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Normale Ansicht

Published — 12. Dezember 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

TI4: Twilight's Fall Review — The Fuh?

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
12. Dezember 2025 um 16:30

💾

We review this game mode from TI4: Thunder's Edge!

Visit http://plankmattress.com/shelfside to get 30% off your order with code SHELFSIDE

Twilight's Fall features the same great space opera gameplay, just with asymmetry vastly changed! Now players will draft their technologies/faction specialties throughout the game. And you can use the Prophecy of Kings mech abilities of multiple factions! The galactic ameritrash conquest still stays with strategy cards and area control. You'll still do King of the Hill with holding Mecatol Rex. However the tech tree is removed, where you activate splices to draft all sorts of cards! Is this more or less Euro friendly now? Does this reward veteran Twilight Imperium players after countless matches of direct conflict?

Table of Contents:
Overview - (0:00)
What is Twilight's Fall - (0:52)
Pros - (4:27)
Cons - (15:55)
Recommender Score - (18:31)
Alexander's Personal Score - (23:31)
Ashton's Personal Score - (23:48)

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #tabletopgames

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #review
Published — 10. Dezember 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Dune: Imperium — Bloodlines QUICK Review

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
10. Dezember 2025 um 16:30

💾

We quickly review the newest Dune Imperium expansion! This expansion with its multiple piles of cards and Sardaukar seems to be the most popular when combined with Dune Uprising. It's the same overall gameplay with deckbuilding meets worker placement with the end of round conflict. Now there can be sandworms fighting Sardaukar commanders with abilities! But how does it fare with the other BGG Euro expansions like Rise of Ix and Immortality? Is this worth the money at $40 MSRP, or should you just wait, if you're not too concerned about balance? Or maybe you just NEED the 8 new player sheets! We played it multiplayer and solo.

GET PLAYSYSTEMS: https://playmodeofficial.com/

Table of Contents:
Overview - (0:00)
Pros - (1:34)
Cons - (5:54)
Recommender Score - (6:10)
Ashton's Personal Score - (8:41)

Other games featured: Twilight Imperium 4

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #review
Published — 05. Dezember 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

No that Catan game didn’t count because…

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
05. Dezember 2025 um 16:30

💾

Hey, wait a second, that Catan game totally didn’t count! Here are all of the reasons why: ranging from mechanics, to expansions, to just poor dumb rng. Or maybe I’m just too used to Twilight Imperium and its amertirash + Euro tendencies?

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

Stuff Used:
Kevin MacLeod — Marty Gots a Plan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhRNWAbeBpE&list=RDRhRNWAbeBpE&start_radio=1

Sascha Ende — Time is Now
https://ende.app/en/song/395-time-is-now

Sascha Ende — Stranded
https://ende.app/en/song/10375-stranded

Kevin MacLeod — Derp Nugget
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmN63-3SUAA&list=RDLmN63-3SUAA&start_radio=1

#boardgames #tabletop #tabletopgames
Published — 02. Dezember 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

How’s a Metal Board Game Shelf - The GameKeep

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
02. Dezember 2025 um 16:30

💾

We take a dive into a board game bookshelf made out of metal! This will store all sorts of games with its adjustable shelves, with a focus on bigger types of games, like Gloomhaven or Heroquest. But will it fit all types of games, like our beloved FFG titles such as Cosmic Encounter or Dune Imperium? How does this compare to the previous Boxthrone, which we previously touted as a nice replacement for Ikea Kallax? Is this worth the cost of spending a bit more, and is the assembly worth it?

Games featured: Santorini, Brass Birmingham, Pandemic, Camel Up, Dominion, Twilight Imperium 4, Prophecy of Kings, Thunder’s Edge, Catan, Threshold

Table of Contents:
Overview - (0:00)
Assembly - (1:12)
The Good - (5:57)
Not so Good - (9:50)
Final Thoughts - (12:32)

THE GAMEKEEP: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/516189404/gamekeep-storage-shelves-ironside-hex-table

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

Stuff Used:

Sascha Ende - Rooftop Solitude
https://ende.app/en/song/11994-rooftop-solitude

Sascha Ende - Chill VLOG Beats 4
https://ende.app/en/song/12900-chill-vlog-beats-4

#boardgames #tabletop #tabletopgames
Published — 26. November 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Cosmic Encounter Review — A decade later, I bought this Anti-Euro again

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
26. November 2025 um 22:31

💾

Download RAID ios/android/PC ➡️ https://t2m.io/Shelfside_Nov25 to unlock a new free mystery Legendary Champion inspired by an iconic franchise and get 2 free Epics 🎉 Available after downloading through this link only
✅ 1 - Epic Ultimate Galek from the start
✅ 2 - Epic Zargala after reaching level 15
✅ 3 - Promo codes for a Legendary Champion of your choice ⚡️
➡️ UDKING / DESERTQUEEN / DEMONSLAYER / TREEHUGGER / GETALICE / MONKEYKING
Available only for new players. Redeem within 48 hours after registration.

We review one of the most famous and influential board games of all time, with the Fantasy Flight Games reprint! Cosmic Encounter is a political sci-fi party game with tons of asymmetric variable alien powers and take-that. With shifting alliances and lots of hand management, games are rightfully swingy and memorable. There’s prisoner’s dilemmas abound with interrupts on other player’s turns! This negotiation game really isn’t for everyone, and as stated the game negates a lot of modern design (unintentionally). Is it worth buying in the kickstarter fueled landscape of 2025? Or should you return to a more normal area control of less fiddly party game?

Games featured: Eclipse 2nd Edition, Twilight Imperium 4th Edition, Cosmic Encounter Duel, Munchkin, Coup

Table of Contents:
Overview/Backstory - (0:00)
How to Play - (3:46)
Pros - (5:53)
Cons - (21:44)
Recommender Score - (29:27)
Ashton's Personal Score - (35:04)

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #review
Published — 21. November 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Primal Just Got Even Better

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
21. November 2025 um 14:01

💾

Primal the Awakening expansion pre-orders just dropped! Reggie Games hit us with more peak campaign board game content in the form of extra player characters who use a spear and wardrum, 10 new biome playmat maps that can modify your boss battles, and the nightmare variation cards of the last 13 monsters without them! There's so many new combos and strategies to deck build with, plus challenges to take on! And of course, there's new organizers to avoid any tabletop clutter to support the new components.

Check out Primal here: https://reggiegames.com/

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Table of Contents:
What this is - 0:00
New Hunters - 1:52
Nightmares & Biomes - 14:06
Buyer's Guide - 19:15

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #tabletopgames
Published — 20. November 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Shallow Sea Review — Immaculate Tile Laying

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
20. November 2025 um 16:30

💾

We review Shallow Sea, a tile-laying Euro with incredible design, no kidding! This 1-4 player low-conflict game has players managing their own coral reef, juggling fish tokens and coral/Sealife to get the most victory points come end game. There are some objectives to pursue (rewarding set collection), but it’s mostly about just building the best reef with lots of biodiversity! You tackle grid coverage in the pattern building of tiles every turn. Also the solo mode is incredibly clean with no automa needed! Is this game too solitaire, or does Bad Comet truly have another gem on their hands?

Other games featured: Wondrous Creatures, Earth, Splendor, Brass Birmingham

Table of Contents:
Overview - (0:00)
How to Play - (0:53)
Pros - (2:15)
Cons - (13:34)
Recommender Score - (15:32)
Ashton's Personal Score - (18:18)

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #review
Published — 10. November 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Haggleoff Review — Avoid Taxes in a Trading Game

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
10. November 2025 um 16:30

💾

We review a negotiation game filled with trading opportunities! In Haggleoff, you try to get the most money by set collecting and hand management, a bit like the popular bohnanza. However, with the introduction of power cards and timed turns, there’s a lot of chaos happening! You’re essentially investing cards into diverse industries, cashing out as an action to try to get points. Cards are also multi-use with the donation pile, to make this game feel like a TCG at times. It even has a fake online tax program for bookkeeping, called Tax404! Though perhaps this tabletop game doesn’t quite have enough components, even though it could be considered party-esq? Though it may have lots of educational aspects for even middle schoolers!

Use promo code SHELFSIDE at checkout (not affiliate): https://haggleoff.com/discount/SHELFSIDE?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fhaggleoff-card-game

Table of Contents:
Overview - (0:00)
How to Play - (1:05)
Pros - (3:28)
Cons - (10:40)
Recommender Score - (15:34)
Ashton's Personal Score - (18:36)

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #review
Published — 05. November 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Twilight Imperium 4: Thunder's Edge | Shelfside Review

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
05. November 2025 um 16:30

💾

We review the latest Ti4 expansion, after playing it four times! Well technically, we played Codex 4 3 times, then this once, but there’s a lot of crossover! This 2nd expansion for the top BGG game, Ti4 (with Pok) includes more asymmetric factions all the way to new 4x mechanics (Thunder’s edge + fracture). Explore the fracture and invest into the new legendary planets! Or play an entire new game mode with drafting, in Twilight’s Fall! There are patched cards from the codexes and cardboard pieces like the strategy cards. With the 20 galactic events, you can fix voting or even introduce RTS-isms with the Monuments to the Ages! Will this be the definitive first expansion to get, even with Prophecy of Kings already being out? How do the 6 new factions fare? What has become of the massive product Twilight Imperium, as maybe there could be a Ti5 one day?

Table of Contents
Overview - (0:00)
What’s New - (1:50)
Pros - (2:37)
Cons - (18:15)
Recommender Score - (20:36)
Alexander’s Personal Score - (26:21)
Ashton’s Personal Score - (28:42)

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

Stuff Used:
Spirit of the Law — Everything You’ve Wondered About Wonders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBEkT92YjC4

#boardgames #tabletop #review
Published — 04. November 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Arydia Exceeds All Expectations!

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
04. November 2025 um 15:23

💾

Shelfside's thoughts and impressions after reaching level 4 in Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread! A campaign board game heavily inspired by ttrpg's like dnd, players will create characters to adventure and roleplay with a d20 checks system and pre-painted minis! With by far the BEST components we've ever seen coming out of massive kickstarter projects alongside incredibly smooth story and tactical gameplay using 2 standard and 1 minor actions from your loadout of equipment and abilities.

Arydia gets a reprint soon! https://gamefound.com/en/projects/far-off-games/arydia-2nd-printing

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Table of Contents:
Preamble - 0:00
Game Overview - 3:34
Why Components Are Amazing - 5:43
Combat Simple Yet Thoughtful - 10:34
Very Smooth Experience - 13:10
Wrap Up - 16:20

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #tabletopgames
Published — 28. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Threshold Prototype Review — MMO meets Campaign Game

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
28. Oktober 2025 um 15:30

💾

We review a ‘MMO’ styled campaign board game! Threshold by owl studios features players deckbuilding with asymmetric characters, fighting on a hex map (like Gloomhaven). There is a combination of the overland and combat, as players manage their hands of 5 cards, upgrading their decks as they level up. You can role-play as a guardian or mystic in this prototype, to do MMORPG-isms! At some point there may be level 40 raids, or guilds to participate in! Lots of aspects of the questing and loot feel like the popular blizzard game World of Warcraft, but how online could this board game be? Could you play dungeons online with fellow members via discord after the gamefound?

Other games mentioned: Pokemon Emerald, Elder Scrolls Betrayal of the Second Era, Guild Wars 2, Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon, Tainted Grail: Kings of Ruin, Dragon Eclipse, Dominion

Play Threshold: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/oomm-games/threshold

Table of Contents:
Overview - (0:00)
How to Play - (2:00)
Pros - (4:41)
Cons - (13:40)
Tentative Score - (24:07 )
Ashton’s Personal Score - (30:37)

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

Stuff Used:

Guild Wars 2 in 2025 | Is it Worth Playing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx8lgTqPFLE

World of Warcraft Classic (2023) - Gameplay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNxgu5bueAQ

#boardgames #tabletop #review
Published — 24. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

I eat at 5 NYC Board Game Stores & Cafes

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
24. Oktober 2025 um 16:30

💾

New York City board game related stores, we’re coming to eat! We visit some FLGS and cafes, which feature popular BGG games, but also food/drink! We check out their offerings besides tabletop, like in some places Golf and Arcade! We go through the various places, including in Hoboken New Jersey all the way to Manhattan Upper East side. We can show which places have rentals and their open play policy, or do they just do MTG commander? Perhaps TTRPGs are more your style? Can you play big space operas or just simple 2 player games at these areas?

Play Conquest for the Capital: https://www.mountainsoul.com.au/

Table of Contents:
Intro - (0:00)
Conquest for the Capital - (1:00)
1. Hoboken Game Lounge - (1:49)
2. Silk Road Gaming - (8:15)
3. Gamestoria - (10:55)
4. Hex & Co - (14:15)
5. Chaotic good - (17:34)
Favorite Experiences - (20:50)

Games featured: Dune Imperium, Cosmic Encounter, That’s Not My Hat, Mahjong, Poker, Exploding Kittens, Monopoly, Magic: The Gathering, Battle of Hoth, Star Wars Rebellion, Dungeons and Dragons, Karen the Game, Twilight Imperium 4

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #tabletopgames
Published — 22. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Star Wars: Battle of Hoth Review — Memoir 44 Strikes Back!

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
22. Oktober 2025 um 16:30

💾

We review this tactical 1v1 fight between the Rebels and Empire! Battle of Hoth is an asymmetrical hex based war game that only takes 30 minutes too! You'll manage your hand and battlefield to get the most medals, rolling dice to resolve combats. With simple line of sight rules and a great presentation, does this have what it takes to be popular on BGG in 2025? After all, many of the old Memoir 44 rules are here, just tweaked to make the game even more streamlined. There's also a TON of replayability and depth with the campaigns and mini-campaigns! Did Days of Wonder do it again, or is this game simply not innovative enough?

Play Conquest for the Capital: https://www.mountainsoul.com.au/

Other games mentioned: Star Wars: Rebellion, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Star Wars Unlimited, War for the Ring, Undaunted: Normandy

Table of Contents:
Overview - (0:00)
Conquest for the Capital - (1:00)
How to Play - (1:47)
Pros - (2:54)
Cons - (9:08)
Recommender Score - (15:13)
Ashton's Personal Score - (18:45)

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #review
Published — 21. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Heroes of Might & Magic: The Card Game ▸ Shelfside Plays

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
21. Oktober 2025 um 23:43

💾

We engage in a 1v1 card duel to the death! This TCG by Archon Studios has players using their asymmetric decks (Castle vs Necropolis) to drop the enemy hero to 0 HP. Players will manage their hands of cards but also manage units on a grid battlefield, vying for control of locations that can give special abilities. There's powerful spells/artifacts and fun unit nuance including stacking! With Ashton controlling Adela the Cleric and Alex controlling Isra the Death Knight, who will win with these sample packs?

Play HoMM TCG: https://tinyurl.com/39wy9eb9

Table of Contents:
Intro/Overview - (0:00)
How to Play - (0:34)
Alex vs. Ashton - (2:11)

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

Stuff Used:
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings — Track 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDcZXEMF84k

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings — Track 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkOC5BnnXwU

Age of Empires 2: The Conquerors - Track 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jDWRC9_Gk0

Age of Empires 2: The Conquerors - Track 5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BaShAjqNFE

Age of Empires 2: The Conquerors - Track 6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fzvohmvsQ

Age of Empires 2: The Conquerors - Track 7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ed1G4I_UpE

Age of Empires II: The Conquerors — Track 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JUdalWK-vI

Kevin MacLeod — Strength of the Titans
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=047&page=0

Kevin MacLeod — Division
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?Search=Search&feels%5B%5D=Dark&feels%5B%5D=Driving&page=2

Kevin MacLeod — Big Drumming
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=056&page=1

Kevin MacLeod — Southern Gothic
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=027&page=0

Kevin MacLeod — Hiding Your Reality
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=012&page=0

Kevin MacLeod — Unholy Knight
https://soundcloud.com/kevin-9-1/unholy-knight

Kevin MacLeod — Burnt Spirit
https://soundcloud.com/kevin-9-1/burnt-spirit

Kevin MacLeod — Grim Idol
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=010&page=2

Kevin MacLeod — Study and Relax
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?Search=Search&isrc=USUAN1900030

#boardgames #tabletop #tabletopgames
Published — 15. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

The most frustrating & nonsensical board game ever

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
15. Oktober 2025 um 18:00

💾

The designer of Pictionary has apparently also made this disaster of a game. Thinkblot is a party board game where you're guessing shapes, then convincing others to also see it... but the mechanics are all completely off! Mattel published this game that looks exactly like a Rorschach test. In fact, the point scoring works in a way where the game just might not end sometimes. With pencil and paper, you're not even working in teams, and the specialization of rounds/turns are off. You might as well play another party game like Dixit or Telestrations! Even Last Word, with its vague rules, is better than this. Tom Vasel from the Dice Tower seems to agree a bit too.

Play Conquest for the Capital: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/mountainsoul-gaming/conquest-for-the-capital

Table of Contents:
Intro/Overview - (0:00)
Conquest for the Capital - (1:00)
How to Play - (1:47)
Pros - (2:50)
Cons - (2:58)
Recommender Score - (9:05)
Ashton's Personal Score - (12:55)

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #review
Published — 01. Oktober 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

World of Tanks: The Card Game ▸ Shelfside Plays

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
01. Oktober 2025 um 18:00

💾

There is now a card game version of World of Tanks! This is a 1v1 duel to have the most tank power on the battlefield at the end of every round. You'll manage ammo and tank abilities within your asymmetric faction! There's actually positioning too into 5 different locations, so tank range matters. For these samples, we have German and American decks, with their own bases too! To get more ammo, you can create ammo depots by placing facedown cards.

Play World of Tanks TCG: https://archon-studio.com/shop/products/worlds-of-tanks-the-card-game

Table of Contents:
Intro/Overview - (0:00)
How to Play - (0:30)
USA vs. Germany Sample Decks - (3:26)
Unboxing - (20:05)
Testimonials/Outro - (25:31)

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

Stuff Used:
Sascha Ende — Evacuation
https://ende.app/en/song/8118-evacuation

Sascha Ende — World of War (Instrumental)
https://ende.app/en/song/147-world-of-war-instrumental

Kevin MacLeod — Study and Relax
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z_Ecyh6e7A&list=RD5Z_Ecyh6e7A

Age of Empires 2 Soundtrack — Track 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EemMCUiqA2c&list=RDEemMCUiqA2c

Kevin MacLeod — Anguish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgyQ0nBJOvw&list=RDdgyQ0nBJOvw

Kevin MacLeod — Ancient Rite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEsPdLolA14&list=RDFEsPdLolA14

Age of Empires 2 Soundtrack — Track 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcY5s5FwZhM&list=RDEcY5s5FwZhM

Age of Empires 2 Soundtrack — Track 6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSFot1V684E&list=RDPSFot1V684E

Age of Empires 2 Soundtrack — Track 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK_BmWIDVdY&list=RDaK_BmWIDVdY

Age of Empires 2 Soundtrack — Track 5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcY5s5FwZhM&list=RDEcY5s5FwZhM

#boardgames #tabletop #tabletopgames

Secret Societies Prototype Review — Deep Euro Bidding!

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
01. Oktober 2025 um 01:01

💾

If you wanted a Euro-driven bidding game with strong asymmetry, look no further! This Garpill Games' release has hand management of your bids as you seek to get the most power (victory points). You will collect sets of deeds (countries) and expand your income by filling in your player board! This game shares some similarities to entries like Hadrian's Wall, but has a LOT more interaction in comparison. Is this the auction game for you with variable set-up and a lot of really nice wooden tabletop pieces?

Play Secret Societies: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/shem/garphill-games-secret-project?ref=1v4r7y

Table of Contents:
Overview - (0:00)
How to Play - (1:04)
Pros - (3:24)
Cons - (14:07)
Tentative Score - (20:07)
Ashton's Personal Score - (24:11)

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

Stuff Used:
Kevin MacLeod — Local Forecast - Elevator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgXYzF5-Yiw&list=RDFgXYzF5-Yiw&start_radio=1

#boardgames #tabletop #review
Published — 28. September 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

50k Subscribers, now what?

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
28. September 2025 um 01:13

💾

Milestone achieved! But now with 50,000 subscribers, what are we to do? Publish more content of top 100 BGG games? Or make more comedic sketches? Or gamefound/kickstarter reviews? More Ti4 or Gloomhaven content? This video is a bit of a celebration of our success, and perhaps some directions for our loyal fans to follow...

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #tabletopgames
Published — 26. September 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Era of Atlantis Prototype ▸ Shelfside Plays

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
26. September 2025 um 14:28

💾

Shelfside presents 4-player Era of Atlantis with all advanced rules! Watch the 2 nation sharing area control swapping shenanigans play out as we coup and conflict each other into oblivion! Points are based on the lower power level of your 2 nations, all of which are shared with another player! Watch us ruin each others' strategies and chase after hilarious win conditions, maybe even dooming the entire board!

Check it out on Gamefound: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/channing-jones-seajay-games/era-of-atlantis

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #tabletopgames
Published — 24. September 2025 ⏭ Shelfside

Era of Atlantis Prototype Review — Everyone Controls 2 Nations!

✇Shelfside
Von: Shelfside
24. September 2025 um 13:45

💾

Shelfside reviews Era of Atlantis, an area control board game for 2-5 players where everyone controls 2 nations, but also sharing them with each other! On your turns you’ll place action pawns to block spaces, coordinate with teammates, and fight over 3 different game ending conditions. With a blind bidding combat system and no secret communication, your table talk on the tabletop will constantly devolve into hilarity as everyone’s strategies tangle up with each other, meaning you can’t make any huge plays without cooperation! Combine that with secret objective cards and watch as alliances and nation ownership change on a dime! But with so many different directions to get pulled in, it can be hard to at a glance make out who owns what and is doing what given all the shared and changing faction ownership, so don’t get the pieces mixed up!

Check out the Gamefound: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/channing-jones-seajay-games/era-of-atlantis

Support us:
https://www.patreon.com/shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Table of Contents:
Overview/How to Play: 0:00
Component Pros: 9:30
Gameplay Pros: 16:37
Component Cons: 34:24
Gameplay Cons: 39:48
Tentative Score: 48:18
Daniel's Score: 53:42

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
https://twitter.com/ShelfSideYT
https://www.instagram.com/shelfsideboardgames/
https://www.facebook.com/ShelfsideYT/
https://discord.gg/U7QQKqYT62

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/doyduh2

#boardgames #tabletop #review
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