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Normale Ansicht

Published — 14. Oktober 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Top 10 Games We Would Buy At Essen Spiel 2025 🔥

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
14. Oktober 2025 um 13:01

💾

Woooow! We would need to bring extra suitcases if we were going to Essen Spiel 2025... there are SO many great choices that it was hard to settle on our top 10 (and only two crossovers!) These are the picks that we would be excited to line up and buy if we were there - but remember, we haven't played any of these so this is entirely speculation! If you're headed to the con have a fantastic time, and we hope to see you back there one day!
A&M

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:18 Honorable mention
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/429845/jisogi-anime-studio-tycoon
02:19 Maggie's 10
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/433891/urban-sketchers
05:14 Amy's 10
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/453785/pick-n-packers
07:04 Maggie's 9
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/407233/tenby
08:25 Amy's 9
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/446493/recall
11:54 Maggie's 8
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/375557/i-made-you-a-mixtape
15:41 Amy's 8
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/452324/orbita
18:32 Maggie's 7
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/437245/kingdom-crossing
20:40 Maggie's 6
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/448500/formidable-farm
22:12 Amy's 6
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/411402/whispering-woods
25:18 Maggie's 5
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/444683/pilgrims-curious-adventures
27:07 Maggie's 4
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/437384/bohemians
29:45 Amy's 4
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/442615/oliva
33:08 Maggie's 3 & Amy's 7
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/439983/the-voynich-puzzle
36:36 Amy's 3
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/440007/the-druids-of-edora
39:49 Maggie's 2
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/448435/adamastor
42:46 Amy's 2
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/450112/ghost-lift
46:14 Maggie's 1 & Amy's 5
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/431837/coming-of-age
50:13 Amy's 1
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/429405/orloj-the-prague-astronomical-clock
53:09 Wrap up

Games we've already played and covered:
A Wild Venture (Now with an official solo mode)
https://youtu.be/M6xDt6Vxx-I?si=ENfDQVrfU-1rhzRX

Ada's Dream
https://youtu.be/CUgt2nxODOk?si=RITfIfpyWm53ZETY

Nature
https://youtu.be/rSxqxnlKDas?si=Khoe_DW4v0XsrQhB

Luthier
https://youtu.be/OG8lZZZtIaY?si=hQrhyQvPPfRgLUVM

Calimala
https://youtu.be/Oayk1bn75KY?si=DszmO8EEGRu4Mg8Z

Iliad & Ichor
https://youtu.be/FqESpOqvHmk?si=9nF_CKyru6wL05oO

Farm hand
https://youtu.be/eF_l_ht3fiI?si=qWudLCTkau5LH2BP

Chu han
https://youtu.be/8IFaFwYqdzs?si=YJFWuhd6WMbXCpEd&t=1237

Critter Kitchen
https://youtu.be/rTF8bcJaFoU?si=SZIM-0KEulBEEShm

Rival Cities
https://youtu.be/jpuL3U8ayJA?si=1pkzZeMksohOh5D8

The Great Evening Banquet
https://youtu.be/P86iJokrnLg?si=a_jn5GdZuZntUMs6

Lone Wolves
https://youtu.be/AszfbE9zySc?si=sjkWK0YR0ELNNs3K&t=316

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.
#board games #tabletop games #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 30. September 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Will Above and Below: Haunted also make it to our shelf? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
30. September 2025 um 14:19

💾

Creature Caravan, a 2024 title by Red Raven recently took a coveted spot in our permanent collection. Will Above & Below: Haunted make it too?

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
00:15 🎨Theme
01:13 ⚙️Mechanics
02:56 ☁️How it Feels to Play
06:34 🎯What Surprised Us
08:29 🛠 What We'd Change
10:56 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy?

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/423553/above-and-below-haunted

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 ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 11. September 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Does Overparked Overtake our Polyomino Favourites? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
11. September 2025 um 13:27

💾

There were few games that we picked up at Tokyo Game Market that weren't trick-taking or shedding, but Overparked was one of them! It's been a long time since we've played a new polyomino tile laying game, will this one join our collection? Or yours? 😊

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
00:18 🎨Theme
00:38 ⚙️Mechanics
02:22 ☁️How it Feels to Play
04:12 🎯What Surprised Us
05:52 🛠 What We'd Change
07:59 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy?

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/426229/overparked

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 ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 25. August 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Will Creature Caravan Join Our Collection? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
25. August 2025 um 13:29

💾

We couldn't get our hands on this title in 2024, but we were finally able to get it to the table - over, and over, and over again. This one surprised us both, and might just be the Red Raven game that unites us....

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
00:15 🎨Theme
00:58 ⚙️Mechanics
02:04 ☁️How it Feels to Play
06:52 🎯What Surprised Us
09:45 🛠 What We'd Change
12:57 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy?

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/385331/creature-caravan

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 ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 19. August 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Top 10 Games of Tokyo Game Market Spring 2025 (& 2 of the strangest...)

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
19. August 2025 um 14:01

💾

We LOVE Tokyo Game Market and the Spring 2025 (May) convention was as spectacular as always. It felt as though the hit rate was really high this year - it was a joy playing through the 50+ games we bought (even though it took us a very long time hehe). This video showcases our top 10, which are all wonderful games. We hope you enjoy this list. A&M xo

Original Haul video:
https://youtu.be/nNZ_rYFeHfQ

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
01:05 Number 10
02:58 Number 9
05:40 Number 8
09:25 Number 7
12:30 Number 6
14:54 Number 5
18:01 Number 4
21:09 Number 3
24:48 Number 2
28:49 Number 1
33:07 Games we thought would make our top 10 but didn't...
35:03 Quirkiest games
38:46 Wrap up

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 #ゲームマーケット春2025 #東京ゲームマーケット #ゲームマーケット ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 07. August 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Does A Wild Venture Find a Home in Our Collection? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
07. August 2025 um 14:00

💾

Build up an engine and then tear it down?? Ok, if you say so....
We had a lot to say about this cuteness overload of a 2 player ONLY game.

Game pre-order: https://gamefound.com/en/projects/pika-games/a-wild-venture

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
00:26 🎨Theme
01:06 ⚙️Mechanics
02:17 ☁️How it Feels to Play
08:07 🎯What Surprised Us
08:37 🛠 What We'd Change
11:53 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy?

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/447174/a-wild-venture

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 ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 04. August 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Will Nature Claim a Spot on Our Shelf? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
04. August 2025 um 14:01

💾

We have played through the entire deluxe box of Nature and we have a lot of (conflicting) feelings! Will it stay in our collection?

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
00:35 🎨Theme
01:00 ⚙️Mechanics
03:26 ☁️How it Feels to Play
09:45 🎯What Surprised Us
11:57 🛠 What We'd Change
14:30 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy?

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/330152/nature

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 ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 28. Juli 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Is Trinket Trove Thinky-Themey Treasure? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
28. Juli 2025 um 14:01

💾

TT meets TT in this review! We take a look at the new title from a new publisher, to see if it earns it's 'thinky' label underneath all of that cuteness... will it make it to our shelf?

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
00:36 🎨Theme
01:14 ⚙️Mechanics
02:14 ☁️How it Feels to Play
06:11 🎯What Surprised Us
08:00 🛠 What We'd Change
09:27 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy?

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/436931/trinket-trove

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 ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 21. Juli 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Toy Battle ~ One Shelf, One Game, and Zero Agreement | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
21. Juli 2025 um 14:01

💾

4.5 years reviewing games and we've learned a lot about what types of games we like, and even more about the types of games our wife doesn't like. Let this one be a lesson in the latter, and we hope it helps you decide if this game is for you. Will Toy Battle make the shelf?

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
00:43 🎨Theme
01:14 ⚙️Mechanics
02:42 ☁️How it Feels to Play
04:56 🎯What Surprised Us
08:37 🛠 What We'd Change
10:40 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy?

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/434654/toy-battle

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 ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 17. Juli 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Should We Keep Saltfjord? Or Catch & Release? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
17. Juli 2025 um 14:00

💾

Remember when Saltfjord was the talk of the town in late 2024? Well, we couldn't get our hands on a copy here in Australia, so we're late to the party. Fast forward to 2025 and we're now able to put that FOMO to bed... but was it worth the wait? And will we keep it?

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
00:28 🎨Theme
00:55 ⚙️Mechanics
02:28 ☁️How it Feels to Play
05:49 🎯What Surprised Us
09:30 🛠 What We'd Change
10:50 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy?

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/422674/saltfjord

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 ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 14. Juli 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Does El Paso Earn a Spot in Our GWT Lineup? | A Quick(ish) Board Game Review

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
14. Juli 2025 um 14:01

💾

Great Western Trail is one of our favourite games, period. So when we heard that there was going to be a new version that would be easier to table and teach, it instantly made both of our most anticipated games of 2025 list. So how does it fare? Will it be joining our other three GWT titles on our shelf?

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
00:35 🎨Theme
01:21 ⚙️Mechanics
02:49 ☁️How it Feels to Play
05:54 🎯What Surprised Us
08:31 🛠 What We'd Change
12:08 ✅ Is it Shelfworthy?

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/431305/great-western-trail-el-paso

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 ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 04. Juli 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

Top 10 Most Anticipated Games of GenCon 2025

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
04. Juli 2025 um 14:02

💾

Sadly we won't be attending GenCon this year - but that didn't stop us researching all of the exciting titles that are being launched! Definitely violating the Top 10 again this year with far more titles, but it's so hard to narrow it down! I hope this helps you with your shopping list.

GenCon is one of our favourite conventions because we usually get to meet so many of you there. Have the best time if you are going and let us know in the comments which game is your first booth stop :)

Note: all B-roll in this video is credited to game publisher and/or designer of the game

*******Warning Spoilers in Timestamps Below!*********
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Games we've covered previously
Potions of Azerland https://youtu.be/Ta2dfU97hkU?si=L0aJOzPxv79NvJhT&t=2156
Luthier https://youtu.be/OG8lZZZtIaY?si=_m3njWg-EoEIRa7G
Knitting Circle https://youtu.be/oCTE-_ZGpG0?si=MMyB0777wWebB-Eu
Conservas https://youtu.be/bnrPnN6QolA?si=bVT4Q_nW45S6FPCD
Citizens of the Spark: https://youtu.be/KXJsDR7CMgU?si=qSxCQMp91OoKEyVX
Brink https://youtu.be/weS1VtPRf8o?si=KALSwLtZRiro_aHJ

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:36 Hon mention 1 - High Tide
03:45 Hon mention 2 - Stroop
04:54 Maggie 10 - Propolis
06:37 Amy 10 - Tricky Kids
08:08 Maggie 9 - Trinket Trove
10:07 Amy 9 - Suna Valo
12:55 Amy 8 - Gibberers
15:56 Maggie 7 - Nature
18:26 Amy 7 - Lightning Train
21:52 Maggie 6 - Skara Brae
24:12 Maggie 5 - Positano
26:36 Amy 5 & Maggie 8 - Galactic Cruise
30:43 Amy 4 - Raising Chicago
33:05 Maggie 3 & Amy 6 - All Play small games (cheating :D)
34:09 Ruins
36:19 Tearable Quest
37:45 Soda Jerk
39:31 Vegas Strip
41:34 Vivo
43:47 Oddland
45:40 Amy 3 - No Loose Ends
48:13 Amy & Maggie 2 - Wine Cellar
51:23 Maggie 1 - Above and Below: Haunted
53:50 Amy 1 & Maggie 4 - Zenith
58:14 Wrap up

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 ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
Published — 30. Juni 2025 ⏭ ThinkerThemer

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

✇ThinkerThemer
Von: ThinkerThemer
30. Juni 2025 um 14:00

💾

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 ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺
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