Normale Ansicht

Foundations of Rome and of Metropolis — Are They Gems? 💎

03. Juli 2025 um 19:15

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I usually talk about older games, and many of those older games are (of course) of an older style. My style. What about new games in that style? Enter Foundations of Rome (Emerson Matsuuchi & Arcane Wonders 2022), a luxe plastic-mini-filled city-building experience. The same game re-appeared in a more sensible retail edition in 2024 as Foundations of Metropolis.

Since these are pretty new, there are I'm sure already lots of videos out there about these games. You probably don't need yet another How to Play video for it. If you're here, maybe you're here for my opinion, I'm guessing. So that's what you get!

Old mic died, new mic seems a bit muffled? We'll get through this, together.


Board Gems highlights older board and card games that are still great games today, and deserve to not be forgotten!

Join & Support: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX9Ab6egkU1ru3sgP8TUI2A/join
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgems.com
BGG Blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/10011

Brought to you by Pizzeria Ludica! https://www.ludica.ca/

BGG Listings:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/284189/foundations-of-rome
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/412865/foundations-of-metropolis

#boardgames #tabletop #vancouver #ludica

Warhammer Quest: 30th Anniversary

01. Juli 2025 um 16:12

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Warhammer Quest: 30th Anniversary

If you would like to donate to Drive Thru Games, you can use the "Thanks" button under the video, or please check out the Gamefound Pledge Manager - https://tinyurl.com/2p8tbhpu

The Secret History of Warhammer Quest - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSsgOtXldOI
My Warhammer Quest Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAYqwVLOVdQ
My Definitive DIY Project for WHQ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDDfkrgS_r8
Dungeon Dive WHQ videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKewgRd8Eir9_vriJvomtCObppnCbvN1Y
Always Board Never Boring WHQ Restoration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZT6DtxHBwI
The Art of Warhammer Quest 1995 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WCKZqd75xg

Warhammer Quest fanpage Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/WarhammerQuest/
Warhammer Quest Customized Runboard - https://bwarhammerquestcustomized.runboard.com/
Broheim's Warhammer Quest resources - https://broheim.net/whq.html
The Troll Trader - https://thetrolltrader.com/
How to create your own Warhammer Quest tiles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvC4sTcS06M
MakePlayingCards.com - https://www.makeplayingcards.com/
Warhammer Quest 1995 card packs - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SKbTwPWndslbKTzUysE3ksA18bc941UL
Hall of the Hag Queen card pack - https://www.dropbox.com/s/2tmeetbg5rfd169/HagQueenMonsterCards.zip?dl=0
Universal Head's Player aid - https://www.orderofgamers.com/games/warhammer-quest/
BGG's Warhammer Quest files - https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1634/warhammer-quest/files
WHQ Goodies on BGG - https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/189896/whq-goodies
Warhammer Quest Lost Minis Wiki - http://www.miniatures-workshop.com/lostminiswiki/index.php?title=Warhammer_Quest_%28Citadel%29
Settlement Maps - https://www.dropbox.com/s/57rjhn5sc1eu4mx/Settlement%20Boards%20FINAL.zip?dl=0
Hero Rules - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WnfeUpTe8l4XXzxraBTcSFDwGn6dTYXN/view?usp=sharing


Warhammer Quest https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1634/warhammer-quest
by
Games Workshop https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Home

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BGG Geeklist: http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/65519/drive-thru-review-video-reviews

Iliad & Ichor: Are These Knizia Abstracts Shelfworthy? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review

30. Juni 2025 um 14:00

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More from Amy's most anticipated games of 2025, and perhaps from any Themer's most dreaded - two brand new VERY abstract titles from the one and only Reiner Knizia. We take our first look at the Mythos collection from Bitewing Games and consider if we keep one, both, or none?

Follow along with our SHELFWORTHY series as we cover as many of our new games as possible!
Subscribe: http://bit.ly/4kJAmg8
Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZsHeGi

Timestamps:
00:00 🎲 Introduction
00:38 🎨Theme - Iliad
01:03 ⚙️Mechanics - Iliad
02:45 ☁️How it Feels to Play - Iliad
04:37 🎯What Surprised Us - Iliad
05:54 🛠 What We'd Change - Iliad
07:03 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy? - Iliad
07:24 🎨Theme - Ichor
07:44 ⚙️Mechanics - Ichor
09:03 ☁️How it Feels to Play - Ichor
11:27 🎯What Surprised Us - Ichor
12:05 🛠 What We'd Change - Ichor
13:33 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy? - Ichor

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/420914/iliad
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/420914/ichor

Thanks for stopping by! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience.
#boardgames #tabletopgames #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺

Tales of the Arthurian Knights Review

24. Juni 2025 um 06:02

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Tales of the Arthurian Knights Review

If you would like to donate to Drive Thru Games, you can use the "Thanks" button under the video, or please check out the Gamefound Pledge Manager - https://tinyurl.com/2p8tbhpu

Intro (00:00);
game overview (02:25);
final thoughts and review (19:05);

Tales of the Arthurian Knights https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/377704/tales-of-the-arthurian-knights
by
WizKids https://wizkids.com/

Subscribe to Drive Thru Review: http://goo.gl/LrTiG5

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DriveThruGames
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivethrugames/
BGG Geeklist: http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/65519/drive-thru-review-video-reviews

You can also find an audio podcast at the Drive Thru Review Audio feed. You can subscribe to the feed in multiple locations.

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/drive-thru-review-audio/id1065301287

Orongo AKA Nyakuza — Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison 👥

23. Juni 2025 um 19:15

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In this side-by-slide comparison I compare, with commentary, old and new versions of the same great Reiner Knizia board game: Orongo (Ravensburger 2014) and Nyakuza (CMON 2025).


Board Gems highlights older board and card games that are still great games today, and deserve to not be forgotten!

Join & Support: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX9Ab6egkU1ru3sgP8TUI2A/join
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgems.com
BGG Blog: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/10011

Brought to you by Pizzeria Ludica! https://www.ludica.ca/

BGG Listing:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/165556/nyakuza

Music provided by Chillhop Music
Smoke Trees - Takondwa
https://chll.to/0cec2d18

#boardgames #tabletop #vancouver #ludica

In The Shadows - Teach & Play with Dan Bullock

23. Juni 2025 um 10:55

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Join me for a teach and play of In the Shadows, GMT’s 2024 card-driven wargame exploring the clandestine battle between the French Resistance and the Nazi Occupation in the final years of World War II. I’ll be joined by one of the game’s designers, Dan Bullock, as we dive into the asymmetric mechanics, historical nuance, and moral complexity of this tense two-player duel. From covert sabotage to brutal repression, In the Shadows captures the struggle for France’s soul—on the board and in the shadows.

Support the channel on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

How to Design a NATURE themed Board Game

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Adam explores nature-themed board games like Finspan, highlighting their design choices. He also touches on the educational elements in games like Primates and Nature from NorthStar Games. Enjoy this deep dive into the board game industry and see some exciting board game releases, with loads of tips for board game designers.

Review Copies Recieved: Finspan (Stonemaier Games), Nature (NorthStar Games) and Primates (Green Butterfly Games).

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My 'Adam in Wales: Game Design' books are available worldwide, via Amazon's print on demand service, and as an ebook.

Use the links below, or IF NOT LISTED BELOW, search on your local Amazon site for Adam in Wales..

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DJ3NM9ZT?binding=kindle_edition&ref_=ast_author_bsi

USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ3NM9ZT?binding=kindle_edition&ref_=ast_author_bsi

France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0DJ3NM9ZT?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1741588943&sr=8-1&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin

Germany: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/dp/B0DJ3NM9ZT?binding=paperback&qid=1741588984&sr=8-1&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk

Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0DJ3NM9ZT?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1741589015&sr=8-1&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin

Spain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0DJ3NM9ZT?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1741589047&sr=8-1&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin

Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DJ3NM9ZT?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin

Netherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AAdam%2BPorter&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1

Poland: https://www.amazon.pl/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AAdam%2BPorter&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1

Sweden: https://www.amazon.se/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AAdam%2BPorter&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1

Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/dp/B0DJ3NM9ZT?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin

Canada:https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DJ3NM9ZT?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk

----------------------------

0:00 Introduction
2:47 Beauty
5:16 Simulation
7:38 Education
10:41 Fantasy
14:05 Game Design Books
14:54 Set Collection
16:09 Drafting
18:54 Tableau Building
23:51 Area Control
27:07 Animal Characteristics
29:08 Who are we?
31:01 Summary

Stalingrad Roads - Wargame Teach & Play

14. Juni 2025 um 19:21

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In this teach and play session, I’m joined by friend of the show James Buckley to dive into Stalingrad Roads, the 2024 hex-and-counter wargame from French publisher Nuts! Publishing. Covering the Soviet counteroffensive that encircled and shattered the Axis forces around Stalingrad, this title offers both classic operational gameplay and fresh twists on momentum, command, and attrition. Whether you're curious about the 'Roads' system or just love a good Eastern Front slugfest, this one’s for you.

☕ Support the channel on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

Mastering A Gest of Robin Hood – Strategy Panel with BGA Top Players

12. Juni 2025 um 10:18

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In this special strategy stream, I’m joined by a panel of top-ranked players from BoardGameArena to explore the tactics, nuances, and advanced play of A Gest of Robin Hood, the game I designed and released with GMT Games in 2024.

Together, we’ll break down the game’s asymmetry, key decision points, and strategic arcs from the perspective of both the outlaw Robin Hood and the law-and-order Sheriff of Nottingham. Expect deep dives into tempo control, plot synergy, and so much more.

We'll also try to answer the eternal question: which faction is OP?

☕ Support the channel and help keep this kind of independent historical board game content alive: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

Battlefields Of The Napoleonic Wars - Teach & Play with Paolo Mori

08. Juni 2025 um 06:53

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Join us for a special SDHistCon Online event as I sit down with acclaimed designer Paolo Mori (Blitzkrieg!, Pandemic: Fall of Rome) to learn and play his self-published system: Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars.

In this elegant and fast-paced take on Napoleonic warfare, Paolo distills grand battles into sharp tactical showdowns across a series of small, scenario-driven maps. Stripping things down to bold maneuvers, timing, and bluffing, this minimalist system captures the tension and drama of Napoleonic command without the usual overhead. It’s wargaming through Paolo’s signature design lens — clever, streamlined, and full of surprises.

Support the channel on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

Rebels Against Rebellion - Historical Discussion with David Thompson (SD Histcon)

08. Juni 2025 um 05:05

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Tireless designer David Thompson (the Undaunted series, War Story, Night Witches, and countless more) is joined by questionable historian Stuart Ellis-Gorman to discuss the historical background to David’s latest (and first ever American Civil War) game: Rebels Against Rebellion, to be published by Flying Pig Games. They will discuss how David came to pick this topic, Southern loyalism in the American Civil War, the challenges in representing nineteenth-century guerilla warfare, and when David is finally going to design that Gettysburg game everyone wants him to do, among other topics.

Support the show on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/homoludens1871

Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game Review

02. Juni 2025 um 23:47

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Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game Review

If you would like to donate to Drive Thru Games, you can use the "Thanks" button under the video, or please check out the Gamefound Pledge Manager - https://tinyurl.com/2p8tbhpu

Intro (00:00);
game overview (01:56);
final thoughts and review (09:51);

The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/429293/the-fellowship-of-the-ring-trick-taking-game
by
Office Dog https://www.officedoggames.com/

Subscribe to Drive Thru Review: http://goo.gl/LrTiG5

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DriveThruGames
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivethrugames/
BGG Geeklist: http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/65519/drive-thru-review-video-reviews

You can also find an audio podcast at the Drive Thru Review Audio feed. You can subscribe to the feed in multiple locations.

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/drive-thru-review-audio/id1065301287

Time to Say Goodbye to Ticket to Ride

29. Mai 2025 um 20:34

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#boardgames #review #tickettoride

T-SHIRTS!!! https://no-pun-included-shop.fourthwall.com/

If you'd like to support thoughtful and responsible board game media, consider donating to us on https://patreon.com/nopunincluded

Art for the Board Game Dirtbag shirts by Luke Ridge, all of his links here: https://linktr.ee/lrillustrations

Find our Irish Gauge review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENAHmSzpyEQ

Find our Railroad Ink Challenge review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MzSFaIuMf8

Our board game podcast is called Talk Cardboard which you can find on your podcast devices or our website https://nopunincluded.com

Find us here:

Website - https://nopunincluded.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NoPunIncluded/

BlueSky - Efka - https://bsky.app/profile/nopunincluded.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nopunincluded/

BGG Review list - https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/174680/

Feeling like a FAILURE: Rejection and board game design

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Adam Porter is a seasoned board game designer with hundreds of pitches under his belt. He is also a trainer in Communication Skills and Interview Technique. And like most board game designers, he's experienced a LOT of rejections. Here's how to take feedback while remaining professional.

'Adam in Wales: Getting Published' is available worldwide, via Amazon's print on demand service, and as an ebook.

Use the links below, or IF NOT LISTED BELOW, search on your local Amazon for Adam in Wales: Getting Published.

UK: https://amzn.eu/d/8mlspfi
USA: https://a.co/d/fnRSV7H
France: https://amzn.eu/d/0Ss9uUA
Germany: https://amzn.eu/d/6KfEki3
Italy: https://amzn.eu/d/bJWhchl
Spain: https://amzn.eu/d/iNR85cz
Australia: https://amzn.asia/d/b0ObIe0
Netherlands: https://amzn.eu/d/8oRwgFS
Poland: https://amzn.eu/d/dnXlQWv
Sweden: https://amzn.eu/d/agrKs1h
Japan: https://amzn.asia/d/akL5U9X
Canada: https://a.co/d/6BZ6cvM

Make your players feel CLEVER

💾

'Adam in Wales: Playtesting' is available worldwide, via Amazon's print on demand service, and as an ebook.

Use the links below, or IF NOT LISTED BELOW, search on your local Amazon for Adam in Wales: Playtesting.

UK: https://amzn.eu/d/72THuv2
USA: https://a.co/d/iccld1n
France: https://amzn.eu/d/hlNSWyJ
Germany: https://amzn.eu/d/11d13Tj
Italy: https://amzn.eu/d/deZUgi0
Spain: https://amzn.eu/d/3GZWd7G
Australia: https://amzn.asia/d/enmsOX7
Netherlands: https://amzn.eu/d/1g2b6AN
Poland: https://amzn.eu/d/jaKJ7gA
Sweden: https://amzn.eu/d/hUKFSAC
Japan: https://amzn.asia/d/0wDBock
Canada: https://a.co/d/9cJZRF8

Playtesting is the heart of game design. Ideas flow thick and fast for many designers, but it is only by getting them on the table in front of players that we see what we have created.

Playtesting is the process by which designers turn ideas into experiences.

This book describes:

- The purpose of playtesting
- Types of playtests
- Protecting your idea
- How many playtests are necessary
- Documenting playtests
- Forms of playtester feedback

... and then goes on to describe 100 questions you should ask during the playtesting process, with a detailed rationale for each of them.

About the author

Adam Porter is an award winning game designer from the United Kingdom, known for making accessible games suitable for families, and for his popular YouTube channel Adam in Wales where Adam talks candidly about his experiences pitching and licensing games to publishers. Many new designers have looked to Adam for guidance when taking their first steps in the board game industry. Adam's published games include Pikoko, Doodle Rush, Kompromat, Qwuzzle, Zooligans, Thrown, Big Bazar, Happy Hoppers, Ballot Battle, and Zing-a-Zam.

Adam's previous book 'Adam in Wales: Board Game Designer Journal' is available as a physical book from Amazon worldwide, or as a download from DriveThruRPG.com

Is Every Game REALLY Political?

29. April 2025 um 20:33

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#boardgames #review If you'd like to support thoughtful and responsible board game media, consider donating to us on https://patreon.com/nopunincluded

Our board game podcast is called Talk Cardboard which you can find on your podcast devices or our website https://nopunincluded.com

Find Amabel Holland's Mechanisms as Metaphos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG4zLcKsCiA

Find my Keynote from the Spiel des Jahres Board Game Criticism Day here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tuwHj08JkE

Find us here:

Website - https://nopunincluded.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NoPunIncluded/

BlueSky - Efka - https://bsky.app/profile/nopunincluded.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nopunincluded/

BGG Review list - https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/174680/

Don't worry, Galactic Cruise is VERY safe | Our review

07. April 2025 um 16:03

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#boardgames #review #galacticcruise If you'd like to support thoughtful and responsible board game media, consider donating to us on https://patreon.com/nopunincluded

Our board game podcast is called Talk Cardboard which you can find on your podcast devices or our website https://nopunincluded.com

Find us here:

Website - https://nopunincluded.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NoPunIncluded/

BlueSky - Efka - https://bsky.app/profile/nopunincluded.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nopunincluded/

BGG Review list - https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/174680/

Is Arydia the Next Board Game Superhit?

12. März 2025 um 14:56

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#boardgames #review #arydia If you'd like to support thoughtful and responsible board game media, consider donating to us on https://patreon.com/nopunincluded

Our board game podcast is called Talk Cardboard which you can find on your podcast devices or our website https://nopunincluded.com

Find us here:

Website - https://nopunincluded.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NoPunIncluded/

BlueSky - Efka - https://bsky.app/profile/nopunincluded.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nopunincluded/

BGG Review list - https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/174680/

This is Arousal

03. Februar 2025 um 17:23

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#boardgames #review #tabletop If you'd like to support thoughtful and responsible board game media, consider donating to us on https://patreon.com/nopunincluded

Our board game podcast is called Talk Cardboard which you can find on your podcast devices or our website https://nopunincluded.com

Sources:

Elliott Hedman - The Frustration of Learning Monopoly - https://www.media.mit.edu/publications/the-frustration-of-learning-monopoly-the-emotional-tension-of-entering-a-new-game-encounter/

Elliott Bruce Hedman - Thich Psychophysiology for Empathic Design - https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/91436

R. W. Picard - Multiple Arousal Theory and Daily-Life Electrodermal Activity Asymmetry - https://zenodo.org/records/898187

The Family Bond - Risk Legacy by Rob Daviau (PRACTICE 2013 at NYU Game Center Dec 2013) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPTTZrvrK8s

Wolfram Boucsein - Electrodermal Acitivity - Second Edition - Springer Science & Business Media

Rob Matheson - Wearable device reveals consumer emotions - https://news.mit.edu/2017/wearable-device-reveals-consumer-emotions-0712

Danielle Kirsh - This wearable measures your emotions - https://www.medicaldesignandoutsourcing.com/wearable-measures-emotions/

Elliott Hedman- Old Account - Frustration Learning Instructions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzbkBA2MJTY

mPath - https://www.buildempathy.com/


Music by Kevin MacLeod - incompetech.com


Find us here:

Website - https://nopunincluded.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NoPunIncluded/

BlueSky - Efka - https://bsky.app/profile/nopunincluded.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nopunincluded/

BGG Review list - https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/174680/

No Pun Included's Board Game of the Year 2024

15. Januar 2025 um 22:44

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#boardgames #review #goty If you'd like to support thoughtful and responsible board game media, consider donating to us on https://patreon.com/nopunincluded

Our board game podcast is called Talk Cardboard which you can find on your podcast devices or our website https://nopunincluded.com

You can also find it on https://www.youtube.com/@talkcardboard

Videos featured:

You Will Win This Game 100% of the Time | Dorfromantik: the Board Game Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bILqY6wXdBc&t=14s
Wilmot's Warehouse - Create Stories to Remember - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHa17b9fJAE&t=5s
I'm not saying that Slay the Spire: The Board Game is better than the original - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKixs5tJ2zk
Daybreak / e-Mission Review | Can a Board Game Save the World? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owrJJv-U0j8
Weird Games I Found at Essen Spiel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5Ga3NbUF3M

Find us here:

Website - https://nopunincluded.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NoPunIncluded/

BlueSky - Efka - https://bsky.app/profile/nopunincluded.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nopunincluded/

BGG Review list - https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/174680/
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