Playing Card Information

Dale Yu: Review of Dewan

Dewan Designers:  Johannes Goupy, Yoann Levet  Publisher: Space Cowbows Players: 2-4 Age: 10+ Time: 40 min Played with review copy provided by publisher  &#8220;Our territory was limited, and resources were scarce, we marched from camp to camp in pursuit of &#8230; <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/01/27/dale-yu-review-of-dewan/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>

Alison Brennan: Game Snapshots – 2026 (Part 6)

  New-to-me games played recently include … A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S FAYRE (2024): Rank 19249, Rating 6.2 There are three races in play at any one time (ten for the game), placing a die that meets a race condition (eg a &#8230; <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/01/26/alison-brennan-game-snapshots-2026-part-6/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>

Designer Diary: Behind the Trees of Wispwood

I can say the same for each type of wisp and how they are intended to be played.Your forest grows differently each game, not only because of the variety of scoring cards, but also because of where you place shapes and wisps and how those wisps remain as obstacles in future rounds.The PondIn the middle of the playing area is the central board where you draft your wisp tiles and choose your shapes to add into your forest. Before CGE, I had the board representing part of the forest, but early in de

Charity shop playing cards turned into the sweetest little garland

Charity shop playing cards turned into the sweetest little garland. Pinterest told me to do it, so I listened. If this is on your feed, ...

Dale Yu: Review of Glyphics

Glyphics Designer: Eric Olsen  Publisher: The Op Players: 3-99 Age: 8+ Time: 15 minutes Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3YxbPBj Played with review copy provided by publisher Bored with charades? Terrible at drawing? Then Glyphics is for you! Simply choose a word &#8230; <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/01/25/dale-yu-review-of-glyphics/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>

Designer Diary: Village Pillage

If one was significantly worse, it wouldn't be bought and would just clog up the market — and we deliberately avoided any kind of "clear the market" mechanism because if people consistently didn't want to buy a card, we cut it from the game.Like I said, each upgraded card was basically one turnip stronger than a starting card + an ability (or two turnips stronger + a weakness), but if we added a "cheaper" card type into the game, something between the strength of a starter card and an upgraded c

Happy 15th Birthday to the Opinionated Gamers!

It&#8217;s amazing how much time flies when you&#8217;re having fun.  Fifteen years ago on this cold day, we published our first review &#8211; https://opinionatedgamers.com/2011/01/24/game-review-norenberc/ &#160; Thanks to everyone who has been reading our blog as we write about the games &#8230; <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/01/24/happy-15th-birthday-to-the-opinionated-gamers/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>

The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame 2026 - Day 5 Inductee

by Scott Alden The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame honors games that have made meaningful contributions to the board game hobby in the areas of innovation, artistry, and impact. By curating this distinguished list, BoardGameGeek seeks to preserve the history and evolution of board gaming, while inspiring and informing a global community of players who have a passion for games. Additional games will be inducted annually as the world of board games continues to evolve.The selection process was guided b

Man who helped ID former neighbor's remains via cold case playing cards hopes someone will come forward with more info

Patnode was 23 when she was last seen leaving a bar in South St. Paul in October of 1982. Remains found 80 miles away along Highway 61 in Wabasha County seven years later wouldn&#039;t be identified until 2009.

Dale Yu: Review of Leaders

Leaders Designer: Hugo Frenoy  Publisher: Studio H Players: 2 Age: 10+ Time: 10-20 minutes Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/498UswO  Played with review copy provided by publisher What is the secret of this kingdom, where peace has reigned for thousands of years? &#8230; <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/01/23/dale-yu-review-of-leaders/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>

Designer Diary: Luthier, or The Art of the Instrument

As with Distilled, we turned to David Digby for Luthier's solo design, and due to Richard having lived and breathed the game for so long already, it became natural for the two of them to co-design the solo mode of Luthier, resulting in an automa that appears to learn and evolve over time with an organic deck of cards that reacts to the player and game.Prototype of the solo cards and board for Luthier in Tabletop Simulator, 2024Now, to bring all of this home and to make sure that these mechanisms

The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame 2026 - Day 4 Inductee

Additional games will be inducted annually as the world of board games continues to evolve.The selection process was guided by a jury composed of dedicated and experienced players who have been deeply involved in the board game community for years and who have brought their knowledge and expertise to the discussions. The process began by evaluating games that were at least ten years old in order to ensure widespread engagement and recognition. Additionally, the jury identified and included games

Confront Sieges and Despair in Middle-earth, and Head West in Quartermaster General

Here's the short pitch:Quartermaster General: West Front is played over 23 seasonal game rounds, from Fall 1939 through Spring 1945, with one player controlling the Allies' forces — United Kingdom, United States, and France — and the other playing the Axis: Germany, Italy, and other associated countries (the "Pact", so called after the Tripartite Pact).West Front also includes components and rules to create massive, combined games with Quartermaster General: East Front and South Front.Note that

Dale Yu: Review of Biddle

  Biddle Designers: Ralf zur Linde, Carsten Rohlfs Publisher: Amigo Players: 2-5 Age: 8+ Time: 20-30 mins Amazon affiliate link:  Played with review copy provided by publisher Bet, roll the dice, cross your fingers! All dice higher than four? That&#8217;s &#8230; <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/01/22/dale-yu-review-of-biddle/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>

The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame 2026 - Day 3 Inductee

by Scott Alden The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame honors games that have made meaningful contributions to the board game hobby in the areas of innovation, artistry, and impact. By curating this distinguished list, BoardGameGeek seeks to preserve the history and evolution of board gaming, while inspiring and informing a global community of players who have a passion for games. Additional games will be inducted annually as the world of board games continues to evolve.The selection process was guided b

Dale Yu: Review of House of Fado

House of Fado Designers: Vital Lacerda, Joao Quintela Martins Publisher: Eagle Gryphon Games Players: 1-4 Age: 14+ Time: 30-60 mins Played with review copy provided by publisher In Portugal, some restaurants serve traditional Portuguese food alongside performances of fado, a &#8230; <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/01/21/dale-yu-review-of-house-of-fado/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>

The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame 2026 - Day 2 Inductee

by Scott Alden The BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame honors games that have made meaningful contributions to the board game hobby in the areas of innovation, artistry, and impact. By curating this distinguished list, BoardGameGeek seeks to preserve the history and evolution of board gaming, while inspiring and informing a global community of players who have a passion for games. Additional games will be inducted annually as the world of board games continues to evolve.The selection process was guided b

Dale Yu: Review of Echoes of Time

Echoes of Time Designers: Simone Luciani, Roberto Pellei  Publisher: Cranio Creations Players: 2-4 Age: 12+ Time: 30-60 mins Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3LzL38l Played with review copy provided by publisher In a fantastic and untouched land, four factions govern different aspects &#8230; <a href="https://opinionatedgamers.com/2026/01/20/dale-yu-review-of-echoes-of-time/">Continue reading <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a>

Designer Diary: The Origin of Cozy Stickerville

Some buildings (such as farms) provide resources at the start of each year, and you'll find other ways to gain resources throughout the game.Most buildings have a purpose, either through a card that provides a new action or a story for you to encounter there.DecorationsSome stickers are decorations, such as flowers, animals, roads and more. Many of these are on clear stickers so that you can overlay them on buildings.Although I'm calling them decorations, these stickers do serve a purpose. Placi

Florida officials to release cold case playing cards in hopes of developing new leads

Florida’s top attorney is betting that revitalizing an old program that distributes playing cards in jails and prisons will help crack some of the state’s cold cases. Attorney General Ashley Moody ...