Tabletop Tuesday - Game Solutions for Cabin Fever

Be it quarantined indoors due to pandemic precautions or inclement weather, there lies in wait another fever of sorts when confined to a monotonous setting for such prolonged periods - The inevitable cabin fever.  Fortunately, there are many games to be had that can aid this stir craziness, many of which you likely have on hand already know it or not.  So before you go bored sick, read on below for many a handy game solution to help make your lock-down a more enjoyable experience.

Fret not, Monopoly is not one of the recommendations on this list.  Though if such ends up being the inevitable game to be played, see here for recommendations how to better enjoy the game.

Tabletop Tuesday - Ticket to Ride Europe

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the tabletop world.

Making a return in cross-country continental adventures - The game of locomotives now trekking across Europe in Ticket to Ride Europe.

Players: 2-5
Time: 45-90 minutes
Genre: Strategy

Tabletop Tuesday - Betrayal Legacy Impressions

After a bit of a hiatus, Hughes3D returns!  And with it, a new tabletop game to discuss for a Tabletop Tuesday - Your exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of haunted incantations that looms across generations that is Betrayal Legacy.

Players: 3-5

Time: 90-120 minutes

Genre: Asymmetric Cooperative / Legacy Role-Playing Game

Tabletop Tuesday - Sushi Go!

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

Serving it up into the colorful arena of drafting games - The game of chopsticks and raw fish that is Sushi Go!

Players: 2-5
Time: 15-20 minutes
Genre: Casual Card Game

Tabletop Tuesday - Top 5 Quick & Easy Games

Tabletop games come in all matter of shapes, sizes and varying degrees of complexity.  And sometimes, a quick and simple game is just ticket you're looking for.  Perhaps to warm-up newcomers, bide a few minutes during a brief break or before a much anticipated TV premiere, or even to cool down from a lengthy exertion, small and easy to learn games are worth taking stock in for any game collection.  These are my Top 5 recommendations for just such occasions and games that are easy to pick up, set up, and have a quick go in about 15 minutes or so:

-1- Spot It

Spot It tops this list as a game that undoubtedly exemplifies ease of accessibility in both learning and playing.  The entire notion of the game is searching for matches between cards, of which each card will always contain one and only one match.  Of course this is simpler said than done as the pictures vary in size and arrangement.  It's a super easy game to set up and get into some quick rounds of fervent play.  But what stands this game above the rest is there are also many variations in which to play, each of which are equally easy to learn and still quick to play.  So this is the perfect game to enjoy the likes of quick, but still flavorful fun.  To learn more on Spot It, click here.

Tabletop Tuesday - KeyForge Impressions

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of minions to reap and unique decks to seek that is KeyForge.

Players: 2
Time: 45-90 minutes
Genre: Strategy Card Game

Tabletop Tuesday - Cover Your Assets

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

Shuffling into the mix of clever card games - The game of stacking cash under the mattress in Cover Your Assets.

Players: 4-6*
Time: 30-60 minutes*
Genre: Casual Card / Family Game

Tips for Code Names - Secrets to Success

Code Names is a popular party game that has broken its way into many a home, thanks in part to its ease of accessibility and multitude of various versions sure to appease any fan.  From Code Names Disney to Marvel, Harry Potter, and more, a game of Code Names is sure to be found on most game enthusiast's shelves these days.  While tactics and strategies are certain to vary depending on the specific crew of players that make one's team, there are some tips and tricks that can be generally applied across the board.  So if you're looking to give your team a leg up on the competition, see below for a few pointers in becoming an ace agent:

Tabletop Tuesday - Top 5 Cooperative Games

The holidays are around the corner, so why not put aside the competitive spirit and come together with the unique genre of tabletop games that are cooperative games.  While some of the toughest and brutal games to be found, players can take comfort that support is among good company and all highs and lows are shared together.  These are my Top 5 Recommendations for Co-Op Games:

-1- Escape: Curse of the Temple

If you're looking for a quick game to play together that can still deliver the thrills and chills of of those games with longer playtimes, look no further than Escape: Curse of the Temple.  That is because this game is played in real time in which all players frantically roll their dice simultaneously as they search the temple for an exit within a 10-minute time limit.  It's a game that requires constant communication and teamwork if you're to have a chance at everyone making it out of these cursed halls together.  To learn more details about this game and how to play, click here.

Tabletop Tuesday - Zombicide

It's October again, which means it's the time for many a variety of spooky and ominous games.  So join in as we explore an overlooked tabletop favorite saved for just such a creepy time as this...the joys of making noise that is Zombicide.

Players: 1-6
Time: 60-180 minutes
Genre: Cooperative

Tips for Pandemic - Surviving the Outbreak

As is the case with many a cooperative board game, victory is often far and few between as the brutal mechanics of the game have players frantically scrambling to stay alive.  And the viral outbreak of a game that is Pandemic is no exception.  With so many small, nuanced decisions to be made, there is always much deliberation to be found as what the proper course of action should be to contain the situation from spiraling out of control.  While there is technically no one right answer, there are a few tips and tricks to help give your team of emergency respondents that leading edge.  So with no time to waste, let's get the rundown on those tips to ensure your next game night still has vital signs come its conclusion.

(NOTE: These tips apply to the standard, base version of Pandemic, though they may also assist with some of the expansions.  For a brief overview of Pandemic and the general mechanics of the game, see previous Tabletop Tuesday post on such here)

Tabletop Tuesday - Mixing it Up in DropMix

Last year saw the release of a most unusual and groovy partnership between Hasbro and Harmonix to bring the world a unique musical, card game that is DropMix (for more info on this game, click here).  While playing the variants of Clash and Party mode offer an enjoyable degree of fun and structure, it's often even more fun just to mess around in Freestyle mode and have at it creating fresh, tasty beats.  In that spirit, I thought it'd be fun to share some of my own cooked-up mixes here for your listening pleasure.  Enjoy!

First, the happy and chill mix of Outkast (Ms. Jackson), Nightfeels (Find You), The Weekend (Can't Feel My Face), and Walk the Moon (Shut Up and Dance):

Tabletop Tuesday - Top 5 Party Games

If you're planning on hosting or attending any large parties / end-of-summer bashes, odds are you may have quite a diverse gaming preference among such a wide gathering.  Between different ages, skill levels, and familiarity, there are many factors to consider to find a game that can appease the likes of a lively party.  While there are many a great social and party game to be found, I've decided to highlight the below games as they work well for most any number of player, are easy to learn, do not force what is sometimes an unbalanced nature of teams, keep players involved at all times, and have a great deal of replay-ability.  These are my Top 5 Recommendations for Party Games:

-1- Liar's Dice

If you have a handful of dice and stack-full of plastic cups, you're set and ready to captivate a party with a rousing game of Liar's Dice.  This is a game of luck, probability, and deception that anyone is capable of playing and picking up on quickly.  The suspense as bets are slowly and dramatically raised around the table until one player finally calls liar, leading to the climatic reveal of all the dice and final verdict of the bet is a continual thrill for players and bystanders alike.  That, and the loud rattle of the dice also help to draw in attention.  To learn more details on this game and how to play, click here.

Tips for Catan - Settling for Victory

Frequently topping the lists of top-selling and most popular board games, Settlers of Catan is a favorite among many tabletop gamers and serves as great introduction into the world of more complex Eurogames (games with more abstract components and that tend to focus on strategy rather than luck).  Part of this appeal comes from the fact that players are constantly involved in Catan, even when it isn't their turn, making trades or obtaining resources at any given moment.  Still, when playing against seasoned veterans already well versed in the various tactics of trading and building settlements, it can be a bit of a one-sided match for newcomers.  So here are a few tips and tricks to give any player, newcomer or experienced player alike, a more competitive and equal edge:

(NOTE: These tips apply to the standard, base version of Catan.  For a brief overview of Catan and the general mechanics of the game, see the previous Tabletop Tuesday post on such here)

Tabletop Tuesday Update

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday, which for the past 16 months or so has been your weekly exploration into 65+ different games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.  This week's game is not called "Update", no, but rather there is an important update regarding the weekly structure of this blog segment - my selection of Tabletop games to discuss has run quite thin.  While there are literally thousands of more Tabletop games that exist in this world, I strive to share insight into games in which I have personal experience in having played to a significant extent, and offer a fun, unique playing experience depending on the intended audience.  Due to being unable to meet this criteria anymore, our Tabletop Tuesday segments will no longer air on a weekly basis.

So how does this affect you, the reader?  Well, let's shift this for a positive spin: I plan to still share Tabletop posts from time to time, hopefully now with greater variety for your reading pleasure: New and Upcoming Games, Tips and Tricks, or Top 5 Cooperative Games and other assorted categories just to name a few topics.  Adjusting the frequency of these Tabletop segments should also allow for more time to catch up in completing other posts, such as many pending reviews for Cuphead, God of War, Floor Kids, and Labo.  You can also still expect a weekly continuation of Throwback Thursday and your Sunday comics for the foreseeable future, so still be sure to check in and look forward to more gaming discussions on a regular basis.

If you have any suggestions for topics you'd like to see discussed in the Tabletop world, be sure to let me know in the comments.  Be sure to check the Tabletop Tuesday tab and catch up on any previously discussed games you may have missed.  And look forward to a hopefully greater wealth of gaming content to be found, just with more unexpected timing and joyous surprise.  Thanks.  And happy gaming!

Tabletop Tuesday - Gloomhaven Impressions

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of magic spells and cursed wells that is Gloomhaven.

Players: 1-4
Time: 90-180 minutes
Genre: Strategy / Role-Playing

Tabletop Tuesday - More Standard Playing Card Deck Games

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

With summer on the near horizon, we're continuing our look at the versatile and affordable gaming device: The standard 52 playing card deck.  This week's games: Secret Agent, War, and Oh Hell.

Players: 2+
Time: 10+ minutes
Genre: Casual Card Games

Tabletop Tuesday - Standard Playing Card Deck Games

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

With summer on the near horizon, and with it likely visits to your favorite watering holes, be it the pool, beach or other dives, I thought it be fitting to showcase a variety of games played with your handy go-to: The standard 52 playing card deck.  This week's games, a few of my favorites: Spit, Cheat, and Egyptian Rat Screw.

Players: 2+
Time: 10-20 minutes
Genre: Casual Card Games

Tabletop Tuesday - Stratego

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of hidden ranks to outflank that is the classic Stratego.

Players: 2
Time: 45-90 minutes
Genre: Strategy

Tabletop Tuesday - Pictionary

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of quick sketches and picturesque messes that is Pictionary.

Players: 4+
Time: 45-90 minutes
Genre: Social / Party Game