, and the person who manages their resources (and properly cutting their losses) will have the advantage in the next round. Great theme, great art, great feel, great game.

Ghost Stories: White Moon Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I loved the base game and bought the expansion almost sight-unseen and have never regretted that decision! This expansion adds more ghosts and Wu-Fengs, but the major change is the addition of villagers. Now, when you move around the village, you can bring villagers to the portal and use an action to whisk them away to safety. If you save an entire family, they give you a powerful artifact or some other bonus. Some players have claimed that these make the game too easy now. However, if any player of a family dies, they give you the good 'ol family curse which could range from losing a life all the way up to summoning Wu-Feng by themselves. I love this addition because it layers the strategy that you need to employ to be successful; your movement is now doubly important and you have to think through all possible options.

For Sale (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you need a quick filler game that is easy to explain, quick to play, and fun to experience, this should be high up on your list. The two distinct phases of this game are very interesting and make for some tough decisions. How hard to you try to get the premium property? How much money do you need to keep? Can you get the other player to bid just once more? Then, how can you best out-think your opponents to turn your properties into quick cash? This game lets you try to read your friends, while you try to figure out the best way to maximize your money and property. Very fun game!

Evo (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I picked up this game just because its been hard to find forever, and I was extremely impressed with the gameplay beyond any of my expectations! The crux of this game is the climate track. During each turn, the climate has a 4/6 chance of progressing forwards, 1/6 chance of staying the same, and a 1/6 chance of actually moving backwards. The effect of this is that the already limited board space becomes even more cramped as each player scrambles to find a safe location to rest their dinos for the turn. This crush leads to conflict, which will largely be resolved based on how you have been able to develop the genes of your dinos up to that point. Over the course of the game, you have the opportunity to sculpt and change your dinos which leads to some interesting different strategies that you can employ. To date, I have been beaten by 4-legged dinos that pumped out babies like nobody's business, by a 3 horned fur-toting monstrosity, and by a dinos that could weather any climate due to their abundance of fun and umbrellas! There are many ways to go about this game, but you have to know your own strengths and limitations.

Dice Town Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The base game is a great, laid-back, fun game to play with friends to kill time. This only improves on that, but does so in a few key ways. With the addition of a second bonus for each key category, you'll feel like you're accomplishing more each turn which keeps you motivated and having fun. The ability to add in an additional player with the dice included in the expansion is also a very nice touch. If you even remotely enjoyed the base game, this is an expansion that will not hurt the game for you at all.......it's truly more of the same, good stuff!

Defenders Of The Realm (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

My first "real" board game experience was Pandemic, but even with that sentimental bond, I found that I was getting really board with it. It seemed that every game just boiled down to an exercise in counting. Defenders of the Realm has completely revitalized me because of one important fact: Because you are rolling dice to combat enemies, you can no longer immediately determine what the best option is..... you have to carefully weight your options and decide when its important enough to press your luck. On top of any mechanics improvements over Pandemic (of which there are many in my opinion), the theme also goes a LONG way in making this game enjoyable. I could never get into being the "scientist" or "dispatcher" in Pandemic; but let me be the Wizard here and I totally feel like a BAMF! If you like cooperative game, or are even open to the idea, please give this game a try!

Code 777 (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you are really into deduction, you still need to find 2-4 other people who are into it as well. That was difficult for me to do.

Claustrophobia (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I am not into D&D, nor do I really play Dungeon Crawlers at all. This game was my introduction to this style of scenario-driven game and I am very impressed. While the game only can accomodate two players, the mixture of character abilities, searching out new parts of the underground labyrinth, and trying to meet your specific objective combines to make a very interesting and satisfying game experience. Even if you've never tried this type of game before...... as a matter of fact, ESPECIALLY if you've never tried this type of game before, this one still is worth giving a look!

Beowulf: The Movie Board Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is a 100% Abstract Board Game! Okay, if you're still reading: it's a good abstract board game. You do not need to enjoy the movie (or have even seen it) to get your full experience out of this game. This is essentially a tile laying game where you are constantly trying to evaluate the value of tiles, your character pieces, and the vacant spots left on the board in order to maximize your points through each of the 3 stages/boards. This game is great with adults or kids, and is actually a great way to reinforce arithmetic skills with the younger players.

Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game - Exodus Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

After you've played the base game, and worn out the Pegasus Expansion for a while, this is another worthy addition to the game library. While adding the prerequisite new character sheets and cards here and there, this game makes the Cylon fleet much more interesting and dangerous through the use of the board included with this expansion. Now, when you make an FTL jump, instead of the Cylon fleet just disappearing, they are left to regroup before pursuing the fleet again. Very, very tense. You like Battlestar Galactica, otherwise you probably wouldn't be reading this; if you have the base game, you will not be disappointed with this addition.

Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game - Pegasus Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is the first expansion you should buy if you've already worn out the base game a bit. This adds a new ending/win condition by trying to escape the settlement on New Caprica. I usually did not play with the new ending, but kept the base "jump to Kobol" rules for ending the game. Also, this expansion adds new characters, new cards, and new (awesome looking) basestars to make your game even more enjoyable. The most interesting thing that this expansion adds into the mix is the ability to choose Cylon leaders as your character at the beginning of the game selection. These Cylon leaders have hidden agendas to accomplish so you can never be sure if they are working for your cause, or against you. This is an extremely interesting dynamic in practice. If you enjoy the base game even a little bit, this is an expansion that you should pick up whenever you can.

Ascending Empires (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Take the "flicking" mechanic found in Crokinole or Tumblin' Dice, mix it with a dose of civilization building and you get this very unique game! One of the best things about this game is how fast the turns progress once everyone has a handle on the basic rules. You are never sitting around waiting for someone else to rack their brain about their turn. What makes this game so fun is that you travel in your space ships by flicking them, so there is a high sense of tension for the particularly difficult or delicate shots. Coupled with the interesting abilities that you can research that will drastically change the way you choose to play, this game is a definite winner in my book!

Alien Frontiers (2nd Printing) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I have never played Kingsburg, but this game gets compared to it a lot around where I play (and nearly always in a good way). This game will appeal to those who like the challenge of maximizing the resources (ships, aka dice) that you get during your turn. Those players who like to have complete control over their chosen path to victory will be disappointed as the dice will sometimes make you change your plans. I always try to base my opinion of a game on one question: Is it fun? When playing this game, I feel like I'm in (or watching) an old Sci-Fi movie...... that on top of the interesting choices and healthy does of luck make it so I never try to take it (or myself) too seriously in this game. Pick up this game if you like dice, like the Sci-Fi theme, or if you want a medium weight game to play with 1-3 others.

7 Wonders: Leaders (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The price for an expansions that basically boils down to another small stack of cards may seem a bit high, but the level of complexity that it adds to the already enjoyable base game makes it worth it for me. Essentially, you now get to recruit one leader each age that will help you to shape your long-range goals and planning. In addition, the 8th wonder board in the expansion feels completely different to play, and the diversity of this expansion helps to keep 7 Wonders fresh!

7 Wonders (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

While this game may not be the deepest brain burner you'll ever play, the balance between how quickly you can explain it to a new player, the interesting choices you'll have to make with each new pick of the card, and the fun that you'll have as you craft your city makes this game near the top of our list. Again, those looking for a deep strategic game may come away disappointed, but the point of a game is to be FUN and this game most certain is. If you routinely have 4-7 player around the table, you must at least give this one a few plays to see if you like it as much as my group does.

Lost Cities card game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is a wonderful, light game that challenges you to press your luck and know when it's time to cut your losses and move on. My wife and I enjoyed this game so much that I actually re-themed the game and produced my own that takes place in the Firefly universe from the short-lived show Firefly! :)

Bunco Party (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I played Bunco for the first time while helping out at a nursing home and it was a total blast! We picked up our own set to play with friends when we didn't have time for a "full" game and it's worked out well. This is a good stand-by for every one to have in their collection.

Civilization: The Board Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Holy cow! If you are looking for an immersive, deep, almost-painfully strategic game, this could be your fix! I enjoy the game, but I should add that I also enjoy doing my taxes and solving multi-variable complex math equations. If you don't mind a brain-burner and need a deep strategic game to fill half of your day, please do yourself a favor and pick this game up immediately!

Stronghold - Valley Games Edition (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Very deep, but supremely thematic game that captures the tension between the sides in a stronghold siege. It may take you two months to read the rule book(s!), but it will be well worth it in the end! Good, complex, fulfilling game.

Shadow Hunters (includes expansion pack) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I enjoy Mafia and Bang, but to me, this one is a better game than both. It moves quick, there are various win conditions for neutral characters, and the green cards add a great deduction element. Great game!

Robo Rally (RoboRally) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I love robots and programming things. Naturally, I knew this was the game for me! It has not let me down and has proven to be a fun, chaotic experience. It is definitely a game where you can't take yourself too seriously; don't get upset when your best-laid plans to awry! That just makes it even more fun!

Reef Encounter (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I thought this was a light game about Nemo and his friends. Not at all! This is a real deep strategy game with plenty of choices and great potential for replaying. Check out a full review and see if this game is for you!

Innovation (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Chaotic, interesting, fun, and pretty easy to teach! I think that this could be my new game to bring my card-playing friends into "real" board games. Definitely pick this one up if you ever get the chance!

Dune (French Version with English Rules) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I am a huge fan of the Dune series and have had the good fortune to get to play this OOP, but amazing game! If you get a chance (EVER) to pick this up, you must do so! Play as your favorite house, use your leaders, participate in duels, use atomics, and more in this great game!

Dice Town (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Press your luck with a little bit of role-playing. I love the feel of this game! It's light enough to play with pretty much anyone, but has enough strategic decisions to keep me interested. Definitely check it out if you play games with "non-gamers" from time to time.

David & Goliath (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Growing up playing Euchre, the rules for this were non too difficult, but the decisions you make while playing I feel are much more difficult. A good game to make you think!

Ca$h'n Gun$ (Cash 'n Guns) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Despite the controversial theme, I find this game to be a comical and tense social game that quickly draws everyone into character as they try to secure the most loot. Nice game for groups that don't mind hassling each other on occasion!

Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Works amazingly well as a social game as well as a strategy game! This game will leave you with stories to tell for weeks to come about how you narrowly avoided disaster, or about how you were betrayed at the last moment. Great game!

Christian Fluxx Booster (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Sometimes it's tough to pick a game to play in church. You never realized that *that* picture was on a card, or that they used *that* word for that event, etc, etc. Well, throwing these cards into your Fluxx deck goes the complete other direction and actually allows you to share your faith a bit. While it's kind of corny, I still rather like to have these cards included.

Formula D Expansion 3 : Singapore / Docks (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

After you've played your base game a whole bunch, there is no better way to get a longer life out of your Formula D game than to have extra tracks to play. The original game comes with two tracks which are both good in their own right, but they can get old pretty quick. With four (or even more if you get other expansions) tracks, you can keep each session fresh!

Formula D Expansion 3 : Singapore / Docks (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Assuming that you already have the base game, there is no better way to get a longer life out of your Formula D game than to have extra tracks to play. The original game comes with two tracks which are both good in their own right, but they can get old pretty quick. With four (or even more if you get other expansions) tracks, you can keep each session fresh!

Formula D Expansion Tracks #2 (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you have the money, there is no better way to get a longer life out of your Formula D game than to have extra tracks to play. The original game comes with two tracks which are both good in their own right, but they can get old pretty quick. With four (or even more if you get other expansions) tracks, you can keep each session fresh!

Formula D Dice set (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The dice used in the Formula D game are unique and cannot really be found anywhere else. Also, when you play the game with four or more players, it can get cumbersome to pass the dice around the table. This can be avoided by purchasing a second set of die, one for each side of the table. It also ensures that if you lose one of your unique die, you're awesome game won't immediately become useless!

Tales of the Arabian Nights (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

While this ended up not being my cup of tea, the story-telling aspect of this game is very unique and made a lot of fans amongst my friends. Play this game with the mindset that you are developing a story rather than trying to use your strategy and you should have a blast!

Mr. Jack in New York (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

A great deduction game that will help to hone and develop your logic skills, the only knock that I have against this game is I wish that it could include more players. As it is, this is a very fine game that is quick to play, easy to understand, and challenging to play!

A Game Of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The only knock on this game is that you really should have the full five players to get the full experience from it. Even going from five players down to four severely changes the experience, and I wouldn't bother to play it with three. However, with all that being said, if you can get five players to the table, this is one of the best area control games that you will ever play! The gameplay goes beyond the board and can be felt in the conversations, pleadings, and exchanges that will occur between the players. Honestly, if you can get four or five players, definitely pick up this game!

Cosmic Encounter (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is a great way to kick off a game night with friends. It's highly interactive and will create a memory for each player, win or lose. When you add in the alien races, you've really got a winning game that you'll want to replay right after the first game is over. This game is a classic for a reason!

Acquire (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

While it may only take 2 minutes to explain how to play this game, the ever-changing dynamics make each decision you have to make an agonizing one! You'll have to be good at balancing both short-term and long-term investing strategies to be able to emerge at the top of the stack at the end!

Battle Line (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Easy game to pack up and take anywhere with you. It also rewards players who can use logic to combat the luck that is inherent in the game. If you're a fan of logic style games, I actually think that this one will be right up your alley!

Arkham Horror Board Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

A great game to play with a group of 4 or even to play by yourself. This game is more about the experience and delving into the story and mythos of the world which is unfolding before you. If you love to be immersed in the theme of the game you play, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better value than Arkham Horror.

1960: Making Of A President (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This game cannot be beat if you (or someone you play games with) is a history buff (particularly, a US history buff). Beyond that, I (as someone who is not a history buff) enjoy the game just because of the back-and-forth of the overall election. Very unique and entertaining game.

Puerto Rico (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This game is a classic, and is a favorite of everyone it seems that I talk to! I believe that the brilliance of this game is that even when it's not "your turn" you still get to participate in the action that's being take. There is no down time! Amongst my friends, down time is a killer and has ruined other games. Grab this one and you will not be disappointed!

Tribune (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Obviously, this theme (Roman) is a hit for a lot of different people. On top of that, the game mechanics for this game are both easy to pick up, yet deceptively deep. Additionally, games will rarely play the same thanks in part to the different victory conditions (also based on total number of players) which keeps the game fresh. If the theme speaks to you, I say you should get the game; I haven't met anyone I've played it with who hasn't enjoyed it yet!

Ticket to Ride Nordic Countries (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Surely most people finding there way to look at this game are already at least familiar with the Ticket to Ride game. This version is the version you want if you plan on only playing with 2 people on most occasions. The map is very condensed compared to the others which leads to more interaction and strategy throughout the game.

Scotland Yard (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I was initially turned off by the fact that this game has been around for 20 years or longer. I figured that there's no way a game that old was worth my time (or money!). I could not have been more wrong! This game plays fast, is very engaging, and actually looks great on top of all that! In a battle of wits, the one player who takes on the persona of Mr. X tries to escape the nets of the other players (each one a detective). Great game for players of all ages!

Star Wars Risk Clone Wars Edition (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I probably can't tell you much about Risk that you don't already know. I just wanted to add that this edition is one of my favorites first off because of the Star Wars licensing. It is certainly cool to be able to play as your favorite Star Wars faction. The board is also very cool so look up a picture of it if you're thinking about buying a Risk game!

Reef Encounter (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The deceptively cute look of the game will draw your friends in, but it's the depth of the strategic decisions that you can make that will make them ask for a second (or even third) game of the night! I wouldn't recommend bringing this out as your first game, or introducing a non-gamer with this game, but if you have players who enjoy a more-strategic game, this could be your fix.

Pirate's Cove (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This really is not a strategy game. If you realize that from the start, and you treat it as a fun thematic game, it is extremely enjoyable! As has already been mentioned: this is not a game that centers around combat. Instead, it is a game that focuses on trying to figure out the path-of-least-resistence towards ending up with more fame than anyone else. Note: when you play this game, I suggest that you play with the "parlay" variant which allows for bribing/bartering when you land at the same island as another player instead of having to force combat. It adds another layer of interactivity to the game that brings a lot to the overall experience.

Neuroshima Hex: Babel 13 Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I love Neuroshima Hex! This expansion will not add enough to the experience to change your mind if you don't already love it. However, with that being said, if you're a fan like me, you already know how exciting two more armies will be. On top of that, you also can now play through scenarios to change up the random battlefield skirmishes that you've been playing up to this point. If you like Neuroshima Hex, get this right away!

A Game of Thrones LCG: Core Set (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Full disclosure: I am/was a big-time player of Magic the Gathering. As such, I was very familiar with deck building and the complicated turn structure inherent in CCG/LCG games. Okay, so first off, if you've read the books you should immediately get two of these core sets. Additionally, if you are a fan of good CCG/LCG games, you should immediately get two of these core sets. With two core sets, you'll be able to form your own decks to play with your friends. My urging to purchase would be useless if it weren't for the fact that this game is so good, well-balanced, and interesting. For me, what puts this game over the top is the fact that it's actually designed to work as a 4-player free-for-all experience (it also works well for 2 or 3). If you have a few friends that are card players, you have to give this game a try!

Formula D (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

While this is correctly categorized as a roll-and-move game, there is so much more to it than that. It's a blast trying to figure out how hard you can/should push your vehicle and what you can do to mitigate the consequences. The game plays fast and everyone who's ever driven a car can relate to the mechanics in some way. Very good game to own, especially since it plays up to 10!

Dread Pirate (Old Century) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I've created "Ship Boards" and alternate rules for movement, skirmishes, raids, trades, and scoring. These changes have added much needed depth and strategy to this game. If you have this game and are interested in these additions, just drop me an email (ajax013@hotmail.com)!

Ca$h n Gun$ Yakuza (Cash n Guns Yakuza) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

While I wouldn't qualify this as a "must-need" expansion, if you already enjoy playing the original Cash 'n Guns, you will be able to extend the life of the game and add some variety to it with the Yakuza parts. Also, if you for any reason have more people to play games with, go with this expansion to be able to include more in the game.

Ca$h'n Gun$ (Cash 'n Guns) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

As I initially read about this game, I was a little put-off by the idea of pointing guns at other people (regardless is whether they were foam or not!). I finally got a chance to play the game and have to say that I have completely changed my mind on this game and have since purchased it for myself. This game is a laugh-riot, and while I might not suggest that you play this with your children, it is a great bluffing/press-your-luck style game with tons of interaction. Give it a try before you buy if you are worried about the "theme" as I was, but I will guess that you'll find a good time with this game.

Chess (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

One of the games that got me into "gaming" in the first place, what can be said about chess that hasn't already been said? The ultimate in strategy, no-luck, game play, chess can keep you learning and growing in strategy for years. I collect chess sets and have found that they are quite the conversation starter; I would never have guessed that so many people have played at one time in their life or another. Great game; one of the ultimates.

Battleship (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I spent a lot of time growing up playing Battleship with my cousin. A great way to pass the time, and this game can even lead to interesting discussions about probability and as such, I've used it in my classroom before on occasion. If you've never played, you should get this game as it is a classic.

Alhambra - English Edition (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Alhambra finds an excellent balance between keeping you involved, making you make strategic decisions, and still remaining fairly simple the whole time. If I've got a group of people who I'm afraid won't get into the more serious and heavy style games, this is my go-to game. Quick to explain, and fun to play, Alhambra is a much-played game at my house.

Time's Up! Deluxe (10th Anniversary) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

My wife and I bought a different game for each person in the family this Christmas and even amongst the highly rated games, this one ended up being the winner of them all! We had such a ball with this one; the genius of this game is that over the three rounds with the same cards, you create in-jokes that will stick around for a long time to come. Very great game!

Time's Up!: Title Recall (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Wits & Wagers Expansion Pack 1 (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Well, if you like your Wits & Wagers game, you certainly can't go wrong with more good stuff! If you are on the fence about this, just get it! You'll be glad you did.

Wits & Wagers Family (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I own the standard Wits & Wagers game and purchased this one for my parents. ... I actually like this version better! I like the use of points for scoring rather than betting chips; I like the questions better; I especially like using the little and big meeples on the board. I am a huge fan of this game.

Ticket to Ride (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I love the way the game looks; I love that I can teach it to my old college roommate or to my aunt and grandma just as easily; I love that the games are quick and fun and light. If you've got some non-serious gamers and maybe even a few that are, this could be the game to bring them together.

Settlers of Catan Board Game : Traders & Barbarians 5-6 player extension (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you've become tired of the same old settlers games playing out the same way time after time, you owe it to yourself and your gaming group to pick up this expansion along with the Traders & Barbarians base. While I can't say that its my favorite expansion for Settlers, it does add interaction which is always good in my book. Definitely give this one a try if you already have the other expansions!

Settlers Of Catan Board Game : Traders & Barbarians Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you've become tired of the same old settlers games playing out the same way time after time, you owe it to yourself and your gaming group to pick up this expansion. While I can't say that its my favorite expansion for Settlers, it does add interaction which is always good in my book. Definitely give this one a try if you already have the other expansions!

Settlers of Catan Board Game : Seafarers of Catan 5-6 Player Extension (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you've become tired of the same old settlers set up and game, be sure to give this expansion along with the Seafarers base a serious look. There is essentially no downside to picking this game up as I can't think of any negative effects that this would have on the game. Give it a try today!

Settlers of Catan Board Game : Seafarers Of Catan (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you've become tired of the same old settlers set up and game, be sure to give this expansion a serious look. There is essentially no downside to picking this game up as I can't think of any negative effects that this would have on the game. Give it a try today!

Settlers Of Catan Board Game : Cities & Knights 5-6 Player Extension (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you're like me and have played the heck out of your Settlers base game, pick this up along with the Cities & Knights base to instantly breathe new life into your game. The sheer amount of interaction and planning that you add makes this expansion worth it. If you're looking to make Settlers more interested, stop thinking and pick this up!

Settlers Of Catan Board Game : Cities & Knights (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you're like me and have played the heck out of your Settlers base game, pick this up to instantly breathe new life into your game. The sheer amount of interaction and planning that you add makes this expansion worth it. If you're looking to make Settlers more interested, stop thinking and pick this up!

Pandemic On The Brink Expansion - 2013 Edition (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This expansion adds so much to the gameplay of the original Pandemic! It even allows you to play against your friends which adds a much-needed competitive element. Additionally, they improved the quality and size of the components which means a lot to me!

The Island of Doctor Necreaux (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This game is a hoot! Pitting you and your friends as super-heros against the devious and creative Dr. Necreaux, this game keeps you fighting for your life from start to end. As you're playing this game, visions of James Bond, Austin Powers, and The Incredibles are dancing through my head. Very enjoyable cooperative experience to say the least!

No Thanks! (English version of Geschenkt and No Merci) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Wow! Super simple concept: Take the card (which counts as points against you), or pass on it (and have to spend one of your precious chips). Never has a simple decision been so intriguing! This serves as a great launching point to get non-gamers (particularly ones who are familiar with card games) started into the game night!

Lord of the Rings - Sauron Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This expansion dramatically changes the way that the Lord of the Rings base game is played! Now, instead of all players working together to destroy the one ring, there will be a player that is playing as Sauron, working to thwart the fellowship's plans. I would only recommend this expansion to those who have either played the base game to death and new a fresh new experience, or to those who deeply enjoy a competitive take-that experience.

Dominion: Seaside Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you have played Dominion, if you have read about Dominion, if you're interested in ever playing Dominion, you probably should just accept now the fact that each expansion for Dominion has been well done and is worth being purchased. The sheer amount of variety that this expansion brings to the base game warrants a purchase. Get it now!

Dominion: Prosperity (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Dominion: Alchemy Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Citadels Expansion :The Dark City Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The version of Citadels that I bought already included the Dark City Expansion so I never had to evaluate whether or not it was worth it to buy the expansion by itself. However, with that being said, the new characters and purple buildings that this expansion adds are very interesting and will breathe new life into the game for a long time to come. If you've got one of the earlier versions that doesn't already have the expansion, get it!

Bang! 4th Edition (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Bang! is an excellent party-feeling game that has only a slight bit more depth to it. Working great as an introduction to the world of gaming, I've often used it as an ice-breaker with a new group of friends. With that being said, if you've read about Bang! and think that the card playing and theme will work for your group, I highly recommend going all out and purchasing the Bullet edition. It's worth it!

Apples To Apples To Go (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This travel version is very handy to take on a trip when your luggage just can't hold the bigger games. Apples to apples is a classic party game that start interesting conversations and is guaranteed to make you laugh. Definitely give this version a try if you're looking to try it out!

Apples to Apples - Party Box (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you're going to get Apples to Apples, this is the version to get. I was introduced to Apples to Apples in college and met many new people and had many great nights of laughs thanks to this game.

Brain Quest - Kindergarten (3rd Edition) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

My parents had all of these for us kids growing up. I loved them and learned a lot from them; somehow they made learning even more fun than it already was for a young person. Parents, you should really have these and go through them with your children!

Lord of the Rings - Friends and Foes Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

If you have the standard Lord of the Rings game, there's no reason not to get Friends & Foes. It adds another board, more challenge, and more variation to an already outstanding game. Get it now!

Ra Board Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

While essentially an auction game, Ra goes deeper than that label suggests. While you leverage yourself and your assets to be able to collect and complete different sets of tiles for various amount of points. It doesn't sound thrilling, but it really is.

Dominant Species (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Super deep, ever-evolving strategy/tactical game. While a bit intimidating at first, and most certainly not a great gateway game, Dominant Species will be a highly replayable game for years to come!

Zobmondo!! Would You Rather Classic Card Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

You try to pick which of two worst-case scenarios your friends would choose. If you successfully identify the majority vote, you get to move ahead. Good conversation starter for sure.

Yahtzee (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

We have two sets. Seriously, if you have kids, and you don't have Yahtzee you should think about it.

Worst-Case Scenario Office Card Game Tin (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Not a bad game for what it is: it puts you in a lose-lose situation and you have to pick which direction you'll go. It leads to funny conversations!

Wits & Wagers : 2nd Edition (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Great game for big groups! The trivia is engaging and interesting and the fact that you're betting on how you think will know the answers adds a whole new level to the feel of this game.

Upwords (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Great word game in the line of Scrabble. Would recommend to any word-smith and/or family with kids.

Ticket To Ride - Europe (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

My wife picked this game out, and so far its been (mostly) a blast. The only thing that she isn't a fan of is the blocking aspect (we weren't playing with train stations). So yeah, as long as you don't want to put your marriage in jeopardy by playing mean, this is going to be a hit!

Stone Age (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Good amount of versatility which means that you can try out a bunch of different strategies. Very interesting game! Would definitely recommend this as a good "next-step" type game if you're fairly new to the hobby!

Small World Board Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Interesting take on world domination. The race/ability combinations are definitely interesting and add a lot of replayability to the game. This always seems to be a hit with the women of our playgroup....now explain that one!

Shadows Over Camelot Expansion : Merlin's Company (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

A way to make Shadows over Camelot even more dangerous and threatening? Sign me up! This expansion has breathed new life into Shadows; a definite must-have for any player!

Shadows Over Camelot (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This game feels like it is going to kick your butt for 98% of the time, but somehow we usually find a way to triumph over the evil forces. Great feel for a game!

Settlers Of Catan Board Game : 5-6 Player Extension (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Being able to add up to 6 players is a big deal for us making this a "must have" item!

Settlers of Catan Board Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is the other "gateway" game (besides Pandemic) that got me into real board games. I win a lot which means I usually incur an embargo pretty early on which definitely adds to the difficulty. If you like to interact with the players around you a lot, this is a good game to pick!

Sequence (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

We used to play this in our youth group on trips all the time. It's a hand-management game where you're trying to put your markers on the board in a line; the trick is to play your jacks properly..... two jacks are wild cards for you, two jacks are to take an opponents marker off the board!

Risk (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Playing with the LotR version makes this game far more interesting for my wife and I (although we still like the original). We used to play this a lot, but now it seems that it doesn't get the play that it used to. Still, its an easily recommendable game; you should own it!

Red November *ND new version (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Run around a gnomish submarine putting out fires, busting rusted locks, and drinking grog? Sounds like quite the adventure! I was initially put off by how small the board and pieces are, but it turns out that the small size is a positive since it allows you to take it on trips easily.

Quelf (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Great party game provided that you have the right people who enjoy loud and sometimes obnoxious behavior. I really enjoy the game but know that it is not for everyone. If you've ever wanted to do improve, act in a theater, or be the center of attention, this is probably the game for you!

PASSWORD (New 5th edition 1000 new words!) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Can you get your partner to guess your secret word by only giving a one-word clue? This is my favorite party game and has always been a hit for us.

Pandemic - 2013 Edition (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This was my first "real board game" and got me interested in this whole community. Having said that, I've definitely cooled on this game and only play it when others suggest it. However, since its a great game to teach to new players, I'd definitely suggest you give it a go!

Outburst Bible Edition (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

A trivia-driven game where you try as a team to identify all 10 answers to a question. Classic game that you should have for your non-gamers to segue into "real" games!

Odin's Ravens (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Interesting back-and-forth game that rewards planning ahead and maximizing your cards. The game is also quick enough that you don't have to plan ahead for too much time to get in a few rounds; a definite positive!

Nuns on the Run (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Great fun! Slowly but surely (as we understand the rules for the nuns better) this game is getting increasingly tense and fun to play. Sneak around without being heard or seen, but still quick enough to win? Super concept!

Neuroshima Hex (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Incredibly deep, yet fast-paced game that requires you to do a fair amount of thinking into the future. Very neat action-consequence game!

Malarky (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

A variation on Balderdash, this game has people trying their best to fool others into choosing an incorrect answer. Very entertaining depending on the wit of your friends!

Lord of the Rings - The Confrontation (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I loved Stratego growing up, I loved the LotR movies, so this game was obvious for me. However, I haven't found anybody who seems to enjoy the game as much as I do around my house. Regardless, if you like a quick LOTR game, its going to be a hit!

Lord of the Rings - Fellowship of the Ring Board Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Very thematic journey through Middle Earth. This game captures my imagination and is enjoyable with others, or even solo. If you like a challenge (it's not easy to win), or if you like LOTR, you can't go wrong with this one!

Heave Ho! (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Quick, fun, semi-mindless game that's good for just kicking back and having a good time with a friend! Plus, who doesn't love a game that pokes slight fun at the Scottish?! :)

Hive (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Delightful little game that is simple to learn but deceptively deep. It's the perfect coffee house game. Definitely check it out.

The Great Dalmuti (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Easy game to play. It's the only game that I know of that purposefully sends the message that LIFE IS NOT FAIR! Very unique!

Ghost Stories Board Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Tense, very-rewarding level of challenge. Definitely one of my favorite games to play with friends or even by myself. This game will keep you on your toes the whole time.

Galaxy Trucker Big Expansion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The components and especially the Rough Road cards and a blast to play with! Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys Galaxy Truckers! (or to anyone who enjoys a good thrashing!)

Galaxy Trucker (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

I am always suggesting this game and so far everyone who has played it has had a blast with the construction and with watching their ship suffer horrible fates. We're only happy when it rains! :)

Forbidden Island (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Very much like Pandemic, but with a stronger theme (IMHO). Also, with a modular set-up, you can always have a different game board each time you play. One of the top cooperative games to own!

Fairy Tale (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

The surprise hit of my game collection, this one has been requested more than all the rest. Whether its the drafting of the combinations as you play, or trying to mess everyone else up, everyone seems to have a blast with this one!

Dread Pirate (Bookshelf Edition) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Dominion: Intrigue (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Interesting cards that add quite a bit to the standard selection. Nothing too game-breaking, but a nice addition if you've already been bitten by the Dominion bug.

Dominion (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

This is my wife's current favorite. Quick to play, easily customizable, fun interactions.... there's a lot to like about this one. What can be said that hasn't already been said? :)

Colosseum (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

A very enjoyable, thematic, and varied experience. You play as the owner of a colosseum and you do your best to end up with the largest, most impressive, spectator-attracting event of the year! Very good blend of game mechanics in this one!

Citadels - (Includes The Dark City Expansion) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Fairly simple game that interjects just enough thinking to keep me interested. The roles are key; guessing what your opponents have chosen is half the fun.

Carcassonne: the Castle (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Enjoyable, quick, but deceptively deep game. It's only two players, so its not the best party game, but for a quick game with me and the misses, it can't be beat!

Bohnanza (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Was introduced to the game by a friend and I quickly loved how easy it was to play, but the interaction between players is what makes the game great! Don't play nice; play to win!

Blue Moon City Board Game (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Extremely enjoyable game that has you managing your cards as resources as you romp through the city. The person to contribute the most to the city's reconstruction wins! Very impressive game.

Blue Moon: Legend (Basic Set) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Fairly quick moving, back-and-forth, tug-of-war-feeling game. You choose a race to play with, use your characters and supplemental cards to fight a series of skirmishes against a single opponent. The vastly different, but balanced, races (decks) make this game very interesting.

Bang! The Bullet (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

One of my favorite party games! Its also compact so its just about the only game that we were able to play at my in-laws trailer on the farm! Moves quick enough to be a light filler to get people involved in the gaming night!

Balloon Cup (English Version) (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

So simple to explain and yet so many interesting choices to be had! Definitely a favorite 2-player game at our house. If you pick this up I suggest that you play with the following variant: You can only play cards on your opponent's side of a race if there is already a card on your side of that particular race. Cheers!

Apples to Apples - Party Box (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

Not my favorite at all, but I'll play when everyone else requests it. Now, I actually try to put down cards that no one will pick.... I still win about half the time. Still, since its a good game to get people involved and is a good way to start off an evening, I think its an important part of a well-rounded game collection.

Alhambra Big Box (View Game)
A.J. Sansom

So versatile with all of the expansions included, you can make each game feel different from the rest. Definitely a favorite for the ease-of-play vs. strategy-pay-off feel to it.

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