Being a mom is hard. Being a mom trying to raise a son who can…
Going back to last week, after Re-Roll was already prepped for publication, there was a nugget of news and interest—Stronghold Games and Indie Boards and Cards announced they were merging to form a new company. Indie Game Studios, as it will be known, will be the umbrella under which Stronghold, IBC, and Action Phase Games (previously purchased by IBC) will operate as their own brands, sharing the efficiencies that come from the larger operating organization.
WizKids shared a preview of the pre-painted miniatures that will be in the box of their version of Fury of Dracula when it ships in October. (The new rules are at that link, too.)
Are you getting married soon? Z-Man has a deal for you with a special wedding edition of Love Letter. The catch is you can only buy it from Z-Man and you have to provide photographic proof that you’re actually getting married.
In other WizKids news (and a surprise to me, at least), the company is now offering A’Writhe: A Game of Eldritch Contortions, which basically means Cthulhu Twister. It’s a team game! Insanity!
This week’s image is from Dinosaur Island (read our review).
Pantone released this week. A couple of us demoed the game at Gen Con and it’s pretty fun… which is a weird thing to say about a standardized color process and something that reminds many of us of work.
OK, let’s run down some of the games releasing in the coming week! First up is Gizmos from CMON. Everyone who I’ve talked to who’ve played this game really enjoyed it. Gizmos is a science fair-themed engine builder that has a crazy gumball machine-looking sort of marble/energy dispenser.
Next up is War Chest from AEG. It’s a bit of tactical abstract strategy with lots of replayability in a game for two or four players. Easy to learn and tough to master, as the saying goes, but there’s lots of buzz about this one and my copy will be waiting at my FLGS next week—can’t wait!
The Disney-themed Villainous (read our review) will be on the shelves next week. This is one that sold out every day at Gen Con, and it’s hand management with a bit of take-that. Look at the beautiful components and you’ll see why it’s trending very popular.
Speaking of beautiful, Brain Games has Pikoko out next week, a peacock feathered trick-taker that operates a bit like Hanabi—everyone can see your cards but you. Look for a review from Jonathan soon.
The Mind will hit stores next week from Pandasaurus. A lot of folks are crazy about this one, but it’s a bit too “parlor trick” for me. It’s kind of like The Game, but played simultaneously and without speaking. If you enjoy poker, this is a good one for you because it’s all about reading people.
Big G Creative is the publisher behind one of last year’s Gen Con games that at first brought a smirk, then the realization that it was a pretty fun game — Bob Ross: The Art of Chill. This year, again, the buzz surrounded the Big G booth. There were Home Alone, Brady Bunch, and Bob Ross games, but all the attention centered on one themed around … cereal. Monster Crunch! The Breakfast Battle Game is a quick, 20-minute card game, which features Count Chocula, Boo Berry, Frankenberry, Fruit Brute, and Fruity Yummy Mummy — all your friends from the low grocery shelves of your childhood. The game releases next week and, like Art of Chill, is also a Target exclusive. Gotta say, it looks pretty sweet!
The awesome Great Western Trail gets an expansion next week. Rails to the North will bring cattle to the east, to Chicago, Detroit, and even the Big Apple. No link because Eggertspiel is still updating their website.
USAopoly brings a very special game to stores next week: The Golden Girls Shady Pines Game Set. Inside the box, you’ll find Checkers. Also Bingo. Enjoy!
At GeekDad, we write a lot about tabletop games. Here’s what we’ve written about this past week:
Michael Pistiolas took the easy way into danger and reviewed One Deck Dungeon.
Jim Kelly got excited by the recent announcement that Restoration Games is bringing back Dark Tower. He got a bit nostalgic, especially as he pulled out his old version of the game. Next, he recommended a 5e adventure for young GMs, and then Jim wound things up by reviewing KeyForge, the new card game from Richard Garfield.
Simon Yule ventured into the fray again with his 67th session of Curse of Strahd.