Cartographers Strategy: A Board Gamer’s GuidePosted on Published July 18, 2021July 18, 2021 by Jake Frondorf Cartographers is a fairly straightforward game. However, Cartographers strategy isn’t straight forward at all. While making a map, you’ll be presented with many ways to score, and you must puzzle out the best way to do so by drawing shapes on your map in this Roll and Write game. Read More
The Ultimate Res Arcana Strategy GuidePosted on Published April 3, 2023April 12, 2021 by Jake Frondorf Res Arcana is one of my favorite games. I reviewed Res Arcana quite positively a while back, and after the game was released on Board Game Arena, I figured it was time to write a little bit more about the game. Res Arcana strategy is like an onion, and after getting to play it online […] Read More
Sushi Go Vs Point Salad: The Best Simple Drafting GamePosted on Published April 3, 2023January 6, 2021 by Jake Frondorf In 2013, Sushi Go was released, a charming card drafting game that’s simple enough to teach in a few minutes, yet compelling enough to bring out on game night. For me, that’s made it the perfect gateway game to carry around and teach to non-gamers. But last year, a new super light drafting game came […] Read More
What Changed in the New Rebalanced Edition of 7 Wonders?Posted on Published April 3, 2023July 31, 2020 by Jake Frondorf A new edition of 7 Wonders was announced today, with new art and design, and lots of metallic finish. Honestly, it looks like a much needed visual overhaul for the game. You can check out the announcement trailer below. However, the trailer doesn’t mention the most important thing: the game was rebalanced in edition. The […] Read More
Res Arcana ReviewPosted on Published April 12, 2021July 8, 2020 by Jake Frondorf A card drafting, engine building game has been my holy grail game. I’ve tried for years to find it, I’ve even tried to design it myself. Is this it? Let’s evaluate Res Arcana in this review. When Res Arcana hit the scene last year, it perfectly fit the description. So, when it was announced, I […] Read More
How Changing One Word in Cartographer’s Rulebook Could Drastically Improve ItPosted on Published July 1, 2020June 19, 2020 by Jake Frondorf The other day, I saw a facebook post about playing the game Cartographers with the solo rules. The poster hated it. People were agreeing with her. People who otherwise loved this game felt so bad about the solo rules, they vowed never to play it again. Why? Read on to find out. Read More
Game Design by Example: How Lords of Waterdeep was BalancedPosted on Published May 20, 2020May 20, 2020 by Jake Frondorf When a budding writer wants to write a novel, they’ll study novels, and learn their underlying structure. It’s incredibly important to understand how those who came before you worked, so you can stand on their shoulders. When a musician wants to write music, they’ll listen to music, and learn its underlying structure for the same reason. And when a game designer wants to balance a board game, they should study board games, and you guessed it, study its underlying structure. If you want a game balance example, read on. Read More
Mechanica Review: A Conveyor Belt Board Game for Humans & RobotsPosted on Published May 16, 2020May 11, 2020 by Jake Frondorf There is something absolutely enchanting about this game. I can only hope it comes across in this review of Mechanica. The art and design is beautiful, the jigsaw puzzle mechanic is brilliant, and I even want to rave about how clever the box insert is, since it allows you to play the game right out […] Read More
7 Wonders Duel Strategy: A Guide for the AgesPosted on Published April 3, 2023April 24, 2020 by Jake Frondorf If 7 Wonders Duel strategy had a mantra, it would be “I don’t want this, but I’m going to take it anyways because you need it.” In a game where military is just a token that you slide, this is a surprisingly combative game. Every single choice you make, you second guess because what it might let your opponent do. So, instead of doing what you want, you take whatever card it is that helps your opponent the least. Read More
Caper Review: Card Drafting for ThievesPosted on Published April 17, 2020April 17, 2020 by Jake Frondorf When you end your game night with a game of Caper, you might tell yourself its “just one last job and then I’m out,” but you know in your heart that you’ll be shuffling up these cards again later that night, since you’re already planning that next heist. This time in London. No, Rome! You’ll […] Read More
7 Wonders Strategy Guide: How to draft the best CivilizationPosted on Published April 15, 2020April 14, 2020 by Jake Frondorf Even as hundreds of new drafting games have come out, 7 Wonders still stands strong as one of best of them (though, I’m still debating if 7 Wonders Duel beats the original or not). 7 Wonders strategy is just so deep, and so satisfying to pick apart. Read More
Sprawlopolis Review: the Biggest MicrogamePosted on Published April 15, 2020April 10, 2020 by Jake Frondorf Sprawlopolis is a game that I expected to like. Like any solo game, I expected it to challenge me. I expected it would be worth carrying around for a week to kill downtime in waiting rooms and break out at bars. My expectations were higher than for any other microgame I’ve played (and I love the microgame gimmick), and it still blew me away. How can such a small game be so good? Keep reading this Sprawlopolis review and find out. Read More
Mystic Vale Strategy: Tactics & Tips for the Modern CardcrafterPosted on Published April 16, 2020April 9, 2020 by Jake Frondorf This quick guide has some of the strategies and tactics for playing Mystic Vale like a champion. Improve your Mystic Vale strategy. Read More
