variable set up Archives - The Board Game Family

Santorini in New York?

Santorini has been a favorite 2-player board game in our family ever since we first played the reimplemented game by Roxley Games 4 years ago.

It’s an abstract strategy game with variable player powers where each player tries to get one of their pawns (workers) to the 3rd level of a building. The game components are absolutely fantastic and look just like the recognizable, blue-topped buildings on the Greek isle of Santorini.

So we were quite surprised when Roxley Games published Santorini: New York in 2020.

I mean, what do Santorini and New York have to do with each other?

It was a real head-scratcher.

Of course, that also didn’t stop us in the slightest from wanting to play it right away!

If you’re just as curious about how the awesome Santorini could morph into a new game set in New York City as we were, then you’ve come to the right place—read on!

October 23, 2021 Trent 4 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, abstract, luck, Roxley Games, strategy, variable set up

Board Games Dice Games Family Games Game Reviews

Cubitos – a fun dice-building, racing game!

It’s time to get your race face on.

Because today we’re sharing all about this dice-building, dice-rolling, power-upping, push-your-luck, racing game!

It’s a new game by AEG called Cubitos.

And if you think you’re staring at SpongeBob SquarePants on the cover of the Cubitos game box, you’re not. What you are staring at though is a really big chunk of cheese wearing lederhosen!

Why? We have no idea.

But it definitely grabs attention. And if you’re like us, it makes you very curious about what’s inside. So, let’s dive in!

February 11, 2021February 27, 2021 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, AEG, dice, luck, push your luck, racing, variable set up

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews Kid Games

Butterfly collecting isn’t just fun for kids

Did you ever wander through fields swinging a net trying to catch butterflies?

Or if you haven’t experienced that joy, I bet you can still picture kids having fun in such an activity.

But can you imagine adults doing that same thing?

For some reason, it’s hard to imagine adults wandering around a field swinging butterfly nets to catch the flying insects.

So when we received the game Butterfly by Rio Grande Games, we just assumed it would be a game only kids would enjoy. But we were wrong!

Butterfly can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

January 27, 2021January 27, 2021 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, kids, luck, Rio Grande Games, strategy, variable set up

Card Games Cooperative Games Family Games Game Reviews

Aeon’s End Legacy cooperative game review

If you had the chance to be a Breach Mage, would you take it?

Don’t have a clue what a Breach Mage is?

Neither did we before we dove into Aeon’s End Legacy!

If you’re one who likes to cut to the chase, you’ll be happy to know the boys and I have loved it!

If you’d like more detail, read on.

September 4, 2019 Trent 2 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, cooperative, Indie Boards and Cards, solo, strategy, Stronghold Games, theme, variable set up

Board Games Family Games Game Reviews

Tiny Towns board game review

When you set out to build a City, you think big. When you set out to build a Town, you think a little bit less big.

But we imagine you still wouldn’t think about building a town as small as you do in Tiny Towns.

Tiny Towns is a new board game published by AEG that has players constructing their own towns on little 4×4 grids. The variety of buildings to place in those towns is huge. But the area is small.

You’ll have to make the most of your limited space to cram in as many valuable buildings as you can.

August 16, 2019 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, 5-player, 6-player, AEG, city building, solo, strategy, variable scoring, variable set up

Board Games Card Games Dice Games Family Games Game Reviews

Catan’s digital rebirth: Catan Universe

One of the most popular board games published in the last few decades is Catan.

Well, it used to be called Settlers of Catan – but within the last few years officially shortened the name to just Catan.

A number of years ago, Catan also made it’s way to digital devices where it continued to find its way into new players’ hands. And now it’s been updated with a new look and feel with multiple modes of play across all digital platforms (browser, Steam, iOS, GooglePlay, and Amazon Appstore).

June 26, 2018July 8, 2018 Trent 2 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, cards, Catan, dice, digital, luck, Mayfair Games, solo, strategy, variable set up

Board Games Card Games Family Games Game Reviews

The Quest for El Dorado board game review

In The Quest for El Dorado by Ravensburger players traverse jungle, waterways, and native villages to find the elusive treasure. They must prepare well to make the journey. But they can’t spend all their time preparing or they’ll be left behind and another explorer will beat them to it.

How will you do on this quest?

June 14, 2018February 1, 2019 Trent 0 Comments 2-player, 3-player, 4-player, adventure, card, deck-building, luck, Ravensburger, strategy, theme, variable set up

Board Games Card Games Family Games Game Reviews

It’s a tribe battle for supremacy in Ethnos

In Ethnos, by CMON, players channel the help of giants, merfolk, halflings, minotaurs, and other fantasy tribes to help them gain control of the land and gain Glory. After 3 Ages of play, whoever has the most Glory wins!

When we first saw Ethnos, it made us think about Small World – another fun area control game with a variety of fantasy creatures. But once we looked further, we realized both games are vastly different in how they play out.

It’s time to take a closer look at Ethnos, it’ll be worth your while.