Some games become benchmarks. You know, you hear about or try a new game and you immediately start comparing it... is it as good as..? Is it as pretty as...? It's good but it's a shame the art isn't as good as.... or the rule book isn't as clear as... This is often more about the execution of the design rather than the game itself. It's not always a negative judgement, it can be a way of categorising games in my head - I often make comparisons when I like the game and just wi

Christmas is a time for getting together - eating, drinking and being merry. Whether you're looking for a way of getting the family communicating this Christmas; trying to find common ground between a 5 year old, a 14 year old and a 90 year old or just fancy a change from your usual Christmas activities - these games will be just the ticket. A couple for all the family. Geistes Blitz One of the greatest things about Geistes Blitz is that it is a very levelling game -just beca

When I was trying to expand my collection and on the lookout for unusual games Temp Worker Assassins caught my eye. I was attracted by the art work and the premise. You are a temp working at Bureaucrat Castle and you must use items from the stationery cupboard to bring about the demise of your permanent colleagues. Your weapons range from reasonably blunt pencils to a remarkably heavy calculator. I'm such an English teacher that they had me at these modifiers. The game is pla

My advertising posts often proudly announce the number of board games in my collection. (Currently 310). Like everyone else I prop up, retweet and add to the jokes about the piles of shame; question the necessity of taking clothes to Essen to when you could just fill your case with new games. However, I also see the danger of these throw away comments and jokes. Regularly I feel disquiet about owning games I haven't played while I'm still backing new ones on Kickstarter. Sitt