Matthew Smail 447 posts 43 comments

Whether it’s zombies in DayZ, robots in Generation Zero or oversized aquatic horrors in Stranded Deep, the survival genre is well and truly thriving. With so many themes already covered, searching for inspiration must be difficult — and…

Almost four years ago, I reviewed DOOM: The Board Game, and at the time, I didn’t think I’d ever see a better implementation of a video game in its board game counterpart. DOOM: The Board Game was damn near perfect at capturing the frantic…

Whether on the tabletop or in digital form, I’ve always loved turn-based games. From Risk to modern miniatures games like Battle of Pelennor Fields, I enjoy everything from grand, strategic endeavours to more tactical encounters. This gives…

There is little doubt that Agricola designer Uwe Rosenberg is a genius, but based on my experience of Agricola: Family Edition, the children in his life must be nothing short of exceptional either. This euro-style worker placement game…

I have to admit that sometimes as a reviewer, it’s hard to motivate yourself to play certain games. The idea or concept might appeal, but once you start playing, some games can feel like a slog. Whilst this is usually because they are bad…

The original Zombicide occupies a bit of a strange place in the modern board game canon. With over two million copies sold in just under ten years, there is no doubt that its commercial success is testament to its appeal. However this same…

A game of dice, memory and to a decent extent luck, Die of the Dead catches the eye thanks to its beautiful production value celebrating Dia De Muertos — the Day of the Dead. Unusually, in picking up my review copy of this game, I was also…

For fans of the novels that inspired it, Red Rising from Jamey Stegmaier and Alexander Schmidt will be a smorgasbord of familiar faces and subtle character traits baked into multi-use cards. For those who haven’t heard of Pierce Brown’s…

During 2020, digital adaptations of my favorite board games were very welcome. With few options and brief periods during which I could play in person, proper online implementations were one of the key ways to keep board gaming alive. Things…

To be a Spiel Des Jahre (Game of the Year) winner, a game must be simple to teach and learn, fairly quick to play, and filled with fun, enjoyable decisions. Some luck can play a factor, but most winners of this illustrious award are about…